10 questions surrounding

10 questions surrounding

Three weeks from today, the Charlotte Bobcats will convene in Wilmington to tip off their fourth training camp. With camp on the horizon, consider these 10 questions, raised and addressed, by Observer NBA writer Rick Bonnell:

Q. What's the best thing the Bobcats did in the offseason? Go back to draft night, when they exchanged their lottery pick and much of their available space under the salary cap to acquire shooting guard Jason Richardson.

Brandan Wright (the rookie the Bobcats chose eighth overall, then sent to Golden State for Richardson) teases you with his athletic potential, but Richardson provides what the Bobcats lack -- a go-to scorer with a chance to close out fourth quarters.

The Bobcats have always been in games; the hurdle is turning close losses into victories. Richardson has the skill set to make a difference where it's needed most.

Q. What have the Bobcats failed to do in the offseason? They haven't signed Emeka Okafor to a long-term extension.

That's a bit surprising, considering Michael Jordan -- managing partner of basketball operations -- said in March of Okafor: "I would want to tie him up as quickly as possible." Under rules governing the NBA's rookie pay scale, the Bobcats have until late October to sign Okafor long-term. The alternative isn't horrible -- Okafor would be a restricted free agent at the end of the coming season -- but that's one step closer to losing him.

Anyone who saw the games Okafor missed with injury last season knows this team is terrible defensively in his absence. He might not be a maximum-salary player, but he deserves the biggest salary on the roster.

Q. So whom, in order, could the Bobcats least afford to lose to injury? First, Okafor, because he's a fine shot blocker on a team that's poor cutting off penetration. Second, Gerald Wallace, because he sets the agenda in terms of energy and hustle. Third, Raymond Felton, because point guard is a crucial position, and they won't have the same depth they did with Brevin Knight gone.

Q. What did the Bobcats lose, on balance, this offseason? Experience and leadership. Knight's nickname was "Diablo'' for his volatile personality, but he rode herd well in that locker room. Knight (now a Los Angeles Clipper) and backup center Jake Voskuhl (now a Milwaukee Buck) understood the game and their roles with great sophistication. If the Bobcats don't re-sign Derek Anderson, that's three of their smartest, most-experienced players out the door. Anderson belongs on this team, for his IQ, versatility and leadership.

Q. Is Felton up to this increased responsibility at point guard? Remember when the Carolina Panthers cut quarterback Steve Beuerlein, on the reasoning that coach George Seifert needed to stop using aging Beuerlein as a crutch? That's similar to the Bobcats buying out Knight's contract; now they can't help but settle whether Felton is the long-term solution at the point.

Physically, Felton is tremendous. The question is how much he's vested in making teammates better. Last season he took the most shots on this team and hit 38 percent from the field. That's not what you want from your point guard.

Q. Anyone else facing a make-or-break season? Sean May needs to prove something, in terms of conditioning and commitment to improve. Knee injuries ended both his previous NBA seasons and weight is an issue related to May's health.

Then-coach Bernie Bickerstaff sounded exasperated last spring, continuously using the term "self-discipline" to address May's issues. The Bobcats hope May got the message and enters camp in great shape.

Q. Is Primoz Brezec in decline? Brezec deserves some slack, because all that international ball during the summer of 2006 ruined his Bobcats season. The team hopes he's rested and his confidence is restored, because the Bobcats need his jump shot off that pick-and-pop play.

Q. What does Adam Morrison need? Maybe a good set of ear plugs, because he seemed self-conscious through most of his rookie season. Morrison is more a scorer than a shooter; think Kelly Tripucka, not Dell Curry. He needs to drive more, be creative with his shot selection and restore some of that competitive arrogance that made him so effective at Gonzaga.

At times last season, Morrison looked like a trapeze artist who suddenly looked down and realized how far he could fall. He needs to overcome that fear of flying at the NBA level.

Q. How will Sam Vincent do as the new coach? Fine, eventually, because he's a smart guy with a defensive focus. However, Vincent will make rookie mistakes -- anyone would at the highest level of basketball.

The average fan undervalued Bickerstaff's three decades of experience on the bench the Bobcats' first three seasons. He will be missed, more than his detractors could imagine.

Q. So do the Bobcats reach the playoffs? Peg their chances at 45 percent. Richardson upgrades the talent, particularly down the stretch of close games. However, this isn't the only team in the East to improve itself; Boston and Orlando made bold, expensive moves.

On paper, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Boston and New Jersey should make the playoffs.

That means the Bobcats likely must finish no lower than second in their division to be the No. 8 seed. Are they a lock to finish secondin a group that includes Miami, Washington and Orlando?

Don't think so.

Bobcats' Key Dates

Oct. 2: Bobcats open training camp at UNC Wilmington.

Oct. 7: Training camp ends.

Oct. 10: Preseason opener, at Orlando.

Oct. 13: vs. Miami, Greensboro Coliseum.

Oct. 15: vs. New Jersey, Bobcats Arena

Oct. 26: Preseason finale, vs. New Orleans, Winston-Salem

Nov. 2: Season opener, vs. Milwaukee, Bobcats Arena

BRANDAN WRIGHT one of the fastest rising stars in the basketball scene.