Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Well, if anyone knows the real scoop on Hezonja's attitude and whether it has a negative impact on team dynamics, it would be Ricky. He's probably buddies with half of the Barcelona team members, some of who were there when Ricky was playing for them. My guess is that Flip and company already have a good handle on this issue.

You make a really good point here, Q. I'd ask Ricky how he feels of Hezonja, and if there is a way to justify/explain his apparent "attitude problems". Depending on what Rubio says, you either place a target value on Hezonja, or you cross him off the list.

Just watched some video of Hezonja. Not your typical Euro. Plays an athletic, above the rim type game uncommon of those players. Seems extremely skilled. But again, a guy that really isn't playing a lot of meaningful minutes. Could be age, maturity, etc....not sure. I usually hate Euro guys, but he seems intriguing.

Most of these Euro guys know how to play though. Their system over there tends to produce fairly high IQ ball players. He's not going to play a ton of minutes on Barca, a team that is a perennial power in the Spanish ACB league and Euroleague. They are much more patient with youngsters and don't tend to spoon feed them minutes unless deserved. The fact he's getting minutes at all is an indication of his skill level.

I have heard the concerns about Hezonja, he's one of my top 5 guys in this draft, personally. Part of me really loves the stuff people are worried about. If it's me, and we're picking top 3-5, I want the guy who thinks he's the best in the game as opposed to someone who might have questions regarding his motor and/or love for the game. Plus, he plays defense, even if sometimes he has his mental lapses or motivation lapses on that end. Him and Wiggins at 6'8" both on the wings could be a nice tandem.

The defensive lapses do worry me though, because if he comes over here and thinks he's the alpha dog scorer and doesn't have to play defense cause Wiggins will, then it won't work.

Some of these "concerns" about Hezonja seem laughable. There's no Lebron type in this draft and he very well might be the most well rounded talent so why wouldn't he think he could be the first pick. He also looks pretty athletic so if he was able to recreate LaVine's dunks wouldn't that be more of a factual statement and a sign of just how athletic he is? The concerns about his defense could be valid but it's not like these college guys are putting out 100% effort on both ends of the court all game.

I think this could be a good situation for him. We've got a couple of good Euros (if ever healthy) including Rubio as the team leader and assuming KG is around he's pretty good at demanding defensive effort. There should also be a good chunk of playing time available, if he earns it he shouldn't really develop an attitude about wanting more playing time.

Right. Our defense has been fantastic with KG on the bench. And I almost forgot about his mentoring. Good thing someone brought it back up. Payne and Bennett look like All-Stars.

Camden wrote:Right. Our defense has been fantastic with KG on the bench. And I almost forgot about his mentoring. Good thing someone brought it back up. Payne and Bennett look like All-Stars.

This is getting old. Our defense looked better before Flip went into full tank mode.

Payne deserves at least the part of the year he's played this year, and a full year next year before he gets blasted every possible second. Guy is learning his second offensive/defensive scheme in his rookie season. Give him a break. I still think Bennett deserves another year as well, I mean he's only 21 years old. Good grief..

Not everyone is going to have a Wiggins learning curve.

Camden wrote:Right. Our defense has been fantastic with KG on the bench. And I almost forgot about his mentoring. Good thing someone brought it back up. Payne and Bennett look like All-Stars.

Sometimes I wonder how many games you watch or if you simply make generalization based on the box score and whatever fits the current narrative you're trying to push.

If you watched the first couple games KG played our defense actually looked better, that should have been a pretty obvious observation, and I think most on here would agree. I don't think you can really count this current stretch, yes I'd like to think everyone could play both ends for 48 minutes a game but that's just not reality. As for Bennett I just don't think he's that great, even in college, I'm still hopeful he can put it together and utilize his abilities. I thought the trade was fine because Bennett does have talent and the Miami pick seemed like it would be a late rounder, now it doesn't look so good. Payne is a rookie who hadn't even played prior to join us, yes he's struggled mightily but he's also shown glimpses of being a real solid pick up.

On a slightly side note...I still wish the Cavs would have done the smart thing and taken the best player, Noel, despite the injuries first. I have a feeling they still would have gone through with the trade I we would have Wiggins and Noel...

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Well, if anyone knows the real scoop on Hezonja's attitude and whether it has a negative impact on team dynamics, it would be Ricky. He's probably buddies with half of the Barcelona team members, some of who were there when Ricky was playing for them. My guess is that Flip and company already have a good handle on this issue.

You make a really good point here, Q. I'd ask Ricky how he feels of Hezonja, and if there is a way to justify/explain his apparent "attitude problems". Depending on what Rubio says, you either place a target value on Hezonja, or you cross him off the list.

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Well, if anyone knows the real scoop on Hezonja's attitude and whether it has a negative impact on team dynamics, it would be Ricky. He's probably buddies with half of the Barcelona team members, some of who were there when Ricky was playing for them. My guess is that Flip and company already have a good handle on this issue.

You make a really good point here, Q. I'd ask Ricky how he feels of Hezonja, and if there is a way to justify/explain his apparent "attitude problems". Depending on what Rubio says, you either place a target value on Hezonja, or you cross him off the list.

Excellent point, q and Rubioooo...and I think we have our answer. 8 scouts were in Kaunas a couple nights ago to watch Hezonja's Barcelona team play Kaunas and to scout Mario, including Kupchak from the Lakers...but the Wolves were not there. Neither were Philly or the Knicks. Maybe the three bottom feeders didn't think Hezonja would be a good pick at where they are likely to be picking, but it's also not out of the question that Flip has checked in with Rubio, and he gave him the unqualified thumbs down. I agree with posters here that I love Mario's skills and even like the brash comments he made a couple days ago about deserving to be picked #1. But this guy is bad news...universally disliked by his teammates and a real locker room cancer. I see no chance of Flip risking a top 6 pick on this goofball. He's building a good thing here with the young talent he has already assembled, and there are too many other options available to him with skills equal or better than Hezonja, but not the risk. This pick is way too important to this franchise to take an enormous risk like that.

Camden wrote:Right. Our defense has been fantastic with KG on the bench. And I almost forgot about his mentoring. Good thing someone brought it back up. Payne and Bennett look like All-Stars.

The team hasn't even really been practicing since the 7-8 man skeleton team as been playing in games. They literally haven't had enough bodies to truly practice. Add that to KG and others not playing and where do you expect any improvement in terms of those guys?

What does the board think of Tyler Harvey? Wasn't expecting him to declare, but I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't intrigued with his talent. His numbers are ridiculous too.

Camden wrote:What does the board think of Tyler Harvey? Wasn't expecting him to declare, but I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't intrigued with his talent. His numbers are ridiculous too.

Not familiar...sell me on him.