Suns 25/26 Mid-Summer Record Prediction

[Superbone]

The KD led Suns won 36 games last season. Is it really possible this new Suns team could surpass that? Put your money where your mouth is and make a prediction before we see training camp. Let's see who can come closest to our win total next season. The poll will remain open for 14 days. We will revisit at the end of the season and crown our champion(s).

Oh, yeah, bonus points for putting an exact number in the comments so we can even pick a winner within ranges.

[Kryptonic]

Dumb question but why ranges for games except for the 36th game?

[Superbone]

Dumb question but why ranges for games except for the 36th game?

Because that's how many we won last season. What are the chances of it happening again, exactly, with this drastically recomposed roster? Anybody think somehow we have the exact same record and have the guts to pick it? You may have also noticed that the ranges reduce around that number.

[Kryptonic]

It's hard... On one hand I want to be hopeful for this team to surprise with 40+ wins but my heart says otherwise given the past few years.

[Superbone]

It's hard... On one hand I want to be hopeful for this team to surprise with 40+ wins but my heart says otherwise given the past few years.

I feel ya, man. I'm thinking the same thing. I'd love for them to surprise but do I have the guts to predict it if I'm being honest with myself? Honestly, I could see it going either way but the smart bet, and probably the Vegas bet is on the under.

[TOO]

42 wins because addition by subtraction.

[Superbone]

42 wins because addition by subtraction.

Oh, yeah, bonus points for putting an exact number in the comments so we can even pick a winner within ranges.

I added this to the OP.

[Superbone]

I'm with TOO on addition by subtraction and I'm going with surpassing last year's win total by a little bit: 38.

[rhylek]

I'm on the addition by substraction bandwagon. I'm counting on a good start based on high-energy play and Booker reverting to his old-self, then a slump as teams figure us out, then a strong finish as our players getting used to play with each other and Ott optimizing plays. Baring injurieS, 44 wins (yeah I know I'm an optimist, we could go 35 as well)

[Kryptonic]

I'm on the addition by substraction bandwagon. I'm counting on a good start based on high-energy play and Booker reverting to his old-self, then a slump as teams figure us out, then a strong finish as our players getting used to play with each other and Ott optimizing plays. Baring injurieS, 44 wins (yeah I know I'm an optimist, we could go 35 as well)

This sums it up nicely…. I’m hopeful we get that valley boys energy back.

[Split T]

I’m going 34 wins

[JJ Slim]

I'm going for a slightly better record too. I feel like even though it is mostly a new team they will feel they have something to prove. Since 42 and 44 are already picked I'll go with 43.

[SunsRIt]

I’m going with 40-44 games. So many games last year the points off turnovers was more than the difference in the game. It seemed like there were stretches several with many turnovers in a very short amount of game time and Durant was a big part of that problem. This has to be a point of emphasis for Ott. I think it will be tightened up and make a difference.

[Superbone]

I’m going with 40-44 games. So many games last year the points off turnovers was more than the difference in the game. It seemed like there were stretches several with many turnovers in a very short amount of game time and Durant was a big part of that problem. This has to be a point of emphasis for Ott. I think it will be tightened up and make a difference.

I just hope we see a real offense again like we had pre-KD. No more iso every time down. Should be refreshing.

[virtual9mm]

50. I think we are being set up for a big time surprise. If they commit to playing hard defense every time down the floor and running off of every turnover or block, the team's supposed weaknesses magically disappear.

[TOO]

Who picked the 20s?

[BKinSJC]

Who picked the 20s?

I did. Just doesn’t seem like a team that has solved many of its problems. The team’s best player has never had a winning season as the unquestioned #1 guy, and is again going to be asked to be the main creator, a role he doesn’t thrive in. Dillon Brooks will probably be its second best player. That statement should speak for itself. A lot of guys that will be relied on for competitive minutes are young, or limited, or injury-prone, or some combination of those things.

The West looks brutally difficult with so many teams gearing up to try to do something about an impending OKC dynasty. Most will feel like they have to play hard every night because positioning will matter and even a few pretty good teams are going to miss the playoffs.

I think it doesn’t look great.

[Carno]

I'm going with 40 wins.
If I had to pick one thing as the main problem last season, it was defense and rebounding from the center rotation. I believe that is greatly improved with the new additions. The team as it stands will be worse offensively, but I think this coming season it will be good enough to compete. While last season's team was very efficient, they played slow and were too predictable and easy to defend by good teams in crunch time. This new lineup should play a lot faster and move the ball better, but it will lack finishing ability. People seem really down on Booker, but I expect him to be more effective not having to defer to KD.
Some luck will be required, but I see this team as slightly better than last season. The West is tough for sure, but there are always teams that are expected to do well but for whatever reason don't. The Suns were that team last season. It's someone else''s turn now... Maybe Denver, either LA, the Warriors, or even Houston (maybe KD kills them like he did the Suns).
As the eternal optimist, I'd like to say more than 40 wins, but I think the youth is going to hold them back from making any real noise.