Archive for the ‘Charlotte Bobcats’ Category

We live in an attention economy-driven world where the most important things are the things you see the most and the things you see the most are the things a few select people decide are important. If you’re not cool enough to be noticed, then you’ll never be cool because you’ll never be seen.

It’s a vicious cycle and it’s something Tyrus Thomas doesn’t like at all. From the Charlotte Observer:

“My drive is because of the fact every other team is getting mentioned right now, whether it’s their blockbuster trade or how good they’ll be,” Thomas told the Observer Monday. ”So I know we have to come in and work. My drive right now is to be mentioned. It just disgusts me when you watch ESPN, and out of the 30 teams you’re not mentioned.

“I think a lot of our guys have that chip on their shoulders. Just to show we’re in the league, too, you know?’’

If you’re a team no one cares about, this is the way to do it. Just play your balls off, try to be fun and win some games. Eventually someone will put you on TV.

Except, of course, for the fact that the league’s national TV schedule is pretty well set and the only way to get more exposure is to be chosen as the featured game for Fan Night on NBATV. And because they’re the Bobcats, they’ve only got four national games.

Not to mention, they were the 26th slowest team in the league last year, according to the pace statistics provided by Basketball-Reference. And they were the 26th worst offensive team in the league last year. And they had less dunks last year than Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin did individually. And their leading dunker (Kwame Brown, 72nd in the league) just signed a hilariously huge contract with another team. And their highest draft pick might not be joining the team this season.

I’m not saying it’s impossible for the Bobcats to get national exposure, I’m just saying there are some obstacles. Maybe Tyrus Thomas just needs to start saying quotable things to anyone who’ll listen. Not only did that “get my check” blurb get him some attention, this little nugget got him a super valuable blog post. You gotta start somewhere.

(via SLAM)

Yes, it was a pretty far-fetched idea in the first place. The Bobcats are a team coming off a 34-48 season which saw them trade their best player, Gerald Wallace, midway through for virtually nothing. This year, they plan to center their offense around Corey Maggette. Yup. Guess they’ve gotta go with something.

Either way, I’m not here to judge rosters, especially since we have no idea how things will shake down when Friday’s free agency extravaganza begins, but just a quick glance at this year’s schedule basically kills any chance for Charlotte to overachieve.

Strength of schedule aside, the Bobcats play four games in five nights a league leading 12 times, meaning 48 of their 66 games (73 percent) will be played under those tough circumstances. The average team plays four games in five nights just six times.

Last season, Charlotte was the fourth worst team on the second night of back-to-backs when compared to games following an off night. As you’d expect, they’re close to the top in the numbers of back-to-backs this season at 23 (Indiana has 24). Sorry, ‘Cats fans. Expect some lackluster play.

I love me some Kemba Walker swagger and Bismack Biyombo’s jumping abilities, but with such a short camp, I don’t see the rooks making a big mark this season. A team like Charlotte needs to outwork the opposition if they’re going to be successful, but that looks pretty hopeless when checking out the calendar.

Wonder how Michael Jordan feels about that hardline stance now.