Pistons try to bounce back in Charlotte
By J.M. Poulard
Essentials
- Teams: Detroit Pistons (21-34) at Charlotte Bobcats (13-40)
- Date: February 20, 2013
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Television: FSD
What to look for
The world took the time to sit down, pause and look back at the illustrious career of the greatest of all-time this past weekend as Michael Jordan celebrated his 50th anniversary.
His birthday coupled with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s admission that he lost a one-on-one battle against his Airness led many to openly wonder whether Jordan could play the game today.
The most interesting aspect of a potential MJ comeback is that several are saying that he could in fact play and be successful in the NBA. But part of the reason that many feel that way is because it’s widely assumed he would play on the Bobcats, and well they aren’t exactly a juggernaut.
Indeed, whether consciously or not, most associate a Jordan return to him playing for Charlotte where he could in fact get a few minutes per game.
The Bobcats score 98.2 points per 100 possessions (29th in the league) because they do not have players capable of consistently creating high percentage shots for themselves or teammates. Consequently, they tend to shoot early in the shot clock because otherwise they are destined to take an extremely low percentage shot.
Thus, a quick pick-and-pop shot or a drive to the basket after a pass or two are things to expect from Kemba Walker and company.
Their spacing is less than ideal and they lack great finishers on the roster.
Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will get some points at the rim, but only if they are required to take on one lone defender at the basket. Anything more is likely to produce a miss.
On the other side of the ball, Charlotte yields 107.9 points per 100 possessions (29th in the NBA) because their collective IQ gets in their way more often than not.
They are a young team that plays with a lot of effort and energy, but their positioning on defense leaves much to be desired. Their youth serves as an impediment on this side of the court as more experienced teams often expose them.
They throw out random double teams that seem to be unscripted, switch in the pick-and-roll early in the shot clock at times or blitz ball handlers while some weak side defenders have no idea what’s happening in front of them.
Put it all together and it leads to Stan Van Gundy making the statement last week on the Dan LeBatard show that none of the Charlotte players could start for the Cleveland Cavaliers at present time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers!
With that said, the Charlotte Bobcats are still an NBA team that plays hard, and should opponents take them lightly, they might set themselves up to get stung.