The Charlotte Bobcats have started the 2010 – 2011 NBA season with a 1 – 5 record, which is a far cry from the record they had last year. The Bobcats were bounced from the playoffs by the Orlando Magic last season, in a series that was not really that competitive after it was over. With Michael Jordan helping to build the Bobcats, you would expect the team to only get better, but Jordan has not proved he is a great front office executive. This team is has not started the season well, but we all know in the NBA things can turn around very quickly.
Championship Odds: The odds to win the 2010-11 NBA Championship have the Bobcats listed at +6,500. Those are surprising when you factor that 
Charlotte was one of the most over-achieving squads in the league last season. With that being considered, +6,500 doesn’t precisely stack up versus the other teams in the Southeast. Washington (+6,000), Hawks (+3,000), Orlando (+1,000), and Heat (+170) all have significantly better odds.
Odds to Win the East: Checking to the NBA lines, the Bobcats are +4,000 to take home the Eastern Conference Championship. Again, this number is the worst in their division. The Bobcats lost some talent last year and their division is better, so this shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Over/Under Win Total: Oddsmakers list the Bobcats’ over/under for victories at 39.5. Charlotte had 44 wins and a playoff spot last season, however, some important personnel losses have most experts anticipating a slip from Charlotte this year. I have to agree with that appraisal.
Suggestion: There is no value in taking Charlotte to win the title or the East, but their season win total might be worth a play. I like the “under” 39.5 wins for the Bobcats this season. They got the most they could out of their roster last season to get to 44 victories and they have a lot less to work with this season.
Strengths: Defense and coaching are the two places where Charlotte is good. They were first in the league in defensive efficiency a year ago and should continue to keep opponents from scoring easy points in the lane. Last season they forced more outside shots than any other team in the NBA, and it worked for them.
I don’t think Larry Brown is doing Charlotte any favors with his roster decisions. What he does do, as well as anyone else in the league, is get the most out of the players he has on the court.
Weaknesses: The big question for Charlotte is where they are going to get their offensive production. Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, and Tyrus Thomas are all above-average on the offensive end of the floor, but the rest of the roster is well below average.
The Bobcats also have one of the worst benches in the NBA. D.J. Augustin and Boris Diaw should be alright as reserves, but the rest of the Bobcat bench is gravely lacking talent.
Picks: I anticipate the Bobcats to move backwards this season. It’s tough to see them win more than 30-35 times, meaning there’s little to no chance they return to the playoffs for the second year in a row. I’m not sure what direction they are trying to head in, but they have a lot of work to do.
I’m predicting Charlotte to finish in 4th place in the division. The top three in the Southeast (Heat, Orlando, and Hawks) are significantly better. The Bobcats won’t make the playoffs this year and will be slogging it out with the Wizards completing out of the basement of the division.
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