Bobcats Voted As League’s Fourth-Best Offseason
Writers from a dozen official NBA team websites recently responded to this question: Which club has enjoyed the best 2007 offseason? Writers were asked to rank teams 1 through 5, but were not allowed to include the squad they cover within their top-five ranking.
Using a 5-4-3-2-1 points system, the Boston Celtics were the overwhelming choice as the NBA squad that has made the most positive changes this summer, finishing with eight first-place votes and 55 total points. Portland finished second, followed by Houston, your Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis.
The full results were as follows (with first-place votes in parentheses): Boston (8), 55; Portland (3), 39; Houston, 22;
CHARLOTTE, 18; Memphis, 12; New York, 9; Seattle, 9; Dallas (1), 8; San Antonio, 4; Chicago, 3; Golden State, 3; Orlando, 3; Atlanta, 1; Minnesota, 1; Toronto, 1
You can read each writer's full breakdown by clicking on the links above, but here is what the pollsters had to say about the Bobcats offseason moves:
From grizzlies.com (third):"With the big draft night trade for Jason Richardson, the Bobcats are in position to make a run at a playoff spot. Richardson is the elite scorer the franchise has always lacked, and will make new head coach Sam Vincent’s job easier. They also re-signed Gerald Wallace to a long-term deal, a critical move for the franchise. If Adam Morrison can improve, and Sean May stay healthy, this is a good team."
From Hawks.com (fourth):"I for one still don’t understand Golden State jettisoning Jason Richardson, but he is exactly the type of perimeter scorer Charlotte has been missing. If they can stay healthy, I think they can be very competitive in the East."
From Hornets.com (fifth):"Say what you will about giving up a lottery pick and the negative salary-cap implications of the Jason Richardson deal. The Bobcats landed a much-needed offensive weapon. One of the youngest teams in the league – which didn’t need another project – now has legitimate playoff aspirations for the first time."
From Lakers.com (fifth):"Charlotte’s trade for Jason Richardson signaled a decision to take their existing group and move forward, rather than adding another talent who would blossom years into the future. Their team is still young, but has scoring potential and a chance to progress into the playoffs this season."
From NJNets.com (third):"The Bobcats needed a go-to scorer and a veteran. So, instead of drafting and waiting on another lottery pick, on draft night they acquired 26-year-old guard Jason Richardson from the Warriors for the rights to Brandan Wright. Late in the first round, they drafted intangibles guy/winner, Jared Dudley. They capped it all off by re-signing Gerald Wallace in July."
From Pistons.com (fourth):"Jason Richardson is still just 26 and he brings what the hard-working Bobcats need most – an unadulterated scorer. Retaining Gerald Wallace was critical. If Emeka Okafor can stay injury-free and Raymond Felton and Sean May take another leap forward, Charlotte could contend for a playoff spot."
From Rockets.com (fourth):"The Bobcats didn’t need to get any younger – and they didn’t. Rather than keeping their lottery pick from the 2007 NBA Draft, Charlotte shipped its draft choice, Brandan Wright, to Golden State for Jason Richardson. With the move, the Bobcats finally have an established go-to player."
From Timberwolves.com (second):"Charlotte has quietly done some good work, starting with the trade for Jason Richardson. They let Brevin Knight go to get more minutes for Raymond Felton and re-signed the enigmatic Gerald Wallace and underrated Matt Carroll. A lineup with Felton, Richardson, Wallace, May and Okafor – with Carroll, Herrmann and Morrison off the bench – looks solid."
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