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C Byron 'B.J.' Mullens (Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo - Japan)

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Mullens showing progress
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Tuesday, Jul. 17, 2012

LAS VEGAS Mullie got the message.

Mullie ? the nickname everyone calls Charlotte Bobcats big man Byron Mullens ? heard coach Mike Dunlap?s refrain that you?ll play as much as you defend. Mullens hasn?t been known for defense, but during his first two games at the Las Vegas summer league, he averaged 7.5 rebounds and a blocked shot per game.

Those are quantifiable, but Mullens did something subtler ? moving into position, attempting to take several charges ? that caught Dunlap?s attention.

?You know what the best shot-block is? Taking a charge,? Dunlap said at Tuesday?s morning shootaround. ?When you take a charge it stops the entire team and sends (possession) the other way.

?When you cover a gap (by setting up for a charge) that?s the epitome of unselfishness for the entire organization.?

Dunlap has said repeatedly that Mullens has the physical tools to be a better defender than he has been. That?s because he has uncommonly quick feet for a 7-footer. Lateral quickness is key to defense because moving your feet is almost always preferable to stretching your arms.

Mullens likes that Dunlap has played him primarily at power forward, rather than center. The power forward spot puts more premium on quickness, where the center is more brute strength.

?It?s better when I?m put at (power forward), but then it?s also up to me to communicate well? away from the basket, Mullens described. ?I?ve got to talk and move my feet (against) the pick-and-roll game.?

Communication also is important offensively, where Dunlap is coaxing Mullens to be more of a post-up player and not default so much to his jump shot. Mullens hasn?t shot well in Las Vegas (33 percent during his first two games and a gruesome 2-of-14 from 3-point range), but he is developing some synergy in the post area with point guard Kemba Walker.

?The post-up game is really a trust game,? Dunlap described. ?When he gets the catch (close to the basket) and the best play is to throw it back out, he?s got to feel he?ll get it back.

?We ran an inside-out play with Kemba where (Mullens) got to score and that was good because it reinforced throwing it back? to gain better position in a re-post.
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Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/17/3388622/mullens-showing-progress.html#storylink=cpy
 
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2012 Offseason Analysis ? Byron Mullens

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WE?RE HERE FOR YOU I still remember the look of surprise on Byron Mullens? face when he turned around in his locker room chair following the Bobcats 96-95 win over Milwaukee on Opening Night ? December 26, 2011 ? and saw a handful of reports with their cameras on and microphones ready. Byron Mullens ?You guys want to talk to me?? Mullens asked us surprisingly before addressing the group. And who could blame him. There?s not much for Mullens to remember from his first two years in the NBA, or at least not a large sample set to forget. After being drafted with the No. 24 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by Dallas and shipped to Oklahoma City on draft night for Rodrique Beaubois (No. 25 overall) and a future second round pick, Mullens did not see much action his first two seasons. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 26 games for the Thunder in his first two years in the league. He played just 139 minutes in his first two seasons, averaging 5.3 minutes in the 26 games he saw action in. But all of that was about to change when he got to Charlotte.

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http://beachcarolina.com/2012/09/19/2012-offseason-analysis-byron-mullens/
 
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Charlotte Bobcats want more than 3s from 7-footer Byron Mullens
Improved post game also expected from 7-foot power forward
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Friday, Oct. 05, 2012

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New Charlotte Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap likes that 7-footer Byron Mullens, above, is a 3-point shooter. He just wants to make sure the power forward isn?t only a 3-point shooter. (Jeff Siner - [email protected])

ASHEVILLE A few games into Byron Mullens? Charlotte Bobcats career, then-coach Paul Silas delivered the bad news.

?It?s no secret anymore,?? Silas warned.

The secret was Mullens? remarkable shooting range for a 7-footer. The proof that scouting reports caught up to Mullens came in a game against the Orlando Magic. Suddenly forward Ryan Anderson was guarding him, not center Dwight Howard, so Mullens couldn?t just fade outside the lane and not have his opponent give chase.

Mullens? range was particularly impressive Thursday in an intrasquad scrimmage at UNC Asheville. Mullens hit four 3-pointers, all of them swishes. He was the last player off the court at Friday morning practice, putting up an extra 20 3s before the bus left for the team hotel.

New Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap likes that Mullens is a 3-point shooter. He just wants to make sure Mullens isn?t only a 3-point shooter.

?We believe in that phase of his game ? it?s easy to evaluate. But we also know he can post up,?? Dunlap said. ?That allows him to get fouled and he?s a fairly good passer from the post. We know he needs to improve that ability.??

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Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...tte-bobcats-want-more-than.html#storylink=cpy
 
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No Extensions For Mullens, Henderson
Nov 1st, 2012
by Edward Shuler Jr.Bobcats

The deadline for restricted free agents to receive extensions passed, and both Byron Mullens and Gerald Henderson went without new deals. It doesn?t go as a shocker. The Bobcats are probably playing the safe route and want to see how their players mix with Mike Dunlap going forward.

Mullens was impressive last year after being acquired by Oklahoma City, while Henderson has shown improvements season by season since being drafted. If both players have good seasons, they could be extended next summer in restricted free agency. The other option is a trade during the season, depending on where the Bobcats are at record-wise, and how the personel mixes this season. Pairing one of the players with an expiring like DeSagana Diop could bring something decent.

Around the league, players like Ty Lawson, Stephen Curry, Demar DeRozan and Taj Gibson all received lucrative four-year extensions. The most was given to Lawson at $48 million. I don?t think Mullens or Henderson could grab anywhere near that on the open market, even with a jump in their game.

Henderson could receive a deal similar to the four-year, $22 million contract signed by Courtney Lee from Boston. Mullens is a little tough to predict. If he makes a jump in his game, as a 23-year-old big man, developing as a stretch shooter, he could grab somewhere in the $30million range.
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http://robertogato.com/2012/11/01/no-extensions-for-mullens-henderson/
 
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Bobcats coach Dunlap brings out the grit in Mullen
By Rick Bonnell
[email protected]
Posted: Thursday, Nov. 08, 2012

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Indiana Pacers' Tyler Hansbrough (50) and Charlotte Bobcats' Byron Mullens (22) chase a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

?Gritty.??

That?s a word that might never have been associated with Byron Mullens before this season. Essentially, he?s been a 7-foot shooting guard and a nonfactor at the defensive end.

Something has changed. He?s roughly doubled his defensive rebounds, from 3.5 per game last season to six this season. His new coach, a stickler for defensive effort, keeps praising Mullens for reinventing himself.

?He rebounds with more grit and positioning,? Charlotte Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap said. ?He?s gone from a guy who?d be labeled kind of soft to not soft at all.?

That sums up how Mullens has seemingly saved his NBA career. He hardly ever played his first two seasons at Oklahoma City. He showed flashes ? mostly for his jump shot ? last season as a Bobcat off the bench. This season he?s a starter and an effective one, even when his jump shot isn?t falling.

When Dunlap became coach in June, he gave Mullens an imperative: Your playing time will depend on your defense. Guard and you?ll play. Don?t guard and you?ll sit.

It registered. In summer league, when Dunlap dabbled in a half-court trap, Mullens was running into scorer?s tables, trying to knock down passes. Now he?s this team?s leading rebounder at 8.3 per game.

?Rebounding ? it?s obvious,? Mullens said of his improvement. ?Having more energy, staying more alert on the rebounds.?

Mullens has passed Tyrus Thomas and Bismack Biyombo in the big-man rotation. Each one seemingly has more ability at the defensive end, yet Mullens is the one getting it done right now. There was a time not so long ago when if he wasn?t making shots, there was no reason to play him.

Now it?s different.

?My team relies on me for defensive rebounds,? Mullens said. ?Coach has a lot of confidence in me; I know he does.

?I don?t want him getting on me. It?s just been a big change this year and everyone can see it.?

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Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...ts-coach-dunlap-brings-out.html#storylink=cpy

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yTdIxVaYMw"]Byron Mullens 11/05/12 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qm9SjTSIyo"]Byron Mullens 24 points/6 threes Full Highlights (11/7/2012) - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Glad to hear that Mullens' coach has made it a point to toughen him up. Ever since I saw him in high school, I thought he relied on finesse too much and never really banged on the boards or on the block quite like he could have.

This guy has tons of potential that he might be close to cashing in on. Contract year for him.
 
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southcampus;2252466; said:
Glad to hear that Mullens' coach has made it a point to toughen him up. Ever since I saw him in high school, I thought he relied on finesse too much and never really banged on the boards or on the block quite like he could have.

This guy has tons of potential that he might be close to cashing in on. Contract year for him.
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I have a great story about BJ from college. As some of you are aware, students make good money parking cars on football game days. Here was an exchange between my friend parking cars at his house, and BJ Mullens' friend who was driving with BJ and a couple other friends in the car. It is (I think) the Youngstown St. game of BJ's freshman year.

My Friend: $40 to park
BJ's Friend: Hey man, we got BJ Mullens in the car.
MF: Who?
BJF: BJ Mullens! Best high school basketball player in the country last year! Gonna be in the NBA making millions soon!
MF: Oh! Cool!
BJF: So how much is parking?
MF: $40!

Apparently there was some foul words directed at my friend as they drove off.

All that said, I am happy for BJ. Glad he is making a turnaround in his career and is becoming a quality player.
 
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Scouts Corner 3: Byron Mullens is not Kobe Bryant
By Brett Koremenos, on November 19th, 2012

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Mullens held back by shot selection

While new personnel (Head coach Mike Dunlap, Ramon Sessions, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, et al) has been been the primary reason the Bobcats are 4-4, the improvement of holdovers Kemba Walker and Byron Mullens has also played an important role.

With an offensive arsenal very similar to that of the Thunder?s Serge Ibaka ? a solid jumper shooter with range to the 3-point line and strong right-hand driver in isolations ? Mullens has been counted on at times to provide some shot creation for a team still desperately lacking consistent offensive options. In combination with poor discipline from Mullens, this need has led to a dizzying array of bad shots that kill any chance whatsoever of the talented 7-footer producing an efficient stat line. From off-balance 3?s to twisting fadeaways in isolations, many of Mullens shots would have a low probability of success even if attempted by Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, two players much more fluid and skilled than the 275 pound center.

If the Bobcats are going to ask Mullens to routinely create offense, they must help prepare him for such a role. By giving him a true game plan in isolations such as where to attack (the middle of the floor) with a few simplified attacking moves (shot-fakes into one or two dribble jump hooks with baseline spin counters) the team could not only eliminate the wild shots currently plaguing Mullens, but help the talented power forward take the next step in his career.
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http://hoopspeak.com/2012/11/scouts-corner-3-byron-mullns-is-not-kobe-bryant/
 
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Double-team a magic moment for Mullens
By Rick Bonnell - [email protected]

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Chuck Burton - AP
Charlotte Bobcats' Byron Mullens, right, and Memphis Grizzlies' Marreese Speights, left, chase the loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

The best indicator Monday that Byron Mullens has taken to being a low-post scorer actually involved a play where he didn?t score. Or even shoot.

About 21/2 minutes remained and the Charlotte Bobcats trailed the Milwaukee Bucks by three. Mullens had the ball to the right of the basket. Two Bucks charged at him. He turned and threw a strike to teammate Ramon Sessions for a tying 3-pointer.

Asked about that play, Mullens grinned like a kid who got everything he wanted Christmas morning.

?I think that?s the first time I ever got double-teamed in the NBA,? said the 7-foot Mullens, in his fourth NBA season.

He is reinventing himself. For the longest time he defaulted to long jump shots as his means of scoring. This season he?s more of a rebounder, more of a shot-blocker and ? particularly in these past four games ? more of a post scorer.

Charting his shots in the Bucks game tells a tale: He made seven of 14 attempts for 19 points. Only two attempts were 3-pointers. The rest were from 17 feet or closer, either pull-up jumpers, jump hooks or layups.

More telling, perhaps, is how that affected the Bucks? defense. Along with that key feed to Sessions out of the double-team, Mullens earned four free throws in the fourth quarter. That?s a different player than he was in his first season as a Bobcat.

?I started really working the post game against Washington and it took off from there,? he said. ?Memphis really boosted my confidence ? playing two All-Stars in (Marc) Gasol and (Zach) Randolph. Now I?m looking forward to different matchups against different teams.?

Mullens grew up a jump-shooter, and as coach Mike Dunlap noted recently, was probably viewed as soft his first couple of NBA seasons.

?In high school I was always quick. This is more about being patient ? how deep (in the lane) will they let me get before the catch? It?s coming,? Mullens said at practice Tuesday.

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Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/21/2498078/double-team-a-magic-moment-for.html#storylink=cpy
 
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Bobcats' big man Mullens still refining game
November 30, 2012

Take a look at the cheerleaders of Fox Sports Carolinas. VIEW GALLERY ?
As Brendan Haywood quietly sits with ice packs on both knees, legs bent and sore, his eyes dart around the visitor's locker room searching for a connection.

The question concerns his frontcourt running mate, Byron Mullens, an unorthodox big man whose game leaves Haywood searching for comparisons, flickers of similarities and differences visibly going off in his head. He's only played 14 games with his fellow 7-footer. He looks across the cramped room at the fourth-year player out of Ohio State, who is parked next to the team?s mini-buffet and donning a dress shirt, and shrugs his shoulders.

"Uh, guys that shoot like that?? Haywood asked, rhetorically. ?Dirk (Nowitzki) shoots the ball like that. I mean, it?s a little premature to compare him to Dirk right now at this stage in his career but I think that?s where he has to head to.?

Mullens is not Nowitzki. Everyone agrees.

However, the Charlotte Bobcats' forward is experiencing another season of improvement, the second consecutive year in which his name has floated under the radar among NBA circles for Most Improved Player considerations. The quirky, dangerous combination of length and range ? at seven feet tall, he's shooting 29 percent from 3-point range this season ? is averaging 12.9 points per game in 2012-13.

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http://www.foxsportscarolinas.com/1...nding_bobcats.html?blockID=828749&feedID=3737
 
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