Benched

Bobcats-Hornets Week in Review: The Ends and Means, Justified

by Jeff Laughlin on April 21, 2014 at 11:36AM

We just watched the end of the Bobcats. Charlotte could have drawn the Bulls - an injured though resilient team.

Bobcats-Hornets Week in Review: Big Steps and Missteps in Playoff Prep

by Jeff Laughlin on April 15, 2014 at 3:15PM

Had the regular season ended Wednesday, the Bobcats would have been an amazing story; finishing top six in the East and over .500 with a real possibility at a series win. Unfortunately, the schedule never ends.

Bobcats-Hornets Week In Review: Irrational Metaphors for Irrational Times (playoffs edition)

by Jeff Laughlin on April 8, 2014 at 11:04AM

Just at the mouth of the metaphorical mountain of champions, teams can stop at an overlook. It allows .500 teams to earn a look at the journey ahead.

Bobcats-Hornets Week in Review: Smile, it's time to talk about the playoffs

by Jeff Laughlin on April 3, 2014 at 2:52PM

Startling confession: I skipped the Orlando-Charlotte game. The Bobcats-Hornets had just played one of their best offensive games of the season against the Nets - a game that featured unbelievable performances from both teams.

UPDATE: Dad captures young son's disappointment with Steve Smith release in awesome YouTube video

by Jeff Hahne on March 14, 2014 at 12:07PM

Panthers fans are not happy about the recent release of wide receiver Steve Smith. Particularly upset is young Gavin, who shares his thoughts about the decision in the best YouTube video since the kid who got high at the dentist's office.

Heartbreaking as it is, Steve Smith moving on is the right decision

by Ryan Pitkin on March 12, 2014 at 3:02PM

Editor's note: This post has been updated. This version ran in the March 20 print edition.

Bobcats-Hornets Week in Review: To be the (7th) best...

by Jeff Laughlin on March 10, 2014 at 3:55PM

Somewhere in the history of the Bobcats-Hornets must be the most important win ever. I'll let the people who've followed them all along figure it out, since my years in New York City left me with box scores and lowlight reels.

Bobcats-Hornets Week in Review: Storms before the calm

by Jeff Laughlin on March 3, 2014 at 3:10PM

With quiet for six straight days, it was as if the schedule makers knew the Bobcats-Hornets were about to play four out of the best five teams in the NBA. With some rest, confidence coming off of a winning streak and integration of new players, Charlotte had a fighting chance against teams with better records and better talent.

Bobcats Week in Review: The final deathblow to the Era of Despair

by Jeff Laughlin on February 26, 2014 at 3:48PM

There's nothing quite like watching Anthony Tolliver hit a 3 during Katy Perry's "Eye of the Tiger" at a redneck bar. Trust me on this.

The Era of Mediocrity's first-half season: What we've learned

by Jeff Laughlin on February 24, 2014 at 1:13PM

Charlotte arrived at the all-star break with their mission still intact: remain in the hunt for the playoffs. Just the fact that that mission remained a possibility made this half-season a remarkable success.

Creative Loafing Charlotte