(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Box Score

When considering the Bobcats lottery prospects this loss will likely help in ensuring a higher draft pick. In the here and now however, it raises a few concerns.

Firstly, there are few players on the Bobcats who aren’t defensive liabilities. For as much as Augustin gives on offense (26 points, 9 assists), he gives up as much on the defensive end. DJ White is more or less in the same boat. This isn’t a new issue for either, but it’s too bad considering both are off to the best starts of their careers. The rest of team has trouble defending as well, with the Cavaliers scoring 56 points in the paint, and at other times getting too many open looks. The size disadvantage contributes to this, so the return of Tyrus Thomas is needed quickly if this team wants any chance of defending down low.

This was supposed to be Kemba Walker vs. Kyrie Irving, but Walker had his worst game as a pro. Two points on 1-6 shooting compared to Irving’s 20 points and six assists. When looking back, the absence of Walker made a difference. In both of the Bobcats close games, Walker had stretches of play that kept the Bobcats in the game. He may not be a starter, but if the Cats are going to win any games this year he will need to show up.

Diaw has crashed down to Earth after his good start. He looked tired, unfocused and still out of shape. He was scoreless with five rebounds and five fouls, and it was hard to find any justification for him being in the game in the 2^nd half.

After a scoreless first half Henderson got hot in the 2^nd finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds. These numbers are what you want from him, but not necessarily all in one half. The next step for him is to become more consistent.

There is a filter that clouds every fan’s eyes. When he perceives his or her favorite team, the perception is always better than it appears. This filter is good for many reasons; it gives fans a sense of pride, and in tougher times it allows a little hope to remain that things will eventually turn around.

It also creates negative effects; namely that of false hope. When one feels their team is better than it actually is, ideas begin to swirl. The phrases, “if we can just do this,” or, “if we just sign him,” creates an illusion that despite how bad things actually are; their team is only one or two steps away from greatness. When those steps don’t happen and things are just as they were before, frustration and anger ensue.

Sometimes, the best thing for a fan to do is turn the filter off. For Bobcats fans, that needs to be done.

Chris Paul isn’t coming to Charlotte. Dwight Howard isn’t either. And despite every rumor that ever came about, despite “sources” that claimed either player had a desire to play in the Queen City, the reality is that was never going to happen.

Bismack Biyombo

It was an interesting and entertaining night. Amongst the  multiple trade downs by the Timberwolves (I probably  screamed KAAAHHNN a dozen times), the seemingly  infinite amount of factory produced European players, and  the number of times Jay Bilas and company praised and tore  down a prospect in the same sentence, the Bobcats came out  winners; something the franchise has rarely been able to say  in seven years.

It started with a three-team trade that sent Steven Jackson  and Shaun Livingston to the Bucks in return for the 7^th pick  and Corey Maggette. With that 7^th pick, the Bobcats took  Bismack Biyombo. It wasn’t the pick many were suspecting  with Brandon Knight, Kemba Walker, and Kawhli Leonard  still on the board. For one, Biyombo was the rawest player in the draft having played only four years of basketball and comes with virtually no offense game. It is a risk to take a player like Biyombo, but Rich Cho, only a few weeks into the job, coveted the Congo native back in Portland. Biyombo wasn’t a last minute decision but rather one researched and evaluated over a long period of time, and this pick goes along exactly with how the new Bobcats GM conducts business. Biyombo could be a defense force one day, his 7’7 wingspan and incredible athleticism make up for his 6’9 frame, and if he is indeed only eighteen, his potential is exponential. To add, Biyombo displays all the indications of a player willing and wanting to improve, and from his comments since the draft he appears ecstatic to be playing for Charlotte.  While doubts may linger, fans will no doubt be rooting for him to succeed for reasons beyond what he could bring to the team.