Bobcats play loose and shoot fifty percent from the field on way to a 114-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Cats improve to 19-25 and start their first major road trip of the season 2-0.
OBSERVATIONS
Thanks to some international broadband issues, I didn’t get to see much of this game so will intersperse some observations from writers around the Association.
- Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin in double figures? Wha? Clearly not the team leaders (yet) but have shown enough promise under Silas that the ’08 and ’09 Drafts look absolutely salvageable. That’s a big deal in Bobcats country. Henderson’s blocks on Gortat and Grant Hill were major game shifters.
- Rick Bonnell really likes what he’s seeing from Henderson too, going as far as saying he’ll help fill the void left by Tyrus Thomas. Also love the point he makes about Larry Brown vs. Silas. It’s like going from Larry David to Mike “Brady Bunch” Brady. All is good in the ‘hood.
- Really like what I’m seeing from Crash and Stephen Jackson thus far on the road trip. Those two shooting a combined 15-33 on the night is a massive improvement from the stinker the two captains dropped on Atlanta last week. Hope Silas finally talked some sense into them.
- UNDERRATED: Boris Diaw’s play under Silas. You won’t see it in the stats (although he’s added close one full assist more per game in January) but Boris looks much more motivated now than he ever did with LB. Big game against his old squad tonight going for 18/6/5 with a big boy rebound on the final possession to ice it. When fans from your old team still talk about your exploits two plus years on from a trade, you know you got the better end of the deal.
- Apparently, MJ is making the West Coast trip with the team. Is it any coincidence that Jordan’s level of involvement with the team always results in consistently higher performance? Maybe Charles Oakley’s hire just gave MJ more incentive to hangout on the bench. It’s the NBA equivalent to “Friday.”
Cats are 4 games back of the Knicks for 6th seed. I think it can happen. Coach em up “Oak” !
Aw, this was a really good post.