2019 Regular Season Predictions

[Futuredome]

See this is actually my point. Everyone is pointing to the "worst team in NBA history" as if that is their ceiling. It was a confluence of horrible issues from carelessness of the coaching staff and a bad system. Switching is something that experienced players can do well, it makes younger players lazy. I don't think the worst defense ever is symptom of a totally hopeless roster. A lot of people were saying that we just don't have the horses. We may not have the roster to have a top 5 defense, but this team can be average or above if they work at it.

Orlando Scored 92 points last night and I read that the Cavs only did that once last year all year. I was really encouraged by the defense at times. Plenty of lapses, plenty of ball watching and poor off ball defense, but I thought Cedi and Sexton looked better on defense, and Garland was better than I expected. KPJ is going to be a good defender. He needs time and help with his technique, but he is engaged. Cedi was playing the disruptor role last night breaking up plays and getting steals. That was great to see.

I do think that Longabardi's scheme basically gave up a bunch of 3's and it was a death knell and totally demoralizing last year and the year before as well.

it was the first game. Let's watch things develop before this kind of spouting off. My guess you won't like what you see.

 

[Cavatt]

it was the first game. Let's watch things develop before this kind of spouting off. My guess you won't like what you see.

If they can be 28th or 29 that is a massive improvement. I think they can do that. The scheme they are running now is much better suited to the personnel. Bickerstaff isn't slightly better than Longabardi, he is huge upgrade.

 

[NMCav]

can't wait to see who we get with the 6th pick next year.

The Jewish Doncic Deni Avdija hopefully. Perfect fit with Garland. Both can play on or off ball and Deni would be a nice secondary playmaker at SF.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

See this is actually my point. Everyone is pointing to the "worst team in NBA history" as if that is their ceiling. It was a confluence of horrible issues from carelessness of the coaching staff and a bad system. Switching is something that experienced players can do well, it makes younger players lazy. I don't think the worst defense ever is symptom of a totally hopeless roster. A lot of people were saying that we just don't have the horses. We may not have the roster to have a top 5 defense, but this team can be average or above if they work at it.

Orlando Scored 92 points last night and I read that the Cavs only did that once last year all year. I was really encouraged by the defense at times. Plenty of lapses, plenty of ball watching and poor off ball defense, but I thought Cedi and Sexton looked better on defense, and Garland was better than I expected. KPJ is going to be a good defender. He needs time and help with his technique, but he is engaged. Cedi was playing the disruptor role last night breaking up plays and getting steals. That was great to see.

I do think that Longabardi's scheme basically gave up a bunch of 3's and it was a death knell and totally demoralizing last year and the year before as well.

The Cavs play the Pacers tonight and I looked at the box score of their last game against them in Feb. The starting five for the Cavs was: Chriss, Nance, Adel, Sexton, and Nwaba. Blossomgame and Zizic played a combined 32 minutes off the bench.

This is why I'm expecting more than 19 wins this year. Of that group only Sexton is still starting and we won't be seeing Blossomgame, Chriss, Adel, Nwaba, or (most likely) Z. Instead we'll have Love, Thompson, and Garland playing those minutes. Eventually we'll also have Windler and Henson. This team is going to be so much better than what we were putting out there last year. Bickerstaff is an excellent defensive coach and I expect a big improvement on defense just based on him replacing Longabardi. Sexton will be better as a sophomore and TT is looking prett intense as he starts his salary drive. With decent health this team could really surprise. Love thinks they'll be better than people expect.

 

[Nathan S]

The Jewish Doncic Deni Avdija hopefully. Perfect fit with Garland. Both can play on or off ball and Deni would be a nice secondary playmaker at SF.

Doncic's Euroleague stats: 16.0 points (.45/.33/.82 shooting), 4.9 boards, 4.3 assists, MVP, Championship, Final 4 MVP

Avdija's Euroleague stats: 2.0 points (.27/.33/.50 shooting), 1.8 boards, 1.3 assists

 

[NMCav]

Doncic's Euroleague stats: 16.0 points (.45/.33/.82 shooting), 4.9 boards, 4.3 assists, MVP, Championship, Final 4 MVP

Avdija's Euroleague stats: 2.0 points (.27/.33/.50 shooting), 1.8 boards, 1.3 assists

Was speaking in terms skill set. Deni is a tall Point Forward with a feel for the game. Deni has been very good in tournaments against people his own age. Doesn't get many minutes on his Euro league team. I am not saying he's as good as Doncic coming out but both have similar skillsets.

 

[Nathan S]

Was speaking in terms skill set. Deni is a tall Point Forward with a feel for the game. Deni has been very good in tournaments against people his own age. Doesn't get many minutes on his Euro league team. I am not saying he's as good as Doncic coming out but both have similar skillsets.

You could argue that Cedi has a "similar skillset" in the same way, but the gap in raw talent is too enormous for it to be a meaningful comparison. I do think Deni would be a good fit on this team, but wouldn't be thrilled to pick him in the mid/high lottery as of right now.

 

[cabs]

You could argue that Cedi has a "similar skillset" in the same way, but the gap in raw talent is too enormous for it to be a meaningful comparison. I do think Deni would be a good fit on this team, but wouldn't be thrilled to pick him in the mid/high lottery as of right now.

Who do you have in the high lottery atm that you would be happy with?

 

[NMCav]

You could argue that Cedi has a "similar skillset" in the same way, but the gap in raw talent is too enormous for it to be a meaningful comparison. I do think Deni would be a good fit on this team, but wouldn't be thrilled to pick him in the mid/high lottery as of right now.

Dude has dominated competition of the same age. Just won Euroleagues U20 Fiba MVP. The talent is clearly there. In a draft full of PGs he's a high upside wing and clearly worth a pick in the 5 to 10 range based on upside alone. He's vastly superior the Cedi at the same age. Some guys just aren't ready to compete with grown men at the age of 18. He played last year at 17 for Maccaebi.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I think right now we are seeing a new coaching staff and a head coach with no NBA experience trying to translate his college offense to the NBA.

If true, that's discouraging to me. You don't hire a 66 year old college coach with the hope that he's going to have a learning curve in terms of adjusting to the NBA game. Adjusting to NBA players, perhaps.

But I think you hire a college coach in the hope that he's already studied the pro game extensively, and that he'll be bringing positive innovation to the NBA. To some extent, you want to see the NBA adjusting to him rather than the other way around.

 

[Nathan S]

Dude has dominated competition of the same age. Just won Euroleagues U20 Fiba MVP. The talent is clearly there. In a draft full of PGs he's a high upside wing and clearly worth a pick in the 5 to 10 range based on upside alone. He's vastly superior the Cedi at the same age. Some guys just aren't ready to compete with grown men at the age of 18. He played last year at 17 for Maccaebi.

Cedi also won the U20 MVP back in the day, lol. So did Zoosman in 2018. I don't think he's a bad prospect, but I don't think he's "clearly" worth a top-10 pick at this stage.

Who do you have in the high lottery atm that you would be happy with?

Hard to say since we haven't the top NCAA prospects in action yet. Early returns from international guys have been underwhelming. I think 2 of Avdija/Hayes/Maledon/Hampton/Ball will be top-10 picks when the dust settles, but I don't know which 2.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

If true, that's discouraging to me. You don't hire a 66 year old college coach with the hope that he's going to have a learning curve in terms of adjusting to the NBA game. Adjusting to NBA players, perhaps.

But I think you hire a college coach in the hope that he's already studied the pro game extensively, and that he'll be bringing positive innovation to the NBA. To some extent, you want to see the NBA adjusting to him rather than the other way around.

Frankly I want a young coach that will provide relatability as well as longevity. Someone that players can also relate to an extent. Not sure I like the Beilien vibes.

Like you say, what does Beilein bring to the table as a 66 year old if he has to adjust and learn the NBA? He should provide experience and understanding, but as a college coach he does not bring that, so what's his virtue? a mentor, instructor?

It's super early, but i'm not sure I like the culture that he brings. I thought they were some pretty interesting candidates available at the time. We will see.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Cedi also won the U20 MVP back in the day, lol. So did Zoosman in 2018. I don't think he's a bad prospect, but I don't think he's "clearly" worth a top-10 pick at this stage.



Hard to say since we haven't the top NCAA prospects in action yet. Early returns from international guys have been underwhelming. I think 2 of Avdija/Hayes/Maledon/Hampton/Ball will be top-10 picks when the dust settles, but I don't know which 2.

Deni AVdija is a nice defender. I'm confident it will translate.

Deni is not a good 3pt shooter at all. On and off the ball.

He excels at this level as a playmaker but does not get a chance to do so. Will it happen in the NBA? for him to succeed he will need to become a good NBA 3pt shooter. His shot is pretty unreliable.

His frame is narrow. Will have hard time adding mass.

 

[Nathan S]

Deni AVdija is a nice defender. I'm confident it will translate.

Deni is not a good 3pt shooter at all. On and off the ball.

He excels at this level as a playmaker but does not get a chance to do so. Will it happen in the NBA? for him to succeed he will need to become a good NBA 3pt shooter. His shot is pretty unreliable.

His frame is narrow. Will have hard time adding mass.

Sounds like you're describing Batum. How's that for a comp?

 

[NMCav]

Frankly I want a young coach that will provide relatability as well as longevity. Someone that players can also relate to an extent. Not sure I like the Beilien vibes.

Like you say, what does Beilein bring to the table as a 66 year old if he has to adjust and learn the NBA? He should provide experience and understanding, but as a college coach he does not bring that, so what's his virtue? a mentor, instructor?

It's super early, but i'm not sure I like the culture that he brings. I thought they were some pretty interesting candidates available at the time. We will see.

Wrong quote I think. I was talking about Deni not Coach Beilein.