Starting SG

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm a little surprised that Mitchell showed his hand this early.

Whats to say he's shown his hand at all? There could well be no meaning to the teams in terms of starters or backups and was just set up for the scrimmage.

Mitchell did an interview with Sirius XMNBA and came out and said that LaVine would be the starting SG. But here is the good part. Mitchell then went on to reveal the conversation he had with Zach and it went like this.....

Mitchell: "Zach, I'm penciling you in as the starter. Congratulations. Now let me ask you a question Zach. Do you know the difference between a pen and a pencil?"

Zach: (long pause)

Mitchell: (patiently waits....Zach can be a little slow sometimes)

Zach: "Oh, I know! A pencil has an eraser! Am I right coach!?"

Mitchell: "Indeed you are right Zach. And do you know what that means? I can erase your name out of the starting lineup, so it's your's to lose kid."

This really happened.

[worldK]

I spend a lot of time following key media members on twitter. The overwhelming sentiment has been that Zach has been our most impressive player in camp so far. I haven't read a single negative thing about him. So yeah, it sounds like he is definitely earning his stripes in terms of the starting SG. I'll acknowledge it's early in the preseason and things can change. But don't bet on him losing his grip on the position.

But I'm telling you guys, this is fantastic news for us fans and the organization. It's exactly the type of homerun we were hoping for when Flip took the raw but talented player in the middle of the first round. The possibility that we acquired 3 potential all stars in 12 months time is ridiculous good fortune. I hope he plays 30-35 minutes per night and gets every chance to keep developing. It's not always going to be a smooth ride, but how can you not be excited about this?

I agree this is fantastic news for us. Wiggins/Towns/Lavine are the future of the team so we might as well play them together as much as possible when there is no playoff expectations. Pairing the 3 with rubio and kg will be great for their development.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Per Q's post I did some research on 3 and D types and I put a list together of guys that are at least plausible: Iman Shumpert, Jae Crowder, PJ Tucker, Alec Burks, Lance Stephenson, Jodie Meeks, Anthony Morrow, Moe Harkless, Martell Webster, KJ McDaniels

[Coolbreeze44]

I spend a lot of time following key media members on twitter. The overwhelming sentiment has been that Zach has been our most impressive player in camp so far. I haven't read a single negative thing about him. So yeah, it sounds like he is definitely earning his stripes in terms of the starting SG. I'll acknowledge it's early in the preseason and things can change. But don't bet on him losing his grip on the position.

But I'm telling you guys, this is fantastic news for us fans and the organization. It's exactly the type of homerun we were hoping for when Flip took the raw but talented player in the middle of the first round. The possibility that we acquired 3 potential all stars in 12 months time is ridiculous good fortune. I hope he plays 30-35 minutes per night and gets every chance to keep developing. It's not always going to be a smooth ride, but how can you not be excited about this?

I agree this is fantastic news for us. Wiggins/Towns/Lavine are the future of the team so we might as well play them together as much as possible when there is no playoff expectations. Pairing the 3 with rubio and kg will be great for their development.

Nice, World

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Yeah, like Cool, I've been keeping up with the news coming out of camp pretty closely, and everything has been ridiculously positive about LaVine. Earlier in camp, apparently LaVine just could not miss from three. Wiggins noted after the practice that he might have scored 40 points. Rubio's also been quoted saying that LaVine's been the best player in camp. That's been supported by plenty of Minnesota media pundits too, and one of the other vets now that I think of it. The hype is crazy right now.

It sure sounds like LaVine's been doing all the right things to earn the job, and unlike Wiggins, I'm certain that he has the killer instinct needed to maximize his ability. I'm also very happy with his off-season results. Gained 11 pounds of muscle, and it's pretty noticeable. I think we'll still need to be patient with him, and I need to see all this hype turn to production on the court this pre-season, but this is terrific news if he can rip away a starting job from Kevin Martin, who is no scrub by any means of the word. That's not an easy position battle, guys. Martin's a good starter in this league.

I still don't understand the need to trade Martin, though. We're thin at shooting guard, we desperately need three-point shooters, he's cheap, he's already in a Wolves uniform, and he already has chemistry with the current team as constructed. Trading him makes zero sense right now. If LaVine is the real deal, we're looking at some serious offensive firepower off the bench with Martin and Muhammad. That's a two-man bench combo that not many in the league can match.

[Lipoli390]

Yeah, like Cool, I've been keeping up with the news coming out of camp pretty closely, and everything has been ridiculously positive about LaVine. Earlier in camp, apparently LaVine just could not miss from three. Wiggins noted after the practice that he might have scored 40 points. Rubio's also been quoted saying that LaVine's been the best player in camp. That's been supported by plenty of Minnesota media pundits too, and one of the other vets now that I think of it. The hype is crazy right now.

It sure sounds like LaVine's been doing all the right things to earn the job, and unlike Wiggins, I'm certain that he has the killer instinct needed to maximize his ability. I'm also very happy with his off-season results. Gained 11 pounds of muscle, and it's pretty noticeable. I think we'll still need to be patient with him, and I need to see all this hype turn to production on the court this pre-season, but this is terrific news if he can rip away a starting job from Kevin Martin, who is no scrub by any means of the word. That's not an easy position battle, guys. Martin's a good starter in this league.

I still don't understand the need to trade Martin, though. We're thin at shooting guard, we desperately need three-point shooters, he's cheap, he's already in a Wolves uniform, and he already has chemistry with the current team as constructed. Trading him makes zero sense right now. If LaVine is the real deal, we're looking at some serious offensive firepower off the bench with Martin and Muhammad. That's a two-man bench combo that not many in the league can match.

I agree completely with your entire post, Cam. Regarding Martin I'll add that there is no chance the Wolves trade him this year. Earlier this summer Flip made it clear that he considers Martin a valuable part of this team and a bargain over the long term. Also, Martin recently said he's had conversations with Milt Newton about staying here long term. He said he's not a ring chaser and is looking for a team with a family atmosphere and that's what he sees developing he really. And I'm sure Mitchel sees Martin as an insurance policy for the chance that LaVine falters. Martin's not going anywhere.

[Monster]

Yeah, like Cool, I've been keeping up with the news coming out of camp pretty closely, and everything has been ridiculously positive about LaVine. Earlier in camp, apparently LaVine just could not miss from three. Wiggins noted after the practice that he might have scored 40 points. Rubio's also been quoted saying that LaVine's been the best player in camp. That's been supported by plenty of Minnesota media pundits too, and one of the other vets now that I think of it. The hype is crazy right now.

It sure sounds like LaVine's been doing all the right things to earn the job, and unlike Wiggins, I'm certain that he has the killer instinct needed to maximize his ability. I'm also very happy with his off-season results. Gained 11 pounds of muscle, and it's pretty noticeable. I think we'll still need to be patient with him, and I need to see all this hype turn to production on the court this pre-season, but this is terrific news if he can rip away a starting job from Kevin Martin, who is no scrub by any means of the word. That's not an easy position battle, guys. Martin's a good starter in this league.

I still don't understand the need to trade Martin, though. We're thin at shooting guard, we desperately need three-point shooters, he's cheap, he's already in a Wolves uniform, and he already has chemistry with the current team as constructed. Trading him makes zero sense right now. If LaVine is the real deal, we're looking at some serious offensive firepower off the bench with Martin and Muhammad. That's a two-man bench combo that not many in the league can match.

I agree completely with your entire post, Cam. Regarding Martin I'll add that there is no chance the Wolves trade him this year. Earlier this summer Flip made it clear that he considers Martin a valuable part of this team and a bargain over the long term. Also, Martin recently said he's had conversations with Milt Newton about staying here long term. He said he's not a ring chaser and is looking for a team with a family atmosphere and that's what he sees developing he really. And I'm sure Mitchel sees Martin as an insurance policy for the chance that LaVine falters. Martin's not going anywhere.

A couple good posts that I agree with. Let's say Martin decides he wants out of the rebuild and Zach is playing well enough to deserve the minutes (which looks good right now but let's pump the brakes a little here despite the very good reports and let this play out at least in some preseason games) Memphis has been looking for 3 point shooting forever. Personally I would be more interested in a protected 1st rounder over some random bench 3-D guy. That's the starting point with me if I was dealing Martin unless some actual legit young rotation player was on the table.

It seems like Flip and Martin have been on the same page (funny how everyone said Martin was just an Adelman guy) so I am not really looking that far into trades. If Zach plays well enough to get the starting job and hold onto it I almost don't care about what we do with Martin because Lavine becoming a legit SG would be huge for this franchise. Of course getting something out of Martin either in a deal or keeping him on the roster long term as a bench scorer would be a good thing. It's going to be interesting how much Mitchell coaching and Flip being away changes things when it comes to the vets. KG might be an equalizer there.

[bleedspeed]

I don't think Martin is going to ruffle feathers. I think he will play his role. Trading him is tough. Everything I saw was a down grade and it will be near impossible to trade him for another SG and come out ahead. I would focus on a PG/PF for this team.

-Houston I would want Terrence Jones and McDaniels.
-Memphis I want Jordan Adams and Jarnell Stokes.
-Charlotte I would want Cody Zellar.
-Thunder I would want Payne and McGary.
-Suns I woudl want Alex Len
-Magic I would want Evan Fournier and a pick

Most of these are not happening and almost all of them we are giving up the best player for some potential. It would take the right team to make the deal that wants to win now. I actually think the Hornets would be willing to do it after the injury to MKG and drafting Frank the tank.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Per Q's post I did some research on 3 and D types and I put a list together of guys that are at least plausible: Iman Shumpert, Jae Crowder, PJ Tucker, Alec Burks, Lance Stephenson, Jodie Meeks, Anthony Morrow, Moe Harkless, Martell Webster, KJ McDaniels

Hmmm, some intriguing names here. Roberson is a really good defender.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, like Cool, I've been keeping up with the news coming out of camp pretty closely, and everything has been ridiculously positive about LaVine. Earlier in camp, apparently LaVine just could not miss from three. Wiggins noted after the practice that he might have scored 40 points. Rubio's also been quoted saying that LaVine's been the best player in camp. That's been supported by plenty of Minnesota media pundits too, and one of the other vets now that I think of it. The hype is crazy right now.

It sure sounds like LaVine's been doing all the right things to earn the job, and unlike Wiggins, I'm certain that he has the killer instinct needed to maximize his ability. I'm also very happy with his off-season results. Gained 11 pounds of muscle, and it's pretty noticeable. I think we'll still need to be patient with him, and I need to see all this hype turn to production on the court this pre-season, but this is terrific news if he can rip away a starting job from Kevin Martin, who is no scrub by any means of the word. That's not an easy position battle, guys. Martin's a good starter in this league.

I still don't understand the need to trade Martin, though. We're thin at shooting guard, we desperately need three-point shooters, he's cheap, he's already in a Wolves uniform, and he already has chemistry with the current team as constructed. Trading him makes zero sense right now. If LaVine is the real deal, we're looking at some serious offensive firepower off the bench with Martin and Muhammad. That's a two-man bench combo that not many in the league can match.

Well, I certainly wouldn't do anything rash like the classic contract dump where we get nothing in return and he goes to a winner, something we've been quite adept at in recent years. To your point, he gives us depth and 3-point shooting. But damn, a Miller-Martin-Shabazz perimeter trio is going to be AWFUL defensively unless Shabazz makes a major leap forward (Miller and Martin are what they are and can only get worse given their age).

I just think eventually we'll need to optimize the wings to balance it with some more focus on defense. Whether that happens sooner or later is not a big deal to me.