Next seasons expectations

[BlazerCaravan]

We're still going to be very close to the youngest team next year...everyone gets older, but we lose Raef, possibly Ruffin, Frye, and Shav, and add one or two 19-21 year-olds. I'd like to see 2-4 more wins than this year, which should give us HCA in the first round. I'd also like to see one more round's progress than this year (if applicable... hey, we might go all the way! ).

 

[rocketeer]

Can any of those guys fix our weak perimeter defense? Batum is already our best perimeter defender, Roy's defense is about as good as it is going to be, and Rudy will never be more than mediocre.

Will they help the team stop settling for jumpers? Roy isn't part of the problem. Rudy is, and is unlikely to change. Batum might help by developing into a good slasher. (I notice you didn't mention Webster's return. If he is handed a major role next season, that just makes the problem worse.)

how do you come to these conclusions?

roy's defense is as good as it is going to be? that is very unlikely. the next couple of years are where roy should be able to make huge improvements defensively without sacrificing offense. look at guys like lebron, wade, kobe(really any big time perimeter player). first few years in the league they improved a lot offensively and then started adding better and more consistent defense to the package as well. i see no reason why not to expect something similar from roy. batum already being the best perimeter defender on the team doesn't mean he can't still make huge improvements there. and rudy is a rookie. expecting him never to improve any defensively is dumb as well. bayless getting more minutes helps the defense as well.

yes, bayless improving and getting more minutes absolutely will help the team stop settling for jumpers. same with oden reducing fouls in his 2nd year along with his improved offensive post presence(both through actual improvements by him and through his teammates doing a better job of getting him the ball when he has position). and both of those things will help create more open jumpers(which are good things). i would also say that rudy likely is not going to stay almost exclusively a 3 point threat. he shows in flashes very good playmaking ability and it makes sense that as he gets more comfortable in the league that he'll more consistently use that part of his game.

 

[rocketeer]

it's hard to say what expectations for next season should be until this season is over.