Updated take on our season?

[Sapper]

After 2 games, we are 1-1.

We dominated the Heat in the first half, and showed our youth in the 2nd.

We were actually probably the better team tonight, but fell a possession short.

Completely destroyed them on rebounds, but they got to the line more (no surprise since their superstars get the calls) and we turned it over 12 more times.

Is this playing up to our competition or are we actually a disciplined team this year? At first I thought 20 wins to be a success...now I wouldn't be shocked if we hit 30.

[cdandi1]

If the 'Cats learn to limit the turnovers..they will be unexpectedly competitive. They limit the turnovers even by 25 percent, they probably win the game.

[HeatCheck]

I am not sure what to think, we could just as easily be 0-2.

We will be a fun team to watch. Henderson has really had a great start to the season. And with DJ and Kemba we should be looking to run a whole lot more.

I can see us fading mid way through the season.

[Panthers128]

Corey Maggette is too inconsistent so far. There are a lot of pleasant surprises though. Mullen and Kemba are playing big off the bench. I still don't like Diaw, he played really sloppy in the second half and was part of the reason the team had so many turnovers. We should be able to move him and start Biyombo and maybe pick up a versatile 4.

[d-run]

Corey Maggette is too inconsistent so far. There are a lot of pleasant surprises though. Mullen and Kemba are playing big off the bench. I still don't like Diaw, he played really sloppy in the second half and was part of the reason the team had so many turnovers. We should be able to move him and start Biyombo and maybe pick up a versatile 4.

I like Diaw, but if we did move him we don't need a 4. Thomas is getting starter money, Biyombo is a top ten pick and White is a serviceable backup.

[kman72]

yep we are good at 4, we need to find a true center, who can score with his back to the basket... rebound, contest shots. nobody is giving that up. lol

[GotSwag?]

This team is much better than I expected. Henderson has improved. DJ is playing a lot better and Diaw has been very good thus far. Add to that getting Tyrus back, eventually getting Reggie Williams in there and I wouldnt be surprised to see us rack up 20-25 wins this short season. 25-41 would be a success for this team IMO.

[GotSwag?]

yep we are good at 4, we need to find a true center, who can score with his back to the basket... rebound, contest shots. nobody is giving that up. lol

I agree with this. I feel as if we are set at PG with DJ and Kemba. At the SG position, I wouldnt say we are set but Henderson has been impressive and I cant wait to get Reggie Williams back. He is simply a great shooter. We are set at the 4 as well with Thomas and Biyombo.

Need to work on SF and C in the offseason, although I feel as if we have found a gem in Mullens.

[bes628]

I predicted around 15 wins, but after the 1st two games im impressed for the most part with the team, and Im willing to bump them up to a 25-30.

[BountyHunter]

We are going to be like the panthers at the start of the season. We are going to win a few, get blown out in a few and be frustratingly close in the rest.

[GamecockSmitty4]

I agree with this. I feel as if we are set at PG with DJ and Kemba. At the SG position, I wouldnt say we are set but Henderson has been impressive and I cant wait to get Reggie Williams back. He is simply a great shooter. We are set at the 4 as well with Thomas and Biyombo.

Need to work on SF and C in the offseason, although I feel as if we have found a gem in Mullens.

DJ and Kemba are not going to be together. I really like both of them but Kemba is a star waiting to happen (or at the VERY least an exciting player that will put butts in seats). Williams is a SF who will come off the bench. Mullens is an awesome C off the bench. Biyombo and Thomas are locked in at 4 and that will only change if they can trade TT to get out of that bad contract. Diaw is likely not in the long term plans but could net a nice draft pick if he keeps up his play. DJ White is a solid backup as well.

The Cats need a legit C, starting SF, backup SG, and vet backup PG behind Kemba. This can all be accomplished with a couple trades involving Diaw and DJ and a smart draft. Drummond would be the best fit at C from the draft and then try to draft a SF.

[thatlookseasy]

This lineup is working surprisingly well, but I still dont see this team winning more than 20-25 games. I'd like to see DJ and Diaw get big minutes for now then trade them for picks/ a new wing player near the trade deadline.

I really like DJ, but Kemba makes him expendable and his value is never going to be higher than it is right now. He will be a restricted FA after the season, so its going to take some money and probably a long term commitment to keep him. Diaw will also be a free agent, and it makes no sense to pay big money for 2 PFs who cant really play center (with Ty Thomas).

[GotSwag?]

I can agree with DJ not being around. I think we can get some good pieces or picks in return for him if we decide to trade him.

The way I see the future..

Starters

PG - Kemba Walker (Flat out a stud)

SG - Gerald Henderson (He might not be a big time scorer or a big time star, but does the little things and is getting better and better)

SF - (draft pick)

PF - Tyrus Thomas (Hes getting starter minutes and Im probably one of the few who feel like this kids light will turn on eventually and show his talents every night.)

C - (draft pick/FA)

Bench options

PF/C - Bismack Biyombo (He might eventually overtake Thomas, but is still raw and too early to tell what he will do)

SG/SF - Reggie Williams (Need to keep him around long term. Every team needs a great shooter and hes ours)

C - Byron Mullens (good guy to have coming off the bench. A big that can shoot well and will only get better)

SF - Derrick Brown (still think he has a lot of potential)

---This is just a fast analysis of who I build this team around. I think it would be smart to see what we can get for DJ, Diaw, and Maggette. Throw in two good drafts and some free agents a long with the guys listed above and the Cats are for real.---

[GamecockSmitty4]

IMO they have to do anything they can to get Andre Drummond. Then you have a lineup that looks like this:

PG- Kemba/vet PG. I would love Aaron Craft from OSU here to come off the bench and add a defensive element as well as be able to run the offense so that when Kemba rests you can get everyone else involved.

SG- Henderson/Williams/FA

SF- Draft pick (or Maggette until draft pick)/Williams/Brown

PF- TT/Bismack

C- Drummond/Mullens