The Elephant in the Room

[thedoper]

So we all know Love probably is thinking about leaving Minnesota at this point. I hate the national media for pointing it out every time the Wolves are mentioned too. So how do we make him stay, or do we want him to stay?

I am in the camp who wants him to stay. But I think that we have to present a scenario that is equivalent to the vision of contenders around the league. To me that is having 2 sure fire all-stars with effective role players (some being borderline all-stars around them). We do not have that situation on our roster despite how much all of us would like to dress up the skills and potential of Rubio and Pek. We missed the boat on being able to do that through the draft baring a miracle this offseason. So our only other option seems to be swinging for the fences and packaging everything for a real asset. Danny Ainge did it with a flailing roster and isolated star in Pierce. Granted he had a ton of leverage with multiple 1st round draft picks (maybe Kahn's biggest mistake in 2009 was drafting at all?). My ideal situation at this point would be to try and trade everyone minus Love for another sure fire all star. I am saying this as a huge Rubio fan as well. I think we saw quite clearly this year that Rubio, Love and Pek (which would be the majority of our cap space moving forward) is not a good enough core to make us contenders. That model has to change. The beauty of taking this approach is that we are stripped to the bones for a rebuild if it doesn't work. I say swing for the fences Flip. For instance, if Flip went out and put all of his energy into attaining Carmello (I know there is a lot of mixed feelings about this particular player) or a player of his pedigree I for one would be ecstatic. At least Love would know that we are serious about acquiring top level talent around him. The real question is whether it is even possible to put another sure fire all star next to Love. If not I think we have no choice but to move Love now.

[KiwiMatt]

I don't know Doper. Trading Rubio could be a massive mistake. Love and him get on pretty well and who wouldn't want to play with one the of few pass first PG's left in todays game, and a good one at that.

Rubio has played the best we've seen since the all star break, his numbers reflect that. In 15 games he's averaging 10ppg on 46% shooting (44% from 3), 4rpg and 9.6apg. Even in March his numbers were impressive. That's the production you want from Ricky. He's never going to be a prolific scorer, but he needs to become an efficient scorer to be effective. And it looks like he's slowly learning how to.

Rubio and Love are still both young. There's no way you break this duo up. Give it one more season, with a new coach who installs defensive intensity, a stronger bench, and I think we will see the results we us fans deserve.

[Coolbreeze44]

No, No, No. I agree with your approach to swing for the fences. However, Rubio is proving that he can be part of an elite core on a championship team. So you already have one great player, and another guy who will probably be an all star at some point. The guys to move are Pek, Shabazz, JJ, and Martin. We should be able to get a real good wing for some combination of those players and a draft pick. Just say no to Carmello. I don't think we could get Steph Curry, but that's the type of player we need.

[thedoper]

I don't know Doper. Trading Rubio could be a massive mistake. Love and him get on pretty well and who wouldn't want to play with one the of few pass first PG's left in todays game, and a good one at that.

Rubio has played the best we've seen since the all star break, his numbers reflect that. In 15 games he's averaging 10ppg on 46% shooting (44% from 3), 4rpg and 9.6apg. Even in March his numbers were impressive. That's the production you want from Ricky. He's never going to be a prolific scorer, but he needs to become an efficient scorer to be effective. And it looks like he's slowly learning how to.

Rubio and Love are still both young. There's no way you break this duo up. Give it one more season, with a new coach who installs defensive intensity, a stronger bench, and I think we will see the results we us fans deserve.

I can see the logic there and see it as the counter. But do you think that a future with Rubio is enough to make Love want to stay? Is there enough pride in Love to prove everyone wrong and show that him and Rubio are a great match. And furthermore is there any reason to believe Rubio wants to stay in this situation? I think banking on a Rubio/Love future is the biggest risk of all the options.

[thedoper]

No, No, No. I agree with your approach to swing for the fences. However, Rubio is proving that he can be part of an elite core on a championship team. So you already have one great player, and another guy who will probably be an all star at some point. The guys to move are Pek, Shabazz, JJ, and Martin. We should be able to get a real good wing for some combination of those players and a draft pick. Just say no to Carmello. I don't think we could get Steph Curry, but that's the type of player we need.

I don't know that Carmello is the answer. I am saying that we need someone on that level to make Love want to stay. I do believe a great basketball mind could build an excellent team around Melo and Love though. I like the idea of building around Rubio and Love. I am not sure that Love does based on the results of this duo so far. I just don't think that Pek and Shabazz is enough juice to get us that sure fire star next to Love. If Flip could do that I tip my hat to him.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Do you guys realize how difficult it is to find a game-changer willing to come to MN... and what's needed to bring him here in the first place?

Rubio AND Pekovic might not be enough to land a second "star."

Rubio and Love aren't enough to win. And Rubio without Love definitely isn't enough to stay away from 50+ losses. So that's why the Wolves have to swing for the fences. You don't get a star without giving up quality in return. Rubio aren't stars, but they are good quality players with some flaws.

[KiwiMatt]

I don't know Doper. Trading Rubio could be a massive mistake. Love and him get on pretty well and who wouldn't want to play with one the of few pass first PG's left in todays game, and a good one at that.

Rubio has played the best we've seen since the all star break, his numbers reflect that. In 15 games he's averaging 10ppg on 46% shooting (44% from 3), 4rpg and 9.6apg. Even in March his numbers were impressive. That's the production you want from Ricky. He's never going to be a prolific scorer, but he needs to become an efficient scorer to be effective. And it looks like he's slowly learning how to.

Rubio and Love are still both young. There's no way you break this duo up. Give it one more season, with a new coach who installs defensive intensity, a stronger bench, and I think we will see the results we us fans deserve.

I can see the logic there and see it as the counter. But do you think that a future with Rubio is enough to make Love want to stay? Is there enough pride in Love to prove everyone wrong and show that him and Rubio are a great match. And furthermore is there any reason to believe Rubio wants to stay in this situation? I think banking on a Rubio/Love future is the biggest risk of all the options.

Well I think it is going to be a more appealing options for Love to stay than going to the Lakers.

Let's face it we are not going to be able to trade for a 'superstar' without giving up Love. We're not going to be able to attract a 'superstar' to sign here. The only way is through the draft and we have three players who can vouch for that - Love, Rubio and Pek.

The emphasis needs to be on development and defense. We have one of the best offences in the league, but we also have one of worse defences. To me that's not completely due to personal. I think coaching and effort are the missing factors here.

I still think this ball club isn't as far away as many think. Look at the leap Portland has made from last season to this season. Our situation this season is pretty much identical to theirs last season, starters who can match it with anyone, but a bench that wouldn't look out of place playing in the D League.

A 0.500 record in a ridiculously strong Western Conference is nothing to be ashamed of. The focus needs to be on taking the next step, not blowing the joint up (AGAIN).

[thedoper]

I don't know Doper. Trading Rubio could be a massive mistake. Love and him get on pretty well and who wouldn't want to play with one the of few pass first PG's left in todays game, and a good one at that.

Rubio has played the best we've seen since the all star break, his numbers reflect that. In 15 games he's averaging 10ppg on 46% shooting (44% from 3), 4rpg and 9.6apg. Even in March his numbers were impressive. That's the production you want from Ricky. He's never going to be a prolific scorer, but he needs to become an efficient scorer to be effective. And it looks like he's slowly learning how to.

Rubio and Love are still both young. There's no way you break this duo up. Give it one more season, with a new coach who installs defensive intensity, a stronger bench, and I think we will see the results we us fans deserve.

I can see the logic there and see it as the counter. But do you think that a future with Rubio is enough to make Love want to stay? Is there enough pride in Love to prove everyone wrong and show that him and Rubio are a great match. And furthermore is there any reason to believe Rubio wants to stay in this situation? I think banking on a Rubio/Love future is the biggest risk of all the options.

Well I think it is going to be a more appealing options for Love to stay than going to the Lakers.

Let's face it we are not going to be able to trade for a 'superstar' without giving up Love. We're not going to be able to attract a 'superstar' to sign here. The only way is through the draft and we have three players who can vouch for that - Love, Rubio and Pek.

The emphasis needs to be on development and defense. We have one of the best offences in the league, but we also have one of worse defences. To me that's not completely due to personal. I think coaching and effort are the missing factors here.

I still think this ball club isn't as far away as many think. Look at the leap Portland has made from last season to this season. Our situation this season is pretty much identical to theirs last season, starters who can match it with anyone, but a bench that wouldn't look out of place playing in the D League.

A 0.500 record in a ridiculously strong Western Conference is nothing to be ashamed of. The focus needs to be on taking the next step, not blowing the joint up (AGAIN).

Again this is a good point. I just don't believe that staying the course will keep Love here nor I am not sure we really that close. I don't see how trading JJ or even Pek would move us up from the 9 slot to top 5 though I would love it if it happened. Stotts has had a couple of years to mould that team in Portland. I would love to see a Portland type leap for this team next season and believe in the possibility, but that could all go south immediately if Love doesn't agree with that vision for the future of this team. I think everyone sees Adelman as gone, but a new coach would take some time implementing a system and getting buy in from the players. I hope you are right, I would Love an NBA where players had even more incentive to develop within their own organization. But to me our only realistic hope of Love staying is a miraculous leap in player development and drafting or a huge trade.

[KiwiMatt]

As we say in NZ "keep the faith".

I have a good feeling Love will stay. My reasoning:

1. We can offer him the most money.
2. He has unfinished business in Minnesota.
3. Ricky Rubio (the world's premier pass first PG) plays here.
4. Playing for the Lakers will mean he will be a second option behind a 38 year old Kobe Bryant.
5. Pekovic will crush his skull with a 'Pek smash' if he leaves.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

As we say in NZ "keep the faith".

I have a good feeling Love will stay. My reasoning:

1. We can offer him the most money.
2. He has unfinished business in Minnesota.
3. Ricky Rubio (the world's premier pass first PG) plays here.
4. Playing for the Lakers will mean he will be a second option behind a 38 year old Kobe Bryant.
5. Pekovic will crush his skull with a 'Pek smash' if he leaves.

Ill never understand why Love would go to the Lakers. There's nothing did from their history besides the name. No young talent, Kobe taking up half the cap, no coach after this year, Owner is nuts.