December 21, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Charlotte Bobcats shooting guard Gerald Henderson (9) looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bobcats 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I was able to attend my first ever Bobcats game the other night in Beantown, where the young and upbeat Cats took on the savvy veterans better known as the Boston Celtics.  And while the final outcome wasn’t perfect (Boston prevailed 100-89), I saw several amazing things take place throughout the night.

Rajon Rondo recorded his 26th career triple-double by posting 17 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Jeff Green threw down another monsterous dunk that further cemented his healthy return to the NBA.

The Bobcats had more steals than the Celtics, as well as less turnovers, less personal fouls, more free-throw attempts, and a better shooting percentage from three-point land.

And Gerald Henderson once again proved as to why and how he doesn’t fit into Charlotte’s system for the future.

On the surface, Henderson’s numbers from the other night look respectable: 10 points (4-of-8 shooting), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.  If you dig deeper, though, you’ll see that Henderson had a rather pitiful night; add his turnover, team-high four personal fouls, and team-worst minus-15 and you’re starting to see the bigger picture…but there’s still more.

Hendo’s shooting percentage (50% from the field, 100% from the line) looks as solid as any that I’ve seen from a shooting guard as of late, except for when you watch the game film.  Henderson was 2-of-2 from the field on layups, 1-of-1 on mid-range jump shots, and 1-of-5 on contested-turnaround-fadaway jump shots.  Even worse, Henderson began taking these ill-advised shots a mere minute and a half into the game.  He finished the first quarter 0-of-4 from the field, helping to lead Charlotte to a 28% field-goal percentage after the game’s first 12 minutes.

To make matters worse, Henderson committed a pointless and even more ill-advised flagrant foul on Kevin Garnett halfway through the second quarter that probably resulted in Kevin Garnett making more references to breakfast cereals on the court.

Henderson’s horrible shot selection along with excessive ball-control ”helped” the Bobcats limp to a 56-45 halftime defecit.

Henderson is an extremely talented ball player; he can drive to the lane just as well as some of the league’s best guards (as apparent by his short-range field-goal percentage), but his ill-advised fadaways, turnarounds, and “shot-clock-winding-down” ball-control does nothing to help Charlotte.  The Bobcats excel best in sets that involve plenty of ball movement and high-percentage looks inside.  If one were to try and slow the game down as well as take over a game at the same time (a la Dirk, Kobe, or LeBron), they usually wait until the third quarter to try and put the game away.  Gerald thought it would be a good idea to try this method 90 seconds into a game against a team that consists of KG, Rondo, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Brandon Bass, and the ever-improving rookie Jared Sullinger.

Henderson is in the last year of his contract, and all signs point towards him not returning next season (as apparent by the Bobcats not giving him a contract extention before the season began).  Henderson is young and athletic, yet clearly hasn’t learned much in terms of on-court awareness or team dynaminc in his time in the NBA.  If he hasn’t learned it by now, I don’t see much room for improvement in the future.

It would be nice to see Gerald Henderson in one of 29 different uniforms by February 21st, with a 2nd-round pick for the 2013 Draft headed Charlotte’s way.  His time in Charlotte is ending, and I’m completely fine with that.

November 10, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba walker (15) signals his team as he brings the ball up the court during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win in OT 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

I believe that the Charlotte Bobcats need a legitimate low-post threat to take them to the next level. Kemba Walker is having a great season. Michael-Kidd Gilchrist is coming along well. In addition, the Bobcats have reliable shooters in Sessions and Williams. However, the question mark for the Bobcats is someone who can control the low-post. Utah has a few gems Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, and Al Jefferson. I doubt that the Jazz would be willing to part with Jefferson or Millsap. However, that could change. What concerns me is the player or players that Charlotte has as trade bait. Despite his big contract, Tyrus Thomas is the first player who comes to mind. Minnesota’s Derrick Williams would also be a good fit in Charlotte, as well as Denver’s Kenneth Faried. It seems as though Michael Jordan is committed to changing the atmosphere in Charlotte. Let’s hope that he continues to change this team for the better.

December 21, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) prepares to drive past Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson (15) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

Contrary to what some people think, I am not shocked that James Harden was traded. However, I do question the fact that Oklahoma City traded James Harden to a team located in the Western Conference.  Maybe OKC isn’t intimidated by Houston….yet. I guess that they assume the Rockets will not be a problem since Jeremy Lin is their point guard. If they feel this way, then I hope that they face the Rockets in the playoffs.

I wonder if the Charlotte Bobcats tried to get James Harden. He would have been a perfect fit for Charlotte. Although Charlotte already has Ben Gordon, as owner I would have done whatever was necessary to get James Harden. Needless to say, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would have been untouchable.

Charlotte has an opportunity to change the future of this franchise this season. I think that they should play hard and try to win as many games they can. Do not focus on tanking the season to earn the number one pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Play hard and earn the respect of key players, so they will want to play in Charlotte. In my opinion, the Bobcats are two players away from changing the outlook of the Eastern Conference.

"...The Bobcats are involved now? ... You serious? They tradin me where? Ahhhh! Good April Fools Joke, bruh!" : Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

The Charlotte Bobcats could be the fourth team in a 16 player deal that would send Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Bobcats would likely replace Cleveland, which is unwilling to take on PF Kris Humphries for more than one season. If this is the reason Charlotte replaces the Cavs, the Bobcats would likely take on Humphries for multiple seasons. The former Hopkins High School star wants a long term deal, and that, from all indications, is what’s holding up the trade.

Humphries scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds per game last season, and he finished the year with a 106 defensive rating and a 54 percent true-shooting percentage.

ESPN Radio was the first to report this news, and the person doing their “Sportscenter” segment said Ric Bucher was the guy who heard it first.

Reporters: "What do you think of these Bobcats rumors?" Harden: "The ones where they win 10 games next year? Wait... You mean they want to trade for..." Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

If the reports that the Charlotte Bobcats are looking to trade the second pick in the NBA draft for James Harden are true, things are looking good for Brian Shaw.

Shaw was a succesful player and assistant coach with the Lakers under Phil Jackson, and he’s going to impliment the triangle offense wherever he goes.

What better (possibly) availbe player is there to run that offense through than James Harden? During his time in OKC Harden has turned into an efficient decision maker; This season his true shooting percentage was 66 percent, he assisted on 19 percent of his teammates field goals while he was on the floor, and he turned the ball over just 15 times per 100 possessions.

He’s not Kobe Bryant, but he could be the Kobe in Shaw’s triangle offense.

Of course right now this is all a bunch of speculation, and the Thunder might not even want to part with Harden, but it seems like the Charlotte Bobcats are searching for a player to be the go-to-guy in one of the NBA’s most famous (and hard to master) offenses.

Will Bobcats opponents soon "fear the beard"? Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

A new name has surfaced in trade rumors involving the Charlotte Bobcats and their second overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Jeff Goodman reported that “a source” says James Harden “could be in play” because of OKC’s salary issues. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are locked up long term with big money, and Harden, as well as Serge Ibaka, will command hefty salaries once their deals are up after the 2012/13 season.

The only way this deal would make sense is if Harden agrees to a contract extension. Giving up the second overall pick for a player who comes to your team for one season would be pointless.

If Rick Cho and company can actually make this deal happen, the Bobcats’ rebuilding process would be significantly accelerated. Harden is already a borderline All Star, and definitely better than any player Charlotte could take with the second pick.

As @noamschiller put it on twitter: “If the Bobcats can get James Harden out of this draft, Rich Cho should get a statue that floats above the entire state of North Carolina.”

Apr 26, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Charlotte Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker (1) goes up for a shot 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

Once Charlotte lost out on drafting Anthony Davis with the top pick in the 2012 NBA draft, it was inevitable that Rich Cho and company would shop the second pick around.

The rumor with the most steam right now is #2 for Rudy Gay. It’d be pretty ironic if Jordan makes that trade, since he had the opportunity to draft him a couple years ago. Instead of Gay, he picked Adam Morrison.

I don’t think Charlotte should make that trade straight up, but I do think there are a few other scenarios that could happen.

First, Cleveland is looking to move up in the draft and if they could they’d love to get Charlotte’s #2 pick. The teams would swap picks (#2 for #4), but after that things would get tricky. Cleveland doesn’t have many players on its roster worth trading for and they probably won’t give up another first round pick. The Bobcats should offer Corey Maggette and his expiring contract to try and pry that 2013 first rounder away from the Cavs, though.

If Charlotte can get Cleveland’s first rounder this and next year for the second overall pick and Corey Magette, they should pull the trigger.

 Another possible trade partner is the Portland Trail Blazers, who have the sixth and 11th picks of the 2012 NBA draft. Word on the street is Portland really likes Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and he’s probably going to be gone by pick six.

A trade could be pulled off by a simple swap of the second pick for the sixth and the 11th, but Charlotte would probably throw in Corey Magette and his expiring contract as well.

If Portland doesn’t want to surrender both picks, something like the second pick for the sixth and Wesley Matthews might work, although the Trail Blazers are really high on him.

Another team with multiple draft picks is the Houston Rockets. They’ve got numbers 14 and 16, and the Bobcats might be able to entice them into a trade. Houston could really use a guy like Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond, and Charlotte could really use two picks in this draft.

The Bobcats would also probably want a player back, since the picks they’d receive are in the middle of the draft. Goran Dragic might be too much too ask, but he would pretty much seal the deal.

There aren’t many other possible trades that make a lot of sense for Charlotte and their potential partner. The Knicks are looking to get into the first round, but it would take something crazy for them to make a deal with the ‘Cats. Utah and Brooklyn also don’t have first rounders, but a trade with either of those teams seems impossible.

Trade talk will only increase as we march closer to draft day, and in the end the Bobcats might just keep the number two pick. But it just wouldn’t  make sense not to shop the thing around.

May 13, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies small forward Rudy Gay (22) during the second half of game seven in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedEx Forum. Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 82-72. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

It was a groggy, zombie-like morning for me today, but I did manage to find my humanity long enough to read a few stories suggesting and even reporting that Charlotte is actively shopping the second pick in the 2012 NBA draft. So will the Charllote Bobcats trade it?

Here are the stories:

This one says Charlotte is thinking about trading the pick for Rudy Gay.

This one  expands on the rumors and gets into some reporting.

Other than that there are a few stories that speculate on other possible trade partners, but there’s nothing else in the way of hard news on this story.

I’m not in love with trading the secodn pick for Gay for a few reasons.

One is his contract. 16 million next year, then 19 the next. Why pay that kind of money for a guy who probably won’t make your team substantially better over those two years?

Second is the fact that Charlotte probably wouldn’t get much else back besides Gay for the second pick. Memphis has the 25th pick, and by then, the talent pool will have most likely drained.

If the Bobcats can find a suitable partner though, trading the secodn pick wouldn’t be a bad idea.