I think Kuzma's clearest path to success is absolutely against PFs. He's quicker and a better shooter than most PFs. He's weaker than most PFs sure, but wings are going to take away many of his advantages. At this point though, we need his shooting on the floor so I'll live with wherever they play him.
To be fair last years rookies overall were a joke. That stat line and amount of team wins for a rookie this year won't win it. This year's rookies are far superior than last years draft class and you also have Simmons who is eligible for the award this year as well. I think Ball still has a great chance to win it but no way 10/3/4 gets it done this year. Another thing that helps the Bucks get to 41 was playing in the East. Feels like we're beating a dead horse but I don't think fans take the conference into consideration enough for player and team success. Its huge
I think Ball does a bit better than 10/3/4. We know about his passing but he's also a fantastic defensive rebounder. Now that might get curtailed a bit with Randle eating up most of them but I can see him flirting with some triple doubles this season and thus be in the running for roy. With that I'm thinking positive and predicting a 40 wins. West is too tough for playoffs but I think this team is much improved from last year.
I don't think the Lakers let Ball play more than 25-28 minutes a game this year. Part of our success will depend on how well the backup performs IMHO. Way too early to say for me, but that estimate is probably not far off.
Yeah. That number sounds about right. We need several things to break our way to get anything above 35 wins in my opinion
Hmmm, yeah surprised because BSPN usually want to stick it to us... was thinking they will give us about 28
Yeah that's actually pretty positive from ESPN. I can't remember what they predicted last season, but I think it was around 24/25 wins and people thought that was ridiculous.
I think 35 is a realistic record.. with what we currently have. What I want to see most though, which is more important than overall record this season, is a hungry and healthy team that finishes the season on very strong note without major injuries. It's so easy to put expectations on these young guys and a squad that's barely played together.. I just think at this point organized basketball, without drama, would be a major stepping stone to becoming a future contender.. especially after the last few seasons that were downhill tumbles.
I would have us at 35-39 wins if the West didn't significantly improve. Unfortunately, we're playing in arguably the toughest conference I think I've ever seen as far as western conference goes. Too many teams from top to bottom improved....heck I've got all of these teams ahead of us if season started today: Warriors Spurs Rockets Thunder Twolves Nuggets Blazers Grizzlies Clippers Pelicans Jazz and then Mavs are still there cuz they're always there....only teams I have us ahead of right now are the Suns and Kings. I guess on the bottom half...we COULD be better than the blazers, grizzlies, clipppers, pelicans and jazz...but that'll just depend on a lot of our own guys improving significantly (ingram, randle) and Ball absolutely balling out and winning ROY and KCP/Lopez actually not fallin off a cliff. Playoffs are within reach but we'd have to be better than a lot of teams that have better overall established rosters than we do. We just need one or two guys to break out this year. If both Randle and Ingram break out plus Ball playing ROY status, then we have a shot. Otherwise, we're going to be pretty bad again...maybe win 25-27 games.
I think you're overstating how good the West is. It's terrific at the top, but the 6-8 seeds are definitely up for grabs. Houston could be the 2013 Lakers 2.0. Two Ball dominant guards in Harden and Paul and the latter is always injured it seems come playoff time especially. Memphis lost Randolph and is likely taking a step back. Clippers lost Paul and Griffin is never healthy either. I highly doubt they're a playoff team unless Blake actually plays a full season or close to it. Pelicans have Davis/Cousins, but it's still a question whether they fit or have enough shooting. Jazz lost Hayward. They're probably somewhere between 8-10 without him if Gobert is healthy. Another guy who's always dinged up it seems. Denver should be better, but does an aging Milsap really move the needle? I'm not sold. Minnesota looks great on paper, but much like with Houston we don't know how they'll all fit together. OKC still has no shooting and until they get some even with Paul George I really don't see them being more than a 4th or 5th seed. The Warriors and Spurs are the only two teams that you really know what you're gonna get. You look at the Lakers. You've got Lonzo who should have an immediate impact right away. Lopez is a legit center. Borderline All Star. KCP a tremendous defender and improving scorer as well. Ingram should be much better and Randle is in the best shape of his life. I really don't see any way that team isn't significantly improved because unlike some of the other teams their pieces look to fit much better. Lopez and KCP aren't ball dominant and shouldn't take the ball away from Lonzo.
I think Ball will be closer to the 32 minute level. Ingram was at 28 last year, but it felt like he was in for a lot more than that.
