Do you want our pick to convey this year?

[Handlogten's Heros]

If Atlanta or Rockets dont improve their pace, we are going to have to be WORSE than we were at the start of the year where we started 10-18 with 13 home games and 15 road games.

This time we need to go 10-18 in 16 home games and 12 road games, and that would lead us to finish at 36 wins 1 below what Houston is projected (by win pct) to finish with.

One 5 game absence from Lauri, Collin, or Walker and I think we are set. #9 is the goal but #10 is okay too I guess. Atlanta seems to be playing better and Houston has no motivation to let the foot off the gas. Last 5-10 games are rest time and wouldn't be surprised if they win a few more than expected.

 

[HermanG]

Seems likely. The trades ****ed all working rotations. We will win few bad teams but lose almost every other game.

I dont think we will be that bad. Even last game, I think we missed a lot of shots we usually make on offense and we also took some bad shots. Wasnt a clean game, but we had pockets of good ball movement and rhythm (in the 2nd quarter there was one really good stretch). On defense we definitely werent on top of our assigments and rotations all the time but again we had stretches where we got them to rush their shots and/or forced them to take the shots we wanted to give.

I think the guard turnover fiasco that we had going early season was worse, and I dont think that will repeat.

Only positive scenario for that pick really is that if Rockets or Atlanta improve their pace significantly. I dont think thats out of the question, but we probably still need to drive our record well below .500 to keep it.

 

[HermanG]

One 5 game absence from Lauri, Collin, or Walker and I think we are set. #9 is the goal but #10 is okay too I guess. Atlanta seems to be playing better and Houston has no motivation to let the foot off the gas. Last 5-10 games are rest time and wouldn't be surprised if they win a few more than expected.

We need 10-18 with 16 home games. And that includes 8 home games against teams with a losing record.

Good thing for those who hope it happens is that our 12 road games are actually really tough. Only 1 against a team with a losing record (Atlanta).

 

[bigmike]

Generally don't like punting on drafts, but I do believe this draft sucks. Would much prefer to just take our medicine now and have 1-2 bites at the lottery apple for 2025 (non-zero chance that we and/or Cleveland suck next year if they sell early Donovan).

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

We need 10-18 with 16 home games. And that includes 8 home games against teams with a losing record.

Good thing for those who hope it happens is that our 12 road games are actually really tough. Only 1 against a team with a losing record (Atlanta).

Last night may have been the petulant child lashing out... maybe its out of their system and they play better. I will give it the next two games before I "call my shot" but last night was a data point with an exclamation point. It was weird for Hardy to decide in this three game stretch that rotations needed to be adjusted. Feels like a post -ASB move. I get that Key and Taylor together is not ideal but if you have two punch bowls I don't see a problem putting both turds in one punch bowl and leaving the other punchbowl clean.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Last night may have been the petulant child lashing out... maybe its out of their system and they play better. I will give it the next two games before I "call my shot" but last night was a data point with an exclamation point. It was weird for Hardy to decide in this three game stretch that rotations needed to be adjusted. Feels like a post -ASB move. I get that Key and Taylor together is not ideal but if you have two punch bowls I don't see a problem putting both turds in one punch bowl and leaving the other punchbowl clean.

I wonder if they wanted to deal Dunn to teh Bucks but the Bucks chose Beverly...

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I wonder if they wanted to deal Dunn to teh Bucks but the Bucks chose Beverly...

I think Dunn is a keeper. I think its more likely they have a wink and a nod agreement. If the Bucks chose Pat over Kris they dumb AF.

Its possible that Morey got in and took up the two big landing spots for Kris in Boston (sending Springer there) and Milwaukee I suppose. I just think Dunn pairs well with all our guards... I mean at least as far as cheap options go anyway.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think the annoyance from Hardy and the lineup changes go to DA/JZ saying "we want to see what these future guys look like". I don't think they mandated a change but I think there was a discussion. I just can't think Hardy decided Key should start without some sort of convo with the FO.

While I trust DA here mostly... I think its a mistake if they are influencing things this much. Key's role was fine...Taylor was almost surely going to play. i would prioritize seeing if the JC/lauri/Kessler lineup is workable over playing Key with those guys.

This has to be the last year of this nonsense unless we decide to move lauri.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think the annoyance from Hardy and the lineup changes go to DA/JZ saying "we want to see what these future guys look like". I don't think they mandated a change but I think there was a discussion. I just can't think Hardy decided Key should start without some sort of convo with the FO.

While I trust DA here mostly... I think its a mistake if they are influencing things this much. Key's role was fine...Taylor was almost surely going to play. i would prioritize seeing if the JC/lauri/Kessler lineup is workable over playing Key with those guys.

This has to be the last year of this nonsense unless we decide to move lauri.

Hardy is in love with Keyonte. I doubt he was forced to do it. If you listen to him talk about Keyonte in post game interviews, he is always gushing about how connected they are. Complete opposite of how he talks about Hendricks.

Hardy is also here for the long haul. He isnt going to be solely focused on the now as a coach unlike a lot of other coaches.

 

[HermanG]

Last night may have been the petulant child lashing out... maybe its out of their system and they play better. I will give it the next two games before I "call my shot" but last night was a data point with an exclamation point. It was weird for Hardy to decide in this three game stretch that rotations needed to be adjusted. Feels like a post -ASB move. I get that Key and Taylor together is not ideal but if you have two punch bowls I don't see a problem putting both turds in one punch bowl and leaving the other punchbowl clean.

But the worse our rookies look to close the year, the more likely it becomes that the FO pivots and trades Lauri.

The assumption that Key and Kessler are the two other winning core pieces is built on the premise of future leaps. If we dont see clear signs, DA will be tempted to play capture the Flagg.

That also buys more time for Key, Kessler and Hendricks. So @Thee Idiotic Minivan K could get what he wants but just 2 years later than he first asked for it.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

But the worse our rookies look to close the year, the more likely it becomes that the FO pivots and trades Lauri.

The assumption that Key and Kessler are the two other winning core pieces is built on the premise of future leaps. If we dont see clear signs, DA will be tempted to play capture the flag Flagg.

That also buys more time for Key, Kessler and Hendricks. So @Thee Idiotic Minivan K could get what he wants but just 2 years later than he first asked for it.

I think Lauri sees them a lot so he knows how good or ****** they are. I do think we are playing with a bit of fire here and a pivot the other way towards a "process" is not off the table.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Hardy is in love with Keyonte. I doubt he was forced to do it. If you listen to him talk about Keyonte in post game interviews, he is always gushing about how connected they are. Complete opposite of how he talks about Hendricks.

Hardy is also here for the long haul. He isnt going to be solely focused on the now as a coach unlike a lot of other coaches.

I guess. Its part of the weird messaging of this franchise where they declare Key the Truth and Collin a sixth man. Even though the in game results might be saying something different. Its tough for Hardy to be Mr. Minutes are Earned!!! and then also have the rotation he had last night.