I know we are expecting to crawl before we walk, 25+ wins is like a milestone compared to the last five seasons, and we have a huge influx of new players, coaches, and still a very young nucleus all trying to learn the game and fit with one another but I’m getting a bit of excitement at what our team can and should look like next year. Add to the fact that the east play in race had the hawks as a 10th seed with just 36 wins and the 9th seed at only 39 if things work out we could make a nice sizable jump, possibly flirt with a play in seed, and still have a chance at a solid lotto pick in a loaded draft.
Also, the transparency between Trajan’s first off season compared to most of Troy Weaver’s is night and day. It doesn’t feel like Trajan is just gathering his favorite unproven projects and throwing the ball on the floor. He has a plan, he picked a direction, and he’s doing moves that seem to benefit not just Cade but Duren, Ivey, Ausar, and the rest of the team. Also that Fontecchio deal is A STEAL. Only moves I think I may question is the THJ + picks for Grimes because I believe a healthy grimes can be way better than what his limited game sample sized showed. Same time, I’m not mad at shedding some of this youth in order to maximize others. Also, for the Jaden Ivey hive we might see what Ivey can actually be with a coach who not only wants to be here but has actual plans/insight on how he wants to use him.
Top it all off, I think Cade is on the rise and he can jump into some very promising conversations next year with vets like THJ, Tek, Beasley, Tobias (who I still don’t understand why people act like 2-52 million was such a MASSIVE overpay when Miles Bridges DV case having ass got 3/75…) around. I also think a more motivated Duren that gives effort on the defensive end coupled with his offensive growth last year could be the back bone to an offense. Plus Fred Vinson is here to help Ausar, Ron, and others grow as shooters.
I’m excited and I’m scared because i don’t want to get let down by this team. With that said, listening to all these podcasters and media guys mock us every year including this one is tiresome. I want to see Detroit start climbing out of the tank-hole and make some noise in the east. Vegas has us at 25.5 wins and I really think we can jump over that and become the promising young team we expected years ago. Oh, and no more Monty should be 5-10 wins for us alone 🙏🏾
by driphanilton
11 Comments
25 wins would be a good start. The team is much more well constructed to compete in the current NBA, but I think Cade is the only guy we have that will have a big year.
I will be through the roof if we can double our win total from last year. It’s at least doable.
Don’t get your hopes up plz
think we get close to the play in IF ivey can come in and take a leap this year
Team needs to be coached hard. Be in shape. Effort. Relentless defense. Move the ball around on offense. 25-35 wins if pushed. If tanking won’t buy tickets.
Thank you for your application as Conductor of the Hype Train. With all the Change you gotta feel Hope (tm Obama campaign 2008)
The Magic jumped from the 13th seed to the 5th seed in 2023. In 2022 the Cavs doubled their wins from 22 to 44 (although it was a shortened season, 22-50 to 44-38 is still impressive). In 2021 the Knicks improved from 21-45 to 41-31. And thats only the teams in the East.
I don’t want to harp on our players and their development, theres already enough discourse on that, from both sides. From a league wide perspective, every year there’s at least one team that radically improves. Take a step back, detach the name and recent history, and you wonder why can’t we be that team this year? It’s certainly no guarantee, but theres no reason to rule out the play-in this year before the season even starts. All i’m saying is that the play-in is within the realm of possibility, and it wouldn’t be some unprecedented miracle if we made it. The 10 seed in the east this year should be very attainable compared to past years
I don’t think our defense will improve enough to get to 30. We will look like an actual nba team though so that’s good.
I’m stuck at 22-23 wins. Which would be a good improvement. I’m also a lifetime Lions fan so I always have low expectations.
The win total over/under is 24.5. 30 would be surprising to say the least, and if we aren’t making a run at the play-in I would not be surprised to see us tank the last few months for a better draft pick/position.
It seems to me between 28-52 or 32-50, this team has got so many options on defense, 3pt shooting is not bad like last year and we have a goooood young core