How Many Wins, 1st guess

[pipfan]

Assuming we have our team set, I am strangely optimistic. Part of that is that I always over-estimate how well the Bulls will play each year, and part of it is that I'm resigned to the fact that we won't blow it up.

Our team is actually pretty solid
Carter/White/Ayo
Lavine/Caruso/White
DDR/Caruso/PWill/Terry
PWill/Craig/Caruso
Vuc/Drummond
I like Phillips as a long term prospect, and Bitim looks interesting. We could use one more big (Wood is a nice plan, but doubtful) but I think we are going to be better than Vegas thinks (37.5 wins). I know it's a joke here, but continuity does help sometimes.

So, as of now, how many games will we win?

[sco]

I'm really thinking 35 because Vegas is usually more right than me, but optimistically I said 41-45.

I think it will come down to 3 things:

1) Health
2) Coby's and Pat's development
3) Billy's changes - Rotations and getting more 3's into the offense

[greenwing]

I’d say 45 games but will make the second round.

[ChettheJet]

I'm looking for a steady year to 41. A 3 game winning streak might be optimistic.

But you've got to watch the start to maybe downsize that guess. If they come out slow and after 40 games they're 15-25, you can forget the 41 number because they're going to have to admit they made the wrong moves and trade DeRozan, Caruso, Drummond and maybe more at the deadline. Hope Lavine is motivated to become more of a team leader and defender, turn the team over to Williams and White.

[HomoSapien]

51

[_txchilibowl_]

51

I was going to say 52 but 51 has a nice ring to it...

[DuckIII]

51

I like the confidence!

I don’t like what the FO is doing big picture but I do think, given what they have chosen to do, they had a strong summer. I believe we will be better.

The problem is we had really good health last year other than Lonzo, and it’s unlikely we get that two years in a row. On the other hand, I believe the roster is better suited this year to offset that if it happens.

I’m going with 46 wins.

[Andi Obst]

Could see anything from 35 to 45 depending on health. First round exit at best.

[FriedRise]

Vote 55 you cowards!

- Big 3 are ironmen again
- PW and Coby take another step forward
- Carter replaces 85% of what Lonzo provided
- Craig's shooting touch was not an anomaly
- Billy stops dicking Drummond's minutes around and actually play him at C for a full season
- Caruso hits another career high in games played and 3P%

[dougthonus]

I think there are a few things:
1: Health regressing to the mean has a major chance to hurt us
2: Luck in close games regressing to the mean has a major chance to help us
3: The roster feels better overall

I think we'll end up around 42-45 wins. Interesting, Vegas is really low on the Bulls, quick look was 37.5 over under on the year. That seemed ridiculously low given we were 40 last year and seem stronger entering this year, even if not a ton stronger.

[bad knees]

I voted for 51-55, with my eye on 52. I am a firm believer that the Lonzo era and the Pat Bev era show a path to this team being successful, and the the FO's moves this summer give us a good chance to recreate that. Injuries are the biggest concern for me, given that we were quite injury-free last season, as others have said. Especially at the center spot - what will we do if Vuc goes down? We need another C on the roster desperately, I think. Preferably someone who can slide to PF. DJJ, come on down.

[Bandit King]

41

[Daxel]

50, if healthy

[jnrjr79]

My guess was 46, but I voted 41-45 because "first round fodder" is still my overall view, even if they might squeak one win higher than that range.

[Wingy]

Going 45. We’ll be entertaining enough.

Still. Screw you AK for skipping on a generational draft prospect and other high end guys like Scoot, Thompsons.

[GoBlue72391]

I think we project to be a bit above .500, maybe 45 wins or so.

[meekrab]

Going 45. We’ll be entertaining enough.

Still. Screw you AK for skipping on a generational draft prospect and other high end guys like Scoot, Thompsons.

What

[prolific passer]

74-8. Lose in the play in somehow.

[Wingy]

Going 45. We’ll be entertaining enough.

Still. Screw you AK for skipping on a generational draft prospect and other high end guys like Scoot, Thompsons.

What

I’m not letting the past go. They effed up not even trying last season. It’s a joke combined with my actual prediction. Yet, not a joke at all.

[weneeda2guard]

I actually believe we will be a 50 win team.

1. East has gotten weaker
2. We fixed the holes that were killing us last season (3pt shooting and pg play)
3. Lavine, Patrick Williams and coby will all be better
4. We are one of the better defensive teams in the East.
5. Although we didn't have a great reg season record the 1 great take away from last season from the year before was the fact we were able to get wins vs some of the best teams in the league whereas the season before that we couldn't beat any great teams.