2009-2010 Charlotte Bobcats Preview

2008 Record: 35-47, 4th in Eastern Conf. Southeast Division
Head Coach: Larry Brown, 2nd season
Key Additions: C Tyson Chandler
Key Losses: F Sean May, C-F Emeka Okafor
1st Round Draft Picks: G Gerald Henderson
2nd Round Draft Picks: F Derrick Brown, G-F Robert Vaden (from Oklahoma City)

2008-'09 Bobcats Review:

In the fifth season of their existence, the Charlotte Bobcats briefly flirted with the postseason, a feat almost as impressive as making the playoffs. An expectedly ugly 7-16 start suggested a year of growing pains in the Carolinas under first-year coach Larry Brown, but by the end of an 82-game campaign, the only pain being felt in Charlotte was the sting of missing the Eastern Conference's eight-team late-April extravaganza.

A turning point for the Bobcats came on Dec. 13, when Brown--always one to substantially reshape an NBA roster according to his preferences--brought in Boris Diaw and Raja Bell from the Phoenix Suns. In the next 51 games after that alteration to the Bobcat lineup, Charlotte went 27-24 to stand just below the playoff cut line at the end of March. At 34-40 for the year, Brown's boys had a legitimate chance to play deep into the Spring. One more push through April would have brought this team to the finish line, but a wrenching two-point overtime loss at Boston (on April 1) took the life out of a group that expanded a great deal of energy just to sniff a playoff berth. A 1-7 finish in April produced a 35-47 record and the end of a dream, but few in Charlotte could have been disappointed with the forward strides made by the franchise.

2009-'10 Bobcats Preview:

Here's where things get interesting: Brown is beginning to remake a franchise, as he's successfully done in just about every city not named New York. Given a second season on the Charlotte bench, Brown--along with Bobcat fans--needs to see the signs that accompany the resurgence he's famous for orchestrating:

* Better defense, which will hopefully be provided by Tyson Chandler, exchanged for Emeka Okafor in a straight-up deal with New Orleans.

* Improved team offense, due to the fact that Diaw and Bell will be on the roster for 82 games (barring an unforeseen and unfortunate turn of events).

* Buy-in from his roster. Players eventually tire of Brown's harsh, driving and mercurial style in the fourth or fifth year of his coaching stay (if it lasts that long), but in the early years of an L.B. reign, an NBA roster has usually been willing to listen to Brown because it respects his track record. If the young Bobcats earnestly and honestly follow Brown's instructions, there's no reason to think that Charlotte won't be able to make a run at a .500 record and one of the final few playoff spots in the East.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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