franco12 wrote:if we don't get healthy, this post is going to look very silly since we might not get out of the play in. And there is nothing about getting any players back that we can count on.Randle especially, may still need surgery, even if he comes back.
This is going to be like the opposite of 99, where we had a great team, but sputtered short late.
Looking at the next five games, not sure we can win any, especially if Brunson is out or still ailing.
Yep. Fans hate "leads". Better to come back from behind and fall short than build a lead then "Squander it".
Think about the phycology of "Squander a lead" and how it brow beats the fan into anger.
We are falling in the standings and some fans who should "drink coffee and talk tennis" get very upset at losses but in my opinion are quite happy with winning as if "its ours to lose". The notion of "Losing" vs. "defeated" is not one and the same. Losing implies "Loss". Defeat implies some acknowledgement the opponent played better that night, or has superior talent.
When 80% of ones starting line up is out the winning % accomplished this season means little. Add the aggravation of seeing IQ and RJ still playing while OG sits does not help. We lose the long view, yell at our TV's and wonder "WTF is Spike these days"?
The 99' is seen as "A team that came from the 8th seed as a cinderella story to the finals!". Thats what we remember, and we certainly have forgotten all of Spreewells issues of authority, but the reality was the team was actually failing given its potential with its coach who owned his job to Ewing and the GM who was building a young and running team. JVG was on the hot seat and was to be fired by seasons end. Instead he earned a 2million two year extension (this was 25 years ago folks) and instead Dolan fires Earnie Grunfeld. I loved JVG up until then because he was the long shot dude who go the gig and made good. Reality was because how his big salary Dolan now had a coach with a roster not suited to his talents. Earnie wanted to move from Ewing who whose contract was an albatross and on the court was slowing them down.
This year the wonderful January post trade was a gift. Fans of either RJ or IQ both were shocked into a deal that most were ambivalent with. OG is not the star we were star-hunched into thinking would one day come. Instead we get a sort of modern "Dave Debuschurre" infusion and the "coffee and tennis" club hated from the moment it happened. They were silenced by a most improbable streak that now proved to be a tease of sorts. Those who disliked the trade now have their mojo back.
We surged the in season power rankings to no.1 and rather than see it as template for what can be it is being digested and media fueled as "a squandered lead". Its a fans prerogative.
I cannot envision were OG comes back to be Kawahi again, Randle balling out of his mind where we talking about his assists rather than TO's, MitchRob as DPOY, even better was iHarts inspirited passing and defense (Most improved convo) and our beloved big headed Brunson who kicked it up one more notch to perhaps be playing as the top PG in the league at the time. Jules will need surgery when the season is over. It either happens in July after a parade down the Canyon of Heroes or days after his shoulder pops out again. Torn Labrums, even if partial don't heal by itself with proper motion radius needed by a professional basketball player. The Snip it, and sew the whole thing back.
Mitch? He'll be a bit slow like he does after a summer of healing. Perhaps we don't need him to be if iHart can get that heal back to where he can play without fear.
Reality is its a contract year for him and an achilles tear would cost him millions and lost season. takes a year to heal and often another full season to get ones athletic prowess all the way back if it in fact happens. Its not the career ender it used to be. His agent and doctor will make sure his minutes are respected. contract wise this is his career moment. He has a baby coming and that fine wife needs upkeep.
As many have written, this team could reach the ECF's if January can be replicated. A lot of things have to happen including winning thru the play in if need be. Imagine finishing 1 or two then facing a team that got its health back! Makes the NBA exciting in the age of parity.
3/4/2024 4:16 PM