Democratic National Convention Heading to Charlotte

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I am certainly surprised that Charlotte, NC was awarded the Democratic National Convention in 2012.  This event certainly puts Charlotte amongst one of the most important cities in the United States and is a credit to the "can-do" attitude of the city and it's residents.  This convention will also likely spotlight the beautiful Time Warner Cable Arena (Home of the Charlotte Bobcats) as the home of the event.  This will arguably be the biggest event in the history of the city.  For one week in September 2012 the eyes of the nation and the world will be focused on the Queen City.

Zach Attack Talking Smack

Early Predictions for NBA MVP:

Z: I believe that if voting ended today for the Most Valuable Player Award in the NBA, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls should win the honor.  Rose has led the Chicago Bulls to one of the best records in the crowded Eastern Conference without his full complement of teammates.  So far this season, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah have each missed extended time on the injured list leaving Rose to carry the burden for the Bulls.  It will be scary to see how good the Bulls could be when Noah returns from injury later this year.  Other noteworthy candidates are Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Amare Stoudemire from the New York Knicks.

College Basketball Thoughts:

Z: What’s wrong with Syracuse? The Orange have now lost four straight games after starting the season 18-0.  My question is, did Syracuse cruise to their perfect start in part to its early season schedule.  The thing is that Syracuse’s schedule looks great on paper with victories over four BCS level opponents (Michigan, NC State, Georgia Tech, and Michigan State).  However dig deeper into the non-conference schedule and it shows two mediocre (GeorgiaTech) or bad (NC State) ACC Teams, a bottom dweller Big Ten team in Michigan, and the Michigan State win is looking worse as the weeks go by.  However give the Orange credit for putting together this schedule.  It’s much stronger than other elite Basketball programs.  The big problem is Syracuse’s play of late.  Sports columnist Cory Giger of the Altoona Mirror (and proud Syracuse Alum) called Syracuse “the most overrated team in the country right now and doesn’t deserve to be in NCAA Tourney right now.”  He also called the team, “talented but dumb players who are quitters.”  This seems a little harsh, but it shows the passion and fandom of the Syracuse program.  We’ll see if legendary Coach Jim Boeheim can right this sinking ship or if it is just a blip on the radar due to the depth of the Big East Conference.

Charlotte Bobcats Win Three In A Row on the Road:

Last night in Oakland, California, the Charlotte Bobcats came back from a 16-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors in overtime.  The Bobcats are now 11-6 under new head coach Paul Silas.  I’m still skeptical to whether or not the Bobcats make playoffs due to their horrendous start of the season (blamed in a large part to former Head Coach Larry Brown).  Silas has instilled confidence in young players such as D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson who are now not afraid of making mistakes and from being pulled from the game for making those mistakes.  Another is the emergence of Kwame Brown who despite being the butt of NBA Draft jokes has emerged as one of the biggest bargains in the league.  It would not surprise me if the Bobcats lost tonight against Clippers being that it is a back-to-back after an overtime game.  However it would be a disappointment if they finish the 6-game road trip 3-3.

Should the Hornets Name Return to Charlotte

With the purchase of the New Orleans Hornets by the NBA, numerous questions have risen over the long term future of the team in Louisiana.  If the league decides to sell the team to ownership groups looking to move the team (to cities such as Louisville, Kansas City, or Las Vegas) many speculate that they will have a new nickname.  This could open up the “Hornets” nickname to return to Charlotte.  This nickname has local ties to the Charlotte region due to General Cornwallis of England proclaiming Mecklenburg County a “Hornets Nest” during the Revolutionary War.  When Michael Jordan purchased the Charlotte Bobcats earlier this year, he said that he would not be opposed to changing the team’s current nickname.  The Bobcats nickname is unpopular in Charlotte because many fans feel that former owner Bob Johnson named the team after himself.  There is a slight chance that the M.J. will decide to abandon the Bobcats and bring back the Hornets name to Charlotte.  The current Hornets team played in the Queen City from 1988-2002 before moving to New Orleans.  My gut feeling is that a local buyer will end up purchasing the team and keeping the Hornets in New Orleans and the Bobcats name will continue to live on in Charlotte.

Charlotte Bobcats

Majority Owner Michael Jordan

2009-2010 Record: 44-38

Owner: Michael Jordan

General Manager: Rod Higgins

Head Coach Larry Brown

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: DJ Augustin

SG: Stephen Jackson

SF: Gerald Wallace

PF: Boris Diaw

C: Nazr Mohammed

To an outsider, the Charlotte Bobcats figure to be a team on the rise.  The franchise had its first All Star in Small Forward Gerald Wallace and earned its first post-season berth.  The Bobcats have seen an influx of new sponsors and the team is one of the largest gainers in the league in terms of new season ticket subscribers.  Add in the fact that Michael Jordan bought majority ownership in the team that the team’s fortunes figure to be on the upswing.  Charlotte’s appearance in the playoffs was short lived as the Orlando Magic swept them away in the first round.  However, the question is whether the team has actually reached its peak or is about to plateau in mediocrity.

The Bobcats were arguably one of the losers this offseason.  Point Guard Raymond Felton left via free agency to New York after not being offered a long term contract.  Part of it is Felton’s fault.  Felton reportedly declined a 6 year 42 million dollar extension prior to last season and received less from the Knicks.  Add in the fact that Felton got torched in Charlotte’s first round matchup by Jameer Nelson that surely left a bitter taste in the mouth of Michael Jordan.  Charlotte then made the curious decision to trade away Tyson Chandler for Eric Dampier’s contract (who was later released).  What is perplexing is that in order to do that deal, the Bobcats also had to take back the contracts of bench players in Matt Carroll and Eduardo Najera. 

The Bobcats did avert a disastrous off season and did resign Tyrus Thomas.  Resigning Thomas was imperative since the Bobcats traded away a future first round pick to acquire Thomas for the playoff push last year.

Jackson and Wallace

For the Bobcats to have any success this year, the health of Stephen Jackson and Wallace are imperative.  This indispensible duo gives Charlotte two lockdown defenders defensively and is the biggest weapons in the team’s offensive arsenal.  The acquisition of Jackson (for the injured Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic) propelled Charlotte to the playoffs and help Wallace focus on what he does best.  Wallace is best at crashing the boards, hustling, picking off passes, slashing to the basket and getting points off of rebounds.  With Jackson in the fold, Wallace no longer had to be the team’s number one option offensively which Wallace doesn’t have the game that is suitable.

Augusin, Jackson, and Wallace

Replacing Felton is D.J Augustin.  Augustin had a sophomore slump after an impressive rookie campaign.  Confidence was Augustin’s main issue and he struggled to please Coach Brown who is notoriously hard on point guards.  Augustin did rebound late in the season and he does offer something that Felton didn’t.  Augustin is a much better shooter than Felton and has the ability to spread the floor to give Jackson and Wallace more room to slash to the basket.  What Augustin lacks is size and the defensive ability that Felton brought to the position.

Thomas and Boris Diaw will split time at Power Forward.  The enigmatic Diaw will likely start since he is arguably the team’s best playmaker.  What annoys Bobcats fans is that Diaw is too unselfish since he often passes up open shots to try and thread the needle to covered teammates and the lack of rebounding he provides for the position.  Thomas gives Charlotte an athletic big who blocks shots, rebounds and can score a little.

The Center position is the biggest question regarding the Bobcats.  Chandler seems like a big loss but Charlotte actually played its best ball in the month of January when Chandler was hurt and Nazr Mohammed was starting.  Mohammed will be the starter and gives Charlotte a viable scorer in the middle.  He is not the prototypical Larry Brown center who is long, and blocks shots but he is adequate.  The problem is that Mohammed at this stage of his career can’t play starters minutes unless the team wants to wear him down come March and April (which is precisely what happened last year).  Ideally Mohammed would contribute best by playing 20-25 minutes a game.  Another issue is that backups Kwame Brown and DeSagana Diop don’t inspire much confidence either.

Nazr Mohammed

Charlotte’s bench isn’t particularly deep which will lead to the team relying on big minutes on Jackson, Wallace, Thomas, Diaw, Augustin and Mohammed.  Shaun Livingston could be okay as Augustin’s backup but he is never healthy.  Dominic McGuire and Najera are energy guys who probably wouldn’t suit up on other teams.  The only bench players with any sort of upside are Derrick Brown and Gerald Henderson.  Brown impressed in his limited minutes last season and does everything slightly above average.  He has the makings of a rotation player in the near future.  Henderson is an athletic two guard who can defend but can’t shoot.

Look for the Bobcats to be coached very well and to over achieve their talent level.  Charlotte’s crunch time lineup will likely include Jackson, Wallace, Diaw and Thomas. These four can guard pretty much every position on the floor and will allow Brown to switch easily on Defense.  Augustin will also be on the floor to again spread to court with his long distance shooting.  As it stands right now, the Bobcats will be a 38 win team that will be fighting for the one of the final playoff spots in the conference.  What makes this prediction difficult is that Charlotte has made a blockbuster trade early in the season the last two years.  Many believe that a similar deal is coming to bring in a center which will likely cost Diaw.

Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets Headed Towards Divorce

Ric Bucher of ESPN is reporting that Carmelo Anthony has no intention of signing a contract extension and wants to leave the Denver Nuggets.  None of this is surprising due to Denver’s disappointing first round playoff loss to the Utah Jazz.  Anthony looks at the Nuggets roster and sees a team in decline.  Chauncey Billups is 34-years-old and is on the decline and the only young assets the team has are the mercurial J.R. Smith and rookie Ty Lawson.  Carmelo also knows that with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh uniting in South Beach to play for the Miami Heat, he has to ally with other superstars to have a shot at a championship.  Anthony is the second star (joining Chris Paul) to show unhappiness with his current team after the “Decision.”  It would not be shocking to see more stars like Deron Williams try to find different teams as they search for a championship. 

Using ESPN Trade Machine, I have constructed a few possible trades that the Nuggets could pursue.

Atlanta Hawks receive Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith

Denver Nuggets: receive Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford

Why this deal could work:

Atlanta instantly becomes a contender in the Eastern Conference with Carmelo, Joe Johnson and Al Horford.  Denver adds Josh Smith, who performs at a near All-Star level, and Jamal Crawford’s expiring contract.  Crawford is better than Smith.

Charlotte Bobcats receive Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets receive Gerald Wallace and DeSagana Diop or Nazr Mohammed

Why this deal could work:

Bobcats’ owner Michael Jordan acquires a Jordan Brand pitchman in what would be a one year rental.  Anthony would make the team nationally relevant for the first time ever, even it’s for just one year.  The Bobcats would definitely lose Anthony to free agency in the summer of 2011.  The only way Charlotte does this deal is if they can include their most toxic contract (DeSagana Diop).  But the Nuggets would more than likely insist on Mohammed who has an expiring contract.  Denver would add Wallace who could slide in at Carmelo’s former position of small forward.

Dallas Mavericks receive Carmelo Anthony and Chris Anderson

Denver Nuggets receive Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler

Why this deal could work:

Nuggets get a much-needed salary dump by including Anderson’s long-term contract.  They also acquire two expiring contracts in Chandler and Butler.  Dallas strengthens its position as a title contender.  Note: this deal would not be able to happen until September 13 due to Chandler’s trade restriction which lasts until then.

Orlando Magic acquire Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets receive Vince Carter

Why this deal could work:

Nuggets save face by adding a marketable player in Carter.  Anthony joins Olympic teammate Dwight Howard (and Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson) to form a quartet that is better on paper than the Heat’s Big Three.

New Jersey Nets receive Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets receive Devin Harris, Terrence Williams and Derrick Favors

Why this deal could work:

Nuggets add a potential franchise player in Favors and a nice young talent in Williams.  They would have to take on Harris to make the salaries match, which would create problems with Billups and Lawson in place, but the reward would be well worth it.  Anthony becomes the centerpiece for the Nets move to Brooklyn (assuming they can re-sign him).

Who can’t make a deal:

Chicago Bulls: 

The only way the Bulls can add Carmelo is if they can include Luol Deng (who has arguably the worst contract in the NBA) in the deal.  There’s no way that Denver would take on Deng even though they know that Carmelo will leave in 2011.

Leader in the Clubhouse:

New York Knicks receive Carmelo Anthony

Denver Nuggets receive Eddy Curry, Danilo Gallinari and Anthony Randolph (or Wilson Chandler)

It’s obvious why the Knicks would want Carmelo.  However, they already know that they are the favorites sign Anthony next summer, so why would they trade away their assets when they can sign Anthony for nothing but cash a year from now?  Instead the Knicks should continue to try to acquire Chris Paul so they can form their version of the “Big Three.” Denver would acquire Eddy Curry’s expiring contract and two young talents in Gallinari and Randolph (or Chandler). Many believe that the Knicks will eventually land Anthony.  The question is, will they part with their assets in order to acquire ‘Melo a year early?