I still feel this year's team is ahead of last year's defensively. Offensively they're still a work in progress. Not having Denis' instant offense hurts, they're trying to figure out a consistent rotation, Pullen's showing his liabilities as a point combo. On the plus side, we don't have the vortex of offensive suck consisting of Colon, Sutton, and Merriweather. At least this year's Energy can actually hit jump shots (including 3 pointers) when he's in the game.
It appears our upside for this year will depend on Spradling/Irving's ability to take over more of the point responsibilities as the year progresses and whether an offensive rotation gets established that "clicks." Still think the upside for this year's team is higher, because at any given time there's more overall talent on the floor.