Cho Goes Cody Zeller

Thursday night the Charlotte Bobcats selected Cody Zeller with the fourth overall pick.

Before you start to point the finger at Michael Jordan, remember Rich Cho drafted Zeller, not Jordan.

With a draft party filled with Ben McLemore supporters, the reaction from the fans during the selection inside Time Warner Cable Arena was not a pleasant one to say the least.

Rich Cho did say earlier in the week that the Bobcats would draft the best available player, rather than the team’s need.

Zeller being the best available player on the board can be argued.

Say what you want, but Zeller is a complete player, despite his struggles during the NCAA tournament.

Zeller’s sophomore season complied of averaging 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds, both down from his freshmen season, but made up for it with an above-average performance during the NBA Combine, slating Zeller as a top-10, but going fourth was a shock.

I can’t say I’m completely shocked by the pick, during the week I heard from a couple sources that the Bobcats were high on Zeller. I just didn’t see them drafting him at four knowing the talent that would be available of Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore.

There are two things that people can expect from Zeller: he’ll start the first game of the season, and now Steve Clifford has the option of running the pick and roll with Kemba Walker and Zeller. Zeller at 7’0 can stretch the floor knocking down the 18-foot jumper, along with having a solid back to the basket game.

The Bobcats have been missing a low-post presence, Zeller may be able to fill that void, having Patrick Ewing on the coaching staff can not do anything but help Zeller rather than hurt him.

Popular opinion is not in favor of the pick, CBSSports gave the Bobcats a grade of D+, but don’t be surprised with Zeller has a solid rookie season.

Zeller must improve his aggressiveness to be successful, if not it will be a nightmare of a rookie season dating back to his last game at Indiana when he was bullied by the Syracuse big men.

One thing Charlotte should know is that it looks as if Gerald Henderson will be the Bobcats starting shooting guard in the upcoming 2013-14 NBA season, with the Bobcats passing on McLemore.

             With Zeller coming in that means somebody will be on the way out.

As of today the Bobcats starting lineup will consist of Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo.

Do the Bobcats match Byron Mullens qualifying offer? Or do the Bobcats decide to let Mullens walk and resign Josh McRoberts? McRoberts played well for the Bobcats down the back stretch of the season.

 Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

 

Game 2 Must Win For Heat

    LeBron James in the game one defeat led the way for Miami with a triple-double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, usually that's enough for a win in, but unfortunately in game one of the NBA Finals that wasn't enough for the Heat to beat the San Antonio Spurs.

    For a game that was well played, going down to the wire, I was not a fan of the mood following the game.

    For LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Erik Spoelstra to bring up a fatigue is something that doesn't sit well with me.

    If Miami would have won, fatigue wouldn't have been brought up.

    When you reach the NBA Finals everybody is tired, but that's an invalid excuse to bring up after such a well played game.

    Yes, the Spurs took game one, but don't be a prisoner of the moment fan and rule out the Heat.

    I have the series going seven games.

    Sunday night's game two match-up I do believe is a must win for the Miami Heat.

    I say that because you have to protect your home court, and the way Gregg Popovich coaches, there will not be a lack of intensity just because they won game one, San Antonio is fully aware of what the Heat are capable of.

    The x-factor for game two will be which ball club can connect from three point land. San Antonio shot 30 percent connecting on 7-23 with Miami at 32 percent connecting on 8-25, whoever can get the three ball going will have the end going into crunch time, that being the final three minutes of the regulation.

    One thing that won't change is Chris Bosh's style of play. Bosh has been taking some criticism as of late, and rightfully so he hasn't played well. Bosh is a finesse jump shooting power forward who just happened to be 6'11, he's not going to bang in the post that's not his game, Heat fans can only hope he starts shooting better from the field.

    Knowing the hole that Miami can fall into losing game two, I fully expect for the Heat to come out and take care of business on their home floor traveling to San Antonio with series split at 1-1.



Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
   

The Battle Of The Big 3's

    Tonight the NBA Finals will begin with the San Antonio Spurs traveling to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat.

    The battle of the Big 3's, Gregg Popovich's three stars versus Erik Spoelstra's three stars.

    Tony Parker versus LeBron James Manu Ginobili, versus Dwayne Wade and Tim Duncan versus Chris Bosh.

    This is an interesting match-up, because both teams play similar styles of basketball.

    Going into the season I believe the unanimous pick for the team that would end up winning the NBA Championship went to the Miami Heat, but the tides have turned.

    LeBron James is the best player in the NBA, but the team he plays on doesn't always end up performing like the best team in the NBA.

    Do I believe the San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the NBA? No.

    Do I believe the San Antonio have played the best basketball throughout the NBA Playoff's? Yes.

    The Spurs have had some help getting to the NBA Finals, sweeping a Los Angeles Lakers team without Kobe Bryant, a young Golden State ball club that just is not ready and a Memphis Grizzles team that simply wasn't a better ball club.

    The Miami Heat sweep the Milwaukee Bucks, made it interesting against the Chicago Bulls and beat the Indiana Pacers in game 7 playing their best basketball of the series.

    Miami's pressure defense versus Tony Parker will be the match-up that I believe will determine the series, with LeBron James ultimately guarding Tony Parker when it matters.

    Gregg Popovich is the Bill Belichick of the NFL in the sense of a master mind when given time to prepare for his opponents.

    I do believe the San Antonio Spurs are the better team right now, but when you have LeBron James anything is possible.

    Who are you taking? Greg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs? or LeBron James and the Miami Heat?

    The winner of game one of the NBA Finals has gone on to win the series 71 percent of the time.

    Game one of the NBA Finals, tip-off is at 9:00 p.m.


Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter:  @JTyree704

Facebook:  https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes

What If The King Comes Up Short?

    Monday night I expect for the Miami Heat to take care of business in the form of the Indiana Pacers, and advance to the NBA Finals to face the San Antonio Spurs, who have been patiently waiting.

    Just for good conversation sake, what if the LeBron James and the Miami Heat come up short?

    Following the Indiana Pacers victory in game six, Charles Barkley said that he feels both teams have pressure to win game seven, but I disagree.

    The Pacers have been playing with house money, outside of the organization and their fans, many did not have the Pacers making it to the NBA Finals.

    The pressure is paramount for the Miami Heat, this is the same team that's suppose to win "Not one, not two, not three, not four...not five...not six...not seven" NBA championships, according to LeBron James.

    The hatred for this team is rampant outside of the state of Florida, but when you make a statement of that stature you have to back it up with the performance on the floor.

    In the words of former President Theodore Roosevelt "Speak softly, and carry a big stick."

    Rightfully so James has been backing his statement with his performances throughout this post season, but the two other members of the "Big 3" Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have not.

    If your on the court then you can play. Dwayne Wade does not get a pass for his poor performance tonight and throughout this series, despite not being 100 percent.

    As for Chris Bosh he just has not shown up to play, no excuse.

    Basketball is a team sport, it takes a good team to get the job done, but when you are a superstar sometimes you have to elevate your game if the supporting case is not getting the job done.

    James who is 1-2 in game seven's, must elevate his game tonight, putting his team on his back and getting the job done. James is fully capable of doing so, just ask the Boston Celtics about his 45 points 15 rebounds last season in a must win game six performance on the road.

    James has has his moment of shine throughout this series from hitting the game-winning layup to dropping 16 of his 30 points in the third quarter, but he has also come up short with two costly turnovers that resulted in a defeat.

    Which LeBron James will show up tonight? King James the four-time MVP, or the guy that struggles to close out games?



Justin Tyree

ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and Blogger

Twitter: @JTyree704

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes