AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:16 am
Towns is a very good player with some very obvious weaknesses.
The best thing for his value is to win more. Ironically, that will have MN fans want to keep him even more.
But that 2nd apron is punitive. Do you take on those penalties (as a non-destination locale with a dearth of assets) for the team's 2nd most talented player, but maybe not the 2nd most important?
I highly doubt it.
I'm with you on this one. I don't think you can dismiss the 2nd apron as a factor for us. There are a few teams in the league who probably can in the short term, but I don't think anyone can in the long term.
Things always look better in the midst of a stretch of solid play. And it's easy to get behind the plan when everything is going well. KAT has been really good over this stretch, but again, he SHOULD dominate against this Warriors team. They are tailor made for his game. But after taking stock following the game last night, I know myself and some others tend to focus too much on the individual. We seem to be looking for players to place blame on and those to heap praise on. I'm going to make a concerted effort to enjoy the wins and celebrate team success, not look for a scapegoat when things go south. After all these years, winning feels good and this group may just be scratching the surface. Keep on rolling Wolves.
AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:16 am
Towns is a very good player with some very obvious weaknesses.
The best thing for his value is to win more. Ironically, that will have MN fans want to keep him even more.
But that 2nd apron is punitive. Do you take on those penalties (as a non-destination locale with a dearth of assets) for the team's 2nd most talented player, but maybe not the 2nd most important?
I highly doubt it.
I'm with you on this one. I don't think you can dismiss the 2nd apron as a factor for us. There are a few teams in the league who probably can in the short term, but I don't think anyone can in the long term.
Things always look better in the midst of a stretch of solid play. And it's easy to get behind the plan when everything is going well. KAT has been really good over this stretch, but again, he SHOULD dominate against this Warriors team. They are tailor made for his game. But after taking stock following the game last night, I know myself and some others tend to focus too much on the individual. We seem to be looking for players to place blame on and those to heap praise on. I'm going to make a concerted effort to enjoy the wins and celebrate team success, not look for a scapegoat when things go south. After all these years, winning feels good and this group may just be scratching the surface. Keep on rolling Wolves.
I was even more impressed with him defensively... he's trying.
Good gawd... imagine having to root for a team like the Clippers right now. I know we've been there with teams that don't give a shit, so it's fun to see a team putting in the work to win.
AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:16 am
Towns is a very good player with some very obvious weaknesses.
The best thing for his value is to win more. Ironically, that will have MN fans want to keep him even more.
But that 2nd apron is punitive. Do you take on those penalties (as a non-destination locale with a dearth of assets) for the team's 2nd most talented player, but maybe not the 2nd most important?
I highly doubt it.
I'm with you on this one. I don't think you can dismiss the 2nd apron as a factor for us. There are a few teams in the league who probably can in the short term, but I don't think anyone can in the long term.
Things always look better in the midst of a stretch of solid play. And it's easy to get behind the plan when everything is going well. KAT has been really good over this stretch, but again, he SHOULD dominate against this Warriors team. They are tailor made for his game. But after taking stock following the game last night, I know myself and some others tend to focus too much on the individual. We seem to be looking for players to place blame on and those to heap praise on. I'm going to make a concerted effort to enjoy the wins and celebrate team success, not look for a scapegoat when things go south. After all these years, winning feels good and this group may just be scratching the surface. Keep on rolling Wolves.
I was even more impressed with him defensively... he's trying.
Good gawd... imagine having to root for a team like the Clippers right now. I know we've been there with teams that don't give a shit, so it's fun to see a team putting in the work to win.
Good points - The LA teams are reeling. Such a shame.
Well... I for one am not entertaining any trade negativity! this team is playing extremely well, and KAT is getting back into the swing of things. If he keeps improving, he'll regain his position as one of the top players in the league, no question.
I think the challenge with KAT is when to try to put the ball on the floor and get to the bucket versus shoot over the top or pass. Last night he seemed to find the right balance and only drove on players that were more his size or not fleet-of-foot (like Saric). It's when he tries to force his way to the basket against smaller players that things go awry. May be he's learning???
But yeah, the defense has been great. He's really chasing guys on the perimeter AND walling up as a big to protect the rim. This defensive stuff is contagious.
AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:16 am
Towns is a very good player with some very obvious weaknesses.
The best thing for his value is to win more. Ironically, that will have MN fans want to keep him even more.
But that 2nd apron is punitive. Do you take on those penalties (as a non-destination locale with a dearth of assets) for the team's 2nd most talented player, but maybe not the 2nd most important?
I highly doubt it.
I think they already plan to do so. Rudy trade looks much better if ownership decided then to pay luxury tax to keep Rudy and KAT pairing intact and knowing that Ant and Jaden would get big contracts. Second apron isn't all that bad considering that Wolves have been on the receiving end of their share of the big tax bills other teams received and were distributed to the Wolves. As I've posted before its only for a year or two since Rudy's contract can be restructured as early as 2025 if he is willing to forego his option for more years or 2026 if he's not willing. If the Wolves make WC Finals, and KAT and Rudy are big reasons for that, I think Wolves brass are all in on breaching the second apron.
Yeah, I think it depends on how far they go. If they make the WCF or Finals, then they might be willing to run it back and pay the piper. But if they win just one playoff series or none, then I think they make some moves.
That’s right, Q. It’s been my view all along. Winning one playoff series won’t be enough to justify exceeding the 2nd apron next season. But making it to the Western Conference Finals will probably be enough. I haven’t done the math lately to see whether there’s a way to stay under the second apron next season without trading Rudy, KAT, Naz or Jaden. Maybe there is if Slo Mo comes back on a cheaper contract and we let a couple other bench guys go and replace with with minimum salary guys. I don’t know.
If we have to trade one of the four I mentioned it remains my preference to trade Rudy, but that’s a judgment for the end of the season based on how those guys play and how well they play together. It will also depend on who/what we can get in return. For now, I’m just excited to watch the players we have continue their winning ways. The defense has been fantastic and they’re just scratching the surface of their offensive potential. There’s still a lot for Rudy, KAT and Ant to figure out, but it’s clear they’re trying and I see progress. Meanwhile, Jaden is just scratching the surface of his offensive potential.
