http://www.charlotte.com/bobcats/story/536080.html Bobcats Rejected Often Team, Okafor No. 1 and 2 in having shots blocked by others RICK BONNELL rbonnell@charlotteoberver.com Hawks Bobcats Basketball DALLAS -- Dikembe Mutombo, get ready to wag that finger: The Charlotte Bobcats are in town. Houston Rockets center Mutombo made it his trademark to wag his finger in a "no-you-don't!" gesture after every blocked shot. No NBA team gets its shots blocked more than the Bobcats. And only one player gets his shot blocked more than Bobcats big man Emeka Okafor. That info comes courtesy of retired Philadelphia 76ers publicist Harvey Pollack. In his 80s, Pollack continues to compile obscure statistics the NBA doesn't typically follow. Through Tuesday's games, the Bobcats had their shots blocked 379 times. Second on that list were the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, tied at 370. Okafor's shot was blocked 87 times, second only to the 100 times Minnesota's Al Jefferson has been rejected. So while Okafor is among the league leaders in blocking shots (1.7 per game), his shot is blocked at nearly as frequent a pace (1.38 per game over the first 63). Pollack said Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace led the NBA last season in having his shot blocked (114). So far this season, Wallace has had his shot blocked 67 times, ninth-most in the league. Red-hot Rockets One way or the other, the Bobcats will play a featured role on "SportsCenter" tonight.Is that as vanquisher or victim? To call the Rockets the hottest team in the NBA doesn't come close to describing their past two months. Houston has won 20 straight, tying the second-longest winning streak in NBA history. The last time the Rockets lost, Fidel Castro still ran Cuba and the New England Patriots were still undefeated. As if that streak isn't enough -- it ties the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks -- keep in mind they did this while losing All-Star center Yao Ming to a season-ending stress fracture in his left foot. They've maintained the streak in Yao's absence on great defense and just enough go-to scoring from Tracy McGrady. They've allowed 100 or more points three times during the streak, never in the past 10 games (when they've held teams to 75 or fewer points three times). Over those 20 games, they've held opponents to 40.8 percent shooting from the field. McGrady has plenty to prove. He has made tens of millions off salary and endorsements, yet he's never won a round of the playoffs over nine seasons out of Durham's Mount Zion Christian Academy. Translating this regular- season success into a real run in the playoffs could erase McGrady's reputation of wasted potential. Bobcats have edge The Bobcats have a winning record against the Rockets -- 4-3, including a 2-0 sweep of Houston in the Bobcats' debut season (2004-05). When Yao was asked by Houston media for his most embarrassing moment as an NBA player, he mentioned getting swept by an expansion team.
Nice little article. But I wouldn't have titled that last section "Bobcats have edge". They're essentially saying that the Rockets are 4-1 in their last 5 against Charlotte, which isn't an edge at all.
You're right. I wasn't thinking straight, although 3-2 for the Rockets since the sweep doesn't bode well for the Bobcats. Especially since the Rockets are on such a role. Nah, he's right. 4-3 is the Bobcats record, not ours.
well they're big and athletic, like the hawks. except the hawks are a better team. they make me a little scared but i believe we will pull out the win.
