Its beyond optimism for me at this point...

[ItsPantone278]

Theres always the group who gets super pumped up about a bad team after the draft right? Well Ill tell you why I've gone from hopeful to optimistic to now confident that the Bobcats are taking their first real steps towards relevance in the their now 8 year history. I'll preface this write up by saying, thank goodness I'm not the President of Operations or GM. I would not have had the foresight to draft with the focus on the long term as the Bobcats did on Thursday night. For obvious reasons the organization has become a laughing stock. Posting the worst winning percentage in the history of the league will leave many questioning the leadership in the organization, but let me say the Bobcats long term goals are became more clear with the selection of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the 2012 draft. The media is all about Jordan and how he is a terrible front office guy, but I truly believe he is letting Cho and Higgins do their work and the results are starting to show if you pay close attention to detail.

Whether you love or hate the pick, and experts and fans alike seem to be pretty split, the Cats' have made a commitment to being an aggressive defensive team that plays the full court. If you watched any of this past years NBA playoffs you know that this is what the game is. The Bobcats have two players under the age of 20 that I believe could've made an impact defensively in this past years ultra athletic NBA Finals. The two players have a few things in common. They are long rangy top tier athletes. They have the bodies and athletic ability to match up in the NBA.

If you question Biyambo's upside and potential, refer to his performance in the Nike Hoop Summit 2 years ago.

[ItsPantone278]

[koolkatluke]

Great write up 278.

[GotSwag?]

Im very optimistic about the direction we are headed. The goal was to build a team that will compete for titles. We are a long way away from that but we are starting this off right.

Kemba - Might not be a starting PG in the NBA, time will tell, but he could very well become a Jason Terry type guy off the bench.

Biyombo - This kid has a ton of potential. Shut down defender.

Mullens - A big man who can shoot/score. The potential is there.

MKG - All-Star player. All-Star defender. If he ever gets a consistent jumper, he will be a top 15 player in the league.

Taylor - What a steal. A great guy to come off the bench when its all said and done but I guarantee you after he developes his game more, he could start on a lot of teams.

These are the most notable additions/draft selections in the Cho area and the core of this team. We are a long way away but we are headed in the right direction. YOUNG guys with potential. Stay Patient.

[ItsPantone278]

One point I left out in the whats next is the Tyrus Thomas contract and the amnesty option. I wouldn't waste it. Try him out in the new system, see if he can contribute to the team, its not like he's making that much. He's over paid, but its not that big of a deal right now. Who knows, he could play somewhere near his value next season with a new system.

[cavic7585]

Very good writeup, and I am also very excited about where we are heading. I have not forgot about bismack or kemba although it seems that bismack has a higher ceiling then kemba. Both showed flashes last year. Hendo is another guy not to forget, dont think he will get that much better but he is already pretty good, he just hasnt had the talent/coaching he needs.

My dream would be for us to get Machado, then try to package Augustine with a future pick. That little guy can ball and only dropped because he wasnt a prototypical NBA guard. Kevin Jones would be another great pickup.

Next year we will be bad, but with a new style and a good young core I believe we will be fun to watch. Dunlap wants to play a uptempo/pressure defense next year.

I have full confidence we are heading in the right direction.

[Sapper]

On phone, but looking forward to reading this when I'm back on my PC.

[MadHatter]

I still worry about this team's ability to score next season. Unless they do something in FA to bring in a scorer, it will be anemic.

[GotSwag?]

I still worry about this team's ability to score next season. Unless they do something in FA to bring in a scorer, it will be anemic.

Probably so, but that was probably the plan. Get another top 3 pick next season(Shabazz) and then go all out in free agency for some scorers.

Our plan should be get an early lead and watch a lineup of Walker, Henderson, MKG, Thomas, Bismack shut down the other team. LOL.

[chknwing]

I still worry about this team's ability to score next season. Unless they do something in FA to bring in a scorer, it will be anemic.

well if the defense is good enough, maybe we will only have to score 70 points a game. And I think Biyombo will become more of a scorer.

[ItsPantone278]

I still worry about this team's ability to score next season. Unless they do something in FA to bring in a scorer, it will be anemic.

Scoring when we need points will be an issue until we find a "go-to" scorer. Not many NBA teams have one of those. But I expect this team to improve scoring and defending in transition. I would expect deep rotations of young guys pushing the tempo of the game as often as possible.

Walker, Henderson, Mullens and Thomas(if he stays) have to respond well to the transition. They are young players other than MKG and Biyambo that will have to prove capable of being parts of the future plans. Adding Gordon and Taylor could prove helpful as well. Would love to add some interior scoring.

[thatlookseasy]

Ben Gordon is going to surprise some people, he is a very natural scorer who can really fill it up if you give him a lot of shots (and he will absolutely have the green light here). I'd be surprised if he averages less than 20 a game

[MadHatter]

Scoring when we need points will be an issue until we find a "go-to" scorer. Not many NBA teams have one of those. But I expect this team to improve scoring and defending in transition. I would expect deep rotations of young guys pushing the tempo of the game as often as possible.

Walker, Henderson, Mullens and Thomas(if he stays) have to respond well to the transition. They are young players other than MKG and Biyambo that will have to prove capable of being parts of the future plans. Adding Gordon and Taylor could prove helpful as well. Would love to add some interior scoring.

I do believe this team will be better in defense. Not hard to do as we were God Awful defensively last year. But, we will struggle to score 80. I don't think wevwill be good enough defensively Di win many 75-70 games.

But, we will have to wait and see.

[DaCityKats]

would love to have a michael beasley on this team.even jordan hill and i just seen eric gordon might make a visit.