I’m kicking off this Death Watch based on the fact that objective observers around the NBA know the clock is ticking on this franchise. As the Bobcats’ third season winds down, a huge off-season looms with crucial decisions for the team.

More on those in a sec, but first here’s another take, from Mike Kahn of FOXSports.com on the occasion of Michael Jordan speaking to the media and saying the Bobcats will have a new coach next year:

But the problem is, Jordan refuses to be the face of the franchise in the community and said he doesn’t want to be. And therein lies the problem with this franchise — they are completely disconnected from the community, which never bought into owner Bob Johnson’s hands-off approach. Plus the purging of staff members for no particular reason didn’t help.

That’s why Jordan shouldn’t be big-timing everyone, but he already is. He rarely comes to games and has been totally inaccessible. It brings to mind the need for them to hire somebody who will connect with the community and why the rumblings that Larry Brown — now a vice president for the Philadelphia 76ers — have yet to cease. Jordan and Brown, of course, have that strong University of North Carolina connection. All those guys talk incessantly, and the possibility is there. But if not, then where do they turn? Will Johnson actually be willing to part with the money to attract Brown or someone of his ilk? If not, the Bobcats will fail, be sold and eventually leave … again.

I happen to think that Larry Brown, at this stage of his career, would be a horrible hire for the Bobcats. But there is no doubt there is a massive void at the heart of the Bobcats. That is one issue — a new coach and GM. Huge decision there.

Another — how to spend Bob Johnson’s money. One assumes that Charlotte does whatever is needed to keep Gerald Wallace under contract. That will take money, however. Then the Bobcats need to go out and sign a veteran free-agent big guard. Does not have to be Vince Carter, like so many rumors assume. Just a real, proven starter at SG.

That’s already two make-or-break type decisions and we haven’t even gotten to the draft, the lotto. Suffice it to say that Charlotte needs an early pick and needs it to be a home run.

How Charlotte does on those three decisions — coach/GM, free agents, draft — will determine if the franchise survives. Miss on two of the three and I think the team stays on life support. Whiff on all three and I cannot see it lasting another two years in Charlotte.