Charlotte's Bright Future - Jakeness23's Blog

Jakeness23's Blog

Charlotte's Bright Future

Posted on June 30, 2013 at 10:14 AM.

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I've read a few articles over the past couple of days and seen people posting online that they are upset about the Charlotte Bobcats first-round pick in the draft on Thursday night. I just want to explain why it WAS a good pick and why it is good to be a Charlotte fan.

First off, I want you to go back in time a little bit to Draft Night 2006. The Chicago Bulls draft LaMarcus Aldridge. Rich Cho (working for Portland at the time), pulls off a trade to bring Aldridge to Portland and send Tyrus Thomas to Chicago. Looking back, that was a very lopsided trade to say the very least. Why do I bring this up? Well, that is because Rich Cho has stated that he sees Zeller as the NEXT LaMarcus Aldridge and as a side note, that is exactly who Zeller models himself after. He sees himself as an Aldridge/Bosh mix. However, he has the potential to top both of those players. He's coming into the league a bit more polished and A LOT more athletic.

Just how much more athletic? Take a look at this article from Bleacher Report and look at the comparisons between the three's combine workout scores.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...tential-player

Zeller broke records for players 6'9" and taller at the combine, and his speed and quickness didn't just test high for a big man, he had some of the highest scores overall, even when compared to the guards.

Now, I'm going to take a small leap forward to the Summer of 2014. A lot of people are looking forward to this draft, but maybe not anyone more-so than Charlotte. The Hornets (which they will be known by, by then) have the chance to have THREE lottery picks in the most anticipated draft since 2003. They could potentially land the #1, #9, and #13 picks. If that's not enough, they will have enough money to sign two max-deal players, though I would predict they'd be just happy with one.

With guys like Wiggins, Randle, Gordon, Parker, or McGary in the 2014 draft that Charlotte could possibly land, and free agents like Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, and Melo (just to name a few) that become available, how is it NOT exciting to pull for the Hornets and imagine the possibilities?

Dream scenario:

Zeller does in fact become the second coming of LA and helps boost the Hornets front court.
Charlotte, still a team in rebuild, lands the #1, #9, and #13 picks and select Andrew Wiggins, Mitch McGary, and James McAdoo.

Free Agency comes along and Charlotte makes a push for Laker legend Kobe Bryant, to bring him back to the city (and mascot) that drafted him originally. With the Lakers front office looking as if they've lost their mind, Kobe comes to Charlotte to pair up with the man he's been (and will forever be) compared to. Kobe is going for #6 and MJ for #1 as an owner, if that doesn't give you chills, then you need to check your pulse. The great thing about this is that Kobe wouldn't be signed to a max deal, leaving more money for more FAs.

Charlotte then looks to sure up the front court completely and goes out and brings in Amare Stoudemire, he brings experience and can show our young big men around the ropes and teach them a thing or two. He can teach Biyombo how to be more effective on offense and teach Zeller how to be more effective on defense. Bringing Biyombo off the bench would be much, MUCH better situation than having him in the starting lineup.

Finally, for the big finale, Michael Jordan and Rich Cho work their magic, to bring in Rudy Gay. They picked Morrison over him in 2006 (or 2007 can't really remember) and he blossomed while Morrison flopped. Now they bring him in to be the final piece into making Charlotte a legitimate contender, for at least 2-3, maybe 4 years while Kobe plays out his final contract.

A few other things would have to happen for this to work out. Tyrus Thomas would need to be amnestied. Charlotte would have to get rid of Gerald Henderson or MKG, I would hate to see either go, but due to MKG's potential, I believe Hendo would be the odd man out. Finally, Andrew Wiggins would have to be okay with coming off of the bench for his first 2 or 3 years in the league. It shouldn't take long to talk him into it, after all his boss is the GOAT and the guys he would be backing up are a future hall of famer, and a perennial all-star (MJ, Kobe, and Gay respectively). Not to mention, if Kobe were to be injured again, Wiggins could step in to the starting lineup, and the team wouldn't miss a beat.

Now, if you're still with me, this is how the lineup would look in the 2014-15 season:

PG- Kemba Walker
SG- Kobe Bryant
SF- Rudy Gay
PF- Cody Zeller
C- Amare Stoudemire

Bench: Andrew Wiggins, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Mitch McGary, James McAdoo, and a few other players, Sessions will be gone by then so they would obviously need a backup at point guard.

Now, I know this is a dream scenario and it is unlikely, but something BIG will happen for Charlotte in 2014 and I can't wait to see what it is. Mock me if you will, but my Hornets are going to come back with a BANG next year!

I also want to show what would be a more realistic scenario after next year:

Hornets land two lottery picks, #1 and #9. With the first pick they make the obvious choice and pick Andrew Wiggins. With the 3rd pick, they either use it and take Cauley from Kentucky or trade back and still pick him up, or they take someone like McGary from Michigan to strengthen the frontcourt further. They sign a B-level (occassional all-star, but not a superstar) like a Rudy Gay or Luol Deng, since Gay fits more in what Charlotte is trying to do, I'll use him. As they are going after Al Jefferson, I'll go ahead and put him in the lineup (just in case).

With that said, they'd be looking at a lineup of:

PG- Kemba Walker
SG- Andrew Wiggins
SF- Rudy Gay
PF- Cody Zeller
C- Al Jefferson

Bench: Gerald Henderson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Mitch McGary, Jeff Taylor, and Bismack Biyombo

This is the more likely scenario in my opinion. This team would probably not be competeting for a championship in the near future, but they will not be the laughing stock of the NBA anymore and could be a hard out in the first/second round of the playoffs.

I'd love to hear about your teams and how you see their future as well!

As always, thanks for reading guys!