Pistons vs Wolves

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I still think Adelman will settle on Brewer as his starting SF. That does two things. First, it allows him to focus solely on defense since Pek, Love, and Martin should be getting the vast majority of shots. Second, it allows Williams to be a bit more of his tunnel-visioned self as our offensive punch off the bench. That's not to say he should be off the hook in terms of Adelman's high expectations of him "playing the right way", but he'll definitely get more shots and iso's with the second unit than the first unit.

I know Adelman likes Brew's energy off the bench, but frankly, I don't think we need it. Barea, Turiaf, and Cunningham offers us plenty of energy and spark. He's simply a much better fit in the starting unit, which desperately needs help defensively; less so offensively.

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

Agreed Brew should start, and I'm a bit confused with Adelman experimenting so much in the last few games. Whatever though, lets bring on the regular season and destroy the Orlando Magic!

[Lipoli390]

I didn't see tonight's game, but I looked at the box score. Brewer had 7 points 2 boards, 2 assists, 0 steals and 3 turnovers in 26 minutes. He hit 28.5% of his FG attempts and 20% of his three-point attempts. Corey has never been an NBA starter in his six years in the League. This team is in trouble if Corey Brewer is our starting SF. I don't even see him as a 6th man. The real 6th man type on this team is Barea. Corey is a 7th, 8th or 9th man in the rotation of a contending team. The Wolves need to find a bona fide starting caliber SF -- either from within or outside the organization. Cam is right that Williams looks lost out there in the starting lineup. Shabazz probably isn't ready for that role.

Unless we go outside the organization, right now I'd lean towards Dante as our starting SF until Budinger comes back healthy. Dante gives us size and strength on the defensive end and highly efficient scoring on the offensive end. Not ideal, but it's the best alternative right now barring a trade. I'd still like to see a trade for Ariza.

[mjs34]

I get starting DC against Smith tonight, but he can't stay with most of these SF's. DC is actually inefficient offensively Lip. Mostly due to the fact that he never gets to the line, and doesn't shoot 3's. I think his TS% last season was around 46%.

I don't understand not getting Shabazz more time in the preseason though. Would have been nice to get an idea what we had, before it counts.

Why wasn't Pek playing tonight. Did someone hurt his feelings!

[mjs34]

I am still trying to make sense of Bud being our go to starting SF if healthy. Did he somehow learn to defend in the off season?. He is likely the worst defender of anyone playing the 3 spot, and I know Adelman said it was all about defense for DW so how come it doesn't come into play with Bud.

One of the coaches has to tell Brewer to stop taking outside shots with over 15 seconds on the clock.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Pek had a thigh contusion, sjm, and was held out for "precautionary " reasons. I'd be okay with this if it was anyone but Pek, but he missed time regularly last year with injuries like this...you know, injuries that it seems like he should play through. I hope that this really was just precautionary. Pek needs to toughen up a little.

[mjs34]

Pek had a thigh contusion, sjm, and was held out for "precautionary " reasons. I'd be okay with this if it was anyone but Pek, but he missed time regularly last year with injuries like this...you know, injuries that it seems like he should play through. I hope that this really was just precautionary. Pek needs to toughen up a little.

A little???? My niece is tougher than him. What happens when he really gets injured. Do we put on a memorial for him?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

LOL. I found it humorous that Pek was selected as one of the top ten toughest players in the league last week in the GM poll. I love Pek as an efficient low post scorer and underrated on the ball defender, but he isn't even one of the ten toughest players on the wolves, much less in the league!

[Lipoli390]

SJM -- I should have said highly efficient 2-point shooter in reference to Dante. But I get your point and I just lean towards Dante at the SF spot as a default option among a list of bad alternatives.

I agree with you that Budinger is not a starting caliber SF although I don't think his defense is as bad as
You suggest. Again, as I've been saying all summer, this team has a huge hole at the starting SF slot.

I also agree that Adelman should have given Shabazz more PT this preseason.

[Lipoli390]

I think Flip is going to regret giving Pek that 5-year, $60 million deal. He is neither tough nor resilient. And even when not banged up this preseason, he plays like a guy who is just fat and happy having received his big guaranteed deal. I don't fault Flip for doing the deal. I would have probably done the same. But I have a bad feeling about this. If we could trade Pek straight up for Batum, I'd do it in a heartbeat.