I expect these numbers to land somewhere in the vicinity of reality: Yao - 24.0 PPG in 32 MPG .53% from the field .85% Free Throws Tracy- 22.0 PPG in 34 MPG .44% from the field .72% Free Throws (thanks to Barry, Brooks, Head, we won't have to squeeze minutes outta MCGrady). Artest- 17.0 PPG in 34 MPG .46% from the field .72% Free Throws (we have a log jam at teh forward spot...mind you, it's a GOOD kind of log jam) Scola - 12.0 PPG in 30 MPG .50% from the field .65% Free Throws (His efficiency goes up thanks to the attention the other players get on offense...Scola is also good at creating his own scoring opportunity) Landry - 10.0 PPG in 22 MPG .60% from the field .65% Free Throws (I'm HIGH on this kid...Shawn Kemp Jr) Alston - 8.0 PPG in 28 MPG .40% from the field .72% Free Throws (He's gonna hit at least 40% from down town) And 16 PPG from our Bench....That's 109 PPG. I think the talent we have can be waaaay more potent than Adelmans lineups in Sac Town. I know it'll take a few weeks before the Rockets get used to the motion offense, but I expect them to do better than the Kings as far as offensive out put (We got 3 pt shooters in Head, Brooks, Barry, and Alston.).
My prediction: Yao - 20.0 PPG in 32 MPG 51% from the field 84% Free Throws Tracy- 20.0 PPG in 34 MPG 41% from the field 73% Free Throws Artest- 17.0 PPG in 34 MPG 42% from the field 74% Free Throws Scola - 9.0 PPG in 24 MPG 50% from the field 65% Free Throws Landry - 11.0 PPG in 24 MPG 55% from the field 74% Free Throws Alston - 8.0 PPG in 28 MPG 39% from the field 72% Free Throws Last year, we scored 96.7 and gave up 92.0. This year, I'll say we score 98.5 and give up 93.5. I think the defense will slip some, and the offense will improve. Overall, we win 57 games (likely injuries to the Big Three throughout the year).
Why do you think the defense will slip durvasa? You'd think that adding Artest would make our defense even better. Although if your presumption is that we'll play more up-tempo this year, then I can see why you think we'd give up the additional point. The main key to our defense will be point guard. We can't let guys like Chris Paul and Deron Williams beat us up again. A guy like Williams though will be tough if Alston's on the bench. Brooks is too small and we really don't have anyone else who can keep up with him. Hope Francis can make a successful comeback 'cause he'd be useful against big guards.
We're likely to increase the pace a bit, since fast-breaking is a focus particularly with our second unit, but I actually think our defense (points allowed per possession) will slip a bit. I think Shane and Chuck last year, and the previous year, were a big part of our team defense. Both are likely to see far fewer minutes this year, certainly playing with eachother. I think another year removed from the JVG years could cause some erosion in the defense. And a third factor: I think it's a natural tendency that when a team starts scoring more easily (which we'll probably do this year), the intensity and focus on the defensive end can slip. Artest may help offset some of these things, but overall I expect some slippage. Hopefully I'm wrong, and we improve on both ends. That will be tough.
