Opening Night

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for the correction, abe...I was a year off on that one.

I agree that a healthy Pellies team beats our Wolves...I'm just sensing they have the kind of injuries that are going to linger, and that forces them to give minutes to below average players (hmm...sound like any team we know?) Really odd that Holiday was out for "rest" on opening night.

Yeah, we never root for injuries, but we can root for justice. And it would definitely be justice if the Wolves were finally healthier than their competition. I think we deserve that this year.

[60WinTim]

Q - where is the acknowledgement that if the Wolves can stay healthy, they might be good, too?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Q - where is the acknowledgement that if the Wolves can stay healthy, they might be good, too?

If we stay healthy, I don't think we'll be good, but I do think we can potentially reach or may be surpass a little the 30-win milestone, which would be a significant improvement. My prediction of 26 wins assumes we deal with the "normal" bout of injuries. Your win prediction total would require nearly perfect health of every major rotation player plus a triumphant return of Pekovic in peak form. Not happening.

[bleedspeed]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

I would put a lot of money down that Kevin Martin and T. Prince don't end the season in MN.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

I would put a lot of money down that Kevin Martin and T. Prince don't end the season in MN.

Agree, but if these guys are serious about the whole mentoring thing, I would like to think it isn't a complete firesale, whereby KG is the only one left behind to look after the toddlers and babies. Hopefully Prince or Miller sticks around - most likely Miller.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

I would put a lot of money down that Kevin Martin and T. Prince don't end the season in MN.

Agree, but if these guys are serious about the whole mentoring thing, I would like to think it isn't a complete firesale, whereby KG is the only one left behind to look after the toddlers and babies. Hopefully Prince or Miller sticks around - most likely Miller.

The thing is that it was Flip's vision. And I'm guessing he was instrumental in bringing in his type of guys. Will those guys have the same relationship with Sam Mitchell? And does Sam Mitchell even care about that angle as much as Saunders did?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

I would put a lot of money down that Kevin Martin and T. Prince don't end the season in MN.

Agree, but if these guys are serious about the whole mentoring thing, I would like to think it isn't a complete firesale, whereby KG is the only one left behind to look after the toddlers and babies. Hopefully Prince or Miller sticks around - most likely Miller.

The thing is that it was Flip's vision. And I'm guessing he was instrumental in bringing in his type of guys. Will those guys have the same relationship with Sam Mitchell? And does Sam Mitchell even care about that angle as much as Saunders did?

Good questions. I'm ambivalent about Martin and I suspect Mitchell is too based on how early he (mistakenly) declared Zach the starter. That was kind of a slap in Martin's face. Plus he doesn't really fit the defensive culture that Mitchell is trying to build. Of course, neither does Miller. And while Prince was once a pretty good defender, I think he's lost a lot of his edge.

[Monster]

Watching Cavs and Bulls last night I thought they both looked like Clubs that could use Kevin Martin.

I would put a lot of money down that Kevin Martin and T. Prince don't end the season in MN.

Agree, but if these guys are serious about the whole mentoring thing, I would like to think it isn't a complete firesale, whereby KG is the only one left behind to look after the toddlers and babies. Hopefully Prince or Miller sticks around - most likely Miller.

The thing is that it was Flip's vision. And I'm guessing he was instrumental in bringing in his type of guys. Will those guys have the same relationship with Sam Mitchell? And does Sam Mitchell even care about that angle as much as Saunders did?

There is a human element of Flip passing away and maybe those guys can't bring themselves to want out at least for the whole season. Personally other than Martin I don't see any team giving up something worth moving those guys. It will be very interesting to see how things pan out. It's a storyline that will have more clarity after 20 or so games when we might know if this team will be watchably competitive for a developing team or pretty much a "What draft pick?" Team. If it's the later some guys may want out if there is a good opportunity. I gotta give Props to Martin for sticking this out so far.

[60WinTim]

Q - where is the acknowledgement that if the Wolves can stay healthy, they might be good, too?

If we stay healthy, I don't think we'll be good, but I do think we can potentially reach or may be surpass a little the 30-win milestone, which would be a significant improvement. My prediction of 26 wins assumes we deal with the "normal" bout of injuries. Your win prediction total would require nearly perfect health of every major rotation player plus a triumphant return of Pekovic in peak form. Not happening.

Well, our opinions differ on where the quality and development of our roster stands. With the exception of experience, I believe this is the most talented roster we have ever had, which is why most people are so upbeat about the future (I believe this includes you).

The question becomes "how quickly can the vets develop under the guidance of Sam and the vets. We had one hell of a tough preseason schedule. But the growth we have witnessed over that time, including Sam's "thinking-out-of-the-box" rotation adjustment has built my confidence that we are starting the season at a pretty good spot, and should continue to grow at a pretty good clip as the season goes on. I'm excited not only for the future, but what these guys are going to accomplish this season.