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October 3 was media day for the 2005-06 NBA season. Here's some of what Charlotte Bobcats coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff said to the media:

On his general assessment of the team going into the second year:

Bernie Bickerstaff: I think we've addressed some issues that we were weak in last year, especially the rebounding with the acquisitions of Jake Voskuhl and Sean May. I think we've solidified the point guard position for the future with Brevin (Knight), Raymond (Felton) and a young kid here from Minnesota in Kevin Burleson, who we really like. We're a little better in terms of experience and guys just having the ability to play. What we're also trying to do is make some adjustments at the three position that would make Gerald (Wallace) and Bernard (Robinson) even better. I don't know if we'll be able to move Matt (Carroll) down to participate at that position. I think our center position is set with backups at the position, as well as our four position with backups positioned. I think our point guards are pretty good. I think Kareem (Rush) is going to have a good year. If you look at him, he looks really good. He's really put his time in this summer in terms of working at it.

On the attitude the team must have in the second year:

Bernie Bickerstaff: I think the culture has to stay the same in terms of how we compete as a basketball team. I think we have to be good teammates and have to do a better job of trying to score on our initial thrust.

On if he thinks it will be difficult to be above the norm again this year in terms of competing hard every night:

Bernie Bickerstaff: I don't think so, because that has to do with the people you bring in. If there was someone that we had to bring in that we had to really push every game to get them to be where they're at the level we're talking about, I think that would be a problem. I don't think anybody can do that, especially over an 82-game period. That's something that has to be in you, and those are the kinds of people that we look for on our basketball team. I think the culture is defined, and we won't accept anything less than the commitment to effort.

On what he's looking for from the team this year:

Bernie Bickerstaff: Where we've got to go this year is getting a consistency in performance. Now, the first thing that some of the players are going to think when we say consistency in performance is, "I got to get 20-25 points per game." That's not the deal. The deal is that whatever your strength, you need to know it, not compromise yourself and not compromise your teammates. Whatever your strength is - if it's rebounding, do it consistently every game. If it's getting loose balls, do it consistently every game. It takes a myriad of reasons and each person to do these things, and they all contribute as a basketball team.

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