The Charlotte Bobcats lost their home opener to the Indiana Pacers 104-101 Friday. Stephen Jackson had a chance to tie the game but missed an open 3-pointer as time expired.

I’m never one to blame an individual player for a team loss, but the truth is, Jackson was missing in action the entire game. Did someone forget to tell him that pre-season is over?

Jackson was 4 for 13 shooting in the game -- with no 3-pointers. More important, his defensive assignment of guarding the Pacers’ Danny Granger was lackluster, as Granger shot a game-high 33 points.

If the Bobcats are to be successful this season – and team owner Michael Jordan has all but promised they would make the playoffs -- Jackson cannot take games, quarters or even plays off.

As noted by the Observer, our online news partner, turnovers also doomed the Bobcats, who gave away the ball six times in the fourth quarter. The Pacers never lost the ball in the final period.

In a space of 92 seconds, thanks to Bobcats turnovers, the Pacers snatched victory from a 96-91 deficit.

After the game, Jackson was one of several players kicking themselves for the loss.

"Coach drew up two great plays, but we have to execute,'' the Observer quoted Jackson as saying. "I owe my team. I missed that shot.''

The 0-2 Bobcats will play the Milwaukee Bucks today.

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement