In the new season, according to the predictions of major media, the Bobcat is no longer a dark horse.

Sports Illustrated ranked the Bobcats third in the East, a somewhat conservative ranking, as the Bobcats finished third in the regular season last season.

In Sports Illustrated's view, both the Pistons and Pacers have retained their main lineups in the new season, and the Bobcats should still be ranked behind these two teams, while the other teams seem to pose no threat to the Bobcats, so it should be reasonable for the Bobcats to continue to rank third.

ESPN's rankings are a bit bold, as they moved the Bobcats down one spot to fourth place in the East, giving three reasons.

One is that the Bobcats in the new season do not have too many reinforcements, and the only one who can be called reinforcement is Chris Paul, who was drafted in the draft, but Paul is a rookie, and it is still unknown what kind of performance he will perform in the new season.

The second is that the Bobcats' system has been thoroughly studied by other teams, and the Bobcats' performance is destined to become struggling in the new season.

The last one is that the team that overtakes the Bobcats and occupies the third place in the East is the Cavaliers, this season, the Cavaliers have made a big deal of reinforcements, and they directly used a big contract of 70 million for 5 years to smash the free agent Larry Hughes.

In the eyes of many media, LeBron James finally has a decent helper, coupled with the addition of Damon Jones and Don Yell Marshall, who are suitable for James, and the new coach McBronn coaching, the Cavaliers' new season should also be a matter of course.

Hoop Sports uncharacteristically gave the Bobcats a high ranking this time, ranking second only to the Pistons and above the Pacers.

They believe that the Bobcats' mature system will usher in a burst in the new season, which is completely contrary to ESPN's view, and the main argument for Zach Lowe's opinion is that the Bobcats didn't have a qualified playmaker for their offensive tactics last year, but this year, they did.

The arrival of Chris Paul will give the Bobcats a huge boost, and the Bobcats will become a real powerhouse, or at least a strong contender for the Eastern Conference title, rather than losing to the Pacers as they did last season.

……

Before the start of the season, Qiao Hai remained silent, although many reporters were asking, what is the goal of the Bobcats for the new season?

Qiao Hai never answered this kind of question, and when he was chased and asked, he would only reply at most: "Same as last season, the playoffs." ”

But no one believes that the Bobcats' goal is just to make the playoffs!

……

"Everyone on the outside is asking, what are the goals of the Bobcats for the new season? I told them, the playoffs! "The Charlotte Coliseum, which has been renamed Time Warner Center for the new season, Joe is pacing back and forth.

In front of him stood rows of Bobcats players: "But are we really just aiming for the playoffs?" ”

Joe looked at Michael Reed, who was still the boss of this team until Chris Paul hit the price.

"Michael, what do you say?"

Michael Reed immediately straightened his back: "Of course not!" We made it to the second round of the playoffs last season, and we aim to be at least better than last season! ”

Qiao Hai nodded: "That's right, in the new season, our goal is at least stronger than last season, reaching the second round of the playoffs is already the foundation, our goal must go further, we want to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, or even the Finals!" ”

"It's going to take all of us!"

……

The Bobcats will face the Cavaliers at home in the opening game of the new season, which will also be one of the highlights of the first day of the regular season.

The reasons for this have already been given by ESPN.

"Last season, the Bobcats faced the Cavaliers in the last two games of the season, and the Cavaliers at that time still had the possibility of making the playoffs, but the Bobcats defeated the Cavaliers in two games in a row for a lottery pick, which directly shattered the Cavaliers' playoff dreams."

"The two teams have also formed a bond, although it is not as serious as the mortal enemy, but at least, the two teams will meet and fight to the death, it is certain!"

"The Cavaliers must be eager to avenge last season's two arrows, and the Bobcats' goal is clearly to win the home opener, and when the two teams meet, a big battle is already poised to start!"

……

Before the game, Qiao Hai studied the layout of the Bobcat's first battle for a while.

There is no big doubt about the starting five, point guards Chris Paul, Qiao Hai is not the kind of coach who likes to suppress rookies.

Shooting guard Michael Reed, this is no problem, Michael Reed is still the boss of the Bobcats, and he is definitely going to start.

Small forward Andre Iguodala, Joe Hay needs Iguodala to defend LeBron James, last season, Iguodala was considered the best wing player to defend LeBron James, and Qiao Hai naturally hopes that Iguodala can continue this title.

In terms of power forward, Josh Smith will start, although his start will make the Bobcats lack some perimeter three-pointers, but after the main control has been replaced by Chris Paul this season, the lack of perimeter firepower will naturally be made up by Paul, and the problem is obviously not big.

And Josh Smith's start will obviously strengthen the Bobcats' defense.

In terms of center, Kendrick Perkins will still be the starter, and in the new season, Perkins' position will be a pseudo-starter, and his role is to defend the opponent's big center, so he will only play in the opening game.

The bench rotation is a bit questionable.

Joe has prepared two rotational lineups, one is a pure small lineup of Mo Williams, Michael Petrus, Andre Iguodala, Gerard Wallace and Josh Smith.

The other is a pure bench lineup of Michael Petrus Jr., small forward Danny Granger, and interior Gerald Wallace Garry LaFrenz.

How these two sets of lineups are arranged still needs to be tested in actual combat.

……

At the pre-match press conference, Qiao Hai attended alone.

Because it was the first game of the season, there were quite a few reporters in attendance, and there were also many national reporters, such as Adrian Wonarowski of Hoop Sports, such as Mark Stein of ESPN, etc.

Johi began to answer questions, and the first question was related to LeBron James.

"After the regular season last season, a reporter on the court said you said you said a few words into LeBron James's ear, can you tell us what you said?"

"Since it's something that is said to the ear, it's a whisper, and obviously it can't be revealed." Qiao Hai smiled and directly refused to answer the first question.

The reporters were also very helpless, and then, they began to pick and saliva: "Against LeBron James, who is in the third grade, will you still use the defensive style of last season to defend him?" ”

"I'm not going to reveal any of our tactics before the game."

Qiao Hai still couldn't slip his hands, and the reporters were quite helpless.

But in the end, Qiao Hai still said: "I can only say that I know LeBron very well, and it is impossible for him to win the game against me, of course, I mean this game!" ”