Bobcats Expected to Make Offer for Paul...

[BOBCATS_BALL!]

His affiliation with Jordan brand is completely separate from his desire to play for a contender.

Even with CP3 I'm not sure the Bobcats would be better than the Celtics, Magic, Heat, Hawks etc. That makes them a 5 seed and that's not exactly title contending.

I think we are better than the Hawks without Paul. Remember how bad we started last year before we traded for Jack. With a full season of Jack and TT, I think we will be better than the Hawks. We would be a top 4 seed with CP3 imo, maybe the 3rd seed.

[pantherfan49]

His affiliation with Jordan brand is completely separate from his desire to play for a contender.

Even with CP3 I'm not sure the Bobcats would be better than the Celtics, Magic, Heat, Hawks etc. That makes them a 5 seed and that's not exactly title contending.

A lineup of CP, Jax, Force, TT, and Oke would definitely be better than the Hawks, probably better than the Celtics, and possibly better than the Magic.

[carpanfan96]

A lineup of CP, Jax, Force, TT, and Oke would definitely be better than the Hawks, probably better than the Celtics, and possibly better than the Magic.

I'd have to agree with that, I think it would make them the 2nd - 3rd best team in the east.

[EC123]

I'd have to agree with that, I think it would make them the 2nd - 3rd best team in the east.

Especially with Tyrus Thomas due for a breakout season, even without Paul.

Look at what Paul did for Tyson Chandler.

Thomas has all of Chandler's athleticism, and more skill potential. The thing is, he's now comfortable and more motivated. I expect big things from him even if there is no Chris Paul.

Now if you add Chris Paul and Emeka Okafor, a PG who can get him the ball in easy scoring positions and lobs, along with another post player, but one who can block shots and rebound where Thomas can cheat some away from the rim, I think he'd be even better than I expect him to be without the trade, if it went down.

Everyone already knows what to expect from Jackson and Wallace, with or without Paul (or Okafor).

The Bobcats made James and Wade's lives difficult even without an All-Star PG and a capable Center. With both, the only people who can possibly think the Bobcats would be no better than a 5th seed, are people who are caught up in team names and reputations, instead of real analysis.

[Panthers128]

Well hopefully Chris Paul is as optimistic as you guys are. If he thinks the Bobcats can be a top 3 seed then I think he'd have no problems playing here.

[carpanfan96]

Well hopefully Chris Paul is as optimistic as you guys are. If he thinks the Bobcats can be a top 3 seed then I think he'd have no problems playing here.

I'm confident in all three of these match ups here.

Wallace - James - for what ever reason he's got james number recently.

Jackson - wade - wash both would score points imo

TT - Bosh - slight edge for Bosh imo, but not a huge one as TT is solid defensively.

Bobcats definite advantage

Oke - over hmmmmmmmmmm

Paul over chalmers ---------

Bench - heat- wouldn't know who's left on the cats, so give the edge to the Heat on that one

James, wade and Bosh are still going to score points - but I think that the above lineup would be effective against the Miami big 3 and Wallace gives James problems...so that's always an advantage.

[EC123]

Well hopefully Chris Paul is as optimistic as you guys are. If he thinks the Bobcats can be a top 3 seed then I think he'd have no problems playing here.

He wouldn't have to be OPTIMISTIC, just have a clue.

I'm making an observation, and putting two and two together. It's not about "optimism", as if this is about "HOPE."

People "HOPE" that the Bobcats end up with Paul and Okafor. If they do, it's no longer about being hopeful, or optimistic. I know what the results would be, just like people believe they know what the Heat are going to look like. It's a guarantee at that point, as long as people remain healthy. That's where optimism comes in...avoiding injury.

[SOJA]

You're too caught up in names and reputations.

Anyone who doesn't believe that a lineup of Paul, Jackson, Wallace, Thomas, and Okafor could challenge the Miami Heat in the East is clueless.

The Bobcats destroyed the Heat (Wade) and the Cavaliers (James) last season. Heat beat the Bobcats ONCE, and that was the Bobcats second game of a back-to-back. They swept the Cavaliers.

What the heck makes you all think the Bobcats couldn't challenge James, Wade, and Bosh if you add Paul and Okafor to the lineup and replace Diaw with Thomas?

My only concern would be that Paul, Wallace, and Okafor are injury-prone.

Including Wallace (or Jackson) in the deal defeats the purpose.

First off I'm not caught up in anything. Chris is the one demanding the trade and all the sources say the Cats aren't in the running. Look I like the Cats and Wallace is a great complement player, but are you serious? We got swept by the Magic who got killed by the Celtics. Yeah we beat the Heat and Cavs in the regular season but come on. Even if we did manage to get out of the east the Lakers would manhandle us in the finals. I'm sorry but the Bobcats are no where near having a championship caliber squad. To build a championship team you eventually have to draft well...the Bobcats blow at drafting. Even if we did land him he would leave after his two years to go somewhere else.

Oh and Bosh> Ty Thomas + Okafor .... Okafor is not that good and its a miracle we got rid of that contract.

James>>Paul

Wade>>>>>>>>Wallace- Not to mention we might have to trade Wallace and don't even try to compare Wade to Stephen "shoots way too much" Jackson

Thats what the "heck" I'm thinking. If your going to compare the Heat to us at least use the argument that we have a better all-around team. Comparing their best three players to our best three players is so stupid.

Like I said I'd be beyond pumped if the Bobcats landed Paul. He is my favorite player. But right now it is looking like he is going to go the Magic, Knicks or Blazers.

[cdandi1]

The idea Paul wouldn't wanna play in small market team is ignorant. Orlando isnt much larger in market size than Charlotte. According to theses rankings, Charlotte is 24th while Orlando (Which includes Daytona and Melbourne) is 19th. Im sure Orlando by itself is about the same size as Charlotte. Also, Portland is 22nd on the list, which is as current as Sept. 2009. I am not saying Paul is coming here, or wants to, but right now in terms of trades Charlotte makes sense. Also, being a small market gets tossed when you incorporate Michael Jordan. Like it or not Jordan has already had a larger impact and will continue to, based on his relationships in the league and his brand. FWIW. I don't think Paul to Charlotte is really that illogical.

http://www.tvb.org/rcentral/markettrack/us_hh_by_dma.asp

[C47]

Paul coming to Charlotte makes so much sense for both sides. He wants out and wants to go to a team that can compete. If Charlotte takes back Oak they will have a lineup that will be capable of competing against the top teams in the East. Also the Bobcats would get that recognizable star player that Charlotte needs to put the team in the National spotlight. For New Orleans Charlotte can offer instant cap relief in the form of Dampier, valuable expiring contracts for which the Hornets can use to stockpile draft picks and young players to develop for their future.....Like I said it makes way too much sense which is why I doubt it happens....

[EC123]

First off I'm not caught up in anything. Chris is the one demanding the trade and all the sources say the Cats aren't in the running. Look I like the Cats and Wallace is a great complement player, but are you serious? We got swept by the Magic who got killed by the Celtics. Yeah we beat the Heat and Cavs in the regular season but come on. Even if we did manage to get out of the east the Lakers would manhandle us in the finals. I'm sorry but the Bobcats are no where near having a championship caliber squad. To build a championship team you eventually have to draft well...the Bobcats blow at drafting. Even if we did land him he would leave after his two years to go somewhere else.

Oh and Bosh> Ty Thomas + Okafor .... Okafor is not that good and its a miracle we got rid of that contract.

James>>Paul

Wade>>>>>>>>Wallace- Not to mention we might have to trade Wallace and don't even try to compare Wade to Stephen "shoots way too much" Jackson

Thats what the "heck" I'm thinking. If your going to compare the Heat to us at least use the argument that we have a better all-around team. Comparing their best three players to our best three players is so stupid.

Like I said I'd be beyond pumped if the Bobcats landed Paul. He is my favorite player. But right now it is looking like he is going to go the Magic, Knicks or Blazers.

I've already dismissed all of this, previously.

As for the "SOURCES" and "WHO'S IN THE RUNNING", Chris Paul is not a free agent. He's not the one who decides where he goes. The sources don't do anything but suck up to big name markets and players. Of course they aren't going to say Charlotte's in the running unless they hear from Paul that it is. If he wouldn't have mentioned NY or LA, the media STILL WOULD HAVE speculated about it. Not Charlotte.

If he ends up coming to Charlotte, which he may or may not, he'll realize after he gets here that he's in a place where he can contend RIGHT NOW.

LeBron James would have had a better chance of winning a Championship in Chicago than he will in Miami, at least just as good of a chance, because they wouldn't have ended up having any holes in their starting lineup.

Same thing if Paul and Okafor end up with the Bobcats without losing Jackson, Wallace, or Thomas.

He may not realize it, and he may not end up here, but that fact remains, regardless of what happens.

[Its The Milk]

I gotta say that

Chris Paul

Stephen Jackson

Gerald Wallace

Tyrus Thomas

Emeka Okafor

is a nasty lineup.

[pantherfan49]

I gotta say that

Chris Paul

Stephen Jackson

Gerald Wallace

Tyrus Thomas

Emeka Okafor

is a nasty lineup.

That lineup might not score 100 every night, but it would certainly have more offensive power than last years lineup and that group can play some defense.

If CP makes it to Charlotte, then TT will be a 14/8 guy next year, bank on it.

[carpanfan96]

First off I'm not caught up in anything. Chris is the one demanding the trade and all the sources say the Cats aren't in the running. Look I like the Cats and Wallace is a great complement player, but are you serious? We got swept by the Magic who got killed by the Celtics. Yeah we beat the Heat and Cavs in the regular season but come on. Even if we did manage to get out of the east the Lakers would manhandle us in the finals. I'm sorry but the Bobcats are no where near having a championship caliber squad. To build a championship team you eventually have to draft well...the Bobcats blow at drafting. Even if we did land him he would leave after his two years to go somewhere else.

Oh and Bosh> Ty Thomas + Okafor .... Okafor is not that good and its a miracle we got rid of that contract.

James>>Paul

Wade>>>>>>>>Wallace- Not to mention we might have to trade Wallace and don't even try to compare Wade to Stephen "shoots way too much" Jackson

Thats what the "heck" I'm thinking. If your going to compare the Heat to us at least use the argument that we have a better all-around team. Comparing their best three players to our best three players is so stupid.

Like I said I'd be beyond pumped if the Bobcats landed Paul. He is my favorite player. But right now it is looking like he is going to go the Magic, Knicks or Blazers.

Paul

Jackson

Wallace

TT

Oke

Chalmers

Wade

James

Bosh

Anthony/Magloire/Ilgauskas

Paul ->>>>>>>>> Chalmers - by a long shot

Wade ->> Jackson - by a quite a bit, however jackson plays good d and that should be even better with the weight loss. So that evens the score here a bit

James ->>>>>> Wallace - However Wallace can give James fits and has proved it before, also plays good Defense

Bosh ->>>>>> TT - Bosh advantage, Not sure how TT will stand against Bosh, but he plays good defense and should be able to hold his own..

Oke -> Anthony or whomever.

Wade against Jackson last season

Wade scored

14/16/27/29

While Jackson went for

18/17/24/35

Not saying Charlotte would win, but they would definitely be able to compete with Miami.