ATLANTA An addition to Larry Brown's ever-growing to-do list:
Teach the point guard that when everyone in the house is staring at him, don't push off the defender on your way to the basket.
That one got the Charlotte Bobcats Monday at Philips Arena. Brown had spread his other four players to the corners of the court, leaving Raymond Felton free to break down Atlanta Hawks guard Flip Murray, with the Bobcats already up a point in the last 10 seconds.
Instead, Felton was called for an offensive foul, leading to Acie Law's layup at the other end with 4.5 seconds left, as the Hawks slipped by the Bobcats 88-87 in a preseason exhibition.
The Bobcats are 0-3 and wasted their best opportunity yet to win this preseason. But there were promising signs: They finally took to Brown's insistence they drive the ball more (40 points in the paint to the Hawks' 26). They played somewhat better defense, forcing the Hawks (3-1) into 19 turnovers. And they outrebounded the Hawks 37-30.
But they never got a shot to the rim in their last three possessions. First, rookie D.J. Augustin committed a turnover, then came Felton's offensive foul and finally Gerald Wallace's layup attempt was blocked by Hawks center Al Horford.
Felton argued that Murray was reaching in, to no avail. Clearly, he did swipe away at Murray with his non-dribbling hand.
“I didn't think it was an offensive foul, but you can't really argue with the referee's call,” Felton said. “You've just got to go out next time and do better.”
Although Felton didn't shoot well (2-of-9 from the field), he played better overall Monday, with 11 assists and four rebounds. That 27 of the Bobcats' 33 baskets were assisted is a sign they're starting to find shots in Brown's offense.
Most encouraging was Jason Richardson's 8-of-11 shooting for 19 points. Brown was in Richardson's ear for days to think more drive, less long-range shooting.
Richardson, who led the NBA in 3-point baskets last season (243), didn't attempt a shot from outside the arc Monday.
“It's something coach really wants me to do,” Richardson said. “People know I shoot the ball (from distance ). He wants to make sure that's not all I do.
“We're playing defense – we're playing team defense – and he's pretty demanding. I still think we've got a little ways to go as far as understanding, But this was big, important.”
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