Travis Pulver | Bobcats Planet

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The Method to the Madness that is Michael Jordan

published Sunday, February 19th, 2012 at 8:11 am by Travis Pulver

Chances are pretty good that His Airness, Michael Jordan, the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, was smiling some Friday night.

It could be because it was his 49^th birthday. It’s usually because he has an ultra-hot future wife. There is a possibility that it could be because his team finally won, breaking a 16-game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Raptors 98-91.

It could very well be none of those (except for the ultra-hot future Mrs. Jordan), and be something else entirely. It could be because even though he is turning out one of the worst products to see the light of day on a professional basketball court the club is financially doing better.

Huh?

Tags: Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Bobcats, D.J. Augustin, gerald henderson, kemba walker, Michael Jordan
Posted in Michael Jordan, Ownership | 3 Comments »

Who Will/Could be the Charlotte Bobcats Version of Jeremy Lin?

published Sunday, February 12th, 2012 at 7:49 am by Travis Pulver

The back of Cory's head--and that Griffin kid.

If you have not watched basketball in the last week, than you have no idea who Jeremy Lin is. To find out all you have to do is turn on ESPN. The Asian Sensation has become the hottest name in basketball as he has stepped out of obscurity on February 4 to lead the Knicks to a much needed win over the New Jersey Nets.

Most of you are probably still asking who this kid is. Well, in a nutshell he could be one of the most perpetually underrated talents. The big schools ignored him even though he was clearly one of the best players in California. Harvard gave him a chance, and he went on to be a two-time All-Ivy League first team player.

Just like after high school, he was largely ignored by the NBA once he was finished playing college ball. He got some interest as an undrafted free agent, and ended up taking less money to go with the Wizards; a year later they kicked him to the curb.

Now he’s led the New York Knicks to a five-game winning streak, and is dangerously close to making them relevant again.

By now I bet you’re wondering what in the world this means to the Charlotte Bobcats. Easy—

Where in the world is our Jeremy Lin?!?!?!

Tags: blake griffin, Charlotte Bobcats, Colorado Buffaloes, Cory Higgins, Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks, paul silas, Washington Wizards
Posted in Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Paul Silas, Washington Wizards | No Comments »

When/(Is) His Airness going to do Something?

published Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 7:31 am by Travis Pulver

If there is one thing that the sporting world knows it is that Michael Jordan is one ultra-competitive individual. He proved that time and time again during his days with the Bulls, in college with the Tar Heels, and heck, even with the Chicago White Sox minor league team he played for.

We know this man wants to win, so why isn’t he doing anything to improve the worst team in the NBA—his team, the Charlotte Bobcats?

Yes, he has gone into the locker room and given the guys a piece of his mind, something that had to hold weight with this young team since most of these guys probably grew up idolizing Michael Jordan. Other than that, has he even showed any emotion in regards to all the losing? Not that I’ve seen.

Being a competitive guy with his own money on the line, one would think that he would be making an effort to improve the team now rather than wait and see who he gets in the next draft. Other than the rumored possible trade with the Washington Wizards, Tyrus Thomas for Andre Blatche, there is no help for the Bobcats on the way.

Tags: Andre Blatche, Charlotte Bobcats, Major League, Michael Jordan, Tyrus Thomas, Washington Wizards
Posted in Michael Jordan, Ownership, Tyrus Thomas, Washington Wizards | No Comments »

When Will the Pain End for the Charlotte Bobcats and Their Fan(s)?

published Sunday, February 5th, 2012 at 8:04 am by Travis Pulver

My goal is to always remain optimistic without being completely unrealistic when I write my posts, but I have to say that the Charlotte Bobcats are making it awful hard to do that these days.

The scene from White Men Can’t Jump where Wesley Snipes is getting hustled by Woody Harrelson keeps coming to mind when I think of this team. I picture Wesley in a Bobcats uniform with his hand in the air going, “It’s pretty! It’s so pretty!”

Then Rosie Perez stands up and yells out (in her best Puerto Rican accent), “Oh no it ain’t! Go pay your taxes!”

For those of you that do watch the Bobcats I am sure I don’t need to tell you how bad things have been. I think the game Wednesday night against the Portland Trailblazers should be treated like Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series; it will be “the game that will not be named.”

We knew that this season would be a tough one, but this is starting to hurt to watch; 3-20 and in the midst of an 11 game losing streak following Saturday’s game with the Phoenix Suns. When will the pain end? When will these guys win another game?

Before we figure out the best chance for that let’s take a look at what these guys are capable of and how they stack up to the rest of the league:

Something to Look Forward to For Bobcats Fans

published Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 8:12 am by Travis Pulver

Wow! What a week for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Those of you that have read my rambling in the past know that I prefer not to go off on tirades on the current and very dire straits of the franchise. With that in mind, the above words are about the only thing I can really say. However, if I stop there this will not be much of a post.

So what in the world am I going to talk about if I’m not going to go off on these guys?

The future.

It’s kind of a bummer to have to go through a season of sucking (I’m still holding out a little hope that the guys will turn it around), but the benefit to that is a good shot at getting one of the top draft picks in next year’s lottery. With the number of talented players that are in the college ranks it is not hard to imagine which ones would be great fits in Charlotte.

So let’s do that. Let’s imagine who the Bobcats might get in the draft next year. Now of course it would depend on who comes out and who doesn’t, so for the sake of argument anyone the team could want will come out.

Also, I think we can look away from the guards. The team needs a big man more than it needs someone to spell Kemba Walker and D.J. Augustin. With that in mind, here are some of the big men that I wouldn’t mind seeing wearing the blue and orange in 2012:

Tags: Andre Drummond, Charlotte Bobcats, D.J. Augustin, Jared Sullinger, Jeremy Lamb, John Henson, kemba walker, Perry Jones
Posted in DJ Augustin, Kemba Walker, Players | 2 Comments »

What do the Charlotte Bobcats and Bart Simpson have in Common?

published Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at 7:43 am by Travis Pulver

I’ll give you three guesses, but if you need more than one then you must not follow the NBA or watch FOX on Sundays (or any other day thanks to syndication; love them reruns). What’s the answer? Easy—

Low expectations.

Whether you are the optimistic or pessimistic type it is kind of hard not to agree with that. Coming into this season it was pretty easy to see that this season was likely going to be a rough one for the guys. While all the young talent is something to be excited and encouraged about, the team has no definitive leader or focal point.

The good thing is that in time a leader can develop. The problem is going to be in figuring out whom it will be and how long will it take for him to step up. Hence the theme of the post—low expectations (go ahead comedians let me have it).

I would not want to do this often, and I’m glad it is happening in a strike shortened season, but I don’t mind having a year like this. It may sound crazy, but hear me out a little.

Tags: Bart Simpson, Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, kemba walker, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, paul silas
Posted in Bismack Biyombo, Boris Diaw, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, DJ Augustin, Gerald Henderson, Golden State Warriors, Kemba Walker, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Paul Silas | 1 Comment »

Kemba Walker Saves Paul Silas’s Job (For Now)

published Sunday, January 15th, 2012 at 8:23 am by Travis Pulver

I have to be honest. After reading a bunch of stories about the team during the week I was prepared to sit down Saturday night and write a piece on how Paul Silas might be the first coach to go in this abbreviated NBA season.

Personally, I think that we are too quick to call for someone’s job in this league. Guys need a chance to do their job. Anything less than a full season and training camp is not enough time for anyone to show what they can really do. Yes, I know Paul started last season, but he didn’t really have much of an offseason and training camp to work with.

That being said, having watched and followed this league of ours for a few decades I know the signs, and I know that owners/GMs have no problem canning anyone at any time. Some of the things that Silas said this week made me think the end is near:

“… [The starters have] just kind of given up now. I don’t know what to say.”

When asked what he could do to get an ice cold Boris Diaw going: “I really don’t know.”

“We’ve got to have more toughness and we didn’t (Friday). It’s just not a good sign for us.”

Overall, the stuff he said can be viewed as just him being honest about how he feels. What bothered me is that he sounded like he was/had given up. A coach that wants to stay employed is not going to bad-mouth his team too much. What he said along those lines I can live with, but it’s the frequency that he admits to not knowing that tells me he could be going soon.

Tags: Boris Diaw, DJ Augustin, Golden State Warriors, kemba walker, paul silas
Posted in Boris Diaw, DJ Augustin, Kemba Walker, Paul Silas | 5 Comments »

Shame on You Boris Diaw

published Saturday, January 7th, 2012 at 7:15 am by Travis Pulver

Typically when I write for sites I try to stay away from negative posts that just bash anything and everything that is wrong with the team. Those kinds of posts are easy to write (because all of us with access to the internet are experts at what we write about), but I think they are not near as much fun to write.

However, there are some occasions in which I feel it necessary to give a virtual b*tch slap to someone who deserves. In this case it would be forward turned center Boris Diaw.

When I read this quote from Paul Silas in regards to Diaw it bugged me:

“He’s good at everything, one of the most talented players I’ve seen at his position. As long as he comes with effort, there are very few things he can’t do.”

As long as he comes with effort? Are you kidding me?!?! The man is supposed to be a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association.

Tags: Bismack Biyombo, Boris Diaw, National Basketball Association, NBA, paul silas
Posted in Bismack Biyombo, Boris Diaw, Paul Silas | 3 Comments »

Bobcats Planet

Travis Pulver's Recent Articles

The Method to the Madness that is Michael Jordan

Who Will/Could be the Charlotte Bobcats Version of Jeremy Lin?

When/(Is) His Airness going to do Something?

When Will the Pain End for the Charlotte Bobcats and Their Fan(s)?

Something to Look Forward to For Bobcats Fans

What do the Charlotte Bobcats and Bart Simpson have in Common?

Kemba Walker Saves Paul Silas’s Job (For Now)

Shame on You Boris Diaw

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