Hornets: 2014-15 Season Predictions

[HornetJail]

because why the **** not

2014-15 SEASON PREDICTIONS

Team outcome:
Record: 50-32
Seed in the EC: 3
Ranking in the division: 1
Longest winning streak: 7
Longest losing streak: 4

Leaders (list player and total):
Leader in scoring: Al Jefferson: 20.5ppg
Leading in rebounds: Al Jefferson: 10.5rpg
Leader in assists: Kemba Walker: 7.0apg
Leader in blocks: Bismack Biyombo: 1.6bpg (in 18 mpg)
Leader in steals: Kemba Walker: 1.6spg
Leader in 3s made: Kemba Walker: 145
Leader in FG%: Bismack Biyombo: 60%
Leader in 3P%: Brian Roberts: 42%
Leader in FT%: Brian Roberts: 90%
Leader in PER: Al Jefferson: 21.0


Individual player milestones (list player and total):
Most 30-point games: Al Jefferson: 18
Most 40-point games: Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson: 1 each
Most games leading the team in scoring: Al Jefferson: 30
Most double-doubles: Al Jefferson: 35
Most triple-doubles: Lance Stephenson: 3
Most points in a single game: Kemba Walker: 46 (new franchise record)
Most rebounds in a single game: Al Jefferson: 20
Most assists in a single game: Kemba Walker: 17 (new career high)
Most blocks in a single game: Bismack Biyombo: 7
Most steals in a single game: Lance Stephenson: 7

Player Achievements/Events:
Any players involved at all in All-Star Weekend: Al Jefferson (ASG), Lance Stephenson (ASG), Noah Vonleh (rook/soph game)
Any players named to any All-NBA Teams, or other end of season award: Al Jefferson (All-NBA 3rd team), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (All-Defense 2nd team)
Any player of the month awards: none
Any players suspended: PJ Hairston
Any players waived: Jannero Pargo
Any staff fired: none
Any players traded: Gary Neal, Jeff Taylor, Marvin Williams

Individual stats (points/rebounds/assists, plus any other relevant stat):
Al Jefferson: 20.5/10.5/2.5
Kemba Walker: 16.5/4.0/7.0, 1.6spg, shooting %s: 43/35/85
Lance Stephenson: 16.0/6.0/5.5, 1.2spg, shooting %s: 50/37/75
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 10.5/7.5/1.5
Gerald Henderson: 12.5/3.0/2.5, shooting %s: 45/36/80
Bismack Biyombo: 5.0/7.0/0.5, 1.6bpg (only playing approx 18mpg)
Noah Vonleh: 4.0/5.0/1.0 (playing spot minutes but more after all-star break)
Cody Zeller: 4.5/4.5/1.0 (not a lot of minutes)
Marvin Williams: 8.5/4.0/1.5, shooting %s: 44/37/75
PJ Hairston: 7.5/1.5/1.5, shooting %s: 38/36/72
Brian Roberts: 6.0/1.0/5.5, shooting %s: 43/42/90
Jannero Pargo: doesn't matter (not in rotation)
Jeff Taylor: doesn't matter (not in rotation)
Gary Neal: (not in rotation)

[JDR720]

Record: 51-31
Seed: 4
Division: 1
Longest W streak: 6
Longest L streak: 4

Leader in scoring: Al Jefferson (19.7ppg)
Leader in rebounding: Al Jefferson (9.7rpg)
Leader in assists: Kemba Walker (6.5apg)
Leader in blocks: Bismack Biyombo (1.5bpg)
Leader in steals: Kemba Walker (1.7spg)
Leader in threes made: Kemba Walker (120)
Leader in FG%: Bismack Biyombo (58%)
Leader in 3p%: Gary Neal (41%)
Leader in FT%: Brian Roberts (93%)
Leader in PER: Al Jefferson (22.7)


Most 30pt games: Al Jefferson (15)
Most 40pt games: Al Jefferson (1)
Most games leading team in scoring: Al Jefferson (31)
Most double doubles: Al Jefferson (33)
Most triple-doubles: Lance Stephenson (4)
Most points in game: Al Jefferson (42)
Most rebounds in game: Al Jefferson (18)
Most blocks in game: Bismack Biyombo (6)
Most steals in game: Kemba Walker (7)


All-Star weekend: Al Jefferson (ASG) Lance Stephenson (ASG) Cody Zeller (rook/soph)
Awards: Al Jefferson 3rd team All NBA
POTM awards: 0
Suspended: none
Waived: Taylor
Staff fire: none
Traded: Neal and Gerald


Stats
Al Jefferson: 19.7/9.7/2 on 51/72 (FG/FT)
Kemba Walker: 18/4/6.5 on 42/36/85
Lance Stephenson: 15/7/6 on 47/36/74
MKG: 12/7.5/1.5 on 45/25/75
Gerald Henderson: 12/2/3 on 44/34/78
Bismack: 4/6 (PT/RB) on 58/53 (FG/FT)
Noah: 5/6/1 on 45/30/74
Zeller: 9/7/2.3 on 47/20/76
Marvin Williams: 9/4/2 on 44/37/80
Brian Roberts: 7/2/5 on 42/40/93
Gary Neal: 8.5/2/2 on 41/41/90

PJ Hairston: (not in regular rotation) but averages 7/3/1 on 40/37/78
Pargo: (also not in rotation) averaged 4/1/2 on 36/40/87
Jeff Taylor: (not in rotation) averages 5/2/2 on 43/33/65

[Liver_Pooty]

Ill give mine after the preseason is over. An MKG with a much better jump shot, or a much improved Zeller/Biyombo could change predictions drastically.

[HornetJail]

bump. we're like 10 days from the start of the season. I'll get a new prediction up today or tomorrow but it's going to be fairly close to the one i have right now

[catch20two]

45-37 unless we make a great trade involving Hendo and/or Zeller to get us over 50 wins.

[Elden Payton]

48-34

Second round of the Playoffs.

[BigSlam]

2014-15 SEASON PREDICTIONS

Team outcome:
Record: 49-33
Seed in the EC: 4
Ranking in the division: 1
Longest winning streak: 8
Longest losing streak: 5

Leaders (list player and total):
Leader in scoring: Al Jefferson: 22.5ppg
Leading in rebounds: Al Jefferson: 10.5rpg
Leader in assists: Kemba Walker: 7.0apg
Leader in blocks: Al Jefferson: 1.5bpg
Leader in steals: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 2.0spg
Leader in 3s made: Gary Neal: 127
Leader in FG%: Bismack Biyombo: 58%
Leader in 3P%: PJ Hairiston: 41%
Leader in FT%: Brian Roberts: 90%
Leader in PER: Al Jefferson: 21.0


Individual player milestones (list player and total):
Most 30-point games: Al Jefferson: 11
Most 40-point games: Al Jefferson: 1
Most games leading the team in scoring: Al Jefferson: 30
Most double-doubles: Al Jefferson: 35
Most triple-doubles: Lance Stephenson: 3
Most points in a single game: Al Jefferson: 41
Most rebounds in a single game: Al Jefferson: 25
Most assists in a single game: Lance Stephenson: 15
Most blocks in a single game: Bismack Biyombo: 10
Most steals in a single game: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 5

Player Achievements/Events:
Any players involved at all in All-Star Weekend: Al Jefferson (ASG), PJ Hairiston (rook/soph game)
Any players named to any All-NBA Teams, or other end of season award: Al Jefferson (All-NBA 2nd team), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (All-Defense 2nd team)
Any player of the month awards: Lance Stephenson
Any players suspended: Gerald Henderson
Any players waived: Jeffery Taylor
Any staff fired: none
Any players traded: Bismack Biyombo

Individual stats (points/rebounds/assists, plus any other relevant stat):
Al Jefferson: 22.5/10.5/2.5
Kemba Walker: 16.5/4.0/5.0, 1.6spg, shooting %s: 42/34/85
Lance Stephenson: 16.0/6.0/6.0, 1.2spg, shooting %s: 48/37/75
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 14.5/7.5/1.5
Gary Neal: 10.5/2.0/2.5, shooting %s: 45/40/80
Gerald Henderson: 8.0/3.0/1.5, shooting %s: 45/32/80
Bismack Biyombo: 4.0/6.0/0.5, 1.3bpg
Noah Vonleh: 4.0/5.0/1.0
Cody Zeller: 8.0/5.0/1.0
Marvin Williams: 8.5/4.0/1.5, shooting %s: 44/37/75
PJ Hairston: 7.5/2.5/1.0, shooting %s: 44/41/72
Brian Roberts: 4.0/1.0/4.0, shooting %s: 43/42/90
Jannero Pargo: doesn't matter (not in rotation)
Jeff Taylor: doesn't matter (not in rotation)

[Hornet Mania]

Awesome attention to detail with these predictions. I'm just going to stick to record/standings plus five bold predictions.

Record: 48-34
5th in the Eastern Conference
2nd round exit to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 games

-I think 48 wins is a nice, but modest improvement over last season. I have no reason to believe, given what we've seen this preseason, to believe this team will get off to a hot start. I think Lance will need to get a feel for things and collectively everyone will need time to gel. I'd love to be proven wrong.

Bold Prediction #1: Charlotte will finish 5th, but have the 2nd best record in the conference after the All-Star break.

Bold Prediction #2: Lance Stephenson will be our third-best player, and this is a good thing. Big Al will continue to shine and Kemba will mature in this offense cutting down on the bad shots and flashing improved play making ability.

Bold Prediction #3: PJ Hairston will be the best rookie on our roster, by far, and the only one to carve out decent playing time. He will also take part in the Rookie/Soph Game (or its equivalent), making a name for himself with streaky shooting and devil-may-care swagger.

Bold Prediction #4: Noah Vonleh will win the Adam Morrison Memorial Award for rookie most lampooned by other fan bases. By season's end he will show flashes to suggest 2015-2016 will be different, but he'll look rough out there to start.

Bold Prediction #5: Our bench, a position of weakness in the past, will be one of the best in the league. The Neal/Hairston combo will pull our butts from the fire on more than a few occasions, and Biz/Zeller will provide workmanlike but often unappreciated energy in the paint scrapping for rebounds and extra opportunities.

[fatlever]

2014-15 SEASON PREDICTIONS

Team outcome:
Record: 45-37
Seed in the EC: 7
Ranking in the division: 3
Longest winning streak: 5
Longest losing streak: 6

Leaders (list player and total):
Leader in scoring: Al Jefferson: 19.5ppg
Leading in rebounds: Al Jefferson: 10.0rpg
Leader in assists: Kemba Walker: 6.5apg
Leader in blocks: Al Jefferson: 1.3bpg
Leader in steals: Kemba Walker: 1.8spg
Leader in 3s made: Kemba Walker: 125
Leader in FG%: Jefferson 49% (Biz not enough attempts to qualify)
Leader in 3P%: Neal 39%
Leader in FT%: Brian Roberts: 92%
Leader in PER: Al Jefferson: 19.5


Individual player milestones (list player and total):
Most 30-point games: Al Jefferson: 5
Most 40-point games: Kemba Walker: 1
Most games leading the team in scoring: Al Jefferson: 25
Most double-doubles: Al Jefferson: 30
Most triple-doubles: Lance Stephenson: 1
Most points in a single game: Kemba Walker: 43
Most rebounds in a single game: Al Jefferson: 18
Most assists in a single game: Kemba Walker: 12
Most blocks in a single game: Al Jefferson: 5
Most steals in a single game: Kemba Walker: 7

Player Achievements/Events:
Any players involved at all in All-Star Weekend: Al Jefferson (ASG), Kemba Walker (skills challenge)
Any players named to any All-NBA Teams, or other end of season award: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (All-Defense 2nd team)
Any player of the month awards: No
Any players suspended: Jeffery Taylor
Any players waived: Jeffery Taylor
Any staff fired: none
Any players traded: Bismack Biyombo - I definitely think that the Hornets will make a trade this season featuring either Biz, Cody or Henderson or a combination of all 3. The trade will be for either a perimter scoring small forward or scoring big man.

Individual stats (points/rebounds/assists, plus any other relevant stat):
Al Jefferson 19.5ppg, 10rpg, 2apg
Kemba Walker 16.5ppg, 4rpg, 6.5apg, 1.8spg
Lance Stephenson 15ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.5apg
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 10ppg, 6.5rpg, 2apg
Gerald Henderson 9ppg, 2rpg, 1.5apg
Gary Neal 8ppg, 1rpg, 2apg
Marvin Williams 8ppg, 4prg, 1.5apg
Cody Zeller 7ppg, 4rpg, 1apg
Brian Roberts 7ppg, 1rbg, 3apg

Overall NBA Predictions

East
1. Cavs
2. Bulls
3. Raps
4. Wiz
5. Pistons
6. Heat
7. Hornets
8. Hawks
---
9. Nets
10. Knicks
11. Pacers
12. Magic
13. Bucks
14. Celtics
15. Sixers

West
1. Clippers
2. Spurs
3. Thunder
4. Warriors
5. Grizzlies
6. Mavs
7. Rockets
8. Suns
----
9. Blazers
10. Pelicans
11. Kings
12. Nuggets
13. Jazz
14. Lakers
15. Twolves

EC finals
Cavs vs Bulls, Cavs will in 7 (Bulls deal with a major injury and play short-handed)

WC finals
Clippers vs Thunder, Clippers win in 6.

Finals
Cavs vs Clippers, Clippers in 6.

My two surprise teams are the Pistons and Grizzlies which both finish 5th in their conferences. My guess is the Blazers are too thin to withstand any injuries. Last year they kept their starting 5 together all season and those guys played a ton of minutes. That won't happen again. One of the Nets, Heat and Knicks will be surprisingly good and one will be surprisingly bad, I just have no idea which one. I went with the Heat to be good and the Knicks to be bad, but I wouldn't be surprised if those roles were reversed.

As for the Hornets, lack of Chemistry, too many new faces, losing McRoberts and lack of depth at PF and C will haunt the team this year, keeping them from any chance at home court advantage. Jefferson won't have nearly as good of a year as he did last year, but will get recognized in the All-Star game anyway. It will take a while for Lance and Kemba to figure out how to play together. Marvin will prove to be no better than a solid rotation guy rather than a starter, but neither Zeller or Vonleh will play good enough to take the job from him leaving the Hornets with a big hole at PF. Biz will get traded after being benched early in the season.

MVP: Lebron
RoY: Parker
DPoY: Jordan

All NBA
Paul
Westbrook
Lebron
Durant (if he plays enough games)
M Gasol

Curry
Irving
Griffin
Love
Howard

Rose
Harden
Nowitzki
Davis
Drummond

All Defensive
Paul
Allen
Lebron
Davis
Jordan

Iguodala
Beverly
Kidd Gilchrist
Ibaka
Drummond

All Rookie
Parker
Noel
Wiggins
Payton
Smart

Randle
McDermott
Mirotic
Gordon
Hood

[LamarMatic7]

ugh.. have too much going on to do all this, even if I want to. I'll just say:

44-38

Most blocks in a single game: Al Jefferson: 5

so you think Biz is either out or not playing?

and wow, you really believe in Stan Van.

[Bravenewworld]

So i started this thread in the Thunder forums and figured i'd start it here as well since this is the eastern team i have decided to pull for. Anywho....

What do you guys think? Whats your top 8 for both conferences?

Right now i only have the east done.

Still tweaking as the preseason goes along and i see more from these younger players and new additions and how they can possibly fit teams but....

1. Heat - IMO people really ignore the value of Deng. They also seem to forget that Granger has been relatively healthy since his injury and could potentially go back to form. Which he really didnt have a chance to do with the Pacers or Clippers, but he will here. Chalmers steps it up, i think he starts putting up 15/8 or so. I think Wade will take off less then 20 games but the team will be fine. Bosh will obviously go back to bits of Craptors.

2. Cavs - They wont contend this first year, they might make the ECFs and maybe even the finals depending on who is healthy in the easy-east. But theyre not winning a title with LBJ being the only guy with any kind of experience (and part time Varejao).

IMO trading Wiggins was a huge mistake. Personally i would have kept him for his defensive abilities. Its a guard dominated league and you need someone to stay in front of CP3, Westbrook, Wall, Curry, etc. Irving cant do this and Lebron cant do it full time, especially when they dont have forward/low post defense.
If they insisted on trading for a PF, it hink they could have waited it out and gotten Love for TT, Waiters, AB and a first. OR, taken a shot at Al Horford who might also be on the table. Point is, i think they rushed this trade.

3. Bulls (if healthy) - I dont want to spend to much time on these guys. Healthy = Eastern contenders. Unhealthy = out of play offs.

4. Hornets - +Stephenson. Nuff said. If you dont understand the impact this kid has then you should not be talking basketball.

5. Detroit - Adding Stan to that roster in the East = a top 6 seed, even in the first year. These guys can potentially make the finals within the next year or so with Stan there. Jennings reminds me a lot of Nelson (except with a better skill set then Nelson) and Drummond could become MIP as a result of Stans new scheme.
The center and forward rotation is a perfect roster for a Van Gundy team. All these guys have to do is run his offense and they are deadly.

6. Wizards - IMO Beal and Wall are the best guard duo in the league (outside of Spurs) but PP cannot do what Ariza did and i dont trust Nene's health or his consistency. He always seems to be a great piece but at the same time, often a non-factor.

7. Pacers - Defense wins, especially in the east. A lot of people have these guys out of the play offs, i dont know why. Hibbert, another MIP candidate, will probably return to low post form. Stuckey will give them extra production. West will step it up. They wont be contending, but with the defense and an ability to hit 90 every night theyre fine. Although they do have a chance to tank and solidify this team for years. ..... But who knows, maybe they will let that guy go too.

8. Knicks or Nets - Im not sold on this Nets team, especially with a new coach (even if it is LH, its going to take at least a season to instill his system on them). DWill has proven to be a product of Jerry Sloan, they have next to zero defense, JJ is getting older but still JJ and their depth is.... not that good. I dont know why they got rid of Tayshaun Taylor, the team seemed to react better to him then they did DWill, but whatever.
The Knicks have defensive issues but if they do run the triangle and they are successful, im wrong at putting them at 8, it would probably be 5 or 6. Another one of those "if" factors is Hardaway jr. If he takes that second year leap with this offense, he could easily become MIP and a year away from potential all-star consideration.
I also see them being able to move pieces fairly early on. Amare, Shump, JR maybe.

Honorable mentions:
Celtics IMO will make a bit of noise. Smart was a great addition to that team, is a natural leader and should be an instant impact player.

Orlando is very interesting as well. They have a lot of great pieces who are now a year older, they drafted well, they signed a few vets, so... ya.

[Hornet Mania]

The East is such an unknown, your guess is as good as anyone else, Personally I would be really surprised if the Heat remained atop the conference, it would have to be a throwback season from D-Wade and Spo being more valuable than we currently have reason to believe. Detroit might also be a little high, but I definitely agree they're right in the mix for a playoff spot. The Raptors will be there too, I don't have confidence they'll necessarily be top-3 again but Val/Derozan/Ross should improve and Lowry will do his thing. Glad to see so many folks giving Charlotte some love, a top-4 finish would be really huge for the franchise and the city. I hope our team can reach those expectations and aim towards even greater things.

For the East I'm currently thinking:
1. Cavs
2. Bulls
3. Raps
4. Heat
5. Hornets
6. Wizards (had them 4th prior to Beal injury)
7. Hawks
8. Detroit

But I know the standings will be full of surprises by midseason.

Out West I'm thinking:
1. Spurs
2. Clipper
3. Thunder
4. Grizzlies
5. Rockets
6. Warriors
7, Mavericks
8. Blazers

I don't envy your squad at all in that conference. I think Thunder are ultimately 1a in terms of talent, but the Durant injury will drop you to 3rd in the final standings. I think the Clippers are pretenders though, so OKC should ultimately be able to take care of business in the postseason. Grizzlies are the team I think most are sleeping on, they have the continuity and projected for about 55 wins with a healthy Gasol last year. I like them a lot, would love to see a back alley brawl between them and the Spurs in the 2nd round.

[James Gatz]

You think the Raps aren't making the playoffs?

[fatlever]

merged the conf predictions thread with the current predictions thread.

[HornetJail]

I've got:
East / west

1) Chicago / OKC
2) Cleveland / LA Clippers
3) Washington / San Antonio
4) Toronto / Golden State
5) Charlotte / Dallas
6) Atlanta / Portland
7) Miami / Houston?
8) Detroit / Denver?

7-11 spots in the west are almost too damn close to call. I think Houston, Denver, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Memphis are all separated by a game or two. It would be funny if they all tied

Toronto probably gets the 6th or 7th best record in the East but receives the 4th seed due to being the only decent team in the division.

We tie with Washington for the 3 seed but lose the tiebreak, knocking us down to fifth, putting us in a position to sweep the Raptors and then get obliterated by the Bulls.

Detroit wins just 33 games and still makes the playoffs while three teams several games above .500 miss out in the West. Miami breaks even.

[JDR720]

East
1-Chicago
2-Cleveland
3-Raps
4-Hornets
5-Wiz
6-Atlanta
7-Miami
8-Nets

West
1-Spurs
2-Clippers
3-Warriors
4-Blazers
5-OKC
6-Dallas
7-Houston
8-Suns

[LamarMatic7]

I've got:
East / west

1) Chicago / OKC
2) Cleveland / LA Clippers
3) Washington / San Antonio
4) Toronto / Golden State
5) Charlotte / Dallas
6) Atlanta / Portland
7) Miami / Houston?
8) Detroit / Denver?

7-11 spots in the west are almost too damn close to call. I think Houston, Denver, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Memphis are all separated by a game or two. It would be funny if they all tied

Toronto probably gets the 6th or 7th best record in the East but receives the 4th seed due to being the only decent team in the division.

We tie with Washington for the 3 seed but lose the tiebreak, knocking us down to fifth, putting us in a position to sweep the Raptors and then get obliterated by the Bulls.

Detroit wins just 33 games and still makes the playoffs while three teams several games above .500 miss out in the West. Miami breaks even.

wow. I don't think I've seen anyway penciling in Denver in the playoffs.

[HornetJail]

They're essentially the same team that was wildly successful in the regular season a year ago, but with Afflalo, Hickson, Nate Robinson, Randy Foye, and Gary Harris replacing Iguodala, Corey Brewer, Koufos, and Andre Miller. Lawson, Faried, Chandler, and Mozgov are significantly better than they were that year as well.

On paper, I'd take this team over the 2012-13 Nuggets that won 57 games and got the 3 seed in the West, but only if they remain healthy. Gallo, Hickson, and Robinson are all back from ACL tears, McGee missed last season as well, and Lawson and Chandler had injuries of their own. They just had it really, really rough last season.

They don't have a superstar, but they have a ton of really good players and I think Shaw is a decent enough coach to make something happen.
Mozgov/McGee/Nurkic
Faried/Hickson/Arthur
Gallo/Chandler
Afflalo/Harris/Gee
Lawson/Robinson/Foye

That looks pretty good. I can see them winning 50 games if they stay healthy but that's definitely a big "if".

[LamarMatic7]

I don't think you can just take those five players, say that they replace the four who are gone and call them the same team. Iguodala, Brewer and Koufos all were starters for a reason since they were the only ones who helped the team defensively. The guys you say supposedly replaced them... ugh.. per example, I'm totally not a fan of JJ Hickson. I think he has the emptiest stats in the league. He might pull off a 15pts/15rebs game and for the average fan it seems like he's such an energetic, athletic force trying his best but he pretty much just jumps over teammates for uncontested rebounds and is a DJ White-like defensive sieve.

And they have their share of players who seemingly are underachieving despite their talent. I don't get Wilson Chandler at all. He should be on the level of Jeff Green, yet there's always something wrong with him whether it's constant injuries or his three point shot all of the sudden stops falling.

For the criticism he receives about his post-season underachieving, George Karl is one heck of a regular season coach. He can really find the right way for his team to play (both fast-paced and slow offenses) and get his guys committed to his ideas. I'm not sure Shaw knows how to create a cohesive rotation out of all the players he has and get the team to play that "organized chaos" basketball once again, which Karl almost perfected.

I expect them to be bad on defense again, not good enough on offense to account for the fast pace and overall an average team.

Their home-court advantage will always give them some extra wins so I wouldn't bet against their over/under of 40.5 but if they were any other team I'd definitely go under. In their case, I'm definitely worried that they might stumble into 30 home wins and at that point a good record isn't that far.

[fatlever]

Most blocks in a single game: Al Jefferson: 5

so you think Biz is either out or not playing?

and wow, you really believe in Stan Van.

biz only had 1 game last year with more than 4 blocks (he had 5 in one game). i just dont see him getting enough minutes to rack up big block totals. and yes, i do think biz gets traded this year.

as for the pistons, they just strike me as a team that could make a huge leap this year. drummond appears ready to take the next leap franchise center territory. van gundy will know how to get the best out of drummond and turn him into a defensive stud. and van gundy wont put up with jennings and smith playing like idiots.