Bobcats' Bell Possibly Out Four Months With Wrist Injury

Projected as the starting shooting guard for the Charlotte Bobcats, Raja Bell could miss the first four months of the season with a torn ligament in his wrist, Charlotte coach Larry Brown announced last night. From Charlotte Observer beat writer Rick Bonnell:

Bell plans to seek a second opinion from a Chicago hand specialist on whether surgery is warranted. In the alternative, Bell could try rest and rehabilitation. If that's successful, he'd be back on the court much sooner.

"It's a (decision) I won't take lightly. I've only had six or seven hours to digest" the latest diagnosis, Bell said. "I know I've got a responsibility to the Bobcats."

He's also in a delicate situation contract-wise. Bell turned 33 last month and the Bobcats turned down his request last summer for an extension. What's worse? Sitting out most of the season or risk entering free agency as damaged goods?

Indeed, the injury creates some intriguing questions not just for Bell--risk his health to help the Bobcats, or opt for surgery to protect his free agent value--but for Charlotte head coach Larry Brown, as well. With Bell sidelined, along with an injury to another potential starter at off-guard, Flip Murray, Charlotte could either start a pair of point guards in the backcourt (Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin) or go with rookie Gerald Henderson as their starting shooting guard. Knowing Coach Brown's history with rookies, Henderson as a starter seems unlikely--but compared with the alternatives, it just might be the best option for the Bobcats.

In any case, Brown's decision should be telling as to his appraisal for this team's immediate future. After all, if he concedes (as he probably should) they're not going to make a serious run at the playoffs, why wouldn't you start someone like Henderson, just to see what type of player you have? It's not as if a Felton-Augustin pairing will set the world aflame. On the other hand, Larry Brown is one of the few NBA personalities who's stubborn enough to lose 50 games and refuse to start a promising rookie, so stay tuned.