Wed, Dec 23 vs Oklahoma City - W Sat, Dec 26 at Portland - L Mon, Dec 28 at Denver - L Thu, Dec 31 vs Sacramento - W Sat, Jan 2 vs Sacramento - W Mon, Jan 4 vs Dallas - L Wed, Jan 6 at Indiana - W Fri, Jan 8 vs Orlando - W Sun, Jan 10 vs LA Lakers - L Tue, Jan 12 vs LA Lakers - L Thu, Jan 14 at San Antonio - W Sat, Jan 16 at San Antonio - L Mon, Jan 18 at Chicago - W Wed, Jan 20 vs Phoenix - W Fri, Jan 22 at Detroit - W Sat, Jan 23 at Dallas - W Tue, Jan 26 vs Washington - W Thu, Jan 28 vs Portland - L Sat, Jan 30 at New Orleans - L Mon, Feb 1 at Oklahoma City - W Worse Case Senario IMO 12 -8 at Worse Rocket River
Is Harden and Tucker playing? If so, if they are healthy and focused they can go 15-5. Those Lakers games will matter a lot from the stand point of being the measuring stick. I am a little worried about the defense early in the year.
I'm worried about the defense more if Harden and Tucker are playing. I can see them (Harden esp) trying to get his on the offensive end, but we've all seen what an unmotivated Harden looks like on defense. Gordon starting in his place would be 10x better on that end.
FWIW if Harden plays, I think he will be motivated on defense. He is a pretty good defender at this point. Tucker adds depth as well.
this year I’m not sure I buy the importance of a measuring stick this early in the season . with such a crazy run up and short layover from “last season” I really have no idea how things will work out . when you add in a big harden question mark (even if he is playing , it will take more than 20 games to reach a ceiling with as many new guys that are on the team) the defense is definitely a big question . Pj and wood and James can make a huge difference there . As well as how hard Wall and nwaba can go .
It is a measuring stick only to the extent that it possibly influences James Harden and possibly his confidence in the team around him.
cf's goes from 20 games, to AS break, to playoffs, to lets see what happens after a full year. It's been the same song and dance for the last 2 years with so many of the trash acquisitions the corner is always turned
I respect your opinion, but why would you think he would exert effort on that end? That isn’t what will be watched by any potential trade partners. They know what he can and can’t do on that end - they will be watching to see if he’s still able to score at will and, to a lesser extent, how he will look in a slightly more traditional offensive scheme.
The same reason that Harden ultimately showed up and practiced today when he didn't have to....... at the end of the day he does not like to be singled out and he has a tremendous amount of pride. If he is on the floor he will play hard.
Good call, might lose to other teams and win some of the losses, evened itself out. 11-9, 13-7. 15-5 would be dominant play but probably not happening.
I think With Harden - If he plays his norm or better 15-5 is not ridiculous. Esp if Wall and Boogie are above 80% of their old selves. I think there will be some integration problems I think during these games there will a feeling . .. when in trouble let Harden or Wall bail us out Maybe a few weeks before we are any where near a cohesive unit. Rocket River
Yes, injuries as you said. Now I am more worried it's one of the other guys. Like PJ, Wood, Ego, House.... As good as Harden is, he still isn't the one orchestrating the whole team Defense. Way too early, way too early.
