Game #16 Bobcats vs Trail Blazers

[Carl Spackler]

fuging sucks the Bobcats caught Panther-itis

[Implied Volatility]

Cats would have won this game if Dunlap did not decide to put Mullens back into the game. At least 8 of Portland's points in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter came courtesy of Mullens playing like a scrub. He managed to make Aldridge look like a great rebounder.

[4Corners]

There's the Bobcats we know and love!

[carolina-chuck]

Boozer for Hendo/Mullens/Diop

Millsap for Hendo/Diop

Derrick Williams for Mullens/Reggie Williams

L.Aldridge for Hendo/Mullens/Diop

D.Blair for Mullens

Something needs to happen.... shoot at least Tyrus can box out and get a rebound

I wish it was that easy. But LA for three scrubs: Hendo, Mullens, and Diop? Lol more like MKG Biyombo, and a pick

[SmittyistheGOAT]

if only we had myck kabango

[Vagrant]

This wasn't even bad coaching, it was the fact that we stopped playing. We called three time outs during the Blazers 23 to 5 run. All you can do is learn from this loss.

We have to look at a team like OKC who will finish you once they get up by 15.

It's all good, it's a learning process.

I agree that it's ultimately a learning process for this team. I don't expect greatness, but when you're up by 18 points with under 5 minutes left in the game.... you have to win those. You don't learn a lot by losing when you're a team that lost more games by percentages than any team in NBA history last year. Granted, not everybody was here for that.

My statement about it being bad coaching was about it being bad personnel matchups, the timing of the timeouts, and just poor body language from the group that was on the floor.

When you get up by that many points, send in the closers. I want to see Jeff Taylor, MKG, Gerald Henderson, Hakim Warrick, and Haywood out there grinding it out. Those veterans are made for those situations. Haywood is an upgrade on Mullens defensively to say the least. Warrick is an upgrade over Bismack by experience and basketball IQ alone. The rest are self-explanatory as the best defenders we have on this squad. You have a bench for a reason. Despite the fact that Gordon's hand was on fire, he was a -16 on the night. When you get up double digits, pull him for a defender. Byron was a -16 and Kemba was a -19.... a team low.

The favor shown towards Mullens is entirely irrational and that goes double for when we're up 18 points in the 4th quarter.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I agree that it's ultimately a learning process for this team. I don't expect greatness, but when you're up by 18 points with under 5 minutes left in the game.... you have to win those. You don't learn a lot by losing when you're a team that lost more games by percentages than any team in NBA history last year. Granted, not everybody was here for that.

My statement about it being bad coaching was about it being bad personnel matchups, the timing of the timeouts, and just poor body language from the group that was on the floor.

When you get up by that many points, send in the closers. I want to see Jeff Taylor, MKG, Gerald Henderson, Hakim Warrick, and Haywood out there grinding it out. Those veterans are made for those situations. Haywood is an upgrade on Mullens defensively to say the least. Warrick is an upgrade over Bismack by experience and basketball IQ alone. The rest are self-explanatory as the best defenders we have on this squad. You have a bench for a reason. Despite the fact that Gordon's hand was on fire, he was a -16 on the night. When you get up double digits, pull him for a defender. Byron was a -16 and Kemba was a -19.... a team low.

The favor shown towards Mullens is entirely irrational and that goes double for when we're up 18 points in the 4th quarter.

Great point, I was also wondering why we we still had the line up of Walker, Sessions, Gordon, Mullens, and Haywood out there when we were up by 18.

If we're up by 18 with four minutes left, why not go with a Walker, Hendo, Taylor, MKG, Haywood line up.

[Kakarot]

I knew once it went into overtime we were gonna lose this. Can't let a team come back, especially if your up by 18 with 5 mins to go.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

it is time for Cho to package Mullens and someone else (possibly Hendo) for a PF/C that can box out and rebound..

Yeah the blazers are wanting to trade Aldridge. I don't know his contract situation but I know he would look great on this team.

I'd package Mullens/Diop(expiring contract)/Hendo or Gordon

maybe even throw in a pick

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I hate when our line up at the end of the games are Sessions/Kemba/Gordon/Bismack/Mullens. It doesn't make sense to me, when we have guys like MKG, Taylor, and Hendo on the bench

[bLACKpANTHER]

I hate when our line up at the end of the games are Sessions/Kemba/Gordon/Bismack/Mullens. It doesn't make sense to me, when we have guys like MKG, Taylor, and Hendo on the bench

i havent figured out why it isnt Haywood/Biz to close out games.. we have lost the past few games based on our inability to rebound.. Haywood and Biz would be able to defend and rebound in the clutch

[ZB1224]

i havent figured out why it isnt Haywood/Biz to close out games.. we have lost the past few games based on our inability to rebound.. Haywood and Biz would be able to defend and rebound in the clutch

Well to be fair, Mullens has been a better defensive rebounder than either.

[Implied Volatility]

Well to be fair, Mullens has been a better defensive rebounder than either.

He's not as good of a rebounder as his stats suggest. He can't consistently box out and won't fight for rebounds. The only time I've been impressed with his rebounding this season was his game against Minnesota. He'd easily average 10+ rebounds a/game if he grew some balls. Haywood is a better rebounder on the offensive and defensive glass. Biz at least tries and doesn't back down when players get physical.

[HeatCheck]

I agree, stats can be misleading.

Haywood definitely does the things right that is required to be a good rebounder, which is "want-to" and positioning. Mullens is often out of position because of his effort.