The Charlotte Bobcats are 2-6 in their last eight games, including an embarrassing (2nd) loss to the 6-54 New Jersey Nets, and their recently stagnant offense is to blame.  In those six losses, they averaged only 88.8 points and their top players like Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson, Raymond Felton, and D.J. Augustin all shot the ball poorly.  Wallace is averaging just 9.7 points in his last three games, Jackson has been turning it over too much and is shooting 41% during this eight game span, Felton is shooting 29% from the field in his last six games, and Augustin has hit only 22% of his shots in the last eight games.  Those are all some pretty pathetic numbers and these guys are the Bobcats best offensive players.  If the Bobcats are going to get themselves out of this funk and get into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, all of these players need to step up their game big time.

Charlotte Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton has been an impact player since his rookie campaign in the 2005-’06 season where he averaged 11.8 points, 5.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.  Felton really stepped it up in his sophomore season, and has played pretty consistently since then.  In those three seasons he has averaged around 14 points, 7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.  Felton’s numbers are down this season, and they are more like his rookie numbers with averages of 12.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.  Felton’s minutes are down about 5 minutes per game as compared to the last three, so that is a big reason why.  I say he is playing his best basketball though, as he is shooting the ball much better than he ever has and is averaging a career high in steals (1.7) and a career low in turnovers (2.2 per game).  He is shooting 45.3% from the field and 40.4% from three.  His previous career highs in shooting percentages was 41% from the field in ‘07-’08, and 35% from three in his rookie season.  The Bobcats should start giving Felton more minutes, not less.  Felton did sprain his ankle during practice yesterday, but it doesn’t seem to be too serious and is a game-time decision tonight against Washington.  When Felton is healthy, he should be on the court as much as possible.

The Bobcats are looking for a veteran big man to help the team and they are dangling 2nd year point guard D.J. Augustin as trade bait. Augustin is having a terrible year for the Bobcats as he has played in 46 games (0 starts) in which he is averaging 17.8 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 35.8% shooting from the floor. But, teams might look past his horrible stats this season because of how well he played as a rookie last year. In his rookie season, Augustin played in 72 games (11 starts) for the Bobcats and he averaged 26.5 minutes, 11.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He also shot 43.9% from three point range last season which is outstanding. Trading Augustin does carry a risk as he can make the Bobcats sorry they traded him down the road.

Back-up SG/SF Stephen Graham has been so-so this season for the Bobcats. He has played in 40 games (4 starts) for the Bobcats this season and he is averaging 10.6 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. It’s doubtful that Graham would step up if the Bobcats needed him to play more minutes so he will have to settle for about 10 a game.

The Charlotte Bobcats were very excited when they acquired Boris Diaw in a trade from the Phoenix Suns last season, and he did not disappoint.  In 59 games with the Bobcats last season Diaw averaged 37.6 minutes, 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks on 50% shooting and 42% from three.  Diaw has been inconsistent this season and his stats have had a big drop-off compared to last season despite getting nearly the same amount of playing time.  In 35.1 minutes per game, he is averaging only 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks on 46% shooting and 33% from three.  Diaw really needs to step it up if the Bobcats want to have success in the second half of the season.  At 22-22, the Bobcats are currently the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, but if they want any chance of making it out of the first round they are going to need to get themselves up at least a spot or two come playoff time.  Diaw could be the difference-maker for them, he just needs to start playing like he did last season.