Around the NBA (non-Wolves talk)

[Lipoli390]

As for getting Wiggins and Towns post-season experience to teach them how intense it is, I might agree with you if they had already shown an appreciation for the intensity of a battle for playoff position. The home loss the the Grizzlies and home blow-out loss to the Jazz tell me these guys aren't ready for the next step. The much younger Sixers' core have risen to the occasion and have emerged as winners down the stretch, even without Embiid the past few games. So I'd say they're ready to take the next step and get a taste of the playoffs.

Lip, Sixers core that is currently in their rotation is not that much younger.

Towns is 22, over 1.5 years younger than Embiid
Wiggins is 23, little over 1 year older than Simmons
Butler is 29, little over 1 year older than Covington
Teague is 29, about 4 years younger than Redick
Gibson is 32, about 9 years older than Saric
Crawford is 37, about 6 years older than Belinelli
Bjelica is 30, about 1 year younger than Ilyasova
Dieng is 28, little over 2.5 years younger than Amir Johnson
Jones is 21, little over 4 years younger than McConnell

The difference between average age of those guys is about half year. Of course if we look their NBA experience, difference is wider since Saric and Embiid didn't play in their two first seasons and Simmons missed his first season. Sixers have also much more impressive group of prospect that didn't yet contribute much in Fultz, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Korkmaz and Anderson.

It's more a matter of years of experience than age. That's really what I meant by younger. Bottom line is that the Sixers are a 50-win team, finishing strong, even though three of their 5 starters, including their two best players, Simmons and Embiid, started the season with one year or less NBA experience. Their starting PG is a rookie. Another starter on the Sixers, Covington, had 4 years experience going into this season (only one more year than Wiggins). Add in Redick, and the Sixers' starting lineup had a total of 17 years experience, 11 of those from only one of their starters (Redick). Compare that to the Wolves, whose starters had a combined 27 years of NBA experience to start the season. More importantly, no Wolves' starter had less than 2 years of NBA experience going into this season. Our best player, Butler, was a 6-year veteran, while our starting PG was an 8-year veteran.

The Sixers have been far more impressive than the Wolves this season in how well they've done and how strong they're finishing, especially when you factor in the Sixers' relative inexperience.

[bleedspeed]

Jaz

Focusing on other teams like Memphis today, I'll turn my attention to the Pacers. Talk about an organization that has its act together. Paul George all but said he wouldn't stay in Indiana. Yet, even though the world knew the position the Pacers were in, the Pacers' front office was able to deal Paul George for Oladipo and Sabonis. As it turns out, Oladipo has been fantastic, actually putting up better numbers than Paul George and leading his team 48 wins so far -- a team expected to be in the lottery. Then add in Sabonis, who has averaged 11.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. Note also that neither Oladipo nor Sabonis are threatening to or likely to leave. Consider also that the Pacers signed Darren Collison for a mere 2 year $10 million per year contract. Collison has averaged 12.4 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes per game, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 46.5% from behind the arc. Congrats to the Pacers' front office on a job well done.

I remember how high Flip was on Oladipo. Looks like he was right about him. I was a huge fan of Sabonis as a glue guy for the Wolves but would have selected Murray before Dunn. Sadly I think we missed our Window to build a team that can compete for top 4 speed for 5 years straight.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Jaz

Focusing on other teams like Memphis today, I'll turn my attention to the Pacers. Talk about an organization that has its act together. Paul George all but said he wouldn't stay in Indiana. Yet, even though the world knew the position the Pacers were in, the Pacers' front office was able to deal Paul George for Oladipo and Sabonis. As it turns out, Oladipo has been fantastic, actually putting up better numbers than Paul George and leading his team 48 wins so far -- a team expected to be in the lottery. Then add in Sabonis, who has averaged 11.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. Note also that neither Oladipo nor Sabonis are threatening to or likely to leave. Consider also that the Pacers signed Darren Collison for a mere 2 year $10 million per year contract. Collison has averaged 12.4 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes per game, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 46.5% from behind the arc. Congrats to the Pacers' front office on a job well done.

I remember how high Flip was on Oladipo. Looks like he was right about him. I was a huge fan of Sabonis as a glue guy for the Wolves but would have selected Murray before Dunn. Sadly I think we missed our Window to build a team that can compete for top 4 speed for 5 years straight.

It's not often that I can champion my draft picks. It's not really my thing. But I'm hoping to add Sabonis and Oladipo to my "correct" list... which coincidentally is smaller than my other list. But among the right prognostications:

- Hasheem Thabeet was a bust. Called this one after one college game where the 7-footer spent more time on the ground than on his feet. SOFT.
- Wes Johnson. Never take a wing #4 who never averaged 17 ppg even one season through high school or 4 years of college.
- Curry. Still stings.
- Derrick Williams. Tweener. Why not trade the pick?
- Sabonis.
- Oladipo.

I don't think we need a list of my failed draft pick predictions... not enough space.

[Monster]

Jaz

Focusing on other teams like Memphis today, I'll turn my attention to the Pacers. Talk about an organization that has its act together. Paul George all but said he wouldn't stay in Indiana. Yet, even though the world knew the position the Pacers were in, the Pacers' front office was able to deal Paul George for Oladipo and Sabonis. As it turns out, Oladipo has been fantastic, actually putting up better numbers than Paul George and leading his team 48 wins so far -- a team expected to be in the lottery. Then add in Sabonis, who has averaged 11.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. Note also that neither Oladipo nor Sabonis are threatening to or likely to leave. Consider also that the Pacers signed Darren Collison for a mere 2 year $10 million per year contract. Collison has averaged 12.4 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes per game, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 46.5% from behind the arc. Congrats to the Pacers' front office on a job well done.

I remember how high Flip was on Oladipo. Looks like he was right about him. I was a huge fan of Sabonis as a glue guy for the Wolves but would have selected Murray before Dunn. Sadly I think we missed our Window to build a team that can compete for top 4 speed for 5 years straight.

It's not often that I can champion my draft picks. It's not really my thing. But I'm hoping to add Sabonis and Oladipo to my "correct" list... which coincidentally is smaller than my other list. But among the right prognostications:

- Hasheem Thabeet was a bust. Called this one after one college game where the 7-footer spent more time on the ground than on his feet. SOFT.
- Wes Johnson. Never take a wing #4 who never averaged 17 ppg even one season through high school or 4 years of college.
- Curry. Still stings.
- Derrick Williams. Tweener. Why not trade the pick?
- Sabonis.
- Oladipo.

I don't think we need a list of my failed draft pick predictions... not enough space.

Look up those rookie numbers for Sabonis. Spoiler alert: they were pretty bad. This year he has been more what many people expected him to be and why he was a guy a lot of people thought would be a nice player picked in the right part of the draft. He turns 22 in May. I'm not sure how good of a player he will be (legit starter on a good team or just a good rotation guy) but he is a guy I am sure would have positive trade value right now (meaning teams would want him) especially on a rookie deal.

[Lipoli390]

Jaz

Focusing on other teams like Memphis today, I'll turn my attention to the Pacers. Talk about an organization that has its act together. Paul George all but said he wouldn't stay in Indiana. Yet, even though the world knew the position the Pacers were in, the Pacers' front office was able to deal Paul George for Oladipo and Sabonis. As it turns out, Oladipo has been fantastic, actually putting up better numbers than Paul George and leading his team 48 wins so far -- a team expected to be in the lottery. Then add in Sabonis, who has averaged 11.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. Note also that neither Oladipo nor Sabonis are threatening to or likely to leave. Consider also that the Pacers signed Darren Collison for a mere 2 year $10 million per year contract. Collison has averaged 12.4 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes per game, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 46.5% from behind the arc. Congrats to the Pacers' front office on a job well done.

I remember how high Flip was on Oladipo. Looks like he was right about him. I was a huge fan of Sabonis as a glue guy for the Wolves but would have selected Murray before Dunn. Sadly I think we missed our Window to build a team that can compete for top 4 speed for 5 years straight.

It's not often that I can champion my draft picks. It's not really my thing. But I'm hoping to add Sabonis and Oladipo to my "correct" list... which coincidentally is smaller than my other list. But among the right prognostications:

- Hasheem Thabeet was a bust. Called this one after one college game where the 7-footer spent more time on the ground than on his feet. SOFT.
- Wes Johnson. Never take a wing #4 who never averaged 17 ppg even one season through high school or 4 years of college.
- Curry. Still stings.
- Derrick Williams. Tweener. Why not trade the pick?
- Sabonis.
- Oladipo.

I don't think we need a list of my failed draft pick predictions... not enough space.

Look up those rookie numbers for Sabonis. Spoiler alert: they were pretty bad. This year he has been more what many people expected him to be and why he was a guy a lot of people thought would be a nice player picked in the right part of the draft. He turns 22 in May. I'm not sure how good of a player he will be (legit starter on a good team or just a good rotation guy) but he is a guy I am sure would have positive trade value right now (meaning teams would want him) especially on a rookie deal.

You're right, Monster. His rookie numbers were pretty bad. Nice to see him improve so dramatically. He's scoring 3 points more per game and grabbing 2 more rebounds. Most impressive of all is his shooting percentage, which is up 5% of last season. His improvement looks even more impressive based on his advanced stats. That's the sort of improvement you like to see between a player's rookie and sophomore seasons.

As Abe pointed out, Oladipo was #1 on Flips draft board that year. I know I love him coming out of college as he was also my top choice. Flip tried to trade up for him, but couldn't get a deal he was willing to accept. Unlike Sabonis, Oladipo hasn't been bad by any stretch before this season. However, he has taken a big leap statistically this season. Interestingly, this is Oladipo's 5th season. Could a similarly big leap be in store for Wiggins next season in what will be Andrew's 5th time through the League?

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

man, this blazers team.

[Lipoli390]

man, this blazers team.

Looks like the Blazers might be the team we'd want to face. Unfortunately, it's looking like we'll be facing the Rockets, with a slight chance of facing the Warriors. Or we could end up in the lottery.

[Lipoli390]

I've discussed how impressive the Pacers, Sixers and Jazz have been this season. I should add the Spurs to that list, considering how they've secured themselves a likely 6th seed or higher playing the entire season without their best player, Kawhi Leonard.

Another team worthy of praise recently is Milwaukee. The Bucks have struggled, gone through a head coaching change and arguably underachieve much of the season. But they are 7-3 over the last 10 games and have really been playing well. Especially impressive is that 3 of their 7 wins in this stretch have come without Giannis on the court. That's a team showing some mental toughness and taking charge of their own destiny. Tonight's win over the Magic included 22 points and 8 rebounds from Bazz in only 24 minutes. It's his second 20+ point game in this 10-game stretch -- both games won by the Bucks. There have been a number of games where Bazz has hardly gotten any minutes, reminiscent of his time with the Wolves this season. Yet, apparently he's not such a locker room cancer the Bucks' front office can't find a place for him on their roster. And he's not such a lost cause that he can't give his team a big lift and help them win games both as a scorer and wing rebounder.

Now, before anyone gets their undees in a bundle, note that letting Bazz go is WAY down on my list of concerns about the Wolves. But often it's the little things that can make a difference in one or two games and decide a team's fate at the end of a season. This season, the Wolves fate will literally come down to one game -- you pick the game during the season. Would Bazz have come though for the Wolves helped us beat the Nuggets last week or the Grizzlies two weeks ago? Who knows. Honestly, Bazz may have lost a game or two for the Wolves earlier this season.

Looking back on the season, there are plenty of games the Wolves should not have lost. Of all of them, the home loss to the Suns stands out for me. I should watch the replay of that one after the season to do a thorough post-mortum. Seeing that the Thunder trounced the Heat in Miami tonight, I also think back to the Heat throttling us on our home court earlier this year. Then there's the earlier loss to Memphis and the road looses to Orlando, Atlanta and New Jersey among others. Of course, there were the home losses to the Sixers without Covington and to the Wizards without Wall. I know I'm repeating myself. But embedded in those losses are a litany of "little things" that reflect on the players, coaches and front office staff. Regarding the Wolves front office, not having a true two-way wing or at least a bona fide 3-point ace as part of our bench could have been a decisive factor in some of those bad losses. Bazz was never the answer to either of those issues; I get that. But my problem is that we have a PBO who never addressed them. And that's going to come back and bite us now no matter what happens in Wednesday night's game against the Nuggets. And it might affect us in the Nuggets game.

Would I rather have Bazz than a vacant roster spot down the stretch? Yes, because I like the thought of someone on the bench who can put up 20+ points and 8 boards in 24 minutes on any given night and help his team win as he's done twice now for the Bucks down the stretch. But more fundamentally, we shouldn't have a vacant roster spot and letting Bazz go shouldn't matter.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

No point having bazz using that roster spot because thibs isnt playing him.

I have no doubt in my mind that thibs was holding those roster spots for rose, deng, and/or noah for when they were bought out.

Thibs refused to play Bjelly at SF for most of the year until injuries happened. Rose? 3rd game to make the switch to SF.

Thibs refused to play Tyus and teague together. Yet with with Rose thibs is happy to play 3 pgs.

You want to know why no free agent wants to come here? I think alot has to do with minutes which is something you only get when you are one of thibs' boys.

[Lipoli390]

No point having bazz using that roster spot because thibs isnt playing him.

I have no doubt in my mind that thibs was holding those roster spots for rose, deng, and/or noah for when they were bought out.

Thibs refused to play Bjelly at SF for most of the year until injuries happened. Rose? 3rd game to make the switch to SF.

Thibs refused to play Tyus and teague together. Yet with with Rose thibs is happy to play 3 pgs.

You want to know why no free agent wants to come here? I think alot has to do with minutes which is something you only get when you are one of thibs' boys.

All good points, Canuck.