For those new to the Boom or Bust series, an FYI on the methodology of the prospect scores is available if you click here.
Charlotte Bobcats
2011-2012 Record – 7-59
The Bobcats had a season for the ages, in the very worst of ways. Things can (hopefully) only go up from here. The Bobcats were forced to thrust some of their youngest guys into the biggest roles, and their production resulted in the worst season winning percentage in NBA history.
Bismack Biyombo
Age – 20, Previous Season Stats – 5.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Biyombo was drafted because of his defense. He rocked the world in the Nike Hoop Summit with a commanding triple double. While he is a shot-blocking extraordinaire, I would not be afraid to say that there are at least five writers on this site who have a better offensive low-post game than Bismack Biyombo.
On a real NBA team, if you are going to be a starting center with no offensive game, you better be a monster on defense and on the boards. Biyombo is a gifted shot-blocker but his rebounding is anywhere from below average to average. Biyombo will have to become a better rebounder if he wants the Bobcats to be successful.
Good shot-blocking is a valuable skill to have. Bismack will find his role in the NBA.
- Prospect Score – 5/10
Gerald Henderson
Age – 24, Previous Season Stats – 15.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.1 APG
Henderson has been the recipient of some hype around the online NBA circles. In his third year with the Bobcats, he put up a very respectable stat line. Sadly, any Bobcats stat lines cannot be taken too seriously because of what a dismal season they had.
But on a somewhat interesting note, in the 6 wins that Henderson was part of; he averaged 20.5 points and 5.3 rebounds on 58.1% shooting from the field.
Thrust any other average NBA shooting guard in Gerald’s position, they may produce similar numbers. But because Gerald got to play big minutes against NBA competition every night, he is now a step above those average shooting guards in the NBA. He has no place being a pseudo-first option in the NBA, but stick him on a good team, and he could really contribute.
- Prospect Score – 6/10
Byron Mullens
Age – 23, Previous Season Stats – 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.8 BPG
Highly heralded coming out of high school, Mullens barely played at Ohio State, and was relegated to the bench for most of his first two seasons.
Mullens had a few good games this season, including a 31 point, 14 rebound effort against the Bucks (did Byron Mullens really score 31 points in an NBA game!?) but the painful truth is, Mullens is not that good of an NBA player.
Silver lining? Mullens is a legitimate 7-footer, and all 7-footers get chances in the NBA. The Ohio State product is more talented on offense than his other 7-foot counterparts. His impressive 82.1% free throw shooting makes him a great asset in late game situations if he can become better at securing rebounds, and establish more of a presence in the interior.
- Prospect Score – 4/10
Ramon Sessions
Age – 26, Previous Season Stats – 11.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.5 APG
Most fantasy basketball players remember Ramon Sessions from that incredible stretch he had as a rookie near the end of the season. From out of nowhere, some random NBA rookie started posting up 20 assist games in the most vital stretch of fantasy basketball season.
Sessions bummed around the league for a bit, and last season in LA, appeared to have finally found a home. Ramon and the Lakers were supposed to be a really good fit. Lakers finally find their young point guard with fresh legs, and Sessions went from dishing dimes to Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee to Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum.
Lakers got taken care of by the Thunder, and Sessions often hurt the Lakers by his inability to hit the 3-point shot with consistency. The minute Nash got traded to the Lakers, Sessions’ career in LA was done.
Bobcats would probably win more games with Sessions running the point because of his superior court vision and playmaking, but they are better off long term trying to develop Kemba Walker, and maybe even trade Kemba for some draft picks. Still a very good player, definitely not elite, but a lot of teams wouldn’t mind having him.
- Prospect Score – 5/10
Kemba Walker
Age – 22, Previous Season Stats – 12.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.4 APG
Usually when terrible teams have horrible seasons, there are bright spots and there is usually hope in the form of young, promising players. Kemba Walker theoretically should have been that lone bright spot of last season, but his rookie season left little to be desired.
His playing style is already inefficient, and Kemba had bad numbers even for a shoot-first point guard. The shoot-first point guard is never thought of as a winning basketball type player, and while Kemba can be really fun to watch, entertainment does not translate to wins.
At Kemba’s finest, I could see him being a more ball-dominant Monta Ellis, which equates to a very talented NBA player. But as a Golden State fan, as effective as he is, Monta Ellis is a very imperfect player that does not necessarily translate to winning basketball.
That’s the deal with Kemba Walker. If I’m with the Bobcats I’m calling every front office that’s looking for some firepower at the point guard position. He’s an impact player for sure, but he isn’t the type of impact a rebuilding team is looking for.
- Prospect Score – 5/10
Reggie Williams
Age – 26, Previous Season Stats – 8.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG. 1.8 APG
Reggie Williams was a bit of a local folk hero along with Chris Hunter and Anthony Tolliver as part of the Warriors’ ‘D-League Big 3.’ He was part of the three D-League call-ups that lead the Warriors to some thrilling, but pointless wins.
Offensively, there is very little to dislike about Reggie. He has a good jump shot, good size, and can handle point guard responsibilities. On defense however, Reggie is a bit of a liability. He’s a good guy to keep around for some backcourt depth on the Bobcats, but as a Reggie Williams fan, he would be a killer guy to have on a contending team.
- Prospect Score – 3/10
