Muhammad: A work in process

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/2014/09/work-in-progress-molding-muhammad/

Nothing too earth shattering in this article...mostly talks about how repetitive, although efficient, Shabazz's offensive game is. The different slant is the author suggests our new lefty veteran Thad Young can be a good influence on Shabazz as he continues to try to vary his post game. Could be.

One take I hear a lot is that the league is going to learn how to defend Shabazz's little left-handed jump hook, because he goes to it so often. I'm not ready to accept that premise yet. You can see in the video in the article that there are times that the defender knows exactly what Muhammad intends to do, but he still doesn't even get close to stopping it. I'm not going to mention the name of another legendary NBA player who made a long career out of an unstoppable hook shot because I don't want to suggest even an inkling of comparison, but the way Shabazz uses his body in his patented move combined with how quickly he both gets up in the air and releases the ball, it's a very difficult move to defend. Eventually if he becomes a consistent scoring threat, he could see some double teams, and if so, he may have to develop his passing game to earn minutes. Or maybe not. At UCLA, he was clearly the main scoring threat, and the opposing center would usually come over to double him when he set up on the left block, but I don't recall Shabazz ever getting blocked in games that I watched. I'm really interested in seeing what Shabazz does this year if Flip gives him more regular minutes.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

That left-handed push shot may be a tough one to defend, but it's also a tough one to make consistently. That's another reason he needs to widen his offensive arsenal, which means he needs to better his jumper and his handle if he's going to be the guy some want him to be.

[Monster]

Bazz weirdness in his offensive game reminds me of how weird Craig Smith was. He was this undersized beast but the way he scored was his ball handling and floater shots like he was some sort guard. Bazz likes the post like he is Al Jefferson with like 1 move or something. Lol I think his shot can be good enough he can hit 3's but we will see. I hope Flip is inventive enough to use Bazz if he actually is good enough to be useful. Flip has talked about him pretty often so I think Bazz is going to get chances to play.

[Monster]

Anyone see this video? It seems like Bazz has alot of fun doing this clinic.

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/shabazz-fit-clinic

[bleedspeed]

Seem like a great guy despite his horrible parenting. I wish him the best.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Seem like a great guy despite his horrible parenting. I wish him the best.

Muhammad is an unusual guy. I had a chance to observe him in the LA community the year he played at UCLA, and you never knew which Muhammad was going to show up. He has a childlike heart and appears to be very comfortable around kids, and he was very involved in working with kids in LA. But at other times he would almost appear sullen. Bleed, I agree that his weird dad was not helpful in Shabazz's development...it's probably good he's tucked away in prison now for a few years. But I think his Tourette's Syndrome might have more to do with his odd personality. I suspect it embarrasses him sometimes, and he prefers to be silent and not interact at times. But he always seems comfortable around children, and I think that's where the real Shabazz comes out. Thanks for posting the video, monster...it's a side of Muhammad that we don't often see.

[bleedspeed]

I am guessing he feels safe around kids. I am sure he has some major trust issues around adults. I hope it all works out for him. It will take some good coaching to help him. I think Flip is making the commitment.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think that's well said, bleedspeed. It's interesting...at first I though Adelman might be a good father figure for Shabazz, but it didn't seem to work out that way. Rick's apparent disinterest in coaching last year combined with a perceived lack of confidence in Shabazz couldn't have ben helpful. Now I think Flip is more likely to be that good father figure that I believe Shabazz needs. He seems both committed to coaching and committed to Muhammad, and I think that is going to mean a lot to him. Maybe I'm looking at this through rose-colored glasses, but I continue to expect a breakout season from Shabazz.

[60WinTim]

I don't know. When I look at the roster there are not enough minutes for everyone that maybe ought to get minutes. I see Shabazz as one of those on the bubble for getting minutes...

Last year we had many varying opinions on what the starting lineup would be. This year we are pretty unanimous on the starting lineup: Rubio, Martin, Wiggins, Young and Pek. And most of us are confident on the backups at PG, PF and C: Williams, Bennett and Dieng.

So that leaves just two wing openings for Barea (who IS better suited as a SG), LaVine, Brewer, Bud, Hummel and Shabazz. LaVine will likely be brought along slowly, and Hummel was signed to ride the bench. That still leaves four guys expecting to get minutes as a backup wing -- that's the bubble waiting to burst!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Very good analysis, Tim. I would burst the bubble in two ways...take Barea out of the equation (either by trade or release) and remove either Bud or Brewer through a trade. Now the wing situation is less crowded, and Muhammad has a way to get his minutes. I have to believe that with Muhammad's relentless drive to be the best and his ability to be a volume scorer, combined with Flip's apparent belief in him, he is not going to be denied. Shabazz could be giving us 12 and 5 (and .3 assists per game :) ) off the bench this year, exactly what this team needed last year.