AS WITH ARENA, BOBCATS TO BUILD TEAM FROM THE GROUND UP

The process of constructing an NBA team is similar to building a new arena. Months of planning will create the foundation of a franchise that will one become of Charlotte’s newest icons.

General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, Chief Operating Officer Ed Tapscott and an experienced basketball operations staff will be the architects of the new expansion foundation that will take the floor for the inaugural team in 2004-05.

As with other NBA teams, the Bobcats will evaluate hundreds of college and top high school players and international prospects for the NBA Draft on June 24, 2004. But the Bobcats also paid extra-close attention to NBA rosters this season in preparation for Charlotte’s expansion draft which will take place on June 22 (or June 23 if the NBA Finals goes seven games), two days prior to the NBA Draft.

In building their team, the Bobcats will have an advantage over the expansion teams of the past. Unlike the expansion draft in 1995 (Toronto and Vancouver), 1988 (Charlotte and Miami) and 1989 (Minnesota and Orlando), the Bobcats will not compete with any other new team as they select existing NBA players in the expansion draft.

The Bobcats will choose a minimum of 14 NBA players who are under contract or restricted free agents with their teams at the completion of the 2003-04 season. Only one player can be selected per team. Each team may protect a maximum of eight players but must make at least one player available to the Bobcats for selection.

The advantage will not end there. The Bobcats own the fourth selection – the highest-ever pick by an expansion franchise – in the NBA Draft. In 1995, the Grizzlies selected sixth and the Raptors followed in the seventh position, while in 1988 Charlotte had the eighth pick and Miami followed at number nine. The expansion franchises in 1989 had an even longer wait as Minnesota chose 10th and Orlando selected 11th.

“We have an advantage over what past expansion franchises were provided,” said Ed Tapscott, Bobcats Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We will not have to pick against any other team so we can select the players we desire and we will also be able to add a fine young prospect with the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft.”

“We have to draft well. We may even draft the same position, because in my opinion you have to have talent,” said Bernie Bickerstaff, the team’s new General Manager and Head Coach. “If you’re overloaded in one position, you can always take talent and move it to satisfy needs. We have a philosophy about what we want but I know one thing – the system has to fit the personnel.”

The Bobcats will be eligible for the NBA Draft Lottery after their first season if they do not qualify for the playoffs and thus be eligible to gain the first overall pick. In past years, expansion teams were not given the opportunity to receive the top pick in the NBA Draft until the clubs completed their third season.

History has shown that the Bobcats can acquire talented players from Day One.

In the past, the fourth overall pick of the NBA Draft produced some of the NBA’s top players, such as Charlotte native Antawn Jamison, Rasheed Wallace, Stephon Marbury, Jamal Mashburn, Dikembe Mutombo, Glen Rice, Sam Perkins, Byron Scott and Billy Cunningham. In addition, Chuck Person, Alvan Adams and Dave Cowens all won NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected fourth in the NBA Draft.

Past NBA Drafts have proved a mixed bag for first-year expansion teams. When the Toronto Raptors made their first rookie selection in 1995, they chose point guard Damon Stoudamire, who went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Also in 1995, the Vancouver Grizzlies opted for size when they picked Bryant Reeves as their first-ever selection, as did Miami in 1988 when the Heat selected Rony Seikaly. The Charlotte Hornets drafted shooting guard Rex Chapman and Orlando and Minnesota also went for help in the backcourt, selecting Nick Anderson and Pooh Richardson, respectively.

“I want guys who are long and athletic with wide arm spans and a high basketball IQ,” Bickerstaff said. “These types of players have the versatility to play disruptive defense by switching and not losing anything in the matchups and also creating a problem on the other end for the opposition.”

The 1995 expansion draft produced B.J. Armstrong (Toronto) and Greg Anthony (Vancouver) as the top two choices. In 1989, the Orlando Magic selected Scott Skiles, who set the NBA record for most assists in a game (30) with the Magic. The Charlotte Hornets acquired Dell Curry with their initial pick in the 1988 Expansion Draft and also added Muggsy Bogues with the team’s third choice.

Future draft picks can also be acquired during the expansion draft process through deals with other NBA clubs. Miami gained six draft picks during the 1988 expansion draft and the Heat became the quickest team in the modern expansion era to qualify for the playoffs – reaching the postseason in its fourth season.