The Optimistic Thread! (TRD's FREEDOM THREAD!)

I had my reserves about whether this team would be able to knock down the three ball up to par with MDA's standards, but we've been pleasantly surprising

Under Potato (5 games)

32-92 34.8%

Under Bernie (5 games)

39-114 34.2%

Under MDA (4 games)

42-96 43.8%

Currently ranked 6th, 3rd, and 12th in makes, attempts, and percentage respectively and I think we'll only get better

JoelMyersScrotalSack wrote:I had my reserves about whether this team would be able to knock down the three ball up to par with MDA's standards, but we've been pleasantly surprising

Under Potato (5 games)

32-92 34.8%

Under Bernie (5 games)

39-114 34.2%

Under MDA (4 games)

42-96 43.8%

Currently ranked 6th, 3rd, and 12th in makes, attempts, and percentage respectively and I think we'll only get better

Good stats right there. Good Stuff JoelMyers

The ball moved better last night and we hit our open shots.... two good things.

Our defense looked better on the interior and we at least contested some open perimeter shots. I think the shorter rotations were the biggest difference for us. Kobe and Pau playing 12 minute stretches should never happen. Moving Hill out of the rotation in favor of Jamison is also a good decision. Hill is everything hustle but when he's in the game his defender is usually in Howard or Pau's lap because of his limitations on offense.

Turned a corner? Not sure.... but we looked better.

I'm liking D' Antoni's substitutions thus far just as I liked Bernie's. One draw back is less Hill obviously under D' Antoni.

But to me, I'm thankful that D' Antoni figured out that Jamison is best utilized as a 4 and not a 3. If it means less minutes for Hill at 4 and maybe a few more minutes at backup 5 I don't mind that. Jamison fits his system better and has really come to life.

I'm so happy that the two major additions to the bench, Jamison and Meeks are finding their roles now. Brown was the worst in that regard. I like Duhon's play off the bench, too. I don't even mind the two PG lineup with Duhon and Morris with Meeks, Jamison and backup 5 (Pau or Dwight). Morris has improved so much in his shooting and he's not hesitant like Blake. On D, Morris gets after it, too.

If D' Antoni could get a little familiarity with Ebanks and develop him some at the backup 3 that would be an added bonus come playoff time when we have to face guys like Durant and possibly Lebron.

Wow, all 13 guys grabbed a rebound. How often does that happen?

Lots to be optimistic about with this team at the moment. Kobe, Ron, Tawn, Meeks, Hill, even Morris all playing well. Dwight having games where he looks like the best C in the league, despite being at 75%. Nash & Blake still coming back, in a system that they should both flourish. Nash should be able to regain top 3-5 PG form. We're going to be contending barring injuries.

After last night's games, we've jumped up to the 8th spot in the West.

We're only 1.5 behind the Clippers I think. which means we're only 1.5 games from being #3 in the West.

karacha wrote:We're only 1.5 behind the Clippers I think. which means we're only 1.5 games from being #3 in the West.

Clippers 4 game losing streak, Lakers still back 1 game

Is hill REALLY that undersized to play the back up 5? I think a bench line up of Hill, Jamison, Ebanks, Meeks, and Duhon could actually work, especially with this new up-tempo offense.

^^^I dont think he is, there's not alot of post up backup C in this league anyways, there's a few 7ft backups like Utah, OKC, Den for example but even these guys dont try to post up much and are more of the reb. and jump shooting types, something I think Hill can hold his own against.

Exactly what I am thinking. Like what back up center is really going to hands down out play hill? Hill is a guy who doesn't need plays called for him, he just hustles and gets the ball. I think a full bench line up could actually work. Remember, all the bench has to do is come out even. If it worked, we would be unstoppable.

If we lower our expectations, we'll have a more enjoyable season.

dj vitus wrote:If we lower our expectations, we'll have a more enjoyable season.

41-41, miss the playoffs

Nash will be back in just another one week rite?

I just looked at our schedule. I say over the next 18 games we're gonna go 13-5. Bookmark my post and give me props afterwards.

Finwë wrote:I just looked at our schedule. I say over the next 18 games we're gonna go 13-5. Bookmark my post and give me props afterwards.

Begging for props? ElToro, is that you?

GoldHammish wrote:

Finwë wrote:I just looked at our schedule. I say over the next 18 games we're gonna go 13-5. Bookmark my post and give me props afterwards.

Begging for props? ElToro, is that you?

I'm not begging for props. I dunno I was just trying to be optimistic predicting a pretty good record after the next 18 games. I hope I'm right, the other stuff was just as emphasys.

GNC wrote:

dj vitus wrote:If we lower our expectations, we'll have a more enjoyable season.

Lower our expectations to what? Missing the playoffs with the highest payroll in the league??

Yup. Then when we somehow grab the 3rd seed or something, we'll be pleasantly surprised. Okay, there's nothing to be optimistic about right now...

Finwë wrote:

GoldHammish wrote:

Finwë wrote:I just looked at our schedule. I say over the next 18 games we're gonna go 13-5. Bookmark my post and give me props afterwards.

Begging for props? ElToro, is that you?

I'm not begging for props. I dunno I was just trying to be optimistic predicting a pretty good record after the next 18 games. I hope I'm right, the other stuff was just as emphasys.

Yeah I know, I was just screwing with you

idk about that. out of the next 10 games only 3 are at home which basically means were screwed.

Home: Nuggets, Magic, Jazz
Road: Rockets, Hornets, Thunder, Cavs, Knicks, Wizards, 76ers

3 game road trip has a b2b then a day off then thunder. then home for utah. then cavs, day off, knicks and wiz b2b.

for the home games we should win against magic and jazz.
for road games we should win against hornets cavs and wizards (if were not tired from knicks game). rockets, thunder, knicks, and 76ers are all tough teams based on how were playing.

well be lucky to be 5-5 after the next 10 games.

74-8. . . here we come?