Mar 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ben McLemore (23) dribbles the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard P.J. Hairston (15) defends in the second half of the game during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at the Sprint Center. Kansas won 70-58. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

We will probably ask this question a few more times leading up to next month’s NBA Draft. The Charlotte Bobcats will have their fifth Top-5 pick in franchise history, as they select fourth overall.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers keep their pick, Nerlens Noel is widely assumed to be the first player off the board.

Currently Draft Express has the Bobcats electing Hoosiers shooting guard Victor Oladipo. Oladipo is a long, pesk, athletic defender with arguably the best motor in this year’s draft.

With the draft workout and interview process set to begin, who’s your guy right now for the Bobcats to draft?

June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky), right, is introduced as the number two overall pick to the Charlotte Bobcats by NBA commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Bobcats will have the fourth selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, after the order was revealed Tuesday night on ESPN. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years. The Washington Wizards moved into the top three to leapfrog the Bobcats.

The Bobcats had a 19.9% chance of landing the first overall pick, but had higher odds to get the fourth pick. 15% of Roberto Gato readers correctly predicted the Bobcats would get the 4th pick.

The draft order:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors)
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz

June 28, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky), right, is introduced as the number two overall pick to the Charlotte Bobcats by NBA commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA will hold their annual Draft Lottery tomorrow night to unveil which team will select #1 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. The Charlotte Bobcats have the second highest odds to win the first pick, which would be for the first time in franchise history. The Bobcats President and Chief Operation Officer Fred Whitfield will represent the team tomorrow.

Which pick do you think the Bobcats will end up with tomorrow night?

Nov 30, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Charlotte Bobcats mascot Rufus performs on the court during a timeout in the second half during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Time Warner Cable Arena. The 76ers defeated the Bobcats 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Bobcats never developed a culture that fans welcomed.

Underwhelming lottery picks, all-you-can-stomach blowouts and a neverending head coach carousel made up nine seasons of Bobcats basketball.

For six and a half seasons in Charlotte, Gerald Wallace flew through the air, hit the floor, and dove for loose balls. The miniscule crowd at Time Warner Cable Arena applauded the effort, but it never mattered in the final score.

The Bobcats are often the core of humility in NBA conversations and social media.

Maybe a name change is just what they need to hit their stride.

In baseball, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays had a similar path of mediocrity before slightly altering their name to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.

The Devil Rays were a miserable expansion and finished last place nine times in their first ten seasons in the American League East. They finished fourth the other time.

Since their name change they’ve made the postseason three times in six seasons and haven’t finished worse than 3rd place in arguably the toughest division in baseball.

The Rays have created a culture of inexpensive, young, and well-coached talent who produce better than some of baseball’s most bloated payrolls. Fans have bought into the team’s modern-day spin on “Moneyball” and the Rays have become a perennial playoff contender.

In nine seasons the Bobcats have finished 4th in the Southeast Division eight times. The other time, they finished last.

The Bobcats are expected to become the Charlotte Hornets in time for the 2014-15 season. They will stay the Bobcats for one more season, which will be their 10th in the league.

The name of a team is not as important as its personel. But the Hornets built a relationship with the city of Charlotte that the Bobcats have struggled matching.

On the court, the Hornets played a high-energy, blue-collar style of basketball.

The former Charlotte Coliseum was one of the loudest crowds in basketball and the fans had little trouble getting behind the Hornets. Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, and Anthony Mason made up a band of memorable faces to put on the purple and teal and they all represented the team in a similar fashion.

The Bobcats have had players like Wallace, Stephen Jackson, Jason Richardson and Emeka Okafor play some of their best basketball in Charlotte, but the memories are sour.

Charlotteans want to see the Bobcats play well, and while the name change might bring more fans out to games, if better results aren’t assured, things will be more of the same.

The Bobcats are in the midst of a coaching search, that could very well decide where the rebuilding efforts of the team truly go. No head coach has had an extended stay in Charlotte since Michael Jordan gained power.

Tomorrow they’ll learn where they’ll be selecting in the 2013 NBA Draft. This can give the Bobcats the chance to add a productive rookie to their young nucleus of players. The Bobcats can finish no lower than fifth in the draft lottery. Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison and Raymond Felton are three of the Bobcats past top-5 picks, none of whom had extended stays in the Queen City.

The 19-year-old Michael Kidd-Gilchrist rounds out the group after being selected second overall last summer.

It’s an understatement to express how important it is for the Bobcats to strike gold with both tasks.  If the buzz is being brought back to reset the franchise in an effort to become a legitimate team, rather than a marketing ploy, I’m game.  With a young nucleus and a flexible payroll available, the path to emulate what the Tampa Bay Rays did is feasible.

The Hornets name change may be imminent by the 2014-15 season, but a good team is not necessarily.

February 12, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) and teammates huddle up against the Florida Gators during the first half at the Stephen C. O

Things were a lot more interesting this week for the Charlotte Bobcats news-wise.

The biggest news of the week was learning the Bobcats have begun the process of changing the team’s name back to the Charlotte Hornets. As we’ve mentioned before, NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver has said the minimum time for a name change is 18 months.

If the Bobcats go through with the change, it could put the Hornets back in Charlotte for the 2014-15 season. At the latest it would be the 2015-16 season. So far 88% of Roberto Gato readers prefer the Charlotte Hornets over the Charlotte Bobcats.

We continued our season-in-review series with Josh McRoberts. 55% of you gave McRoberts an A for his half-season in the Charlotte, while 43% of you gave him a B. So it looks like McRoberts blue-collar style of play has really been a hit with fans in Charlotte.

We also reviewed Brendan Haywood’s season, and looked at his inconsistent role under Mike Dunlap. We also reviewed Ramon Sessions and 66% of Roberto Gato readers believed he had a great season, worthy of an A.

With the NBA Draft just around the corner, and the draft lottery taking place this Tuesday, we had plenty of thoughts. We wondered whether or not the Bobcats can really afford to pass up on Kentucky center Nerlens Noel, even though the team already has Bismack Biyombo. We also looked at why this might be the wrong year for a team to win the draft lottery.

June 1, 2012; Westwego, LA, USA; A detailed view of the winning lottery ball combination (6-4-9-7) and the winning envelope from the NBA draft lottery for the New Orleans Hornets at a press conference at the Alario Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA Draft Lottery is a chance for a struggling franchise to change their fortunes with a player who can change their franchise

In 2003 the Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery and selected LeBron James. The Orlando Magic landed Dwight Howard in 2004. The Chicago Bulls trumped a 1.7% chance of landing the first pick and got Derrick Rose in 2008.

Unfortunately, the Charlotte Bobcats have never had that luck.

In eight appearances in the draft lottery, the Bobcats are winless.

After going 7-59 last year and having the most favorable odds to win the #1 pick and draft Kentucky forward Anthony Davis, the Bobcats finished 2nd to the New Orleans Pelicans.

This year the Bobcats have the second highest chance of getting the first pick. However, winning this year’s draft lottery might yield more consequence than celebration.

An anonymous general manager of a team in the draft lottery told Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports of his skepticism about the lack of a franchise piece in this year’s class.

“I’m not sure I want the No. 1 pick,” said the NBA general manager. ”There’s really no one worthy of the top pick. But someone has to go number one.”

2006 was the last time a draft lacked a consensus choice, when Italian forward Andrea Bargnani went first to the Toronto Raptors. Bargnani was touted as a Dirk Nowitzki-type forward who could stretch the floor with his three-point and score like a guard as a seven-footer.

For his career Bargnani averages 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, shoots 43.7% from the field and 36.1% from three.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy and Rajon Rondo are notable names who went after Toronto’s selection. Each of them have made at least two all-star games. Bargnani has made none.

This season the Raptors acquired Rudy Gay, who also went in the same draft as Bargnani. With Gay’s arrival the Raptors have contemplated a future without him their former first overall selection.

The lack of a franchise prospect creates a larger margin of error for the team selecting first overall.

Kentucky center Nerlens Noel, Kansas guard Ben McLemore and Michigan point guard Trey Burke have the best chances of going first in the 2013 NBA Draft. All could have long NBA careers and even make an all-star game or two. But nether of the trio presents the sure-fire certainty that comes with a franchise draft pick.

With the Bobcats luck it would be fitting if they won the draft lottery this year, rather than 2014 when Canadian sensation Andrew Wiggins is expected to be the grand prize. That’s without mentioning names like Jabari Parker, Aaron Gordon and Julius Randle, in a draft that could be one of the best since 2003.

Despite the quality of this draft, it’s important for the Bobcats to strike gold in this draft to advance their rebuilding efforts.

The draft lottery is two days away. For the first time in a while, there’s a feeling that general managers won’t be upset if their team doesn’t land the first pick overall.

April 19, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets mascot Hugo dances during overtime against the Houston Rockets at the New Orleans Arena. The Hornets defeated the Rockets 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013-14 season could very well be the last season that the Charlotte Bobcats name is used. The Bobcats have begun the process to change their name to the Charlotte Hornets, according to a report from Will Brinson of CBS Sports.

With the New Orleans Hornets officially becoming the Pelicans this season, the Hornets name was up for grabs to return to the Queen City. Many hints have been dropped since then that a name change could be on the way.

As we learned last month, a name change takes at least 18 months to implement. There’s no exact date as to when the Bobcats started the process to bring the Hornets back to Charlotte. But if the process started in April or at the very least this month, then the Hornets name would be ready to go for the start of the 2014-15 season.

NBA Media Ventures currently owns the Hornets.com and CharlotteHornets.com website. The NBA registered NBAHornets.com on May 15, 2013.

The Hornets-Bobcats debate has been an interesting one. Many fans who remember the Charlotte Hornets and the environment of the old Charlotte Coliseum that was dubbed The Hive, miss the team and the entertaining style of basketball they played. More than that, fans miss having a competitive playoff team to root for.

There’s no doubting that fans love their Bobcats, but since the franchise’s expansion, they’ve never been able to rid themselfs of the negative aura that’s been attached to the name. Last season’s 7-59 season definitely didn’t help matters, nor did the multiple coaching fires and single playoff birth in nine seasons.

A Hornets name change would represent a reset on the franchise, and likely a chance to sell more merchandise. Throwback Hornets merchandise is selling very well. This was one of the things reports mentioned the Bobcats were doing their research on.

Regardless though of what the name of the team may end up being, fans will take a winning team over a flashy name. There wasn’t exactly a great reaction when the Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. But the name has caught on because of the Thunder’s winning ways.

Charlotte just wants to see the Bobcats or Hornets get to that point.

Feb 09, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Ramon Sessions (7) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Bobcats 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

After the Los Angeles Lakers decided to get Steve Nash, Ramon Sessions knew he would be playing on a new team in the 2013 season. The Carolina native signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Charlotte Bobcats in the offseason.

Sessions played 27.1 minutes in 61 games as the 6th man for the Bobcats. Here’s what our writers had to say about Sessions first season in Charlotte:

Bryan’s Grade: A

Sessions was the best signing the Bobcats have made in a long time. He was probably Charlotte’s second best player all year long, and if it weren’t for Kemba Walker, Sessions wouldn’t have been coming off the bench.

For a sixth man, you can’t really fault Sessions for much. Sessions averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 assists and almost three rebounds in just 27 minutes per game for the ‘Cats. It’s hard to give anyone on Charlotte this grade with the season the Bobcats had, but Sessions deserves an A.

Edward’s Grade: B+

Sessions was easily the best offseason acquisition for the Bobcats. Having him as a backup behind an improved Walker gave the Bobcats an advantage against opposing backcourts.

The best thing about Sessions game is his ability to draw contact. He got to the line 7.6 times per 36, which is an elite level. He made use of his time at the charity stripe making 84% of his free throws.

While his jumpshot comes and goes, Sessions ability to play half-court and full-court offense, while being able to create for others and himself is very valuable off the bench. If he continues this play next season, he’ll make a great case to be extended by the Bobcats. The league is starting to move back to the importance of the third guard off the bench.

When you look at what Jarrett Jack of the Golden State Warriors is doing in the playoffs and what Andre Miller of the Denver Nuggets did this season, many teams are enjoying having a high-quality backup, who can play smallball minutes with their starting point guard.

The Sessions-Walker backcourt was productive and brought good penetration and playmaking to the table. Sessions was a good 6th man for the Bobcats this season, and if the team had a better record, his contributions would have went better noticed leaguewide.

Feb 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel (3) during the game against the Auburn Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Auburn 72-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Nerlens Noel is no Anthony Davis.

Then again, not many players are.

Despite playing in the shadows of the 2012 Final Four MVP and National Player of the Year, Noel managed to create his own style at Kentucky.

Standing 6’11 with a 7’4 wingspan, Noel has comparable size and length to Davis, and is just as elite of a weak-side shot-blocker. He averaged 5.4 blocks, 11.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per 40 minutes in a freshmen season that was shortened by an ACL tear in February.

It doesn’t take long to see the defensive instincts Noel has. What makes his upside scarier is his quickness and elite athleticism. He moves like a guard and is able to control the paint with his mobility and shot-blocking.

Despite his injury and raw offensive game, many expect Noel to be the first player selected in the 2013 NBA Draft. However, ESPN draft expert Chad Ford hears from sources that the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic would be prepared to pass on Noel if they win the NBA’s draft lotery.

The Magic have the best odds of winning the draft lottery after finishing with the worst record in the league.

If a scenario plays out where the Bobcats have the second pick, behind the Magic, can the Charlotte Bobcats afford to pass on Noel?

Bismack Biyombo, who turns 21 in August, is the starting center for the team. Despite being stronger and having a longer wingspan than Noel at 7’6, he’s struggled in his first two seasons and hasn’t always showed the flashes fans would like to see as a starter.

Next season will be a big year for Biyombo, as he enters his third year of being a starter and many excuses will start flying out the window.

But if the team has soured on Biyombo, they could move in a different direction.

Sure, the Bobcats could use more of a power forward in their lineup than another center. This makes UNLV forward Anthony Bennett a reasonable target. Shooting guard could also be a need depending on if Gerald Henderson leaves in free agency. This would make Ben McLemore a logical target as well.

However, one strategy that has proven to backfire on teams in the draft, is selecting need over talent. After all, it’s how the Bobcats wound up with Biyombo with Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Kenneth Faried among others still on the board in 2011.

Just think about how worse it might’ve been if the Detroit Pistons selected Kemba Walker with the eighth pick ahead of the Bobcats ninth selection.

Noel is arguably the most talented player in this draft. He could end up becoming a much more reliable defensive and offensive player than Biyombo, and athletically he has much more impact.

Noel’s ACL injury doesn’t seem to be a big concern. After just turning 19 last month, he’s young enough for it not have any negative effects on his career. Reports have stated Noel is way ahead of schedule and rehabbing well.

For a team low on talent, the Bobcats could do themselves a big favor by leaving the draft with Noel if he’s available . The front office would have to figure out what to do with Biyombo in the long-term, but Noel can have a positive impact on a franchise.

Since drafting Biyombo, many are still scratching their head as to whether he can have a positive impact going forward.

February 11, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) drives past Charlotte Bobcats center Brendan Haywood (33) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

After an underwhelming tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, Brendan Haywood was picked up from the amnesty wire by the Charlotte Bobcats last offseason.

Haywood, who played high school and college basketball in North Carolina, began the season as the Bobcats starting center. However, he would only make 17 starts before being moved to the bench and having an inconsistent role in Mike Dunlap’s rotation.

Haywood finished the season with 3.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 19 minutes per game. He had the lowest field goal percentage of his career at 43.8%.

He’s signed through the 2015-16 season, with an unguaranteed salary and still has a good chance of being the Bobcats backup center next season.

Let’s see how Roberto Gato writers viewed Haywood’s season:

Bryan’s Grade: D

I had high hopes for Haywood this year, especially after his decent start to the 2012/13 campaign. In just 28 minutes per game he averaged almost seven points and exactly seven rebounds per game in the first month of the season. He also averaged one block and just 1.4 turnovers per game in that span.

After that, though, he never averaged more than 3.3 points or 4.4 rebounds per game in a single month. He finished the year averaging 3.5 points and 4.8 boards per game. Can’t give him anything more than a D for his season-long performance.

Edward’s Grade: D+

The 2013 season was a rough ride for veteran players on the Bobcats. Ben Gordon had inconsistent minutes despite a strong shooting start at the season. Tyrus Thomas, despite obvious shortcomings, never got much of a chance to do otherwise.

Haywood can certainly relate. He averaged 6.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and a block as a starter this season. He shot 52% from the field during that time, which is a drastic difference from his 36.5% shooting as a starter.

If I had to guess, Haywood wasn’t too much into his role this season with the Bobcats. Dunlap did a terrible job managing the veterans on the team and the next coach is going to have to appeal to both veterans and young players if he wants success. Haywood can either be a high-quality backup center or a solid stop-gap center. Either way there’s no doubt in my mind that he can contribute positively to this team.

I would like to see him play with a little more aggression though. Haywood throughout his career has been a hot/cold player. He’s blessed with so much size and has good defensive instincts, that you’d hope for some respectable level of consistency. It’s hard to give Haywood a strong grade off this season, because of the circumstances and poor production. I hope the next coach can harness some type of positive impact from Haywood.