The Bobcats lose their third straight to start the season against the heretofore winless Bucks, 98-88.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Well, I’m really glad that they used the summer to work out those turnover issues. After leading the League last season in giveaways, the Bobcats continue their sloppy ways by handing the ball over 18 times to the Bucks. Not counted amongst the eighteen where a baker’s dozen errant jump shots hoisted mostly by Nazr Mohammed, Gana Diop and the previously golden Tyrus Thomas. Aside from having an otherwise strong game, D.J. Augustin did his best Emeka Okafor/Raymond Felton hybrid impersonation by repeatedly driving deep into the lane and getting swatted down by Son of Gondor Andrew Bogut. If the Bobcats hope to sniff the Postseason again this year, they’ll need to start taking better shots and better care of the ball pronto.
- Stellar games from the PGs in this one. D.J. nailed 5 of his 6 threes to go for a total of 26 points with 5 assists and only a single documented turnover. 2nd year phenom Brandon Jennings celebrated his first career triple double, notching 20pts, 10rbs, 10asts. Augustin’s shot looked as smooth as ever and he did a much better job of fighting through opposing high screens after being demolished by them a night ago.
- Story of the game was Andrew Bogut. He’s one of the handful of centers in the League who can influence a game at both ends and I dare say if he had the same crew as Mr. Howard down in O-Town, we might be talking about him as the League’s best. 14pts, 8rbs, 4blks in just 33 minutes of action. I hope we’ll see Bogut and Superman matched up this spring. Bobcats had no answer for him tonight as Nazr continued to regress from last year’s “Fluke Rule” season and Gana Diop continued to be Gana Diop.
- Boris Diaw is officially sloppy fat. My wife read a book titled, “French Women Don’t Get Fat.” Apparently French Ballers do. The weight is starting to effect his play. He’s having a much harder time getting in defensive position and officially starts getting winded somewhere around “…and the Home of the Brave.“
- Three years in and I’d like to fancy myself a Larry Brown quasi-expert. And judging from the look on his face and the body language, I think it’s safe to say that he’s not losing any sleep over an 0-3 start. Let’s face it, his teams start slow every year and then around the late-November/early December mark the organization makes a big trade and they go on a run. I’m not panicking until at least Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the team has some nice depth, a ton of athleticism and at least a handful of real deal NBA players on the roster for the first time in franchise history.