Which Wolf?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Wow, Corey Joseph really must have added some weight. It's hard to believe coming out of school that he was the same weight as Tyus Jones even though being 2" taller. But he's put on at least 20 lbs. since then and is a legitimately big PG.

I'm sure Tyus can get a little stronger, but he ain't getting any taller. (Again, it's not that he's super short...he's just "meh" in nearly every category physically - strength, quickness, vertical, length, speed - whereas other guys have at least one or two of those traits in spades. Patty Mills is short but super quick; Corey Joseph is slow, but big and strong; Ricky Rubio can't jump but he's fairly tall and rangy; etc.)

[AbeVigodaLive]

Wow, Corey Joseph really must have added some weight. It's hard to believe coming out of school that he was the same weight as Tyus Jones even though being 2" taller. But he's put on at least 20 lbs. since then and is a legitimately big PG.

I'm sure Tyus can get a little stronger, but he ain't getting any taller. (Again, it's not that he's super short...he's just "meh" in nearly every category physically - strength, quickness, vertical, length, speed - whereas other guys have at least one or two of those traits in spades. Patty Mills is short but super quick; Corey Joseph is slow, but big and strong; Ricky Rubio can't jump but he's fairly tall and rangy; etc.)

Anyone else surprised Jones weighs in at 186 pounds? That link to the draft report says he was at 191 and even mentions his weight loss.

Consider Michael Jordan was listed at 6'6" and 195 pounds according to basketballreference.com.

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

I'm going to say Bazz. He entering his 4th year, so decisions must be made. And I think he is good. And like I said in the past, this is really tough for me to admit after the birth certificate fiasco.

[TAFKASP]

Going into last season I was really excited to see if Bazz could continue to raise his level of play.... oh well.

Going into next season it's a close race between Lavine and Belly as to whom I'll jinx. I think Lavine is the player most likely to raise his level of play significantly, while Belly just playing like he did toward the end of the season, consistently, would be the guy who helps improve the team the most on an individual level. Soo, who's career will I ruin this year? I'll have to get back to y'all on that. :)

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Some good thoughts on this thread, but I think the answer for me has to Belly. I define "intriguing" as wondering if someone who had little impact last year can step up and be a big contributor next year. I think I know who KAT, Zach, Wig, Gorgui and Ricky are going to be...they're all already making solid contributions, and I expect all (yes, even Ricky) to continue improving. Here are some players I considered before I landed on Belly:

Ty Jones: While I expect to see improvement this year, I don't think he will ever be a key player for the Wolves. That doesn't mean he can't be a competent backup for Ricky, which I think is his ceiling. I think Thibs will see him as a competent offensive backup, but his defensive limitations will likely lead him to try to play Ricky 35-40 minutes a night.

Bazz: I was perhaps Bazz's biggest booster after the draft and during his rookie season. But I no longer see him as anything more than a role player. He just doesn't seem to get it on defense...generally works hard, but makes too many cringe worthy mistakes. And I don't need to see him drive to the basket on one on three fast breaks anymore. He can still fill it up on nights where he is feeling it, but I'm no longer intrigued by his upside.

Pek: In another thread, Jason said he expected Pek to be healthy and effective this year, and monster replied that Jason and Sid were part of a small group thinking that (although we all want it). But there's one other person out there who has said Pek will be healthy next year, and his voice is the most credible...Arnie Kander. While that gives me some hope, I don't want to set myself up to be disappointed by Pek again, so I'll pass on him here.

That leaves Belly as the player I'm most intrigued with. My wish is that he can become our primary PF...maybe not starting if KG still can give us 15, but playing the most minutes in an effective manner. The Belly we saw at the end of last year is the guy I watched last summer in the FIBA games, and a player of that caliber is a starting PF in the NBA. He was tied with Zach as our best 3-point shooter last year, his court vision and passing are second only to Ricky, he is very capable at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket, and he is an effective physical rebounder. Yes, he needs to learn what an NBA foul is (or be cut a little more slack by the refs) and improve defensively, and he has to avoid the reticence to shoot he showed much of last year. But I think he is my choice at PF next year, and I'm intrigued to see how he performs out there with Ricky, Wig, Deng (hopefully) and KAT.

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

Some good thoughts on this thread, but I think the answer for me has to Belly. I define "intriguing" as wondering if someone who had little impact last year can step up and be a big contributor next year. I think I know who KAT, Zach, Wig, Gorgui and Ricky are going to be...they're all already making solid contributions, and I expect all (yes, even Ricky) to continue improving. Here are some players I considered before I landed on Belly:

Ty Jones: While I expect to see improvement this year, I don't think he will ever be a key player for the Wolves. That doesn't mean he can't be a competent backup for Ricky, which I think is his ceiling. I think Thibs will see him as a competent offensive backup, but his defensive limitations will likely lead him to try to play Ricky 35-40 minutes a night.

Bazz: I was perhaps Bazz's biggest booster after the draft and during his rookie season. But I no longer see him as anything more than a role player. He just doesn't seem to get it on defense...generally works hard, but makes too many cringe worthy mistakes. And I don't need to see him drive to the basket on one on three fast breaks anymore. He can still fill it up on nights where he is feeling it, but I'm no longer intrigued by his upside.

Pek: In another thread, Jason said he expected Pek to be healthy and effective this year, and monster replied that Jason and Sid were part of a small group thinking that (although we all want it). But there's one other person out there who has said Pek will be healthy next year, and his voice is the most credible...Arnie Kander. While that gives me some hope, I don't want to set myself up to be disappointed by Pek again, so I'll pass on him here.

That leaves Belly as the player I'm most intrigued with. My wish is that he can become our primary PF...maybe not starting if KG still can give us 15, but playing the most minutes in an effective manner. The Belly we saw at the end of last year is the guy I watched last summer in the FIBA games, and a player of that caliber is a starting PF in the NBA. He was tied with Zach as our best 3-point shooter last year, his court vision and passing are second only to Ricky, he is very capable at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket, and he is an effective physical rebounder. Yes, he needs to learn what an NBA foul is (or be cut a little more slack by the refs) and improve defensively, and he has to avoid the reticence to shoot he showed much of last year. But I think he is my choice at PF next year, and I'm intrigued to see how he performs out there with Ricky, Wig, Deng (hopefully) and KAT.

That thread was earth-shattering for me. I not only learned that Sid and I are the only ones holding out hope, I also learned I was an old fuddy-duddy, and that Steve Dils jokes aren't funny, and that I need to young it up.

[Volans19]

I'm going to say Bazz. He entering his 4th year, so decisions must be made. And I think he is good. And like I said in the past, this is really tough for me to admit after the birth certificate fiasco.

I agree that Bazz is the most intriguing. Will he accept the grind on defense that Thibs will push or does he reject it and find himself riding the bench? I hope that with his crazy work ethic that he will accept it and make himself into at least an ok defender. If he is able to do it while maintain some level of consistency on offense he could be a really good role player.

You are right though, decisions about his future as a wolf need to be determined this season.

[thedoper]

Bazz for me too. I can't wait for his fire to mesh with Thibs. I think he could be the biggest benefactor from having a systems coach. Wiggins would be next. I am not nearly as high on Belly, but anything we get from him is great.

[MikkeMan]

Wow, Corey Joseph really must have added some weight. It's hard to believe coming out of school that he was the same weight as Tyus Jones even though being 2" taller. But he's put on at least 20 lbs. since then and is a legitimately big PG.

I'm sure Tyus can get a little stronger, but he ain't getting any taller. (Again, it's not that he's super short...he's just "meh" in nearly every category physically - strength, quickness, vertical, length, speed - whereas other guys have at least one or two of those traits in spades. Patty Mills is short but super quick; Corey Joseph is slow, but big and strong; Ricky Rubio can't jump but he's fairly tall and rangy; etc.)

Are you sure that Tyus is not anymore growing? Based on Draftexpress, he has grown one and half inches since 2013 and got two inches for his wingspan. For example I was 6'3 in conscription at age 18 and 7 months and two and half years later when I had fulfilled my military service I was 6'5.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Wow, Corey Joseph really must have added some weight. It's hard to believe coming out of school that he was the same weight as Tyus Jones even though being 2" taller. But he's put on at least 20 lbs. since then and is a legitimately big PG.

I'm sure Tyus can get a little stronger, but he ain't getting any taller. (Again, it's not that he's super short...he's just "meh" in nearly every category physically - strength, quickness, vertical, length, speed - whereas other guys have at least one or two of those traits in spades. Patty Mills is short but super quick; Corey Joseph is slow, but big and strong; Ricky Rubio can't jump but he's fairly tall and rangy; etc.)

Are you sure that Tyus is not anymore growing? Based on Draftexpress, he has grown one and half inches since 2013 and got two inches for his wingspan. For example I was 6'3 in conscription at age 18 and 7 months and two and half years later when I had fulfilled my military service I was 6'5.

Tyus already has a receding hairline, so yes, I do think he's done growing!

As for you, it sounds to me like you were measured wearing flip-flops on your way in to service and measured in boots coming out!