Round Table Discussion: 2015-16 Season Expectations and Predictions
By David Ramil
Oct 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (3) reacts after a making a three point shot against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Make one weird, bold prediction about this team:
Lambert: Andre Roberson isn’t the starter by 2016. Teams are going to quickly force OKC to play 5-on-4 on offense and unless Roberson proves to be a reliable shooter, Donovan will have to get him out of the game. Either Morrow takes over as the starter or Sam Presti lures Ray Allen out of retirement.
Livingston: I’m going to jump way ahead to the postseason and make an out there prediction. I think at one point in the postseason, Mitch McGary will be OKC’s starting power forward while Ibaka is the starting center. McGary’s playmaking ability against a team like Golden State may very well be an adjustment Donovan makes to keep OKC in a series or give them an edge in a favorable matchup.
Haringey: The guy who starts at two guard for the Thunder when the Playoffs begin isn’t on the roster today. We won’t be acquiring a star, but there will be someone serviceable available. Look for a subtle, but decisive move by Presti to truly go “all in.”
Ahmed: Call me a homer, but I truly believe this is the year OKC makes their way back to the finals. If you take a look at the roster, it has everything. We’ve got an offense which looks devastating so far, a good defense which has been a staple of any OKC team, and an angry Durant, who has momentarily been forgotten as one of the best basketball players on the planet.
Woods: The Thunder remain relatively healthy, but still finish under 58 wins. Vegas has set the Thunder’s win total at 57.5 wins (if they win 58, they hit the over, but anything less and they hit the under), and while it’s probable that the Thunder could win 60 games, the team could start the season slowly while integrating the new system and players.
Next: Potential Disasters?