2016-2017 Season Predictions thread

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

Here's last year's http://truebluenation.com/forum/index.php?/topic/254473-expectationspredictions-for-the-2015-2016-season/

 

So we'll know more after pre-season but with most rosters finalized I think we're ok with making predictions now.

 

we win between 42-48 games. 39.5 wins is the over/under mark for a successful season based on the roster assuming reasonable health. if something crazy happens like New Orleans last year and we're starting Zimmerman or Wilcox for several games we just have to throw out the season and try again next year.

 

Playoffs:

 

Cleveland

Boston

Toronto

Detroit

Atlanta

Indiana

Charlotte

Orlando

 

Miami has several big streaks but ultimately ends up around 36-39 wins as they're relying on too many young players. Same deal with the knicks and Milwaukee.

 

Chicago is the first team to fire their coach.

 

Washington completely falls off the map due to poor lockerroom (that is already starting) and they're forced to choose between keeping Beal or Wall.

 

 

Ibaka puts up something like 18/8 this year. Is selected as an all star after a hot start.

 

We freak out when we lose something like 13 out of our last 22 games.

 

Hezonja finishes the season averaging 10+ppg

 

by the all star break our closing lineup against most teams is going to be (the point guard who is playing the best that day)-Fournier-hezonja-Gordon-ibaka.

 

Payton puts together a moderately better season including a very good 20 game streak and periodic great games throughout the year leading to many of the pro-payton members making several "hah, you idiots! I told you Payton was going to be a star" posts. Payton will have a really bad month and periodic terrible games throughout the year leading many anti-payton members making several "What now idiots? I thought Payton was our savior. we wont go anywhere until we find a new point guard." posts. June 2017 the main conversations we're having are "Payton is on a normal growth curve, we should keep him. Should we keep or trade Payton? Is Jrue Holiday/Hill/Teague better than Payton? Is Devonte Graham the missing piece for our roster? Maybe (mid lotto point guard) will fall to us".

 

Biyombo becomes a fan favorite leading to many "Is Biyombo the best center in the league, no really, hear me out" posts that completely exaggerate his impact (he's actually a net positive player and a big hustle guy but not an elite guy)

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

if we didn't have a crazy schedule due to the overseas trip/weird coaching situation/ young team here's the games I think we win last year. didn't include any scheduled losses that were second nights of back to backs.

 

game one against Washington at home. we were up 5 with 90 seconds left. older team with better defense wins that.

 

Game two against okc at home. we were up 16 at the beginning of the fourth quarter and up 10 with 3 minutes left. better defensive team wont give up 42 fourth quarter points.

 

Game 20 at LAC. up 10 with 5:30 left in the game. let the clippers score 11 straight points and finish the game on a 15-5 run.

 

Game 30 vs Miami. up 7 entering the fourth. we're well rested after two days off. Miami is playing on the second night of a back to back. we get outscored 39-25 in the fourth quarter.

 

Game 39 in England vs Toronto. Overtime game. we were just due.

 

Game 41 at home vs Philly. Self explanatory

 

Game 43 at Memphis. Jeff green game. went to overtime. we should have won.

 

game 54 at home vs Indiana. 3 point game we should have won.

 

Game 61 at home vs phoenix. not a close game but we were so much more talented than them. The team just quit and got blown out.

 

Game 78 at home vs Detroit. we were well rested at home. Detroit was on the second night of a back to back. Outscored 35-27 in the fourth quarter.

 

That's what gets us to 45 wins.

[Mauro Pedrosa 1,031]

We finish 7th in the East.

 

Payton and Vucevic are moved to the bench halfway through the season.

 

We sign Patty Mills after the season

[Odin 137]

Fun Early Player Predictions-

 

Payton: slightly improves in almost everything, but not enough to hold the naysayers at bay. The main area that he improves is his shooting, where he becomes better around the rim, but continues to be passive when shooting the ball, only making an extra 5-10 3 pointers through the year. He has a span of 5-10 games where he is aggressive and looks like a potential future all-star, but quickly falls back to his normal play, with a couple bad games. Basically, the same as this year but a little better.

 

Gordon: takes a little while to get acclimated to playing SF most of the time. He has a couple games where he takes over, but struggles a bit at the new position. Ends the season strong, but doesn't improve as much as some people (me) believe he should.

 

Fournier: basically the same as last year, but averages 15 points a game.

 

Hezonja: Looks a lot more comfortable than last year. Ups his scoring/overall performance and is trusted down the stretch in some major games. Basically builds off of what was a good showing in the Olympics/ looks like an NBA player.

 

Ibaka: Improves from last year but not back to his 2012-2014 form. Averages 15 and 7 with 2 blocks.

 

Biyombo: Helps stabilize the defense but is forced out of the line-up at times because of his lack of offense. Has a game where he blocks everything and a bunch of fans will wonder why he doesn't get more time. Is basically DeAndre Jordan light w/ better defense.

 

Vuc: Stabilizes offense at times but is forced out of line-ups at times because of his lack of defense. Sees box-score stats fall across the board. Team is forced to choose between him and Biyombo at the trade deadline.

 

Green: Is there. decent vet off the bench. Has a couple games where people wonder why he is not the starter, and over all plays pretty good. Is the Jason Smith of 2016-2017. Everyone forgets he played for the team after 2-3 years.

 

Augustin: Plays well enough that some fans clamor for him to start over Payton.

 

Everyone else: Forgettable for the season. Some traded away for nothing.

[magicblue 315]

Fun season...43-39, 7th seed. AG is averaging 14/7.5 at All-Star break and wins dunk contest. We win one playoff game (game 2). Ibaka re-signs

[jec 427]

anywhere from 35 to 41 wins. Barely miss postseason after a hot start only to lose a large percentage of out post December games

 

A giant hawk comes and takes Mario's girlfriend away and he's forced to go into a giant robot based on his likeness to find three pieces of a magic key that will unlock the door to his heart.

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

anywhere from 35 to 41 wins. Barely miss postseason after a hot start only to lose a large percentage of out post December games

 

A giant hawk comes and takes Mario's girlfriend away and he's forced to go into a giant robot based on his likeness to find three pieces of a magic key that will unlock the door to his heart.

 

Tengen toppa Mario Hezonja

[Murphy13 185]

I say we win between 39 and 44 games...just missing the playoffs due to a deeper east. We are a better team overall, but will take a year to put a whole strong season together. I see good runs and bad runs just like P4TW suggests. The standouts this year will be Ibaka 18/8 and Mario 13/5 with some big games. AG will average 10/8.5 and Payton will average similar numbers to last year but with better 3pt% and more overall consistency. Biyombo will average -3 points per game but get 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Nik will sit for inexplicably long amounts of time.

 

Cleveland

 

Detroit

Toronto

Boston

 

Charlotte

Indiana

Atlanta

Washington

---------

Miami/Orlando

[Magicman28 295]

We'll get the 8th seed

 

Ibaka will be the big reason as he'll step into the leadership role which we haven't had since Battie.

 

AG will average 16-17/7/5 a game and will have some big games on both ends to put himself closer to being an top notch SF.

 

Payton will be more consistent from 3 but his attempts will still be on the low end. He'll be back to being that defensive beast we saw in his rookie year. However, we'll continue to discuss trades with him. A few times we will discuss if DJ should start but we'll realize he isn't the answer either.

 

Vuch will be around 18-20. He may even get over 20 a game. His range will be extended and will now be able to score from anywhere. His defense will be improved. Not all first team but improved.

 

Fournier will drop 15-17 an game. He'll have some big nights shooting.

 

Hezonja meanwhile will start off slow but after an few months or so, he's gonna be pushing Fournier for the starting job. He probably won't get it but the season after this up coming one, definitely. Agree on the 13ppg prediction.

 

Biyumbo will show some capability on offense but won't unseat Vuch. Will have an triple double of points/rebounds/blocks.

 

We're gonna love Jeff Green some nights, want his ass on the bench on others.

[Mauro Pedrosa 1,031]

I think Fournier will lead our team in scoring

[Jay Magic 1,240]

4th seed and home court advantage for the first round

[magicblue 315]

4th seed and home court advantage for the first round

 

 

There's probably a better chance we win the SE Division, earning us the third seed, than finish with the 4th best record in the East, but either way I like your optimism!