SameOldNudityDrew wrote:Thanks for the thread Tim, but I basically stopped watching after the half. Just no point. Tyus and Payne aren't going to see a lot of minutes this year and games like this don't help their case!
...but here is where getting the little things right matters. We've seen too many times where injuries derail the season for a couple of our key guys and then we end up with totally inferior talent being thrust into roles they simply can't handle. I'm not talking about guys that can step in and exactly replace the guys they are filling if for, but being able to at least hold the fort down and play smart, competent ball. If we are in a situation this season where Jones and Payne are in the top 7 or 8 of the rotation due to injuries, we're in big trouble.
It seems to be an area that San Antonio and the culture/system they have built gives them a competitive advantage. Their latest two examples of organizational superiority is Kyle Anderson and Jonathan Simmons. Anderson was drafted a couple years ago at #30. Simmons went undrafted. I would argue both of these guys are superior to a number of players Minnesota either drafted directly or traded for with higher picks, specifically Jones, Payne, and Shabazz. We used/traded 3 2nd rounder and two first rounders for three guys that are sub-optimal in many ways. Meanwhile San Antonio used ONE late first rounder for two guys that could be in the top 8 or 9 of their rotation next season.
...and they do this all the freakin' time! Those late round picks, scouring for undrafted FAs, 2nd rounders, etc. need to be given the same amount of time, energy, and care as the lottery picks are given. These guys can save your season if you run into injury issues over a difficult stretch and need to at least tread water. I don't trust that Payne and Tyus (but Payne especially) could do this for us.
