Charlotte.com: Charlotte Bobcats

Staying ahead of the game

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:45 EDT

When Sean May was a star forward at North Carolina, he often could be found slouched in the back of his classes, just trying to get through his seminars and to the next Tar Heels practice.

Now that he's a millionaire player for the Charlotte Bobcats, he sits front and center at North Carolina each summer – eyes fixed on his professor, another goal in sight.

“Now that I've got to pay for it, now that I'm so close to graduating, I make sure I'm right in front of the teacher, paying attention and taking notes,” he said. “But I've had so many of my classmates ask, ‘What are you doing here?' and ‘Are you really you?'”

Can you really blame them?

May and Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams are the latest former Tar Heels to trade their pro playbooks for steno notebooks each offseason, taking courses in hopes of getting their degrees.

“I think it's so funny when I see them with their backpacks – guys making a pretty good living – walking across campus,” North Carolina assistant coach Joe Holladay said. “I'm proud of them.”

When May and Williams jumped to the NBA early after the 2005 national championship season, each promised coach Roy Williams he would return to earn his diploma – following in the heels of former North Carolina players Michael Jordan, James Worthy, J.R. Reid, Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison.

And they're getting closer.

May, a rising senior when he was drafted 13th overall by the Bobcats, now only needs four credits – a geology class and lab – to reach that goal. After taking a statistics course on campus this summer, he opted to skip UNC's second summer session to concentrate on his basketball camp and attend summer league games in Las Vegas. But he plans to finish up next spring.

Williams, a rising sophomore when he was drafted second overall, is now a junior in academic standing. After taking Swahili during UNC's first summer session and finishing an independent study course over the coming months, he plans to have 71 credits completed by the time the fall semester begins. Students at North Carolina need at least 120 credits to graduate.

Both are pursuing degrees in African-American history.

“Every summer, at least one person asks me, ‘Why are you here?'” said Williams, who averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds during the Hawks' regular season. “I say, ‘Why not?' It's something you started, so why not finish it? A lot of guys say that they're going to come back and do it, and I know myself: If I would have stopped, I would have never started again. So I just keep trying to keep going, keep going, until it's done.”

Seeing early-entry NBA players return for their diplomas is becoming more common.

The NCAA doesn't keep specific data on that subject. But at Duke, Mike Dunleavy, who was drafted third overall by the Golden State Warriors in 2002, is now a graduate. And according to a team spokesman, Olympic team member Carlos Boozer, who also declared early in 2002, plans to be in Durham the next two summers to finish up.

In Chapel Hill, returning to class has become a long-standing tradition. Besides May and Williams, Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton, who also left early after the 2005 season, has taken some correspondence courses. Holladay also is hopeful that Rashad McCants and Brandan Wright – the other players who have left early since Roy Williams became coach in 2003 – eventually will graduate, as well.

“When you've got youngsters thinking about going pro early, and they see guys like Marvin and Sean come back … I think it plants a seed that carries on, so it does nothing but help our program,” Holladay said. “Those are just special kids. I know they know about Vince Carter coming back, Antawn coming back, Michael Jordan coming back, J.R. Reid…”

Knowing that history, though, doesn't make rolling out of bed for a 9a.m. class easier now than it was three years ago, May and Williams agreed.

It has helped that they have been Chapel Hill roommates each summer since they turned pro – working out at the Smith Center each morning before schlepping to their respective classes, pushing each other to get their work and workouts complete.

The electronics in their apartment have been upgraded since they were full-time students (pro paychecks tend to do that), but the homework hasn't changed much, either.

“We were sitting there the other night,” May said, laughing, “and I was thinking, ‘Man, this is crazy. We're in the NBA, and Marv's writing flash cards.'“

When Sean May was a star forward at North Carolina, he often could be found slouched in the back of his classes, just trying to get through his seminars and to the next Tar Heels practice.

Now that he's a millionaire player for the Charlotte Bobcats, he sits front and center at North Carolina each summer – eyes fixed on his professor, another goal in sight.

Can you really blame them?

May and Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams are the latest former Tar Heels to trade their pro playbooks for steno notebooks each offseason, taking courses in hopes of getting their degrees.

And they're getting closer.

Both are pursuing degrees in African-American history.

Seeing early-entry NBA players return for their diplomas is becoming more common.

Knowing that history, though, doesn't make rolling out of bed for a 9a.m. class easier now than it was three years ago, May and Williams agreed.

The electronics in their apartment have been upgraded since they were full-time students (pro paychecks tend to do that), but the homework hasn't changed much, either.

“We were sitting there the other night,” May said, laughing, “and I was thinking, ‘Man, this is crazy. We're in the NBA, and Marv's writing flash cards.'“

Clippers' move good news for Bobcats' cause

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:44 EDT

It just makes sense that in the Charlotte Bobcats' first trip to Las Vegas, the big news involved risk/reward.

When the Los Angeles Clippers used their salary-cap space in a trade for Denver's Marcus Camby, the big spenders in free agency seemingly were tapped out. That should help resolve the Emeka Okafor situation in Charlotte, though it's still an open issue.

Okafor is a restricted free agent, and the Clippers appeared the greatest threat to sign him to an offer sheet. The Bobcats intend to retain him and, having once made an offer of more than $12million a season, they haven't acted cheap.

This must play out, and while the Memphis Grizzlies have the cap room to pursue Okafor, I don't see that happening. It's probably a safe bet Okafor is here at least next season.

Signing the one-year qualifying offer is a real possibility – why wouldn't he take that risk to reach unrestricted free agency, if he already did so to reach restricted status? – but the Clippers using up their cap space can only be good news to Bobcats management.

Other observations

D.J. Augustin is the real deal.

It's always dangerous to place too much emphasis on summer-league numbers. A Charlotte Hornets second-rounder, Steve Scheffler, once ate up summer league, then struggled to get off a shot against real NBA players.

However, it's hard not to be impressed with Bobcats rookie point guard Augustin.

In Charlotte's first three games, he averaged 19.6 points, shot 56percent from the field and averaged seven trips to the foul line. For a 6-footer, he shows a striking ability to get to the rim or make someone foul him along the way.

He's not without flaws. Augustin seems to have too much confidence in his handle. Looking to split double-teams, he's averaging four turnovers per game.

He also doesn't have many assists (four total, compared to 32 shot attempts), but that's not necessarily his fault (more on that later).

The Bobcats have three young big men in Las Vegas – Jermareo Davidson, Alexis Ajinca and restricted free agent Ryan Hollins – and none excelled.

In fact, all three sat for most of the Warriors game Tuesday, giving time to smaller players.

Ajinca is the biggest investment, the Bobcats having used the 20th pick on him.

A columnist from Sports Illustrated is projecting Ajinca as a bust (nothing like snap judgment). He has a long way to go, but the Bobcats knew that when they drafted him.

I've seen enough at practice – the shooting, the passing, the ability to run the floor – to keep an open mind.

He won't be much of a factor this season, but they never expected him to be.

Much as Larry Brown would love to find his next George Lynch in Las Vegas, I don't hold much hope for spare parts looking for jobs on this summer roster.

Yes, Kyle Hines and James Mays hustle and rumble, but their games don't fit their bodies at the NBA level. Part of the reason Augustin has so few assists is because various teammates can't catch his passes and finish plays.

If I were Augustin, shooting 56percent and watching passes bobbled out of bounds, I'd take it to the rim, too.

Hornets pick up Posey

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:24 EDT

James Posey has won NBA championships with two teams. The New Orleans Hornets hope to be his third.

Posey, a 6-foot-8 forward who last season helped the Boston Celtics win their first title since 1986, agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $25million contract with New Orleans, agent Mark Bartelstein said.

Posey also was part of the Miami Heat's championship squad in 2005-06. His record of playing a prominent reserve role on title-winning squads made him a top free-agent target for the Hornets.

The Celtics hoped to keep Posey, a 31-year-old veteran who has a reputation as a strong defender and who was periodically assigned to guard LeBron James and Kobe Bryant during the postseason.

Around the league

CHARLOTTE: A Pennsylvania woman who claims Michael Jordan fathered her son has been ordered to have a psychological evaluation and promise to comply with a court order.

Lisa Miceli of Meadville, Pa., is accused of violating a court order that barred her from contacting the former Chicago Bulls star, his family or his representatives.

Jordan, the Bobcats' managing member of basketball operations, sued Miceli this year to enforce a 2005 agreement that required her to stop contacting him after two DNA tests proved he wasn't the boy's father. Jordan's attorneys say Miceli violated the deal.

CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers signed guard Daniel Gibson to a five-year contract. Bringing back Gibson, a restricted free agent, was one of Cleveland's top priorities.

NEW YORK: Rookie Danilo Gallinari has a sore lower back and is listed as doubtful for the rest of the Las Vegas summer league.

Gallinari, a forward from Italy and the No.6 overall pick, was hurt during the Knicks' opener, a 97-94 victory Monday against Cleveland.

He didn't dress for New York's game against San Antonio on Wednesday.

Observer News Services

Camby's trade to L.A. Clippers may affect Okafor deal

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:30 EDT

Patience could pay off for the Charlotte Bobcats, in regard to Emeka Okafor, after the Los Angeles Clippers made a big trade Tuesday.

The Clippers used up most of their room under the salary cap, absorbing the $11.2million salary of Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby. The Nuggets, deep in luxury-tax territory, needed to reduce payroll, and accepted a second-round pick for Camby.

The Clippers previously had about $12million under the cap, and were a threat to sign Okafor, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet.

“It eliminates a scenario,” said Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins, while watching his team play a summer-league game against the Golden State Warriors. “Still, it was just more speculation from our standpoint.”

By and large, the NBA teams with significant cap room have used it: The Philadelphia 76ers signed Elton Brand, the Clippers added Baron Davis and Camby and the Warriors signed Corey Maggette and committing offer-sheet money to Lakers restricted free agent Ronny Turiaf.

Higgins repeatedly has said the Bobcats intend to keep Okafor. His agent, Jeff Schwartz, has been on his honeymoon, according to Higgins, but the two will be having discussions.

Last summer Okafor turned down an extension that would have paid him more than $12 million a season. If Okafor doesn't sign long-term with Charlotte, he has the option of signing a one-year qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent the summer of 2009.

Posey wants four-year deal

James Posey, the Celtics' highest-priority unsigned veteran, is seeking a four-year contract, an NBA source said.

Posey, 31, is treating negotiations as if this could be his final contract and has been in talks with Detroit, the Lakers, New Orleans, and Washington. No team has been willing to offer a deal beyond three years.

Gallinari learning the NBA is no Italian league

Danilo Gallinari was shaky, then strong, not brilliant but exceptionally resilient. He handled the ball like a point guard, shot like a shooting guard and got knocked around the paint like a still-maturing 19-year-old. He was, indeed, everything the Knicks expected when they drafted him last month.

Gallinari scored 14 points in his NBA summer league debut Monday, and showed he was a work in progress. He failed to score during the first half, missed his first five shots and collected five fouls in 30 minutes. But he made five of his final six shots, several from long distance, and showed the persistence that endeared him to the Knicks' front office.

“It kind of underlines what we kind of know,” coach Mike D'Antoni said. “He's a tough kid; he doesn't get bothered by stuff. We knew that. He's solid.”

D'Antoni cautioned that it was too soon to get excited, but said, “We're real pleased.”

“It's a completely different game,” Gallinari said, “and also the referees, they are different. I was just trying to figure out how it is.”

Love scores 18 in debut

Kevin Love had 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds in his debut in a loss for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the NBA summer league.

The fifth overall selection in last month's draft, Love committed four fouls – the same number of points he scored – during the first quarter. “I had to get the jitters out,” Love said. “I was shaking out there a little bit because it hadn't sunk in that I was a NBA player.”

Walton to have surgery

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton will have surgery Friday to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, the team announced.

Dr. David Thordarson, an orthopedic surgeon out of the University of Southwen California, will perform the surgery in Los Angeles. Bone spurs can occur as a result of trauma or jamming in the joint and surgery normally is required to remove them.

Warriors sign Randolph

The Golden State Warriors signed first-round pick Anthony Randolph. Based on the league's rookie scale, he will make about $1.4million his first season. .

Observer News Services

No regrets heading to NBA

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:28 EDT

Frankly, this deal was more Moneyball than basketball.

The Golden State Warriors faced millions in NBA luxury tax, because of a bloated payroll. Jason Richardson was coming off a season of injury and another wing scorer, Monta Ellis, was emerging as the team's best young player. Ellis and center Andris Biedrins were going to demand big contracts in the coming years.

And there were the Charlotte Bobcats, with a burning need for a scorer and abundant salary-cap room to absorb Richardson's $11million-plus salary last season.

So it all came together on draft night 13 months ago, with the Bobcats shipping cap room and the eighth pick – former North Carolina forward Brandan Wright – to the Warriors. And that helps explain why Wright, a talented but skinny 6-foot-9 forward, in essence spent his rookie season in limbo on the Warriors' bench.

When he played, he was pretty good, averaging nine points and five rebounds in those nine games of 15 minutes or more. But coach Don Nelson couldn't afford to play a rookie while chasing the playoffs in a Western Conference so good that 48 victories didn't get them the eighth seed.

Now things are changing, and Wright – 20 years old, raw-boned and still with braces on his teeth – thinks he took the right course leaving the Tar Heels after a single season.

“When you're projected to go that high, how can you turn down your NBA dream? You can definitely change a lot of things about your family's life,” said Wright, who made about $2.3million last season.

Even back in March, when the Heels were making their Final Four run, and Wright was mostly sitting with the Warriors, there were no second thoughts.

“They were already a great team. They would have been the perfect team, I guess,” had he stayed, Wright said. “But I made the right decision, and they definitely did a great job. I expect them to win it next year.”

By then, he figures to be in Golden State's rotation. Richardson's departure for Charlotte proved to be the first of many changes. Point guard Baron Davis opted out of his contract and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Then Mickael Pietrus, a forward who might have consumed some of Wright's playing time, left the Warriors for the Orlando Magic.

“Now we've got a really, really young team,” Wright said before Tuesday night's summer-league game against the Bobcats. “It's different. They need people to step up.”

The Warriors beat the Bobcats 99-93, with the Bobcats again giving away the ball. They finished with 27 turnovers.

Golden State forward Marco Belinelli finished with 30 points. C.J. Watson added 23 and Wright had 11.

Rookie point guard D.J. Augustin continues to shine for the Bobcats. He finished with 30 points off 9-of-14 shooting. He didn't have an assist, but he added six rebounds.

Late in the game, he put a tremendous move on Belinelli, up-faking him, drawing a foul and hitting the 17-foot basket.

Notes

Bobcats forward Jared Dudley sat out the game with back spasms, while Othello Hunter (Ohio State, Winston-Salem native) left the team for personal reasons. … Coach Larry Brown left Las Vegas, leaving the assistants in charge. … UNC Greensboro's Kyle Hines air-balled a free throw Tuesday, and barely grazed the rim on his second attempt. Hines was a 58percent foul-shooter in college.

Intensity is priority for Bobcats

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:04 EDT

A guaranteed contract won't equal guaranteed minutes.

That was Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown's message Monday, delivered during a vivid mid-practice lecture. He didn't like the body language of some of his players with guarantees, and chose not to wait for training camp to set the agenda.

“We have some guys who were drafted (by the Bobcats) or who've played a year in the league, and I want them to match the intensity of a Kyle Hines or a James Mays,” Brown said, referring to two players just hoping to be invited to camp in October.

“That's what our team has to be about: Ryan (Hollins) has to be about that, Jermareo (Davidson) has to be about that, Kyle Weaver, D.J. (Augustin) – all those guys we've drafted.”

Brown said he doesn't care who wins summer-league games, but he won't tolerate lack of effort and concentration. The Bobcats were sloppy Sunday during a two-point loss to the New Orleans Hornets, committing 23 turnovers.

Brown made sure to remind his players they had no steals to the Hornets' seven.

“It's a big thing with me; I'll take toughness and effort over talent anytime,” Brown said. “And when you find a guy with talent and that effort and toughness – a Michael Jordan, an Allen Iverson, a David Thompson, a Bobby Jones – that's when guys become special.”

Brown made sure to remind the others that Guillermo Diaz, an undrafted free agent, has practiced and played for a week with a stomach virus so bad he constantly runs off the court to vomit.

“I don't take that lightly,” he said. “You see a difference between him and some other guys.”

Assuming the Bobcats re-sign their restricted free agents, they'll have at least 12 guarantees (with a maximum roster of 15) entering training camp. Brown said those contract numbers won't define who does and doesn't play when the games count.

“Just because we have a guaranteed contract doesn't mean that guy has a guaranteed spot,” he said.

“I don't have any preconceived ideas on who will start. I would assume Raymond (Felton), (Gerald) Wallace, (Emeka) Okafor and (Jason) Richardson. And Sean (May), if he's healthy. But when we throw the ball up that first practice, I want everyone to feel he can earn the right to play. It's very important for a coach to get that across.

“When we pick the (regular-season) team, I believe if you have toughness and you provide effort, we'll find a place for you.”

Cavs find gem in Wolfpack's Hickson

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:25 EDT

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant John Kuester was on a roll Monday, thinking up new ways to praise rookie J.J. Hickson.

“We're talking about an N.C. State guy, and I'm still saying nice things,” former Tar Heel Kuester joked. “He's that great a kid.”

And seemingly that good a prospect. Hickson looked spectacular during a 97-94 summer-league loss to the New York Knicks, with 26 points and nine rebounds.

He made 11 of 15 shots from the field and generated seven trips to the foul line. If that's indicative of his scoring at the next level, he'll be a steal by the Cavaliers with the 18th overall pick.

Hickson wasn't the least surprised by his quick impact.

“I wouldn't have come out if I didn't think I was ready, so nothing has really surprised me,” he said. “There are some things I need to improve, but that's all a progression.”

Those flaws, Kuester detailed, are conditioning and defense, but the Cavaliers can wait for that. Hickson is a low-post, back-to-the-basket scorer, and those are rare these days with every 6-foot-10 forward seemingly living to take 20-foot jump shots.

Hickson did most of his scoring off bank shots, baby hooks and put-backs (he had seven offensive rebounds). The Cavaliers knew he had moves, but they were surprised just how explosive he was heading to the rim.

He didn't look that way in a workout in Cleveland, but there was an explanation.

“He flew in on a red-eye (an overnight flight) after working out in Denver and the poor guy didn't have his legs,” Kuester said.

“To the credit of our scouts and (general manager) Danny Ferry, they already knew what they wanted. They targeted him right from the get-go and you saw some of the things that make him special today.”

While the moves were home-grown – Hickson had the basics of low-post scoring in high school – he found it invaluable that N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe spent a decade in the NBA.

“Everything he said was coming from the NBA perspective already,” Hickson said. “You wouldn't believe all the things I knew just from being around him that season.”

Rookie stands tall enough

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:20 EDT

Maybe size doesn't matter.

Charlotte Bobcats rookie D.J. Augustin has grown tired of all the scrutiny concerning his 6-foot height. It's never been a hindrance in the past, Augustin says, and based on his first two summer-league games might it won't be in the NBA, either.

He's reaching the rim consistently. Saturday that was good for 15 points and Sunday he scored 14 more, though the Bobcats came up short, 77-75 against the New Orleans Hornets' summer squad.

In those two games, he shot a combined 9-of-18 from the field because half his shots have been layups.

He's been so quick and assertive off the pick-and-roll that it's been hard for the Hornets or Los Angeles Clippers (Saturday's opponent) to stay in front of him.

“I've always said my height has never been a problem on any level,” said Augustin. “That's how I feel and I'm not scared to go to the rim against the bigger guys.”

His assist total – four in about 58 minutes – is more modest, but that's not because he's chucking up bad shots.

Assistant Dave Hanners says the constant churn of a summer roster – 14 Bobcats played six or more minutes Sunday – makes it hard for Augustin to establish chemistry with teammates right now.

Once that changes in training camp, the defensive attention Augustin will draw should open opportunities for the big men.

“I didn't realize he'd get to the rim so easily,” said Hanners, who coached the first two Bobcats games.

“(Defenses) are going to be so concerned with what he's going to do, that once the big men learn to separate (get in scoring position), they'll be a lot more benefit.”

The problem Sunday wasn't scoring; it was giving up turnovers and allowing fast breaks.

The Bobcats gave away the ball 23 times Sunday and gave up 22 Hornets points off fast breaks.

Augustin committed a team-high five turnovers, partially because the Hornets committed to trapping him with multiple defenders.

Cancer patient 'such a fighter,' but loses battle

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:27 EDT

As most anyone who's known Muggsy Bogues would attest, he doesn't give up easily.

There was this pretty lady he'd met the night of ex-teammate Dell Curry's retirement celebration in 2003. He gave her his cell phone number, but two weeks had passed and she hadn't called.

So former Charlotte Hornet Bogues went through his financial advisor at Wachovia to track down Sharon Smith. They talked, they clicked and they dated steadily the past five years, right up until Smith succumbed to cancer Thursday at Carolinas Medical Center.

“She was such a fighter. Every step of the way, she never thought this thing would beat her,'' Bogues said Sunday night.

A branch manager in Charlotte at Wachovia and RBC Centura, Smith first learned she had breast cancer in 2005. Treatment appeared to put the disease in remission, but in 2007 doctors discovered additional cancer while removing her ovaries, Bogues said.

Smith, 42, left behind sons Alonzo and Jaron and daughter Bianca.

Her funeral will be Tuesday at 10a.m. in her hometown of Fayetteville. The service will be at Simon Temple AME Zion Church at 5760 Yadkin Road. Bogues recently has done radio analysis on Charlotte Bobcats broadcasts, but generally only for home games.

That was so he could stay close to Charlotte, to help care for Smith.

“I arranged my schedule around my sons and her needs,” Bogues said. “I didn't want her driving to her appointments while she was going through this.”

Smith's father, James, died of pancreatic cancer in January. The decision not to hold a memorial service in Charlotte was an effort to lower the burden on Smith's mother, Nellie.

“She just buried her husband, and they'd been married 40-some years,” Bogues said. “Now she must bury her daughter. We didn't want to put her through anything more.”

Bobcats Observations | Rick Bonnell

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:26 EDT

Bobcats forward Jared Dudley sat out Sunday's game with an ankle sprain, but it doesn't sound serious; there's not much point in pushing an injury in games that don't count.

Rookie center Alexis Ajinca played better Sunday (11 points and four rebounds), but he seemed to wear out in the second half, trying to keep up with the fast pace.

Considering how much coach Larry Brown demands as far as conditioning, Ajinca better spend the next two months improving his endurance.

Ajinca has made six of seven free throws in his two games, which is a welcome change from the way Bobcats big men typically perform at the foul line.

Forward Jermareo Davidson had a near double-double (12 points and nine rebounds), but he needs to cut down on his fouls (eight over two games).

The Bobcats don't have a game today, but it's not an off day, either. Brown is taking them to a local high school gym for practice.

Bobcats' 7-footer Ajinca has room to grow

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:28 EDT

Bicycle racing? Sure. Swimming? Absolutely.

It was no secret back in France that Alexis Ajinca was a jock. The question was which sport he'd best grow into…

Or grow out of.

The kid's long legs came in handy at age 9, when he started getting national notice as a swimmer. His greater passion back then was BMX bicycle racing. But at some point those legs grew so long it must have been tough adjusting the bike seat high enough.

That's when a cousin told a 12-year-old Ajinca that his ever-lengthening body belonged on a basketball court. He ended up in a Paris-based sports academy, grew beyond 7-foot and, last month became the second of two Charlotte Bobcats first-rounders.

Ajinca does something each day in summer practice – swishing a jump shot from the top of the key or finding a teammate with a subtle pass across the lane – that shows he has skills many NBA 7-footers lack.

Call it a cultural exchange. Ajinca doesn't post up like Kevin McHale or block out like Dennis Rodman, but with soft hands and solid footwork, his future is promising.

“He shows the signs,” coach Larry Brown says. “He makes shots, he makes passes, he's got great hands. I just think the physical part of the game is still tough for him.

“And he tells me a lot of the things that I say, it takes him a while to comprehend what we're doing. We just have to figure that out.”

While American basketball jargon is sometimes lost in translation, Ajinca speaks strong English and seems remarkably mature for 20.

Mature emotionally, anyway. Physically, he's still 500 protein shakes short of a load. His 220 pounds, stretched over such a long frame, is painfully skinny, particularly through his legs. He might have a 9-foot, 7-inch standing reach, but that length only counts for something if he isn't thrashed around the lane.

“We're going to have to do an awful lot to get him stronger,” said Rich Sheubrooks, the Bobcats' director of global scouting.

It's worth every diet supplement the Bobcats can find, Sheubrooks says, because true athletes of those dimensions are rare.

“I know this is going to sound crazy because he's got a long way to go,” Sheubrooks says from Spain on Friday, “but that body is like Wilt Chamberlain coming out of high school.”

Euro-ball

That Chamberlain analogy might be lost on Ajinca, because he wasn't raised on the game. Still, he learned enough about the modern NBA to see this – and not Euro-ball – was his best avenue to excel.

“I want to be K.G. (Kevin Garnett). I want to be Tim Duncan,” Ajinca says.

“In Europe now, there's big money and some people prefer playing there over the NBA. But the games are different. In France it's such a system. You don't get as much chance to play one-on-one (isolation plays). That's U.S. basketball.”

Most big men in Europe are face-up jump shooters. True back-to-the-basket post-up scorers are rare because European teams rely heavily on zone defense. They'll converge in bunches when the ball is thrown into the post, and European refs tend not to call many fouls that close to the basket.

“In Europe you can't get an open shot” in the lane, Ajinca says. “On a post-up, they're all around you. In U.S., there's more space because you have to guard everybody.”

It's also the culture of Euro-ball to rely heavily on veterans, regardless of younger players' potential. That, Sheubrooks said, helps explain why Ajinca never started for his French team, Hyeres-Toulon, yet was drafted 20th overall by the Bobcats.

International competition

Ajinca played just 26 games as a European pro, taking 89 shots, but that wasn't the extent of Sheubrooks' scouting access. He began monitoring Ajinca's progress four years ago, after hearing the French sports academy “INSEP” had a promising big man.

“I probably saw him play 30 to 40 games, including twice at the Hoop Summit,” an exhibition pitting International teenagers against young U.S. players, Sheubrooks says.

Ajinca was even skinnier then. Sheubrooks saw him add 22 pounds in a year by changing his diet. France has strong basketball – NBA veterans Tony Parker and Boris Diaw both developed there – but big men aren't typically that country's strength.

“He controlled the game defensively, and that's pretty rare over there,” says Sheubrooks. “There was one game I saw where he had 10 or 11 blocks and at least five more changed shots.”

Sheubrooks says the size and skill set are obvious. The subtler thing that caught his attention was Ajinca's personality. He's sensible and reliable.

“It's the way he handles himself – extremely accommodating, extremely polite,” Sheubrooks says, telling a story from Ajinca's pre-draft workouts.

It seems one NBA team (Sheubrooks wouldn't say which one) forgot to pick up Ajinca at the airport. Rather than pitch a fit, Ajinca hailed a cab and worked with the driver to find directions to that team's practice facility.

“I know players who speak perfect English, and they wouldn't (have the life skills to) do that,” Sheubrooks says.

“He's the kind of guy who looks you straight in the eye, shakes your hand, and it's no con job,” Sheubrooks says. “If we'll be patient with him, we'll get a really nice player.”

Augustin shines in Vegas debut

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:48 EDT

After a week of being told to think twice about taking the ball to the rim, 6-foot rookie D.J. Augustin ignored the advice.

And it worked out just fine.

Augustin, the Charlotte Bobcats' lottery pick, reached the basket consistently, scoring 14 points off nine shots, as the Bobcats won their summer-league opener 81-66 over the Los Angeles Clippers at Cox Pavilion.

While it was generally sloppy (42 total turnovers, 19 by the Bobcats) Augustin looked precise and aggressive coming off the screen-and-roll. He had only two assists, but he controlled the game with the Bobcats holding a consistent lead in the second half.

“We played defense, we rebounded, and we really pushed the ball at them,'' said Augustin. “That was the only difference, really” between 12 turnovers in the first half and seven in the second half.

The offense looked ragged throughout the first half. Assistant Dave Hanners (alternating with fellow assistant Phil Ford, running the team in games) blamed himself for that, having installed so many plays in four days of practice.

“I just put a little too much in, and you get some forgetfulness when there's so much to remember. That's my fault,'' Hanners said.

Forward Jermareo Davidson finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Notes: Bobcats center Ryan Hollins left Las Vegas for Los Angeles when his fiancée went into labor.

The Bobcats cut guard David Logan, but still juggled 14 players into the game.

Wallace: Trade talk didn't surprise me

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:48 EDT

Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace wasn't surprised his name was in trade discussions.

In fact, he figures most every name on the roster is in play. The Bobcats talked to the Toronto Raptors leading up to the draft about a deal that could have involved Wallace and then-Raptors point guard T.J. Ford. The Raptors instead moved Ford to the Indiana Pacers in a deal for Jermaine O'Neal.

“Basically, I think what they've said is everybody is being shopped,'' Wallace told the Observer, while watching his team's summer-league game against the Los Angeles Clippers. “With new management, new coaches and everything, you have to expect something like that.''

Wallace said he hasn't spoken with coach Larry Brown or general manager Rod Higgins about his status.

“I got back to Charlotte around Monday and came right out here,'' said Wallace, one of several Bobcats veterans in Las Vegas.

Last summer Wallace signed a contract that pays him $9.5million each of the next four seasons.

Chips off the old block

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:03 EDT

Jeff (III) and Jason Capel were born with basketball in their blood. From the time the brothers were toddlers, they had a basketball in their hands. They really had no other choice. The son of Jeff Capel Jr., both grew up in gyms as their father ascended the high school and college coaching ranks from Pinecrest High School to Wake Forest to Old Dominion University.

“Our dad never forced us to do anything,” Jeff Capel III said. “But what kid wouldn't want to hang around great basketball players. We (Jason and I) were always in gyms. We grew up being around the game. ”

Following in their dad's footsteps, both sons took their games to the next level with Jeff III earning a scholarship to play for coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke (1993-97), and Jason taking a full ride to play for Bill Guthridge at North Carolina (1998-2002). Jeff and Jason, five years apart in age, lived up to their billing, as both were four-year starters for teams that went to the Final Four.

“There aren't many parents (if any at all) that can say they had one son go play basketball at Duke and one at Carolina,” Capel III said. “I think that was a very special time for our family.”

After college, Jeff and Jason moved onto professional basketball careers. Jeff III in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and France while Jason played in the National Basketball Developmental League (NBDL) before going to play in Japan and Italy. But while both Capels made good money overseas, they did not realize their dreams of making it to the National Basketball Association.

“Every college basketball player's dream, especially if you are a good player on a good team, is to play in the NBA,” said Jason Capel, who was on the Charlotte Bobcats' roster throughout the preseason in 2004 before being cut. “(Both) Jeff and I had a tough time not being able to play the game the way we wanted to. But, we knew we wanted to be around the game.”

At 25 years old in 2000, Jeff III stepped away from the game as a player, and decided he would do something he never thought he would do: coaching.

Jeff first went to work for his dad as assistant at Old Dominion before moving onto Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) as an assistant. Jeff III then became the youngest Division I head coach in Division I basketball at age 27 at VCU. After four successful seasons at VCU, including trips to the NCAA and NIT tournaments, Capel was named the head men's basketball coach at Oklahoma, where he is today.

“I saw what my dad had to go through as a coach, growing up,” Jeff III said. “(So) I never actually thought I'd be a coach. It's not something I even wanted to do.”

As Jeff Capel III climbed the college coaching ranks on the fast track, Jason's back was limiting what he could do on the basketball court as a player. After a long rehab stint with the Charlotte Bobcats medical staff, Jason finally took doctors' advice and decided to retire from pro basketball.

“At first when I quit basketball, I couldn't even go near a gym, it was too hard,” Jason said. “I still miss it. I thought at 28, I would have some years left.”

Jason, who was an assistant coach for the boys' basketball team at South Iredell High last year, put his injury in the past. Last basketball season, he began a budding career as basketball commentator for Raycom Sports and ESPN. Jeff III even did radio for the Bobcats for about 30 games.

“College basketball is really all I've ever known,” said Jason, who tried out for Raycom without any training or experience. “I've been on a Final Four team, I've been on an 8-20 team, I've been through coaching changes…. When it comes to basketball, there is not much I haven't experienced.”

Jason hopes to do even more for Raycom and ESPN this season, while Jeff III hopes to build on his first NCAA tournament appearance with Oklahoma this past season. Meanwhile, their dad, Jeff Jr. was retained by Larry Brown as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats.

But either way, all three continue to work in the field that they love: basketball.

“More than anything else, my dad taught me to be myself,” Jeff III said, saying he said the same things to Jason. “I can't be anyone else. Whether it's my dad, Coach K or whoever. You have to learn how to be comfortable being yourself.”

Dudley: There's more to Bobcats' offense

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:58 EDT

Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown says second-year forward Jared Dudley is over-thinking.

Probably so, Dudley said, but that's no big surprise considering all the thinking required this week. According to Dudley, Brown has installed more offense, with more options off each play, in four days of summer camp than the Bobcats used all of last season.

“ Way more complexity. You're going to have to have a high basketball IQ to play for him.'' Dudley said following practice Friday, the last day of preparation for summer-league games.

“I'm not saying Sam Vincent (Brown's predecessor) was definitely a bad coach, but this coach has so much more experience. He's been with so many teams and won championships. He had Dean Smith teach him. He's going to be so thorough. Already (before) training camp, we have everything we had last year, if not more.''

Brown knew he was flooding players with plays, sets and jargon this week, but he felt he could refine what they're learning later. He told them they'd make mistakes, and that's OK.

He wasn't counting on Dudley being quite so fastidious, and that's been occasionally counter-productive.

“I think Jared is trying to be perfect, and that never works in our sport,'' Brown said Thursday night. “You've gotta kind of loosen up and relax and play.''

Brown is new to these players so he doesn't know Dudley's personality. By nature, Dudley is savvy and analytical, and somewhat of a pleaser. Injured much of his rookie preseason, Dudley didn't play until the last exhibition, when he grabbed a bunch of rebounds and steals.

Asked what got into him that night, Dudley said the Bobcats had plenty of scorers but few people to get back the ball. So he concentrated on that, figuring that would guarantee he'd play as a rookie.

Now, surrounded by rookies and free agents, he's trying to serve as a leader.

“It's a whole new offense with whole new sets and whole new features. I'm trying to master it best I can in practice,'' Dudley explained. “If I go too hard, that's fine – make my mistakes now and then help other people out'' in fall training camp.

Dudley said not to worry about him being over-thinking once the games start. The Bobcats play the Los Angeles Clippers' summer-league team today at 6 p.m., at Cox Pavilion on UNLV's campus.

“Right now I'm trying to listen to every detail he says,'' Dudley said. “When game-time comes, I'll take all that knowledge and let it flow.''