Sure to piss off the forum

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I don't know what I'm more confused by: Mitchell's decision to start Prince at SF, or all of those that are actually supporting the decision. Wolves followers baffle me at how they're so willing to support bad choices by management, as if they don't know that management has been wrong a LOT.

[60WinTim]

I don't know what I'm more confused by: Mitchell's decision to start Prince at SF, or all of those that are actually supporting the decision. Wolves followers baffle me at how they're so willing to support bad choices by management, as if they don't know that management has been wrong a LOT.

Let's just say the few of us who seem to "support the decision" are more on the side of "we understand the logic behind the decision" and are merely willing to give it a chance to play out...

I liked your idea of starting Bjelica at SF. But he will need time to adjust to the NBA, which was quite apparent in the last game. I also think we really need his minutes at PF since the next guy up at PF is Payne...

[bleedspeed]

Anyone else notice this?

As expected, the Wolves exercised 2016-17 contract options on five young players Wednesday. Wiggins will make $6 million that season, Muhammad $3 million, Gorgui Dieng $2.2 million, LaVine $2.2 million and Adreian Payne $2 million.


I would not have given Payne the option. I would rather bring in a vet minimum guy then further invest in developing him since we will have another lottery pick on the team next season and he has not shown us anything.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Yep, baffling how Tayshaun beat out the others to start being that he's all of 200 lbs?

I feel like Shooter watching Coach Dale playing only 4 guys for Hickory in Hoosiers.

[Phenom]

I love love love the mismatch aspect of starting Wig at the 2. It is lost however when starting Prince next to him. Any guy that the Wolves hope guard Wig will undoubtedly be put on Prince. The best defender will still guard Wiggins. Shabazz needs to be starting in this scenario.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I don't know what I'm more confused by: Mitchell's decision to start Prince at SF, or all of those that are actually supporting the decision. Wolves followers baffle me at how they're so willing to support bad choices by management, as if they don't know that management has been wrong a LOT.

Cam, I would ask you which wing has clearly performed better than Tay Prince, offensively and defensively in preseason games and practice, to clearly earn a starting wing role. Zach? After a reportedly great first 2 days of practice, he has been a huge disappointment this month. Martin? He has shot very poorly this pre-season, and we all know what he brings, or doesn't bring, on defense. Bazz? I love his motor and ability to score, but he brings little else and shot very poorly prior to the Milwaukee game. Bjelica? Maybe, but I don't think he has shown that he is quick enough to defend SF's. You may be baffled by Sam's decision and some of our support for it, but I would argue that any other decision would have been even more baffling and not supported by current data, but only by either past performance or potential.

The fact of the matter is the Saunders Entitlement Era is over, and a new meritocracy is in place. You are no longer merely given a starting role you haven't clearly shown you deserve...you have to earn it. I'm excited that KAT has worked hard enough to earn the starting center spot over a productive Gorgui, and I congratulate Tay for beating out guys Flip would have given the start to. My fondest wish was that
Zach could build on his first two days of success and claim the starting 2 role, but he clearly hasn't done it. And I'm guessing that Sam will not be as tolerant of Kevin Martin's casual work ethic and sloppy defense as Flip was. We know how Flip's approach worked. I'm willing to see if a different approach can produce better results.

[Monster]

I don't know what I'm more confused by: Mitchell's decision to start Prince at SF, or all of those that are actually supporting the decision. Wolves followers baffle me at how they're so willing to support bad choices by management, as if they don't know that management has been wrong a LOT.

Cam, I would ask you which wing has clearly performed better than Tay Prince, offensively and defensively in preseason games and practice, to clearly earn a starting wing role. Zach? After a reportedly great first 2 days of practice, he has been a huge disappointment this month. Martin? He has shot very poorly this pre-season, and we all know what he brings, or doesn't bring, on defense. Bazz? I love his motor and ability to score, but he brings little else and shot very poorly prior to the Milwaukee game. Bjelica? Maybe, but I don't think he has shown that he is quick enough to defend SF's. You may be baffled by Sam's decision and some of our support for it, but I would argue that any other decision would have been even more baffling and not supported by current data, but only by either past performance or potential.

The fact of the matter is the Saunders Entitlement Era is over, and a new meritocracy is in place. You are no longer merely given a starting role you haven't clearly shown you deserve...you have to earn it. I'm excited that KAT has worked hard enough to earn the starting center spot over a productive Gorgui, and I congratulate Tay for beating out guys Flip would have given the start to. My fondest wish was that
Zach could build on his first two days of success and claim the starting 2 role, but he clearly hasn't done it. And I'm guessing that Sam will not be as tolerant of Kevin Martin's casual work ethic and sloppy defense as Flip was. We know how Flip's approach worked. I'm willing to see if a different approach can produce better results.

Personally I would like to see this all play out for a few games before I declare Sam a moron etc which may happen at some point. lol Others have said it but I like that it seems Sam isn't just going to stick with whatever guys he thought he was going to go with what some point in the past. That was something both Flip and Adelman tended to do that drove fans nuts. I can see the merits of both approaches actually but the variety of players on this roster seems like a good idea to have a more fluid concept of what they want to do when it comes to starting and rotation minutes.

Another thought but Tim has brought up the idea that the Wolves have a chance the first few games to have some success early. The first 3 games the Wolves may have some sort of a legit shot at winning. It might be good for development to grab a win or more if starting a more vet player early on helps that happen. Do guys really develop that well the last 30 or so games of a season that's basically over? Idk I would think it's a little hard to do that in a way. They are supposed to be pro's and have vet guys but yeah. Anywho let's see how this plays out. That's not good for conversation I suppose but oh well. :)

Another possible scenario is Prince plays his way out of the starting spot. This team has so many questions that can only be answered with time and games.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Kevin Martin actually played some of the best defense of his career last year, and in some retrospects, our best player last year. Not quite sure were this "entitlement" BS comes from. Just making stuff up to rationalize the decisions im guessing

[Coolbreeze44]

Minnesota sports fans are so easy to appease. They are undeniably loyal, certainly to a fault. They believe just about everything a talking head from one of our teams spews. They always believe that the future looks bright, and that the team is on the right course. I'm talking in generalities of course, not specifically about people on this forum. Here is just a small list of what the typical Minnesota sports fan believes:

Timberwolves:

- Sam Mitchell was an obvious choice to be head coach and things are going to be different (better) now.
- Our young players are all going to turn out to be studs
- KG and the geriatric bunch are going to instill a winning culture in our kids and help them become better players
- Most if not all of our players are going to have career years
- It's just a matter of time before everything comes together and we are a consistent playoff team

Twins:

- Ron Gardenhire was a good manager
- Terry Ryan Knows what he is doing and will push all the right buttons, even though we had 4 consecutive 90 loss seasons
- Just wait until all of our young prospects get here, then we are really going to be something

Vikings:

- Rick Spielman is a great General Manager (Even though there is zero evidence to back it)
- Teddy Bridgewater is going to be an elite, franchise level quarterback
- Our offensive line is going to be fine, just need some time to gel
- We can compete with the best teams in the league even though we don't have a passing game

Wild:

- We don't need an upgrade at center - we're good enough up the middle to contend
- The team's defense first structure is a winning strategy, even if we can't score goals.

It's harder to come up with examples for the Wild because that group actually has good leadership and smart people at the top. But you can see my point here. Minny fans will believe just about anything that keeps hope alive. I'd like to hear from Q about how different the attitude is in Philly.

[thedoper]

I don't know what I'm more confused by: Mitchell's decision to start Prince at SF, or all of those that are actually supporting the decision. Wolves followers baffle me at how they're so willing to support bad choices by management, as if they don't know that management has been wrong a LOT.

Let's just say the few of us who seem to "support the decision" are more on the side of "we understand the logic behind the decision" and are merely willing to give it a chance to play out...

I liked your idea of starting Bjelica at SF. But he will need time to adjust to the NBA, which was quite apparent in the last game. I also think we really need his minutes at PF since the next guy up at PF is Payne...

Agree 100% Tim. Not saying anything but I am giving Sam a chance and that his reasoning is logical from a perspective. Basically the big move is really moving Wiggins to the 2. And then he is saying Wiggins is ahead of Martin, and for now Prince is ahead of Bazz to teach him how to play D. Yes this is going to affect Zach's role, but there is a real possibility that Zach still isn't ready for meaningful contributions other than x factor spot minutes.