By Mike Cranston
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó High-flying Gerald Wallace drew some attention Monday. So did playmaker Raymond Felton, new center Tyson Chandler and rookie Gerald Henderson as they modeled Charlotte’s new gray-pinstriped uniform.Yet Nazr Mohammed ó one of only five Bobcats around for last year’s media day ó made it clear who the main attraction is for a franchise that’s featured a revolving roster, no stars and zero playoff berths.
“Coach is our star,” Mohammed said, referring to Hall of Famer Larry Brown. “Plain and simple, he knows the game. He’s our star. We’ve got to listen to him.”
And hope he can lead the struggling, money-losing franchise to its first postseason berth in an improved Eastern Conference.
“We are much better than last year,” said the 69-year-old Brown, beginning his second season in his ninth NBA head coaching job. “Our potential is better and we’re excited about starting the season without worrying about making ourselves better by trade or free agency.”Running close to the luxury tax payroll threshold of $69.9 million and ordered not to go above it by owner Bob Johnson, the Bobcats’ only offseason free-agent signing was Ronald “Flip” Murray. Even Felton couldn’t agree on a long-term deal, settling on a one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer.
“We missed out on (Drew) Gooden and Hakim Warrick and people like that,” Brown said of the free agent forward market. “But we didn’t have Raymond’s situation settled.
“A lot of teams have had to be real careful because of the luxury tax. There were some guys I think who wanted to come here. Antonio McDyess was another name that would have really, really helped us. .. I think it’ll work itself out.”
Alexis Ajinca could possibly play himself into the rotation after spending most of his rookie year on the bench. But Brown was livid with Ajinca after traveling to his native France to watch him try out for the national team.
“I could have strangled him watching him,” Brown said. “I was going there to drink the wine and eat the food and enjoy myself. After watching him, nothing tastes good. … He showed no interest in making their team or playing hard.”
Brown will open camp with only 16 players after the late additions of rookie guard Antonio Anderson and forward Stephen Graham. They’ll also be training at their home practice facility instead of UNC Wilmington to save money.