Thaddeus Young

[bleedspeed]

I am guessing mostly riding the bench or backing up playing less then 20 minutes a night.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'll answer the Shabazz/Bennett question...I'll take Bennett, and it isn't even close. I'm a big fan of the draftexpress profile videos. I think they do a great job highlighting a player's strengths and weaknesses, sometimes brutally pointing out weaknesses. Here is Bennett's:


http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Anthony-Bennett-Scouting-Report-Video-4260/

If you have 15 minutes, I highly recommend watching this. I know this is AB playing against college players, but so many of his strengths easily translate to the NBA level. And his biggest weakness, defensive intensity, is easily correctible. Scorers like AB don't need to prove themselves to get minutes in college and high school, so they can be lazy on defense. But he will have to work hard on defense in the NBA to get minutes, and this video even says he has great defensive potential.

Shabazz' pre-draft video OTOH points out the weaknesses we all know he has. No right hand, not a good passer, not a good defender. I like Shabazz' potential as a scorer off the bench, but his ceiling is much lower than Bennett's because of this limited versatility.

BTW, I watched Wiggins' draftexress video yesterday also, and it left me a little less excited about him...still excited, but less so. Don't get me wrong. I know Wiggins is a better prospect than AB, but if I were to base my opinion solely on these scouting videos, I wouldn't be so sure.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

LST,

I certainly remember all of that offensive arsenal from watching him in college. As bad as he was a year ago, it is clear he has offensive talent. But man, he shows some of the worst defensive instincts and habits that I have seen in a while. I also remember this from his college days. He REALLY needs to step up his defensive intensity in order to become even a decent player. I just wish you could give Shabazz's motor to a talent like Bennett. Undersized or not, if he simply tried as hard as Shabazz, he would at least become a solid role player and maybe much more. Let's hope the coaching staff can change his defensive direction.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

LST,

I certainly remember all of that offensive arsenal from watching him in college. As bad as he was a year ago, it is clear he has offensive talent. But man, he shows some of the worst defensive instincts and habits that I have seen in a while. I also remember this from his college days. He REALLY needs to step up his defensive intensity in order to become even a decent player. I just wish you could give Shabazz's motor to a talent like Bennett. Undersized or not, if he simply tried as hard as Shabazz, he would at least become a solid role player and maybe much more. Let's hope the coaching staff can change his defensive direction.

Good take, hicks. Concerns about Bennett aren't about his talent level, it's more about his intensity and, to some degree, his propensity to get injured. Yeah, Shabazz's motor with AB's talent would be a great player. Shabazz tries so hard on defense, but he just seems lost out there much of the time.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Cam,

If you had to have one on the team next year. Who would you want? Shabazz or Bennett?

Shabazz. He's cheaper. :thumb:

[Monster]

I spent some time last night watching stuff on Bennett and I was really excited about him. I liked his PF type wide frame and explosiveness combined with what looks like some nice skills. He seems to have some potential on the defensive end although that's obviously a huge question mark.

Then today there were reports that Bennett is going to the Sixers for Thad. After a split second I was perfectly fine with it. I spent a decent chunk of time watching clips even a full game and reading about Thad and came away thinking he would be a fantastic fit for this team. Why? Here are some reasons.

What are the chances he improves and becomes the long term answer at PF for the Wolves? 5% 10% higher? Idk but there still is some chance of this. What is the chance that AB willl be the PF solution? Who knows let's say 20% which is probably too high. So its a little more likely that Bennett becomes the solution and on the other hand the likeliness of him being nowhere near as good as Thad are pretty high also.

Team play. Watching Thad he knows how. To play and fit into a team. His skills are fairly diverse and that's handy. He can put the ball on the floor and create opportunities for himself and others. No he isn't Diaw but he can make some plays. He also is a guy that moves the ball quickly as a passer. If you want to try and emulate what the Spurs did last year Thad can help you. His passes aroung the perimeter are quick, decisive and accurate. He seems to know what the hell he is doing.

Physical makeup. Yep he is undersized and lacking in girth. However he is a lengthy guy and he isn't a bruising guy he carries himself with a physical presence that reminds me of the way KG did. No I'm not saying Young is in KG's zip code but he isn't intimidated by anyone and his frame is filled out and he looks strong. Its not like a Brewer that got stronger and filled out a bit. Young is kinda jacked for his body type and looks that way.

It looked to me like Thad either has been told to basically not rebound at times or he likes to get back on defense instead of crashing boards. In the Nets game I watched that led to him getting at least 1 steal and probably one deflection. In transition defense . I still don't think he is a good rebounder but he might be taking calculated moves to put him in positions to utilize his other skills than just rebounding. In that game he only had 6 rebounds but he got a couple that were very key to winning the game. Maybe the Wolves have him concentrate on going after the ball more on the boards and see his rate more like the 7.5 of his previous season which would be something I could live with.

I really think there is a pretty good chance the Wolves keep Young past this year. He will have a place here and this might be a fun team to be on with Rubio the kids plus some vets that can actually play. It could all go wrong but at least we would have cap space if he left.

That's about it maybe I have more to say about Young but that's probably enough. I'd like him to be here and if Flip can get Wiggins, Young and still have that 1st that would be a pretty good haul for Love.

One reason I am ok with Bennett leaving is he makes a decent chunk of money. I. He is on the roster this year you are committing to him for 2 years at least. In a vacuum I'd prefer Bennett over a draft pick but defering an asset to next year sounds good also. Its a really young team and we are short roster spots. Yeah we don't really have a backup PF if we don't have Bennett. If that's such a problem sign Ayon to a vet min deal or whatever if that's such a big concern. If you bring on Thad you play him 30+ mins per game you commit to him and see what you have there or why trade for him? Bottom line is while I value both Bennett and Thad I'll give up Bennett for Thad and keep the pick. I would think Bennett would be a pretty good prize for the Sixers they can throw him in the lineup next year and see what they have.

[Monster]

Cam,

If you had to have one on the team next year. Who would you want? Shabazz or Bennett?

Shabazz. He's cheaper. :thumb:

I agree with Cam here. I like Bennett more as a prospect overall but $ cap space matters in the NBA and Bazz is cheap and has some upside.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

monster, great take on Young. I agree with just about everything you said. Hop on the Bennett-for-Young wagon my friend. :D

[Monster]

monster, great take on Young. I agree with just about everything you said. Hop on the Bennett-for-Young wagon my friend. :D

Hey man slow down the train I'm running behind it and can't get on. Lol

[60WinTim]

I'm still gunning for both of them...