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BRYANT MATTHEWS, BERNARD ROBINSON AUDITION FOR BOBCATS
Two players who could hear their names called as second-round picks for the Bobcats came in for evaluation sessions with the Bobcats basketball operations staff on Friday. Michigan’s Bernard Robinson, Jr., and Virginia Tech’s Bryant Matthews just completed four-year careers on the collegiate level.
Robinson was an All-Big Ten Third Team selection in 2004 after leading the Wolverines to the postseason NIT tournament championship. He averaged 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds and shot 81 percent from the free throw line during his career as a Wolverine. If Robinson is selected, he would be the first Wolverine drafted since Jamal Crawford went No. 8 overall in the 2000 NBA Draft.
 Bryant Matthews |
BobcatsBasketball.com visited with Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff and both players after the workout:
GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD COACH BERNIE BICKERSTAFF
(on Bernard Robinson)
What I like about Robinson is his ability and versatility. It’s impressive he has the strength to be able to even conceivably be able to guard (power forwards). He can match up with (power forwards) because of what he’s able to do with the ball with his skills. But his strength is what I liked about him. He can put the ball on the floor, he’s strong and I think he can probably defend three positions. I think he can guard (shooting guards), (small forwards) and I think he can play some on (power forwards). If you go back and remember a guy named Vincent Askew. Vincent was able to defend some five's because of his strength. And then that was a match-up problem the other way because they had to defend him. This kid has good ball skills.
(on selecting players in the Expansion Draft who are restricted free agents)
What people want now is cap flexibility. I think a lot of people would like to be in that position where you’ve got flexibility. Those that we take we can still go out and negotiate with. What we’re doing is giving them an opportunity to enter the free agent market. So we think there will be a little nucleus there that we like, or a group of players we’ll have given an opportunity to succeed.
We’re going to give opportunities because (restricted free agents) are all in the last year of their contracts for the most part. So here’s a great opportunity – guys should be hungry – they’re going to get an opportunity to play. Players are always asking for playing time and an understanding of their roles, and I think we can guarantee both of those.
The only surprise (in the unprotected list) is the number of restricted free agents. I think that’s the one reason we have to make sure we keep roster spots open. There were a lot of young players who are also restricted that (NBA teams) protected. Now they’ve got to go out and qualify those young players. What we think is those big contracts will go back to them. So what we need is flexibility because (NBA teams) may have to let some of these young players go because they’ve got the big contracts to take care of.
 Bernard Robinson |
One thing I’ve found out in the places I’ve been is that whoever you bring in better be able to play. The guy has to be able to play. Emotions have to be taken out of it. If we bring a player in, and he lives here, and he pays taxes here, then he’s a North Carolinian. If he plays well, the fans will love him.
(on the NBA Draft)
We’ll have our meetings from this point on where we’ll play Devil’s advocate and see what kind of conviction we have. There’s a good possibility we’ll pick No. 2. We’re pursuing it. Now, it’s out of our hands. What we would be willing to do is on the table. We have no more control over it.
BERNARD ROBINSON
(on today’s workout)
This was definitely one of my better workouts. I think it went well. I feel good about it. The key thing for me was to be in shape, be myself and do the things that got me here.
(on possibly being a second-round pick)
I feel pretty good about the draft. I think there’s a pretty good chance I’m going to be drafted somewhere. I think that’s the thing to fall back on. As long as I get my foot in the door, I’ll be fine. If I came in as a second-round pick, I think it is going to be an easy transition for me to make because I spent four years in college getting to know the game.
(on his defense)
My defense has benefited me the most. I believe if I play good defense, I can last in the league. I feel as though I can guard anybody. I think it’s a privilege to know your coach has enough courage to believe you can guard anybody.
BRYANT MATTHEWS
(on working out for numerous teams)
Coming from Chicago and other places, I’m pretty tired. You’ve got to fight through that, which I did. They know we’re tired, they just want to see if you’ll go out there and compete. This is the last chance you get before the draft and the supplemental draft. They want to see how bad you want it.
(on his game)
I need to work on my mid-range game. I need to prove I can guard out on the wing. My biggest upside is my potential. I pick up on everything so well.
