Anthony Edwards

[AbeVigodaLive]

I didn't watch much of Edwards. So I can only take what I know from stats... and the experts. And history.

1. His team sucked balls.

2. He was inefficient. A lot of this seems to be from poor decision-making... and settling for shots.

3. Talking about defense is nice (I see you KAT!)... Trying on defense is altogether different. From what I read from other draft guys is that Edwards rarely put in the effort on that end. To assume he will in the NBA is a guessing game. But I did see the Oladio comparison. That guy was known for effort and defense in college. He showed it. Meanwhile, a guy like Wiggins went in and out with effort and his motor was questioned. It's a crapshoot.

4. He has the body. And the skills. And it would be ironic if he (1) was simply the next Wiggins type player... or (2) broke free from that mold and helped this franchise turn the corner by finally nailing the pick.

Every time a weakness is spotted with a prospect from their NCAA or Euro days, that weakness translates 5-fold to the Wolves Every. Single. Time. I have zero faith that Anthony Edwards will magically become a good decision-making two-way wing. At least it won't happen in a Wolves uniform. We aren't the franchise to break bad habits.

I will say that I don't think it's just "bad luck" either. You need strong leadership... either in the front office (Miami/SAS) or on the court. We know the Wolves lack strong leadership on the court. And it's going to take time for the front office, even if capable, to prove they should be taken seriously by players.

Heck, isn't that why the Wolves swung (and missed after a couple of foul balls) on Thibodeau? We can't pretend that the issues plaguing that era of Wolves basketball magically resolved themselves.

[thedoper]

I don't disagree that the wolves have a horrible track record in development. However, I don't think that we should avoid real talent because of that. The only way out of this is to start showing success. I don't know that Edwards is the best talent, but almost all these kids (particularly this year) are going to have some warts and all of them are going to need development. Past trauma cannot get in the way here. Drafting and development is a necessary part of success and we need to find a way to get good at it in spite of our systemic history of failure. Especially when we aren't getting Free agents lining up to come here.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I don't disagree that the wolves have a horrible track record in development. However, I don't think that we should avoid real talent because of that. The only way out of this is to start showing success. I don't know that Edwards is the best talent, but almost all these kids (particularly this year) are going to have some warts and all of them are going to need development. Past trauma cannot get in the way here. Drafting and development is a necessary part of success and we need to find a way to get good at it in spite of our systemic history of failure. Especially when we aren't getting Free agents lining up to come here.

Not saying it can't work... or shouldn't be tried... only that it's easier when there's strong leadership in place.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

It's easier to develop or refine an actual skill than it is to develop a "want to" or "give a shit." You either have that or you don't, and most of the time that doesn't change at the next level.

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's easier to develop or refine an actual skill than it is to develop a "want to" or "give a shit." You either have that or you don't, and most of the time that doesn't change at the next level.

You mean not even a guaranteed $150M... whether you find it or not... is enough of an incentive?

WHAT?!?!?!

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It's easier to develop or refine an actual skill than it is to develop a "want to" or "give a shit." You either have that or you don't, and most of the time that doesn't change at the next level.

As much as Okogie and Culver bug the crap out of me because of their continuation of the Wolves long tradition of drafting non-shooting wings, at least they exhibit the traits above. May be some day we'll get lucky and a wing we draft will actually become a good outside shooter AND high-motor player.

[thedoper]

I dont think the Wolves have really shown they can make someone care or improve their basketball skill. Whatever the magical formula is. I dont really know which is more important or more of a fundamental piece to player development. If it was easy to teach players to shoot (as an example) you'd think we could have done it at least once. Rubio had lots of heart but never learned to shoot. Im not banking on huge skill improvements from Okogie or Culver. There has to be something fixable that the good scouts and development people see. Scouting and development could still be a huge issue for this regime based on the Culver pick.

[KG4Ever]

I dont think the Wolves have really shown they can make someone care or improve their basketball skill. Whatever the magical formula is. I dont really know which is more important or more of a fundamental piece to player development. If it was easy to teach players to shoot (as an example) you'd think we could have done it at least once. Rubio had lots of heart but never learned to shoot. Im not banking on huge skill improvements from Okogie or Culver. There has to be something fixable that the good scouts and development people see. Scouting and development could still be a huge issue for this regime based on the Culver pick.

Since Rubio left the Wolves, he's become a much better shooter: 41% plus FG%, 34% plus 3PT FG% and 86% plus FT%. Given that Rubio is one of the best passers in the game, a good rebounder and a good defender, and has a pretty low salary for a starting point guard, the Wolves should have kept him.

[Lipoli390]

It's easier to develop or refine an actual skill than it is to develop a "want to" or "give a shit." You either have that or you don't, and most of the time that doesn't change at the next level.

Exactly, Cam. I was about to write a post saying essentially the same thing before reading yours. I don't attribute the Wolves poor track record with past failed draft picks to bad player development. What other team developed Rashad McCants, JR Rider, Wes Johnson or Derrick Williams? If you come to the NBA with a problematic motor, you will always have a problematic motor. The Spurs have had a terrific coaching staff and organization for many years. But they didn't develop Kawhi's motor. They were smart enough to maneuver in the draft to take a guy who was knows as a high-motor player coming out of college. Skills and basketball acumen can be developed with the help of a good coaching staff. But the failed Wolves draft picks over the years haven"t failed for lack of skill development. They've failed because they lacked high-caliber motor or competitiveness essential to success in the NBA.

We'll see whether Culver and Okogie can develop their skills with the Wolves. We've already seen some improvement in decision-making, body control and finishing from Okogie. Kris Dunn wasn't hear long enough to develop. LaVine was developing offensively while here and although he didn't improve defensively, he's still a bad defender with the Bulls. The Wolves let Chauncey Billups leave just as he was reportedly impressing everyone in practice. Developing players requires patience.

Also, let's not forget that we've had some draft picks who developed with the Wolves. Of course, there was Kevin Garnett who developed into a future hall-of-famer. But here was also Wally Z who developed here into an all-star before injuries derailed his career. It's not like Wally went on to become a star elsewhere.. And how about Kevin Love.? He had his best years individually while with the Wolves. Towns has developed into an all-star caliber player and probably the best offensive big man in the NBA. What do all these players have in common? None of them came to the NBA with anyone questioning their motor or competitiveness. Towns has IQ and physical reaction issues on defense. Those things can improve over time with good coaching.

I'm trying to focus on the positives of the the consensus top 3. That's what prompted me to start this thread on Edwards, who I think is the most physically talented player in the draft. But unfortunately, all three of them have had doubts expressed about their motors. The Wolves organization will have the chance to get information and insights the rest of us will never have access to. But if we're making the Wolves draft decisions, the motor questions raised about all three top prospects in the public domain would be enough for me to pass on all of them because history teaches us that prospects with motor issues almost always become players with motor issues who end up mediocre at best and often total busts.

If I were Rosas, I'd be zeroing in on the high-motor prospects like Okongwu, Okoro, Deni, Saddiq Bey, Vassell and Patrick Williams. I'd like to see the Wolves maneuver into a position to end up with two of those six high-motor prospects.