Wiseman is ducking the Wolves according to Doogie and Windhorst

[Crazysauce]

James is practically unguardable and demands a double- or triple-team almost every time he touches the ball. What is most impressive is his high motor. He plays every possession like he still has something to prove."
Faragi Phillips
Head Coach - Head coach of Whitehaven High


This is James high school coach. If we pass on wiseman we will be talking about it like we do curry. Kid will be a great shooter.

Also not sure why he doesnt fit. The guy is a physical beast that will be able to shoot. Seen a graphic on the jump and they had juancho as our starting pf? Two bigs that can both shoot and play down low. Sounds like a nightmare for opposing defenses. Should be no question who we take.

[mrhockey89]

I disagree with the suggestion that Wiseman is a bad fit, especially in comparison to the other guys that are regularly in the top 3 conversation. Ball a ball dominant lead guard who plays 1 position (PG), which means we'd have to have our 2nd best player moved to SG. I think he works at SG, but Ball isn't a great shooter nor a good defender at this point, so not sure how he fits what we're looking for. Edwards also plays on the ball, and has a high bust risk. Wiseman and Towns... I seem to recall Dallas needed Tyson Chandler next to Dirk to win the championship. Is this a different NBA? Maybe a bit, but that was also a fairly up-tempo team and also had to outlast teams like the Steve Nash/Diantoni-led Suns (which is probably the closest team from that era to what we see today).

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I disagree with the suggestion that Wiseman is a bad fit, especially in comparison to the other guys that are regularly in the top 3 conversation. Ball a ball dominant lead guard who plays 1 position (PG), which means we'd have to have our 2nd best player moved to SG. I think he works at SG, but Ball isn't a great shooter nor a good defender at this point, so not sure how he fits what we're looking for. Edwards also plays on the ball, and has a high bust risk. Wiseman and Towns... I seem to recall Dallas needed Tyson Chandler next to Dirk to win the championship. Is this a different NBA? Maybe a bit, but that was also a fairly up-tempo team and also had to outlast teams like the Steve Nash/Diantoni-led Suns (which is probably the closest team from that era to what we see today).

I suggested there weren't many quality 'twin tower' teams in the past but a few of you guys mentioned this Dallas team. So I've been warming to this idea and even offered a 1999 Spurs (queue the Prince song) comparison complete with lefty point guard(Avery Johnson) so we just need Culver or Okogie to be our Sean Elliott.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think it's hard to make twin towers work mostly because it's hard to find two skilled bigs that can work together, with at least one of them being able to provide floor spacing and shot creation.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I think the term "floor spacing" often leads people immediately to the requirement to be a great 3 point shooter. Wiseman certainly shows capability to be a "shooter", and not just an interior player. He has a beautiful shooting motion. Time will tell if he will be a good 3 point shooter, ala Towns, but he will certainly be able to space floor adequately at worst. He doesn't come off at all like an old-school, just pound down low center.

[Lipoli390]

I think the term "floor spacing" often leads people immediately to the requirement to be a great 3 point shooter. Wiseman certainly shows capability to be a "shooter", and not just an interior player. He has a beautiful shooting motion. Time will tell if he will be a good 3 point shooter, ala Towns, but he will certainly be able to space floor adequately at worst. He doesn't come off at all like an old-school, just pound down low center.

Wiseman doesn't have to have to develop a good 3-point shot to blend with KAT because KAT already has that in his arsenal. That's why all this concern about Wiseman as a fit next to Towns is so ridiculous. Towns isn't just a good perimeter shooter; he's one of the League's best 3-point shooters. He's a great low-post scorer who also happens to be an elite 3-point shooter. He also has an arsenal of mid-range shots. Even the Warriors have never had two bigs who could space the floor with their 3-point shooting.

If there's a legitimate concern about Wiseman's fit with KAT, it's on the defensive end - specifically the concern that neither Towns nor Wiseman could effectively switch out on and guard perimeter players. That's a legitimate concern and one of the reasons I think Okogie might be a better fit than Wiseman. But that doesn't make Wiseman a bad fit. Moreover, Wiseman is a fluid athlete who moves pretty well and might be able to hold his own on switches using his freakish length. I also recall Towns guarding Curry effectively a few years ago in a late-season win over the Warriors. I thought it was Sam Mitchell's finest hour as the Wolves' head coach.

Again, this fit concern just doesn't hold up as a reason to dismiss Wiseman as a potential pick for the Wolves -- unlike the giant red flag wrapped around LaMello Ball.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

As we've said before, there is no perfect player to put next to KAT unless Al Horford or Paul Milsap turn back the clock a couple years and get a whole lot cheaper. The ideal player is an elite defender AND a guy that can hit shots. Guys like that are really, really, really hard to come by. That's why players like Horford, Milsap, PJ Tucker, and Robert Covington are so damn valuable. These 3s and 4s that can defend and shoot the 3 are super rare role players or all-star caliber players.

So we either go with the no-defense shooter like Juancho; the potentially good defense modern "do-shit" forward that can't shoot like Vanderbilt; or the potentially great defense/not sure about offense draft pick like Wiseman or Okongwu.

I feel like that as long as we have DLO, KAT and Beasley in the starting lineup, we are pretty much forced to prioritize defense at the other two spots. You can't have literally just one guy (Okogie potentially) be the only one that can play defense in the starting lineup. That means I lean in the direction of either Vanderbilt or Wiseman for that other spot....and I realize neither are guaranteed to be good NBA defenders, but the potential and opportunity is there to grow into that kind of role since the offense is mostly taken care of.

[Lipoli390]

As we've said before, there is no perfect player to put next to KAT unless Al Horford or Paul Milsap turn back the clock a couple years and get a whole lot cheaper. The ideal player is an elite defender AND a guy that can hit shots. Guys like that are really, really, really hard to come by. That's why players like Horford, Milsap, PJ Tucker, and Robert Covington are so damn valuable. These 3s and 4s that can defend and shoot the 3 are super rare role players or all-star caliber players.

So we either go with the no-defense shooter like Juancho; the potentially good defense modern "do-shit" forward that can't shoot like Vanderbilt; or the potentially great defense/not sure about offense draft pick like Wiseman or Okongwu.

I feel like that as long as we have DLO, KAT and Beasley in the starting lineup, we are pretty much forced to prioritize defense at the other two spots. You can't have literally just one guy (Okogie potentially) be the only one that can play defense in the starting lineup. That means I lean in the direction of either Vanderbilt or Wiseman for that other spot....and I realize neither are guaranteed to be good NBA defenders, but the potential and opportunity is there to grow into that kind of role since the offense is mostly taken care of.

That's right Q. There's no perfect fit next to KAT or next to anyone else on any other team.

I still believe talent (upside x probability of reaching upside) should dictate who the Wolves select at #1. To the extent the Wolves consider fit at all for any of their picks, defense has to be the top priority with 3-point shooting as the next consideration. I consider Wiseman and Okongwu the two most talented players in the draft and both are at their best on the defensive side of the ball and have the makings of elite NBA defenders. But what I also like is that both are skilled enough to suggest a lot of offensive upside as well. They both have nice touches and body control in the paint and they're both pretty good free throw shooters. They also appear to have good shooting mechanics. I think Wiseman is a bit ahead of Okongwu as a ball-handler, but it's hard to tell.

It's interesting that you continue to have a lot of faith in Vanderbilt. After looking at his limited stats and watching highlights of him, I'm not as impressed as you by his potential. I don't think he'll be on this roster after next season. But I sure hope I'm wrong. If he turns out to be the player you and some others think he can be, acquiring him will turn out to have been a huge feather in Gersson's cap.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

As we've said before, there is no perfect player to put next to KAT unless Al Horford or Paul Milsap turn back the clock a couple years and get a whole lot cheaper. The ideal player is an elite defender AND a guy that can hit shots. Guys like that are really, really, really hard to come by. That's why players like Horford, Milsap, PJ Tucker, and Robert Covington are so damn valuable. These 3s and 4s that can defend and shoot the 3 are super rare role players or all-star caliber players.

So we either go with the no-defense shooter like Juancho; the potentially good defense modern "do-shit" forward that can't shoot like Vanderbilt; or the potentially great defense/not sure about offense draft pick like Wiseman or Okongwu.

I feel like that as long as we have DLO, KAT and Beasley in the starting lineup, we are pretty much forced to prioritize defense at the other two spots. You can't have literally just one guy (Okogie potentially) be the only one that can play defense in the starting lineup. That means I lean in the direction of either Vanderbilt or Wiseman for that other spot....and I realize neither are guaranteed to be good NBA defenders, but the potential and opportunity is there to grow into that kind of role since the offense is mostly taken care of.

That's right Q. There's no perfect fit next to KAT or next to anyone else on any other team.

I still believe talent (upside x probability of reaching upside) should dictate who the Wolves select at #1. To the extent the Wolves consider fit at all for any of their picks, defense has to be the top priority with 3-point shooting as the next consideration. I consider Wiseman and Okongwu the two most talented players in the draft and both are at their best on the defensive side of the ball and have the makings of elite NBA defenders. But what I also like is that both are skilled enough to suggest a lot of offensive upside as well. They both have nice touches and body control in the paint and they're both pretty good free throw shooters. They also appear to have good shooting mechanics. I think Wiseman is a bit ahead of Okongwu as a ball-handler, but it's hard to tell.

It's interesting that you continue to have a lot of faith in Vanderbilt. After looking at his limited stats and watching highlights of him, I'm not as impressed as you by his potential. I don't think he'll be on this roster after next season. But I sure hope I'm wrong. If he turns out to be the player you and some others think he can be, acquiring him will turn out to have been a huge feather in Gersson's cap.

I watched Vanderbilt quite a bit in the G-League and like his potential. He absolutely has the physical traits to guard every position. He's mobile, long, and strong. I'm not sure he always positions himself well, but all the raw ingredients are there for him to be one of these switchable 'tweener forwards that is quick enough to guard smalls and big enough to guard bigs.

Rebounding we already know he can do that well. Offensively, his ball handling and passing is intriguing, but a bit reckless at times. His shot isn't great, but that's not why I'd play him. He could be a poor man's Ben Simmons or Lamar Odom at a much lower price.

[Monster]

As we've said before, there is no perfect player to put next to KAT unless Al Horford or Paul Milsap turn back the clock a couple years and get a whole lot cheaper. The ideal player is an elite defender AND a guy that can hit shots. Guys like that are really, really, really hard to come by. That's why players like Horford, Milsap, PJ Tucker, and Robert Covington are so damn valuable. These 3s and 4s that can defend and shoot the 3 are super rare role players or all-star caliber players.

So we either go with the no-defense shooter like Juancho; the potentially good defense modern "do-shit" forward that can't shoot like Vanderbilt; or the potentially great defense/not sure about offense draft pick like Wiseman or Okongwu.

I feel like that as long as we have DLO, KAT and Beasley in the starting lineup, we are pretty much forced to prioritize defense at the other two spots. You can't have literally just one guy (Okogie potentially) be the only one that can play defense in the starting lineup. That means I lean in the direction of either Vanderbilt or Wiseman for that other spot....and I realize neither are guaranteed to be good NBA defenders, but the potential and opportunity is there to grow into that kind of role since the offense is mostly taken care of.

That's right Q. There's no perfect fit next to KAT or next to anyone else on any other team.

I still believe talent (upside x probability of reaching upside) should dictate who the Wolves select at #1. To the extent the Wolves consider fit at all for any of their picks, defense has to be the top priority with 3-point shooting as the next consideration. I consider Wiseman and Okongwu the two most talented players in the draft and both are at their best on the defensive side of the ball and have the makings of elite NBA defenders. But what I also like is that both are skilled enough to suggest a lot of offensive upside as well. They both have nice touches and body control in the paint and they're both pretty good free throw shooters. They also appear to have good shooting mechanics. I think Wiseman is a bit ahead of Okongwu as a ball-handler, but it's hard to tell.

It's interesting that you continue to have a lot of faith in Vanderbilt. After looking at his limited stats and watching highlights of him, I'm not as impressed as you by his potential. I don't think he'll be on this roster after next season. But I sure hope I'm wrong. If he turns out to be the player you and some others think he can be, acquiring him will turn out to have been a huge feather in Gersson's cap.

I watched Vanderbilt quite a bit in the G-League and like his potential. He absolutely has the physical traits to guard every position. He's mobile, long, and strong. I'm not sure he always positions himself well, but all the raw ingredients are there for him to be one of these switchable 'tweener forwards that is quick enough to guard smalls and big enough to guard bigs.

Rebounding we already know he can do that well. Offensively, his ball handling and passing is intriguing, but a bit reckless at times. His shot isn't great, but that's not why I'd play him. He could be a poor man's Ben Simmons or Lamar Odom at a much lower price.

I actually think in some ways even though there would not be a ton of minutes for him if we picked Wiseman having Juancho back for cheap might make even more sense assuming he actually makes 3's at a good percentage which isn't a sure thing. Yes Naz Reid shoot's 3's too but Juancho even as a not good defender is still a mobile guy you can throw out there as a floor spacer. I believe Denver actually played him some at the 3 as well so that could be an option against some big SFs. I won't be surprised if some team offers him a decent amount but I'd still be interested in bringing him back for less than Layman money. At that price if we decided to move him it likely wouldn't be too difficult to find someone who would take him. There is value in getting decent rotation guys with some skills on Relatively cheap contracts.

As for Vanderbilt I like him but I'm more skeptical than Q is. I'll be interested to see what he looks like this year and if his body looks more solid like the pics seem to show. He does have the theoretical skill set to be that do shot guy that this team needs even as a bench guy.