Random thoughts

[bleedspeed]

I don't see how starting LRMAM hurts us at this point. I didn't like the trade, but he is a solid option. I am for the first time in 10 years basically given up on this team. Future looks really bad for years to come. No up and coming players and no draft picks.

My vote though would be to give Shabazz the start and go with a unit of Shved, Budinger, Brewer, Hummel, an Turiaf off the bench. Rubio could also play with that group a lot. I also think it might be time to draw up plays for him to score at the end of the game. It really can't hurt his confidence at this point.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I agree Hicks. To put it another way...

League Average (past 4 seasons)
35.8%
34.9%
35.9%
35.8%

Budinger
35.7%

The Wolves are paying their "three point specialist" $5M+ to be an average NBA shooter. They are paying the energy guy about the same.

That's not value. Good teams find guys to fill the specialist and energy roles on the cheap... as we've discussed before. You have to cut corners somewhere with team payrolls. A 3-and-D guy and high energy guy with no offensive game would seem like logical places to start.

I don't see any "value" guys on the Wolves roster. Even the end-of-bench guys are properly paid... or overpaid.

[thedoper]

I generally agree with most of your thoughts Q. I think that patience is a virtue, but I believe Adelman's patience has gone beyond to a complete lack of urgency right now. I believe you have to look at our roster and blame Adelman a bit for what is there since a good portion of our makeup is the guys Adelman wanted it there. Going for a younger coach (and not Flip) to get the room back most logical change at this point. I want to trade Barea as well. The deal that would make the most sense for me is Barea for JR Smith. Although there is no way Adelman would play Smith and the Minnesota sports audience and media has little patience for his type of personality. Firing at all cylinders Pek, Love, Rubio, JR Smith, and Shabazz could be a magical offensive unit moving forward. But defense on the other hand. Yikes.

[bleedspeed]

I agree Hicks. To put it another way...

League Average (past 4 seasons)
35.8%
34.9%
35.9%
35.8%

Budinger
35.7%

The Wolves are paying their "three point specialist" $5M+ to be an average NBA shooter. They are paying the energy guy about the same.

That's not value. Good teams find guys to fill the specialist and energy roles on the cheap... as we've discussed before. You have to cut corners somewhere with team payrolls. A 3-and-D guy and high energy guy with no offensive game would seem like logical places to start.

I don't see any "value" guys on the Wolves roster. Even the end-of-bench guys are properly paid... or overpaid.

I wanted Dunleavy. He signed for $6M.over 2 years. 40% 3pt shooter. We signed Bud for $15 over 3 years.
Dorrell Wright is another guy. He is basically the same as Bud, but maybe a better shooter. $6M over 2 years. We certainly could have done better.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I agree Hicks. To put it another way...

League Average (past 4 seasons)
35.8%
34.9%
35.9%
35.8%

Budinger
35.7%

The Wolves are paying their "three point specialist" $5M+ to be an average NBA shooter. They are paying the energy guy about the same.

That's not value. Good teams find guys to fill the specialist and energy roles on the cheap... as we've discussed before. You have to cut corners somewhere with team payrolls. A 3-and-D guy and high energy guy with no offensive game would seem like logical places to start.

I don't see any "value" guys on the Wolves roster. Even the end-of-bench guys are properly paid... or overpaid.

I generally agree with you Abe, although I will defend Budinger a little bit here. While Budinger is not a 3-point specialist, he is at least average, which is more than can be said about most of the other wings on our roster not named Martin. Also, he is a solid shooter from most places on the floor, so while he's not a specialist from any one spot, he's very solid from just about every spot. His career eFG% would place him third behind Love and Pek. His career TS% would place him 4th behind Martin. Once he gets his sea legs, he really should give our offense a decent lift. Is $5M still too much for him though? May be.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I generally agree with most of your thoughts Q. I think that patience is a virtue, but I believe Adelman's patience has gone beyond to a complete lack of urgency right now. I believe you have to look at our roster and blame Adelman a bit for what is there since a good portion of our makeup is the guys Adelman wanted it there. Going for a younger coach (and not Flip) to get the room back most logical change at this point. I want to trade Barea as well. The deal that would make the most sense for me is Barea for JR Smith. Although there is no way Adelman would play Smith and the Minnesota sports audience and media has little patience for his type of personality. Firing at all cylinders Pek, Love, Rubio, JR Smith, and Shabazz could be a magical offensive unit moving forward. But defense on the other hand. Yikes.

Don't entirely disagree with you, although I think Adleman overachieved last year with the roster (or lack thereof due to injuries). So I think he deserves some rope here. I would certainly be open to a younger, hungrier coach this offseason if Adelman either decided to hang it up or our front office decides not to bring him back.