Le Basketbawl

Back at the start of training camp hopes were high in Charlotte that this would be the year that the Charlotte Bobcats finally made it into the NBA Post Season for the first time in the team’s history. However an injury to one of the club’s starters could dash those dreams upon the rocks. The “Associated Press” has reported Bobcats shooting guard Raja Bell has partially torn tendon in his left wrist and his options at this point are not very encouraging. Bell could try playing through the pain or undergo surgery which could put him out of action for about the next four months.

Bell and Boris Diaw came to the Bobcats last season as the team traded guard Jason Richardson to the Phoenix Suns for the pair. Both players became key members of  the squad and the team improved last season ending the year with a 35-47 record and legitimately contended for a playoff spot until the last couple of weeks of the season. With the addition of Tyson Chandler whom Charlotte picked up this off-season in a trade for Emeka Okafor it looked like the B-Cats would be strong enough this season to finally take the next step in their growth curve and make the NBA Playoffs.

However Bell on Sunday jammed his wrist going after a loose ball in a preseason game against the Utah Jazz. Tuesday the veteran guard had tests that revealed the injury dampening the Bobcats chances of having the season they were hoping for. If the he goes for the surgery it will be an extensive process before he can return. Bell told reporters Tuesday “It’s pretty disappointing to me. I was looking forward to coming in and having a good season and being as healthy as I could be to start the season. In that regard, it’s a big setback for me personally. The way I understand it, surgery would be 6-8 (weeks) in a cast with pins and then 6-8 (more weeks) worth of rehab.”

Realistically it would seem that Bell is going to need to have the surgery and the sooner the better. The veteran can try to be stoic and play through the pain but chances are slim he could last an entire season in such agony. Plus the inury would have to make him far less effective on the floor. If Bell is out for an extended period of time it is expected that D.J. Augustin would move over from the back-up point guard slot and become one of the starting guards along with Raymond Felton. However with Felton being just 6′1″ that could prove to be a match-up problem for Charlotte against many clubs with a bigger back -court.