Minnesota Sports Forum

AbeVigodaLive wrote:What should a team want in a 3rd PG? I guess your take might dictate your thoughts on Lo Brown.

A guy who doesn't do much of anything... a placeholder of sorts who's woefully overmatched against anything other than other bench units?

Or, a more mercurial guy who could actually win a game one night... and look like shite the next? (Think a JJ Barea type)

Personally, I think he's easily replaceable, whether he's cheap or not. A guy like Lo Brown can be picked up at anytime so why even shore up the roster spot so soon?

I agree with your take. But....based on the fact that Flip originally drafted him in 2013. Then brought him back this year. AND signed him to a 2 year deal - I just concluded he might like the guy. Q correctly pointed out his second year isn't guaranteed. So, yeah - if they find a better option, no problem. But I haven't really seen enough of the guy to say he can't be an OK option. LST & Q have pointed out some of his strengths. And you and Lip pointed out his weakness. He's a "meh" at this point for me. The reality is the last couple guys on the team probably don't (or shouldn't) play much anyhow.

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:What should a team want in a 3rd PG? I guess your take might dictate your thoughts on Lo Brown.

A guy who doesn't do much of anything... a placeholder of sorts who's woefully overmatched against anything other than other bench units?

Or, a more mercurial guy who could actually win a game one night... and look like shite the next? (Think a JJ Barea type)

Personally, I think he's easily replaceable, whether he's cheap or not. A guy like Lo Brown can be picked up at anytime so why even shore up the roster spot so soon?

I agree with your take. But....based on the fact that Flip originally drafted him in 2013. Then brought him back this year. AND signed him to a 2 year deal - I just concluded he might like the guy. Q correctly pointed out his second year isn't guaranteed. So, yeah - if they find a better option, no problem. But I haven't really seen enough of the guy to say he can't be an OK option. LST & Q have pointed out some of his strengths. And you and Lip pointed out his weakness. He's a "meh" at this point for me. The reality is the last couple guys on the team probably don't (or shouldn't) play much anyhow.

Exactly. So is the roster flexibility for a team like the Wolves more important than Lo Brown?

Although I guess he and his cheap contract could be moved easily enough...

As much as we all want to put a nice bow on this season and have everything figured out for next year, I think it's impossible to draw too many conclusions on personnel. I'm a Zach guy but refuse to draw conclusions based on him averaging over 30 points the last two games. Same with Chase, he looks decent playing in meaningless games with meaningless teammates, but where was he when it mattered? The fact is we only have 7-8 players and somebody has to score. Payne is wildly inconsistent but hasn't been coached up at all. LoBro, much like Zach, is being asked to run a team without talent or an identity. How true of a picture can we really gain?

The one thing I think you can take from the end of this tanking season is this: Hummel, Brown, and Hamilton should have a very limited role on a team that is a legitimate contender. Based on this coupled with the obvious fatigue we are experiencing, let's be careful about who is great and who sucks based on how they are performing today.

I agree, Cool...I'm not going to draw too many conclusions from end of season performances. But having said that, I like what I am seeing. Yes, someone has to score the points with only 7 playing, so gross scoring stats have to be taken with a grain of salt. But the Pelicans were playing for their playoff lives last night, and even the Warriors had their starters in at the end of the game, so many of the games we are playing are far from meaningless. And my eyes don't lie when I see how much better Chase is moving. And I'm more impressed with how efficiently he is scoring than the number of points. He's shooting close to 50% during March and April, and hitting threes at better than 40%...very impressive. Again, no conclusions...but at least reason for some optimism.

As for Hummel, Brown and Hamilton, they are end of the bench guys at best...and as others have said, if we finally have a healthy season, end of the bench guys won't see the court much. I would rather have a Turiaf-type bruiser rather than the weak, although skilled, Hamilton, but Brown and Hummel have shown me enough to show me they are worthy guys to fill the 14th and 15 spots.

The Pelicans broadcast team were, by far, the most complimentary of all non-Wolves-centric media that I have heard. I watched the entire game and they mentioned that the Wolves could/should have packed it in weeks ago, but what they saw was a team that didn't quit and always hustled. They REALLY like LaVine and think he might actually be better than Wiggins at some point. They even mentioned Payne as having physical tools, but just kind of looking lost out there... Was fun to watch a game and listen to another point of view.

During the game you could see that Wiggins is REALLY laboring out there. It looks like he has been running 10k's every day for 2 months and is on fumes at this point. You can really see it in his free throws. He just doesn't have the legs. I actually think this shows his character the most. He is quietly going out there with an empty tank, against more experienced players and teams that can throw waves of players at him, and yet he still attacks the rim with abandon. Sure "The Brow" swatted a few shots and Wiggins shot 25% from the field, but he still went right at the rim. The dunks he did have showed it. He has that extra gear that allows him to will his way up to another level.

LaVine just has the look of a player that could take over a game whenever he wants....now he just needs the experience to know how to do it. His attacks on the rim are looking better and better. Now he needs to be able to dump the ball off to a cutter or a big hanging in the wings when his drive is shut down. Hell, if he gets a floater, he could be the 2nd coming of Westbrook. Now that is my opinion, but LaVine just has that "look" of an assassin that wants to kick the opponent in the teeth and dare them to stop him. Even though he shot 33% his misses were still close misses....nothing clanking off the back of the rim or backboard on his jumpers. Every shot looked like it had a chance to go in, and more than a few long jumpers were softly bouncing around on the rim looking for a way to go in. To me, that signifies he is dialed in at a much better level than chuckers. Like Mel Gibson said in The Patriot, "Aim small, miss small".

Budinger has been what we thought he was when Flip acquired him...a good basketball player. The Pelicans crew were positive with reviews of Bud and they really want him to succeed. If he can stay healthy, Bud deserves to be on the team. He is like a better version of Hummel at this point. I, for one, would love to see Budinger have a healthy and productive off-season and come back and force Flip to play him!

What else can you say about a team that dressed the league minimum and almost couldn't field 5 at the end (LaVine had 5 fouls and should have fouled out on a few close non-calls by the refs). They did force the Pelicans into playing until the end, never rolled over and kept playing as hard as they could. I think Wiggins and LaVine might sleep for a week after the season, then watch a few playoff games before hitting the gym right away.

If you have time to watch the game, check out the 1st and 4th quarters for sure. Wiggins dunk over Asik and the missed dunk over Aginsa(sp) will give you goosebumps. Wiggins had nothing left and still wanted to throw down....watch his reaction after the first one. He is ready for the season to be over, but not to just be done, but to get ready for next year when he can REALLY show what he is about. Watch how much effort the Wolves are giving....those are tired legs but big hearts.

First game I've been to in awhile so I'll piggy back off Lips report. This team is definetly not tanking, yes they're losing games but looking at the game play by play I couldn't see a difference between our effort and the effort of a team fighting for the 8th seed. I'd also have to second the thought on Brown being terrible, he really doesn't bring much to the table offensively or defensively.

Hummel gets a lot of hate but he impressed me, he's not got no above average attributes but he competes, hits shots, and generally makes good decisions. I wouldn't mind one bit if we kept him around next year as an end of bench guy. Kind of like the talk with Brown, you can't expect your fourth PF to be an average starter.

So, the Wolves are still trying. And they have at least two good promising pieces. And at least one guy who's shown legit NBA ability. That's more than a team like the Knicks can say right now.

I know everybody wants the Wolves to lose. But that's not really the point... If they're trying hard, they're still trying to win... but...

Is it concerning to anybody that they're still losing more than teams who seemingly have less talent and seemingly give less effort?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:So, the Wolves are still trying. And they have at least two good promising pieces. And at least one guy who's shown legit NBA ability. That's more than a team like the Knicks can say right now.

I know everybody wants the Wolves to lose. But that's not really the point... If they're trying hard, they're still trying to win... but...

Is it concerning to anybody that they're still losing more than teams who seemingly have less talent and seemingly give less effort?

Not really. We're playing out 2nd and 3rd string guys right now against the other team's starters due to injuries. Last night it was: Wiggins, Hamilton, Budinger, LaVine and Payne. I would assume next year only Wiggins would start out of that group (although I expect LaVine to get decent minutes). And our short bench included a guy signed out of the D League a week ago.

For those that play(ed) pick up BB at busy gyms....even the best teams on the court would lose if they were always on the court with no subs. After a while, your legs go, and with it your ability to compete at the same level. The Wolves are trotting out first year players, guys coming off injuries, D League fillers and about half as many bodies as the teams they are competing against. If the Wolves win with a team like that, each win should count as 10 in the NBA the way it is now.

Now if we had our 1st team(Pek, KG, Wiggins, Rubio, Martin) with only 2 subs, would we have a few more wins? I would hope so, but after a while, everyone needs a rest. Depth charts are always tossed around on the board, with minutes shown for each player. I do not think I have seen any of those charts show our current roster with 44-46 minutes listed for ANY player. Not to mention that the rookies, who came from college last year, are playing in their 100th plus game since college (including pre-season/summer league). Compare that to about 35 games in college, it is amazing they haven't broken down completely.

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:So, the Wolves are still trying. And they have at least two good promising pieces. And at least one guy who's shown legit NBA ability. That's more than a team like the Knicks can say right now.

I know everybody wants the Wolves to lose. But that's not really the point... If they're trying hard, they're still trying to win... but...

Is it concerning to anybody that they're still losing more than teams who seemingly have less talent and seemingly give less effort?

Not really. We're playing out 2nd and 3rd string guys right now against the other team's starters due to injuries. Last night it was: Wiggins, Hamilton, Budinger, LaVine and Payne. I would assume next year only Wiggins would start out of that group (although I expect LaVine to get decent minutes). And our short bench included a guy signed out of the D League a week ago.

I get that. The Wolves stink and a lot of has to do with that they're dealing with attrition at this point. They SHOULD be losing most games. But did you see NY's lineup last night... or the one that's won 3 games in that past week or so? They should be losing most games too... and they've given much less consistent effort... or so it seems.

That team doesn't have a future possible superstar. Or, even a guy with LaVine's ceiling, according to some. Yet, they still win on occasion. I know that's actually good for the Wolves. But is it telling? Or, just a coincidence? Coaching? Or something else entirely?

Jason Smith
Cole Aldrich
Langston Galloway
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Lance Thomas

Quincy Acy
Cleanthony Early
Shane Larkin
Ricky Ledo
Lou Amundson