observerII wrote:50 wins? Ah, the optimism of July does indeed run warm. Start with a break-even figure, then maybe 45. Twenty games of improvement will be a Herculean task for OUR Wolves. The pill of reality sometimes doth indeed taste bitter. Nothing wrong with dreaming, though.
20 game improvement is a lot but in Rubios rookie year we were breaking even with a MUCH more inferior team. And winning 31 games last year with all of the injuries I feel like that 50 isn't that much of a stretch. Besides, it might take 50 wins to make the playoffs.
And, young optimist, your final scenario of 50 could be the reason OUR Wolves don't make the playoffs again if they cannot find a true plateau of coordination. Reaching 50 with a group not totally familiar with one another may present obstacles that thwart your premature revelry -- but do not hesitate to reach for the stars.
observerII wrote:50 wins? Ah, the optimism of July does indeed run warm. Start with a break-even figure, then maybe 45. Twenty games of improvement will be a Herculean task for OUR Wolves. The pill of reality sometimes doth indeed taste bitter. Nothing wrong with dreaming, though.
Won 22 games without Love last year. Won 9 out of 17 with him on a still injured team. How is 50 wins far out of expectations? Basically we're adding an All-Star in Love, a career 18 PPG scorer in K-Mart and an energy guy in Brewer that somehow managed to score 12 PPG and play good defense on the third best team in the West. If we finished at .500 next year, I'd be pissed because that means two things: 1) We missed the playoffs. 2) Somebody had to have gotten injured.
It's only a Herculean task if you're blind and oblivious to what happened last year. I hate when people seriously act like we were a 31 win team last year. Sure, on paper. That's like saying the Bulls are going in reverse after having the best record in the NBA for two straight seasons just because they only had 45 wins last year. THEY HAD TONS OF INJURIES.
Perhaps, Camden, you may have heard that some teams have had injuries for TWO straight years. On paper, WE were a 31-win team. That was on paper and that was reality. Certainly 50 is not impossible, but also a hefty aspiration. Come down to earth, man. It's only July.
So the optimism is great but let's analyze our roster vs some of the west powers to see if its warranted.
OKC
PEK >> Perkins
Love > Ibaka
Brewer/Bud/DWill <<< Durant
Kmart = Sefalosha
Rubio < Westbrook
Bench >> OKC bench
Adelman > Brooks
This matchup comes down to our ability to guard Durant and Westbrook. We probably throw a lot of Cory Brewer at Durant and mix in some DC. Rubio can limit Westbrook on most nights. I think we'd pound these guys in the paint with Love and PEK and our bench and coaching are superior. Like Memphis did last year I think we'll give them real trouble in a 7 game series. Rubio/Westbrook matchup would be key. Klove has a history of going off against Ibaka. I would love to see a 7 gamer of wolves/thunder.
San Antonio
PEK > Splitter
Love > Duncan
Brewer/Bud/DWill = Leonard
Kmart = Green
Rubio < Parker
Bench > Spurs Bench
Adelman << Pop
This is a tough tough matchup for the wolves even though on paper the two teams look pretty even. The big question with San Antonio is can they stay healthy all year? All 5 spots between teams are pretty equal except spurs get an edge at PG and wolves at Center. After seeing SA sweep the Grizzzlies I'd tend to think we'd be toast against Coach Pop and his scheme but maybe Adelman can counter better than Lionel Hollin did. This is definitely the one team I don't want to meet in the postseason if they are healthy.
Clippers
PEK >> Jordan
Love > B Griffen
Brewer/Bud/DWill = Butler
Martin > Crawford?
Rubio << Paul
Bench >> clipper bench
Adelman > Doc
I can't wait to watch the wolves dismantle these guys. The hype around this team is smoke and even though Doc will help I don't see these guys as any better than what they were last season which is a 2nd round playoff out. Blake is more athletic than Love but Love is smarter, better rebounder, better shooter etc etc etc. The only advantage the clips have against us is Paul over Rubio but that gap isn't that large. In a seven game series I think we'd take these guys in 5 or 6.
Grizzlies
PEK << Gasol
Love > ZRandolf
Brewer/Bud/DWill > Poindexter
Kmart > Tony Allen
Rubio > Conley
Bench >> Griz Bench
Adelman >> Griz Coach
This team is a different animal for us due to them being the only front line that compares or is better than ours. Gasol will work PEK over and randolf usuall plays Love even. Our back court, bench, and coaching will have to step up for us to beat these guys. It helps that their coaching staff is in limbo so I think with that we edge them in a seven game series.
Rockets
PEK << Howard/asik
Love >> Asik/Jones
Brewer/Bud/DWill > Parsons
Kmart << Harden
Rubio >> Lin/Beverly
Bench >>> Rockets bench
Adelman >> Mchale
This one will be fun to watch as I wonder how McHale will mold this team. Would he dare put a lineup in featuring Asik and Howard on the floor together to matchup with Love and PEK. Harden vs Rubio might be a matchup but again its tough to say how these coaches will match players up. I think one clear edge we have against Houston is that Adelman is a better coach and has more players and options. We just might be the deepest most versatile lineup in the NBA right now. Howard as always will be a liability down the stretch because he can't shoot free throws so ultimately I think we beat these guys.
Golden State
PEK >> Bogut
KLove > Lee
Brewer/Bud/DWill << Iggy/H Barnes
K Mart < KlayThompson
Rubio = SCurry
Bench > Warriors Bench
Adelman > MJackson
The warriors are a problem for everyone in the west. With Iggy coming on board they will compete for the top 3 seeds. I think our front line will abuse them but I worry they will destroy our back court guys. JJack/H barnes off the bench is tough. I have faith that Adelman can exploit there soft front line and PEK/Love will be the difference.
