2007 Charlotte Bobcats Season Preview

2007 Charlotte Bobcats preview from the Maddux Sports experts. In addition to the free seasonal outlooks we provide, Maddux offers NBA predictions against the NBA pointspread throughout the hoops season.

In their first three years, the Bobcats from Charlotte have gone from 18 to 26 to 33 wins, improving about 30% each season. Golden State’s Jason Richardson (.417 FG%, .365 3P%, .657 FT%, 5.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 16.0 PPG) joins the club as its premiere shooting guard. With Richardson on hand, look for this club to score many more points this year.

Upfront, the Bobcats feature Gerald Wallace (.502 FG%, .325 3P%, .691 FT%, 7.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 18.1 PPG), who returns as the top scorer on the team and their second-best rebounder. The guy who plays tough under the rim all the time is F/C Emeka Okafor (.532 FG%, .000 3P%, .593 FT%, 11.3 RPG, 1.2 APG, 14.4 PPG). If Okafor can stay out of foul trouble and away from injury, he’ll be a constant force on this team. Center Primoz Brezec (.445 FG%, .333 3P%, .632 FT%, 3.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 5.0 PPG) is a fine backup with a good shot in the paint and a fine downtown arc ball.

Third-year man Ray Felton (.384 FG%, .330 3P%, .797 FT%, 3.4 RPG, 7.0 APG, 14.0 PPG) is the team’s point guard. Not the most consistent shooter, Felton does a fine job getting the ball up the court and finding the open man. Adam Morrison (.376 FG%, .337 3P%, .710 FT%, 2.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 11.8 PPG) did well at the start of the season but then trailed off, leaving the backcourt open for Matt Carroll (.433 FG%, .416 3P%, .904 FT%, 2.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 12.1 PPG). Carroll proved to be impressive and looks to start this season.

The Bobcats can score but lack defense and inside play. Still, the improvements they have made are big over last year. Owner Bob Johnson, who has the reputation as a penny pincher, spent more than $130 million on extending contracts with Wallace and Carroll and securing Richardson. Look for more wins and, if they can stay healthy, a chance at the playoffs. With so many young legs on hand, the Charlotte Bobcats may even make it to the post-season in 2007- 2008.

If you liked the 07 Charlotte Bobcats team preview read up on the rest of their Southeast Division basketball rivals like the Hawks, Wizards, Heat, and Magic.