Felton: 'We are going to make the playoffs this year

Posted on Tue, Sep. 27, 2005


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Felton: 'We are going to the playoffs'

RICK BONNELL

Staff Writer


Charlotte Bobcats rookie Raymond Felton isn't afraid to step out on a limb.

"We are going to the playoffs," Felton told an audience of eighth graders Monday, and he wasn't talking about some far-off season. He meant next spring.

"Our chances are great," he said. "We are a great team."

Last season's 18-64 record suggests otherwise, but Felton didn't back off when approached by the Observer after the assembly.

"I didn't mean to be so bold with it. I know I'm a rookie. But I'm not going to stand for anything less," he said.

Felton said the Bobcats are building a team of winners, having drafted Emeka Okafor, Sean May and himself -- all off national championship teams. He said winners aren't afraid of big expectations.

Team President Ed Tapscott was surprised by Felton's prediction, but he liked what it represents.

"You can never criticize people for having high aspirations," Tapscott said. "We want our players to have high aspirations, and to share them."

The second-year Bobcats would be way ahead of schedule if they somehow reach the playoffs. None of the past six NBA expansion teams has reached the postseason before season four.

Felton was speaking at Piedmont Middle School, as part of the announcement that the Bobcats will again host a "cool school" exhibition for students in the Carolinas. The Oct. 17 exhibition, against the Atlanta Hawks, will be played to a house of middle-school kids chosen by their schools.

The Bobcats use the event to reward academic achievement and good attendance and attitude. Teachers and administrators at the 71 participating schools decide who goes.

Felton told the kids how his parents demanded he be a good student, growing up in Latta, S.C.

"My parents wouldn't let me do anything if I didn't get a B or an A -- not a C," he said.

History of Predictions

"Cool school" assemblies bring out the bravado in the Charlotte Bobcats. Last fall, then-rookie Emeka Okafor promised to dunk on Miami center Shaquille O'Neal in an exhibition. O'Neal didn't play.

Monday, Raymond Felton told the kids he'd dunk on Hawks rookie (and fellow ex-Tar Heel) Marvin Williams.

That might be easier than reaching the playoffs as Felton predicted.


Rick Bonnell

 

Fire Rick Bonnell for printing such trash.


Oh wait, this is a Bobcats thread, not a Panthers thread.

Disregard

 

I think Felton is forgetting who he's playing for. The Bobcats will be improved but to be the #8 seed in the West you need to win around 38 or 40 games, and I don't see that happening.

 

its not that far fetched. a good scorer and they could have made it last year.

the East is weak. Miami, Detroit, Indiana, New Jersey, Cleveland are probably locks. the rest is wide open. they would NEVER have a chance in the west.

and by the way way, if they did make it in, they would fall flat on their faces

 

Is it even possible for a second year team that makes the playoffs to fall flat on their faces?

 

considering no expansion team has ever made the playoffs before year 4, your answer is no.

 

ok let me rephrase it....

"and by the way way, if they did make it in, they would get their asses handed to them on a platter "

 

so?

 

so....

I hope they do make it next year. Im just saying even though the east is weak enough to get in , they would get crushed by Miami or some top seed once they got there.

Yes, it would be considered successful for them if they made it in. especially for interest in the team, but what would be better for this team long term(assuming they make it next year)

barely missing the playoffs and being in the lottery, or barely making it, getting swept, having mid-late first round draft pick? especially with the draft being crap after top 10 these days

 

The Bobcats won't win 30 games next year; I don't care how weak the East is.