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Who do you expect to underperform based on hype and expectations?

mozgov

The Warriors

I think Portland is highest on my, could be like Phoenix, list. They both were unexpectedly good, performing far beyond expectations. Then Phoenix came back to the average of their expectations. I think this might be Portland's year to take a step back, not the step forward most are predicting. I think they were good because of 3 main reasons. #1 - incredible health. They may or may not be as healthy again this year, but you would reasonably expect an average amount of missed games this year. #2 - outstanding performances from role players. Gotta give it to the role players and coaching, they got every ounce of production tbey could last year. That might be hard to repeat, especially as opposing teams have a better scouting report on them this season. #3 - the emergence of McCollum. He could be even better this year, but opposing defenses will be more keyed to slow him down more.

Could go either way, but I'm predicting a 2 game drop from last year.

Jazz, Celtics, Raptors, Clippers

jazzfan1971 wrote:I think Portland is highest on my, could be like Phoenix, list. They both were unexpectedly good, performing far beyond expectations. Then Phoenix came back to the average of their expectations. I think this might be Portland's year to take a step back, not the step forward most are predicting. I think they were good because of 3 main reasons. #1 - incredible health. They may or may not be as healthy again this year, but you would reasonably expect an average amount of missed games this year. #2 - outstanding performances from role players. Gotta give it to the role players and coaching, they got every ounce of production tbey could last year. That might be hard to repeat, especially as opposing teams have a better scouting report on them this season. #3 - the emergence of McCollum. He could be even better this year, but opposing defenses will be more keyed to slow him down more.

Could go either way, but I'm predicting a 2 game drop from last year.

2 game drop is almost nothing though. Especially if health is the factor there. The Suns dropped back 9 games then 16. They actually got easier to beat, even at full health.

Whatever though, I like being discounted. The Blazers with Lillard and Stotts have always exceeded expectations and fed on doubters, so bring it on. All our players will be a year older and a year better. If potentially having worse health is really the worst thing you can say about us then I'm fine with our position.

el13adnino wrote:mozgov

Underperform means you had expectation. I don't have much on him.

Team-wise I think Portland, Boston might under perform. Both listed as first choice #3 candidate in their respective conferences, that's very high considering one has depth issue the other one still lacks a league top 10 superstar.

Off topic - Atlanta would be my dark horse pick.

Going to say Spurs. I don't think they're the consensus #2 in the West like most people think. Duncan's leadership will be missed immensely.

Player wise
Norman Powell(crazy hype)
Ricky Rubio/Dunn(trade rumors/Thibs/and fanbase talking about playing time will affect one of the two don't know which)
Dario Saric(fit and translation from his Euro team)
Dwyane Wade(fit and new system not to mention hype)

Lesser extent
Klay Thompson(more 10 and under games less 15+ pt quarters)
Al Horford(fits well but will be less than Boston fans expect)
Aaron Gordon(will struggle early with fit)

Team wise
Portland, Utah, Charlotte

ken6199 wrote:

el13adnino wrote:mozgov

Underperform means you had expectation. I don't have much on him.

Team-wise I think Portland, Boston might under perform. Both listed as first choice #3 candidate in their respective conferences, that's very high considering one has depth issue the other one still lacks a league top 10 superstar.

Off topic - Atlanta would be my dark horse pick.

lakers are expecting him to at least average his total career numbers ... i think he averages below that

DeBlazerRiddem wrote:

jazzfan1971 wrote:I think Portland is highest on my, could be like Phoenix, list. They both were unexpectedly good, performing far beyond expectations. Then Phoenix came back to the average of their expectations. I think this might be Portland's year to take a step back, not the step forward most are predicting. I think they were good because of 3 main reasons. #1 - incredible health. They may or may not be as healthy again this year, but you would reasonably expect an average amount of missed games this year. #2 - outstanding performances from role players. Gotta give it to the role players and coaching, they got every ounce of production tbey could last year. That might be hard to repeat, especially as opposing teams have a better scouting report on them this season. #3 - the emergence of McCollum. He could be even better this year, but opposing defenses will be more keyed to slow him down more.

Could go either way, but I'm predicting a 2 game drop from last year.

2 game drop is almost nothing though. Especially if health is the factor there. The Suns dropped back 9 games then 16. They actually got easier to beat, even at full health.

Whatever though, I like being discounted. The Blazers with Lillard and Stotts have always exceeded expectations and fed on doubters, so bring it on. All our players will be a year older and a year better. If potentially having worse health is really the worst thing you can say about us then I'm fine with our position.

Portland is one for me as well... I think expectations for them is close to 50 wins, but low 40s is more likely in my opinion

Probably a super team like New York Knicks

Harrison Barnes

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Rondo, Wade, Porzingis, possibly Klay, McCollum, Cousins will take a step back, Smart (realisation he's a career 7th or 8th man).

Indiana

jazzfan1971 wrote:I think Portland is highest on my, could be like Phoenix, list. They both were unexpectedly good, performing far beyond expectations. Then Phoenix came back to the average of their expectations. I think this might be Portland's year to take a step back, not the step forward most are predicting. I think they were good because of 3 main reasons. #1 - incredible health. They may or may not be as healthy again this year, but you would reasonably expect an average amount of missed games this year. #2 - outstanding performances from role players. Gotta give it to the role players and coaching, they got every ounce of production tbey could last year. That might be hard to repeat, especially as opposing teams have a better scouting report on them this season. #3 - the emergence of McCollum. He could be even better this year, but opposing defenses will be more keyed to slow him down more.

Could go either way, but I'm predicting a 2 game drop from last year.

They only won 44 games though. They might not replicate the 50 win pace they ended the season with, which people cite, but I think with decent health they should win about 47 +/- 2 games or so.

The would still be an improvement over their overall season last year.

I've given this some thought and in terms of a team, it has to be the Boston Celtics. They are a good, solid team and I fully expect them to continue being a good solid team but the expectations now have been raised.

I have seen a ton of folks placing them #3, or even #2 in the East and quite frankly the moves made in the offseason (so far of course) didn't move the needle as the losses seem to balance out the gains.

The rest of the East is getting better and I feel the Celtics so far (barring moves) have remained a good team. The exact same solid team.

Knicks.

Relative to their own fans' expectations, Orlando and NY.

jpengland wrote:Rondo, Wade, Porzingis, possibly Klay, McCollum, Cousins will take a step back, Smart (realisation he's a career 7th or 8th man).

Do you expect Klay to underperform / take a step back or just for his volume stats to go down? I wouldn't really consider his volume stats going down under performing right? What's your thought here?