Charlotte Bobcats

Tonight is the last Bobcats game. The Sixers are coming to town for a layup game before the playoffs start. I am really disappointed for more reasons than one. First of all this is the last game of the season and I am going to miss the heart that the Bobcats play with and the entertainment a good NBA game provides when the team you care about is playing. The team has underachieved even though they have an above average squad in my opinion. It has been a rough four years even though we were the most successful 3 year franchise and only one team, the Orlando Magic, made the playoffs within four years of their inaugural season. We have a talented team and the future looks bright for the product on the floor. Why is this teams record not better? Why are Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace not leading this team to the playoffs?

Reason 1. 
We have a lame duck owner and team president. Bob Johnson is never at the games. More than that, he never goes to work. He blames the city for the financial loss this team has gone through and he does nothing to try and win fans. Michael Jordan is not much better. It seems like he cares more about playing golf in a charity event in Utah or partying in the Caribbean. He comes to games ever so often, but for some reason he does not want the casual fan to know he is around. This baffles me. If I owned or operated a team, I would be in the stands every game I could and talk to the average person. I would want to know what the guy sitting in section 215 thinks of the product and how he thinks we could do better.

Reason 2. The Bobcats have made horrible business decisions that may have set this organization back five years. C-SET and Time Warner Cable have made it nearly impossible for the Bobcats to get a serious fan base so far. Fox Sports South will be a huge upgrade for this team next season assuming it is not too late. Speaking of Time Warner Cable, the naming right to the arena were practically given away for Johnson and the Bobcats to get out of a binding TV deal that restricts how many people see the team. More than anything, the price of tickets (65-140 for lower bowl seats) and the price of food (7 dollars for a pan pizza) is driving away the average fan and the middle to low income families. When the prices are to high and the fans feel cheated they don't show. When the stands are full the players are energized and motivated and they feel loved. That has not happened with this team yet.

Reason 3.
Sam Vincent is a rookie head coach. Some bad decisions have been made by Vincent. He seems to be a talented coach and he has a smart head on his shoulder but he needs time to learn the league and to adapt. I believe Vincent used McInnis too often and Felton needed more time at point guard. He will finally get it but it may have come two seasons too late. He finally is getting the hang of things in this league and I hope that Michael Jordan does not cut ties with a coach that has potential.

Reason 4.
Attendance is down. Charlotte finished in the bottom fourth of the league in attendance. Why? See reasons one and two.

Hopefully bob Johnson will and the rest of the front office will get their act together or Johnson will sell the team because this is a grat city that deserves a winner and an owner that cares.