NBA 2006-2007 Preview: Bobcats on the Prowl

Charlotte Bobcats
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff, 3rd Season (44-120)
General Manager: Bernie Bickerstaff
’05-’06 Record: 26-56; tied last Southeast Division


Projected Starting Lineup (’05-’06 Stats)

PG – Raymond Felton (11.9 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 5.6 apg.)
SG – Gerald Wallace (15.2 ppg., 7.5 rpg., 1.7 apg.)
SF – Adam Morrison (rookie)
PF – Emeka Okafor (13.2 ppg., 10.0 rpg., 1.2 apg.)
C – Primoz Brezec (12.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 0.6)


Key Additions: PF Othella Harrington (UFA – CHI)

Key Subtractions: PF Lonny Baxter (UFA); SF Jumaine Jones (UFA – PHO)


2006 NBA Draft
Round 1 – SF Adam Morrison (3rd overall); Gonzaga University
Round 2 – C Ryan Hollins (50th overall); UCLA


Positional Breakdowns

Guards
One of the rookie guards who got lost in the shuffle last season was Bobcats’ point guard Raymond Felton from UNC. With Chris Paul lighting it up nightly and with Deron Williams having a solid season, people forget about Felton. But Felton showed a bit of maturity last season, mostly backing up Brevin Knight. However, it looks as though at the least there will be at least a competition between Felton and Knight, if not Felton taking the job outright. Felton is a solid playmaker. He doesn’t do much flashy, but then again his style is solid and gets the offense where it needs to go. With guys on this offense that need the ball fed to them like Brezec and Okafor, Felton fits that mold perfectly. Look for Adam Morrison to make Felton’s job even easier, because it’s just another weapon for Felton to utilize.