CATCHING UP WITH THE BOBCATS

Right now, its about where they left off after the 2004-05 season. Carroll, Robinson and Slay will all play for the Bobcats summer league squad that will compete in the Reebok Rocky Mountain Revue on July 15-22 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Any chance to get NBA work this summer will be snatched up by these players, who are young and looking for consistent minutes at the top level. Working out has been the story so far as they try to stay in shape in the offseason and stand out in the summer league. Carroll has been working out in Philadelphia with local pros and Big Five college players, while Robinson has been in the weight room in Charlotte with the Bobcats staff.

“[I just try to] get back into the swing of things,” Robinson said. “Dribbling, shooting, defense. Summer league is a time to work on your game to get ready for the season.”

Slay’s summer has taken a slower pace after having surgery on his left ankle in March. He was only able to return to the court two weeks ago. To complicate things more, he’s an unrestricted free agent. So he’s not just playing to stay in shape, but also to get a job.

“It’s very important,” he said. “If you take advantage of it, you can get a contract. If you come in, play well and a team likes you, you’ll be in training camp and go from there. If you play well, it helps you out.”

Robinson is under contract for next year, and Carroll received a qualifying offer from the Bobcats, putting him close to a spot on an NBA roster in the fall.

Being a restricted free agent gives Carroll some security in the offseason – something he hasn’t had before. After going undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2003, he’s had stints in the NBDL and call-ups to the NBA in between. Putting time in for the Bobcats this summer is a step toward preparing for what could be his first full NBA season.

“This will help me get more comfortable with the Bobcats,” Carroll said. “Since I wasn’t here the whole season last year, this will help me get more comfortable with the offense and defense. Just being around the coaches and being around Bobcats basketball is what I want to do and where I want to be.”

After spending the last few months working out, Robinson said he’s looking forward to playing in summer league games. Most young players will say getting any minutes on the floor against good competition is helpful, and the second-year swingman is no exception.

“It’s very valuable,” Robinson said. “You have to be here with your body up to par, especially with guys you’re playing against. It’s good to be down here with these guys constantly working. I still have to establish myself, so that’s how I’m looking at it.”

For some players, it takes more than one go around in the summer league to become established. Carroll has been there before and said it’s just something that has to be done to play his favorite game for a living.

“I think the more you play, the better you get,” Carroll said. “There’s no easy way there. The more time you put in, the better you’ll get.”

By Kevin Hilgers, BobcatsBasketball.com