I know, I know. Mike D’Antoni? The debacle in New York was totally not his fault. Running D’Antoni’s offense requires a high IQ, and there was a resident Harvard graduate on the roster for the Knicks, Jeremy Lin. When Linsanity was in effect mode, all was well, until Carmelo Anthony came back from injury. The Knicks were unstoppable during that time. The personnel messed up what could have been. What I hate about professional sports is that head coaches are fired, and viewed as the problem more so than the players. The Knicks’ fan base took the easy way out and blamed D’Antoni. This is the same coach who had Amare’ Stoudemire in Phoenix. When Amare’ was injured, Steve Nash almost led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2005 with Boris Diaw manning the center position. The reason for the Suns’ success was D’Antoni’s offense. Nash ran the pick and roll to perfection. Having a dynamic point guard who can jump out of the gym will sell tickets and make an NBA GM a lot of money. No one can knock a solid coaching strategy. For instance, the Lakers have not been the same since Phil Jackson retired. His Triangle Offense is possibly the best set of plays ever to grace a sport. Heck, he won 11 championships using it. Your IQ has to be on point to run the Triangle Offense. Although D’Antoni is 11 championships short of catching up to Phil, his coaching strategy has rendered success in the past; that is, with the right set of players. D’Antoni’s offense negates having a star player who needs 20 to 25 touches a game. Check out D’Antoni’s offense below. This could be the Bobcats next season.
The Bobcats are in a position where they have no coach, hence no identity. In addition, the Bobcats lack a marquee player who should also be their go-to guy for points. 2012 may be viewed as the end of the world to some people, but it marks a new beginning for the Bobcats. Michael Jordan can right his NBA wrongs (i.e. Adam Morrison, Kwame’ Brown) by hiring the right coach AND making smart draft picks. When it comes to draft picks, Anthony Davis is clearly the best player in the draft. If the Bobcats have any pick between #3 to #8, I suggest drafting Harrison Barnes. For those of you who know me personally, you know my blood is Carolina blue (as in the Tar Heels). Let’s not forget that Harrison Barnes already has a connection to Michael Jordan by playing at the University of North Carolina for two years. I am quite sure that MJ would love to have Harrison’s services next season. Jordan would mentor Harrison on his basketball skills, as well as how to market himself as a household commodity. Running a business and being a business represent two things that Michael Jordan knows and does very well. As Jay-Z once rapped, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man…” Anyone who doubts what Harrison Barnes can do at the next level needs a reality check. His coach and trainers will groom him to become “the man.” Who better else than “Air Jordan?” The kid is an excellent player with a skill set that echoes STAR. This situation would elevate Harrison’s presence in the league.
If Barnes is not available, then Charlotte should go after the following players in this order: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, and John Jenkins. If these players are taken, I suggest drafting a low-post player such as Jared Sullinger, Thomas Robinson, Tyler Zeller, or Fab Melo. The point guard and small forward positions will be significant to the Bobcats becoming the crème de la crème of the NBA. Jeremy Lin is a free agent this summer. Many teams will want his services. Although the Bobcats are set at point, they could use D.J. Augustine and/or Kemba Walker as trade bait. Lin is already familiar with D’Antoni’s system plus he is going to put fans in the seats, which definitely needed in Charlotte. Possibly, MJ could lure a savvy veteran or two to Charlotte to fill out the roster. Don’t hate on what I’m saying. It’s possible. I remember when the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies were the laughing stock of the NBA; the Grizzlies, due to their hideous jerseys during the 90s. Now, both of these teams are two of the best teams in the entire league. Hopefully, the Bobcats can resurrect their conference standings like the Clippers and Grizzlies have done. On May 30th, 2012, all of us will have an idea of what lies ahead for the Bobcats.