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Big miss for Captain Jack down the stretch.  His 3-point attempt wasn’t even close, bricking off the side of the rim, and it ended the series for the Bobs.  Game 4 is now just about pride.  I would have preferred that the Bobs take it inside – what was the whole point of fouling out Dwight Howard?  However, I understand what Larry Brown was probably thinking.  He wanted the quick 2 for 1.  A 3-pointer would have given us a 2 point lead, which is important against a team that jacks up as many 3′s as Orlando.  The title of this post is a little unfair to Jack, though.  Gerald Wallace and Jack have carried us this series; here is the list of culprits:

• Boris Diaw:  I cringe as I type this.  Diaw is one of my favorite players, and I absolutely loved watching him during the early part of his stint in Phoenix.  I have no idea what has happened since then, but the guy has not been the same player.  The playoffs, however, have been a new low.  I can’t think of a really dynamic or positive play that guy has made.  Considering he has been invisible and that Theo Ratliff is not an offensive threat, it’s basically 3 on 5 on offense when the two teams have their starting lineups on the floor.  It’s very rare that I question Larry Brown’s coaching, but I do have a couple of gripes.  I apologize for not blogging after Game 2, but my two main thoughts were about why Ratliff continues to start in the playoffs now that Naz’r and Tyson are healthy, and whether LB should consider starting Tyrus Thomas in Game 3 since Diaw has been nonexistent.  I really think Thomas needs to start.  He plays with energy and passion, and he doesn’t appear to merely go through the motions like Diaw.
• Raymond Felton has been absolutely schooled by Jameer Nelson this postseason.  Wow, talk about killing your free agency value.  There really isn’t anyone else for Felton to blame.  Nelson and Felton have been allowed to go one-on-one, and Nelson wins that matchup 90% of the time. 
• Mistakes have killed us.  It’s not just turnovers, although the Bobs have had a ton of those.  It looked like we had that problem cured through one half today.  Then, we go up by 9 in the third, only to turn it over the next three possessions.  Killers, but it’s been more than turnovers.  It’s been the “swings.”  It’s Felton giving up a four-point play at the end of the first quarter.  I believe Gerald Wallace has missed two consecutive free throws each game of this series, and Orlando always hits a 3 at the other end of the court.  I feel bad being critical about Wallace missing free throws – it happens to everyone – but he was 50% at the line today.  I was wrong – we do not match up well against the Magic.  Therefore, we have to be absolutely perfect to beat them.  It’s unfair to Wallace, but it’s reality – we cannot miss free throws.  One final example:  we’re making a comeback in Game 2, get a steal, start a fast break, get careless with the ball at half court, turn it over, and the Magic hit a 3.  Comeback was officially dead.
• Why do we play worse when Howard is off the court?  The Magic always expand their lead with him out.  It was never more evident than in the final 3 minutes of Game 3.  I will never understand that. 

My Game 4 tickets suddenly are a lot less valuable.  That’s OK, I will still be there and wearing white.  Go Bobs; play for pride!

Big miss for Captain Jack down the stretch.  His 3-point attempt wasn’t even close, bricking off the side of the rim, and it ended the series for the Bobs.  Game 4 is now just about pride.  I would have preferred that the Bobs take it inside – what was the whole point of fouling out Dwight Howard?  However, I understand what Larry Brown was probably thinking.  He wanted the quick 2 for 1.  A 3-pointer would have given us a 2 point lead, which is important against a team that jacks up as many 3′s as Orlando.  The title of this post is a little unfair to Jack, though.  Gerald Wallace and Jack have carried us this series; here is the list of culprits:

• Boris Diaw:  I cringe as I type this.  Diaw is one of my favorite players, and I absolutely loved watching him during the early part of his stint in Phoenix.  I have no idea what has happened since then, but the guy has not been the same player.  The playoffs, however, have been a new low.  I can’t think of a really dynamic or positive play that guy has made.  Considering he has been invisible and that Theo Ratliff is not an offensive threat, it’s basically 3 on 5 on offense when the two teams have their starting lineups on the floor.  It’s very rare that I question Larry Brown’s coaching, but I do have a couple of gripes.  I apologize for not blogging after Game 2, but my two main thoughts were about why Ratliff continues to start in the playoffs now that Naz’r and Tyson are healthy, and whether LB should consider starting Tyrus Thomas in Game 3 since Diaw has been nonexistent.  I really think Thomas needs to start.  He plays with energy and passion, and he doesn’t appear to merely go through the motions like Diaw.
• Raymond Felton has been absolutely schooled by Jameer Nelson this postseason.  Wow, talk about killing your free agency value.  There really isn’t anyone else for Felton to blame.  Nelson and Felton have been allowed to go one-on-one, and Nelson wins that matchup 90% of the time. 
• Mistakes have killed us.  It’s not just turnovers, although the Bobs have had a ton of those.  It looked like we had that problem cured through one half today.  Then, we go up by 9 in the third, only to turn it over the next three possessions.  Killers, but it’s been more than turnovers.  It’s been the “swings.”  It’s Felton giving up a four-point play at the end of the first quarter.  I believe Gerald Wallace has missed two consecutive free throws each game of this series, and Orlando always hits a 3 at the other end of the court.  I feel bad being critical about Wallace missing free throws – it happens to everyone – but he was 50% at the line today.  I was wrong – we do not match up well against the Magic.  Therefore, we have to be absolutely perfect to beat them.  It’s unfair to Wallace, but it’s reality – we cannot miss free throws.  One final example:  we’re making a comeback in Game 2, get a steal, start a fast break, get careless with the ball at half court, turn it over, and the Magic hit a 3.  Comeback was officially dead.
• Why do we play worse when Howard is off the court?  The Magic always expand their lead with him out.  It was never more evident than in the final 3 minutes of Game 3.  I will never understand that. 

My Game 4 tickets suddenly are a lot less valuable.  That’s OK, I will still be there and wearing white.  Go Bobs; play for pride!

Big miss for Captain Jack down the stretch.  His 3-point attempt wasn’t even close, bricking off the side of the rim, and it ended the series for the Bobs.  Game 4 is now just about pride.  I would have preferred that the Bobs take it inside – what was the whole point of fouling out Dwight Howard?  However, I understand what Larry Brown was probably thinking.  He wanted the quick 2 for 1.  A 3-pointer would have given us a 2 point lead, which is important against a team that jacks up as many 3′s as Orlando.  The title of this post is a little unfair to Jack, though.  Gerald Wallace and Jack have carried us this series; here is the list of culprits:

• Boris Diaw:  I cringe as I type this.  Diaw is one of my favorite players, and I absolutely loved watching him during the early part of his stint in Phoenix.  I have no idea what has happened since then, but the guy has not been the same player.  The playoffs, however, have been a new low.  I can’t think of a really dynamic or positive play that guy has made.  Considering he has been invisible and that Theo Ratliff is not an offensive threat, it’s basically 3 on 5 on offense when the two teams have their starting lineups on the floor.  It’s very rare that I question Larry Brown’s coaching, but I do have a couple of gripes.  I apologize for not blogging after Game 2, but my two main thoughts were about why Ratliff continues to start in the playoffs now that Naz’r and Tyson are healthy, and whether LB should consider starting Tyrus Thomas in Game 3 since Diaw has been nonexistent.  I really think Thomas needs to start.  He plays with energy and passion, and he doesn’t appear to merely go through the motions like Diaw.
• Raymond Felton has been absolutely schooled by Jameer Nelson this postseason.  Wow, talk about killing your free agency value.  There really isn’t anyone else for Felton to blame.  Nelson and Felton have been allowed to go one-on-one, and Nelson wins that matchup 90% of the time. 
• Mistakes have killed us.  It’s not just turnovers, although the Bobs have had a ton of those.  It looked like we had that problem cured through one half today.  Then, we go up by 9 in the third, only to turn it over the next three possessions.  Killers, but it’s been more than turnovers.  It’s been the “swings.”  It’s Felton giving up a four-point play at the end of the first quarter.  I believe Gerald Wallace has missed two consecutive free throws each game of this series, and Orlando always hits a 3 at the other end of the court.  I feel bad being critical about Wallace missing free throws – it happens to everyone – but he was 50% at the line today.  I was wrong – we do not match up well against the Magic.  Therefore, we have to be absolutely perfect to beat them.  It’s unfair to Wallace, but it’s reality – we cannot miss free throws.  One final example:  we’re making a comeback in Game 2, get a steal, start a fast break, get careless with the ball at half court, turn it over, and the Magic hit a 3.  Comeback was officially dead.
• Why do we play worse when Howard is off the court?  The Magic always expand their lead with him out.  It was never more evident than in the final 3 minutes of Game 3.  I will never understand that. 

My Game 4 tickets suddenly are a lot less valuable.  That’s OK, I will still be there and wearing white.  Go Bobs; play for pride!

The Charlotte Bobcats almost stole Game 1 in Orlando, but they Magic were able to hang on late for the win.  If the Bobs had won, I don’t know if they would have deserved it.  At times, the played like crap.  At other times, they were absolutely unbelievable.  Total polar opposites not just in the two halves, but almost every other possession (or at least so it seemed). 

Great job by TNT picking up Larry Brown’s pep talk in the huddle.  It was the story of the game.  After that timeout (I think it was early in the 3rd quarter), the Bobs started punching the Magic in the nose.  It was almost enough to come back from 22 down and win, and that’s a huge testament to Larry Brown.  It’s amazing how much NBA players respect him.  That’s really saying something considering that most of these guys are known for their disrespect.  The Bobs were down 22, but they held their heads up and fought their hearts out for Brown.  The Magic, on the other hand, were blowing us out but they were still so mentally fragile.  Vince Carter pouted about ticky-tacky fouls that were irrelevant at the time. 

America, meet Gerald Wallace.  Brown’s influence is most evident with Gerald Wallace.  There is a story floating around Charlotte about how Brown is the first real coach Wallace has ever had.  After two years of Brown’s coaching, Gerald Wallace was clearly the best player on the court in the NBA Playoffs.  Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and Stephen Jackson were on the same court.  Brown just has a way with these guys; they want to listen to him, and he makes them better.  He made Wallace an All-Star.

I can deal with this loss.  It’s the playoffs; we weren’t going to sweep these guys.  The goal is to get one out of two in Orlando, and we still have a great chance to do that.  That being said, I don’t think game 2 is a must-win.  I don’t think all those 3s will fall for the Magic on the road.  However, I do expect us to play better Monday night.  While a good bulk of our roster has playoff experience, it was the first time Wallace and Raymond Felton have gotten some game time in the playoffs.  Those are two key players, and the inexperience really showed with Felton in the first half.  Jameer Nelson absolutely ate his lunch.  Felton and the Bobs regrouped in the second half, but I expect a full 48 minutes from us in game 2. 

I’m also looking forward to seeing what kind of adjustments Brown will make for game 2.  Bill Simmons was right on (he also shows some Steph Curry love).  The Magic were the better team, but Brown’s coaching kept us in it tonight.  He now has two nights to play some chess with Stan Van Gundy.  Hopefully Jack will feel better by Wednesday as well.  Go Bobs!

The Charlotte Bobcats almost stole Game 1 in Orlando, but they Magic were able to hang on late for the win.  If the Bobs had won, I don’t know if they would have deserved it.  At times, the played like crap.  At other times, they were absolutely unbelievable.  Total polar opposites not just in the two halves, but almost every other possession (or at least so it seemed). 

Great job by TNT picking up Larry Brown’s pep talk in the huddle.  It was the story of the game.  After that timeout (I think it was early in the 3rd quarter), the Bobs started punching the Magic in the nose.  It was almost enough to come back from 22 down and win, and that’s a huge testament to Larry Brown.  It’s amazing how much NBA players respect him.  That’s really saying something considering that most of these guys are known for their disrespect.  The Bobs were down 22, but they held their heads up and fought their hearts out for Brown.  The Magic, on the other hand, were blowing us out but they were still so mentally fragile.  Vince Carter pouted about ticky-tacky fouls that were irrelevant at the time. 

America, meet Gerald Wallace.  Brown’s influence is most evident with Gerald Wallace.  There is a story floating around Charlotte about how Brown is the first real coach Wallace has ever had.  After two years of Brown’s coaching, Gerald Wallace was clearly the best player on the court in the NBA Playoffs.  Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and Stephen Jackson were on the same court.  Brown just has a way with these guys; they want to listen to him, and he makes them better.  He made Wallace an All-Star.

I can deal with this loss.  It’s the playoffs; we weren’t going to sweep these guys.  The goal is to get one out of two in Orlando, and we still have a great chance to do that.  That being said, I don’t think game 2 is a must-win.  I don’t think all those 3s will fall for the Magic on the road.  However, I do expect us to play better Monday night.  While a good bulk of our roster has playoff experience, it was the first time Wallace and Raymond Felton have gotten some game time in the playoffs.  Those are two key players, and the inexperience really showed with Felton in the first half.  Jameer Nelson absolutely ate his lunch.  Felton and the Bobs regrouped in the second half, but I expect a full 48 minutes from us in game 2. 

I’m also looking forward to seeing what kind of adjustments Brown will make for game 2.  Bill Simmons was right on (he also shows some Steph Curry love).  The Magic were the better team, but Brown’s coaching kept us in it tonight.  He now has two nights to play some chess with Stan Van Gundy.  Hopefully Jack will feel better by Wednesday as well.  Go Bobs!

The Charlotte Bobcats, the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, will face the 2nd seed Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.  The Bobs can still tie Milwaukee for the 6 seed, but the Bucks have a better conference record (the team split the regular season series 2-2).  So, we’re guaranteed a showdown with the defending Eastern Conference champs and a heavy dose of the most dominant big man in the NBA, Dwight Howard.  This is not the series I wanted, and I think most Bobcats fans feel the same way.  We were all clamoring for Atlanta.  If not Atlanta, we would have accepted a card against Boston, who has struggled down the stretch.  Some even wanted to face the Cavs.  The Bobs certainly had their way with Cleveland in the regular season, but I think it would be a different story in the playoffs when they have plenty of time to prepare for us.  Either way, no one really wanted the Magic.

The more that I think about this matchup, the less impossible it seems.  Don’t get me wrong – our chances are not that good.  Orlando is really really good, and they are playing their best basketball right now.  They look pretty good on paper, but I think they are one of those teams that is even tougher when you actually see them in person.  Dwight Howard is a really big dude, and you really don’t get a feel for that until you’re up close to him.  Howard, however, is not my main worry.  I say “let him have his.”  He’s going to be a force on the inside.  He’s going to cause havoc, disrupt shots, buy Orlando second-chance opportunities, and even score some points in the paint.  It’s going to be frustrating at times, but we can live with Howard doing his damage as long as we also do not let their perimeter guys beat us.  Make Howard work hard and try get him in foul trouble when we have the ball.  We have a ton of big guys, even if none of them are exactly stars.  Don’t be afraid to use the 30+ fouls per game that we have in the paint with Nazr, Boris, Tyson, Tyrus, Ratliff, and Diop.  If he still beats us, then so be it, but don’t let their three-point threats also get in on the action.  The Magic killed their opponents with their perimeter play in last season’s playoffs.  This is easier said than done, but I can’t think of a better pair of wings than Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson to go into a series against Orlando.  Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin will also have to win the battle at point guard.  Bottom line, if we can win the perimeter, we have a chance.

The Charlotte Bobcats, the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, will face the 2nd seed Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs.  The Bobs can still tie Milwaukee for the 6 seed, but the Bucks have a better conference record (the team split the regular season series 2-2).  So, we’re guaranteed a showdown with the defending Eastern Conference champs and a heavy dose of the most dominant big man in the NBA, Dwight Howard.  This is not the series I wanted, and I think most Bobcats fans feel the same way.  We were all clamoring for Atlanta.  If not Atlanta, we would have accepted a card against Boston, who has struggled down the stretch.  Some even wanted to face the Cavs.  The Bobs certainly had their way with Cleveland in the regular season, but I think it would be a different story in the playoffs when they have plenty of time to prepare for us.  Either way, no one really wanted the Magic.

The more that I think about this matchup, the less impossible it seems.  Don’t get me wrong – our chances are not that good.  Orlando is really really good, and they are playing their best basketball right now.  They look pretty good on paper, but I think they are one of those teams that is even tougher when you actually see them in person.  Dwight Howard is a really big dude, and you really don’t get a feel for that until you’re up close to him.  Howard, however, is not my main worry.  I say “let him have his.”  He’s going to be a force on the inside.  He’s going to cause havoc, disrupt shots, buy Orlando second-chance opportunities, and even score some points in the paint.  It’s going to be frustrating at times, but we can live with Howard doing his damage as long as we also do not let their perimeter guys beat us.  Make Howard work hard and try get him in foul trouble when we have the ball.  We have a ton of big guys, even if none of them are exactly stars.  Don’t be afraid to use the 30+ fouls per game that we have in the paint with Nazr, Boris, Tyson, Tyrus, Ratliff, and Diop.  If he still beats us, then so be it, but don’t let their three-point threats also get in on the action.  The Magic killed their opponents with their perimeter play in last season’s playoffs.  This is easier said than done, but I can’t think of a better pair of wings than Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson to go into a series against Orlando.  Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin will also have to win the battle at point guard.  Bottom line, if we can win the perimeter, we have a chance.