Yeah, it’s the Bobcats again. If you’re still wondering whether Charlotte really does have a team (only since 2004, after the Hornets left), this is your chance to verify it. There’s not much to distinguish the Bobcats these four-plus seasons other than losing aplenty. This season, though they’ve got a dangerous pair: sky-walking guard Jason Richardson, one of the few players with his own “top 100 dunks” compilations on YouTube; and quicksilver rookie point guard D.J. Augustin. He’s a bit like a Dwyane Wade Nano, but with an uncommonly confident three-point shot for a rook. Slash! Burn! He’ll have you cheering for the opposition.

The full-sized Wade, meanwhile, looks poised to give LeBron James a run for the league scoring title this season — if the Heat have to keep relying on its only proven method to win games: stay close, then don’t let anyone but Wade touch the ball in the fourth quarter. The returns on this stratagem so far: at least the Heat does not suck. It took Miami 24 games to win just seven last year; in 2008, it took 13. So what if it takes 38 or 40 points a night from Wade? It’s kind of cooler that way, so long as you ignore how tired he’ll be by the playoffs. Just go watch his “ankle breaker remix” on YouTube. Or catch him live at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $5, and are available by calling 786-777-4667 or visiting heat.com.
Mon., Dec. 8, 2008