Playoffs thread

[AbeVigodaLive]

A couple of things related to recent posts...

1. Kawhi Leonard. He's averaged 32.5 ppg with 58% shooting in the playoffs. His PER is 39+ over 4 games. Whoa.
2. I've seen Favors seems to lack explosiveness in a few posts. Remember... he's still hurt a bit. He came out not that long ago with comments about playing "on one leg." Now, are the injuries becoming an issue? That's a concern if he's looking at a huge deal.
3. Memphis Grit N Grind culture is legit. Even last season when the team was trotting out D League rosters at the end... the team played with that mentality. It's impressive. And it's an example of PLAYERS dictating how a team plays... more than coaching.

[Monster]

I'm with Q in not wanting to overpay for Ibaka, Favors or Blake, especially the latter two. I'm torn on Ibaka. If he weren't clearly in a declined, I'd want him because of what he would bring. But I think the decline is unmistakable and troubling for the sort of long-term deal we'd have to give him. The questions surrounding Ibaka's age seems very well-founded now. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in his 30s. Or perhaps he's lost his desire or passion for the game. Whatever the reason, he scares me. Favors and Griffin scare me with their repeating physical issues and Favors looks like a plodder to me.

I could see "overpaying" Millsap, but I have several concerns. First, I think overpaying him means a max contract -- top money for 4 years -- and I think that's problematic. Second, he'll turn 33 next season, so I'm not sure what we'd get from him over the course of his 4-year deal. Finally, he's not a shot-blocker and if we're going to pay max money to shore up our interior defense it seems to me the player we bring in should be a shot-blocker. I also noticed that Millsap only shot 44% from the field this past season. That's not impressive for a PF.

The only guy I'd overpay would be Redick. Overpaying him would not be anything close to a max deal and he brings a specific skill we desperately need -- 3-point shooting.

Lip Millsap's 2 point percentage took a dive this season and he hasn't shot it well from 3 for a couple years so that would have to be a concern. Still he is the perfect guy for this team. We won't get him.

I think people are vastly underpaying what Redick going to get on the open market. He is an elite shooter than isn't just a spot up guy that actually is a pretty good defensive player. He is a legit 2 way wing he is gonna cost a bunch of money he is considered a much better player now than when he was getting his last contract.

Based on What Thibs said about guys they want to add fitting into Windows I don't see them chasing either guy.

[WildWolf2813]

Watching Stephenson excel again at Indiana when we didn't see any of this here just bothers me. We can never find gems that can meaningfully contribute to this team. Before you know it, every guy in our rotation will be someone we had to spend a high pick on.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Watching Stephenson excel again at Indiana when we didn't see any of this here just bothers me. We can never find gems that can meaningfully contribute to this team. Before you know it, every guy in our rotation will be someone we had to spend a high pick on.

To be fair, Stephenson has been with 6 teams in just over 2 seasons.

There's a reason for that.

[BloopOracle]

the vibe from the players, the energy in the building, we're witnessing Indiana coming to terms with the fact that Paul George is as good as gone it's over

just like Love here in MN it doesn't matter what they do in the offseason he has checked out

[Monster]

It's funny the people really going out on a limb predicting Wiggins won't be the defender Leonard is now considering he has won 2 consecutive DPOY awards in is in the running for a 3rd.

Anyway I'm sad I missed that Spurs Grizz game it looked epic.

It was an amazing game. Kawhi went into assassin mode to force OT. Tony parker lost them that game, he's a shell of himself. Aldridge declined rather quick too. Conley played great. I honestly was cheering for both teams!

There is no way the Spurs can beat GSW though. They just don't have a second or third shot maker, and they aren't winning with Kawhi taking 30 shots.

Houston, Memphis, and Utah all have a better chance to take out GSW.

The Portland GSW game was a good one too. Until GSW scored something like 16 in a row in 4 mins to change the game. Then McCollum panicked and took too many errant shots. If only Aminu could hit an open 3 to save his life.

I absolutely despise GS. But you can only utter "wow" when they get rolling. Chemistry is off the charts for 10 players deep, including a rookie. They make 4 passes without a single dribble or hesitation. And then Curry or Thompson drop 12 points while you went to grab a drink. Simply amazing.

I've been concerned about the Spurs lack of another top end scorer for most of the season and that was before knowning whether Leonard was gonna take off and be the guy and it looks like he is doing that more although he wasn't good in a previous game but obviously bounced back.

Jon K made a great point on Twitter that in this "all about the rings" culture it's a shame people haven't just enjoyed the Grizz the last get years. The play hard give it their all and have won a lot of games and just been grit and grind etc and they have had plenty of things go wrong but they have done a lot of the right things too.

I have a love hate relationship with GS. That includes some player who I both love some aspects of them and despise them like Draymond and even Curry a bit. Love Klay and guys accept and play their role. What's been underrated is how like the top franchises do they have found guys to fill in and step up and be solid worthwhile additions. It helps when you are loaded as they are with good players but still they have gotten more out of some of those other guys that people expected like McGee.

Monster- Great point about the how the top teams often add guys other teams overlook to fill roles and contribute in a big way. McGee is a good example for GS. I'd add Livingston to the GS list as well. Memphis added JaMychal Green and Ennis. The Spurs are legendary for finding guys other franchises overlook -- drafting Parker with the last pick in the 1st round and Manu with the last pick in the 2nd round, getting Danny Green and most recently signing DeWayne Dedmon. I never noticed Dedmon but I saw him rated as the #1 defensive player in the League this past season based on a combination of advanced metrics. That's credible because Pop made him the Spurs starting center. Last night I looked at Dedmon's history and numbers before this past season. Then I wondered why the Wolves didn't sign him last July. Of course other teams had him and let him go. So credit the Spurs. But I'd really like to see the Wolves organization hit on at least one such player for once in the franchise's history.

By the way is Livingston hurt? Didn't see him play. McCaw and McGee both had a huge impact for GS. Its unfair really. Andre, green, McCaw (liked him in the draft and he fell to them around pick 40), McGee, and West or Clark went on something like a 21 to 9 run over 8 mins while Curry and Thompson were resting for the final 6-7 min closeout in the fourth. Of course it didn't help that Portland decided to play iso ball and make errant passes/dribble off their feet 2 or 3 times.

For Memphis Ennis played some amazing defense on Kawhi on the last shot of regulation and throughout OT.

Unfortunately I don't think the Wolves are yet capable of finding those gems. We do not have the culture yet, nor the vet stars to allow lesser players to just play within themselves. We currently ask/need to much from those role players. Maybe in 2-3 years.

The box score said Livingston had a hurt finger or something like that.

[Monster]

Watching Stephenson excel again at Indiana when we didn't see any of this here just bothers me. We can never find gems that can meaningfully contribute to this team. Before you know it, every guy in our rotation will be someone we had to spend a high pick on.

To be fair, Stephenson has been with 6 teams in just over 2 seasons.

There's a reason for that.

In 6 games with the Wolves Lance jacked up his ankle twice. If that's not Wolves luck I don't know what is. Lance looked like he could help this team when he was healthy the problem was he wasn't healthy and then Casspi was available and he could be a solid addition beyond this year as well.

As someone else said it's hard to get some of those gems when you haven't established a culture...or have established players or...have the same head coach every year.

[thedoper]

Wiggins has plenty of length to be a top defender. Recall that he was reported to have grown an inch after his first year here. His athleticism and length are more than enough to make him a top defender. It's all about getting physically stronger AND his motor. I have no doubt he'll get a lot stronger and bulkier given his young age. It's the motor I worry about. But I'm not convinced yet that the motor isn't there.

Leonard has 40 lbs on Wiggins and an 8 cm wingspan. I just don't want him putting on that kind of weight personally, and his arms aren't going to grow 4cm a piece. He's not going to ever be able to body up guys the way Leonard does, regardless of his motor. His defensive abilities will always be built aroubd speed and positioning and not power.

[60WinTim]

Note to self: don't go after Roberson in free agency!

[Lipoli390]

Wiggins has plenty of length to be a top defender. Recall that he was reported to have grown an inch after his first year here. His athleticism and length are more than enough to make him a top defender. It's all about getting physically stronger AND his motor. I have no doubt he'll get a lot stronger and bulkier given his young age. It's the motor I worry about. But I'm not convinced yet that the motor isn't there.

Leonard has 40 lbs on Wiggins and an 8 cm wingspan. I just don't want him putting on that kind of weight personally, and his arms aren't going to grow 4cm a piece. He's not going to ever be able to body up guys the way Leonard does, regardless of his motor. His defensive abilities will always be built aroubd speed and positioning and not power.

You don't need Leonard's build to be a great wing defender. Quickness, athleticism, length, intelligence and desire/intensity tell the tale. There is no physical reason Wiggins can't become a great defender. It's up to him.