Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó Lacking depth in the frontcourt, the Charlotte Bobcats were depending on Sean May’s healthy return from knee surgery to fill the gaping hole at power forward.
After watching an unfit May lumber through eight exhibition games collecting more fouls (22) than rebounds (21), coach Larry Brown believes they have a problem.
“Right now I don’t think he’s ready to play at all,” Brown said Saturday. “I think he’s trying, but I don’t think he’s in the kind of shape to be able to compete on this level and do all the things he’s capable of doing.”
With May breathing heavy and with no consistent player behind him, the Bobcats face big trouble up front as they prepare to open the season Thursday at Cleveland.
May, who led North Carolina to a national championship, has played in only 58 of a possible 246 games since he was selected 13th overall in the 2005 draft. He sat out all of last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Already criticized for being too puffy in the middle, May spent 14 weeks on crutches and his weight soared.
“I’ve got to get in better shape. I’ve got to get in better condition,” May said. “I haven’t played in so long that, boom, it’s hit me smack dab in the face. I’m picking up some early fouls due to being out of position.”