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Bobcats show off new look
Team opens camp
AP Photo
Tyson Chandler (from left), Larry Brown and Gerald Wallace pose.
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Published: September 29, 2009
CHARLOTTE
High-flying Gerald Wallace drew some attention yesterday. So did playmaker Raymond Felton, new center Tyson Chandler and rookie Gerald Henderson as they modeled Charlotte's new gray-pinstriped uniform.
Yet Nazr Mohammed -- one of only five Bobcats around for last year's media day -- made it clear who's the main attraction for a franchise that's featured a revolving roster, no stars and zero playoff berths.
"Coach is our star," Mohammed said, referring to Hall of Famer Larry Brown. "Plain and simple, he knows the game. He's our star. We've got to listen to him."
And hope he can lead the struggling, money-losing franchise to its first postseason berth.
"We are much better than last year," said Brown, beginning his second season in his ninth NBA head-coaching job. "Our potential is better and we're excited about starting the season without worrying about making ourselves better by trade or free agency."
It doesn't mean that Brown, 69, is finished coaxing managing partner Michael Jordan into signing off on more moves as practice begins today.
While the Bobcats got more athletic this summer by sending Emeka Okafor to New Orleans for fellow center Tyson Chandler in the team's fourth trade in eight months -- the Bobcats didn't address depth issues at power forward after going 35-47 last season.
Running close to the luxury-tax payroll threshold of $69.9 million and ordered not to go above it by owner Bob Johnson, the Bobcats' only offseason free-agent signing was Ronald "Flip" Murray. Even Felton couldn't agree on a long-term deal, settling on a one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer.
The Bobcats didn't re-sign Sean May, meaning that there is no clear backup to power forward Boris Diaw, who will miss the first few days of camp recovering from a sprained left ankle.
"We missed out on (Drew) Gooden and Hakim Warrick and people like that," Brown said of the free-agent market. "But we didn't have Raymond's situation settled.
"A lot of teams have had to be real careful because of the luxury tax. There were some guys I think who wanted to come here. Antonio McDyess was another name that would have really, really helped us.... I think it'll work itself out."
That's because the Bobcats have a player or two who could be valuable to a contending team, led by Raja Bell, a 33-year-old starting shooting guard. He was acquired from Phoenix in December and said he was rebuffed in a request for a contract extension this summer.
With Henderson and Murray also at shooting guard, Bell could be dealt to a contending team looking for a veteran and an expiring contract to clear salary-cap space for next summer.
"I'm fully aware of what a contract like mine looks like to other teams and could mean to the Bobcats," Bell said. "Knowing that is enough for me. From there I'll just go about my business."
That includes integrating Chandler and Henderson into a rotation led by Wallace, who led Charlotte in scoring last season at 16.6 points a game. But 6-7 Wallace, 6-7, shrugged when told that Brown suggested he might have to play some power forward.
"Would I ask to play the 4? No. Would I like to play the 4? No," Wallace said. "But if that's the position I'm put in I'll play it to the best of my ability."
Brown will open camp with 16 players after the late additions of rookie guard Antonio Anderson and forward Stephen Graham.
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