By Steve Martin
October 27, 2010
Consider me one of those who has a bucket list. Among the things I want to see before I depart this earth is me, winning powerball at no less than 150 million. Another item on that list would be to own a french fry factory and consume 50% of its contents. But one thing that definitely has to happen is that I get to broadcast an NBA game where the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Dallas Mavericks. Right now the 12 straight wins Dallas holds over the Bobcats is the third longest active streak in the league and the first not involving the Clippers. The Bobcats almost moved out of that neighborhood on December 12th, 2009, but Dirk Nowitzki dashed those hopes with a corkscrew jumper that ended overtime on the Mavs home court.
Dirk is still here in Dallas and the Mavericks biological championship clock is ticking. They are one of the oldest teams in the league and the only team in NBA history to win 50 or more games in 10 straight seasons and not win an NBA title. They are also one of the deepest teams in the NBA.
Against that backdrop, the Bobcats charge into Texas with a team whose core has changed slightly, yet whose roster has turned over by 50%. Replacing Raymond Felton at point guard is the big challenge. D.J. Augustine has taken a solid stab at it with a strong run in the Bobcats eight preseason games. D.J. averaged 14 points a game in preseason as the Bobcats finished strong with 4 straight wins and their best preseason mark in history at 4-4.
Tyrus Thomas was the player Augustin finished behind in scoring at 14.4 points. Tyrus never started a game in preseason and is expected to roll in off the bench, initially. Derrick Brown was a training camp surprise, scoring double figures in all but one preseason contest. The second year forward will push his way into the top 8 at both forward positions.
We take to the air tonight with the first of 80 regular season games, all on Sportsouth. Catch Bobcats Live at 8:00PM Eastern, with Stephanie Ready, Dell Curry and yours truly, Steve Martin.
