Schedule Is Out

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

One nationally televised game (1/21 vs Cavs on ESPN), two streamed games (12/22 @ Cavs on Peacock, 1/31 vs Spurs on Prime). 

Brutal first 20 games. Can’t see anymore than 7 wins. That’s assuming we steal a home game as a dog and don’t drop a game like at the Wizards as the second part of a road back to back. 
 

What’s everyone’s thoughts on this year? What would you be happy with regarding our record, player health/development, and franchise progress? 

[frankw]

Expectations as of right now are nothing more than the young players developing and Lee taking the next step as a head coach. Need to see both unequivocally.

Beyond that the obvious elephant in the room is LaMelo Ball. I put the odds (and this is being extremely optimistic) of him remaining relatively healthy throughout the bulk of the season at 50/50. If he gets a low grade injury early and puts up absolutely no argument about sitting and collecting millions then you have your answer and we can move forward accordingly.

[AggieLean]

I’ll be at the games when they play the hawks here in ATL. 

[frankw]

Not anything necessarily new in terms of what we already know. But it is good to see the team sending a message and putting it out there directly.

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/hornets-want-see-more-out-lamelo-ball-report-2133538

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46304114/nba-rank-2025-2026-flagg-beal-reaves-best-players-100-51
 

Miller at #76, Ball at #63. 
 

Draymond at #51 nullifies this whole list. But par for the course for ESPN. Some other really questionable rankings.

[carpanfan96]

Apparently we should be able to tell a difference with Ball physically compared to previous seasons, if that's true and it allows him to stay healthy, keep up the effort defensively and finish at the hoop ...

 

Could be the breakout season we've all been looking for.

[carpanfan96]

 

11 hours ago, HeelsPanthersCanes said:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46304114/nba-rank-2025-2026-flagg-beal-reaves-best-players-100-51
 

Miller at #76, Ball at #63. 
 

Draymond at #51 nullifies this whole list. But par for the course for ESPN. Some other really questionable rankings.

3-32 without 

 

16-31 with. 

 

 

 

Ewwwww. 

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

17 hours ago, carpanfan96 said:

 

3-32 without 

 

16-31 with. 

 

 

 

Ewwwww. 

How many of those were also without Bridges and/or Miller?  How many games did all three of them play together in?  That would be a more telling stat - although it's probably still not very good.