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"May you live in interesting times" - ancient Chinese proverb

And we do. First gameday thread of what promises to be a very interesting season. Some questions as it starts...

1) Who starts with Ben and Shake out?

2) Who runs point aside from Maxey? Tobi, Kork, Seth, Joe?

3) Are the Pelicans on the verge of imploding with Zion out (and over 300 lbs)?

4) Will a strong start lessen pressure on Morey to deal Ben? Or vice versa?

5) Which young guys will step up? Maxey, Joe, Kork, Matisse, Reed, Springer?

6) Will Jo push for MVP?

7) Is this team a real contender or not?

Time's yours.

GameCast here:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401359838

Arsenal wrote:"May you live in interesting times" - ancient Chinese proverb

And we do. First gameday thread of what promises to be a very interesting season. Some questions as we start the season...

1) Who starts with Ben and Shake out?

2) Who runs point aside from Maxey? Tobi, Kork, Seth, Joe?

3) Are the Pelicans on the verge of imploding with Zion out (and over 300 lbs)?

4) Will a strong start lessen pressure on Morey to deal Ben? Or vice versa?

5) Which young guys will step up? Maxey, Joe, Kork, Matisse, Reed, Springer?

6) Will Jo push for MVP?

7) Is this team a real contender or not?

Time's yours.

GameCast here:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401359838

Definitely interesting times. Honestly, just happy to be watching some basketball again.

Here are my predictions-

1) Who starts with Ben and Shake out?
Maxey

2) Who runs point aside from Maxey? Tobi, Kork, Seth, Joe?
No real point, but I'm guessing in order who will bring it up depending whos on the floor- Joe, Seth, Green, Kork,

3) Are the Pelicans on the verge of imploding with Zion out (and over 300 lbs)?
No, but I don't think they're going to be a very good team.

4) Will a strong start lessen pressure on Morey to deal Ben? Or vice versa?
I think it lessens pressure. They won't need him and can wait to see if a team implodes.

5) Which young guys will step up? Maxey, Joe, Kork, Matisse, Reed, Springer?
I think at the start it'll be Kork, Maxey, Joe and by the end of the season will be Joe, Maxey, Kork. I don't expect a lot from Reed or Springer this year.

6) Will Jo push for MVP?
Yes. I don't have any reason to think he'll be worse than last year plus now the team completely revolves around him. Injuries are the wildcard of course.

7) Is this team a real contender or not?
No depending on what comes back from the Simmons trade.

I hope he can prove me wrong, but I would try to maximize Maxey's minutes with Drummond as they are a better fit than him and Embiid.

1) Who starts with Ben and Shake out?

Maxey and Seth.


Maxey 32 Curry 16
Curry 16 Korkmaz 24 Green 8
Green 24 Thybulle 24
Harris 32 Niang 16
Embiid 30 Drummond 18

2) Who runs point aside from Maxey? Tobi, Kork, Seth, Joe?

Seth will also be the backup PG for now. Which hopefully means some run for Joe, but probably just means more Korkmaz.

3) Are the Pelicans on the verge of imploding with Zion out (and over 300 lbs)?

I mean, they aren't a playoff team. So do bad teams really implode?

4) Will a strong start lessen pressure on Morey to deal Ben? Or vice versa?

Winning makes everyone happier. That being said, the whole team already looks like it's done answering questions about Ben. And the media isn't going to let up. So I'm not sure it matters.

5) Which young guys will step up? Maxey, Joe, Kork, Matisse, Reed, Springer?

They are counting on Maxey and Thybulle to show significant growth right now. We'll see if they're up to it.

6) Will Jo push for MVP?

This team is 100% The Jo Show. So he should. But he's bound to miss 20 games or so again. Which means he won't really.

7) Is this team a real contender or not?

Not as currently constructed. And it's not likely a Ben trade is going to be enough to fix that.

I’m rooting for Korkmaz to make the leap and turn into a poor man’s version of Stojakovic this season. Am I crazy?

Danger game this one, away and the Pelicans can run up a score with Ingram/Val.

I think Korkmaz should start with Curry, Green, Harris, Embiid and go from there.

Then Maxey and Joe should be the next in line off the bench with Niang/Drummond rotating through. It’s quite an easy rotation because they’ve been the nine best performing players in pre-season so reward it. Doc better not stuff this one up lol. Run Maxey with Drummond, Joe should get burn in Green’s spot with the starters.

First game some experiments on lineups but that should be well into formulation now. Harris/Green on Ingram (Niang could be the go to).

NBA IS BACK GET EXCITED!

SHOULD be an easy win without Zion. If it’s a loss we know this Simmons thing is bothering the team more than what they’re letting on And it could be a .500 season.

Can't wait to see Furk, Joe, and the ball flying all over the place tonight.

I'm ready for more Joel and shooters line ups.

So excited for this! Want to see a lot of ball movement. Without Ben on the floor, Joel becomes deadly passing out of the double teams to open shooters. I expect that Thybulle's 3 point shot will still be spotty but his man defense will have improved to the point that it will be hard to take him of the court if Ingram gets hot.

Hopefully Daryl and Griffin have a couple conversations. Hopefully Embiid and Ingram have some friendly interactions on the court. Let's will this thing into existence.

The sixers will bring the rain with all the three pointers and better ball movement
sixers by 15

I'll tell you what, I'm probably the most excited to see what Isaiah Joe does. I've only seen him play a handful of times. My question is this...To some of you who have watched him more than I have. CAN....He play some point guard? I mean, can he bring the ball up the floor and move an offense? We're going to need someone to do this. I've suggested a vet min signing or a small early on trade, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. So I'm leaning towards Maxey/Joe as the point guards of this team. Shake is out, but I imagine he'll be in the mix as well. Korkmaz can handle the rock a little. Will this be a PGBC? Doc had to do this a few years ago in LA when they traded CP3. I believe Tobias Harris was actually one of the primary creators on that offense.

Anyone can learn how to distribute, but I'd say the dribble penetrating aspects of the PG position are a no-go for Joe. That's where Maxey stands alone. He's the only guy on the roster that can dribble penetrate (and that includes Simmons).

Arsenal wrote:1) Who starts with Ben and Shake out?

2) Who runs point aside from Maxey? Tobi, Kork, Seth, Joe?

3) Are the Pelicans on the verge of imploding with Zion out (and over 300 lbs)?

4) Will a strong start lessen pressure on Morey to deal Ben? Or vice versa?

5) Which young guys will step up? Maxey, Joe, Kork, Matisse, Reed, Springer?

6) Will Jo push for MVP?

7) Is this team a real contender or not?

1) Maxey + Seth is going to be too short but they won't send Seth to the bench. So Korkmaz starts. But Maxey plays more minutes.

2) Yes. Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

3) Implosion doesn't apply to non-playoff teams.

4) Strong start will lessen pressure on Morey.

5) Two out of Maxey, Joe, and Kork will score double digits tonight. Any or all of the 3 could eventually be a long-term starter in the league (5+ years as a full-time starter). I think it's safe to say at least one will. Maxey could take Seth's starting job this year.
Reed and Springer won't be major factors this year. Maybe in the future.

6) Yes, he'll be in the discussion again.

7) Not contenders as constructed. Depends entirely on what happens with Ben. Ben as a willing shooter (even if he's a bad shooter) makes this team a contender. Ben traded for anything close to his value that is currently playable (i.e. no draft picks or prospects coming back) makes this team a contender. I haven't heard any rumors that fit that criteria. If he's traded for parts and picks and prospects (every rumor we've heard so far), then we'd just have to hope that something develops while we're still in Embiid's window. But without a change in Ben or a good trade, this year we won't contend.

bem bibbons

this either ends with us hype or defcon one of sorrow.


nothing in between

I think there's a possible that the Pelicans could be frisky in this game (don't be surprised if Devonta Graham splashes 5 threes on us), but ultimately, I think we're the better team.

Mik317 wrote:this either ends with us hype or defcon one of sorrow.


nothing in between

God I hope they win. The negativity on this board would be intolerable. The fans of this team could use something to cheer about.

JV is a large white guy which doesn't bode well for Joel