Around the NBA (non-Wolves talk)

[AbeVigodaLive]

Get in the playoffs. It's time.

Lose. And learn from them. Hopefully, KAT and Wiggins can use the experience to get better.

[Monster]

What's the difference between the #13 or the #14 pick?

I'd rather make the playoffs... to give Towns, Wiggins and others an idea of what it's going to be like. There's no way of knowing how it gets ramped up without actually participating.

And that includes for us fans, too. It's been a long time. Let's get the first playoff debacle out of the way as soon as possible and go from there.

We lose our pick if we make the playoffs. But we get OKC's pick so we could have two mid-late firsts if we miss the playoffs or just a later first if we make the playoffs.

Oh. Yeah. That stuff.

I forgot. Please ignore the dumb guy over here...

Does that change you POV of the situation though? I'm still on board with just get in regardless if it's 4 or 8. Just get the experience and start the trend of making the playoffs. No more just wait until next year for me. Are you that way or more like Lip where an 8 seed wouldn't be worth it and we should go for the pick?

Either way you lose the pick it's just that this year you get it to use and next year its likely a worse pick. The difference is between #13 this year and one in the 20's next year.

The Dallas broadcasting team brought up a point that the Wolves this year may be feeling pressure of just getting over this hump of not making the playoffs for all these years. They mention that could be having an effect on them. It's a worthwhile consideration.

I'll take #13 this year over the 20s next year. Two reasons. First, a significantly higher pick increases the chances of getting a good player. Second, the sooner we get more talent in the fold the sooner we'll get something out of that talent. But after tonight's win, I'm greedy again and focused on getting that 4th seed. I think it's highly unlikely the Wolves fall down to 9th.

This is likely all academic but...

There is downside to having 3 draft picks this year though (we have our 2nd rounder as well) because while I don't like passing up young talent there is a breaking point there too. We already have Patton who is almost like having a draft pick next year because he was hurt and likely will have played zero NBA minutes this season. Then we pick someone with 1 first round pick and hopefully someone that's worthwhile with the 2nd rounder (that's somewhat wishful thinking). On top of that you have some young players like Amile MGH even Anthony Brown (has some NBA experience) or maybe even another of the guys from the Iowa Wolves that maybe take a step and show something even more than they did during the G-league season. Oh and there are a slew of other young players the Wolves could bring in around the league or from overseas or from the G-league or guys that weren't drafted etc. So yeah sure say the #13th pick this year sounds good in addition to the OKC pick (plus it gives options like trading up) but there is some value in having the pick next year to keep building the team including a smaller salary for that guy.

The bottom line is if this is a franchise that can actually make the right picks and develop guys then you can find good (or good enough to be worthwhile) players in the first round and beyond. If it isn't...well it probably won't matter whether they are picking #13 or #29th and we won't know what level of talent evaluation we have for certain for at least another year from now.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Utah lost, which keeps them below us b

Get in the playoffs. It's time.

Lose. And learn from them. Hopefully, KAT and Wiggins can use the experience to get better.

Yup, I don't care if we get in hanging by a thread as the 8th seed. Just get that monkey off our back! Ending the season with a winning record AND playoff berth would be a success to me, regardless if we get booted in the first round.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

This team is killing me. One day i want them to tank and get the draft pick and the next day they're a 5 seed with home court potential.

[Lipoli390]

Utah lost, which keeps them below us b

Get in the playoffs. It's time.

Lose. And learn from them. Hopefully, KAT and Wiggins can use the experience to get better.

Yup, I don't care if we get in hanging by a thread as the 8th seed. Just get that monkey off our back! Ending the season with a winning record AND playoff berth would be a success to me, regardless if we get booted in the first round.

I guess I'll stand alone in my view that unless we finish 7th or better, we're better off finishing 9th. Three reasons:

1. I don't think the players would learn anything from a lopsided 4-game shutout by the Rockets.

2. Finishing 9th would land us another 1st round pick, which could be used to draft a young talent on a team-friendly rookie salary scale contract or provide a key extra asset for trade purposes.

3. Missing the playoffs is probably essential to push Glen over the threshold to replace Thibs.

Having said all that, I'll still be rooting for the Wolves to win and finish in the top 5. The Wolves should finish with no fewer than 47 wins and that should be enough for at least a 6th seed, maybe 5th. The Utah game is huge. I don't see us losing again at home to Memphis. Our guys should be really pumped for that one. Our last game at home against Denver could be tough, but we should win that one. Hopefully Denver is out of playoff contention by then, which would reduce their motivation. And we might have Butler back by then. So tomorrow night's game against the Jazz will be telling. Win that one, and we're looking like a top 6 team with a legitimate chance at finishing 4th. Lose that one, and we'll be fighting it out for 7- 9. Assuming we beat the Jazz, it would be really nice to see us come out of LA with a road win over the Lakers. That would give us a great shot at finishing 4th.

[Lipoli390]

This team is killing me. One day i want them to tank and get the draft pick and the next day they're a 5 seed with home court potential.

I'm in the same boat.

[Monster]

This team is killing me. One day i want them to tank and get the draft pick and the next day they're a 5 seed with home court potential.

I'm in the same boat.

Well you both better buckle up because it's gonna be like that for the next few days. We get a break from it tonight. :)

[BloopOracle]

The Spurs just finished pounding the Rockets, likely sealing yet another playoff appearance

[Lipoli390]

The Spurs just finished pounding the Rockets, likely sealing yet another playoff appearance

Not just sealing a playoff appearance, but likely securing a top 6 seed even though they have the toughest upcoming schedule of the team's contending for playoff position in the West. I guess we shouldn't be surprised given how talented they are. Oh wait, their best player has played in only 8 games this season. Tony Parker has played in only 49 games. Aldridge will end up having missed at least 10 games this season. Manu is 60 year old. Tonight they beat the beat the best team in the West on the road while the Wolves lost at home by over 20 to a good but not great Jazz team.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

bucks are trying to give the game away.