Bobcats travel to Phoenix    
 
This biggest of the Bobcats 3 major trades this season was a 3 for 3 swap with the Phoenix Suns.  Former coach Terry Porter wasn’t using Boris Diaw or Raja Bell the way they once were and the players and teams seemed prime for a divorce.  In come the Bobcats and the Suns seeming need for a wing shooter and before you know it former Chicago Bulls Golden Years teammates Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr had swapped Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2nd rounder to Phoenix and Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary coming this way.  At first the Bobcats’ weak offense seemed to be weaker, losing their leading scorer in Richardson; down a “glue” guy in Dudley and the Suns just might have ripped off the “lowly” ‘Cats.  3 weeks later, some very solid wins and an improved flow to the game and I looks like MJ and Rod got the best of the Suns.
 
Add in 2 arrests and a fired coach and then Amar’e Stodumire’s displaced cornea and we really got the better of this deal.  Lately we’ve seen a bit of a resurgence with the run and gun style that Interim Coach Alvin Gentry has put in place but really, with the injury to Stodumire, the Suns must be feeling a bit like the Bobcats circa November 15th.  Yeah, 5, 1, 2, 3 starting positions are taken care of but who do we start at the 4?  Jared Freakin Dudley?  The answer for both teams at each juncture was “ugh, yeah maybe?”  Until the interview with MJ and his contention that yeah Jared is a nice player but realistically he should be 8th or 9th guy in the rotation, Larry was starting the surprise first round pick and former ACC player of the year.  This is no knock on Jared Dudley, he’s great and I do miss his presence here but he’s not your starting 4 in the NBA, not if you want to win ball games. 
 
Phoenix has fallen from the top of the heap in the west under former coach Mike D’Antoni, as one of the most entertaining teams to watch, all the way down to the outside looking in for the playoffs in the west.  They have some serious talent, but not much behind it.  I believe I stated why it was such a big win for the Bobcats back in January against Phoenix at home.  It was somewhat redemption for the 3 guys that come to Charlotte to play for Larry Brown.  Phoenix is apparently buzzing about the return of Diaw.  In a blog filed under the heading Apocalypse Diaw the writer states that the call-in - sports talk radio guys are  ”numbskulls” for regretting the trade that sent Diaw away leaving them with no PF option.  Instead he looks to Diaw’s numbers here in Charlotte, really you need to look at every-one’s numbers, especially team assists. 
 
The trade may just work for everyone, who knows or it could be one of those 6 of one half dozen of the other deals where neither team gets markedly better they just both change.  What I do know is I have a good feeling about the Bobcats rolling to Phoenix tonight.  True, they have fallen on their faces after an overtime loss in Orlando, a win against the Pacers and then a complete drumming at the hands of Orlando and again at Houston on Sunday.  The Orlando and Houston losses come off of bad shooting and sloppy play.  I don’t think that it’s a trend but it’ll be in the back of my mind tonight. 
 
I’m amazed at the road trip.  The passing of the time zones makes it look like the Bobcats are playing every day this week.  One game carries to the next day, travel, play an hour earlier on your body clock.  I just hope on the other side, we’re better off than we are now in the win column.  That’s right I said “we.”