Charlotte Bobcats update: The road to playoffs gets bumpy as Stephen Jackson pulls a hamstring
How to make it to the play-offs for a second season in a row?
This is question that is pounding the minds of everybody that is involved with the Charlotte Bobcats nowadays. Presently, they are at the tenth position in top heavy Eastern Conference and things are getting only worse.
The run and have fun style of play that the Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas endorses, one which put the North Carolina franchise back into play-off contention, took a huge setback when Gerald Wallace was transferred to Portland Trail Blazers hours before the trade deadline earlier this season. Now it seems that the last hope of Bobcats revival has also dimmed as it was learnt on Monday that ace forward Stephen Jackson’s chronic hamstring problem has surfaced again. The frustrating injury has compelled the top scorer of Charlotte Bobcats to be sidelined once again at the most inopportune moment.
The thing that is most agonizing is that you can have a massage, ice it or use electric stimulation. However, time is the only thing that really mends a sprained hamstring and the Bobcats are left with none considering the playoffs are just round the corner.
Indiana Pacers crucial win on Monday night against New Jersey Nets propelled them three wins ahead of Bobcats in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Jackson’s line-up on the other hand is moving swiftly backwards with three successive defeats.
The Bobcats are going to oppose Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Arena and it is going to be a decisive game if they are to keep their post-season hopes alive. The 32 year old guard indicated that he will be playing this crucial game not knowing how effective he will be for the rest of the season.
Jackson benched most of the practice session on Monday and said.
"You can't move. You can't change speeds and be as aggressive as you want to, especially driving to the cup because it's a sharp pain that I can't really deal with. But I've got to find a way to get it well enough to play Wednesday because it's a big game.''
The Pacers lead the season series 3-0 as it will be the last chance for Bobcats to outshine them in one of the most important game of the season.
Ever since Portland Trailblazers procured the former All-Star forward Gerald Wallace last month, the Bobcats have been massively dependant on Jackson to lead from the front. However the injury has left him ineffective on the court.
Silas however is hopeful to win the Wednesday’s game. The coach said.
"It's probably the most important game of the season. We have to have that game,'' coach Paul Silas said. "If we get it, then it gives us a good chance. If we don't get it, it's going to be tough.''
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