Posted by Solace:
Posted by Cookdcokehop:
The acquisition of Zach Randolph. David Lee's huge season last yr and him getting even better over the summer also trying to perfect the 15 ft jumpshot. Eddy Curry showing a commitment to basketball by losing 20 lbs. Marbury in the best shape he has ever been in years. Crawford FINALLY putting on some muscle. Nate, Balkman, and Jeffries being gym rats for the whole summer. Quentin Richardson 100% healthy.
Most of those are just speculation. Prove it on the court. Zach Randolph has a good chance of being an utter disaster. Q is not healthy until proven otherwise. Lee may not play enough since Zach is in front of him. Sorry, no dice.
THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WRONG AROUND HERE!!!
Last year this team was beginning to show signs of improvement and it was visible to all. Now we can see that this team is coming into this year in better shape, more confident, with a sense of direction and even MORE TALENT!!! I think it's reasonable to assume that we could expect the team to make some small improvement even if it had stayed primarily the same, but now we've added the type of player that is rare to find in this league. A guy with 20/10 skills and a ton of confidence and aggressiveness. In a league where the talent is very close from team to team, often it only takes one really good player to make the difference for a team. That's reason enough to at least be "optimistic". No one is saying you have to feel this team is a LOCK to be a ECF team. But as a fan you would think that it wouldn't be so hard to admit that this team has a good chance to be much improved this year.
It's the failure of many here to even give that much credit to this team, that has some of us shaking our heads. OF course the team has to prove it on the court. That's not some profound stance you're taking. We all have to see the team actually win games. The thing is tho, that there's a lot of good reasons to be optimistic that we'll see the team do that this year. So it's hard to understand the overtly negative take many of you have. The really nasty comments and jokes about a team that could easily be one of the better teams in the East this year. It's one thing to have legit concerns, but you guys take it WAY TOO FAR! It's like a bunch of Celtic fans have invaded this forum, the way you guys take delight in bashing the team. It's really sad. Differing opinion and legit criticism I can deal with, but that's not what were talking about here.
Zach is reason 1 to be optimistic.
Curry showing more commitment.
Lee not being traded was a good thing for this team. As for finding minutes. I think Isiah will find the minutes for him.
Jamal coming in stronger.
Steph coming in fitter.
Q coming back in better shape and as far as we know relatively pain free.
2nd year under the same coach and system
Starting the year with Chemistry and an Identity established as opposed to last year.
More of the key players have some NBA experience as opposed to the last 2 years when we were playing Rooks for significant mins. Now Lee, Nate, Balk & Mardy all have some NBA experience and should be better.