In a desperate attempt to improve its horrendous scoring, the Charlotte Bobcats traded the 8th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft (Brandan Wright) to the Golden State Warriors for Jason Richardson. Whatever happens with the Bobcats this season, they are sure going to be fun to watch. Richardson and Gerald Wallace make for an explosive, athletic perimeter, while quick Raymond Felton is sure to find both players for several alley oops during games. Fans are desperately waiting for Charlotte to break out and be competitive. With all the talent on the roster, it's sometimes puzzling why they haven't already.
Adam Morrison is still a big question mark. After many heralded him as the offensive savior of the team, he had a disappointing rookie campaign, shooting well under 40% from the field. His severe diabetes is still a major question mark, but nobody questions his drive or competitive spirit.
In order for Charlotte to be successful next season, Felton needs to be more consistent in running the offense. His assists were impressive last season, but he needs to improve his shooting percentage and reduce turnovers.
Statistics Projections/Depth Chart
- Center: Emeka Okafor 12.7 ppg, 11.7 rbpg, 2.4 bspg (backup: Primoz Brezec)
- Power Forward: Sean May 12.2 ppg, 7.1 rbpg (backup: Walter Herrmann)
- Small Forward: Gerald Wallace 15.6 ppg, 7.0 rbpg, 2.1 spg (backup: Jared Dudley)
- Point Guard: Raymond Felton 14.4 ppg, 7.6 apg (backup: Matt Carroll)
- Shooting Guard: Jason Richardson 20.8 ppg, 5.0 rbpg (backup: Adam Morrison)
Key Losses
Brevin Knight will be missed more than people realize. Raymond Felton has a bright future, but he's more erradic than Knight. Moreover, the Bobcats have yet to find an adequate backup point guard to fill his role.
Key Additions
Jason Richardson is a great find for Charlotte. They've lacked a go-to scorer, and even though Richardson has been criticized for not coming through in clutch situations, he'll certainly provide a lot of offensive punch. He won't have the advantage of playing in Don Nelson's offensive-friendly system, but he will be the first option on offense.
Team Rumors
There hasn't been any significant rumors surrounding the Bobcats. Everyone's excited to see what they can do this season. They still need to sign a point guard and will likely try to pick up a reliable veteran via free agency.
Prediction
Bobcat fans will be disappointed to learn that their team won't be making the playoffs this year as some experts anticipate. The East has gotten better overall and though Charlotte's improved, they still have some significant question marks to answer. The Bobcat will finish with a record of 38-44, which is five more wins than they had last season and good enough for a return to the NBA Lottery.
Fantasy Spin
Jason Richardson should get a lot of attention in fantasy drafts. The Bobcats have badly needed scoring and suddenly they have an athletic and very capable scorer. Plus, Richardson is healthy again. He should put up very solid numbers and still be available within the first forty or so picks. The only thing to be weary of with J-Rich is that he won't be playing under Don Nelson's system anymore, which tends to boost players' offensive numbers.
Emeka Okafor had an excellent season last year. His free throw percentage is crummy, but remember that he shoots a lot less foul shots than, say, Dwight Howard. For this reason, Okafor's free throw shooting doesn't hurt owners as much as Howard's. Okafor's back is always a concern, but he could be a good big man to nab in the top forty to fifty picks if he's still available.
Don't jump too early on Raymond Felton. He's popular among fantasy owners, but he's got his issues. He commits more turnovers than most would like and his field goal percentage is awful. He still has some developing to do before he can be warranted as a top pick. Still, if you're looking for assists and he's available somewhere around picks sixty to seventy, Felton might be a decent option.
Gerald Wallace has had a history of injuries in recent years, but he's a solid rebounder, blocks a lot of shots and will get the occasional steal or two. With J-Rich in the lineup, expect Wallace's scoring to decrease some, but he's still a decent pick up between picks forty to fifty.
Watch out for Sean May on waivers. If he's healthy, he's a decent scorer and solid rebounder off your fantasy bench.
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