The Bobcats' obvious need for rebounding and toughness figures to provide free agent F Andre Brown a home for the season. A former DePaul big man, Brown has bounced around the fringes of pro basketball, with brief stays in Seattle and Memphis after playing everywhere from Serbia to the Philippines. Despite his limitations, he helps address the team's biggest flaw.
ANALYZING STARTERS: G Jason Richardson made the most three-pointers in the NBA last season. Coach Larry Brown wants Richardson (a former dunk champion) to balance his long-range shooting with more drives to the basket to draw some fouls from the opposing shooting guard.
G Raymond Felton has never quite settled in as the Bobcats' starting point guard. He's often been shifted to shooting guard, and that will continue this season, with Brown looking to play Felton some alongside rookie point guard D.J. Augustin.
F Gerald Wallace has the quickness, length and raw athleticism to be one of the NBA's better perimeter defenders. Brown wants him to take fewer risks when he looks to strip opponents of the ball.
F Sean May is recovering from a year off with micro-fracture surgery on his right knee. His poor conditioning has hurt his defense and rebounding. Brown is trying to be patient but says May is only playing foul line-to-foul line most of the time.
C Emeka Okafor is a strong post defender and rebounder, but he hasn't improved much since being named NBA Rookie of the Year four years ago. He needs to finish at the rim more assertively to avoid having his shot blocked so often (about once a game last season).
ANALYZING THE RESERVES:
G D.J. Augustin will give Felton some competition at the point. The rookie drives well, but settled for too many long jump shots in the preseason.
F Jared Dudley was Brown's "most pleasant surprise" in training camp. Dudley is a scrapper and a smart player, but is limited athletically.
G Matt Carroll was 0-of-8 from the field in the first three preseason games, problematic when you make your paycheck as a shooter.
F/G Adam Morrison is feeling his way back after missing all last season following knee surgery.
C Nazr Mohammed played previously for Brown in Philadelphia, and Brown is counting on him to mentor younger players in Brown's system.
MEDICAL WATCH: No one is currently hurt, but the front office will spend all season crossing its fingers that May's right knee holds up. Brown was careful to limit May during two-a-days to manage his rehab.
