there's no talk of Wes or Boozer coming back...Nick is being shopped...we got Lou and Bass its not too bad after all
Being really optimistic here but I truly believe this team can finish with a winning record next year. Maybe making the playoffs may be a bit of a stretch considering the the teams around us but if and I mean IF guys can remain healthy including Bryant to some extent, we could see a 20 game turnaround. To me that would be a success.
I'm calling 42 wins. Not good enough to make the playoffs, but good enough to give us hope. I do think we have a shot at the playoffs though. Realistically, I'm thinking 42 is our number. Then Durant looks at us and he's all, "Sup fellas." And we be like, "Ah. nothing much. What's up with you?" And he's like, "Wanna ball?" And we're like, "Do we? We happen to have a nice sf position open for you!" And he's like, "Ahhhh. You guys shouldn't have." and then Swaggy is like, "I didn't. I hate you KD!" And then Randle comes in all SWOL and beats down Swaggy. And Randle be like, "Damn it Swaggy. Shut your pie hole." I am so bored this morning. I got no where to go from here.
Yeah I get this part. Not sure about the next sentence though, since he's not an employee or part of ownership, and is seen doing analysis on air a lot, and frequently bashing the FO.
His feud with Jim Buss is strong. But if we reached out and he attempted to help this summer, I don't see why he wouldn't do the same for the vastly more important next summer.
Optimism, here goes... Team will be the fifth seed and get a first round win. Some teams are weaker, some will have injuries and we are loaded. Two to three years Clarkson, Russell, Randle will be all-stars. With the other young guys we have developing and the hunger and desire they all have we are a dynasty in the making. Speed, athleticism, high basketball IQ and most importantly heart and desire. One year to adjust and find our way and then we will be destroying teams. Teams will not only be beat down physically but mentally. No one will want to play this young juggernaut of a team that will just keep getting more dynamic every year. D'Magic Russell is as close to the real MJ as you will find. Clarkson is in a class of his own, can't even compare him to anyone. Randle is a Mac Truck with skills. After long illustrious careers with many championships they are all elected into the hall of fame. Pretty likely scenario.
Magic wouldn't add anything to our pitches that isn't already being said or done. Marketing, big city, opportunities outside of basketball, etc. Have you guys seen his twitter? He's the biggest captain obvious I've ever seen and never says anything substantial about basketball, which is seemingly what we were lacking on based upon a couple of reports. Even then, it was DJ going back to his home state and going to play with his new BFF and LMA going back to his home state and wanting to get the Duncan transformation from Pop. Melo took more money (and went back to his home state) and LaLa definitely factored in to some of his decision, she's on a TV show filming in NY right now. Bosh? Meh, stayed with his BFF D Wade for max money. Monroe went to a young team in the East with a chance to make the playoffs for quite a while, still probably not a contender in any way, especially with a drunk Jason Kidd running things. Dwight? Dwight's a pansy and probably won't ever win a title because he's too stupid to do things like run the pick and roll with one of the best pick and roll players of all time. Just because we missed out on 4 or 5 big free agents doesn't mean we're terrible at this. Dallas overpaid for Parsons, but before they convinced the best center in the league (lol) to switch teams, they had mostly struck out. It's not like San Antonio has really ever had the cap space to do what they just did. And even then, if it's our 'basketball reasons' why they aren't coming, we simply need to get more competitive. Pretty much exactly like Milwaukee did. Through the draft, keeping their young players, making smart trades and signing role players like we've down now to build a foundation. I doubt there is much that Mitch can say in a meeting to actually convince a guy to come here when we've just won 20 some odd games and are hoping rookies and second year players push us to that next level. Winning is the most important basketball aspect to these guys. Our young core with stand up guys like Brandon Bass and Kobe helping lead them and show them the way is going to help these dudes a bunch. Look at how mature Randle, Clarkson and Russell are already. Adding Kobe, Bass, whoever else we sign into that mix is only going to make things better. A surprising, healthy season in 2015-16 will make 2016 free agency that much easier and our pitches probably wouldn't even need to change. KD isn't coming here if he doesn't think he can win and compete right away, regardless of our analytics department or our X's and O's on the whiteboard during a sit down. No reason to think some magical combination of words in a meeting is going to convince them we can win. The two biggest free agents, three if you want to include Monroe, all went to teams that made the playoffs last year and will probably do better in the playoffs this year. Winning is far more important than anything Magic Johnson could ever say. He's corny and cheesy and isn't going to add anything unless he's trying to promise a dude ownership of the Dodgers.
I didn't know where to ask this question, guess it's as good as a thread for it as there is... Assuming EVERYTHING goes perfect for us, where would you rank this team at the end of the season, assuming we are done and there will be no more additions/transfers? I mean in particular if: 1. Kobe comes back healthy and plays the entire season, 2. Randle and Russell pan out as much as most of us hope, 3. Clarkson is even better than last year and has a decent 3-pointer in his repertoire and 4. both Hibbert and Upshaw fix whatever problems they have and play up to their potential ?? I would actually expect this team to even fight for the 4th-5th spot and scare the hell out of one of the contenders in the first round. We've had tons of bad luck in the previous 3 years, it seems like the tide is turning and we might just enjoy a healthy season for a change. Please don't bother to reply with "realistic" scenarios, this is the great OPTIMISM thread and I want to hear your most optimistic scenarios only. Thank you
In the East we might even make it to the conference finals. In the West, 7th or 8th seed and a 1st round exit.
For me it's really simple. If Kobe plays a whole season, we make the playoffs. If not, the talent is there, but not so much on experience. They will lose a lot of close games.
Best case scenario: 45 wins and 8th seed. Worst case, 37 wins. I feel like we've upgraded the roster and we'll be better this season. Not having Wesley Johnson and The Lush will help things too. I don't think I'll be yelling at the TV as much and my liver will be spared much wear and tear without having those 2 around.
