- The vets were awful. Martin and Bud weren't even trying.
- I don't think Hamilton will be on the team next year. He's just too damn weak to hang with anyone in the paint. God, we could use almost a complete overhaul of our big man roster.
- Wiggins has become a go-to scorer. I also like the fact he was making timely passes for easy buckets. All these minutes have really paid off in setting him up nicely for next season.
- With Wiggins emergence as a legit alpha dog scorer and the potential of Bazz and LaVine as scorers, Martin's ONLY value to this team is his 3-point shooting. I'd entertain trades this summer, but we have to get something back of value. It shouldn't just be a salary dump.
- Hummel continues to look awful since coming back from injury. Disappointing.
- Brown played a nice game, but if he can't knock down wide open jumpers, it's tough to see him winning that backup PG role. It's too bad because it would be nice to see us nab a real diamond in the rough for once that can play a legit role on this team.
Nice breakdown Q
-we do actually need to overhaul the bigs.
I think moving Martin is something worth looking at but we have to get something pretty good back. That might be a fringe starter big or a draft pick but we need to get value for him. I don't think Flip moves him this offseason though.
-Q I agree with you about Brown if he can't hit 3's then he isn't worth keeping around. MAYBE as a 3rd PG he might be worthwhile. I think he is trying so hard to play as a PG he isn't being aggressive offensively almost at all. I'd like to see him play in SL and bring him to TC and let him battle for a spot. He might end up being more worthwhile down the road. He is 24 there is a chance he can improve. If he can't hit jumpers he just isn't good enough defensively at this point to want to see him out there.
I like the fact that LaVine and Wiggins are getting their numbers and looking like they're both getting better, but is anyone else concerned that these look like glorified scrimmages out there? Now maybe a lot of it is that we're so decimated with *cough* injuries and thus giving big minutes to D-League players, but one play in last night's game really was, for me, the signature, of what we've been seeing lately.
The Lakers forward received a pass up near the FT line and was wide open. This was Payne's guy. Payne is near the hoop about 8 feet away. Rather than going at the defender while in control (in case he needs to recover), he doesn't close out on the shooter at all, only challenging the shot when the shooter is in mid-jump. Because Payne wasn't even in the same area code, it wasn't likely to alter the shot, and because he was diving forward attempting to "challenge" the shot, he was pulling himself out of position to rebound as well. Our defense is so soft it's almost comical. It's like some of our guys are getting their defensive tips from watching the All-Star game. This is why I hear Jim Pete say pretty much every game lately the opponents shooting 60%... Our commentators are always saying it as if the Wolves are just unlucky that our opponents shoot a ridiculously high percentage, when in reality, our defense just sucks.
And for this reason, if for no other reason, I'm much more intrigued by players who can play defense in this draft.
Camden0916 wrote:I would explore trades this off-season. Doesn't mean I'd dump him for anything.
Totally agree. He has value so there is no need to get diminished return. I think a deal of Martin for Taj Gibson and whatever moving parts need to go either way would be pretty fair for both sides. They have great PF depth. We have a ton of PFs, but no good ones.
I can't see the Bulls trading Taj straight up for Martin. But add a future first round pick and the Bulls might pull the trigger. That's how you use a future first. You don't risk a future pick on some like Payne. Payne was a mid first round pick. But like nearly all first round picks, his value dropped immediately after the season started. First round picks are like cars. Their worth substantially the moment you drive them off the lot. Payne's value drop Must have been particularly big based on the fact that the Hawks found Payne worthy of almost no playing time behind no less than 4 other PFs.
The Payne deal was especially bad given that we already owed a future first rounder from Kahn's desperate deal to get rid of Wes Johnson and clear space for Batum and Roy. Alas, we don't have the draft assets to pull off a trade for someone like Taj.
I can't believe you are serious entertaining Martin and a first for Taj and saying that's how to use a first rounder. Draft your own Taj Gibson that's how you use a first rounder.
Monster -- that was just for illustrative purposes. I wouldn't do that deal for Taj. My point was you use a 1st round pick effctively in a trade by pairing it with a player in exchange for an impact veteran -- a vet young enough to play at a high level for years as the young guys develop. Taj may be that type of vet. But personally, I think he's too injury-prone and not enough of an impact guy. Reasonable minds could differ on this one.
Ok fair enough the way you said it seemed more like I was to take it as face value. I get what you are sati gb and don't disagree with you but I still think if you want to be good you draft your own player like Taj and just because it's fun I will say I was really high on him back then. :)
