heh, no worries! He's an awesome fit for the Wolves on paper when you look at his size and numbers, but just watching him play (which I haven't had a chance to do much of) gave me pause.
By the way, I wanted Wiseman over Ball and Edwards, so what do I know?
Q-was-here wrote:I agree Monster. I think Gupta's judiciousness (whether by choice or as mandated by ownership) leading up to the trade deadline was the right approach in hindsight. This team has gelled and been gaining momentum as the year has progressed. I mean, nearly every move Rosas has made has worked out. He'd be in the running for POBO of the Year if he didn't get fired, which is just crazy if you think about it!
All of that is to say that I agree with you. At most, we trade Beasley this offseason to help add a vet big. Or we just use the MLE to sign one and run everyone else back. Adding a vet big that can pair up with KAT for stretches may be the only "must have" on the to-do list this offseason in terms of roster construction.
Honestly Q I was thinking really seriously about should someone with the Wolves legitimately be in the running for the executive of the year award. Yeah sure they didn't make any big splash like the Bulls but they turnaround is actually bigger. The Prince and Beverly trades were terrific. Resigning Vanderbilt was a heck of a move that may not have happened if they don't deal Rubio for the space under the luxury tax. Even though some people will look at McLaughlin's shooting percentage and say he isn't that good I think it's clear he was a really solid resign for cheap and has been a contributor during the Wolves success the last significant chunk of games. He seems like one of those guys that probably goes beyond stats when in the right role. Knight on a 2-way deal was probably just ok but Wright is looking like a good move also.
Seriously I'm not saying Rosas or whoever they wanted to give the award to should get it but it was a heck of an offseason. This young team need a couple impact vets and they got them all while adding a worthwhile 2nd round pick dumping 2 players that aren't any good and saving money in the process. Damn. I know people are upset about that we haven't signed another big yet and that's fair I want them to sign someone too but I don't think the Wolves would be the team they are if that initial Rubio deal was not completed. I hope whoever is making the final decisions going forward can continue this level of competence rarely seen from this franchise.
Q-was-here wrote:Banchero is a very smooth operator. Really love the poise he plays with as a freshman.
So many of these guys nowadays come in to college incredibly poised on the court. Pretty incredible.
Speaking of poise, I was a little surprised at Gonzaga's lack of it. It felt like they were over-reliant on Timme on offense. I have never watched Gonzaga this season until the tourney, but for the #1 seed to be so one-dimensional in their halfcourt sets seemed a bit odd. Are their guards really that limited?
Q-was-here wrote:Banchero is a very smooth operator. Really love the poise he plays with as a freshman.
So many of these guys nowadays come in to college incredibly poised on the court. Pretty incredible.
Speaking of poise, I was a little surprised at Gonzaga's lack of it. It felt like they were over-reliant on Timme on offense. I have never watched Gonzaga this season until the tourney, but for the #1 seed to be so one-dimensional in their halfcourt sets seemed a bit odd. Are their guards really that limited?
I really dig/dug Nembhard. But Arkansas completely cut him off last night and exposed his limitations. As for poise, he's a senior with 120+ starts in his career! Everything went downhill from there. I think two of the wings combined to shoot 2 - 22 for the tourney on threes. And Gonzaga also struggled from the line.
Eric Musselman is a really good coach. I always thought he got screwed a bit in the pros, too. And the worst part... didn't he want to come to Minnesota?!?!? I think there was a chance he would have stuck around awhile, too with the legacy connection to the school and basketball in the area.
[Note: I know it's a tired topic today... but that officiating was atrocious. Although it might have actually helped Holmgren in the eyes of pro scouts... since he seems to know how to defend and use his size while going with the verticality thing.]
I'll admit I only watched Gonzaga a couple times this season, but Chet was much more involved in the offense in the games I watched compared to the two final games. He's obviously a game changer on defense, but he was largely invisible on offense during the tournament. On most possessions he never touched the ball, which seems stupid considering his near-guardlike ballhandling skills. Just a terrible job of coaching and offensive decision-making.
