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**endora60** · 04-03-2006, 08:54 AM

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Knight: Cutting Rush sends the right message
Guard says expectations for players are clear

RICK BONNELL
rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte Bobcats captain Brevin Knight said the decision to cut Kareem Rush sent a dramatic and appropriate message to the other players.

"This is as much of a statement as you can make," Knight said before Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "If you're not giving the effort that's expected to be given, there will be some consequences."

Rush, a former starter at shooting guard, was cut Saturday with nine games left this season. In a news release announcing the decision, coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff referred to expectations for "hard work and maximum effort."

"That's probably the best way to be," Knight said. "I doubt this came out of the blue as far as talking like this.

"They've told us from Day One, that we're expected to do three things: Pay attention, play hard and behave off the court. Do that here, and you're all right."

Bickerstaff said he wouldn't be surprised if some team claims Rush on waivers, since he'd be eligible for the rest of the regular season (not the playoffs) and the new club would inherit a team option for next season.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlot...s/14249855.htm

**cpawfan** · 04-03-2006, 09:25 AM

I applaud Bickerstaff for making the move and standing up for what he believes. Now, I want to see what he does this summer in regards to using his cap space and the character of players he aquires with it. I truely hope he stays consistent.

**endora60** · 04-04-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpawfan

I applaud Bickerstaff for making the move and standing up for what he believes. Now, I want to see what he does this summer in regards to using his cap space and the character of players he aquires with it. I truely hope he stays consistent.

So do I. There's going to be decent money available this summer, and the temptation will be to take on some second-rate star ::::cough, Zach Randolph::::::to help out, even with his crappy attitude and laziness. If Bickerstaff hangs tough and only goes after guys with a strong work ethic, though, he could have something special come the end of next season.

Laurie

Chan · 04-04-2006, 04:29 PM

If Rush sucked, it was a right move. It's not like the team was getting better with him.

**Diable** · 04-04-2006, 05:03 PM

You would think that Charlotte could attract some guys that want to prove they can be stars or at least starting caliber players.Look at what happened this year.Jumaine Jones and Ely got the chances to prove themselves.The same thing could happen on a bigger scale next year if they make the right pickups.There are dozens of players in the NBA that just aren't in the right situation to get the oppurtunity,but Charlotte is the land of oppurtunity if you are an NBA player.Sign a two year deal work your butt off and take advantage of your oppurtunity...Then you get the obscenely inflated FA deal.

**endora60** · 04-04-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diable

You would think that Charlotte could attract some guys that want to prove they can be stars or at least starting caliber players.Look at what happened this year.Jumaine Jones and Ely got the chances to prove themselves.The same thing could happen on a bigger scale next year if they make the right pickups.There are dozens of players in the NBA that just aren't in the right situation to get the oppurtunity,but Charlotte is the land of oppurtunity if you are an NBA player.Sign a two year deal work your butt off and take advantage of your oppurtunity...Then you get the obscenely inflated FA deal.

That makes perfect sense, and if NBA players had the brains God gave eggplants they'd look at it that way. Unfortunately, most will only look at Charlotte's record this year, decide they're only interested in signing with a contender, and go elsewhere--where they'll still not get the chance to prove themselves. With any luck, though, one or two of the guys you describe will want to make a serious impact with good minutes and the chance to get noticed and come to the Bobcats.

Laurie

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