35 Wins?

[BobCatsFoLife]

Can the Grizz win 35 games with the current team?

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

My guesstimate is 32 wins +/- 8 so I guess 35 isn't out of he question at all. We'll have to wait and see.

[It_Was_Typed]

29.

[SD2042]

They still have more moves to make. Right now, they have enough to win around 30 games.

[Vabeachjay33]

In my mind, They have the pieces and the making of a very solid team, that with the right coaching and progression of his rookies, can win a possible 40 games. Natural scorers in Mayo and Rudy Gay with a solid inside game that includes length( two 7 footers) and the ability to score inside and finish around the rim. While Gasol and Thabeet can only improve during the course of training camp and the season, Zach Randolph makes for the perfect addition because he is a guy who's going to get you 20 points and 10 rebounds on almost every given night. He's that proven scoring threat and big body rebounder in the league that brings bulk and strength to a Memphis club who already possesses tall, long shotblockers that can rebound effectively enough to keep the ball high and make the tough outlet passes to Conley so he can lead the fast break. The transition game should be better than average from this ballclub. Their guards and wings are all athletic and very talented with the ball. Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Carroll from Missou, Sam Young from Pitt all can make things happen in transition. Jaric spotting up from the 3, and now you have an effective transition game.


It's all up to the coach to find an offensive system that exploits the talent of his perimeter scorers/shooters while keeping a maintained balance of touches to Randolph, Gasol and his big men. He also has to improve and help adapt his rookies to the NBA style of play. They need to receive the right instruction and the right set of fundamentals and skills during training camp and practice so they can be effective early on in the season, not 55 games in when they are already out of picture completely. Progression of the rookies is important and just how quickly coach can get it done is even more important.

If they get one more veteran point guard or ball handler durin the offseason then they have the chance to be good, and be good THIS YEAR. to me, it's how well the coach can mesh all this young talent together to form one reliable system of play.

[vanjulio]

They could make 35 wins if OJ continues to improve this year and gels with Rudy. Plus if Conley continues to improve and gain confidence, watch out for us. The additions we made so far this offseason should make us much more tougher and should spread out our games longer so that we hang on longer in the 4th quarter for chances to win about 10 more games this year. There were so many nights we played as good or better than the opponent and then faded in the 2nd half. That was probably 30 of our losses. If we can turn half of those into a competitive game then I like our chances to grind it out with our top dogs. They can win .667 of those contests that go down to the wire.

But obviously top teams will not let us in their house so you can discount 20% of the games before tip-off.

[bobobolas1]

30 wins. but if the chemistry is good we can get the 35-38

[Lamrock]

Health, the development of youth and Thabeet are all question marks, but based on 2008-09 stats, I would peg Memphis as a 23-59 team. Since OJ is a rookie, and likely to make the sophomore jump, Thabeet can be given the benefit of the doubt and they tanked last year, I'll round up to about 27 wins. Congratulations, a three game improvement and a high pick in an excellent draft.

[Prospect Dong]

I'd been hoping for somewhere in the region of 35-38 wins, but that depended on us having a pretty strong offseason. Right now I'd say we'd need to land a great backup 1/2 or a pair of good backups and need to get lucky with how Randolph fits with the team. If I had to guess right now I'd say we end up with marginal NBA players backing up Conley and OJ and maybe 30-32 wins.

[vanjulio]

how did we tank last year when we nearly had a winning record in April?!?

[jefe]

I'm really trying to temper my expectations, because every team looks like a great team at this time of year. With that said, I think 35 wins is possible - Randolph will provide exactly what this team lacked on the offensive end last year (consistant low post scoring). However, I think the success (or lack thereof) for the upcoming season hinges on Hollins ability to get the players to buy into giving consistant effort on the defensive end.