I think at the rate we are going, we might keep the pick. Yes our young guns will improve but we are 1-7 and haven't even played a playoff team yet.
^^ Well, I think Miami will certainly be a playoff team, but it's true the level of competition has been incredibly low, and we have only one win to show for it.
I think a good coach has us probably at 4-4 or 3-5, but certainly our players are not what we'd hoped. Even with limited expectations of D'Angelo, he's got off to a slow start (better last night though). Randle has cooled off (his body language has been bad too). Kobe has been awful. Lou and Bass have been disappointing... But this is the optimism thread so lemme tell you something: Our picks look great. D'Angelo had a bit of a coming out party last night. He was attacking the basket, knocking down shots, playing good man-defense. Randle has for some reason cooled off on his bull in the china shop play, but you can always see the talent. Clarkson is becoming an assassin at picking his spots and attacking effectively. Larry Nance Jr. looks like an absolute steal and his development is something I'm eagerly watching every day now. Now that it's official we stink, I'd like if we traded away Bass. For his own sake and for ours. He's a vet that deserves to be on a competitive roster and we need more time available for our young cats. If we traded Bass/Kelly for a 2nd or Bass/Kelly for some long-term prospect I'd be alright with that.
They have been competitive at some stages but still learning to close out games together and feeling each other out. It will take time. I'm patient. The talent is there.
Looking at our draft picks, especially Clarkson and Nance, I'm very optimistic our scouting guys can identify talent at any point in the draft.
Me not like the fact that the Optimism thread is turning into the official 2015 tank thread. I'm disappointed too, but let's not go that far yet please
When we are in close games and we need a bucket my confidence in Russell/Clarkson/Randle is pretty damn high already. Compare that to the vets on the team Kobe/Lou/MWP/Young where my confidence level is: Please don't ISO and pass to one of the 3 mentioned above. Sucks for the short term, but in the future we are going to be able to close games because of the fact we have 3 dudes that aren't afraid of that moment and all have made clutch shots in this young season. Also Hibbert. He's played so well on defense it's crazy. Hung out to dry a lot, but still makes plays. His awareness and ability to slide over or recover is elite. I'm good with Roy at Center in future seasons. He's an awesome teammate as well. Always encouraging everyone.
I'm optimistic because the front office has NOT come out in public support of Coach Byron Scott. I'm also optimistic because we didn't give up over 110 pts the last game, or lose by 20. Lots of reasons to be optimistic if you think about it.
We're gonna have to work really hard to get that top 3 pick. Philly is built to tank but I can't figure out how the Pelicans and Nets are sucking so bad. Prediction: We don't get top pick, draft Dragan Bender at #2-3
Pelicans will improve. Nets should too in the east. No incentive for them to tank since they lose their pick regardless
This isn't really the tanking thread guys, but to each their own. I see reason for optimism on the floor. D'Angelo's last three games have been night and day compared to his first few. He looks like a better player. For everyone's complaining about Byron re: D'Angelo (and there's some legitimacy there), it worked so far. D'Angelo looks more focused, more attentive, more active, and more aggressive. I like it. Randle's body language is upsetting. He doesn't feel engaged on the offensive end and that much is just so clear. When's the last time we saw him really get into it like he did against Dallas? I think that was the last game I saw him at his most confident. Now we're catering to Russell/Kobe/Lou at the expense of Clarkson/Randle. Still though his ability is there and I see small steps in the right direction with him. He's got such unique skills and such a desire to win I absolutely love it.
We've been in most of these games. Despite Byron's incompatence. The only game the Lakers really got blown out was at Sacremento. That alone is reason for optimism. Russell has looked a lot more confident, aggressive, and assertive. Clarkson had a nice bounce back game as well. Was hitting the 3, the in between shot, getting to the basket. Randle is gonna be limited until he either develops that jumper or learns to finish at the rim with his right hand.
My optimism is that Clarkson is already an absolute professional. No fuss, just goes out and does what's asked of him.
