Hey, let other people underestimate us.
We shouldn't.
I don't think most of you realize that this team might actually be better than last year's. And everyone underestimated us last year. I am guilty of that too.
But they came on at the right time. No reason to think that this team, with just as much talent can't do the same.
I'm not throwing anyone on this team under the bus until they prove otherwise.
Inside offense was our achilles heal last year. Yes, we had CJ ... but without an anchor/lost post guy to go to, I thought we (thankfully) overachieved. Our defense was just ridiculously good by the end of the year. We could match that this year with plenty of length inside and up top (last year we had a back court of 6'6 and 6'4 -- this year it'll probably be 6'2 and 6'7).
The variable is low post offense. With Rak/DC a year older, we have a better chance to create some inside balance. We'll know ricky tic if these guys are going to score the ball. Hell, Rak could survive on putbacks and a couple of 8 footers alone ... as long as DC can put up 10-12 points. If his offense is even decent, this will take a ton of pressure off our younger backcourt guys.
But I agree with Tee that there isn't enough respect in this thread for the talent we have coming in. Yes, we're young in the backcourt - again. But we overcame that last year, and TE, while maybe not a 6'6 lottery pick, is still the real deal (and a better shooter). MG and BJ are also going to surprise. I'm not disrespecting TC/but unless he's cranking out 40% from deep, he's a backup.
At the 2, BJ is going to play. MG has more size, a better body and one year in the program (RS); so he'll start at the 2 over BJ/TC. But TC might be the odd man out, with BJ's shooting, handling, scoring off the bounce and length. These skills will earn him minutes, as long as he picks up the defense.
Roberson is also going to contribute sooner than people think. He's one reason our front line is apple sweet this year. Unlike others, I think he'll backup CJ at SF (and Grant will back up Rak at the 4). Like CJ, Roberson's another stretch 3 - and neither of them will be afraid to step to the rim.
