Looking ahead in the season I noticed we have an easy scedule to close out the year and minus the Sonics a very tough one to open up next year. We have games against the Clippers, Pacers, Nets, Hawks, Grizzlies, and then Sonics for the easy stretch but then we run into the Jazz, Timberwolves, Bulls, Lakers, Nuggets (w/ Iverson, Melo, JR), Kings, Dallas/Phoenix back to back, Nuggets again and then Spurs for the tough stretch. I know it's not always good to look so far ahead because so many things can change and granted every game in the NBA is a tough game, but the schedule switches noticeably from relatively bad teams to relatively good/great teams. I'm very sure this tough stretch in January will make or break the season. The way the team plays through that stretch is what i'm really looking for, but that is too vague. Is there anything you guys as fans are looking for specifically? A big thing i'm looking for is Bonzi's production/playing time when T-Mac gets back on the floor. Has Bonzi truly worked his way out of the doghouse? A lot of people say that his production as the 3rd option (along with T-Mac's back) will more or less make/break this season because you KNOW Yao's going to get his and only get better and better but he's not at a stage where he can do it alone. Also: -T-Mac's production when he gets back, his play: Aggressive/assertive or passive? -Rafer Alston: Can he play the PG we need during the tough stretch? i.e. Controlling tempo, handle the ball, make smart, quick decisions with the ball, hit the open J. (Great job for the most part against the Spurs) -Solid team play in the 4th quarter: To be a great team, you must go for the kill when you smell blood. Can we put our foot on the opponents throat late in games? That is an absolute must for the playoffs. (Great job tonight vs. the Spurs) -JVG: Will he play the bench more? CAN he even play the bench more? Will he adjust quicker, or at all, to other teams strategies in games? (Again, great job tonight vs. Spurs, but it's only one game) I think those have been the bigger factors this season as a whole. T-Mac's back/production, Rafer's overall play, team play in the 4th, and JVG's coaching tactics. Because you know Shane will play his game (solid D / Knock down open J) and you know Yao Ming will get his and only continue to get better. There's more, but what you guys got?
the x factor of this season is bonzi wells. we already know that tmac will have to miss a couple of weeks about every 2 months from random spasms. in that time without tmac, if bonzi can average 17 or better we have a great chance of not missing a step.
Depends when the heck Tracy comes back. He always sounds great but is never clear by the doctors. Oh yeah, and that first game with the Nuggets there is only Iverson, Melo and JR Smith are still serving suspensions by then, and hopefully when they play (we are against them the first time those three play together), they won't have much team chemistry. January will seriously test this team to it's depth, and by the All-Star break, if we can still be 7-14 games above .500, I'll be happy.
well, i wonder what type of player t-mac will be when he gets back does anyone expect his FG% to go back up? I play a bit of fantasy basketball and it seems everyone is saying keep him and that he will do what his potential says he can do. IE high scores high % etc,,,,
first 5 have to be wins give the bench more minutes what's up with Novak missing every 3 point shot, I still can't believe it we should not expect much from TMac, the guy could be out for another few weeks easily Yao, Bonzi and Juwon should now know how to carry the team...Battier and Hayes need to protect Yao continuously and grab those rebounds as they always do.... Head needs to take more three point shots..Alston needs to sit on the bench more...bring him back at the start of 4th quarter...
When T Mc comes back he will have to restrict himself to a more passive role of head Playmaker and scoring only wide open easy shots. Bonzi will make up for him and more. Novak has been off resulting from the lack of playing experience. We got him as a role player to spot up and shoot threes. JVG has other ideas and the guy seems thoroughly mixed up with his role and seems unable to meet any standard set by JVG. Novak is not a defensive player his attributes are three point shooting and free throws.JVG wont play specialist rookie role players so Novak seems to have lost his touch for the present. When JVG is gone at the end of the season possibly a new coach will maximise Novak's attributes.
