News broke just a couple hours ago that the Bobcats have agreed to a deal with veteran guard Ronald “Flip” Murray, a product of Shaw University, for the NBA’s bi-annual exception of $1.99 million dollars for one season. Flip gained prominence when he filled in for Ray Allen at shooting guard in 2003-2004 for the Supersonics, but has been a bit of a journeyman since, playing for the Hawks, Pacers, Pistons, Cavs, and Bucks in addition to his time in Seattle. Flip had also apparently been negotiating with the Nuggets and 76ers, but chose the Bobcats.

Flip will likely split his time between the two guard postions, backing up starters Raja Bell and Raymond Felton along with fellow backups DJ Augustin and Gerald Henderson (no word on how this affects Dontell Jefferson). However, Flip also has the ability to play the small forward postion in a crunch if Derrick Brown or Vladimir Radmonovic is unable to backup Gerald Wallace, or Wallace is hurt. For $1.99 million, the Bobcats have addressed three postions very adequately with a player who has averaged 9.9 points per game for his career along with 2.3 assists and 2 rebounds, in 22.8 minutes averaged. He has career highs of 31 points, 8 rebounds, 12 assists, and 6 steals. Flip’s career high in minutes came against the Bobcats on March 22, 2006 when he played 47 minutes.

Flip will likely wear number 22 in honor of Clyde Drexler as he has much of his career, as that numbe ris not in use currently on the Bobcats. Flip’s main hobby is shooting pool, and he earned his nickname via gymnastics when he was in grade school.

In other news, expect the Bobcats to announce a new radio partnership within the next week.

What are your thoughts on the new uniforms? There are a few more images here.

While I don’t pretend to be Chevy Chase, Norm MacDonald, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, or any other SNL anchor, I am here to bring you the news, and it’s Saturday Night.

Boris Diaw was hurt today in Eurobasket Qualifiers while playing for the French National Team. While we don’t know exactly what’s hurt, it’s his ankle area and he’s expected to miss around a month, placing his return around the beginning of the season, possibly allowing him to play in a few preseason games. With the already lacking depth at the Power Forward position –only Diaw and second year player Alexis Ajinca are listed as Power Forwards on the depth chart, though rookie Derrick Brown will likely spend time there– this just makes those worried about the position even more uneasy.

On a similar note, there have been rumblings that Houston and the Bobcats are in trade talks. One would assume that one of the Bobcats’ centers, either Nazr Mohammed or Desagana Diop, as well as Houston forward Carl Landry are involved. The hold-up to a deal is that last year, around September 25th, the Bobcats submitted an offer sheet to Landry, and cannot trade for him until one year after they submitted paperwork to the league office. Other pieces in this trade could be Houston’s Joey Dorsey, who is a quality backup, and Brent Barry, who I believe has an unguaranteed contract that would save the Bobcats around one million dollars. Also possibly outgoing would be guard Dontell Jefferson, or Ajinca (though I doubt it).

Last Tuesday, bobcats.com posted an Interview with assistant coach Dave Hanners, and in that interview, Hanners talked about different things, but a couple things jumped out at me.

One, Gerald Wallace had surgery, and nobody covered it. Now, I know it was just have his wisdom teeth out, but that’s still a rather major thing to totally miss, and no local paper or national media outlet covered it. As far as I know I’m the first person to put it in print.

Two, this coaching staff seems really, REALLY, high on Derrick Brown. I know he was supposed to be a first round pick, but Hanners is super high on him, and Dave is a really good coach. Which brings me to…

Three, apparently either Scott Lauer is a kiss-ass or the Bobcats Front Office wants Hanners to succeed Larry Brown. I very much hope it is the latter, because after spending as much time around Coach Brown as Hanners has, something has to have impressed the Teacher. Larry has taught multiple Head Coaches in the league, like Mike Woodson and John Kuester. Hopefully Hanners will be not only the next but the most successful.

A couple random notes:

RIP to Skipper Beck. I met Skip’s son through the arena racing stuff at Cricket Arena, nice kid, prayers to the family.

To anyone who’s upset about MJ’s speech at the Hall of Fame, that’s who MJ is, and he’s fine with that, why can’t you be? He worked to be the greatest player ever, let him enjoy it how he wants to.

Also, MJ is NOT going to play again. He was too old last time, and he knew it. He’s beyond too old this time. This isn’t the PGA, where there’s an Old Guys tour.

And lastly, Alexis Ajinca likes playing Rock Band. I’ve never seen a 7’0 drummer before…

Nazr Mohammed is a producer… Wow, who knew?

“Fat Bitch!” is being produced by NBA champion, Charlotte Bobcats Center, and Chicago native Nazr Mohammed, who Watson has known since elementary school, when they lived next door in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood (blocks from President Obama’s house). Autographed sports memorabilia from Mohammed (to be announced later; likely to include apparel and Bulls/Bobcats tickets) will be raffled off at each of the five “Fat Bitch!” shows to benefit organizations dealing with young people and self-esteem. Detailed bios are below.

The Moonball Blog gives their thoughts on how the Bobcats will perform in this upcoming season.

Chandler is the archetypal Brown pivot: Long, defensive oriented, and willing to accept little or no offensive role. Though Charlotte was roundly panned for the Okafor-Chandler swap, if the 26 year old veteran of 8 NBA seasons can stay healthy, Tyson is about to go off anchoring the Bobcat D.

Former Bobcat Sean May likes 1 thing even more than Krispy Kreme glazed donuts… and that thing is Gossip Girl?!?

Will the Bobcats be adding yet another Tarheel? If Rashad McCants has anything to do with it, the answer is yes.

The latest via NBA.com

His toe feels good, as it did all last season in rebuttal to the massive red flag in Oklahoma, his ankle is strong again and, by the way, his heart is fine too. Being traded was not a great shock to the system, after all. Tyson Chandler had been sort-of dealt once and knew he would be for-sure dealt soon enough, the way his New Orleans Hornets teammates knew. It’s just the details that were finalized July 28: Chandler to the Bobcats for Emeka Okafor.

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