Just weeks removed from wondering if Adam Morrison was the biggest bust pick at #3 ever — only a couple years after repeatedly defending the Morrison pick when the rest of the world knew Brandon Roy was the correct choice — Uptown NBA scribe Rick Bonnell pens one of the most memorable lines I’ve ever read in sports coverage in Charlotte.
But is there any question, following this 98-76 thumping of the Phoenix Suns, that the Charlotte Bobcats are one of the eight best teams in the Eastern Conference?
Any question? Yes, quite a lot. For argument’s sake, I’ll give Bonnell NJ and NY, the two teams immediately ahead of the Bobjohnsons in the Eastern conference playoff race. But that still leaves Philly at #7 and Milwaukee at #8. Both have been banged up and the Bucks are reportedly ready to trade leading scorer Michael Redd away.
Philly has been playing, yet winning, without Elton Brand by going small and running. Can they keep the pace up with Brand in the lineup? Suffice it to say what happens chemistry-wise with these two teams will determine if they stay ahead of Charlotte in the playoff race, if not put better squads on the court down the stretch.
The problem for Charlotte is that they are at home for exactly four (4) games in the next month, with 12 on the road, most in two brutal West Coast swings. If they can play close to .500 ball in that stretch, maybe they will have earned Bonnell’s effusive praise.
