khandor’s sports blog

According to Tim Povtak, a senior writer at NBA Fanhouse …

Aging Theo Ratliff Has Sparked Bobcats’ Playoff Rise

, who was looking for someone he could trust.

Ratliff, who turns 37 next month, hardly was playing for the veteran Spurs

, but Brown quickly put him into his starting lineup. The Bobcats have won seven of his 11 starts, including the last six consecutive games.

He was especially instrumental in their 96-89 victory Sunday over the Orlando Magic

– a potential first-round playoff opponent — and particularly down the stretch when he thwarted a potential home-team comeback.

He had 10 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes, but statistics never have been his forte. In the last six minutes: he blocked a shot by Vince Carter, who tried to drive on him. He changed two driving layups, by Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus

, that became misses. He also grabbed an offensive rebound to keep another possession alive.

“Theo looks like when I had him back in Philly,” said Brown, who coached Ratliff from 1998-2001 with the Sixers. “Only thing, he never got any shots back then. Everyone just told him to rebound the ball.”

 

 

———————————–

However …

If you take a closer look at the individual Game Logs for 3 specific players on the Bobcats’ current roster [shown below]:

Theo Ratliff’s Game Log This Season For Charlotte, since Feb 19

Regular Season					FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Mar 14	@ ORL	W 96-89	1	32:05	4	10	40.0	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	2	7	9	1	2	0	1	4	10
Mar 12	LAC	W 106-98	1	14:44	3	3	100.0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	1	1	0	2	0	0	3	6
Mar 10	@ PHI	W 102-87	1	22:15	0	3	0.0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	1	2	3	0	0	2	1	1	0
Mar 9	MIA	W 83-78	1	18:52	3	3	100.0	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	0	2	2	1	2	0	1	3	8
Mar 6	GSW	W 101-90	1	18:23	4	6	66.7	0	0	N/A	3	3	100.0	3	2	5	0	2	0	1	1	11
Mar 5	LAL	W 98-83	1	16:41	0	1	0.0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	3	3	1	0	1	2	4	0
Mar 3	@ BOS	L 80-104	1	27:08	3	8	37.5	0	0	N/A	4	4	100.0	2	4	6	2	0	0	1	4	10
Mar 1	DAL	L 84-89	1	26:39	1	4	25.0	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	1	1	2	0	1	0	1	0	4
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Feb 26	@ MEM	W 93-89	1	29:06	2	5	40.0	0	0	N/A	1	2	50.0	1	3	4	0	2	0	4	4	5
Feb 24	@ UTH	L 93-102	1	31:09	2	3	66.7	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	1	3	4	0	0	0	4	2	6
Feb 22	@ LAC	L 94-98	1	30:53	5	6	83.3	0	0	N/A	0	3	0.0	1	1	2	0	1	0	2	2	10
Feb 20	@ MIL	L 88-93	0	11:58	1	3	33.3	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	2
Feb 19	CLE	W 110-93	0	18:30	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	3	2	5	1	0	0	2	2	0

 

 

Tyrus Thomas’ Game Log This Season For Charlotte, since Feb 19

Regular Season					FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Mar 14	@ ORL	W 96-89	0	20:40	3	9	33.3	0	0	N/A	3	4	75.0	2	7	9	0	2	2	0	3	9
Mar 12	LAC	W 106-98	0	18:27	3	8	37.5	0	0	N/A	0	1	0.0	0	4	4	3	0	2	0	1	6
Mar 10	@ PHI	W 102-87	0	23:49	4	6	66.7	0	0	N/A	2	4	50.0	0	5	5	3	3	2	1	2	10
Mar 9	MIA	W 83-78	0	26:30	2	7	28.6	0	0	N/A	2	4	50.0	2	2	4	0	1	1	1	1	6
Mar 6	GSW	W 101-90	0	18:20	2	8	25.0	0	0	N/A	1	2	50.0	2	3	5	3	1	0	0	5	5
Mar 5	LAL	W 98-83	0	31:17	7	12	58.3	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	2	7	9	0	1	0	2	4	14
Mar 3	@ BOS	L 80-104	0	26:37	5	12	41.7	0	0	N/A	5	6	83.3	3	7	10	0	2	1	2	5	15
Mar 1	DAL	L 84-89	0	29:26	7	16	43.8	0	1	0.0	2	2	100.0	3	9	12	1	2	1	2	4	16
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Feb 26	@ MEM	W 93-89	0	21:51	6	7	85.7	0	0	N/A	1	4	25.0	2	3	5	3	3	0	3	2	13
Feb 24	@ UTH	L 93-102	0	30:55	6	8	75.0	0	0	N/A	8	9	88.9	0	3	3	2	1	3	1	5	20
Feb 22	@ LAC	L 94-98	0	25:12	5	9	55.6	0	1	0.0	0	0	N/A	1	3	4	0	2	2	3	4	10
Feb 20	@ MIL	L 88-93	0	30:54	5	10	50.0	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	3	8	11	2	4	1	4	5	12
Feb 19	CLE	W 110-93	0	25:12	3	9	33.3	0	0	N/A	3	4	75.0	1	11	12	2	2	0	6	4	9

 

 

Tyson Chandler’s Game Logs This Season for Charlotte, since Feb 19 

Regular Season					FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Mar 14	@ ORL	W 96-89	0	15:55	3	4	75.0	0	0	N/A	1	2	50.0	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	5	7
Mar 12	LAC	W 106-98	0	31:56	5	7	71.4	0	0	N/A	3	4	75.0	6	3	9	0	4	0	0	2	13
Mar 10	@ PHI	W 102-87	0	15:03	3	3	100.0	0	0	N/A	6	9	66.7	2	3	5	0	0	0	0	0	12
Mar 9	MIA	W 83-78	0	16:42	2	2	100.0	0	0	N/A	1	2	50.0	2	2	4	0	2	1	1	1	5
Mar 6	GSW	W 101-90	0	07:18	1	2	50.0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	2	2	4	0	0	0	1	0	2
Mar 5	LAL	W 98-83	0	15:16	2	2	100.0	0	0	N/A	2	2	100.0	0	4	4	0	1	0	1	1	6
Mar 3	@ BOS	L 80-104	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mar 1	DAL	L 84-89	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Date	Opp	Score	GS	Min	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	Pts
Feb 26	@ MEM	W 93-89	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Feb 24	@ UTH	L 93-102	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Feb 22	@ LAC	L 94-98	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Feb 20	@ MIL	L 88-93	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Feb 19	CLE	W 110-93	0	0	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	N/A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

 

you should be able to see clearly that the team’s recently improved performance has actually coincided with the return to good health of Tyson Chandler [i.e. Charlotte's Back-up Center] and the gradual integration of Tyrus Thomas [i.e. Charlotte's Back-up Power Forward] into their primary rotation, as much as [or, perhaps, even more than] the role and production of Theo Ratliff, as their Starting Center.

When a team like Charlotte finally turns the corner and morphs into a legitimate playoff contender it is rarely the case that there is only 1 player responsible for this actual transformation.

The simple fact is …

Charlotte has been engaged in the process of a long term build-up over the course of the past 2 years, given the additions of:

Larry Brown, Head Coach

DJ Augustin, PG [acquired via the Draft]
Alexis Ajinca, C [acquired via the Draft]
Boris Diaw, PF-SF [acquired via trade]
DeSagana Diop, C [acquired via trade]
Gerald Henderson, OG [acquired via the Draft]
Derrick Brown, PF-SF [acquired via the Draft]
Tyson Chandler, C [acquired via trade]
Stephen Graham, SF-OG [acquired as an UFA]
Stephen Jackson, OG-SF [acquired via trade]
Tyrus Thomas, PF-SF [acquired via trade]
Theo Ratliff, C [acquired via trade]
Larry Hughes, G-F [acquired as an UFA]

and,

Michael Jordan, Principal Owner,

in conjunction with the decision to retain the services of:

Gerald Wallace, SF-PF
Raymon Felton, PG
Nazr Mohammed, C

… and, the single individual most responsible for their success today is their once much-maligned General Manager, Rod Higgins.

Related:

Kudos to the Bobcats for resurrecting their once morbid franchise 

5 Men On A Single String … Kudos to Larry Brown

 

During Wednesday’s television broadcast of the Orlando/Toronto game, Jack Armstrong, Toronto’s analyst, made the following observation about the perceived talent level for this year’s Raptors team:  

Play Audio

Now

Then, on Thursday evening , during the FAN590’s ”Hoops” broadcast, Eric Smith, Toronto’s radio analyst, tried to re-iterated this same point of view, when a caller suggested that the Charlotte Bobcats should actually be considered as “a better team with more NBA talent than the Raptors” … along with, at least, 4 other teams in the Estern Conference, i.e. Boston, Orlando, Cleveland and Atlanta.

After hearing Eric’s response to that caller, this is the exact comment [including errors] which was submitted by yours truly to his FAN590 blog, The Rap, on Friday, Dec 18 2009, at 2:17 PM:

————-

Hi, Eric.

I heard you on speak with a caller on last night’s show, just prior to 8:00 PM, concerning your belief that the Raptors [11-17/.393] are a better team than the Bobcats [10-14/.417]. According to what you said, your opinion was based on conversations you have had with various NBA insiders who you have encountered across the league and what their impression of Toronto and Charlotte has been to this point in the season.

Respectfully, it is my contention that you … and these NBA insiders who you happened to have communicated with regarding the relative strength of these two teams … happen to be incorrect in this assessment, and will eventually be proven wrong are the season plays itself out.

After starting the season poorly, without Stephen Jackson on their roster, the Bobcats have begun to climb up the standings in the Eastern Conference, and are now ahead of the Raptors. Although the Raptors [#4] have played a more difficult schedule than the Bobcats [#15], to this point, IMO, Charlotte has more “NBA talent” on its current roster, and should probably be expected to close out the current season by finishing ahead of Toronto in the final standings.

Calderon [+1] > Felton
DeRozan < Jackson [+1]
Turkoglu < Wallace [+2]
Bosh [+2] > Diaw
Bargnani < Chandler [+3]
———————-
Jack = Augustin
Belinelli < Henderson [+4]
Wright < Brown [+5]
Johnson = Mohammed
Nesterovic [+3] > Diop
———————-
Banks < Murray [+6]
Seems [+4] > Law
 Mensah-Bonsu = Graham
Evans [+5] ?
O’Bryant = Ajinca
———————-
Triano < Brown [+7]

PS. Hopefully, the fanbase should now be able to see that we’ve been saying for a while now, re: Jose Calderon’s relative lack of individual defensive prowess not being the major catalyst for the team’s many short-comings on that side of the ball, has been a highly accurate assessment.

————- 

As you can clearly see there are several typos and what appear to be “publication errors” contained in that specific comment, which was submitted rather hurriedly and is still awaiting moderation/publication at The Rap.

In an effort to clear up any mis-understanding which Eric Smith - or other visitors to his blog - might have … 

Here is a more “in-depth” analysis of the rosters for the Raptors and the Bobcats, with a few adjustments to the initial ratings that more accurately reflect the current state of affairs with these two teams, from the perspective of this coner:

RAPTORS VS BOBCATS ROSTER EVALUATION 2009-2010
No.	Player	Off	Def	Reb	Total	Adv	Tor	Cha
STARTERS
01	Calderon	4	2	3	9	√	+1
	Felton	3	3	2	8			0
02	DeRozan	3	2	3	8		-
	Jackson	4	4	4	12	√		+1
03	Turkoglu	4	2	3	9		-
	Wallace	3	3	5	11	√		+2
04	Bosh	4	3	5	12	√	+2
	Diaw	4	3	3	10			-
05	Bargnani	4	1	2	7		-
	Chandler	1	4	4	9	√		+3
KEY SUBS
06	Jack	3	3	3	9		0
	Augustin	4	3	2	9			0
07	Belinelli	3	2	1	6		-
	Henderson	2	3	2	7	√		+4
08	Wright	2	2	2	6		-
	Brown	2	3	3	8	√		+5
09	Johnson	2	3	4	9		0
	Mohammed	3	3	3	9			0
10	Nesterovic	3	3	3	9	√	+3
	Diop	1	4	3	8			0
RESERVES
11	Banks	2	3	2	7		-
	Murray	3	3	2	8	√		+6
12	Weems	3	2	2	7	√	+4
	Law	2	2	2	6			-
EXTRAS
13	O’Bryant	1	1	1	3		0
	Ajinca	1	1	1	3			0
14	M-Bonsu	1	3	4	8		0
	Graham	2	3	3	8			0
INJURED/OUT
15	Evans	[2]	[2]	[4]	[8]	[√]	[+5]
	N/A	-	-	-	-	-		-
HC	Triano	3	2	3	8		-
	Brown	4	4	4	12	√		+7
TOTALS
	Toronto	42	34	41	117	+4
	Charlotte	39	46	42	127	+7

————————————————————

 
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Visitors here are invited to elaborate further on their own answer to this question in the comments section.

“How to turn around the fortunes of your pro sports team”, NBA 101 Management Handbook, p. 23.

—————–

Make a legitimate run for the 8th playoff spot in the 2008-2009 season

Add Vladimir Radmanovic [Lakers] in exchange for Adam Morrison

Add DeSagana Diop [Mavs] in exchange for Ryan Hollins & Matt Carroll

Decide NOT to trade Raymond Felton [PG]

Add Raja Bell and Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary [Suns] in exchange for J-Rich & J-Dudley

Add Juwon Howard [as a veteran Big off the bench] from the scrap heap

Decide NOT to trade Sean May AND to sit him on the bench  

Add Cartier Martin [OG/SF] and Dontell Jefferson [OG] from the pool of undrafted players

Add DJ Augustin [as a solid PG] from the 2008 NBA Draft

Add Alexis Ajinca [as a long term project, C] from the 2008 NBA Draft

Decide NOT to trade Gerald Wallace [SF/PF]

Hire Larry Brown to coach your team AND empower him to make trades

Retain Nazr Mohammed [as a solid veteran Big off the bench]

Re-sign Emeka Okafor, your 2004 No. 2 [overall] Draft Pick, as an emotionally stable, hard-working Center, who can Rebound & Defend his position, when others suggested that he was a “bad” long term investment for your team

Hire the most reknowned former player in NBA history to oversee the operation of your franchise [i.e. you know who]

—————–

It’s not rocket science … and, your GM certainly doesn’t NEED to have been named a winner of the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award even one time, during his career to-date.