Apr 26, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson (15) drives to the basket during the second half against the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 104-84. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

There is no simple answer to the question posed in the headline of this article. The Charlotte Bobcats were awful last year, and there’s no way they won’t be better next year.

They added established veteran players to a young roster this off season, with Ramon Sessions, and Ben Gordon likely coming off the bench for good stretches of the game, and Brendan Haywood basically the undisputed starting center.

The Bobcats also added two great rookies via the draft. The youngest player drafted, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, was brought in to change the culture inside Time Warner Cable Arena, and Jeffrey Taylor was added to be a serviceable backup at the shooting guard and small forward positions, as well as a knock down shooter and lock down defender.

Statistically, those five players should put the Bobcats well ahead of their pathetic win percentage of a year ago.

Basketball-Reference.com has a stat which tries to estimate the number of wins contributed by a player throughout the season. It’s called win-share.

Using that stat, it’s impossible to argue that Charlotte didn’t upgrade at every single position (except power forward) this off season.

Brendan Haywood blows all of Charlotte’s bigs out of the water on win-share. His 2.7 win-share is 1.1 points higher than the Bobcats starting center most of last season, Bismack Biyombo.

Ramon Sessions had a much higher win-share than D.J. Augustin and Kemba Wakler put together. The comparison is 1.9 to 0.8.  

Ben Gordon and Gerald Henderson were pretty close in that category, with Gordon tallying a 1.7 and Hendo a 1.0.

Kidd-Gilchrist had a 6.3 win-share in his only year at Kentucky, and Taylor a 5.2 in his last year at Vanderbilt.

As rookies, their combined production at the small forward spot should easily surpass Corey Maggette’s 0.7 from last season.

Those rookies really hold the answer to that question: How much better can the Charlotte Bobcats be next year?

If the two could even combine to put together a win-share equal to MKG’s from college, the Bobcats might be far better than people think they can be next season. Not playoff better, but not 20 loss bad either.

May 19, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) guards Los Angeles Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions (7) in the second half of game four in the Western Conference semi finals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Staples Center. Thunder won 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Since there’s really no “must have” free agent left on the market, I feel like it’s finally OK to grade the Charlotte Bobcats off season.

It all started with a trade that I, nor anyone really, never saw coming. Corey Maggette, coming off a terrible, injury plagued season, for Ben Gordon AND a future first round draft pick. Gordon can still shoot, he can still score, and he’ll likely be asked to do it coming off the bench, so his age isn’t really a problem for Charlotte.

Then there was the trade that never happened. Everyone, including me, thought Charlotte was going to deal the second pick in the draft for something… anything, really. The Cavs #4 and 24, the outside shot at James Harden, and all the other rumors thrown around were viable deals. Instead, Charlotte held pat, and made their pick.

TRADES: A

After deciding to keep their pick, Charlotte drafted Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a great defender with the skills to become a potent slasher and deadly finisher in transition on offense. Then, they picked Jeffrey Taylor, who I was calling a steal even before the draft started. Taylor might have been the third best defender in the draft behind Anthony Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist. He’s also become a very good shooter, he has a solid all-around game, and he can play two positions on offense and guard four positions on defense.

Some people think you should always draft talent, and others say you should draft need. Charlotte did both this year.

DRAFT: A+

After the draft, all attention turned to free agency. The Bobcats let D.J. Augustin and D.J. White walk, and they brought in Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood. Combined with Gordon, Kidd-Gilchrist and Taylor, those two additions almost solidified a two-deep rotation.

Although Sessions will most likely be a back-up to Kemba Walker, the Myrtle Beach graduate will see plenty of time, and he adds height to Charlotte’s historically short back-court. Haywood is the Bobcats starter at center.

To me, though, this free agent period was about who Charlotte failed to land. They had their eyes on plenty of very good power forwards and couldn’t get a single one of them.

Antwan Jamison chose the Lakers over them, the ‘Cats couldn’t land J.J. Hickson, Carl Landry signed with the Warriors and the team either failed to bid on or didn’t bid enough for Elton Brand or Luis Scola.

Since they could’ve filled all their needs through free agency and didn’t, I have to grade them as above average.

FREE AGENCY: C+

Overall, the Bobcats almost built a completely new roster. They have new faces at every position… except power forward. The position will probably be a platoon between several players, including Tyrus Thomas (blehhh), Byron Mullens (love him off the bench, throw up when he’s in the starting lineup) and even Bismack Biyombo (really think he needs to stay at the center position).

Charlotte would not have been a playoff contender if they landed any of those free agents, but they would have been much more competitive heading into the season. It would’ve been nice to know that they were doing all they could to revamp the roster at every position after a 2012 season that many pundits say the ‘Cats tanked.

If they would’ve landed anyone better than the three guys they already have at power forward, I would’ve given the Charlotte Bobcats an A for their work this off season. Instead:

Overall: B

April 6, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Byron Mullens (22) grabs a rebound as his team plays the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Bobcats 95-90. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

The Charlotte Bobcats have had a busy summer. From Signing Ramon Sessions and Brendan Haywood, to letting D.J. Augustin walk to Indiana (for nothing) and winning their first three summer league games in exciting fashion, they’ve gotten themselves into a little bit of everything.

Here’s a look at some of the noise Charlotte is making right now:

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer has five impressions from his time in Las Vegas watching the ‘Cats summer league games.

“Bryon Mullens Discovers Defense”. I have to agree. He’s looked like a completely different player this year. Not only has he found out what defense is, Mullens has also developed a little bit of an inside game, too.

“Jeff Taylor Might Be Quite a Find”. Yup. I said as much before the draft. Here.

“This Crazy Trapping Defense is Fun”. Hell yes it is. Will they be able to keep it up for a full 82 game season? No. Not in the full court like they are right now. But, I bet they’ll run some crazy trapping defense in the half court for stretches of every game next year.

“Kemba Walker Is Dramatically Happier” He is. You can tell. But I’m not sure he’s gotten dramatically better since last season ended. That’s what training camp is for, though, I guess.

“Bismack Biyombo Is Struggling.” He is. There’s no way around it. Even when he gets good positioning inside, he fumbles passes, bricks easy jump hooks and looks indecisive. I still believe Biyombo will turnout to be a good draft pick, but right now, all I can say is thank God Charlotte signed a true center this off season.

Tom Sorensen, Bonnell’s colleague, says the Bobcats are becoming worthy of “buzz”.

“I have no idea if Dunlap can coach in the NBA. But he’s wildly enthusiastic about a team that won seven games last season. He believes. Fans are looking for a reason to.”

Finally, SI.com reported the Bobcats pulled their $3 million qualifying offer from Derrick Brown.

“Brown was selected by Charlotte with the 40th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. He averaged career-highs of 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds and 22.2 minutes in 65 games last season for the NBA-worst Bobcats. He’s played in 171 games during his three-year NBA career with the Bobcats and New York Knicks, but became expendable after the team drafted small forwards Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jeffrey Taylor.”

The Bobcats play the Nuggets tonight at 10:30 on NBA TV in their fourth game of the summer league.

April 20, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats head coach Paul Silas talks to guard Kemba Walker (1) forward Derrick Brown (4) center Byron Mullens (22) and guard Gerald Henderson (15) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. Grizzlies win 85-80. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s summer league. I get it. But you know what? These past two Charlotte Bobcats games have been fun.

First they blow out the Kings, behind a great performance from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. And then Sunday Night happened.

Full disclosure: I didn’t get to watch the game. I was sitting at a gift shop in Myrtle Beach, working. But I did follow the entire thing through a combination of Twitter and NBA.com… So here’s how the final moments of the Bobcats 68-64 win over the Cavs looked to me.

Its not looking good down by 6 with 2 mins left

— SportsFromMyEyes(@JTyree704) July 16, 2012

Byron Mullens slaps back Tyler Zeller’s layup.

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 16, 2012

Tie game ! with 1 min left 62 all

— SportsFromMyEyes(@JTyree704) July 16, 2012

Bobcats have displayed a furious rally in last 3 minutes and now Kemba has 2 foul shots to give Charlotte the lead.

— Spencer Percy (@QCsportscrave) July 16, 2012

Bobcats take first lead with 32 seconds left on Kemba FT

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 16, 2012

Waiters with the deep 2P and the Cavs have regained lead 64-63. TO Bobcats. Dunlap will setup last play with 12.8 sec remaining.

— Spencer Percy (@QCsportscrave) July 16, 2012

Kemba replies with a drive. Bobcats up one with 6 secs left

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 16, 2012

Trap forces TO Cavs didn’t have. Bobcats get free throw, up one, with 3.9 secs and ball. Kemba makes

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 16, 2012

No TO’s Not Smart Waiters Kemba to the line for 2 Kemba makes both ball game 68-64 Bobcats !

— SportsFromMyEyes(@JTyree704) July 16, 2012

Great Win for us Bobcats! We have a Great coach. 2-0

— Mike Kidd-Gilchrist (@MikeGillie14) July 16, 2012

Again, I can’t stress this enough, Charlotte shot, like, 1 percent from the field in the first quarter (exaggeration? maybe). The Bobcats defense kept them in this game, and some clutch buckets late sealed the deal.

I doubt Dunlap is going to employ much full court press in the regular season, but the ball-hounding mentality he’s driving into his players this summer won’t soon be forgotten.

Kemba Walker led the way for Charlotte with 13 points on 14 shots (9-11 on free-throws, though), Jeffrey Taylor scored 12 points on 15 shots, but also grabbed seven rebounds, and Byron Mullens dropped nine points on 17 shots. He did have two blocks and eight boards, though.

The Bobcats forced 21 turnovers and only gave the ball away 11 times. They also held the Cavs to 37.5 percent shooting, even though they were shooting well above 40 percent at half time.

Yeah, it’s summer league. But, right now, Charlotte Bobcats basketball is fun to watch.

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-US PRESSWIRE

The Charlotte Bobcats inked their first round draft pick to a four year deal worth around $18 million.

With the new CBA, it wasn’t a surprise to see him sign so quickly, and now Charlotte can turn its attention getting a deal done with second round pick Jeffrey Taylor.

Both players should be on the Bobcats summer roster, and it’ll be fun to see how well they do.

Speaking of the summer league, the NBA announced its schedule recently. Here are the Bobcats games:

July 13 at 10:00 pm vs Sacramento

July 15 at 8:30 pm vs Cleveland

July 17 at 10:30 pm vs Minnesota

July 19 at 10:30 pm vs Denver

July 20 at 6:30 pm vs Memphis

Those games are subject to change and I converted the times into Eastern Standard.

The Summer League might not be a great gauge of how good a team will be, but its not a bad way to figure out how good rookies can do in their first season.

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-US PRESSWIRE

The Charlotte Bobcats needed to have the best draft in franchise history Thursday night, and I think they did.

In the 2012 NBA draft, the Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second overall pick, and Jeffrey Taylor with the 31st pick.

With those two guys Charlotte signaled to the league they’re serious about changing the culture in the Queen City.

Both guys are high character individuals, and they were two of the best defenders in the draft.

Kidd-Gilchrist was a surprising pick, because everyone thought Charlotte was going to move down in the draft.

But, since they held on to #2, the Bobcats made the right move. Gilchrist isn’t the best shooter in the world, but there isn’t another glaring weakness in his game.

He’s an athletic specimen, he can finish in transition, he can creat his own shot and he’s a flat out pest on defense.

Jeffrey Taylor slid into the second round, and I know the Bobcats are nothing but elated to have him on their roster.

The guy was a stud at Vanderbilt; He has a good outside shot, he can create space and get off a mid-range jumper against almost anyone, and he can guard FOUR positions defensively. He can play power forward or small forward, and I see at least one All Star game in this guy’s future.

Plenty of people wanted Charlotte to go offense in this draft, but if you look at the teams who went far in the playoffs this year, almost all of them were good defensive teams.

The Bobcats now have two players to build their defense around (not to mention Bismack Biyombo sitting there at power forward) and they can address their offensive needs through free agency, trades and future drafts.

For a guy who’s taken as much heat as Michael Jordan has as an owner, there’s nothing negative anyone can really say about him tonight besides “At the very least, he didn’t make the wrong moves.”

Rich Cho for Governor, anyone?

"Sleep on this, lottery teams!" --Not Kendall Marshall.

Some say the 2012 NBA draft is one of the deepest ever.

If there’s one thing about a deep draft that everyone loves to talk about, it’s sleepers.

The guys that get overlooked; The players who fall into the teens and twenties that end up performing like lottery picks.

This year’s draft has no shortage of candidates, but some of them might surprise you.

First, there’s a guy from a major team, in a major conference who plays one of the most important positions in basketball… and he’s predicted to fall at least into the mid-teens.