Record for 1st Ten Games

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

Now that the schedule is out how about some discussion on the first 10 games:

vs Orlando (W)
vs OKC (W)
@ NY (L)
@ Cleveland (W)
vs GS (L)
vs Dallas (W)
@ LAL (W)
@ LAC(L)
vs Cleveland (W)
@ Denver (W)



I'd say a 7-3 start is doable.

vs Boston (W)
@ Wash (W)
vs LAC (W)
vs Brklyn (L)
@ Hou (L)
@ Ind (L)
vs Den (W)
@ Dal (W)
@ OKC (L)
vs SA (L)


5-5 in the next ten. I'd estimate a 12-8 start over the first 20.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

vs Orlando (W)
vs OKC (W)
@ NY (L)
@ Cleveland (W)
vs GS (W)
vs Dallas (W)
@ LAL (W)
@ LAC(L)
vs Cleveland (W)
@ Denver (W)

I see us getting out pretty hot. Could easily see the OKC, NYK, GS and LAC games going either way. We've always matched up pretty well with OKC, though, so I'll say that's a statement game for us.

[Squishypoo [enjin:6648839]]

11-9

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

You hit the nail on the head with the next 10, though.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I love the optimism, boys, but I'd be happy with 10-10. It's going to take some time for the new pieces to come together, and I sense a slow start and a strong finish. 48 wins total, but a .500 team the first month.

[60WinTim]

The comment about matching up well against OKC is interesting, because I think it highlights some things about AK...

I wanted the Wolves to bring back AK because he's got a great motor and can affect the game in so many ways (although "prolific scorer" is not one of them). However, he was NOT the shutdown defender he once was. He did very little to slow down Durant in any of the games last year. So choosing guys that can shoot the 3 -- Martin and Budinger -- and opting for Brewer, who is AK47-lite, is a very reasonable alternative for the Wolves, and may very well work out better than if we had retained AK47.

As far as matching up well against OKC, our wins came when Pek decided to show up...

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Tim, tell me somebody who can routinely slow down Durant. He's gonna get his 25 points a night. Let's hope Brewer and Co. can keep the Durants/LeBrons/Kobes to less than 25 a night. I really think that will dictate how our season goes. No superstars dropping 40 a night on us anymore!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Excellent point, Tim, about AK's lack of success against Durant...I noticed that too. I don't hold it against him because Durant is a special talent, but at times AK didn't seem quick enough to stay with him. AK is a better defender than Brewer because of his smarts and his freakish arms, but in some ways I like the younger, quicker Brewer against athletic SF's like Durant.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

The adjustment period won't be as big as you think. Martin has played in the system long enough to not have a learning curve. Pretty much Dieng and Brewer are the only 2 with a learning curve and Brewer is here for his defense. I think we come out of the gate hot because we are going to have a virtually unstoppable offense if we can get Pek signed. You can win a lot of games in the regular season with the kind of offense we are going to have.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The adjustment period won't be as big as you think. Martin has played in the system long enough to not have a learning curve. Pretty much Dieng and Brewer are the only 2 with a learning curve and Brewer is here for his defense. I think we come out of the gate hot because we are going to have a virtually unstoppable offense if we can get Pek signed. You can win a lot of games in the regular season with the kind of offense we are going to have.

My thinking as well.