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The Charlotte Bobcats got cold feet and didn’t pull the trigger on the Jose Calderon for Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler deal.  Instead, they sent Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to Dallas, and they received Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, and Eduardo Najera in return.  We get three blue collar veterans.  Well, Najera is one.  You also know what Carroll is going to give us – outside shooting.  The headliner of the deal, Dampier, may be the weakest link – Shaq used to call him “Ericka.”  This trade, however, isn’t about acquiring blue collar guys.  This deal was all about salary cap implications, and it was likely done to set us future moves.  At least I hope it was, because I do not like our roster as it currently stands.  We have holes at PG and C, and we have two washed-up centers from the Mavs Finals chokejob against the Heat (although the refs had something to do with that). 

I would not be surprised to see the guys we just acquired in this trade (especially Dampier) along with Diaw involved in a future trade.  If the Bobs can’t make anything happen, they can simply cut Dampier and save $13million outright, or they can use that money to sign other players.  The problem is that most of the notable free agents are gone.  So, the Bobs will likely have to pull off another deal.

End of the Ajinca Experiment:  The trade does spell the end of the Alexis Ajinca era in Charlotte.  Talk about a trade done awry.  Ajinca is a first round pick who has a total of 30 made field goals in his two year career.  He’s still young and he can still make something of his career, but it wasn’t going to happen in Charlotte.  Once Larry Brown gives up on you, he’s done with you and there is no turning back.

ESPN says that the Toronto Raptors plan to use the trade exception they created in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade to acquire Boris Diaw. The article says we’re only getting Dwayne Jones in return, which doesn’t seem fair.  Must be a cap-clearing move since Diaw is expendable after Tyrus Thomas was locked up for a new five-year deal.

Update:  The potential deal now has us acquiring Jose Calderon.

There is no doubt that Michael Jordan has made his fair share of bad moves when he has been given control over an NBA franchise.  These poor decisions usually come in the form of terrible draft picks.  However, MJ has only been the majority owner of an NBA team for less than five months.  I really like what he is doing with the Charlotte Bobcats now that they are truly his team.  I admit that I am pro-Jordan as owner, but can you think about a poor decision he has made since he has assumed majority ownership of the team?  He has said the right things, and his moves make sense.  Time will tell whether the moves are correct, but they seem to be the right moves given the facts that are currently available.  I think the Tyrus Thomas move could turn out to be a home run.  The kid has a ton of potential and seems willing to be coached by Larry Brown.  If he can only keep his head straight, he could turn out to be a very solid PF for us.  I also love the camps that the Bobs are running for adult season-ticket holders and their children.  It’s a great PR move.  For those who couldn’t get into those events, Bobcats summer camp for kids kicks off at Time Warner Cable Arena next week.

Update:  Scott Fowler has an article in today’s (7/11/2010) Observer about how MJ is getting acquainted to the city.

T-Rex is staying in the QC.

The Bobs ended up not making any moves on draft night.  No trades, not even for a 2nd round pick.  In hindsight, I can’t say I’m upset.  Sure, it’s great to have a little excitement during the draft.  There is nothing like the hope and optimism created on draft night when your team picks up a young player, but the truth is that the Bobcats suck at drafting.  There is no use chronicling all our draft failures, and we have only been around for six years.  I have no problem with us sitting out of something we’re not very good at and focusing on something that we have done well in the past, which is to make trades and improve our roster in ways that don’t involve the draft.  There was no use in being hasty and trading a proven player for an unknown commodity.  As Queen City Hoops said, remember what the Alexis Ajinca trade got us a few years ago:  nothing.

The Bobs didn’t exactly start off free agency with a bang either.  Despite Scott Fowler’s illogical rant (why is this guy always obsessed with overpaying for overrated free agents?), they really didn’t have the cap room to do anything (since Michael Jordan does not want to pay luxury tax).  However, they made their first moves today.  They locked up Tyrus Thomas to a five-year deal and bulked up the far end of the bench by adding Dominic McGuire.  However, it looks like Raymond Felton is gone.  

I like what the Bobs are doing.  There was no way they could justify overpaying for Felton.  I like Felton, but the guy turned down the money when it was offered to him last season and sucked in the playoffs.  Don’t feel bad for Raymond, he got the Knicks, who were forced to overreact and make a splash after losing out on the LeBron sweepstakes, to overpay for him.  The Bobs have a hole to fill at PG, but all indications are that they are not done with their offseason moves.  They didn’t pay Thomas $8 million a year for him to be a backup.  It was pretty clear during the playoffs that Thomas should be starting over Boris Diaw, and that may happen.  Diaw is the one guy the Bobs could likely part with to clear some cap room and acquire help at PG (he is the only guy that we would be willing to give up and that others teams would actually be willing to take). 

I like it when my teams make moves that make sense.  Thomas played great since he arrived in Charlotte.  Larry Brown’s coaching has really improved his game, and it should only get better.  By the end of the season, he was outplaying Diaw.  So, we lock him up and he very well may open the season as the starting PF.  On the other hand, Jameer Nelson schooled Felton, and we let him walk.

I’m not going to get delusional about the Bobs.  A 6 seed in the East is the ceiling for them.  Yet, I don’t buy all the talk around town about how they have not done anything to improve this team.  Keep in mind that half of this team wasn’t even on the roster when last season started.  The Bobs record improved significantly after the Stephen Jackson trade.  The Bobs finished last season with a 44-38 record, but they played better than 44-win basketball after the Jack trade.  For once, we may have some continuity.  Give these guys an offseason and training camp together, and we should be able equal or slightly improve upon last season’s record.

If there is one thing we have learned about Larry Brown in his two seasons in Charlotte is that the guy isn’t very subtle.  He says what he is thinking, and everything he says has a purpose.  Unlike the other pro coach in town, John Fox, Brown does not try to hide much.  So far, whenever Brown has mentioned a possible trade involving the Bobs, they usually pull the trigger on a deal soon afterwards.  Well, Brown has hinted that the Bobs may trade into the draft.  Rick Bonnell has reported that the word around the league is that the Bobs are looking to make a move, and he has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of us making a trade.  Ownership is even willing to increase the payroll significantly to improve on the court.  Sounds like something is up.  All of a sudden, Bobcats fans have to tune in Thursday night even if they don’t care about the other 29 teams in the NBA.

The problem with all of these rumors are that they might be true, but the Bobs may still not make much of a splash.  They seem interested in a late first round or second round pick.  That won’t exactly blow anyone’s hair back.  They may not even trade for a pick.  Bonnell reports that the T.J. Ford trade is still a possibility and Jarrett Jack is also on the trading block.  It seems as if Brown may just try to get the kind of backup point guard he covets.  Nothing really major.  Yet, there is still a chance we do something big.  Larry Bird is willing to trade the 10 pick for a point guard.  Oh yeah, CP3 seems to be available too.  I know these are long shots, but for once, we have the risk-taking owner who isn’t afraid to open up his wallet to build a winner.  It’s pretty clear that Michael Jordan will do anything to win a championship.

Could there be a worse time in Charlotte sports?  This is the annual downtime, when we anxiously await the start of training camp and Panthers season.  In normal years, however, we at least have the NBA Draft to serve as a mile-marker of excitement.  Draft night itself is fun, but it also serves as an indicator that the brutal part of the Charlotte sports summer is almost over.  It’s right in the middle of the end of the Bobcats season and the start of training camp.  The draft likely won’t be a big night for the Bobs this year.  They don’t have any picks, and the only real hopes at this time are them trading for a second round pick.  So, there has been very little to blog about, but here are some brief thoughts:

• I don’t understand the NASCAR All-Star Race.  I was in attendance, which was a ton of fun, but it may have been better for a casual observer like me to have watched the event on TV.  I rented the headset, but I bet the TV announcers probably provided a better explanation of the event.  Here’s my beef:  Jimmie Johnson basically dominated the entire way.  Then, they forced everyone  basically back to square one and restarted the race.  JJ’s huge lead was taken away, and some other guy had the better car for the last few laps.  I’m fine with that, but what was the point of running the first 1.5 hours of the race?  Was that just to pass some time so Charlotte Motor Speedway could sell food and booze at the concession stands?  If you are a NASCAR fan and read this blog, please feel free to explain.
• I really don’t want to worry about Larry Brown returning – all signs point to him returning as of now – but I can’t help it.  The guy is an enigma, and it doesn’t help that he’s not talking to the media all of a sudden. 
• Really looking forward to seeing Matt Moore as “the man.”  Sadly, we may not get to him for that long.  The public opinion around town seems to favor Jimmy Clausen.  One or two bad preseason games, and Moore may get pulled.  Either way, I like Moore’s story.  He has grown and matured, he has developed his game, and he has clearly earned this opportunity.  I look forward to seeing him break the first team huddle in the first preseason game.  Hey, you gotta have something to look forward to with these otherwise boring preseason games.  I am pulling for Matt Moore.

Could there be a worse time in Charlotte sports?  This is the annual downtime, when we anxiously await the start of training camp and Panthers season.  In normal years, however, we at least have the NBA Draft to serve as a mile-marker of excitement.  Draft night itself is fun, but it also serves as an indicator that the brutal part of the Charlotte sports summer is almost over.  It’s right in the middle of the end of the Bobcats season and the start of training camp.  The draft likely won’t be a big night for the Bobs this year.  They don’t have any picks, and the only real hopes at this time are them trading for a second round pick.  So, there has been very little to blog about, but here are some brief thoughts:

• I don’t understand the NASCAR All-Star Race.  I was in attendance, which was a ton of fun, but it may have been better for a casual observer like me to have watched the event on TV.  I rented the headset, but I bet the TV announcers probably provided a better explanation of the event.  Here’s my beef:  Jimmie Johnson basically dominated the entire way.  Then, they forced everyone  basically back to square one and restarted the race.  JJ’s huge lead was taken away, and some other guy had the better car for the last few laps.  I’m fine with that, but what was the point of running the first 1.5 hours of the race?  Was that just to pass some time so Charlotte Motor Speedway could sell food and booze at the concession stands?  If you are a NASCAR fan and read this blog, please feel free to explain.
• I really don’t want to worry about Larry Brown returning – all signs point to him returning as of now – but I can’t help it.  The guy is an enigma, and it doesn’t help that he’s not talking to the media all of a sudden. 
• Really looking forward to seeing Matt Moore as “the man.”  Sadly, we may not get to him for that long.  The public opinion around town seems to favor Jimmy Clausen.  One or two bad preseason games, and Moore may get pulled.  Either way, I like Moore’s story.  He has grown and matured, he has developed his game, and he has clearly earned this opportunity.  I look forward to seeing him break the first team huddle in the first preseason game.  Hey, you gotta have something to look forward to with these otherwise boring preseason games.  I am pulling for Matt Moore.

Could there be a worse time in Charlotte sports?  This is the annual downtime, when we anxiously await the start of training camp and Panthers season.  In normal years, however, we at least have the NBA Draft to serve as a mile-marker of excitement.  Draft night itself is fun, but it also serves as an indicator that the brutal part of the Charlotte sports summer is almost over.  It’s right in the middle of the end of the Bobcats season and the start of training camp.  The draft likely won’t be a big night for the Bobs this year.  They don’t have any picks, and the only real hopes at this time are them trading for a second round pick.  So, there has been very little to blog about, but here are some brief thoughts:

• I don’t understand the NASCAR All-Star Race.  I was in attendance, which was a ton of fun, but it may have been better for a casual observer like me to have watched the event on TV.  I rented the headset, but I bet the TV announcers probably provided a better explanation of the event.  Here’s my beef:  Jimmie Johnson basically dominated the entire way.  Then, they forced everyone  basically back to square one and restarted the race.  JJ’s huge lead was taken away, and some other guy had the better car for the last few laps.  I’m fine with that, but what was the point of running the first 1.5 hours of the race?  Was that just to pass some time so Charlotte Motor Speedway could sell food and booze at the concession stands?  If you are a NASCAR fan and read this blog, please feel free to explain.
• I really don’t want to worry about Larry Brown returning – all signs point to him returning as of now – but I can’t help it.  The guy is an enigma, and it doesn’t help that he’s not talking to the media all of a sudden. 
• Really looking forward to seeing Matt Moore as “the man.”  Sadly, we may not get to him for that long.  The public opinion around town seems to favor Jimmy Clausen.  One or two bad preseason games, and Moore may get pulled.  Either way, I like Moore’s story.  He has grown and matured, he has developed his game, and he has clearly earned this opportunity.  I look forward to seeing him break the first team huddle in the first preseason game.  Hey, you gotta have something to look forward to with these otherwise boring preseason games.  I am pulling for Matt Moore.

Could there be a worse time in Charlotte sports?  This is the annual downtime, when we anxiously await the start of training camp and Panthers season.  In normal years, however, we at least have the NBA Draft to serve as a mile-marker of excitement.  Draft night itself is fun, but it also serves as an indicator that the brutal part of the Charlotte sports summer is almost over.  It’s right in the middle of the end of the Bobcats season and the start of training camp.  The draft likely won’t be a big night for the Bobs this year.  They don’t have any picks, and the only real hopes at this time are them trading for a second round pick.  So, there has been very little to blog about, but here are some brief thoughts:

• I don’t understand the NASCAR All-Star Race.  I was in attendance, which was a ton of fun, but it may have been better for a casual observer like me to have watched the event on TV.  I rented the headset, but I bet the TV announcers probably provided a better explanation of the event.  Here’s my beef:  Jimmie Johnson basically dominated the entire way.  Then, they forced everyone  basically back to square one and restarted the race.  JJ’s huge lead was taken away, and some other guy had the better car for the last few laps.  I’m fine with that, but what was the point of running the first 1.5 hours of the race?  Was that just to pass some time so Charlotte Motor Speedway could sell food and booze at the concession stands?  If you are a NASCAR fan and read this blog, please feel free to explain.
• I really don’t want to worry about Larry Brown returning – all signs point to him returning as of now – but I can’t help it.  The guy is an enigma, and it doesn’t help that he’s not talking to the media all of a sudden. 
• Really looking forward to seeing Matt Moore as “the man.”  Sadly, we may not get to him for that long.  The public opinion around town seems to favor Jimmy Clausen.  One or two bad preseason games, and Moore may get pulled.  Either way, I like Moore’s story.  He has grown and matured, he has developed his game, and he has clearly earned this opportunity.  I look forward to seeing him break the first team huddle in the first preseason game.  Hey, you gotta have something to look forward to with these otherwise boring preseason games.  I am pulling for Matt Moore.

This is a good start by our new owner, and something our old owner should read and learn from.  Looking forward to next season already.