Love me some Bazz

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I like bazz too and I'm glad we still have him. No he's not a two way player, but it's fun watching him go after boards. but i have a feeling he'll be a trade chip later this season

[Leado01]

Bazz's team defense did improve as the season progressed. Given that he tended to be the on the floor with Zach and Martin it was often hard to tell where the first breakdown occurred.

I think Thibs will provide the clarity and structure that Shabazz will thrive under. He has a great contract and I don't think he's high on the list of trade assetts.÷

[kurrdog53 [enjin:7013678]]

I am wondering how long it will take Thibs to get a rotation of players he likes. We saw that it took more than half the year for Sam to get Zach in the starting lineup and keep things consistent. I realize there are some question marks, especially coming off the bench (Bazz, Tyus vs. Dunn, Cole, Pek, KG, etc, etc), but I believe our early success will rely heavily on guys knowing where their minutes are coming from. Might be midseason again before we know that.

[bleedspeed]

ESPN Player profiles: Projecting Shabazz

From this link - http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/17432723/minnesota-timberwolves-player-profiles-karl-anthony-towns-ricky-rubio-kris-dunn-more-nba


Scouting report
+ Power wing who likes to play in the post
+ Not a threat as an outside shooter
+ Inconsistent defender at best

Analysis
This is a key season for Muhammad, who can be a restricted free agent next summer, and it's easy to see him clashing with Thibodeau. Though Muhammad was a rotation player last season in Minnesota, his poor defensive effort and focus on creating for himself don't seem to fit with Thibodeau's vision for his team.

Offensively, Muhammad is basically a 6-foot-6 power forward. He's strong and likes to take smaller defenders to the post, where he averaged an impressive .95 points per play last season according to Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. Muhammad also generates attempts around the basket by driving on slower defenders in isolation -- though he predictably will try to finish with his dominant left hand -- by running hard in transition or with his penchant for grabbing offensive rebounds. Muhammad is less effective when asked to spot up. Though he's a good cutter, Muhammad shot just 28.9 percent from 3-point range in 152 attempts last season.

It's troubling how much harder Muhammad works when he has the chance to score. Witness his rebounding. While Muhammad is a good offensive rebounder for a small forward, he's weak on the defensive glass, which makes it difficult to play him as an undersized power forward for anything but spot minutes. Improved conditioning has helped Muhammad's one-on-one defense, but he remains unfocused and doesn't benefit from his strength as much as you'd hope. As a result, Muhammad's defensive RPM ranked 461st out of 462 qualifying players.

[Monster]

ESPN Player profiles: Projecting Shabazz

From this link - http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/17432723/minnesota-timberwolves-player-profiles-karl-anthony-towns-ricky-rubio-kris-dunn-more-nba


Scouting report
+ Power wing who likes to play in the post
+ Not a threat as an outside shooter
+ Inconsistent defender at best

Analysis
This is a key season for Muhammad, who can be a restricted free agent next summer, and it's easy to see him clashing with Thibodeau. Though Muhammad was a rotation player last season in Minnesota, his poor defensive effort and focus on creating for himself don't seem to fit with Thibodeau's vision for his team.

Offensively, Muhammad is basically a 6-foot-6 power forward. He's strong and likes to take smaller defenders to the post, where he averaged an impressive .95 points per play last season according to Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. Muhammad also generates attempts around the basket by driving on slower defenders in isolation -- though he predictably will try to finish with his dominant left hand -- by running hard in transition or with his penchant for grabbing offensive rebounds. Muhammad is less effective when asked to spot up. Though he's a good cutter, Muhammad shot just 28.9 percent from 3-point range in 152 attempts last season.

It's troubling how much harder Muhammad works when he has the chance to score. Witness his rebounding. While Muhammad is a good offensive rebounder for a small forward, he's weak on the defensive glass, which makes it difficult to play him as an undersized power forward for anything but spot minutes. Improved conditioning has helped Muhammad's one-on-one defense, but he remains unfocused and doesn't benefit from his strength as much as you'd hope. As a result, Muhammad's defensive RPM ranked 461st out of 462 qualifying players.

"+Not a treat as an outside shooter"

That's a weakness but saying he isn't a threat is going too far IMO. The guy has solid percentages from the corners 2 years in a row. I think a better note would have been

+inconsistent outside shooter

I'm probably nitpicking some since they actually wrote that much about him and overall it was a pretty reasonable summery actually.

I also think it's funny how Bazz will clash with Thibs because he doesn't play defense and looks for his. Sounds like a few PGs Thibs has had over the years and I thought that's what Thibs wanted from his PGs scoring right? He doesn't care about defense from his PG right? Eh... Sorry can't help it. :)

Thanks for posting though

[thedoper]

http://www.twincities.com/2016/10/13/timberwolves-muhammad-chooses-two-way-street/

Another Bazz feature. Have always liked him and Wiggins on the floor together for the matchup disaster. I anticipate Thibs recognizing appropriate times to start Bazz just like Flip did.

[Monster]

http://www.twincities.com/2016/10/13/timberwolves-muhammad-chooses-two-way-street/

Another Bazz feature. Have always liked him and Wiggins on the floor together for the matchup disaster. I anticipate Thibs recognizing appropriate times to start Bazz just like Flip did.

I thought it was a bit interesting that Bazz said one of his goals was to start (among other goals he has for himself mentioned in this article) and while at first I wonder about that I think it's probably a good goal for players to be working towards. It reminds me of something Jim Peterson said last year mid season about Bazz something like "Someone just needs to show Bazz a little love." Well it seems like from what I have read/heard Thibs has done that. He has worked with Bazz on defense and has talked him up a bit talking about him being a terrific scorer and mentioning his athletic abilities. He certainly isn't one of the top guys mentioned like Towns Lavine Wiggins but Thibs seems to have put some actual value on him. It will be interesting to see what if any progress he makes this season.

[Monster]

I hadn't seen this feature before with Dave Benz going to Bazz's apartment last year. I ran across it tonight watching some YouTube videos. It cracks me up for a few reasons including Dave Benz coming off at times sort of a like the character of Michael Scott from The Office. There is sort of a childlike excitement Benz has that's kinda fun and dorky at the same time.

https://youtu.be/GmtHq9TvvEs

[60WinTim]

I suppose this means we would not have to worry about re-signing Bazz...

Darren Wolfson ?@DWolfsonKSTP 1h1 hour ago
Per the incomparable @ZachLowe_NBA, the #Twolves have inquired about 26-years-old Cavs wing Iman Shumpert. Signed a 4/$40M deal summer 2015.