Charlotte Bobcats: They Are Who We Thought They Were

After 2 games in this young NBA season we know this. The Bobcats are who we thought they were, so far. We (me and most of you) thought that they were not quite as good as the Boston Celtics but better than the NY Knicks.

If you are going to use the results of these opening games as a barometer then based on the results they are sliding further away from the Celtics than we thought and closer to the Knicks than we hoped and are comfortable with.

OK, let’s start with opening night. I did not really know what could or should be said about that game. The Bobcats lost 92-59 in TD Garden in Boston. 59? That is a franchise low. It is also an NBA low for an opening game. To score the lowest point total in the history of the NBA on opening night you have to really be trying not to score. The Bobcats were intimidated, nervous, edgy, worried, panicky, tense and tight all at the same time. Tyson Chandler 0-5, DJ Augustine 0-5, I could go on but I think you get the point. Now, I will say that the Bobcats were in the game and the tide changed away from the Bobcats when Raymond Felton literally ate some of the parquet in the Garden. Felton had to leave the game and get 15 stitches in his lip due to Celtics Center Kevin Garnett landing on the back of his head plowing into the floor. Sideline reporter Stephanie Ready reported that the medical staff had to remove pieces of the floor out of his lip. The game was all downhill from there.

Coach Brown admitted that he did not have the team prepared for this game and that it was his fault. He mentioned Raja Bell being out and Boris Diaw missing training camp and Tyson Chandler not being in game shape. Turnovers were high and many players were watching the Celtics move that ball instead of defending. At the end of this game I (me) thought we can only get better from here.

Friday the NY Knicks came to town. This was the home opener at Time Warner Cable Arena. This was the chance to really get back on the right track. With a 51-37, 14 point lead at half. I thought, wow, the Bobcats are better than we thought. Hold your horses. The 4^th quarter was the difference allowing the Knicks to score 27 points to their 13. This dry spell allowed the Knicks to tie the game and send it into OT. Both teams needed 2 OT to get break 100. It was exciting and stressful for the fans.

The highlight was Raymond Felton with 22 points. He really put the team on his back in the 4^th quarter and both overtime periods and delivered a win. Agustine stepped up with a clutch free throws and a last minute 3 pointer.  The Bobcats pulled out the win. Exactly what they needed to balance the first night even up their record.

The Bobcats are slightly better than the Knicks and not as good as the Celtics. But we knew that already.

Next up: LeBron and the Cavaliers, Saturday Night.

Box Score Knicks-Bobcats 10-30-2009