I believe 500 would be a reasonable expectation for this squad next year...lets face it, that would be an 11 game improvement which is pretty damn good....maybe an 8th or even a 7th seed is possible....however, in order for that to occur the following questions have to be answered:
1. How do they gain the confidence to win on the road? Even as their confidence grew as the season progressed, they were still not able to put four quarters together and beat teams on the own court.
2. What will be the makeup of the backcourt and will JPax change BC's reluctance to play JW and JC together? I think, these two can become nasty together next year given the opportunity and that the excuse that they can't play together because of defensive liabilities is crap...
3. If they move one of the young guards and Rose stays at the #2, how do they improve the #3 position? Where is the defensive minded SF who can play in transition and defend the opponants #1 guy?
4. Brunson, Hoiberg, MasonJr, Baxter and Blount are not under contract next year and the Bull have an option on Hassell.....which of these guys are around next year?
5. What the hell are we gonna do with Robinson? Bagaric? Both of these guys are under contract for the next 3 and 2 year respectively and I can't imagine a team in the league interested in the kind of money the Bull are paying them....will JR be willing to admit the Smurf f***ed up both signings by trading them away or just cutting them and eating their salaries?
6. How good will Curry get when he learns to stay out of foul trouble?
7. How successful will Paxson be in negotiating deals with other GM's as well as selling the city and club to potential free agents?
GO BULLS!!!!!