I agree that injuries will probably drag us towards the lower end of the range because two of our key vets - Pek and Martin - have proven to be injury-prone throughout their careers. However, I don't see regression and lack of player development as issues this season. Those were problems under Adelman and Rambis -- the former because of his attitude towards up young players and Rambis because he was a terrible coach. Player development may have also been a problem under McHale.
But Flip actually has a good record of developing young players as head coach. You have to give him credit for KG's development and Marbury was never better than he was while here playing for a Flip. Wally developed into an all-star his second season here under Flip. And although Billups didn't take off as a player until he got to Detroit, he really started to develop here under Flip after doing nothing in Denver.
and Boston and Toronto... lol I believe Billups himself gave credit to Flip and I think its pretty much accepted around the league Flip did well with Chancey getting his career on track.
I agree that injuries will probably drag us towards the lower end of the range because two of our key vets - Pek and Martin - have proven to be injury-prone throughout their careers. However, I don't see regression and lack of player development as issues this season. Those were problems under Adelman and Rambis -- the former because of his attitude towards young players and Rambis because he was a terrible coach. Player development may have also been a problem under McHale.
But Flip actually has a good record of developing young players as head coach. You have to give him credit for KG's development and Marbury was never better than he was while here playing for a Flip. Wally developed into an all-star his second season here under Flip. And although Billups didn't take off as a player until he got to Detroit, he really started to develop here under Flip after doing nothing in Denver.
So while injuries will likely drag us towards the 25-win end of my range, Flip's coaching and player development will likely pull us up towards the top of my range. Assuming nothing more than the reported Wiggins deal, I see six wild cards that could take us above my range:
1. Wiggins -- unexpectedly significant improvement in his handle, jump shot, and competitive drive.
2. LaVine -- refinement of an already good jump shot, more core and upper-body strength.
3. Bennett -- big leap you often see in talented 2nd yr. players, extra benefit from weight loss and sleep apnea surgery.
4. Dieng -- building on what he showed late last season, ore physical strength
5. Shabazz -- consistently showing what we saw in Summer League plus developing consistent spot-up 3-point shot.
6. Rubio - breakout season as a shooter and finisher at the rim.
Adelman doesn't get credit for developing Love,Pek,Dieng,and Rubio?
