Didn’t really understand why folks in here thought the team would all of the sudden fall off because Ime wasn’t there. The majority of the team is young-ish and still improving and they added a starting caliber PG in Brogdon.
Ime definitely helped toughen the team up, which was needed, but Mazzulla was the brains behind the defense, and Will Hardy is really good, as we’re seeing with Utah.
Not having Timelord for the first couple months was the only reason why they probably would have some issues, but they’re playing pretty well without him. Defense should move back into the top 5 once he’s back. They haven’t been switching as much with him not out there.