Predict the First Ten Games

[bleedspeed]

We are so screwed. I said 8.

[Coolbreeze44]

While I understand the "they'll be better late in the season" sentiment, I'll offer a few reasons why I don't think the performance curve will be linear.

First, we have the same 5 starters that we ended with last season. That's huge from a continuity standpoint. Even the first 5 guys off the bench have two players from the regular rotation from last year.

Second, we are heading into the season injury-free. A lot of teams are already reeling a bit from early injury struggles (Memphis will likely be without Parsons - a key guy for them). Just to start the year with a healthy roster and no one coming off of major surgery is a "win".

Third, as noted, our schedule is sorta soft to start the year.

And lastly, Thibs has had his hands on these guys since September - i.e. the camp before the camp. The fact they were the #2 rated defense in pre-season suggests that they've been listening.

I believe the team we see in the first 10 games or so will be indicative of the team we see later in the year.

Q I hope you're wrong on this point. If you're right, my 49 win prediction is too high.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I said 8 but I wouldn't be shocked if we ran the gauntlet. They are all winnable games, but the ones that I think will be the toughest are Orlando (road game at end of back to back), Clippers and OKC (on road). Denver and Charlotte are somewhat worrisome too since they both have many perimeter shooters and will be tough outs if they are shooting well. We are lucky in that we get two games against a banged up Memphis team with a new coach and I expect we sweep those games. I also expect big games against the Lakers, Kings and Nets.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I was a little embarrassed to post my 8 prediction, but I fell better seeing 3 of you with me and 4 at 7. Here's my reasoning. I'm a big 538.com guy, and only two teams in our first tem games are predicted to win more games than us (Thunder and Clips) and most are projectd to be far below us. My losses are the Thunder on the road and Orlando on the road as the second of a back to back. The other back end of a BTB is the Lakers at home, and that has to be a win.

So 7 or 8...probably 7 because they will lose one game they shouldn't, but I think they might be favored in 8 of the games.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

While I understand the "they'll be better late in the season" sentiment, I'll offer a few reasons why I don't think the performance curve will be linear.

First, we have the same 5 starters that we ended with last season. That's huge from a continuity standpoint. Even the first 5 guys off the bench have two players from the regular rotation from last year.

Second, we are heading into the season injury-free. A lot of teams are already reeling a bit from early injury struggles (Memphis will likely be without Parsons - a key guy for them). Just to start the year with a healthy roster and no one coming off of major surgery is a "win".

Third, as noted, our schedule is sorta soft to start the year.

And lastly, Thibs has had his hands on these guys since September - i.e. the camp before the camp. The fact they were the #2 rated defense in pre-season suggests that they've been listening.

I believe the team we see in the first 10 games or so will be indicative of the team we see later in the year.

Q I hope you're wrong on this point. If you're right, my 49 win prediction is too high.

If we pick up offensively where we left off at the end of last year, that is a top 9 or 10 offense right away. Again, we aren't starting from scratch. We (finally) only have one rookie in the rotation, Rubio knows where these 4 guys want the ball; Thibs has been ingraining his defensive concepts for a couple months now; everyone is healthy, etc., etc.

I guess my point isn't necessarily to say we'll get worse or that these guys aren't capable of growing further together. I just think we could be off to a fast start, then perhaps there is some rough patches depending on health and schedules.

[TheFuture]

I voted six. I expect us to take lumps early on, and smooth them out over the course of the season. That being said, anything .500 or below from this 10 game schedule will leave me very worried about the season.

[60WinTim]

The Klunk-O-Meter says to get to 60 wins, you need to win all your home games and only lose road games against playoff teams. I figure only 2 of our first 10 games will be on the road against playoff teams (OKC and either Memphis or Orlando).

Therefore, the KOM says 8 wins in the first 10 games.

[kekgeek]

I am the low right now and said 5. The reason I said that is because I think we split against the grizz. Losses at OkC and Orlando. Lose to the clips and lose 1 game we are not supposed to.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Abe and kek are the only two still in the running, but I think they get eliminated tomorrow night.

Rumor has it Thibs went with 2.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Depressing.