BlindDog, I know you're looking for more insight than I have to offer, but the following remark shouldn't be dismissed as flippant:
We've shown improvement in
every area -- at some moment in the season.
The obvious follow-up question is: Have we shown improvement in the same area two games in a row?
Maybe, but still not for 4 quarters.
Now in the
glass-half-full /
glass-half-full-of-spit debate...
despite the team's prolific incongruity (say that aloud in your best Howard Cosell voice), it's
not insignificant that they've
had these improved moments, however sporadic. At least they know they can do it, and they know what it feels like to be doing it. Incorporating a repeatable task is much easier than pursuing some eureka moment.
My concern is, to whatever degree over-thinking or unsure-thinking on the court is contributing to turnovers, the time away will only make that problem worse. My expectations remain optimistic for next season, but not so much for this January.