As the Charlotte Bobcats approached the start of 2011, team owner Michael Jordan followed the time-honored New Year’s tradition of “in with the new.” Hoping for a new philosophy, a new level of energy and a new playing style, he brought in a new head coach, Paul Silas.

But what about the other part of the New Year’s tradition – you know, “out with the old?”

Except for the firing of former coach Larry Brown, not much has changed for the ’Cats. The team still lacks a formidable center, a prolific scorer and defensive toughness.

Yes, the Bobcats are 2-1 under Silas, but against perennial losers Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, they should be 3-0. During all three games, the Bobcats went up by double digits, only to allow opponents to close the gap, much as they did under Brown’s regime.

At the start of this season, Jordan held a town hall meeting and all but promised Bobcats fans that the team would make the playoffs again this year. Let’s hope he soon rids the team of the unproductive players who appeared satisfied with a lackluster performance and caused Brown such frustration.

Time is running out.

Panthers Déjà vu

Sixteen games after the Panthers’ season began, it ended almost exactly as it started.

No, I’m not talking about simply a loss. There were other similarities as well.

In the team’s season opener, they lost to the New York Giants 31-18. They ended with a 31-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
In both games the Panthers had just one touchdown reception and 182 passing yards.

In other words, they started and finished the season with the whimper of a cub, not the growl of a predator.

With coach John Fox and his entire staff gone, and with the Panthers holding the No. 1 draft pick, things should be looking up next season.
 

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