Posted on Fri, Mar. 07, 2008

ON 3-GAME WIN STREAK

Bobcats finding groove

Richardson: Defining roles has helped young team gain consistency

RICK BONNELL

rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com

Jason Richardson says the Charlotte Bobcats finally have a passing grade in chemistry.

"It's very hard," Richardson said of establishing the chemistry a successful team needs. "This is a young team in a new coaching system. It's very important we finally find that groove."

Richardson says it's no coincidence this team is on a three-win streak, because roles are better defined and core players have learned one another's games.

No one has been more challenged in that regard than Richardson. Acquired from Golden State in a June trade, he was asked to have immediate impact as the go-to scorer. Yet he was the outsider, looking to fit in with players also adjusting to a coaching change from Bernie Bickerstaff to Sam Vincent.

Synergy wasn't instantaneous.

"The first part of the season I was being careful. I wasn't forcing the action," Richardson said. "The second half I've gotten more aggressive."

That's evident. Richardson has scored 30, 30, 25 and 42 points in his past four games. Not coincidentally, perhaps, those four games signaled Vincent firming up his rotation, turning the point guard job over to Raymond Felton and starting Matt Carroll.

Richardson and Carroll playing together creates some nice spacing, because defenders can't afford to leave them at the 3-point line. That opens up the drive for Felton and post-up opportunities for Emeka Okafor.

Richardson said it's key to keep establishing chemistry, regardless of this team's record, because this is a young team figuring to stay intact several seasons.

Boykins' progress

Vincent said cutting Jeff McInnis last week wouldn't automatically increase minutes for reserve point guard Earl Boykins.

He shot well against Golden State (5-of-7, 13 points), and that translated into 19 minutes, about five more than usual. Vincent thinks Boykins isn't all the way back from missing the first 50 games, waiting to be signed.

"He's getting close," Vincent said. "I know what Earl Boykins can do when his legs are completely there and he's completely confident."