Play As One - Charlotte Bobcats Thread

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The Charlotte Bobcats are contemplating to offer a contract to point guard Goran Dragic.

Bobcats targeting Goran Dragic, will reportedly make offer

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Antawn Jamison is interested in playing for the Bobcats.

Report: Antawn Jamison has ‘definite’ interest in hometown Bobcats

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According to the Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte Bobcats are interested in bidding for Brendan Haywood, who was waived by the Dallas Mavericks via the amnesty clause and the Bobcats could offer a contract to free agent guard Ramon Sessions.

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The Charlotte Bobcats have signed guard Ramon Sessions.

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The Charlotte Bobcats have won the bid for center Brendan Haywood.

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Michael Jordan is very impressed with head coach Mike Dunlap.

Jordan sees something special in new Bobcats coach

I too am impressed with Dunlap. In many of the interviews that I have watched via NBA Broadband in the Summer League, Dunlap answers in a well articulated manner on those press and one on one interviews.

One thing that has caught my attention is Dunlap's plan for the offense and defense playbook for next season. Dunlap said that the Bobcats will utilize both full-court presses and zone defenses. One variant he spoke is the three-quarter court trap that will help pressure the crossing guard and shed time for the opposition's offense.

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The Charlotte Bobcats have named two assistant coaches to Mike Dunlap's staff Dan Leibovitz and Brian Winters. Both will join the ranks of Stephen Silas and Rick Brunson.

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ESPN Radio reports that the Charlotte Bobcats are interested in working out Tracy McGrady.

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The Charlotte Bobcats have exercised the third year options on Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo.

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I saw the NBA team preview in NBA TV awhile ago. They featured the head coach, Mike Dunlap, who is charged to mentor the Bobcats minus the great expectations. Dunlap unveiled last June his analytics and shot selection graphics map, completed with cell-shaded colors to determine rates of conversion for each player. Green was for "comfort zone" on which players converted most. While red was for "discomfort zone", a place where the players' shots as individuals are not playing.

What is intriguing is that Dunlap is enforcing those shot zones into the players' mentality and actually encourages them to look for that spot and avoid those spots that are marred with futility. This I think creates better awareness for the players in not forcing too many shots that are extremely low-percentage. This also encourages players to be more patient and look for their comfort zones, thus having a shot that is naturally boosted by a player's comfort range.

The best part is that Kemba Walker responded and admitted that it was an eye opener and he has not seen anything like it. Even Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was surprised that Dunlap had prepared his college home-work based on his shot selection zones. Also, Dunlap will keep this analytics and shot display graphic chart into the season.

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Head coach Mike Dunlap has announced the starters for the Bobcats' opening night against the Indiana Pacers.

Brendan Haywood
Byron Mullens
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Gerald Henderson
Kemba Walker

We will get to see Gilchrist, the second overall pick to debut. Although I am curious when Dunlap said that he may play MKD as a power forward against teams that go small.

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Charlotte Bobcats opening their season with a win against the Indiana Pacers, 90-89. Ben Gordon made a three pointer for the go ahead basket as the Bobcats preserved the single point for the win.

Kemba Walker scored a game high 30 points. Gerald Henderson with 18 points.

Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist struggled and debuted with 2 points, but had 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Ramon Sessions and Ben Gordon added 11 points and 10 points respectively.

Great win for the first NBA game of Mike Dunlap.

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Guard Gerald Henderson will miss 2-4 weeks due to a sprained left foot.

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Ramon Sessions forced overtime with a driving layup and the Bobcats got key baskets from Haywood, Mullens, Sessions and Walker. Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist also made two pressure freethrows for the Bobcats to outlast the Dallas Mavericks in overtime 101-97.

Career high 25 points for MKD with 12 rebounds to add. Kemba Walkers scored 26 points.