Gives me hope that Shabazz has room to grow...
[ I needed to find something non-Love related to say! ]
Watching Kawhi...
Re: Watching Kawhi...
And now my one and only Love comment: I have seen nothing to suggest the Wolves or Love have said anything new to anyone. All this garbage floating around is due to some media person summarizing the current situation, citing a few comments in the past, and then speculating about the future. And that little pebble began a full blown avalanche with so many other media personnel jumping on the bandwagon.
The situation today is the same as it was two days ago. And it's a tough one for the Wolves, no doubt. But now everyone is talking about it. I believe it was WildWolf who said the day after Love signed his contract that the media circus surrounding Love's eventual free agency was the single biggest problem with Taylor's and Kahn's decision to not offer 5 years. That time is now.
The situation today is the same as it was two days ago. And it's a tough one for the Wolves, no doubt. But now everyone is talking about it. I believe it was WildWolf who said the day after Love signed his contract that the media circus surrounding Love's eventual free agency was the single biggest problem with Taylor's and Kahn's decision to not offer 5 years. That time is now.
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BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]
- Posts: 3290
- Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Watching Kawhi...
I know Tim, it's hard not to react to this media circus, even the DC radio guys are on board with Love, who "has told MN he wants to leave." and could become a free agent target.
It will be Rubio next if he keeps improving. I'm glad I dropped my cable 3 years ago, don't miss it one bit. The harder part is avoiding their website, but I'm improving.
Kawhi is great. Don't think he compares to Shabazz, but you're giving the Wolves too much credit with player development! This is our year to win the lottery and make the wrong pick!
It will be Rubio next if he keeps improving. I'm glad I dropped my cable 3 years ago, don't miss it one bit. The harder part is avoiding their website, but I'm improving.
Kawhi is great. Don't think he compares to Shabazz, but you're giving the Wolves too much credit with player development! This is our year to win the lottery and make the wrong pick!
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longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]
- Posts: 9432
- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Watching Kawhi...
The media is really pissing me off in this Love drama...reminds me so much of the Rubio drama 3 years ago.
What pisses me off more, though, is that Kevin hasn't opened his mouth to dispute the media rumors...says a lot, I'm afraid.
What pisses me off more, though, is that Kevin hasn't opened his mouth to dispute the media rumors...says a lot, I'm afraid.
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Q12543 [enjin:6621299]
- Posts: 13844
- Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Watching Kawhi...
The thing with Kawhi is that he never shot better than 25% from the college 3-point line. Then suddenly he goes to San Antonio and he becomes a very consistent shooter from beyond the NBA arc.
To me, the biggest failure of our player development system has been to take guys and make them better shooters. San Antonio consistently develops better shooters - whether they are younger players like Kawhi, Patty Mills, Danny Green or older vets like Bellinelli. Think of all the players that have come through Minnesota that showed flashes of shooting potential in college/Europe, but never improved a lick while with the Wolves: Flynn, Wes Johnson, Derrick Williams, Shved, and even Rubio's improvement has been a struggle.
Teaching someone how to suddenly develop advanced dribble drive moves and finishing skills is one thing. That's terribly difficult to pick up at an older age. But shooting is something that is easily practiced and can be improved with proper mechanics and coaching. We have failed miserably in this department.
To me, the biggest failure of our player development system has been to take guys and make them better shooters. San Antonio consistently develops better shooters - whether they are younger players like Kawhi, Patty Mills, Danny Green or older vets like Bellinelli. Think of all the players that have come through Minnesota that showed flashes of shooting potential in college/Europe, but never improved a lick while with the Wolves: Flynn, Wes Johnson, Derrick Williams, Shved, and even Rubio's improvement has been a struggle.
Teaching someone how to suddenly develop advanced dribble drive moves and finishing skills is one thing. That's terribly difficult to pick up at an older age. But shooting is something that is easily practiced and can be improved with proper mechanics and coaching. We have failed miserably in this department.
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BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]
- Posts: 3290
- Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Watching Kawhi...
Q12543 wrote:The thing with Kawhi is that he never shot better than 25% from the college 3-point line. Then suddenly he goes to San Antonio and he becomes a very consistent shooter from beyond the NBA arc.
To me, the biggest failure of our player development system has been to take guys and make them better shooters. San Antonio consistently develops better shooters - whether they are younger players like Kawhi, Patty Mills, Danny Green or older vets like Bellinelli. Think of all the players that have come through Minnesota that showed flashes of shooting potential in college/Europe, but never improved a lick while with the Wolves: Flynn, Wes Johnson, Derrick Williams, Shved, and even Rubio's improvement has been a struggle.
Teaching someone how to suddenly develop advanced dribble drive moves and finishing skills is one thing. That's terribly difficult to pick up at an older age. But shooting is something that is easily practiced and can be improved with proper mechanics and coaching. We have failed miserably in this department.
Q, that's why Cam and I want to pluck the shot Doc, Chip Engelland from the Spurs!
Re: Watching Kawhi...
So, I wasted a morning to track down the source of all this gossip surrounding Love. Every single article, speculation, rumor and innuendo boils down to Mitch Lawrence and a "blurb", ala Charley Walters, buried in one of his columns:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-dolan-gilbert-meddling-hazard-teams-health-article-1.1796220
. . . . Kevin Love's people reiterated to the Timberwolves this past week that they had better trade him or else he'll leave via free agency when his contract is up after next season. With Love looking to exit, there's your No. 1 reason the T-wolves have not been able to find a head coach to take over for Rick Adelman. Love wants to play for the Lakers but he's also open to coming to the Knicks. . . .
This ONE statement has produced the onslaught of the "trade Love" media circus. Frickin' Mitch Lawrence?!? Give me a break! It wouldn't surprise me one bit if his source was none other than Phil Jackson playing his usual mind games with the NBA...
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-dolan-gilbert-meddling-hazard-teams-health-article-1.1796220
. . . . Kevin Love's people reiterated to the Timberwolves this past week that they had better trade him or else he'll leave via free agency when his contract is up after next season. With Love looking to exit, there's your No. 1 reason the T-wolves have not been able to find a head coach to take over for Rick Adelman. Love wants to play for the Lakers but he's also open to coming to the Knicks. . . .
This ONE statement has produced the onslaught of the "trade Love" media circus. Frickin' Mitch Lawrence?!? Give me a break! It wouldn't surprise me one bit if his source was none other than Phil Jackson playing his usual mind games with the NBA...
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longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]
- Posts: 9432
- Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Watching Kawhi...
60WinTim wrote:So, I wasted a morning to track down the source of all this gossip surrounding Love. Every single article, speculation, rumor and innuendo boils down to Mitch Lawrence and a "blurb", ala Charley Walters, buried in one of his columns:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-dolan-gilbert-meddling-hazard-teams-health-article-1.1796220
. . . . Kevin Love's people reiterated to the Timberwolves this past week that they had better trade him or else he'll leave via free agency when his contract is up after next season. With Love looking to exit, there's your No. 1 reason the T-wolves have not been able to find a head coach to take over for Rick Adelman. Love wants to play for the Lakers but he's also open to coming to the Knicks. . . .
This ONE statement has produced the onslaught of the "trade Love" media circus. Frickin' Mitch Lawrence?!? Give me a break! It wouldn't surprise me one bit if his source was none other than Phil Jackson playing his usual mind games with the NBA...
Yeah, I've been saying this since the "news" came out last week. I don't think anything has really happened, but I don't necessarily see that as a good thing...I still think Kevin will leave absent an incredible surge in team performance next year. But I don't think he will say anything at all to Wolves management, because it's not the smart move. As I mentioned in another post, Kevin wants his eventual destination team to be as strong as possible when he joins them, and having to give assets to the Wolves in a trade weakens his new team. So the smart move for Kevin and his agent is to stay silent until the moment when Kevin can leave in free agency, and then evaluate his options at that time. If they really want to be devious, they can say tell the Wolves and the media that Kevin's intention is to stay with the Wolves, which would likely be enough to keep Flip from feeling he has to trade him. This is the smartest move for Kevin (although not the most loyal or ethical), and I think it's the path he will take.
Re: Watching Kawhi...
I do think the Spurs have been able to develop shooting ability of guys but their system also enables those guys to shoot the ball well. The Spurs are the best organization in Basketball Period. Leonard is just one fantastic example along with Parker, Manu and a bunch of very solid or better role players like Bruce Bowen, Danny Green and even Matt Bonner over the years that come out of nowhere. Name the last Wolves guy that you can say that about. Hoiberg or maybe Craig Smith? I don't count Pek because he was like a 2nd round lucky Lotto pick. I hope I am forgetting someone. Maybe Dieng can be that guy finally gives us something from a pick that's really not expected to have a big impact.
Let's assume these reports aren't true and Love hasn't said anything of the sort but of course plans to go to a winning team. It makes sense that he wouldn't say anything because it is possible that the Wolves COULD be that team. Look the Wolves haven't made the playoffs and have been pretty bad while Love has been here but let's be honest even an outsider would say the Wolves have a chance to take a significant step forward this coming season. We as fans all know some ways that could happen we don't need to go over this. Love could end up leaving a team that has what he wants which is a winning team. I am not banking on it outsiders aren't either and he probably isn't as well, but look at what some other teams have done in the last few years that were seemingly going nowhere and made some moves and became either strong playoff teams or even fringe contenders. Leonard is an example of a player in the range we are picking could be huge for a franchise as is Paul George who was a little higher or even a later pick like Parsons.
Like others have said Love's best play is to play this season out and if he wants to leave do so and just sign with a team or do a sign and trade where the team he goes too doesn't really give up much in the way of assets. He could also play 1 more year with the Wolves if we do somewhat well and be 27 at the end of that season in a great position for a plenty big payday. Love is a smart guy imo he has maximized his basketball gifts in pretty much every way you can imagine. I won't be shocked if he comes back this next year as an even better player which is kinda crazy. So what if he isn't a bigtime leader or if he isn't a good defender (name the PFs in the league that are and yes Love needs to improve) but that just means the Wolves need some guys to step up into those needs. Dieng could be big for the defense and maybe Flip can find the right vet to be a Sam Mitchell type vet which would be HUGE for this team. I think it was pretty obvious last year this team needed a leader and has for years. I think Rubio can take on more of that role but they need a vet guy that can actually play and is vocal to help them lead. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head but I bet there are some guys out there the Wolves could pick up this offseason. I think they have a good group of guys they just need a true leader on the roster.
Let's assume these reports aren't true and Love hasn't said anything of the sort but of course plans to go to a winning team. It makes sense that he wouldn't say anything because it is possible that the Wolves COULD be that team. Look the Wolves haven't made the playoffs and have been pretty bad while Love has been here but let's be honest even an outsider would say the Wolves have a chance to take a significant step forward this coming season. We as fans all know some ways that could happen we don't need to go over this. Love could end up leaving a team that has what he wants which is a winning team. I am not banking on it outsiders aren't either and he probably isn't as well, but look at what some other teams have done in the last few years that were seemingly going nowhere and made some moves and became either strong playoff teams or even fringe contenders. Leonard is an example of a player in the range we are picking could be huge for a franchise as is Paul George who was a little higher or even a later pick like Parsons.
Like others have said Love's best play is to play this season out and if he wants to leave do so and just sign with a team or do a sign and trade where the team he goes too doesn't really give up much in the way of assets. He could also play 1 more year with the Wolves if we do somewhat well and be 27 at the end of that season in a great position for a plenty big payday. Love is a smart guy imo he has maximized his basketball gifts in pretty much every way you can imagine. I won't be shocked if he comes back this next year as an even better player which is kinda crazy. So what if he isn't a bigtime leader or if he isn't a good defender (name the PFs in the league that are and yes Love needs to improve) but that just means the Wolves need some guys to step up into those needs. Dieng could be big for the defense and maybe Flip can find the right vet to be a Sam Mitchell type vet which would be HUGE for this team. I think it was pretty obvious last year this team needed a leader and has for years. I think Rubio can take on more of that role but they need a vet guy that can actually play and is vocal to help them lead. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head but I bet there are some guys out there the Wolves could pick up this offseason. I think they have a good group of guys they just need a true leader on the roster.
Re: Watching Kawhi...
I know how it could happen. Put us in the east!