My memory is far from great, but the C's of 2 years ago sits in my memory as a team that frequently ended up in games I thought they were out of, and the C's of 1 year ago frequently ended up losing games (or giving back leads) in games that I thought they would win. The 10-10 start last year proved to be a sign of things to come. This year, I am looking for early signs that tell me this team is more 2017-18 than 2018-19. If C's show that, I'll be enthusiastically on board.
I generally think pre-season games don't mean much, but last year I kept explaining away how poorly they were playing in pre-season, and assumed they'd kick it up once the season started. This year, I know they've played bad teams in pre-season, but they've looked downright awesome, so I'm hoping as well that they get off to a fast start and just play fast and loose and have fun and keep winning.
The bolded part is the important bit for me. Last year was like eating glass watching the C's play, just painful (no joy, no comradery etc etc). And, especially towards the end of the season, the post-game interviews with Kyrie, media speculation around team leadership just turned into a circus. I don't care if we finish 8th in the East this season, as long as the team looks like they are having fun, back one-another and building towards something. That is a team I want to support, that is what I (along with a number of others in this forum) lost last season. But don't get me wrong, I am the guy who wants the C's to win the 'chip every year, however, this coming season, if they are a fun, happy team that everyone can support, I would take that. Winning, and winning it all, would just be bonuses.