Are we a playoff team?

tf407 · Post #1 » by **tf407** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:43 pm

Just seeing the board's thoughts on whether or not with the current roster we are a playoff team. Barring any trades or any surprise free agent signings, I can't forsee much action left to be done for us other than offering fillers.

Last year we were pretty safely out of the playoff mix at the end because of the late season collapse however the young guys showed talent and were competitive for a good part of the season. It would have been nice to grab Conley(still can but doubtful) or a beal but doesn't seem like we were ever considered and/or they seem to be a massive asking price.

I think we may slid up to a 7th or 8th seed with the slide of the hawks(if they lose horford and bazemore), the pacers, and the development of our young talent under Vogel

it's going to be competitive with the knicks atleast becoming respectable, the heat, wizards, and raptor all retaining their prized free agents, and boston courting Dwight.

As of now
PG - Payton/Dj/Shabazz
SG - Mario/Meeks
SF - Fournier/Gordon --> not sure how they will rotate the trio of Mario, evan, and Gordon so no particular order
PF - Ibaka/Gordon
C - Vuc/Dedmon

http://basketball-players.pointafter.com/stories/14192/ranking-nba-frontcourts-worst-best-2015-2016#18-Orlando-Magic

according to this site, we had the 13th best front court in the league last year based on statistics. I'm not sure I agree fully with that being realistic, however retaining those three guys and adding quite possibly the best rim defender in the league you have to think we can compete with most of the league in the low paint.

the question will be scoring. We need the shooters we acquired to come up big, hopefully meeks can be the lakers version of himself and dj and elfrid can efficiently run the offense. We need big years from evan and Gordon and probably need to add some good wing defenders to make up for the loss of Vic.

*******EDIT*****
this post was made right after we acquired dj Augustin. it does not include the signings of Jeff Green and Biyombo (which i'm sure would have changed opinions)

perhaps was a little early for this topic but I was interested to see if people thought that the lineup posted above was solid overall enough to compete for a playoff spot. Good news is, we appeared to have improved further since then with the signings of green and bismack

Nightman · Post #2 » by **Nightman** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:44 pm

For Rob's sake, we better be.

I'm cautiously voting yes.

tooler · Post #3 » by **tooler** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:47 pm

Everyone wants to get better. The question is, who slides back?

I could see the Wizards and Bulls treading water just outside of the playoffs. The Hawks will suck without Horford and Teague. Hornets should be okay unless they get more injuries. Pacers should be better. Perhaps a sophomore slump from the Pistons?

I don't see the Knicks or Bucks as a threat. Nets and 76ers obviously a joke.

It will be a tough road but probably easier than last season.

thelead · Post #4 » by **thelead** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:52 pm

Let's see how free agency shapes up first

Nemesis21 · Post #5 » by **Nemesis21** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:53 pm

Definitely

KingRobb02 · Post #6 » by **KingRobb02** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 1:58 pm

As of today...

8 seed Pistons: I don't think we are suddenly better than them
7 seed Pacers: They added Teague and Thad Young with a should be improved Myles Turner
6 seed Hornets: This is the team that should fall...

Which means we are competing with a few teams to see who leaps. The obvious candidates for bounceback years are the Wiz and Bucks. People will blow smoke at the Knicks, but that team will win 30 games. If we don't make any other moves aside from bringing back Evan and Dedmon, we are probably right around the Knicks and Bulls level. If we can sign a big name like Batum, we are probably around the 37-40 win range. This team will need perimeter defense, and we are crossing our fingers hoping Ibaka can be the guy he was 3 years ago and AG + Mario both take leaps.

OrlChamps2030 · Post #7 » by **OrlChamps2030** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:07 pm

You couldn't wait until free agency is over? Lol

tooler · Post #8 » by **tooler** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:09 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:As of today...

8 seed Pistons: I don't think we are suddenly better than them
7 seed Pacers: They added Teague and Thad Young with a should be improved Myles Turner
6 seed Hornets: This is the team that should fall...

Which means we are competing with a few teams to see who leaps. The obvious candidates for bounceback years are the Wiz and Bucks. People will blow smoke at the Knicks, but that team will win 30 games. If we don't make any other moves aside from bringing back Evan and Dedmon, we are probably right around the Knicks and Bulls level. If we can sign a big name like Batum, we are probably around the 37-40 win range. This team will need perimeter defense, and we are crossing our fingers hoping Ibaka can be the guy he was 3 years ago and AG + Mario both take leaps.

Hawks will fall out if they lose Horford since they might as well trade Millsap at that point.

Batum already signed with CHA and they get MKG back.

tf407 · Post #9 » by **tf407** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:10 pm

Zmill wrote:You couldn't wait until free agency is over? Lol

Yes, I could have waited but the point of the poll is to see whether or not people think Rob has done enough to construct a playoff team, which a good topic during free agency to see what else should be added

not to mention, unless you know something I don't....It doesn't not appear we're adding anyone else in free agency that would change the team enough to make it a playoff team, all major pieces are not even considering us. A trade perhaps, but trades are not limited to free agency

TodGre · Post #10 » by **TodGre** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:11 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:As of today...

8 seed Pistons: I don't think we are suddenly better than them
7 seed Pacers: They added Teague and Thad Young with a should be improved Myles Turner
6 seed Hornets: This is the team that should fall...

Which means we are competing with a few teams to see who leaps. The obvious candidates for bounceback years are the Wiz and Bucks. People will blow smoke at the Knicks, but that team will win 30 games. If we don't make any other moves aside from bringing back Evan and Dedmon, we are probably right around the Knicks and Bulls level. If we can sign a big name like Batum, we are probably around the 37-40 win range. This team will need perimeter defense, and we are crossing our fingers hoping Ibaka can be the guy he was 3 years ago and AG + Mario both take leaps.

Why should the Hornets fall? Did they lose a key piece that I am missing, or did they just over-achieve? I see they are bringing Batum back. No reason for them to be anything less than a 6-seed.

Max Power · Post #11 » by **Max Power** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:14 pm

If DJ Augustine and Serge Ibaka are it in regards to our roster improvements I don't see us sniffing the playoffs. What a disappointing offseason...Rob Hennigan needs his walking papers, but the Devos family needs to take some blame too. They signed off on these moves.

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KingRobb02 · Post #12 » by **KingRobb02** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:14 pm

tooler wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:As of today...

8 seed Pistons: I don't think we are suddenly better than them
7 seed Pacers: They added Teague and Thad Young with a should be improved Myles Turner
6 seed Hornets: This is the team that should fall...

Which means we are competing with a few teams to see who leaps. The obvious candidates for bounceback years are the Wiz and Bucks. People will blow smoke at the Knicks, but that team will win 30 games. If we don't make any other moves aside from bringing back Evan and Dedmon, we are probably right around the Knicks and Bulls level. If we can sign a big name like Batum, we are probably around the 37-40 win range. This team will need perimeter defense, and we are crossing our fingers hoping Ibaka can be the guy he was 3 years ago and AG + Mario both take leaps.

Hawks will fall out if they lose Horford since they might as well trade Millsap at that point.

Batum already signed with CHA and they get MKG back.

I treat the Hawks like I treat us. Since free agency just started I assume they keep Al and we keep Evan.

Kodak Black · Post #13 » by **Kodak Black** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:14 pm

Without a doubt. Everyone is focusing too much on free agency and completely undermining the value and success this team will see next season with just our future "stars' " - EP, Gordon, and Hezonja - growth.

Factor in this new coaching staff, and it will only compound the natural/"ORGANIC" growth we'll see from our young guys.

Serge Ibaka - What a tremendously important piece to our puzzle. He alone will provide so much on the court and off the court that as fans, we really won't be able to quantify it all.

And this is why we will, without a doubt, make the playoffs this coming season.

I am expecting some rough patches, initially, but that is to be expected.

KingRobb02 · Post #14 » by **KingRobb02** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:16 pm

TodGre wrote:
KingRobb02 wrote:As of today...

8 seed Pistons: I don't think we are suddenly better than them
7 seed Pacers: They added Teague and Thad Young with a should be improved Myles Turner
6 seed Hornets: This is the team that should fall...

Which means we are competing with a few teams to see who leaps. The obvious candidates for bounceback years are the Wiz and Bucks. People will blow smoke at the Knicks, but that team will win 30 games. If we don't make any other moves aside from bringing back Evan and Dedmon, we are probably right around the Knicks and Bulls level. If we can sign a big name like Batum, we are probably around the 37-40 win range. This team will need perimeter defense, and we are crossing our fingers hoping Ibaka can be the guy he was 3 years ago and AG + Mario both take leaps.

Why should the Hornets fall? Did they lose a key piece that I am missing, or did they just over-achieve? I see they are bringing Batum back. No reason for them to be anything less than a 6-seed.

You are absolutely right. I also forgot that they will get MKG back this year. So scratch that about the Hornets.

OrlChamps2030 · Post #15 » by **OrlChamps2030** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:21 pm

tf407 wrote:
Zmill wrote:You couldn't wait until free agency is over? Lol

Yes, I could have waited but the point of the poll is to see whether or not people think Rob has done enough to construct a playoff team, which a good topic during free agency to see what else should be added

not to mention, unless you know something I don't....It doesn't not appear we're adding anyone else in free agency that would change the team enough to make it a playoff team, all major pieces are not even considering us. A trade perhaps, but trades are not limited to free agency

This is the same mistake everyone else made the last 2 seasons predicting that we will be a playoff team... you have to wait and see what other teams do.

mhectorgato · Post #16 » by **mhectorgato** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:23 pm

Zmill wrote:You couldn't wait until free agency is over? Lol

One day in, and we already made our big name acquisition

KingRobb02 · Post #17 » by **KingRobb02** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:23 pm

Kodak Black wrote:Without a doubt. Everyone is focusing too much on free agency and completely undermining the value and success this team will see next season with just our future "stars' " - EP, Gordon, and Hezonja - growth.

Factor in this new coaching staff, and it will only compound the natural/"ORGANIC" growth we'll see from our young guys.

Serge Ibaka - What a tremendously important piece to our puzzle. He alone will provide so much on the court and off the court that as fans, we really won't be able to quantify it all.

And this is why we will, without a doubt, make the playoffs this coming season.

I am expecting some rough patches, initially, but that is to be expected.

My thing about Serge is that i like him more as a C than as a PF. If we make him play the bulk of his minutes next to Nik, then I don't see why he would be in a better situation than he was last season. Plus these people expecting him to suddenly be a scoring option, are denying the fact that Vogel isn't really an offensive coach. Aside from the lockout year, Vogel's Pacers have never ranked higher than 19th in offense. And that was with a bonafide supersatar like PG-13.

paperboymafia · Post #18 » by **paperboymafia** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:24 pm

Kind of early for this thread...as any response/thought at all is pure speculation.

mhectorgato · Post #19 » by **mhectorgato** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:25 pm

tf407 wrote:Just seeing the board's thoughts on whether or not with the current roster we are a playoff team. Barring any trades or any surprise free agent signings, I can't forsee much action left to be done for us other than offering fillers.

So far (DJ & Serge) we are a game or two out of 8th.

But it's still early in the offseason.

tf407 · Post #20 » by **tf407** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 2:29 pm

Zmill wrote:
tf407 wrote:
Zmill wrote:You couldn't wait until free agency is over? Lol

Yes, I could have waited but the point of the poll is to see whether or not people think Rob has done enough to construct a playoff team, which a good topic during free agency to see what else should be added

not to mention, unless you know something I don't....It doesn't not appear we're adding anyone else in free agency that would change the team enough to make it a playoff team, all major pieces are not even considering us. A trade perhaps, but trades are not limited to free agency

This is the same mistake everyone else made the last 2 seasons predicting that we will be a playoff team... you have to wait and see what other teams do.

I mean I don't think it's a "mistake" it's conversation on a forum. For argument sake however, it looks as if conley, Durant, and parsons will all fall out west.

Drummond resigned with detroit
derozan resigned with Toronto
beal resigned with Washington
whiteside resigned with the heat
batum resigned with charlotte

the only two pieces to fall for free agency that could drastically affect the playoff picture in the east imo would be horford if he stays east and Dwight if he goes to Atlanta or boston.

With current roster, are we a playoff team?