We're two weeks into the NBA season, and the Bobcats are right in the midst of the league's early season parity with a 3-4 record.
Last year's 6-4 start brought a spark to the fan base until the team ultimately went back to being the Bobcats. However, there is reason to be optimistic this year.
For one, Charlotte had a convincing win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden and also beat the Cavs, a talented team with playoff aspirations.
Al Jefferson has missed five games with an ankle injury, but he's been the low post scorer he was expected to be when he's been on the court. Kemba Walker continues to be a reliable point guard with the ability to take over a game (like in the win against the Knicks).
But those things were expected.
What hasn't been expected is last year's No. 2 overall pick, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, emerging as an elite lockdown defender. He's shut Carmelo Anthony down in their two matchups this season, with Melo shooting 11-29 when he's been guarded by MKG - who also blocked Anthony four times.
Bismack Biyombo's play has also been a pleasant surprise. Biyombo leads the 'Cats in rebounds, and is still above average on defense and at blocking shots, reaffirming his position in Charlotte's big man rotation.
Cody Zeller is still feeling his way into the league, but has shown promise as a stretch four.
Now, all of this is good news, but there's better news - the Bobcats still aren't good enough to win many games.
Their next five games are at Boston, at Cleveland, vs Miami, at Chicago, and vs Brooklyn. Realistically, Charlotte should win maybe one of those games - dropping that OK 3-4 mark to a much less respectable 4-8.
Why is this a good thing?
Well, if you haven't heard, the upcoming draft class is going to be absolutely loaded with franchise-caliber players - something Charlotte desperately lacks.
Pretty much everyone blames this on Michael Jordan and the Bobcats' draft history, but I like the way this team is built. Could it have been better? Probably. But Charlotte has a good point guard, a lockdown defender, a legitimate low-post scorer, two good secondary scorers in Henderson and Zeller (who should get there by the end of the season), and a solid back-up unit.
Add a superstar to the mix, and suddenly Charlotte becomes a potent team.
Let's say their draft position lands the then-Hornets a pick around fifth, give or take a few slots (I'm counting on the Hornets having better lottery luck than the Bobcats ever had), which should give them a legitimate stud.
More good news! Due to trades with the Blazers and Pistons, the then-Hornets would get Portland's pick if it falls outside the top 12 and Detroit's pick if it falls outside the top 8. Draft right, and suddenly Charlotte is looking at a trio of future All-Stars - perhaps giving the Hornets their modern-day Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson, and Alonzo Mourning.
That'd be so Hornets of them.
If the Bobcats are too good and their pick falls out of the top 10, that pick then goes to the Bulls as part of the Tyrus Thomas trade. There's also no guarentee of Charlotte getting the other two picks, which could potentially leave them out of the first round of one of the league's strongest drafts ever.
That'd be so Bobcats of them.
Bottom line: Seeing the Bobcats' improvement is encouraging for future seasons, but they're still bad enough to keep their draft pick.
Which is right where the Bobcats want to be.
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