lipoli390 wrote:John Collins had 23 points on 11-16 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block yesterday in an Atlanta victory over the Hornets. Did anyone see Justin Patton's stats from yesterday? :)
Yeah he had like 31 likes from his latest Instagram photo. Just wait till Embiid finishes mentoring him on how to use Twitter. :)
Lol. Actually, a source from inside the Wolves organization told me recently that Patton showed little interest in developing his game and a lot more interest in the NBA lifestyle. I was told that his rehab effort was half-hearted and that the entire Wolves organization had soured on Patton. It was his attitude, I'm told, not his foot issues, that caused the organization to decline the option on his rookie deal. That's part of why the Wolves included him in the Philly deal. They just didn't want him around as part of the organization.
lipoli390 wrote:John Collins had 23 points on 11-16 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block yesterday in an Atlanta victory over the Hornets. Did anyone see Justin Patton's stats from yesterday? :)
Yeah he had like 31 likes from his latest Instagram photo. Just wait till Embiid finishes mentoring him on how to use Twitter. :)
Lol. Actually, a source from inside the Wolves organization told me recently that Patton showed little interest in developing his game and a lot more interest in the NBA lifestyle. I was told that his rehab effort was half-hearted and that the entire Wolves organization had soured on Patton. It was his attitude, I'm told, not his foot issues, that caused the organization to decline the option on his rookie deal. That's part of why the Wolves included him in the Philly deal. They just didn't want him around as part of the organization.
interesting
Thanks for the info Lip. That really sucks Patton seemed like a good kid not that this info makes him a bad one but yeah. To me getting Saric means Patton makes less sense anyway. Saric is basically a similar type guy that Patton was IN THEROY only Patton was longer and more athletic. I guess my little joke about social media wasn't far off? Lol
It's worth mentioning that Dunn and Patton are now 2 rookies/young guys that have had reports of some less than good attitudes which is surprising with the generalmscouting reports coming in on those guys. I think it's fair to wonder if the Wolves could have fostered something better in them to avoid that. It's also worth considering that there was flat out some bad luck there. Either way it's kinda of a surprising development.
Miami losses to the Hawks and Josh Richardson misses a 3 to win the game. Miami is now 7-12 and really missing Dragic who might be back soon. Also that slacker John Collins only had 4 rebounds. ;)
The East helps us again. Memphis lost to the Raptors and the Pacers downed the Suns. The Suns are already in big trouble but a few more losses and their season is basically over. If so then how much longer will Ariza remain a Sun?
monsterpile wrote:Miami losses to the Hawks and Josh Richardson misses a 3 to win the game. Miami is now 7-12 and really missing Dragic who might be back soon. Also that slacker John Collins only had 4 rebounds. ;)
The East helps us again. Memphis lost to the Raptors and the Pacers downed the Suns. The Suns are already in big trouble but a few more losses and their season is basically over. If so then how much longer will Ariza remain a Sun?
I won't take the bait on John Collins, Monster. :). Whoops, maybe I just did.
As for the Miami Heat, before this season is over, I want Pat Riley to regret not adding the additional first rounder and cash Thibodeau wanted as part of the Butler deal. It's looking like the Heat are going to end up missing the playoffs. Getting Butler would have probably put them in the playoffs.
monsterpile wrote:Miami losses to the Hawks and Josh Richardson misses a 3 to win the game. Miami is now 7-12 and really missing Dragic who might be back soon. Also that slacker John Collins only had 4 rebounds. ;)
The East helps us again. Memphis lost to the Raptors and the Pacers downed the Suns. The Suns are already in big trouble but a few more losses and their season is basically over. If so then how much longer will Ariza remain a Sun?
I won't take the bait on John Collins, Monster. :). Whoops, maybe I just did.
As for the Miami Heat, before this season is over, I want Pat Riley to regret not adding the additional first rounder and cash Thibodeau wanted as part of the Butler deal. It's looking like the Heat are going to end up missing the playoffs. Getting Butler would have probably put them in the playoffs.
Well done not taking the bait. I was just having a little fun :) I should remind you that you had me on the John Collins train with that pick. I've defended Patton because I did think the talent was there for him. It's also kinda funny how the narrative out there about Thibs is always win now everything is winning this moment...and he picked a project like Patton with a guy like Collins just sitting there. There is also criticism about Thibs picking a center and then complaining he didn't take Collins (or LST's guy Jarrett Allen) who is another guy that's MOSTLY a center in this new NBA. I think is fair to say either Collins or Allen would be an interesting fit next to Towns but Patton did have potential to be that type of guy also but he got hurt. Hopefully this year's draft went better. I don't have a problem with still criticizing Thibs for that pick as long as there is some appropriate context. Hopefully Saric ends up being the guy we actually needed. Of course there is also comparing him to possibly picking Markkanen as well. I think it's fair to say any of those 4 guys would be a nice player to have going forward.
Miami could still right the ship in the east and go on a run. They have done it before (Spolstra is such a good coach) and now Josh Richardson is a different player. 2 years ago Waiters was part of their catalyst to making their run and Richardson could be that type of player for them and he plays defense. I hope they struggle though I'm greedy for as good of a 2nd rounder as we can get from them. :)
Don't look now, but the Clippers now have the best record in the West...yep, the Clippers. You know, that team with only 1 lottery pick (Gallinari) in their starting lineup, and 2 second rounders. When is Doc Rivers going to start getting the credit he deserves for getting the most out of his roster?
longstrangetrip wrote:Don't look now, but the Clippers now have the best record in the West...yep, the Clippers. You know, that team with only 1 lottery pick (Gallinari) in their starting lineup, and 2 second rounders. When is Doc Rivers going to start getting the credit he deserves for getting the most out of his roster?
It's pretty amazing considering he looked liked he was close to getting canned. I think some coaches mesh with certain types of players. Clearly he lost Blake and Chris and some point, coupled with all their inuries. I think it's nice to see with the clippers, Memphis, Spurs, and even us to some extant, that you can still grind out wins with hard work and defense. There isn't a magic formula of modern offense that you have to follow in the NBA, there's many ways to get there.
longstrangetrip wrote:Don't look now, but the Clippers now have the best record in the West...yep, the Clippers. You know, that team with only 1 lottery pick (Gallinari) in their starting lineup, and 2 second rounders. When is Doc Rivers going to start getting the credit he deserves for getting the most out of his roster?
Yeah he has had quite the last few months. Remember he was the guy that wasn't supposed to be able to get the most out of that type of roster. Having said that its a roster that is pretty deep though. Teo is the 3rd PG and Boban didn't even play the last game. It's also worth noting that GS has not been very strong and Houston has been a big disappointment so the #1 spot has been more attainable than expected. Heck the Wolves are only 4.5 games back. :)
One player that should be highlighted is Harrell. Not many people thought he was much of an asset coming in that CP3 trade (I liked him) but he seems to have improved again and is putting up nearly 16/7 off the bench and doesn't turn 25 till January. I don't know if he will ever be a high level starter but he is a valuable player right now.
longstrangetrip wrote:Don't look now, but the Clippers now have the best record in the West...yep, the Clippers. You know, that team with only 1 lottery pick (Gallinari) in their starting lineup, and 2 second rounders. When is Doc Rivers going to start getting the credit he deserves for getting the most out of his roster?
It's pretty amazing considering he looked liked he was close to getting canned. I think some coaches mesh with certain types of players. Clearly he lost Blake and Chris and some point, coupled with all their inuries. I think it's nice to see with the clippers, Memphis, Spurs, and even us to some extant, that you can still grind out wins with hard work and defense. There isn't a magic formula of modern offense that you have to follow in the NBA, there's many ways to get there.
I agree there's no magic offensive formula in the NBA. But there should be no doubt that offense is now by far the most important factor in NBA success to day. 12 of the top 16 teams in the League are averaging more than 110 points per game. In the West, 7 of the top 8 teams are scoring more than 110. As for the West-leading Clippers, they're scoring 116.8 points per game while the East-leading Raptors are scoring 117. Meanwhile, 10 of the League's top 16 teams are giving up 109 or more points per game. In the West, 5 of the 8 top teams are giving up at least 110 points. I don't know that there's a magic formula for how to score, but it's clear that to be a top team in the League today you have to score a lot of points on a consistent basis.
Yes, you still have to defend, but it's clearly more about offense than defense in today's NBA. Nevertheless, there has to be both. And the good news is that the Wolves appear to have really boosted their defense with the addition of Covington and the departure of Butler. However, I still think the Wolves' offense needs to ramp up significantly.
