Are you excited for the ‘20-‘21 season?

[INFORMER]

I think the Lakers, Clips, Portland, Nuggets, Jazz are locks.

I think we're in the top of the next tier which will be fluid with GS, NOLA, Minny. I think Houston takes a step back and maybe misses the playoffs if they go off the rails. GS probably makes it but just isn't deep and will rely a ton on Curry, Oubre and Dray. The Mavs will be without KP who's their only real big so I expect them to take a step back depending on how much time he misses. They'll live and die by the jumper. The Grizz won't have JJJ and don't have a lot of depth as it is. The Pels should take a step forward as they've added to their roster and SVG will coach them up. They're strong on paper. Minny is up in the air but should make it. OKC and the Kings are bringing up the rear.

Shel, you've been underestimating the Mavs for over a year now.

I don't think there is anyway Golden State is in a tier with New Orleans and Minnesota. Even with Thompson lost for the year, they're back and they'll be a playoff team. They may even be better than the Clippers (who could take a step back). Of course, health is going to be the determining factor. Wiseman could be ROY.

Minnesota and New Orleans are not playoff teams, IMO. Of course, Zion is a big X-factor, and could easily ascend to being that star that can carry his team to the playoffs, so we'll see. But I think Phoenix is positioned better than both of those franchises.

I have to wait and see with Memphis. Morant is incredible, but losing JJJ really hurts. Adding Bane is going to pay off for them though.

[ShelC]

Who are the Mavs' bigs? They've upgraded some of their role players but if they're without Porzingis to start the season and have to limit him, they're a small team of jumpshooters. They're well coached, they have Doncic. JRich and James Johnson were solid additions and they drafted well with Green, Terry and Bey. But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players. Porzingis is their x-factor right now.

[INFORMER]

But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players.

That is a curious take from someone so excited by Jae Crowder's acquisition.

Boban is actually very consistent; there is no miss there. Brunson is also legit. THJ, for all his shortcomings in NY, has found a home in Dallas and was very effective last year (nearly 40% from 3).

They have a superstar, true generational talent in Doncic and a HOF coach. I don't think they take a step forward, but barring an injury to Doncic, they'll be in the playoffs.

[Superbone]

Very excited. I'm actually glad the season is starting a month from now as opposed to the normal summer schedule. I still miss summer league but we'll see Paul, Crowder and Smith on the court for us that much sooner. Bubble boys Book, Cam, Mikal, DA, Carter, Payne all returning which gives us a lot of continuity and Paul and Crowder should find their way quick enough. Hoping we can just hit the ground running, avoid injuries and, ahem, suspensions and solidify our spot in the standings and not look back.

I haven't seen the schedule yet but I'm hoping for another Sacramento rout to start the season.

[INFORMER]

The Suns could have messed up on passing on Haliburton, but I'm not at all concerned about him hurting us in the division; Sacramento can't get out of its own way. De'Aaron Fox is a stud, but the Sacramento-factor is keeping him from punishing the Suns for passing on him.

[Split T]

Here’s some numbers to get excited about...bubble numbers kind of skew things(mostly percentages, but fun to think about) but here is the post all-star numbers for our current 10 man rotation. No Nader, Okobo, Jones included because I don’t think they play.

Stats: G - PPG - RPG - APG - SPG - BPG - FG/3PT/FT - TS

Paul ——-—23 - 19.2 - 5.6 - 6.4 - 1.6 - 0.3 - 50/38/92 - .614
Booker —- 18 - 27.2 - 4.4 - 7.1 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 47/35/92 - .599
Bridges —-18 - 12.4 - 4.2 - 2.3 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 52/39/91 - .646
Crowder - 38 - 11.4 - 5.3 - 1.9 - 0.9 - 0.6 - 43/37/73 - .595
Ayton —— 15 - 17.3 - 10.7 - 1.5 - 0.6 - 1.4 - 56/27/67 - .577

Payne ——- 8 - 10.9 - 3.9 - 3.0 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 49/52/86 - .612
Cárter —— 18 - 6.4 - 2.3 - 1.6 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 43/43/91 - .600
Johnson - 15 - 11.9 - 4.3 - 1.6 - 0.8 - 0.5 - 48/39/94 - .628
Saric ——- 18 - 13.4 - 6.6 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 57/52/83 - .698
Smith* — 18 - 17.2 - 10.8 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 2.3 - 57/40/75 - .662

*College number starting Jan 1st

Look at those true shooting numbers. They are bonkers. Obviously they won’t stay that high, but we should have a very efficient offense. Ayton the only one who doesn’t round up to a 60% TS. Paul should help. Getting to the FT line should help. Also, we might break that FT% record we just set.

[ShelC]

But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players.

That is a curious take from someone so excited by Jae Crowder's acquisition.

Boban is actually very consistent; there is no miss there. Brunson is also legit. THJ, for all his shortcomings in NY, has found a home in Dallas and was very effective last year (nearly 40% from 3).

They have a superstar, true generational talent in Doncic and a HOF coach. I don't think they take a step forward, but barring an injury to Doncic, they'll be in the playoffs.

We don't have 6 Jae Crowders and none those guys can play D across 3 positions as well as him. Boban plays 10 minutes a game. Brunson is a solid 8-9th man who might get more time this year. THJ is a streak shooter. 8-12 one game, 2-13 the next. DFS is a bench player forced to start. I like them all individually, I don't want them all playing major roles on the same team. It works because Carlisle's a really good coach, but theyre just not scaring me. And without Porzingis, they've no one else up front. I don't think what I'm saying is all that out of line for a team that was the 7th seed last year.

[Superbone]

Here’s some numbers to get excited about...bubble numbers kind of skew things(mostly percentages, but fun to think about) but here is the post all-star numbers for our current 10 man rotation. No Nader, Okobo, Jones included because I don’t think they play.

Stats: G - PPG - RPG - APG - SPG - BPG - FG/3PT/FT - TS

Paul ——-—23 - 19.2 - 5.6 - 6.4 - 1.6 - 0.3 - 50/38/92 - .614
Booker —- 18 - 27.2 - 4.4 - 7.1 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 47/35/92 - .599
Bridges —-18 - 12.4 - 4.2 - 2.3 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 52/39/91 - .646
Crowder - 38 - 11.4 - 5.3 - 1.9 - 0.9 - 0.6 - 43/37/73 - .595
Ayton —— 15 - 17.3 - 10.7 - 1.5 - 0.6 - 1.4 - 56/27/67 - .577

Payne ——- 8 - 10.9 - 3.9 - 3.0 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 49/52/86 - .612
Cárter —— 18 - 6.4 - 2.3 - 1.6 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 43/43/91 - .600
Johnson - 15 - 11.9 - 4.3 - 1.6 - 0.8 - 0.5 - 48/39/94 - .628
Saric ——- 18 - 13.4 - 6.6 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 57/52/83 - .698
Smith* — 18 - 17.2 - 10.8 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 2.3 - 57/40/75 - .662

*College number starting Jan 1st

Look at those true shooting numbers. They are bonkers. Obviously they won’t stay that high, but we should have a very efficient offense. Ayton the only one who doesn’t round up to a 60% TS. Paul should help. Getting to the FT line should help. Also, we might break that FT% record we just set.

When did Carter get an accent? That's twice I've seen you write that.

[Superbone]

But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players.

That is a curious take from someone so excited by Jae Crowder's acquisition.

Boban is actually very consistent; there is no miss there. Brunson is also legit. THJ, for all his shortcomings in NY, has found a home in Dallas and was very effective last year (nearly 40% from 3).

They have a superstar, true generational talent in Doncic and a HOF coach. I don't think they take a step forward, but barring an injury to Doncic, they'll be in the playoffs.

We don't have 6 Jae Crowders and none those guys can play D across 3 positions as well as him. Boban plays 10 minutes a game. Brunson is a solid 8-9th man who might get more time this year. THJ is a streak shooter. 8-12 one game, 2-13 the next. DFS is a bench player forced to start. I like them all individually, I don't want them all playing major roles on the same team. It works because Carlisle's a really good coach, but theyre just not scaring me. And without Porzingis, they've no one else up front. I don't think what I'm saying is all that out of line for a team that was the 7th seed last year.

I think we were a better team than Dallas last year.

[Split T]

Here’s some numbers to get excited about...bubble numbers kind of skew things(mostly percentages, but fun to think about) but here is the post all-star numbers for our current 10 man rotation. No Nader, Okobo, Jones included because I don’t think they play.

Stats: G - PPG - RPG - APG - SPG - BPG - FG/3PT/FT - TS

Paul ——-—23 - 19.2 - 5.6 - 6.4 - 1.6 - 0.3 - 50/38/92 - .614
Booker —- 18 - 27.2 - 4.4 - 7.1 - 0.6 - 0.3 - 47/35/92 - .599
Bridges —-18 - 12.4 - 4.2 - 2.3 - 1.2 - 0.8 - 52/39/91 - .646
Crowder - 38 - 11.4 - 5.3 - 1.9 - 0.9 - 0.6 - 43/37/73 - .595
Ayton —— 15 - 17.3 - 10.7 - 1.5 - 0.6 - 1.4 - 56/27/67 - .577

Payne ——- 8 - 10.9 - 3.9 - 3.0 - 1.0 - 0.3 - 49/52/86 - .612
Cárter —— 18 - 6.4 - 2.3 - 1.6 - 0.9 - 0.3 - 43/43/91 - .600
Johnson - 15 - 11.9 - 4.3 - 1.6 - 0.8 - 0.5 - 48/39/94 - .628
Saric ——- 18 - 13.4 - 6.6 - 1.8 - 0.4 - 0.2 - 57/52/83 - .698
Smith* — 18 - 17.2 - 10.8 - 0.7 - 0.6 - 2.3 - 57/40/75 - .662

*College number starting Jan 1st

Look at those true shooting numbers. They are bonkers. Obviously they won’t stay that high, but we should have a very efficient offense. Ayton the only one who doesn’t round up to a 60% TS. Paul should help. Getting to the FT line should help. Also, we might break that FT% record we just set.

When did Carter get an accent? That's twice I've seen you write that.

I think my phone just auto corrects to that for some reason, haha

[Indy]

But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players.

That is a curious take from someone so excited by Jae Crowder's acquisition.

Boban is actually very consistent; there is no miss there. Brunson is also legit. THJ, for all his shortcomings in NY, has found a home in Dallas and was very effective last year (nearly 40% from 3).

They have a superstar, true generational talent in Doncic and a HOF coach. I don't think they take a step forward, but barring an injury to Doncic, they'll be in the playoffs.

We don't have 6 Jae Crowders and none those guys can play D across 3 positions as well as him. Boban plays 10 minutes a game. Brunson is a solid 8-9th man who might get more time this year. THJ is a streak shooter. 8-12 one game, 2-13 the next. DFS is a bench player forced to start. I like them all individually, I don't want them all playing major roles on the same team. It works because Carlisle's a really good coach, but theyre just not scaring me. And without Porzingis, they've no one else up front. I don't think what I'm saying is all that out of line for a team that was the 7th seed last year.

I think we were a better team than Dallas last year.

? what made you say that?

[Nodack]

I don’t post much in the offseason. Been lurking though. First I have to say James Freaking Jones! He has turned us from a laughing stock to a quality team. High five!

We now have two All Stars on the team and if Ayton gets his stuff together maybe three? We picked up Crowder? He’s the type of player I like at PF. Athletic and not afraid to mix it up in the paint.

Definitely excited about the upcoming season. The roster isn’t set yet but man, we may have a season where there isn’t any glaring holes in the armor for once.

James Jones needs a raise.

[Indy]

I don’t post much in the offseason. Been lurking though. First I have to say James Freaking Jones! He has turned us from a laughing stock to a quality team. High five!

We now have two All Stars on the team and if Ayton gets his stuff together maybe three? We picked up Crowder? He’s the type of player I like at PF. Athletic and not afraid to mix it up in the paint.

Definitely excited about the upcoming season. The roster isn’t set yet but man, we may have a season where there isn’t any glaring holes in the armor for once.

James Jones needs a raise.

After making the WCF Steve Kerr asked for one and was gone soon after.

[Superbone]

But DFS, THJ, Boban, Kleiber, Powell, Brunson are hit or miss role players.

That is a curious take from someone so excited by Jae Crowder's acquisition.

Boban is actually very consistent; there is no miss there. Brunson is also legit. THJ, for all his shortcomings in NY, has found a home in Dallas and was very effective last year (nearly 40% from 3).

They have a superstar, true generational talent in Doncic and a HOF coach. I don't think they take a step forward, but barring an injury to Doncic, they'll be in the playoffs.

We don't have 6 Jae Crowders and none those guys can play D across 3 positions as well as him. Boban plays 10 minutes a game. Brunson is a solid 8-9th man who might get more time this year. THJ is a streak shooter. 8-12 one game, 2-13 the next. DFS is a bench player forced to start. I like them all individually, I don't want them all playing major roles on the same team. It works because Carlisle's a really good coach, but theyre just not scaring me. And without Porzingis, they've no one else up front. I don't think what I'm saying is all that out of line for a team that was the 7th seed last year.

I think we were a better team than Dallas last year.

? what made you say that?

Watching games and our head to head matchup. We won 3-1, by the way, only losing the first game. It’s really not a hot take.

[Superbone]

I don’t post much in the offseason. Been lurking though. First I have to say James Freaking Jones! He has turned us from a laughing stock to a quality team. High five!

We now have two All Stars on the team and if Ayton gets his stuff together maybe three? We picked up Crowder? He’s the type of player I like at PF. Athletic and not afraid to mix it up in the paint.

Definitely excited about the upcoming season. The roster isn’t set yet but man, we may have a season where there isn’t any glaring holes in the armor for once.

James Jones needs a raise.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Nah, take me back to 2017.

If it's not suffering, it's not Phoenix Suns basketball.

[Superbone]

Nah, take me back to 2017.

If it's not suffering, it's not Phoenix Suns basketball.

Hey, you’ve got to admit last year was the Suns experience at its finest. Come out blazing in a rout of the Kings only to find out 24 hours later that our prized #1 center has been suspended for 25 games.

[bajanguy008]

Like Nodack said above, I'm also a lurker in the offseason. I say it all the time, between following persons like David Klein on twitter and peeping the board I always have a good idea about FAs, cap space and that sort of stuff. Some of u guys really enjoy typing out potential scenarios every yr for the draft and FA . I'm more of a wait n see with my own two eyes kinda guy and catching up on the threads I saw a discussion about types of fans, I am definitely one of the glass half full sipping the kool-aid type so yea I am intrigued and looking forward to the season.

My best friend asked me how I felt about CP3 and I told him that going into last season I expected it was just a matter of time before he would have been sulking and demanding a trade from OKC, he really made me eat my words on that so he will continue to do his thing. As others have pointed out the bottom line is it's all about DA, literally every move I'm like you guys - oh CP3 gonna get after DA, oh Smith gonna challenge DA energy in practice, oh good Crowder gonna be on him to man up. It's a lil crazy to still have the focus/energy concerns about him and there's a part of me who thinks he probably was/is offset about Oubre and in typical DA fashion probably told his friends "wow that's crazy how they did Kelly after we started this movement" or something like that smh but we'll see how it goes.

Oh btw, with Covid still being madness all around I'm glad to see most of you guys still around posting. Be safe

[O_Gardino]

Nodack and bajanguy, we miss you in the summers. Glad you are both around and ready to for the season to start.

[Mori Chu]

Good to see you, 'dack and bajan!