The Charlotte Bobcats open things up tonight, what’s that? News just in to BCP, the Bobcats already played one game. Who knew? 58 points sounds like a women’s college score. Let’s just breathe though because this team is capable, what’s that? News just in to BCP, Raja Bell and Flip Murray are still out. This is getting scary.

The Knicks don’t present a tremendously daunting task. They have barely made an off-season move. I think athleticism wins out on the front line, with Tyson Chandler matching up with David Lee. The point guard battle is somewhat interesting with New York coming in with Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson, however I think the tandem of Raymond Felton and DJ Augustin is a little deeper and a little bit more balanced. I’m reading that Danilo Gallinari will be starting tonight after a strong showing in the Knicks 115-93 loss to Miami on opening night. Gallinari put up 22 points against a Miami team not known for defense but I’m sure it still makes Mike D’Antoni happy to see his project and first Knick Pick do well.

Listen, I am not going to break down the starting line up anymore than I have. I have no idea what’s going to happen tonight. All I know is there is NBA ball to be seen in my hometown and I’ll be there with 18-19000 of my friends and we should get it rocking in the Time Warner Cable arena. You won’t seen the old pics of Jason Richardson, Adam Morrison or Primoz Brezec on the outside of the building. I’m sure the timeline with Mek, Fatty McMay and some of the others will still be there. This is a new year, a new lineup and a 2nd year under Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown. Larry has molded this team into a more workable talent base for himself. Injuries are going to hamper things for a while. I just don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m psyched to watch it unfold,what ever may come. BRING IT!

Welcome back to the NBA! In about an hour, the Bobcats will start the 2009-2010 season in Boston. We finally get a chance to see Tyson Chandler, Gerald Henderson, Derrick Brown, and Stevie Graham show off Larry Brown and Rod Higgins’ GM’ing skills (Flip Murray is still out as far as I know), and the new Bobcats uniforms are put on display. Here’s your starting lineups (projected):

PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Raymond Felton
SG: Ray Allen vs. Stevie Graham
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Gerald Wallace
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Boris Diaw
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Tyson Chandler

Bench Battles: Rasheed Wallace vs. Nazr Mohammed
Marquis Daniels vs. Gerald Henderson
Eddie House vs. DJ Augustin

Notes:
* Bobcats G’s Raja Bell and Flip Murray are inactive to injury, and Boston is missing Glen “Big Baby” Davis after a fight where he hurt his hand.

* Celtics G Eddie House played for the Expansion season Bobcats, but was traded away in the team’s first year.

This presents a tough challenge for the Bobcats, and trying to beat the Big Three in the Celtics home opener is no easy task, considering injury and conditioning issue the Bobcats face, but Charlotte usually plays well against the Celtics and if the Bobcats want to make the playoffs, they have to show they’re worthy against a great team tonight. Enjoy the game!

Fancy pants…look out BigCat is invited to a Black Tie and Tennis shoes Gala!  I think this is my first “Gala.”  I really don’t know what Gala means but I’ll tell you what my experience was like. This is the 3rd Annual My Hero Black Tie/Tennis Shoes Gala, held at the Arena, Presented by Deloitte and about 30 other sponsors.  The event is to raise money for the Bobcats Youth Foundation and Presbyterian Hospital/Bobcats Community Care Cruiser.  I was there as a casual observer, don’t really have the clout or funds that necessitate my invitation but I was privileged and honored to be there.

I ended up rolling solo, last minute cancellation really couldn’t find anybody with the attire last minute and honestly, I didn’t mind so much.  You drive up to the arena on the 5th street side, my Hyundai fit right in with all the doctors and players cars.  I got out, walked up the blue carpet, checked in and there I was.  The main lobby/atrium was decorated well with a really nice band.  Huge circular buffet in the center; all the food looked good but I was in a suit that I haven’t worn since my grandfathers funeral 4 years ago and I haven’t really kept the weight off.  I did however take full advantage of both bars.  Everyone looked great.  Lots of good looking, monied, well dressed folks.  The tennis shoes are an interesting touch and yes, there was one pair Air Jordan XI’s which I personally think was the whole reasoning behind the Tux/Tennis Shoes in the first place.

NBA players stand out in a crowd.  Nazr, Tyson Chandler, Gerald Wallace, Alexis, Gahna Diop pretty much towered.  Once the evening moved to the floor of the arena was when the real fun started.  They had a great set up with lounge areas in the corners drapes and curtains made it feel a bit more intimate than a 20k seat arena.  The program was kicked off by Mike Solarte from News 14 Carolinas who introduced Fred Whitfield and Mark Billings from Presbyterian Hospital, the three acted as hosts.  Dinner was outstanding.  It was southwestern with a tamale, some flank steak, roasted corn medley and rice.  It was all made in house and well done by Levy Restaurants.

The honorees for the evening were “heroes” from the community.  One was a doctor who balanced time as a full time physician, administrator and teacher.  The next was a woman who raised money, taught, brought groups together and started a teen center.  The final honoree was a champion for Big Brother Big Sister, Feed the Children and of the NCAA variety.  I really would  encourage you to read about them on the Bobcats.com write-up.

Inspiring and real Heroes in what they do.  The next item on the agenda was where the excitement kicked up a bit.  Our buddy here at BCP, Michael Thompson became auctioneer for 4 exclusive experiences.  First up was a Grand Opera Experience, a visit with the Maestro, dinner, tickets to Carmen and a meet and greet with the Soprano star of the show.  Vlade Radmonovic was driving up the bidding but ended up losing out.  Next up was a golf outing with Rookie of the Year front runner (Preseason unofficial and pretty much making that up myself) Gerald Henderson, his dad and a guest of the winner’s choosing at Quail Hollow.  This one was what I would have gone for.  Next was a full cardiovascular check up by some of the top cardio folks at Presbyterian.  The final item was a big deal, Gerald Wallace hosting a full pizza and video game party in the players lounge at the arena for 20 kids.  This one was hot between Tyson Chandler and Vlade, they drove the price up big time.  As Michael told me after, it’s pretty easy to run an auction with a room full of doctors and ball players.  A suprise to the auctioneer, a napkin was handed to Mike Solarte with a great experien: All Star weekend in Dallas.  Tickets to all the big events, airfare, dinner, 3 nights hotel, a true suprise brought to you by Fred Whitfield.  Litterally ooos and ahhs from this crowd.  The bidding on this one went fast and ended quite high.

The highlight for me was meeting and talking with a table full of great people and personalities.  Also, I got to meet Raymond Felton and really had a nice, brief talk with him.  The Bobcats are doing well to bring people and money out to support people who need it through the Bobcats Youth Foundation and the Community Care Cruiser.  That thing is a 40 foot doctors office on wheels.  It’s had over 2,000 kids visit, they receive vaccinations, check ups simple procedures that many of us take for granted.  It’s harder and harder to get access for many people.  Mark Billings spoke about unemployment and losing a job not only meant losing that paycheck but also losing health insurance.

For me, the Bobcats impressed me last night and I was grateful to them for reaching out to me as a representative of the “blogosphere” and for honoring the people who should be and raising money for a great charity and a tangible way of getting the needs for people who truely have them taken care of.  I applaud the players, coaches and executive group of the Bobcats as well as the group from Presbyterian Hospital and all the sponsors for a great event.

This just in from Yahoo Sports, Raja Bell may miss most of the season. Larry Brown made the announcement following the Milwaukee Bucks loss this evenin.

Charlotte Bobcats starting shooting guard Raja Bell(notes) has a partially torn ligament in his left wrist that could require surgery and sideline him for most of the season. Coach Larry Brown made the announcement after Charlotte’s 94-87 exhibition victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. Brown said Bell’s agent has requested a second opinion.

Going into the season, this is the last thing that we need.

In our  forums Proudiddy breaks down his reasons for why this is the best Bobcats team yet. Take a look.

This is our best team yet, simple as that. That being said, I’d like to point out why, with our strengths.

*Felton and Augustin have to be among the top PG duos in the league, if not the best. They both look great.

*The SF position looks REAL good. We all know what GDub brings to the table… IMO, probably the most underrated and under appreciated player in the league, yet still one of the best night in and night out. The real surprise here is Stephen Graham. The recent articles about him on the Observer, I chalked up to just being fluff.

The guy is good. I figured he would be the intensity, energy, come-off-the-bench, defensive specialist guy. Well, he is. And more! The guy can play offensively. He has range, and is athletic. He can drive and get to the basket. And best of all, he’s smart about his shots, they’re taken within the offense, yet he seems to recognize when to push the issue and create his own shot. I don’t see a lot of drop-off at all from Gerald to Stephen.

*I am shining up my knife and fork right now… Getting my salt and pepper out… And preparing to eat my crow. Why? Lexy may be a legitimate NBA player. I thought he was a bum when we drafted him and it was a wasted pick. I thought when LB came out and trashed him to the media, that was the final straw. Well, LB is a smart guy… And that apparently was more to challenge Lexy than anything else.

Lexy looked like a legitimate big last night. He has stepped it up. When I saw him play last year, he looked like exactly what I thought he would be on draft night – nothing. Watching him last night, he looked great. Despite his slight frame, the few times I focused on him in the post defensively, he was holding his own. He was fronting DJ Mbenga without losing position consistently. He was beating Mbenga for position.

Another positive to his game, is the guy has a stroke. I saw a few ill advised shots, but that just comes with experience. If he’s ever in the game late, he will definitely be an asset in terms of the free throw line. He caught an awesome alley-oop from Ray on one play last night, and just seemed to be in good position for rebounds. All around, other than Boris, he looked like our best big on the roster.

*Our rookies. Didn’t see Derrick Brown at all last night, so, I don’t know what that was about… I’ve heard all the great things about him and was eager to see him in action. I don’t know if LB was just giving him a rest or what, but I didn’t see him at all last night. Hendo had a few bad plays offensively with turnovers. But, there are flashes of hope. He made a couple shots. And he’s gonna get to the free throw line, bank on that.

I even saw several times where he was dribbling and the lane came wide open, yet he stepped back outside and passed it. I think it’s a rookie complex thing and he doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes still. He’ll get out of that, and he’ll be dunking on opponents in no time.

*Vlad looks better. Defensively, he has really stepped it up and his offense is expanding as well.

Click here for the full thread

So what do you think? In this case I think Proudiddy is right on the money, ignore the preseason record because preseason is… well, its preseason. I think we’ve seen enough improvement from Ajinca, enough potential from the rookies Henderson and Brown and enough growth from the core unit under Larry Brown that I firmly believe that we are going to see good things from the Bobcats this season.