Are we tanking?

[thedoper]

Intentionally playing below your organizational potential would be how describe tanking. If our talent placed us as a bottom 5 team so be it, I don't believe our talent is that bad. I don't think tanking is a winning strategy, especially in a franchise that has such limited examples of winning. Mostly it is a risky approach in handling Towns who legitimately believes he has the talent to lead a playoff team and to be a winner.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Good stuff Kekgeek and Abe on those examples and articles.

I think it's insulting to the paying fans that Wiggins (and Teague prior to that) can be out this effing long due to "illness". I mean, c'mon man. That is borderline unethical. Either that or these guys are as soft as tissue. I hope Wiggins is pissed about being held out this long, but I doubt he doesn't mind the R & R.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Imagine how many more wins this team would have had they vacationed to Dubai instead of the Bahamas... Missed opportunity. Ugh.

[Coolbreeze44]

Towns and Wig have always demonstrated good durability throughout their careers. And yes, I hope they are pissed they're not playing. But who knows?

One thing I know is it is hard to build an NBA winner in flyover country. You certainly need patience, and you need a lot of good fortune. Minnesota is no different than Milwaukee except that the latter drafted a generational talent in the middle of the first round. Without that happening Milwaukee would be in the same place, but in an easier conference. And let's not forget, Giannis though always promising, wasn't the leagues best player overnight. They didn't win a playoff round until his 6th year in the league. And that franchise hadn't won a playoff series since 2001.

The only real way for the Wolves to build is through shrewd drafting and scouting to acquire the best players possible, and then player development. And if you've noticed we haven't been very good at either. But those are the two building blocks this franchise must have. We can use trades once a foundation is established, but you shouldn't ever trade away future to just be relevant. Keep taking shots until you really have foundational pieces. If you can't do that, you will never win in Minnesota.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Good stuff Kekgeek and Abe on those examples and articles.

I think it's insulting to the paying fans that Wiggins (and Teague prior to that) can be out this effing long due to "illness". I mean, c'mon man. That is borderline unethical. Either that or these guys are as soft as tissue. I hope Wiggins is pissed about being held out this long, but I doubt he doesn't mind the R & R.

I think jonk resorted that teague was out due to getting stitches on his finger fun an unrelated basketball injury.

Wiggs just had a kid, so im guessing hes getting sick alot from taking care of his kid. Anyone that had worked with kids knows that they are a cesspool of germs.

[kekgeek]

Towns and Wig have always demonstrated good durability throughout their careers. And yes, I hope they are pissed they're not playing. But who knows?

One thing I know is it is hard to build an NBA winner in flyover country. You certainly need patience, and you need a lot of good fortune. Minnesota is no different than Milwaukee except that the latter drafted a generational talent in the middle of the first round. Without that happening Milwaukee would be in the same place, but in an easier conference. And let's not forget, Giannis though always promising, wasn't the leagues best player overnight. They didn't win a playoff round until his 6th year in the league. And that franchise hadn't won a playoff series since 2001.

The only real way for the Wolves to build is through shrewd drafting and scouting to acquire the best players possible, and then player development. And if you've noticed we haven't been very good at either. But those are the two building blocks this franchise must have. We can use trades once a foundation is established, but you shouldn't ever trade away future to just be relevant. Keep taking shots until you really have foundational pieces. If you can't do that, you will never win in Minnesota.

I agree with your statement that for the Wolves to be successful they need to draft well and they haven't consistently drafted well throughout the history of the program.

My point is that we don't need to sit Kat, Wiggins, Teague etc.. to try and get a better draft pick (I am not saying you are saying this). We need to know if Kat and Wiggins can help a team make the playoffs, we need to see how Kat and Wiggins can play with the young guys. Who gives a shit that Nowell can play with a bunch a G-Leaguers in an expanded role. I want to know how he plays with Kat and Wiggins in a non dominant role. Is it possible for Naz to be able to play with Kat together. Can Culver carve out a role in the offense if he is not the primary ball handler or even the 2nd option like he has been lately.

In the end the Wolves should be trying to win as many games as possible and trying to make the playoffs to see what our 2 max players can do in a playoff series when they are the guys even if that means getting crushed in the playoffs. Im fine being patient but we have to trust Rosas on being able to find a stud at pick 15 as he might be able to do at pick 8.

As long as we have an All NBA player in Kat, another max player of Wiggins (who is playing better this season even if not at max level, he has been a plus), a former all star in Teague and a All NBA 1st team defender in Cov. I refuse to say it is ok for our players to miss massive amount of games for being "sick" or possible light injuries of possibly being a little banged up.

I also think Saunders and Rosas aren't doing any favors for themselves not being transparent with fans. Thibs was bad at this also but I think Saunders and Rosas are taking it to another level. Layman has missed 20 games with turf toe and we haven't gotten an update, with a basic google search saying it takes 3 weeks to recover. Kat has been questionable every single game since he got hurt and has missed 9 straight games, what is Kat hurt with. Teague missed multiple games with a personal reason, later to find out missed it for stitches on a off the court indecent, why didn't they just say that. Wiggins now has the greatest flu ever and has missed a week, Graham also missed multiple games because of this. Just tell us what is going on and maybe the fans like me won't get them on intentionally tanking.

*I want to say it again, I agree with you post Cool that it comes down to the draft, and I am not even saying you are pro tanking but I am saying the wolves should be intentionally tanking with not playing Wiggins and Kat when they both need to prove shit.

[Lipoli390]

Towns and Wig have always demonstrated good durability throughout their careers. And yes, I hope they are pissed they're not playing. But who knows?

One thing I know is it is hard to build an NBA winner in flyover country. You certainly need patience, and you need a lot of good fortune. Minnesota is no different than Milwaukee except that the latter drafted a generational talent in the middle of the first round. Without that happening Milwaukee would be in the same place, but in an easier conference. And let's not forget, Giannis though always promising, wasn't the leagues best player overnight. They didn't win a playoff round until his 6th year in the league. And that franchise hadn't won a playoff series since 2001.

The only real way for the Wolves to build is through shrewd drafting and scouting to acquire the best players possible, and then player development. And if you've noticed we haven't been very good at either. But those are the two building blocks this franchise must have. We can use trades once a foundation is established, but you shouldn't ever trade away future to just be relevant. Keep taking shots until you really have foundational pieces. If you can't do that, you will never win in Minnesota.

Cool - I agree with you completely. Good drafting, good player development, and patience as those players develop. That's the formula for all but those few franchises in prime geographic areas and markets.

[Coolbreeze44]

Towns and Wig have always demonstrated good durability throughout their careers. And yes, I hope they are pissed they're not playing. But who knows?

One thing I know is it is hard to build an NBA winner in flyover country. You certainly need patience, and you need a lot of good fortune. Minnesota is no different than Milwaukee except that the latter drafted a generational talent in the middle of the first round. Without that happening Milwaukee would be in the same place, but in an easier conference. And let's not forget, Giannis though always promising, wasn't the leagues best player overnight. They didn't win a playoff round until his 6th year in the league. And that franchise hadn't won a playoff series since 2001.

The only real way for the Wolves to build is through shrewd drafting and scouting to acquire the best players possible, and then player development. And if you've noticed we haven't been very good at either. But those are the two building blocks this franchise must have. We can use trades once a foundation is established, but you shouldn't ever trade away future to just be relevant. Keep taking shots until you really have foundational pieces. If you can't do that, you will never win in Minnesota.

I agree with your statement that for the Wolves to be successful they need to draft well and they haven't consistently drafted well throughout the history of the program.

My point is that we don't need to sit Kat, Wiggins, Teague etc.. to try and get a better draft pick (I am not saying you are saying this). We need to know if Kat and Wiggins can help a team make the playoffs, we need to see how Kat and Wiggins can play with the young guys. Who gives a shit that Nowell can play with a bunch a G-Leaguers in an expanded role. I want to know how he plays with Kat and Wiggins in a non dominant role. Is it possible for Naz to be able to play with Kat together. Can Culver carve out a role in the offense if he is not the primary ball handler or even the 2nd option like he has been lately.

In the end the Wolves should be trying to win as many games as possible and trying to make the playoffs to see what our 2 max players can do in a playoff series when they are the guys even if that means getting crushed in the playoffs. Im fine being patient but we have to trust Rosas on being able to find a stud at pick 15 as he might be able to do at pick 8.

As long as we have an All NBA player in Kat, another max player of Wiggins (who is playing better this season even if not at max level, he has been a plus), a former all star in Teague and a All NBA 1st team defender in Cov. I refuse to say it is ok for our players to miss massive amount of games for being "sick" or possible light injuries of possibly being a little banged up.

I also think Saunders and Rosas aren't doing any favors for themselves not being transparent with fans. Thibs was bad at this also but I think Saunders and Rosas are taking it to another level. Layman has missed 20 games with turf toe and we haven't gotten an update, with a basic google search saying it takes 3 weeks to recover. Kat has been questionable every single game since he got hurt and has missed 9 straight games, what is Kat hurt with. Teague missed multiple games with a personal reason, later to find out missed it for stitches on a off the court indecent, why didn't they just say that. Wiggins now has the greatest flu ever and has missed a week, Graham also missed multiple games because of this. Just tell us what is going on and maybe the fans like me won't get them on intentionally tanking.

*I want to say it again, I agree with you post Cool that it comes down to the draft, and I am not even saying you are pro tanking but I am saying the wolves should be intentionally tanking with not playing Wiggins and Kat when they both need to prove shit.

Kek, I feel the same way you do about tanking. Let's try to win with the guys we've got. But let's just be better than everyone else at evaluating and acquiring young talent. You can get really good players throughout the draft, and even after it. San Antonio did it for at least a decade. Kawhi and Giannis were both drafted 15th. Paul George was 10th. In a single draft back in 2014, the Nuggets selected Nurkic, Jokic, and Gary Harris and their highest pick was #16. One draft like that and your rebuild is years shorter. It's not easy to do, but neither is winning a championship.

[Coolbreeze44]

Towns and Wig have always demonstrated good durability throughout their careers. And yes, I hope they are pissed they're not playing. But who knows?

One thing I know is it is hard to build an NBA winner in flyover country. You certainly need patience, and you need a lot of good fortune. Minnesota is no different than Milwaukee except that the latter drafted a generational talent in the middle of the first round. Without that happening Milwaukee would be in the same place, but in an easier conference. And let's not forget, Giannis though always promising, wasn't the leagues best player overnight. They didn't win a playoff round until his 6th year in the league. And that franchise hadn't won a playoff series since 2001.

The only real way for the Wolves to build is through shrewd drafting and scouting to acquire the best players possible, and then player development. And if you've noticed we haven't been very good at either. But those are the two building blocks this franchise must have. We can use trades once a foundation is established, but you shouldn't ever trade away future to just be relevant. Keep taking shots until you really have foundational pieces. If you can't do that, you will never win in Minnesota.

Cool - I agree with you completely. Good drafting, good player development, and patience as those players develop. That's the formula for all but those few franchises in prime geographic areas and markets.

I think formula is the right word. Hopefully Rosas gets it right.

[Wolvesfan21]

Ryan Saunders post game press conference. I can't remember word for word but he said something to the effect of priority this season on developing the young players. I thought it was interesting to hear that as that has been in line with the "tanking" they have been doing by holding veterans out and playing the youth.

Very smart and a job well done so far! I like it!