No surprises... but let's TRY to relax

[SMRattler]

Injuries happen, we can't do much about that. Manu is hurt, and yeah, IF he hadn't gone to the Olympics he'd be playing now. If, if, if.... whatever, he's hurt, there is a timetable for him to return and we just have to move on without him until that day comes. Plus, we need to prepare some of the guys like RMJ and GHill and whoever to provide some points off the bench and hope for the best when Manu comes back.

Oooops, TP rolls his ankle. Again, a timetable for his return, we just have to move on without him until he comes back. It happens. GHill and RMJ will get time to develope for us, that's the bright side.

The bad side to those injuries is it costs us wins. Lots of wins. So, the way I see it, we need to just let those guys get healthy, be on the cautious side and just admit we are going to have to fight for a lower seed this year and hope we are healthy and playing our best when the real season begins. So, no need to rush or cry over the injuries.

What I do see still is that even if the injury bug subsides, we still have holes. In my eyes, big holes. Our rebounding is pathetic. Outside of TD and Thomas, who can we count on to win their rebounding matchup across from them? TD has no help up front. The frontlines will be double and triple teaming him and not worrying about anyone else up there. That's the big problem that is not going away unless Ian comes in as Super-Ian this year and I'm not holding my breath. And that rebounding problem goes to the SF position as well. Bowen, that means you mostly since nobody else can get in there. LA, Mavs, Denver, Heat, Celtics, Hornets, Suns... it seems everyone has a SF that can put up points and rebound except us. Bowen's limitations will be harder to live with now since TP and Manu are out and we have less shotblocking/rebounding on the inside.

Our defense. Not looking good. Again, I think this has some to do with TDs lack of help up front. The interior defense is soft outside of him. Plus Bowen is actually looking like he may actually age this year like the rest of us. Manu is our other big perimeter defender, but overall, I think our defense needs some work.

Some of this will be taken care of when (if) our injuries subside enough for our guys to get out there. Some of this MAY get better if guys like Ian and Tolliver grow up really faster than i can imagine. But if not? TD is looking to go to battle with Thomas, Bonner and Fabricio... that is not enough help for him. That;s not enough interior rebounding and defense.

I think our personel needs some changes. The sooner, the better.

[Ballings7]

Pretty much agreed

Especially on inside help for Tim, in general

I'm just really surprised we weren't able to, or didn't sign/get anybody at all (w/ some NBA exp.) who related to improving things on the inside (rebounding, defense, some more agility).

I am quite intruged to see Ian and Tolliver get regular-game time, though, I think both are going to be quality support guys for us eventually.

[SMRattler]

I'm really curious about Tolliver too. I am really hoping he turns out to be what I think he can. But asking him to within 40-60 games or so in his first year is a lot to ask anyone. As for Ian, he would need to grow up just as fast to get in come playoff time. Unless those guys show Pop something pretty special, I think it will be Thomas, Bonner and Fab come playoff time. I'm really pulling for Ian and Tolliver to prove worthy and take some of those minutes and get in there.

[DBMethos]

Bring back Gist!!!

[Blame Rasho]

What I liked before TP got hurt is that we were scoring at willm but we also gave up points due to the fact that there weren't any bigmen besides TD. I am going to be optomisic and see the benefit of people being hurt. We will find out if Ian is a real nba player and find out if Hill was worth his draft position