KAT in a car accident

[Monster]

Any details on what exactly happened in the accident?

It was a road rage incident. Thibs was the other driver.

Better than Jim Boeheim, amirite?

One of my true greatest fears in life is hitting a pedestrian and killing them. I read an article about what happened...Damn what a tragedy.

[Monster]

I thought kbd looked good out there. He gives us something different from saric. If Taj doesn't come back, I like a saric/Kbd pf rotation.

He is really long. I'm also hoping he can be Saric's backup and provide a versatile defender that can switch and guard multiple positions.

Defense is the key to this team's chances over the next couple of years, as there are no apparent stars in the offing!

KBD looked pretty good out there but I was againant the Knicks who are playing G-league guys even if some of them are actually playing well. He followed a constant in motion guy in Jenkins all around the floor with ease and that one block where he nearly just snached it out of the air was quite nice. He reminds me of Deng in a way it might actually be longer. There was another time someone tried to throw a pass and he put his hands straight up and that ball had zero chance of getting to it's taget and went out of bounds. I wouldn't mind seeing him get some minutes as a SF here and there. It was a solid effort in what was probably the closest thing he has had to real minutes innhe NBA even if it was the Knicks.

[Monster]

Wiggins shot poorly but did get to the line and put up 6 rebounds 2 blocks and 2 steals. He seemed pretty active all night. I kinda hate saying this but I think Wiggins needs to consider using trickery to get fouls like Harden does. Players are just going for the ball on his drive and there are times even though he needs to be stronger he is getting fouled. He did get animated on one that very clearly looked like a foul but he did at least sprint back while letting the officials know about it.

It seemed like Saric looked kinda gassed at times tonight and he only played 23 minutes. Kinda weird but he played well.

Later in the game I was like "Why is Rose still in there get him out" and it turns out he only played 23 mins.

Tolliver had a nice game.

Tyus looked rusty but he was decent.

Teague started out great was a mixed bag and then finished of the game playing well. What muddled things up some especially in the 2nd half was he and the team couldn't decide which matchup to exploit his mismatch or the big wing guarded by the small. I say clear out and let Teague do something nearly every time. Jordon did a nice job that one possession but part of that was the Wolves weren't spaced out. Some of that is on Teague but not all. Also Teague is often getting the ball up the floor...with like 2 other Wolves in the picture. Some people were saying the Wolves didn't go inthe fast break...I agree. It continues to feel like the players have some legit fault here old and young.

Overall it was somewhat enjoyable although sometimes ugly game. I had the Knicks announcers and Clyde called Ryan Skip's son before correcting himself and they don't know how to say Okogie's name but actually it was probably one of the least objectionable knocks broadcasts I have heard. Lol

[Lipoli390]

Meh. Win as much as we can. In the end, it likely won't matter. All the losing and incompetent decision-making that starts with Glen Taylor will force Karl-Anthony Towns to leave in two years anyway.

The only way KAT even thinks about staying is if this team gets some life. We absolutely need to win whenever we can. Losing to plan for the future isn't going to fly at this point. I'm with you 100% here, there is no reason to think we'd make good on a draft opportunity anyway.

Based on historical precedent, it's fair to assume the Wolves won't make good on draft opportunities. If that assumption holds, then KAT will be clamoring to get out in a couple years and the Wolves will eventually relocate to Seattle. But we all know that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. And the more nuts you have available, the more likely it is the blind squirrel will find one. The higher in the draft you go, generally the more talented players there are to choose from. I wouldn't bank on the Wolves making the most of those enhanced draft options, but I want enhance the chances that our front office equivalent of a blind squirrel gets the nut we need to pair with KAT and possibly turn this team into a contender in 2-3 years. That's the only strategy that makes sense.

The Wolves organization has a history of exercising poor judgment in its draft decisions, but they've come up with a nut a few times in KAT, Love, Wally Z and KG. Beyond poor personnel judgment, the biggest failing of the Wolves organization over time has been the failure to have a coherent, smart strategy. You have to know who you are and what you want to be; then devise a logical, coherent strategy accordingly. Right now, we're a .500 team that should be striving to become a contender. To so that, this team needs another allstar/elite player to pair with KAT. Squeezing out a few more wins with our solid vets will do absolutely nothing to improve this organization's chances of becoming a contender down the road. Playing our younger guys more helps them develop and gives the organization more opportunity to evaluate them for the future. At the same time, playing those younger guys more will probably result in a few more losses and better draft position -- more nuts for the blind squirrel. It's not a sure thing by any stretch, but it just makes sense at this juncture.

I like that Ryan is giving Saric a lot more minutes and starting him. If up to me, KBD, Okogie and Terrell would get a lot more minutes. However, having failed to trade any of our vets at the trade deadline, I understand what I have in mind is unrealistic. So instead of having the 9th or 10 pick in the draft, we'll probably have the 13th or 14th with less chance of getting a top 4 pick. Fewer nuts than I'd like, but our vision-impaired squirrel organization could still come up with a nut. :)

[kekgeek]

Meh. Win as much as we can. In the end, it likely won't matter. All the losing and incompetent decision-making that starts with Glen Taylor will force Karl-Anthony Towns to leave in two years anyway.

The only way KAT even thinks about staying is if this team gets some life. We absolutely need to win whenever we can. Losing to plan for the future isn't going to fly at this point. I'm with you 100% here, there is no reason to think we'd make good on a draft opportunity anyway.

Based on historical precedent, it's fair to assume the Wolves won't make good on draft opportunities. If that assumption holds, then KAT will be clamoring to get out in a couple years and the Wolves will eventually relocate to Seattle. But we all know that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. And the more nuts you have available, the more likely it is the blind squirrel will find one. The higher in the draft you go, generally the more talented players there are to choose from. I wouldn't bank on the Wolves making the most of those enhanced draft options, but I want enhance the chances that our front office equivalent of a blind squirrel gets the nut we need to pair with KAT and possibly turn this team into a contender in 2-3 years. That's the only strategy that makes sense.

The Wolves organization has a history of exercising poor judgment in its draft decisions, but they've come up with a nut a few times in KAT, Love, Wally Z and KG. Beyond poor personnel judgment, the biggest failing of the Wolves organization over time has been the failure to have a coherent, smart strategy. You have to know who you are and what you want to be; then devise a logical, coherent strategy accordingly. Right now, we're a .500 team that should be striving to become a contender. To so that, this team needs another allstar/elite player to pair with KAT. Squeezing out a few more wins with our solid vets will do absolutely nothing to improve this organization's chances of becoming a contender down the road. Playing our younger guys more helps them develop and gives the organization more opportunity to evaluate them for the future. At the same time, playing those younger guys more will probably result in a few more losses and better draft position -- more nuts for the blind squirrel. It's not a sure thing by any stretch, but it just makes sense at this juncture.

I like that Ryan is giving Saric a lot more minutes and starting him. If up to me, KBD, Okogie and Terrell would get a lot more minutes. However, having failed to trade any of our vets at the trade deadline, I understand what I have in mind is unrealistic. So instead of having the 9th or 10 pick in the draft, we'll probably have the 13th or 14th with less chance of getting a top 4 pick. Fewer nuts than I'd like, but our vision-impaired squirrel organization could still come up with a nut. :)

I understand your point. I would 100% agree with you if the young guys weren't playing. Saric, okogie, Kat, Wiggins and tyus are all getting significant minutes. Only people that aren't are KDB and Terrell (Terrell also has a limit of NBA games he is allowed to play, I'm not sure what the # is).

I do think there is some value in experience playing in games that matter and continuing trying to create a winning culture.

In the end who knows there can be value in playing the vets. We get to actually evaluate Saunders. Maybe the vets that are free agents take a pay cut because we didn't just sit them on the bench for the young guys. (Unlikely but who knows). Also who knows maybe vets want to come here and play because we gave Deng, rose, Bayless opportunity and increased their value.

In the end it sucks, sports are about winning and you are right better pick increases odds at a better player. NBA is the one sport that one player can change everything.

I wish they would change the lotto process. I know I have mentioned this in the past but a poker player came up with this idea (I use it in my dynasty fantasy football league). Every team starts with 1 lotto ball. Then they get a lotto ball for every win that comes after that are mathematically eliminated. So the Knicks are eliminated so they have more chances at lotto balls but they aren't good enough to rattle off a lot of wins. Then let's say the wolves get eliminated with 4 games left. Wolves have 4 games to get wins, but they are a better team so their odds of winning goes up. It eliminates tanking. Teams need to win to get lotto balls. Makes to much sense to me

[Monster]

Meh. Win as much as we can. In the end, it likely won't matter. All the losing and incompetent decision-making that starts with Glen Taylor will force Karl-Anthony Towns to leave in two years anyway.

The only way KAT even thinks about staying is if this team gets some life. We absolutely need to win whenever we can. Losing to plan for the future isn't going to fly at this point. I'm with you 100% here, there is no reason to think we'd make good on a draft opportunity anyway.

Based on historical precedent, it's fair to assume the Wolves won't make good on draft opportunities. If that assumption holds, then KAT will be clamoring to get out in a couple years and the Wolves will eventually relocate to Seattle. But we all know that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. And the more nuts you have available, the more likely it is the blind squirrel will find one. The higher in the draft you go, generally the more talented players there are to choose from. I wouldn't bank on the Wolves making the most of those enhanced draft options, but I want enhance the chances that our front office equivalent of a blind squirrel gets the nut we need to pair with KAT and possibly turn this team into a contender in 2-3 years. That's the only strategy that makes sense.

The Wolves organization has a history of exercising poor judgment in its draft decisions, but they've come up with a nut a few times in KAT, Love, Wally Z and KG. Beyond poor personnel judgment, the biggest failing of the Wolves organization over time has been the failure to have a coherent, smart strategy. You have to know who you are and what you want to be; then devise a logical, coherent strategy accordingly. Right now, we're a .500 team that should be striving to become a contender. To so that, this team needs another allstar/elite player to pair with KAT. Squeezing out a few more wins with our solid vets will do absolutely nothing to improve this organization's chances of becoming a contender down the road. Playing our younger guys more helps them develop and gives the organization more opportunity to evaluate them for the future. At the same time, playing those younger guys more will probably result in a few more losses and better draft position -- more nuts for the blind squirrel. It's not a sure thing by any stretch, but it just makes sense at this juncture.

I like that Ryan is giving Saric a lot more minutes and starting him. If up to me, KBD, Okogie and Terrell would get a lot more minutes. However, having failed to trade any of our vets at the trade deadline, I understand what I have in mind is unrealistic. So instead of having the 9th or 10 pick in the draft, we'll probably have the 13th or 14th with less chance of getting a top 4 pick. Fewer nuts than I'd like, but our vision-impaired squirrel organization could still come up with a nut. :)

I understand your point. I would 100% agree with you if the young guys weren't playing. Saric, okogie, Kat, Wiggins and tyus are all getting significant minutes. Only people that aren't are KDB and Terrell (Terrell also has a limit of NBA games he is allowed to play, I'm not sure what the # is).

I do think there is some value in experience playing in games that matter and continuing trying to create a winning culture.

In the end who knows there can be value in playing the vets. We get to actually evaluate Saunders. Maybe the vets that are free agents take a pay cut because we didn't just sit them on the bench for the young guys. (Unlikely but who knows). Also who knows maybe vets want to come here and play because we gave Deng, rose, Bayless opportunity and increased their value.

In the end it sucks, sports are about winning and you are right better pick increases odds at a better player. NBA is the one sport that one player can change everything.

I wish they would change the lotto process. I know I have mentioned this in the past but a poker player came up with this idea (I use it in my dynasty fantasy football league). Every team starts with 1 lotto ball. Then they get a lotto ball for every win that comes after that are mathematically eliminated. So the Knicks are eliminated so they have more chances at lotto balls but they aren't good enough to rattle off a lot of wins. Then let's say the wolves get eliminated with 4 games left. Wolves have 4 games to get wins, but they are a better team so their odds of winning goes up. It eliminates tanking. Teams need to win to get lotto balls. Makes to much sense to me

Remember this is the first year of the new lottery odds. It's quite a bit less favorable for the worst team than the old system. Is it enough? Idk but it's interesting. This article has a side by side chart of the odds.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2018/11/how-new-lottery-odds-will-affect-nbas-race-to-the-bottom.html

[Coolbreeze44]

Meh. Win as much as we can. In the end, it likely won't matter. All the losing and incompetent decision-making that starts with Glen Taylor will force Karl-Anthony Towns to leave in two years anyway.

The only way KAT even thinks about staying is if this team gets some life. We absolutely need to win whenever we can. Losing to plan for the future isn't going to fly at this point. I'm with you 100% here, there is no reason to think we'd make good on a draft opportunity anyway.

Based on historical precedent, it's fair to assume the Wolves won't make good on draft opportunities. If that assumption holds, then KAT will be clamoring to get out in a couple years and the Wolves will eventually relocate to Seattle. But we all know that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. And the more nuts you have available, the more likely it is the blind squirrel will find one. The higher in the draft you go, generally the more talented players there are to choose from. I wouldn't bank on the Wolves making the most of those enhanced draft options, but I want enhance the chances that our front office equivalent of a blind squirrel gets the nut we need to pair with KAT and possibly turn this team into a contender in 2-3 years. That's the only strategy that makes sense.

The Wolves organization has a history of exercising poor judgment in its draft decisions, but they've come up with a nut a few times in KAT, Love, Wally Z and KG. Beyond poor personnel judgment, the biggest failing of the Wolves organization over time has been the failure to have a coherent, smart strategy. You have to know who you are and what you want to be; then devise a logical, coherent strategy accordingly. Right now, we're a .500 team that should be striving to become a contender. To so that, this team needs another allstar/elite player to pair with KAT. Squeezing out a few more wins with our solid vets will do absolutely nothing to improve this organization's chances of becoming a contender down the road. Playing our younger guys more helps them develop and gives the organization more opportunity to evaluate them for the future. At the same time, playing those younger guys more will probably result in a few more losses and better draft position -- more nuts for the blind squirrel. It's not a sure thing by any stretch, but it just makes sense at this juncture.

I like that Ryan is giving Saric a lot more minutes and starting him. If up to me, KBD, Okogie and Terrell would get a lot more minutes. However, having failed to trade any of our vets at the trade deadline, I understand what I have in mind is unrealistic. So instead of having the 9th or 10 pick in the draft, we'll probably have the 13th or 14th with less chance of getting a top 4 pick. Fewer nuts than I'd like, but our vision-impaired squirrel organization could still come up with a nut. :)

I understand your point. I would 100% agree with you if the young guys weren't playing. Saric, okogie, Kat, Wiggins and tyus are all getting significant minutes. Only people that aren't are KDB and Terrell (Terrell also has a limit of NBA games he is allowed to play, I'm not sure what the # is).

I do think there is some value in experience playing in games that matter and continuing trying to create a winning culture.

In the end who knows there can be value in playing the vets. We get to actually evaluate Saunders. Maybe the vets that are free agents take a pay cut because we didn't just sit them on the bench for the young guys. (Unlikely but who knows). Also who knows maybe vets want to come here and play because we gave Deng, rose, Bayless opportunity and increased their value.

In the end it sucks, sports are about winning and you are right better pick increases odds at a better player. NBA is the one sport that one player can change everything.

I wish they would change the lotto process. I know I have mentioned this in the past but a poker player came up with this idea (I use it in my dynasty fantasy football league). Every team starts with 1 lotto ball. Then they get a lotto ball for every win that comes after that are mathematically eliminated. So the Knicks are eliminated so they have more chances at lotto balls but they aren't good enough to rattle off a lot of wins. Then let's say the wolves get eliminated with 4 games left. Wolves have 4 games to get wins, but they are a better team so their odds of winning goes up. It eliminates tanking. Teams need to win to get lotto balls. Makes to much sense to me

Interesting I hadn't heard that idea before. It's not perfect, teams would be in a rush to get mathematically eliminated so they could start acquiring lotto balls. I could see teams holding out, and then bringing back their better players after being eliminated. Let's be honest, if you're not in the top 4 of each conference, making the playoffs is virtually worthless. There would be a lot teams trying to miss the playoffs. But it's not the worst idea I've seen.

[kekgeek]

Meh. Win as much as we can. In the end, it likely won't matter. All the losing and incompetent decision-making that starts with Glen Taylor will force Karl-Anthony Towns to leave in two years anyway.

The only way KAT even thinks about staying is if this team gets some life. We absolutely need to win whenever we can. Losing to plan for the future isn't going to fly at this point. I'm with you 100% here, there is no reason to think we'd make good on a draft opportunity anyway.

Based on historical precedent, it's fair to assume the Wolves won't make good on draft opportunities. If that assumption holds, then KAT will be clamoring to get out in a couple years and the Wolves will eventually relocate to Seattle. But we all know that even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. And the more nuts you have available, the more likely it is the blind squirrel will find one. The higher in the draft you go, generally the more talented players there are to choose from. I wouldn't bank on the Wolves making the most of those enhanced draft options, but I want enhance the chances that our front office equivalent of a blind squirrel gets the nut we need to pair with KAT and possibly turn this team into a contender in 2-3 years. That's the only strategy that makes sense.

The Wolves organization has a history of exercising poor judgment in its draft decisions, but they've come up with a nut a few times in KAT, Love, Wally Z and KG. Beyond poor personnel judgment, the biggest failing of the Wolves organization over time has been the failure to have a coherent, smart strategy. You have to know who you are and what you want to be; then devise a logical, coherent strategy accordingly. Right now, we're a .500 team that should be striving to become a contender. To so that, this team needs another allstar/elite player to pair with KAT. Squeezing out a few more wins with our solid vets will do absolutely nothing to improve this organization's chances of becoming a contender down the road. Playing our younger guys more helps them develop and gives the organization more opportunity to evaluate them for the future. At the same time, playing those younger guys more will probably result in a few more losses and better draft position -- more nuts for the blind squirrel. It's not a sure thing by any stretch, but it just makes sense at this juncture.

I like that Ryan is giving Saric a lot more minutes and starting him. If up to me, KBD, Okogie and Terrell would get a lot more minutes. However, having failed to trade any of our vets at the trade deadline, I understand what I have in mind is unrealistic. So instead of having the 9th or 10 pick in the draft, we'll probably have the 13th or 14th with less chance of getting a top 4 pick. Fewer nuts than I'd like, but our vision-impaired squirrel organization could still come up with a nut. :)

I understand your point. I would 100% agree with you if the young guys weren't playing. Saric, okogie, Kat, Wiggins and tyus are all getting significant minutes. Only people that aren't are KDB and Terrell (Terrell also has a limit of NBA games he is allowed to play, I'm not sure what the # is).

I do think there is some value in experience playing in games that matter and continuing trying to create a winning culture.

In the end who knows there can be value in playing the vets. We get to actually evaluate Saunders. Maybe the vets that are free agents take a pay cut because we didn't just sit them on the bench for the young guys. (Unlikely but who knows). Also who knows maybe vets want to come here and play because we gave Deng, rose, Bayless opportunity and increased their value.

In the end it sucks, sports are about winning and you are right better pick increases odds at a better player. NBA is the one sport that one player can change everything.

I wish they would change the lotto process. I know I have mentioned this in the past but a poker player came up with this idea (I use it in my dynasty fantasy football league). Every team starts with 1 lotto ball. Then they get a lotto ball for every win that comes after that are mathematically eliminated. So the Knicks are eliminated so they have more chances at lotto balls but they aren't good enough to rattle off a lot of wins. Then let's say the wolves get eliminated with 4 games left. Wolves have 4 games to get wins, but they are a better team so their odds of winning goes up. It eliminates tanking. Teams need to win to get lotto balls. Makes to much sense to me

Interesting I hadn't heard that idea before. It's not perfect, teams would be in a rush to get mathematically eliminated so they could start acquiring lotto balls. I could see teams holding out, and then bringing back their better players after being eliminated. Let's be honest, if you're not in the top 4 of each conference, making the playoffs is virtually worthless. There would be a lot teams trying to miss the playoffs. But it's not the worst idea I've seen.

Possibly but look at the Suns. They have been tanking all year and have no reason to stop now. But under the other plan they have the last 21 games to try, eliminating 21 games of tanking.

Also I don't think teams will not make the playoffs on purpose. Coaches trying to keep there job (Ala thibs last year), players getting another chance to showcase themselves and owners aren't going to pass up that playoff revenue.