Something to keep in mind about Payne

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Yeah Lebron is bad. He doesn't mind that they don't call all the push offs he does when he drives.

It just sucks that guys go out of their way to get a foul. They don't play naturally. It's bad basketball.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Heh, it looks like Harden got his comeuppance last night:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12428897/james-harden-houston-rockets-was-fouled-memphis-grizzlies-nba-admits

Again, I'll acknowledge that it was a legit foul and the officials missed it. But if half your game relies on getting fouled, then you are putting your fate in the hands of other human beings. An official can't mess up an actual made basket.

[Coolbreeze44]

I have to admit when the Payne bashing began after his first two appearances in a Wolves uni, I really thought it was being done toungue in cheek or sarcastically. Now I realize some of you guys have been serious the whole time. First of all, to start evaluating that trade already is flat out insane. Secondly, he's at least shown a little bit of skill and heart. And third, has he had more than a couple practices with the Wolves at this point?

I'll also admit that I've never been the biggest Payne fan, not even at MSU. But even I realize he needs a full opportunity before he gets cast aside. Let's see him go through our summer program and next years training camp, then we can start to judge him as a fit or not on this team. The nonsense about how terrible he is a this point is just that, nonsense.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

That's likely directed towards me more than others. I have acknowledged, and appreciated, the energy that he's played with. Though, outside of rebounding, he's been a trainwreck. I wasn't high on him pre-draft either so that likely goes into this for those that think I'm bashing him off just a handful of NBA games. I'm hopeful, but not blindly optimistic.

I'm also pretty unhappy that if i get what I want in Towns, then Payne gets delegated to bench boy and we spent a first round pick for that.

[TheGrey08]

I have to admit when the Payne bashing began after his first two appearances in a Wolves uni, I really thought it was being done toungue in cheek or sarcastically. Now I realize some of you guys have been serious the whole time. First of all, to start evaluating that trade already is flat out insane. Secondly, he's at least shown a little bit of skill and heart. And third, has he had more than a couple practices with the Wolves at this point?

I'll also admit that I've never been the biggest Payne fan, not even at MSU. But even I realize he needs a full opportunity before he gets cast aside. Let's see him go through our summer program and next years training camp, then we can start to judge him as a fit or not on this team. The nonsense about how terrible he is a this point is just that, nonsense.

Well said

[TheGrey08]

That's likely directed towards me more than others. I have acknowledged, and appreciated, the energy that he's played with. Though, outside of rebounding, he's been a trainwreck. I wasn't high on him pre-draft either so that likely goes into this for those that think I'm bashing him off just a handful of NBA games. I'm hopeful, but not blindly optimistic.

I'm also pretty unhappy that if i get what I want in Towns, then Payne gets delegated to bench boy and we spent a first round pick for that.

A mid 1st doesn't NEED to end up being a starter. There's nothing wrong with a solid rotation guy in the mid/late 1st. I fully expect that pick to end up being 2018 at which point I'd expect us to be in the 20s or something has gone terribly wrong.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

That's likely directed towards me more than others. I have acknowledged, and appreciated, the energy that he's played with. Though, outside of rebounding, he's been a trainwreck. I wasn't high on him pre-draft either so that likely goes into this for those that think I'm bashing him off just a handful of NBA games. I'm hopeful, but not blindly optimistic.

I'm also pretty unhappy that if i get what I want in Towns, then Payne gets delegated to bench boy and we spent a first round pick for that.

A mid 1st doesn't NEED to end up being a starter. There's nothing wrong with a solid rotation guy in the mid/late 1st. I fully expect that pick to end up being 2018 at which point I'd expect us to be in the 20s or something has gone terribly wrong.

I've said time and time again that I'm hoping he can turn into a good big off the bench. Said that multiple times. My head is in the right place. I'm not expecting a starting player like some of these posters.

What I meant by bench boy was that Payne wouldn't even be in the rotation next year. Pekovic/Garnett (re-signed) starting with Towns/Dieng coming behind them. Good luck beating them out, Payne.

[Papalrep]

OK, where would that first have been in the draft? Would we have ended up with someone better than Payne?

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

I have to admit when the Payne bashing began after his first two appearances in a Wolves uni, I really thought it was being done toungue in cheek or sarcastically. Now I realize some of you guys have been serious the whole time. First of all, to start evaluating that trade already is flat out insane. Secondly, he's at least shown a little bit of skill and heart. And third, has he had more than a couple practices with the Wolves at this point?

I'll also admit that I've never been the biggest Payne fan, not even at MSU. But even I realize he needs a full opportunity before he gets cast aside. Let's see him go through our summer program and next years training camp, then we can start to judge him as a fit or not on this team. The nonsense about how terrible he is a this point is just that, nonsense.

I agree. I didn't like the trade at the time and still dont, but I'm pulling got the guy. I want to be proven wrong.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/06/lebron-james-after-receiving-two-flagrant-fouls-in-his-last-three-games-maybe-i-got-to-protect-myself-a-little-bit-more/

Lebron whining again about fouls.