The Charlotte Bobcats are a team that were labeled as being on the rise in the National Basketball Association last season, and especially so after acquiring (disgruntled) forward Stephen Jackson and his long-term contract which abercrombie ended up being a blessing in disguise as he became the “leader” of the team along with veteran Gerald Wallace. Wallace, in past seasons was the only real veteran presence in the locker room and adding Jackson has helped Larry Brown to coach the team differently and more effectively. The Bobcats also added Tyrus Thomas (whom they re-signed to a long-term deal this offseason) at the trade deadline for a draft pick and players who had expiring contracts.



However, the Bobcats were swept by the Orlando Magic in their playoff debut and that loss in Game 4 has a bigger impact on what direction the franchise will take for the upcoming season.



First, the Bobcats did not have a draft pick this year and were not able acquire one via trade or buy one using their cash considerations. The Bobcats did bring in undrafted rookie Sherron Collins who had a strong career at the coach handbags University of Kansas for four years even though the Jayhawks were defeated by the Northern Iowa Panthers in the NCAA Tournament last year.



Second, they lost point guard Raymond Felton to the New York Knicks without nike Air Max getting anything in return for the former Tar Heel player who played well for the team since backup D. J. Augustine is not ready to take over the starting point guard role just yet. Additionally, the Bobcats made a trade with the Dallas Mavericks to add the “special” contract of Erick Dampier combined with the long-term contract of one-time Bobcat Matt Carroll, and veteran Eduardo Najera in exchange for Alexis Ajinca and Tyson Chandler, who was coming of an injury-riddled season and has an expiring contract. Shaun Livingston, who is attempting to make it during the NBA after a major knee injury was also signed along with Dominic McGuire, who split last season with the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. Furthermore, the Bobcats signed free agent forward Kwame Brown, the former number one overall pick made by current Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan that turned out to be among the worst decisions ever (see Pau Gasol).



So my question for the Bobcats is what direction is the team expecting to go in? They have an owner who by no question was an awesome NBA player, but that doesn't always equal success on the administrative/managerial side.



For example, by dealing Chandler, who was in recent times of his contract, they were able to acquire the “special” contract of Erick Dampier, but why reacquire Matt Carroll, who was clearly out of Larry Brown’s rotation in Charlotte to begin with? Hopefully, they can trade Dampier once again, and according to sources, September 13, 2010 is when Dampier can be dealt with other players according  Abercrombie & Fitch to NBA Team Rules. Maybe Jordan does have a move in the future that helps to further shape this team and I'm not seeing it right now but only time will tell. They have a coach that is a basketball legend of sorts, but then it seems that no one really knows what Larry Brown wants as it changes every day.