How many wins will the Suns end with this year?

[sunsfan88]

51.

 

[Errntknght]

I'm going to wait until the end of preseason to get a better read on our frontcourt... maybe Len will look halfway decent or Plumlee will show the spark he had last year. We are a mess at PF, too, with Markieff seemingly having lost interest in playing inside - he was the closest thing we had to an low post threat. Maybe Jeff can turn that around.

 

[mojorizen7]

50 and....

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I'm guessing 54 wins if the team stays relatively healthy.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think some people voting, and commenting, are overlooking the fact that IF things aren't working out (specifically with the Suns big men) early on, there will be some sort of trade to improve the front-court ...

So basically if Len/Plumlee play well ... We will have a good record

If Len/Plumlee don't play well or are hurt ... We will still have a good record. That's because the Suns would make the necessary trade to improve the front-court when they have to (and because of all the depth at the guards, a trade can be made without going backward there) ...

I voted 53 wins and that's based on a good deal being made sooner rather than later to win now instead of "compiling more assets". Like I said in my first post in the thread I really think Sarver, McD, and Horny will view missing the playoffs as a failure for the season. Sure it's year 2 in the rebuild officially but with the vast unexpected improvement last season I think they expecting results more along the line of a team in the playoffs for the immediate future waiting to add a superstar to truly contend.

 

[Bert]

This poll tells us that Suns fans are almost all united in their cautiously optimistic approach to this season. Hey that's an upgrade from the past couple when we felt pure doom.

Go Suns!

Or more appropriately.... Go Suns?

 

[Covert Rain]

I hope not but I am predicting a sophomore like slump. I think the Suns surprised many teams and took them off guard. I don't think that happens this year. However, I could easily see them also them being on the playoff bubble as well.

 

[BC867]

I hope not but I am predicting a sophomore like slump. I think the Suns surprised many teams and took them off guard. I don't think that happens this year. However, I could easily see them also them being on the playoff bubble as well.

The Suns' inability to get a strong Big to rebound and block the lane on D will be the biggest reason for being stagnant following a great comeback year.

How can you trigger a fast break when your Small Forward is the team's most skilled rebounder?

 

[AzStevenCal]

I hope not but I am predicting a sophomore like slump. I think the Suns surprised many teams and took them off guard. I don't think that happens this year. However, I could easily see them also them being on the playoff bubble as well.

Maybe at the start of the season. We might have picked up a surprise win or two early but once the news was out I don't see how we could have kept surprising teams. It's not like teams take the offseason to prepare for their opponents. They scout the games and prepare regularly throughout the season.

I can see some reasons that we'll take a step back though. Denver, Memphis, LAL, NO and other teams were hit far harder by injury than we were. Each of them expect to do far better this season and they aren't the only teams convinced they are much improved. There are only so many wins to go around. In fact, I think the west might be tougher enough this year that 45 wins will likely earn you a playoff berth.

Steve

 

[Superbone]

The thing is, not only did we surprise teams, we outworked them. That's not going to change. We have a bunch of young, athletic, hard-working guys and that's not easy to overcome.

 

[Covert Rain]

Maybe at the start of the season. We might have picked up a surprise win or two early but once the news was out I don't see how we could have kept surprising teams. It's not like teams take the offseason to prepare for their opponents. They scout the games and prepare regularly throughout the season.

I can see some reasons that we'll take a step back though. Denver, Memphis, LAL, NO and other teams were hit far harder by injury than we were. Each of them expect to do far better this season and they aren't the only teams convinced they are much improved. There are only so many wins to go around. In fact, I think the west might be tougher enough this year that 45 wins will likely earn you a playoff berth.

Steve

Good points but to an extent I think many of the better teams in the league felt like the Suns were going to come much further down to earth throughout the season. When I listened to analysts and such many felt like they were playing over their heads. I am sure many teams felt that way as well. I am sure many teams throughout the season felt like it was just "young enthusiasm". I am sure many teams will take the Suns more seriously this season.

Totally agree the West might be tougher all the way around and that might work in the Suns favor. We shall see. I am definitely looking much more forward to this season versus last.

 

[Ronin]

I'm hoping for 54 wins.

 

[TucsonDevil]

I know, by the poll results, that I am in the minority. But I think the Suns will be back in the Lottery. The small ball approach worked last year due to so many small things that we have changed. Channing isn't there to space the floor; Miles is not what he showed for awhile in the beginning; and it seems that Markief will give up the mid-range jumper in favor of the three ball. That spells trouble to me.

I am predicting 40, but hoping for 50.

Go Suns!

 

[AzStevenCal]

I went for 45 - 49 but I'm back to thinking we win in the mid 50's (games not temperatures).

Steve

 

[elindholm]

46

Looks like I was overly optimistic. They'd have to finish 8-3. Hopefully we can remember this next time I get accused of being too negative about everything.

 

[Covert Rain]

Looks like I was overly optimistic. They'd have to finish 8-3. Hopefully we can remember this next time I get accused of being too negative about everything.

Unfortunately, I predicted a sophomore like slump and thought they might make the playoff bubble. UGH!

 

[sunsfan88]

Looks like I was overly optimistic. They'd have to finish 8-3. Hopefully we can remember this next time I get accused of being too negative about everything.

Same here even though I was even more optimistic than you:

51.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I assume that because 50-53 is italicized, thats where I voted. I did not have that much higher expectation than last year because of the loss of Frye. Oh well. A little optimitic, but I didn't expect Goran to freak out like he did.