A guaranteed contract won't equal guaranteed minutes.

That was Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown's message Monday, delivered during a vivid mid-practice lecture. He didn't like the body language of some of his players with guarantees, and chose not to wait for training camp to set the agenda.

“We have some guys who were drafted (by the Bobcats) or who've played a year in the league, and I want them to match the intensity of a Kyle Hines or a James Mays,” Brown said, referring to two players just hoping to be invited to camp in October.

“That's what our team has to be about: Ryan (Hollins) has to be about that, Jermareo (Davidson) has to be about that, Kyle Weaver, D.J. (Augustin) – all those guys we've drafted.”

Brown said he doesn't care who wins summer-league games, but he won't tolerate lack of effort and concentration. The Bobcats were sloppy Sunday during a two-point loss to the New Orleans Hornets, committing 23 turnovers.

Brown made sure to remind his players they had no steals to the Hornets' seven.

“It's a big thing with me; I'll take toughness and effort over talent anytime,” Brown said. “And when you find a guy with talent and that effort and toughness – a Michael Jordan, an Allen Iverson, a David Thompson, a Bobby Jones – that's when guys become special.”

Brown made sure to remind the others that Guillermo Diaz, an undrafted free agent, has practiced and played for a week with a stomach virus so bad he constantly runs off the court to vomit.

“I don't take that lightly,” he said. “You see a difference between him and some other guys.”

Assuming the Bobcats re-sign their restricted free agents, they'll have at least 12 guarantees (with a maximum roster of 15) entering training camp. Brown said those contract numbers won't define who does and doesn't play when the games count.

“Just because we have a guaranteed contract doesn't mean that guy has a guaranteed spot,” he said.

“I don't have any preconceived ideas on who will start. I would assume Raymond (Felton), (Gerald) Wallace, (Emeka) Okafor and (Jason) Richardson. And Sean (May), if he's healthy. But when we throw the ball up that first practice, I want everyone to feel he can earn the right to play. It's very important for a coach to get that across.

“When we pick the (regular-season) team, I believe if you have toughness and you provide effort, we'll find a place for you.”