2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season

The 2008–09 Charlotte Bobcats season was the 19th season of the NBA basketball in Charlotte in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and their 5th as the Charlotte Bobcats.

The previous season, Charlotte finished 32–50 under coach Sam Vincent, and did not qualify for the playoffs. In response to the dismal season, co-owner and basketball operations chief Michael Jordan fired Vincent and brought in veteran coach Larry Brown. True to his reputation for turning teams around, Brown kept the young team in playoff contention well into April. They ultimately finished four games short of the first playoff appearance in their current incarnation.

Key dates

 * June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City.
 * July 1: The free agency period.
 * March 7: Charlotte recorded its longest winning streak in franchise history at 6 following a 114–105 win over the New York Knicks.

Staff changes
Michael Jordan fired coach Sam Vincent on April 27, 2008 and subsequently signed legendary coach Larry Brown 2 days later.

Roster
{{NBA roster footer }}
 * head_coach =
 * Larry Brown
 * asst_coach =
 * Herb Brown ({{college|Vermont}})
 * Jeff Capel ({{college|Fayetteville State}})
 * Phil Ford (}
 * Dave Hanners ({{college|North Carolina}})
 * LaSalle Thompson

Game log
20,562
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * October 30
 * @ Cleveland
 * Jason Richardson (24)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * 0–1

19,238 11,023 17,977 13,435 12,111 10,753 14,189 12,639 10,935 15,068 12,096 10,848 17,414 17,160 19,177
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * November 1
 * Miami
 * Gerald Wallace (34)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 1–1
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 3
 * Detroit
 * Shannon Brown (16)
 * Gerald Wallace (12)
 * Jason Richardson (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 1–2
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 5
 * @ New York
 * Raymond Felton (18)
 * Emeka Okafor (15)
 * Raymond Felton (6)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 1–3
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 7
 * New Orleans
 * Jason Richardson, Raymond Felton (20)
 * Emeka Okafor (10)
 * D. J. Augustin (4)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 2–3
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 9
 * Toronto
 * D. J. Augustin (14)
 * Gerald Wallace (8)
 * Raymond Felton (6)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 2–4
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 11
 * Denver
 * Jason Richardson (23)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 2–5
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 14
 * Utah
 * Raymond Felton (23)
 * Gerald Wallace (9)
 * Raymond Felton (6)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 3–5
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 16
 * Orlando
 * Gerald Wallace (19)
 * Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor (9)
 * Raymond Felton (6)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 3–6
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 18
 * Dallas
 * D. J. Augustin (21)
 * Emeka Okafor (9)
 * D. J. Augustin (4)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 3–7
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 21
 * @ Atlanta
 * D. J. Augustin (26)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * D. J. Augustin (7)
 * Philips Arena
 * Philips Arena
 * 3–8
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * November 22
 * Milwaukee
 * Gerald Wallace (18)
 * Emeka Okafor (18)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 3–9
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * November 24
 * Philadelphia
 * D. J. Augustin (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (9)
 * D. J. Augustin (11)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 4–9
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 26
 * @ Toronto
 * Gerald Wallace (23)
 * Emeka Okafor (14)
 * Raymond Felton (7)
 * Air Canada Centre
 * Air Canada Centre
 * 4–10
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * November 28
 * @ Indiana
 * Raymond Felton (31)
 * Emeka Okafor (20)
 * Raymond Felton (7)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * 5–10
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 29
 * Boston
 * Gerald Wallace (23)
 * Gerald Wallace (8)
 * Raymond Felton (6)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 5–11

9,285 11,629 14,875 19,133 15,024 15,750 19,736 17,373 12,733 11,225 11,869 13,068 13,776 16,852 15,837 15,108
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 1
 * Minnesota
 * Jason Richardson (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (10)
 * Raymond Felton (14)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 6–11
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 3
 * Oklahoma City
 * Emeka Okafor (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * Raymond Felton (12)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 7–11
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 5
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Jason Richardson (20)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Bradley Center
 * Bradley Center
 * 7–12
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 6
 * Cleveland
 * D. J. Augustin (17)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 7–13
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * December 8
 * @ Miami
 * Jason Richardson (24)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * American Airlines Arena
 * American Airlines Arena
 * 7–14
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * December 10
 * @ New Orleans
 * D. J. Augustin (28)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * D. J. Augustin (7)
 * New Orleans Arena
 * New Orleans Arena
 * 7–15
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 11
 * @ Dallas
 * Emeka Okafor (27)
 * Emeka Okafor (17)
 * D. J. Augustin (10)
 * American Airlines Center
 * American Airlines Center
 * 7–16
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 13
 * Detroit
 * Gerald Wallace (22)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Boris Diaw (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 7–17
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 15
 * @ Atlanta
 * Boris Diaw (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (7)
 * Philips Arena
 * Philips Arena
 * 7–18
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 16
 * Chicago
 * D. J. Augustin (29)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * D. J. Augustin, Raymond Felton (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 8–18
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 19
 * @ Memphis
 * Boris Diaw (26)
 * Boris Diaw (10)
 * D. J. Augustin (10)
 * FedExForum
 * FedExForum
 * 9–18
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 20
 * Golden State
 * Gerald Wallace (26)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 9–19
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 23
 * Washington
 * Emeka Okafor (29)
 * Emeka Okafor (18)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 10–19
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * December 26
 * @ New Jersey
 * Raymond Felton (22)
 * Gerald Wallace (13)
 * Boris Diaw (7)
 * Izod Center
 * Izod Center
 * 11–19
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 27
 * New Jersey
 * Gerald Wallace (32)
 * Emeka Okafor (10)
 * Boris Diaw (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 11–20
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * December 30
 * New York
 * Gerald Wallace (21)
 * Emeka Okafor (15)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 11–21

15,107 14,201 17,112 20,562 14,235 20,173 22,076 17,482 16,160 11,249 19,104 10,936 18,997 20,380 18,463
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 2
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Boris Diaw (16)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Boris Diaw (6)
 * Bradley Center
 * Bradley Center
 * 11–22
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 3
 * Milwaukee
 * Gerald Wallace (24)
 * Boris Diaw, Raymond Felton, Emeka Okafor (6)
 * Boris Diaw (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 12–22
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 6
 * Boston
 * Raymond Felton (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (17)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 13–22
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 7
 * @ Cleveland
 * Raymond Felton (15)
 * Boris Diaw (8)
 * Boris Diaw (6)
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * Quicken Loans Arena
 * 13–23
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * January 9
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Emeka Okafor (24)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Wachovia Center
 * Wachovia Center
 * 13–24
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 10
 * @ Washington
 * Raja Bell (19)
 * Emeka Okafor (6)
 * Raymond Felton (11)
 * Verizon Center
 * Verizon Center
 * 14–24
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 13
 * @ Detroit
 * Raymond Felton (23)
 * Gerald Wallace (10)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * 15–24
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * January 17
 * Portland
 * Gerald Wallace (31)
 * Gerald Wallace (16)
 * Raymond Felton, Boris Diaw (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 16–24
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 19
 * San Antonio
 * Raja Bell (25)
 * Boris Diaw (13)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 16–25
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 21
 * Memphis
 * Raja Bell (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (15)
 * Gerald Wallace (9)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 17–25
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 23
 * Phoenix
 * Gerald Wallace (28)
 * Boris Diaw (11)
 * Raja Bell (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 18–25
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 25
 * @ Indiana
 * Raja Bell, Boris Diaw (18)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (12)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * Conseco Fieldhouse
 * 18–26
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * January 27
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * Boris Diaw (23)
 * Raymond Felton, Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Boris Diaw, Raymond Felton (9)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 19–26
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * January 28
 * @ Portland
 * Emeka Okafor (18)
 * Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton (5)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Rose Garden
 * Rose Garden
 * 19–27
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * January 30
 * @ Denver
 * Raja Bell (27)
 * DeSagana Diop (7)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * Pepsi Center
 * Pepsi Center
 * 19–28

19,911 15,140 17,656 10,852 10,237 17,461 12,374 19,244 17,124 18,422 10,439 18,653 16,349
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 2
 * @ Utah
 * Raymond Felton (16)
 * Emeka Okafor (7)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * EnergySolutions Arena
 * 19–29
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 6
 * Atlanta
 * Raja Bell (17)
 * Emeka Okafor (19)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 19–30
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 8
 * @ Miami
 * D. J. Augustin (27)
 * Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (11)
 * American Airlines Arena
 * American Airlines Arena
 * 19–31
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 9
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Emeka Okafor (19)
 * Emeka Okafor (16)
 * Boris Diaw (9)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 20–31
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * February 11
 * Washington
 * D. J. Augustin (24)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 21–31
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 17
 * @ Orlando
 * Raymond Felton (22)
 * Raymond Felton (10)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Amway Arena
 * Amway Arena
 * 21–32
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 54
 * February 18
 * Indiana
 * Gerald Wallace (25)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Gerald Wallace (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 22–32
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 55
 * February 20
 * Orlando
 * Raymond Felton (16)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 22–33
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * February 22
 * @ Houston
 * Boris Diaw, Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton (13)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (4)
 * Toyota Center
 * Toyota Center
 * 22–34
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * February 24
 * @ Phoenix
 * Boris Diaw (27)
 * Boris Diaw (10)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * US Airways Center
 * US Airways Center
 * 22–35
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 25
 * @ Sacramento
 * Gerald Wallace (27)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * ARCO Arena
 * ARCO Arena
 * 23–35
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 27
 * @ Golden State
 * Raymond Felton (26)
 * Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * Oracle Arena
 * Oracle Arena
 * 24–35
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * February 28
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Emeka Okafor (28)
 * Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace (9)
 * D. J. Augustin (8)
 * Staples Center
 * Staples Center
 * 25–35

14,216 15,058 19,763 18,254 16,809 15,276 11,349 13,594 18,641 15,721 14,657 19,098 19,133 19,568
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 3
 * Chicago
 * Raymond Felton, Raja Bell (18)
 * Emeka Okafor (10)
 * Raymond Felton (9)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 26–35
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * March 6
 * Atlanta
 * Gerald Wallace (21)
 * Emeka Okafor (11)
 * Boris Diaw (13)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 27–35
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * March 7
 * @ New York
 * Gerald Wallace (23)
 * Gerald Wallace (13)
 * Raymond Felton (10)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 28–35
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 10
 * @ San Antonio
 * Emeka Okafor, Raja Bell (16)
 * DeSagana Diop, Gerald Wallace (7)
 * Boris Diaw (8)
 * AT&T Center
 * AT&T Center
 * 28–36
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 13
 * Houston
 * Gerald Wallace (17)
 * Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor (8)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 28–37
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 14
 * @ Minnesota
 * Gerald Wallace (26)
 * Gerald Wallace (10)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Target Center
 * Target Center
 * 28–38
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 67
 * March 16
 * Toronto
 * Gerald Wallace (25)
 * Vladimir Radmanović, Gerald Wallace (9)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 29–38
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 18
 * Sacramento
 * Gerald Wallace (25)
 * Gerald Wallace (12)
 * Raymond Felton (7)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 30–38
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 20
 * @ Toronto
 * Boris Diaw, Gerald Wallace (30)
 * Gerald Wallace (9)
 * Gerald Wallace (8)
 * Air Canada Centre
 * Air Canada Centre
 * 31–38
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 21
 * Indiana
 * Boris Diaw (15)
 * Emeka Okafor (9)
 * Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace (5)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 31–39
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * March 25
 * @ Washington
 * Gerald Wallace (21)
 * Gerald Wallace (11)
 * Raymond Felton (8)
 * Verizon Center
 * Verizon Center
 * 31–40
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 27
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Boris Diaw (24)
 * Gerald Wallace (11)
 * Boris Diaw (6)
 * Wachovia Center
 * Wachovia Center
 * 32–40
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * March 28
 * New York
 * Gerald Wallace (23)
 * Emeka Okafor (14)
 * Gerald Wallace (8)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 33–40
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * March 31
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Gerald Wallace (21)
 * Gerald Wallace (13)
 * Boris Diaw (12)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 34–40

18,624 19,568 22,076 16,499 19,136 20,265 14,519 17,461
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 1
 * @ Boston
 * Gerald Wallace (20)
 * Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor (10)
 * Raymond Felton (12)
 * TD Banknorth Garden
 * TD Banknorth Garden
 * 34–41
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 3
 * Miami
 * Gerald Wallace (21)
 * Emeka Okafor (13)
 * Raymond Felton (10)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 34–42
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 5
 * @ Detroit
 * D. J. Augustin (22)
 * Emeka Okafor (16)
 * Boris Diaw (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills
 * 34–43
 * - bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 7
 * Philadelphia
 * Raymond Felton (32)
 * Emeka Okafor (12)
 * Boris Diaw, D. J. Augustin (6)
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * Time Warner Cable Arena
 * 35–43
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 79
 * April 10
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * D. J. Augustin (20)
 * Gerald Wallace (14)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Ford Center
 * Ford Center
 * 35–44
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 11
 * @ Chicago
 * Raymond Felton (26)
 * Emeka Okafor (14)
 * D. J. Augustin (8)
 * United Center
 * United Center
 * 35–45
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 13
 * @ New Jersey
 * Raymond Felton (19)
 * DeSagana Diop, Boris Diaw, Emeka Okafor (5)
 * Raymond Felton (5)
 * Izod Center
 * Izod Center
 * 35–46
 * - bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 15
 * @ Orlando
 * Raymond Felton (13)
 * Gerald Wallace (10)
 * Dontell Jefferson (4)
 * Amway Arena
 * Amway Arena
 * 35–47

Player statistics
* Total for entire season including previous team(s)

Awards, records and milestones
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
 * D. J. Augustin

Transactions

 * On July 7, the Bobcats hired Herb Brown to be an assistant coach. Herb Brown spent the past four seasons as an assistant in Atlanta. Charlotte is the ninth team he's worked for as an assistant. He served as head coach in Pistons for three seasons from 1975–78.
 * On July 25, the Bobcats agreed to terms with restricted free agent Ryan Hollins.
 * On July 29, the Bobcats agreed to terms with restricted free agent Emeka Okafor. The Charlotte Observer reported the deal is for six years and $72 million.