Taking the LOL out of the Bobcats

[zike_42]

January’s Player of the Month – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder – 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in January.

January’s Rookie of the Month – Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers – 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game in January.

Still no trades for everyone else and I’m pumped about this coming month because everyone is healthy and have had time to gel.

@ Denver – 111-101 W (18-29) Bobcats best – Kemba Walker – 26 points, 4 assists
@ Utah – 89-77 W (19-29) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Vs Atlanta – 105-70 W (20-29) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 20 points, 5 rebounds
@ Miami – 85-108 L (20-30) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 18 points, 13 rebounds
Vs Los Angeles Clippers – 103-81 W (21-30) Bobcats best – Marcus Camby – 12 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks, 6 assists
Vs Washington – 89-69 W (22-30) Bobcats best – Kemba Walker – 16 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds

It’s All Star time! We have Derrick Brown in the Slam Dunk contest and made it to the final, but lost to Golden State’s Dominic McGuire 75-66. Kyle Korver was the best shooter by far in the Long Distance Shootout and dominated the field, beating Raja Bell and Daniel Gibson in the final.

Kemba Walker is invited to play in the rookie team while Jordan Crawford is a starter for the sophomores, with the second year team winning easily, 132-104. John Wall is crowned MVP with 32 points, 12 assists and 6 rebounds while Walker had 4 points in 6 minutes while Crawford has 23 points and 8 rebounds in 34 minutes.

Paul Millsap is a surprising All Star starter as the East wins the game 140-128 with Dwight Howard being named the best with 34 points and 17 rebounds in a dominant display. Millsap has 12 points and 7 rebounds before fouling out.

Great news for Paul, Kemba and Jordan, especially Paul who was a freaking starter in the All Star game! It’s still early but don’t be surprised if he is a Bobcat for life.

Finally a couple of trades.

Toronto trade:
PG Jose Calderon

Orlando trade:
SG JJ Redick

Winner – Orlando. They may have taken on heaps of contract but Calderon is a great point guard and they bolster their bench by moving Jameer Nelson there.

Memphis trade:
SG Tony Allen

Los Angeles Lakers trade:
PF Josh McRoberts

Winner – The Lakers. They get a fantastic wing defender to back up Kobe for a scrub.

Vs Indiana – 108-82 W (23-31) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 33 points

Another trade, which makes so much sense.

Utah trade:
PF Boris Diaw

Orlando trade:
PG Jameer Nelson

Winner – Orlando. They get a starter and an expiring contract for a redundant player now Calderon is running the show.

Vs Orlando – 96-116 L (23-32) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 34 points
@ Houston – 73-103 L (23-33) Bobcats best – Kemba Walker – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
@ Phoenix – 108-121 L (23-34) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 22 points, 14 rebounds
@ Sacramento – 75-115 L (23-35) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 28 points, 10 rebounds

It was a bittersweet month as we started out 6-2 but finished with a four game losing streak. I guess which such a team we have to take the good with the bad as long as there is more good than bad. It puts us 11th in the conference, still only two and a half games out of that eighth playoff spot. Cool.

The top three of the East are New Jersey (40-18), Miami (38-18) and Orlando (38-19) with Toronto still last at 12-47. What’s funny is that the Raptors are 11-17 at home but an embarrassing 1-30 in America.

The West is a little more wide open with the Spurs holding a two game lead over Denver who has a 1.5 game lead over the Lakers. Sacramento is 16-43 and falling behind everyone as their ‘lead’ for last has grown to five games over Minnesota.

Charlotte Top Points
Jordan Crawford – 17.9
Paul Millsap – 17.1
Kemba Walker – 16.9

Charlotte Top Rebounds
Marcus Camby – 10.7
Paul Millsap – 10.3
Kemba Walker – 4.4

Charlotte Top Assists
Kemba Walker – 5.4
Marcus Camby – 3.0
Cory Higgins – 2.4

Charlotte Top Efficiency
Paul Millsap – 22.1
Marcus Camby – 21.4
Kemba Walker – 16.7

League Top Points
Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 28.2
Lebron James (MIA) – 27.0
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL) – 25.3

League Top Rebounds
Dwight Howard (ORL) – 14.0
Andrew Bynum (LAL) – 11.6
Andrew Bogut (GSW) – 11.5

League Top Assists
Steve Nash (PHO) – 11.6
Chris Paul (LAC) – 11.3
Deron Williams (NJN) – 9.4

League Top Efficiency
Lebron James (MIA) – 29.7
Chris Paul (LAC) – 27.2
Deron Williams (NJN) – 27.1

Rookie Top Efficiency
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – 17.2
Kemba Walker (CHA) – 16.7
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 16.5

Third round of future prospects
1. (1) Ketevan Abashidze (SF), 6’10”, 225lbs, 19 years old, Estonia, 25.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 10.6 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 2.5 spg
2. (2) Rick Allen (C), 6’10”, 264lbs, Freshman, Kansas State, 12.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, 8.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.2 spg
3. (NR) Gorazd Spaho (PG), 6’2”, 158lbs, 18 years old, Bosnia, 23.3 ppg, 7.6 apg, 10.4 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 2.3 spg
4. (NR) Raphael Filho (C), 6’10”, 267lbs, 19 years old, Brazil, 15.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 9.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 1.3 spg
5. (NR) Marlon Largent (SF), 6’8”, 234lbs, sophomore, Michigan State, 11.8 ppg, 2.9 apg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.2 spg

[zike_42]

February Player of the Month – Lebron James, Miami Heat – 28.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

February Rookie of the Month – Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers – 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.

As we are only 3.5 games out of the last playoff spot I’m actually really nervous for what is in store for us. You can’t blame me though; we were slotted into that 29th position in the pre-season rankings in front of Detroit so I think we have done pretty damn well for ourselves so far.

@ Golden State – 105-89 W (24-35) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 24 points, 7 rebounds
@ Los Angeles Clippers – 74-114 L (24-36) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 15 points, 5 rebounds
Vs Chicago – 91-102 L (24-37) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 25 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks
Vs Atlanta – 78-94 L (24-38) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 23 points, 6 rebounds
@ New York – 88-102 L (24-39) Bobcats best – Josh Howard – 17 points
@ San Antonio – 94-109 L (24-40) Bobcats best – Reggie Williams – 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Kemba Walker is really struggling of late and I think it is because of his heavy playing time with only Cory Higgins to back him up. So I sign Derek Fisher off the free agent list which worries me. If the Lakers didn’t want him then how bad is he? He slots into our 7th man spot.

Vs Houston – 96-117 L (24-41) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 36 points

I think I spoke too soon at the start of the month, it looks like we are done for the season, and now six games back from Indiana in the eighth spot.

@ Minnesota – 89-108 L (24-42) Bobcats best – Kemba Walker – 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Vs Toronto – 109-98 W (25-42) Bobcats best – Kemba Walker – 23 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
Vs Sacramento – 117-85 W (26-42) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 25 points, 12 rebounds
@ Toronto – 95-103 L (26-43) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 19 points, 10 rebounds
Vs Indiana – 97-99 L (26-44) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 20 points, 13 rebounds
@ Washington – 120-90 W (27-44) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 17 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists
@ Philadelphia – 80-90 L (27-45) Bobcats best – Paul Millsap – 20 points, 12 rebounds
Vs New York – 105-96 W (28-45) Bobcats best – Reggie Williams – 19 points, 4 rebounds

At the end of March we are sitting in 10th position in the East, five games behind New York with only nine games left in the season it is going to be hard to get into that playoff position. Orlando has taken the lead with a 49-23 record while New Jersey and Miami are the Magic’s only worries.

San Antonio is the only team in the league that has passed the 50 win barrier, currently at 51-21 with the Lakers and the Nuggets both on 48-26.

Charlotte Top Points
Jordan Crawford – 18.0
Paul Millsap – 17.0
Kemba Walker – 16.8

Charlotte Top Rebounds
Marcus Camby – 10.4
Paul Millsap – 10.0
Kemba Walker – 4.6

Charlotte Top Assists
Kemba Walker – 5.6
Marcus Camby – 2.9
Cory Higgins – 2.4

Charlotte Top Efficiency
Paul Millsap – 21.9
Marcus Camby – 20.3
Kemba Walker – 17.0

League Top Efficiency
Lebron James (MIA) – 29.1
Chris Paul (LAC) – 27.2
Deron Williams (NJN) – 26.6

Rookie Top Efficiency
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – 17.3
Kemba Walker (CHA) – 17.0
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 16.4

[zike_42]

March Player of the Month – Lebron James, Miami Heat – 25.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

March Rookie of the Month – Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers – 18.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.

Technically we are still in the race for the playoffs but with nine games to go and a five game difference I highly doubt it. With that I tell Paul Silas to put our best players on the shelf so we can give some game experience to our younger guys and to improve our draft chances. Kemba Walker is slightly banged up so he goes to the bottom of the list as well as Paul Millsap and Marcus Camby. I would have put Jordan Crawford on the IR list but I want Bismack Biyombo to get as much court time as possible in these last games.

Vs Los Angeles Lakers – 84-100 L (28-46) Bobcats best – Reggie Williams – 26 points
@ Boston – 106-117 L (28-47) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 30 points
Vs Miami – 98-83 W (29-47) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 23 points, 10 rebounds

Are you serious? We beat Miami without our best three players? Sure the Heat were without Dwayne Wade but Tyrus Thomas and Bismack Biyombo had 11 blocks between them scared Lebron James and Chris Bosh into shooting a combined 15/45 which is amazing. Things are looking bright for this team in the future.

@ Detroit – 94-76 W (30-47) Bobcats best – Kevin Seraphin – 5 points, 6 rebounds, 8 blocks
Vs Philadelphia – 82-95 L (30-48) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 22 points, 5 rebounds
@ Oklahoma City – 71-110 L (30-49) Bobcats best – Reggie Williams – 19 points, 8 rebounds
@ Chicago – 82-104 L (30-50) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 19 points
@ New Jersey – 91-110 L (30-51) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 29 points
@ Orlando – 70-101 L (30-52) Bobcats best – Jordan Crawford – 20 points

So we went 2-7 in our last nine games but it was a hellish stretch, with only Detroit out of the playoff race and many of the teams we faced were on their way to a 50 win season so we didn’t do too bad.

That means that we finished 12th in the East (or fourth last) and sixth last in the league, giving a great chance of a high draft pick. Orlando won the conference with a 58-24 record but now that I look at the standings we played the top six eastern conference teams in those last nine games, no wonder we lost most of them. Here are the final standings –

Eastern Conference
1. Orlando Magic – 58-24 (.707)
2. New Jersey Nets – 57-25 (.695)
3. Miami Heat – 52-30 (.634)
4. Philadelphia 76ers – 50-32 (.610)
5. Boston Celtics – 47-35 (.573)
6. Chicago Bulls – 44-38 (.537)
7. Indiana Pacers – 39-43 (.476)
8. New York Knicks – 36-46 (.439)
Toronto Raptors – 18-64 (.220)

Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs – 58-24 (.707)
2. Denver Nuggets – 53-29 (.646)
3. Los Angeles Clippers – 53-29 (.646)
4. Los Angeles Lakers – 52-30 (.634)
5. Phoenix Suns – 51-31 (.622)
6. Golden State Warriors – 50-32 (.610)
7. New Orleans Hornets – 49-33 (.598)
8. Dallas Mavericks – 46-36 (.561)
Sacramento Kings – 26-56 (.317)

Charlotte Top Points
Jordan Crawford – 18.2
Paul Millsap – 17.0
Kemba Walker – 16.8

Charlotte Top Rebounds
Marcus Camby – 10.4
Paul Millsap – 10.0
Kemba Walker – 4.6

Charlotte Top Assists
Kemba Walker – 5.6
Derek Fisher – 4.3
Marcus Camby – 2.9

League Top Points
Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 27.3
Lebron James (MIA) – 27.2
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL) – 25.0

League Top Rebounds
Dwight Howard (ORL) – 13.8
Andrew Bynum (LAL) – 11.5
Andrew Bogut (GSW) – 11.3

League Top Assists
Steve Nash (PHO) – 11.9
Chris Paul (LAC) – 11.4
Deron Williams (NJN) – 9.7

League Top Efficiency
Lebron James (MIA) – 29.4
Chris Paul (LAC) – 27.7
Deron Williams (NJN) – 27.0

Rookie Top Points
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 18.2
Kemba Walker (CHA) – 16.8
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – 14.0

Rookie Top Rebounds
Tristan Thompson (CLE) – 5.9
Kenneth Faried (DEN) – 5.4
Josh Harrellson (NYK) – 5.4

Rookie Top Assists
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 6.8
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – 6.6
Kemba Walker (CHA) – 5.6

Rookie Top Efficiency
Ricky Rubio (MIN) – 17.5
Kemba Walker (CHA) – 17.0
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 16.3

This was definitely a guards draft as five of the top six leading rookies in efficiency were point guards, with Phoenix’s Markieff Morris being the odd one out.

[jksander]

Go get that high draft draw

[zike_42]

Go get that high draft draw

I started this career at around RC3/4 I think and we are up to RC11 so this career has been put to bed. When the full game comes out I will start up another one, either a early 90's one or a current day one I'm not sure yet.

[jksander]

Oh yeah, I forgot it's still a beta ... I remember how my beta diaries went with DDS:CB and DDS:CB2