Chris McCosky
The Detroit News
Post-game Charlotte
If ever you wanted to know what a team looks like when it has bailed on its coach -- watch the Bobcats. They may never admit it publicly -- to do so would be occupational suicide -- but they have quit on Sam Vincent. That was one disinterested group of players we saw Sunday. They weren't boxing out on the boards, nor were they closing out on shooters. That's a deadly combination which led to the Pistons draining 12 three-pointers and enjoying a 23-8 edge in second-chance points. That lack of hustle and energy is not indicative of past Charlotte teams, who used to play their tails off for Bernie Bickerstaff, no matter how bad they were.
These Bobcats though have figured out what a lot of people knew going in -- young Sam is in over his head. He should never have been hired. He had one year of NBA coaching experience -- as a behind the bench assistant in Dallas in 2006-2007. Not enough. Those closest to the team say the players have been baffled all season by Vincent's strategies, or lack of them. Once players lose respect like that, you are done as a coach.
But I don't really blame Vincent. The blame is on Michael Jordan and the ownership group. They tried to hire a coach on the cheap. That they only gave Vincent a two-year deal is absurd. He was a lame-duck right from the start. The franchise is fast becoming a poorly-run joke, in my judgment. Take a look at how Portland has built itself up in recent years and compare it to Charlotte. The Cats' two lottery picks in 2005 got them Ray Felton (average) and Sean May (bust). A third overall pick in 2006 got them Adam Morrison (bust). Two more first rounders last year were Brandon Wright and Jared Dudley -- average at best. Meanwhile, the Blazers were making deals to get future stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, plus solid players like Jarrett Jack and Martell Webster, not to mention Greg Oden.
Is it safe to say that as a team-builder, MJ was a great, great player? He ruined Washington, in case anybody forgot, and now he's making a mess in Charlotte.
