Pek

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://www.minnpost.com/sports/2015/03/problem-pek

Robson has written a balanced analysis of Pek. Nothing new here, but a good analysis of the frustration of being a Pek fan. This has been a terrible season for Pek. While I have actually become more a fan of his defensive presence this year, his inability to stay on the court or consistently make shots near the basket has made him the most frustrating Wolf. Last night was a perfect microcosm of Pek's season...missing 2-3 ridiculously easy shots early, and then retiring to the bench unable to play due to injury.

Like Robson, I have to admit that I supported Flip signing Pek. While I appreciate those who say we overpaid or we were negotiating with ourselves, I also remind them that we don't know that. We don't know what Pek's agent was telling Flip, or what Flip was hearing about Pek's value around the league. I conclude that Flip did what he had to do. Pek is such a fan favorite that to lose him would have been a PR disaster. And I also agree that while three more years of $12 million per seems onerous now, it shouldn't represent a significant chunk of our cap when the new deal kicks in...especially if Pek can return to previous form. If...

For those who don't go to Wolves games and whose only knowledge of Pek is box scores and TV, I'm glad Robson talked about the in-arena draw of Pek. His immense size makes him impossible to ignore when you are at Target Center...he just looks different then everyone else in the NBA. And you can't miss the smiles on fans' faces when he appears on the big screen during time outs answering a question in his odd, distinctive style. He is by far my grandson's favorite player, and he's not alone. The Whackos over at rubechat maintained a thread for a couple years with terrific graphics awarding him a "skull" of an opposing center after a night of complete Pek dominance.

Unfortunately, that thread has been discontinued as Pek has had a terrible season. He deserves the poor grade that Cool gave him in his 3/4 season review. My expectations going forward? Not promising. I know Flip can't find someone to take on Pek's contract, and I don't think he will ever move past his foot problems. But I also endorse the ray of hope in Robson's article. Doctors say Pek doesn't stand to hurt himself further when he plays...it's just painful. If he can give us 20-25 a night and get back to being the efficient scorer he was prior to this year, he can still be a valuable contributor.

[AbeVigodaLive]

When you look back at Pekovic's career... we all know about the injuries. But, it's how he's unable to play effectively while dealing with injuries that I've always noticed. He struggles with length, obviously. But, he REALLY struggles when he's not 100%. He hasn't really been healthy all season and that tendency I mentioned in year's past has really been profound.

I think we have evidence that he's not one of those guys who can play well when all is not great. Maybe because there's less margin for error?

When he's healthy, he produces... consistently. He was ridiculously consistent for two good sized runs in previous seaons. Then, a nagging injury hits and he struggles... then, the injury becomes more serious. But those runs of consistency (when healthy)... I can see why it was tempting. (Maybe not wise though)

[60WinTim]

Peterson commented last night that Pek really needs to lose some weight. Hopefully Pek makes that an offseason priority!

Pek's problems means Flip HAS to have depth when it comes to big men. Turiaf's inability to play this season kind of went under the radar, but it really hurt the team when Dieng and two undersized Forwards, Young and Bennett, were the only big men that could play.

Looking towards next year, Pek, Dieng and Hamilton at Center, with KG, Payne and a possible 1st rounder (and Bennett if he is still with the team) would provide some decent depth in the front court.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Peterson commented last night that Pek really needs to lose some weight. Hopefully Pek makes that an offseason priority!

Pek's problems means Flip HAS to have depth when it comes to big men. Turiaf's inability to play this season kind of went under the radar, but it really hurt the team when Dieng and two undersized Forwards, Young and Bennett, were the only big men that could play.

Looking towards next year, Pek, Dieng and Hamilton at Center, with KG, Payne and a possible 1st rounder (and Bennett if he is still with the team) would provide some decent depth in the front court.

Unless it's Towns or Okafor joining that frontcourt depth... that's a frontcourt of a 55+ loss team... no matter who's playing in the backcourt.



[note: and getting one of those two guys won't assure the wolves still won't lose 55+.]

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12461874/players-union-rejects-salary-cap-smoothing-historic-cap-increase-nba-set
I'm sure most of you saw this yesterday, but I haven't seen it mentioned in any threads. Conjecture is that the salary camp will jump to $88-92 million next year :-o...that's a huge jump! If Pek can't play or make a shot, $2 million per year would be a waste of money. But IF he can return to anywhere near his prior form, this is more evidence that his $12 million (and Ricky's contract, for that matter) will be considered bargains.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I don't think it helps the fact that Pek is the only one on the team plays in the paint. Nobody else posts up, nobody else can drive to the basket to get him easy baskets, nobody else on the team can rebound to take pressure off there.

Your pretty much asking Pek to be the Orlando Dwight Howard, then bash him because he struggles in that roll

[thedoper]

Pek has been far and away the biggest disappointment this year to me. Big time regression in his game not to mention the injuries.

[KiwiMatt]

Pek has been far and away the biggest disappointment this year to me. Big time regression in his game not to mention the injuries.

Chase Budinger a close second though!

[thedoper]

Pek has been far and away the biggest disappointment this year to me. Big time regression in his game not to mention the injuries.

Chase Budinger a close second though!

I had no expectations for Budinger this year after seeing him play last year. I knew he was done then. Pek on the other hand I did have expectations for.

[bleedspeed]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12461874/players-union-rejects-salary-cap-smoothing-historic-cap-increase-nba-set

Seriously Players are dumb. Majority of the league won't be FA's that summer the cap increases and those players that are and their agents will make out well. The artifical increase and distributing it across all of the players really seemed like a good move for the average joe player in my eyes if I am not a FA and not a top 50 player.