The Improved

It is crazy looking back at this previous season. We were so awful at one point and we have come so far. We started this year with hopes of Jordan Hill or Aaron Brooks making a meteoric rise, and were left with the reality that Chuck Hayes and Kyle Lowry have. Personally I also include Kevin Martin in this group because IMO as he has grown comfortable and been healthy this guy has been star level. Our guys that were supposedly at their ceilings were the ones that really improved. Budinger has smoothly translated what he did well from the bench into a starting role, but I don't think he is doing a ton different. If anything I would just say his mental fortitude has grown stronger.

I am gonna say it, I like this core group of guys right now for next year. I believe it is a foregone conclusion we will add size this offseason (although I have said that before). I also think we will look to add an impact SF (Andre Iguadola or Josh Smith please!) Budinger will be a fine starter in this league, but probably just that. If we are going to continue to start Luis, we have to have a SF that is a impact defender.


I have been watching Adelman and his body language over the last few games and I do believe he will be back. I think he loves this group of guys. I am sure it was mentioned on the forum if it happened but I swear I saw his chest bump Lee late in a game a few days back. Our owner will smartly realize there is not a better option and all will be well. The team has developed a special chemistry and are crazy great offensively. We are a Chuck Hayes injury from being in the playoffs. We also have room for improvement on the defensive side though and optiions like starting Hayes or Patterson at PF or upgrading from Budinger become thoughts in my mind.

I don't think Chuck is really a liability any more on offense. 50 games ago I thought that Hayes should be the 10 man in a rotation. I don't think that anymore. Kevin Martin is healthy and comfortable. He is underrated on the board and an amazing scorer. Late in the season he has played better on D and done better at creating his own shot and creating shots for others. Especially lately, he has really grown a lot in his ability to create. I believe Kyle Lowry is going to get 17 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds for many years to come while playing scrappy D, getting fouled and making hustle plays. Who ever thought we had another gear?

The pain of the Chicago game, the San Antonio game and the Minnesota game is one that I did not anticipate feeling in April. It is true and it is bittersweet. But for going forward, I don't think this is something to destroy. Our team last year played harder than the other teams for the first 40 games or so, then the edge went away. The edge is here on these guys when they know their done. Except maybe they don't know it. I hope we give these guys the beginning of next year to show us what they can do.