29 Games Left

[Carlos Danger]

We've already lost as many games as we did last year. Now there is only 29 more games to play. There are still a lot of questions to be answered:

1.) Will another trade be made before the deadline?
2.) Are we ever going to see GR3 play significant minutes this year? If not - why did we keep him on the roster?
3.) Will Bennett or Payne step up and show they can be counted on to log PF minutes on next year's team?
4.) Will LaVine be given significant minutes at SG so we get a better idea how he looks playing off the ball?
5.) Can Pek stay healthy enough to be counted on for significant minutes?
6.) Can Wiggins continue his improvement? Or will he hit that "Rookie Wall" and regress?
7.) Can Lorenzo Brown show enough to stay on the team?
8.) Will Flip's defensive scheme ever work?
9.) Is Bazz for real? If so, where does he fit? (Bench? Starting? and at what position?)

Questions aside, I've regained interest in watching this team again now that Rubio is back. They've played pretty competitive with him and it's a lot more fun to watch (IMO). I'm not sure there is enough games left to really answer all the above questions. But it will be fun to watch the young guys play with Rubio and I'll have my fingers crossed that it all starts coming together.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yup, lots to see and look forward to over the next 29 games. We also are in the midst of a really tough stretch of games. Think about it: 3 of our last 4 games was against Memphis, Atlanta, and Golden State. I think we represented pretty well for the most part, but the murderer's row of opponents continues after the ASB.

A 10th question to add is whether Ricky's shooting continues to show improvement. I think we all believe it will, but until a more adequate sample size is looked at, we really don't know. Old habits and instincts can creep back in, so hopefully he's continuing to get reps with his shooting coach.

[Carlos Danger]

Yup, lots to see and look forward to over the next 29 games. We also are in the midst of a really tough stretch of games. Think about it: 3 of our last 4 games was against Memphis, Atlanta, and Golden State. I think we represented pretty well for the most part, but the murderer's row of opponents continues after the ASB.

A 10th question to add is whether Ricky's shooting continues to show improvement. I think we all believe it will, but until a more adequate sample size is looked at, we really don't know. Old habits and instincts can creep back in, so hopefully he's continuing to get reps with his shooting coach.

Good call on Rubio's shooting. I agree he still needs to show it's a real improvement. Man that injury really screwed up this year. We'd know a lot more about this team if he had been healthy all year.

[60WinTim]

And you didn't even mention Gary Neal! I suspect he will be bought on pretty soon...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yup, lots to see and look forward to over the next 29 games. We also are in the midst of a really tough stretch of games. Think about it: 3 of our last 4 games was against Memphis, Atlanta, and Golden State. I think we represented pretty well for the most part, but the murderer's row of opponents continues after the ASB.

A 10th question to add is whether Ricky's shooting continues to show improvement. I think we all believe it will, but until a more adequate sample size is looked at, we really don't know. Old habits and instincts can creep back in, so hopefully he's continuing to get reps with his shooting coach.

Good call on Rubio's shooting. I agree he still needs to show it's a real improvement. Man that injury really screwed up this year. We'd know a lot more about this team if he had been healthy all year.

Well, there are 29 more games to find out, as you say!

Unfortunately, I think we will walk into the offseason with some of your questions still unanswered, especially at PF and may be the backup PG.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

And you didn't even mention Gary Neal! I suspect he will be bought on pretty soon...

Don't want him anyway. He has the "shoots great elsewhere, but not for Minnesota" vibe. I swear, Minnesota is where 3-point shooters go to die.....until they get traded again.

Plus did I hear Flip singing his praises defensively? Really Flip?

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think we're too young to have the luxury of not having question marks going into next year. Wiggins, Lavine, Bazz, Dieng, AB and Payne could all come in next year way better or stay about the same. There's just not going to be a way to know for sure until they get that offseason to improve. I don't see the last 29 games being enough to make a definitive decision on several of our young guys going into next year. It sucks, but it is one of the downsides of having a really young team. I would say right now that definitively Wiggins, Dieng and Bazz have earned their spots in the rotation and the other guys are questions that won't be answered until next year.

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

It's nice to see the natural chemistry that has emerged on this team. You have a clear leader in Rubio, a superstar talent in Wiggins, and some other nice young pieces that all bring something a little different to the table. And the guys seem to really like each other (never hurts). Now add in a high draft pick and another year of maturity, and we might FINALLY have something.

Should be a fun final 29 games. While I'd like to see us play well, maybe even around .500, it obviously doesn't hurt to lose as many games as possible. I do see them passing NY, Philly and the Lakers, but hopefully nobody else.

[Coolbreeze44]

All good questions, but I think the most important was left out. Will we end up in a top 4 draft position to get Okafor, Russell, Towns, or Mudiay. I continue to think it's our year and believe we will be picking first in June. I'm not advocating tanking, just think we are finally going to win the lottery.