60WinTim wrote:Gee, I thought I was the opTIMist, and I only went with 10-8!
I did too, and I was actually on the fence between 10-8 and 9-9. 7 guys picked the same record we did or better, and only 6 picked worst. We are in uncharted waters, my friend...we have become moderates! Monster suggested I add a 6-12 option but no one has landed there yet (closed circuit to abe, voting is still open). There is some cautious optimism brewing on this board. If they can go 2-0 this week to go to 4-0, this board might explode!
I am on 7-11 because I think it is going to take a little longer to come together defensively as a team. We are off to a good start, and feel it will continue to improve, but a lot of those games are against seasoned teams with little roster turnover and that will be tough to overcome early on.
I also went with 7-11, I love the way the wolves have played but they have beat to lottery teams. If the wolves beat the blazers and the Heat I might start getting a little excited. I also think Towns/bljicia (I can't spell) will come down a little bit when there is more film and data out there on how to play those two (I do think these two will be special)
One of the problems with the next 16 games is it includes three back-to-backs...Charlotte, @Indy and @Orlando. Our schedule is much more favorable this year with fewer BTB's, but three come in the first month. Even worse, the Indy game is the 4th game in 5 nights, and veteran NBA gamblers know how teams play on those nights. I think we are a better team than Indy (they're 0-3 and look awful), but there's little chance KG plays that night and we're simply not as good a team when he is out.
I'm guessing KG's first night off will be a week from tomorrow against Charlotte. They're also 0-3, but have been in every game. I'm curious to see how Sam works his rotations that night and how we respond.
On nights KG does not play, Belly will surely get the start since he already plays with the starters as KG is always the first one to the bench. The question is do Payne (or Rudez) get minutes, or do we see more of a 3-man big rotation.
Flip seemed to think that KG would play some back-to-backs, depending on how his body felt. He's not as quick or explosive as he used to be, but he has been moving very well for a 40-year old!
60WinTim wrote:On nights KG does not play, Belly will surely get the start since he already plays with the starters as KG is always the first one to the bench. The question is do Payne (or Rudez) get minutes, or do we see more of a 3-man big rotation.
Flip seemed to think that KG would play some back-to-backs, depending on how his body felt. He's not as quick or explosive as he used to be, but he has been moving very well for a 40-year old!
We'll have to see how Sam plays it. I think there's no chance KG plays in Indy, but I think he may play in the Charlotte game even though it is the back end of a BTB...maybe Sam rests him the night before in Atlanta.
Sam seems to like sharing minutes, so I don't see him using a 3-man rotation. You know my preference would be for Payne to back up Belly rather than Rudez, but I'm not too excited about either option.
KG is averaging less than 18 mpg. Will he really sit if this team keeps playing well and he feels like he could help? Hell start him for the first 4 minutes each half and that's it. That would probably keep Rudez and Payne to a minimum. That one stretch is pretty tough though for him to play all those games. We will see. Depending on matchups we could see Dieng playing more PF minutes if KG sits.
vs POR .. 85 perc
vs MIA .. 35 perc
@ CHI .. 10 perc
@ ATL .. 20 perc
vs CHA .. 65 perc
vs GS .. 15 perc
@ IND .. 45 perc
vs MEM .. 35 perc
@ MIA .. 15 perc
@ ORL .. 55 perc
vs DET .. 50 perc
vs PHI .. 90 perc
vs ATL .. 40 perc
@ SAC .. 30 perc
@ LAC .. 10 perc
vs ORL .. 75 perc
so these are chances to win in next 16 games imho .. it equals to 6-7 wins .. therefore i am saying that the score after first 18 games is probably going to be 8-10 or 9-9
