GT: Game #1 - Charlotte Vs Indiana (Oct 20th)

[BigSlam]

Well, here we go! Another season full of hope and promise.

Game on!

[fatlever]

payback for beatdown play-in game. should be plenty motivated.

[GoBobs]

I see us as a more fragile version of last years team. When our 3pt shot is falling we will be able to hang in some games. When it isn’t we get blown out.

We lost one of our best 3pt shooters in DG, and one of our he might get hot guys in Monk. We are going to have less of those nights when our 3 pt shot is going.

We have only one guy that can bang in Plumblee. Only one playmaker in Melo. If either of those guys or Hayward misses extended period of time the wheels are coming off.

[JDR720]

Our biggest issue is the bench is pretty mediocre.

Graham/Monk/Biz or Cody are better than whoever our bench unit is this year.

We have a playoff caliber starting lineup and a bottom 10 bench.

[CuseMayne]

...but is our playoff caliber starting lineup going to be available? Still no news on Miles and Terry...you've gotta think Gordon will be ready since it's just health and safety protocols but who ever knows with him...and is PJ good to play with a dislocated finger in his left hand?

Meh, yeah our bench isn't the greatest, or even average. But at their peaks, Oubre and PJ are both better than any of Graham/Monk/Zeller/Biz. Ish I think will be fine as the backup PG, Bouk will show flashes, and if we get the non-10-day-contract version of McD, he will be super solid.

[fatlever]

Ish, bouk/cody, oubre, mcd, pj
That is a wretched bench.

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[BigSlam]

Graham/Monk/Biz or Cody are better than whoever our bench unit is this year.

How can you possibly think that? I think you are way off base.

Ish Vs Graham:
Sure, Graham is the better shooter, but couldn't get into the paint to save his life and didn't have the handle/speed to shake a defender.

Bouk Vs Monk:
I already have more faith in Bouk than I ever did in Monk - and Bouk is already proving to be as impactful as Monk was.

Plumdog Vs Zeller:
Similar rebounders, similar rim protectors, both have good size and mobility/athleticism - but Pumdog is a much better ball mover.

Nicky Vs Biyombo:
Don't let regency bias influence you in thinking that Biyombo was something he was not. He was terrible last year. Nicky isn't much better, but at least has size.

And that doesn't even account for Little Swaggy taking the place of Twin #2 on the bench.

Our bench sucked against the Mavs in our last preseason game............because 90% of our starters were out which meant our bench became our starters and our end of roster players became our bench.

[Walt Cronkite]

I'm excited to watch this one.

[JDR720]

How can you possibly think that? I think you are way off base.

Ish Vs Graham:
Sure, Graham is the better shooter, but couldn't get into the paint to save his life and didn't have the handle/speed to shake a defender.

Bouk Vs Monk:
I already have more faith in Bouk than I ever did in Monk - and Bouk is already proving to be as impactful as Monk was.

Plumdog Vs Zeller:
Similar rebounders, similar rim protectors, both have good size and mobility/athleticism - but Pumdog is a much better ball mover.

Nicky Vs Biyombo:
Don't let regency bias influence you in thinking that Biyombo was something he was not. He was terrible last year. Nicky isn't much better, but at least has size.

And that doesn't even account for Little Swaggy taking the place of Twin #2 on the bench.

Our bench sucked against the Mavs in our last preseason game............because 90% of our starters were out which meant our bench became our starters and our end of roster players became our bench.

Graham is better than Ish is. He is a 3pt specialist, he isn't meant to attack the paint. He is a better shooter than Ish is, and Ish isn't exactly a paint scorer either. He took 100 shots at the rim last season. Graham took 75.

If Bouk shoots 40% from 3 this season I'll be stunned. He'll probably average Monk-like stats minus 3pt shooting. 10/2/2 or something similar.

Bismack is better than Richards. Bismack, at the least, is a good veteran to have. Richards is a G-league player. He looked out of place in Summer League.

Oubre is the only clear bench upgrade. I'm not talking about preseason. Our bench, minus Oubre, are unproven rookies, journeymen and 2nd rounders. We already have injury issues and we haven't even started the season yet, that is concerning.

If you're going to say I'm being biased, then you should realize that you're being biased too.

[HornetJail]

it's pretty simple. Shot creation is a serious, serious issue on this bench. Within 15 games, I expect Borrego will have to stagger starter minutes so that one of Ball/Hayward/Rozier is on the court with the bench unit. Oubre has a talent level beyond a normal bench player, as does whichever of Plumlee/Washington comes off the bench, but they aren't creating their own offense. The downgrade is at the guard spots. Ish, at best, is an ok game manager. He is not Devonte' by any stretch of the imagination as a scorer, passer, or shooter. We will also miss his clutch 4th quarter shots, that Ish will not be giving us. I will be absolutely overjoyed if Bouk is as good as Monk was for us last year, but am not expecting it at all.

This is shades of "Ramon Sessions, Marco Belinelli, and Roy Hibbert should make up for us letting Lin, Lee, Jefferson walk, and we'll get MKG back, so we should be better in 2017 than we were in 2016." A stand I, along with many other Hornets fans on here, took, and wound up looking stupid for believing.

This is not a better roster than last year.

[Roll Tide 09]

I’m calling 45-50 wins. We’ll be fine if healthy.


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[amcoolio]

This is a better roster solely because LaMelo looks like he has taken a leap already and is getting to the rim/getting his shot off at will and also because Biz isn't on it.

[MasterIchiro]

Oubre has averaged 18.7.
PJ has averaged 12.9.
Bouknight averaged 15.8 preseason, third highest scoring average for a rookie and ahead of everyone drafted ahead of him, every pick 1-10.

Just numbers.

I worry about the ball sticking without Graham. So Rozier or LaMelo will have to be on the court at all times when the games get more serious and as coaches tighten rotations. In a playoff series, Ish might not see the floor. Bouknight, Rozier, LaMelo and Miles will eat up Graham's shots. And who cares about missing Monk's shots when he gave back every single point on the other end. Was Monk ever going to be entrusted with big playoff games. I don't mind more efficient players and better iso scorers taking up Graham's minutes in the playoffs. How far will Bouknight progress through the season? Will he finish top 3 in his class in scoring, top 5, top 10? He's kind of a wildcard. But he is a rising junior like PJ and Miles who both made an impact their rookie seasons. Monk was one-and-done. Graham was a college graduate. Bouknight has both experience and upside. And he was born into a team more conducive to his scoring off ball. LaMelo is I feel (yes I'm biased) a top 3 passer in the NBA.

LaMelo and Miles made leaps. Oubre will add tenacious defense. He has the ability to captain a defense. His intensity should translate. This team will play with greater energy and urgency than last year's and it would be difficult to suffer the same level of injuries.

I'm ready.

[fatlever]

my concerns are less about individual replacements, more about team needs.
we needed shooting, playmaking and backup center. we got worse in those areas of need. graham zeller had faults, but they almost always had positive impacts on court. monk was a mess offcourt, but when he played was great for catch-shoot 3s and pushing pace, getting to rim. bouk will take time.
oubre solid player but doesnt fill a need other than wind def/dunks... of which cody m can give you some nights, it wasnt huge team need.
just wish we had added few more guys who complimented needs better

[BigSlam]

He is a 3pt specialist, he isn't meant to attack the paint.

He’s a 3pt specialist? The guy is barley over 35% from 3 for his career. He isn’t meant to attack the paint because he can’t attack the paint.

He (Smith) took 100 shots at the rim last season. Graham took 75.

Graham played about 1,700mins last season.

Ish played about 900.

So in almost twice the playing time Graham took almost half as many shots at the rim.

If Bouk shoots 40% from 3 this season I'll be stunned. He'll probably average Monk-like stats minus 3pt shooting. 10/2/2 or something similar.

Monk didn’t do anything for years, hardly played last year because of off court and COVID issues. Monk was also a terrible liability with the ball in his hands and especially on D. Bouk is as good now as Monk was in his last year.

Bismack is better than Richards. Bismack, at the least, is a good veteran to have. Richards is a G-league player. He looked out of place in Summer League.

He’s really not - and I’m no fan of Nicky’s. Hell, Biyombo would be lucky to get a game on the G League these days. If all he brings is being “a good veteran to have” then you’ve summed up his lack of actual basketball ability at the NBA level. There’s a reason that Biyombo is currently unemployed.

Our bench, minus Oubre, are unproven rookies, journeymen and 2nd rounders.

Which is essentially EXACTLY what it was last year as well - only now we’ve improved by adding Obure, so that alone makes it better.

If you're going to say I'm being biased, then you should realize that you're being biased too.

Your statement was that Biyombo was good. If you really think that you are romanticizing him as a player and selectively recalling what he actually looked like out there.

[Liver_Pooty]

He is a 3pt specialist, he isn't meant to attack the paint.

He’s a 3pt specialist? The guy is barley over 35% from 3 for his career. He isn’t meant to attack the paint because he can’t attack the paint.

He (Smith) took 100 shots at the rim last season. Graham took 75.

Graham played about 1,700mins last season.

Ish played about 900.

So in almost twice the playing time Graham took almost half as many shots at the rim.

If Bouk shoots 40% from 3 this season I'll be stunned. He'll probably average Monk-like stats minus 3pt shooting. 10/2/2 or something similar.

Monk didn’t do anything for years, hardly played last year because of off court and COVID issues. Monk was also a terrible liability with the ball in his hands and especially on D. Bouk is as good now as Monk was in his last year.

Bismack is better than Richards. Bismack, at the least, is a good veteran to have. Richards is a G-league player. He looked out of place in Summer League.

He’s really not - and I’m no fan of Nicky’s. Hell, Biyombo would be lucky to get a game on the G League these days. If all he brings is being “a good veteran to have” then you’ve summed up his lack of actual basketball ability at the NBA level. There’s a reason that Biyombo is currently unemployed.

Our bench, minus Oubre, are unproven rookies, journeymen and 2nd rounders.

Which is essentially EXACTLY what it was last year as well - only now we’ve improved by adding Obure, so that alone makes it better.

If you're going to say I'm being biased, then you should realize that you're being biased too.

Your statement was that Biyombo was good. If you really think that you are romanticizing him as a player and selectively recalling what he actually looked like out there.

This

[fatlever]

ya'll cant seriously be arguing that ish is as good as graham. its not even close, and thats before you add in fit and familiarity.
biz for all his faults would play circles around nick.

[HornetJail]

ya'll cant seriously be arguing that ish is as good as graham. its not even close, and thats before you add in fit and familiarity.
biz for all his faults would play circles around nick.

some people on here have such a boner for Kupchak, and will defend every move of his. That's all this is

[Liver_Pooty]

Too much bitching and complaining on here lately. Season hasn't even started.

[Diop]

I hope Bouk becomes a star as Senguns fit on this team would have been perfect.