Minnesota Sports Forum

Happy to have Thad? That's crazy talk. He's not efficient. Can't score as a PF. Only a super sub. Too small to play against the bigs in the West. Why trade a mid-low first round pick and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for this 26-year old bum? Psh.

Camden wrote:Happy to have Thad? That's crazy talk. He's not efficient. Can't score as a PF. Only a super sub. Too small to play against the bigs in the West. Why trade a mid-low first round pick and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for this 26-year old bum? Psh.

Cam, you gotta shake this defensiveness about your brother Thad! I think most (if not all) posters on this board are happy to have Young on our roster. Very few were willing to give up Bennett for him (well, duh), but most didn't think a late first rounder, Shved and LMaM was too much to give up for him. But nobody can rationally conclude that he doesn't have some significant flaws as an NBA PF. His rebounding always has been, and will likely continue to be, in the bottom quartile of NBA PF's. And it is well documented that his interior defense is at the same level as Pek's and Kevin Love's. These are indisputable facts based on the numbers, not on a less reliable eye test. And that's the reason several posters here see his game more suited to coming off the bench. He had to start at Philly because they just didn't have any other options, but even some of his biggest supporters in Philly thought his best role in the future would be as an energy guy off the bench for a good team. A team that wants to be considered a contender in the NBA needs interior defense and rebounding out of their starting lineup. Right now, the Wolves are holding their own in rebounding, mostly because they are getting exceptional rebounding up and down their roster, and especially from their reserves. But I'm skeptical how long that will hold up.

Thad Young so far is exactly what we thought he was...an extraordinary leader and versatile scorer who struggles in some other aspects of his game. He's an easy guy to cheer for, and I'm glad he's here. I continue to believe, though, that the Wolves get to the next level when AB takes the starting PF job away from Thad.

longstrangetrip wrote:

Camden wrote:Happy to have Thad? That's crazy talk. He's not efficient. Can't score as a PF. Only a super sub. Too small to play against the bigs in the West. Why trade a mid-low first round pick and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for this 26-year old bum? Psh.

Cam, you gotta shake this defensiveness about your brother Thad! I think most (if not all) posters on this board are happy to have Young on our roster. Very few were willing to give up Bennett for him (well, duh), but most didn't think a late first rounder, Shved and LMaM was too much to give up for him. But nobody can rationally conclude that he doesn't have some significant flaws as an NBA PF. His rebounding always has been, and will likely continue to be, in the bottom quartile of NBA PF's. And it is well documented that his interior defense is at the same level as Pek's and Kevin Love's. These are indisputable facts based on the numbers, not on a less reliable eye test. And that's the reason several posters here see his game more suited to coming off the bench. He had to start at Philly because they just didn't have any other options, but even some of his biggest supporters in Philly thought his best role in the future would be as an energy guy off the bench for a good team. A team that wants to be considered a contender in the NBA needs interior defense and rebounding out of their starting lineup. Right now, the Wolves are holding their own in rebounding, mostly because they are getting exceptional rebounding up and down their roster, and especially from their reserves. But I'm skeptical how long that will hold up.

Thad Young so far is exactly what we thought he was...an extraordinary leader and versatile scorer who struggles in some other aspects of his game. He's an easy guy to cheer for, and I'm glad he's here. I continue to believe, though, that the Wolves get to the next level when AB takes the starting PF job away from Thad.

So you tell Cam not to be defensive about Thad and then proceed to write a long post saying all the info that's been said about Thad on this board in a ton of posts over the last couple months. Its really no small wonder Cam has some snarky posts regarding Thad. It kinda amusing the love for Bennett compared to Young since to me they are actually really similar in a lot of ways. Also I like Bennett's rebounding potential but the numbers so far aren't showing him to be the big upgrade over Thad in that dept that you are looking for. I haven't seen much of a post game for Bennett. Isn't that a pretty big hole in a PF's game? Oh nevermind Thad is just a really good bench player and Bennett is a future starter well I hope so but I think I would be THRILLED if Bennett turned into as good of a player as Thad.

monsterpile wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:

Camden wrote:Happy to have Thad? That's crazy talk. He's not efficient. Can't score as a PF. Only a super sub. Too small to play against the bigs in the West. Why trade a mid-low first round pick and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute for this 26-year old bum? Psh.

Cam, you gotta shake this defensiveness about your brother Thad! I think most (if not all) posters on this board are happy to have Young on our roster. Very few were willing to give up Bennett for him (well, duh), but most didn't think a late first rounder, Shved and LMaM was too much to give up for him. But nobody can rationally conclude that he doesn't have some significant flaws as an NBA PF. His rebounding always has been, and will likely continue to be, in the bottom quartile of NBA PF's. And it is well documented that his interior defense is at the same level as Pek's and Kevin Love's. These are indisputable facts based on the numbers, not on a less reliable eye test. And that's the reason several posters here see his game more suited to coming off the bench. He had to start at Philly because they just didn't have any other options, but even some of his biggest supporters in Philly thought his best role in the future would be as an energy guy off the bench for a good team. A team that wants to be considered a contender in the NBA needs interior defense and rebounding out of their starting lineup. Right now, the Wolves are holding their own in rebounding, mostly because they are getting exceptional rebounding up and down their roster, and especially from their reserves. But I'm skeptical how long that will hold up.

Thad Young so far is exactly what we thought he was...an extraordinary leader and versatile scorer who struggles in some other aspects of his game. He's an easy guy to cheer for, and I'm glad he's here. I continue to believe, though, that the Wolves get to the next level when AB takes the starting PF job away from Thad.

So you tell Cam not to be defensive about Thad and then proceed to write a long post saying all the info that's been said about Thad on this board in a ton of posts over the last couple months. Its really no small wonder Cam has some snarky posts regarding Thad. It kinda amusing the love for Bennett compared to Young since to me they are actually really similar in a lot of ways. Also I like Bennett's rebounding potential but the numbers so far aren't showing him to be the big upgrade over Thad in that dept that you are looking for. I haven't seen much of a post game for Bennett. Isn't that a pretty big hole in a PF's game? Oh nevermind Thad is just a really good bench player and Bennett is a future starter well I hope so but I think I would be THRILLED if Bennett turned into as good of a player as Thad.

I'd definitely like to see more post game out of Bennett, monster...he's too big a guy to be living out on the perimeter. He's shooting 50% in the first two games, but I agree that he could improve his shooting percentage if he developed more of an inside game. He could learn to be a more versatile scorer by watching Thad. The point I'm making is that everyone here should be free to point out deficiencies, or strengths for that matter, in Wolves' players, without getting a sarcastic, demeaning reply in return. I don't find it conducive to a good debate when posters seem to take it as a personal affront when another poster criticizes a player they like...seems to stifle open discussion which is the purpose of this board. I don't think my analysis of Thad Young (versatile scorer, terrific leader, poor rebounder and poor interior defender) is much different from the general consensus of NBA analysts. The numbers say he is a productive scorer, and a bad rebounder and interior defender...those are facts. My opinion is that he is a great leader and teammate, but that his skills and weaknesses translate more into a bench role than a starting role. I have no problem with Flip continuing to start Young until AB establishes himself as a bona fide starter...I just continue to say I believe we will be a better team when (or if) that happens.

I don't agree with your contention that AB isn't a big upgrade over Young in rebounding. The numbers just don't support that contention, regardless of whether you are looking at college, last year or this year. In the first two games this season, their per 36 rebounding numbers are quite different...7.5 for Bennett and 4.6 for Young. That's a pretty significant difference. I actually think both of them will bring those numbers up as the season progresses. Bennett especially hasn't had the offensive rebounding success he displayed at UNLV and even in his terrible rookie year. Perhaps his lack of offensive rebounding this year is a result of his hanging around the perimeter, rather than getting inside where he can be more effective.

monsterpile wrote:

So you tell Cam not to be defensive about Thad and then proceed to write a long post saying all the info that's been said about Thad on this board in a ton of posts over the last couple months. Its really no small wonder Cam has some snarky posts regarding Thad. It kinda amusing the love for Bennett compared to Young since to me they are actually really similar in a lot of ways. Also I like Bennett's rebounding potential but the numbers so far aren't showing him to be the big upgrade over Thad in that dept that you are looking for. I haven't seen much of a post game for Bennett. Isn't that a pretty big hole in a PF's game? Oh nevermind Thad is just a really good bench player and Bennett is a future starter well I hope so but I think I would be THRILLED if Bennett turned into as good of a player as Thad.

The numbers on rebounding don't back up your claim Monster. Bennett gets 60% more rebounds than Thad on a per minute basis. Bennett is not ready to take over for Thad, but I don't think Long is pushing for that at this point. While Thad has been very good offensively, his defense has been a problem. Long is just pointing out that Thad is not a good starting PF overall, and I think anyone can see that he struggles inside defensively.

I definitely agree with the people who think Bennett needs to get a few touches in the post. Right now it is all jumpers just inside the 3 point line and good cuts for big dunks. If we are willing to give Wiggins the ball 15 ft out on the wing to create offense and promote his development, we should be doing the same for Bennett. I think that 15 ft face up game where he can either knock down the jumper with that quick release or throw in a fake and go hard to the basket for a monster dunk is going to be his bread and butter. I'd like to see us dedicate 2-3 touches a game on that play like we have Wiggins just to see what he can do with that look.

Thad struggled down low against behemoth Zach Randolph for crying out loud. The guy's large, mean, crafty and most importantly, very good. But he also matched Z-Bo on offense by using his quickness, jump shot and finishing touch. I said this the other day. Randolph ate on Young, but Young also ate on Randolph. Young was also great in guarding the P&R, as advertised. That was a big reason Conley was held in check until the Grizz continuously picked apart Pekovic.

Anybody remember what Josh Smith did Thursday night? 10 points, 5-16 from the field. Guess who guarded him? Thaddeus Young did. And yet where is the love for that defensive performance? I'll take a guess, it's probably being overlooked by those that only talk about Thad's interior presence on defense.

He hasn't lossed a position matchup yet. Z-Bo and Thad canceled each other out and Thad outshined Smith on Thursday night.

I continue to read the same negatives about Thad over and over, yet he's been our best player by far through both games. Also, the Wolves have the rebounding battle in both games, even with Thad's 5 boards a game.

And not once has Bennett put the ball on the floor yet. He settles for jumpers, much like he did last year, and much like Cunningham did last year. Thad's nice off the dribble and he's effective at getting his own shot. Bennett is far away from ever taking Young's job, and I doubt it'll ever happen.

Are you seriously taking numbers FROM 2 GAMES to support your claims? Smh

monsterpile wrote:Are you seriously taking numbers FROM 2 GAMES to support your claims? Smh

You mean Thad's 57.1% mark from 3 point range this year won't be sustainable? Damn. I was really counting on that this year.

monsterpile wrote:Are you seriously taking numbers FROM 2 GAMES to support your claims? Smh

I agree that 2 games is not enough to go on, monster. I merely included this year's stats in response to your comment that "the numbers so far aren't showing him to be an upgrade so far over Thad", when the numbers so far clearly show his rebounding to be an upgrade...maybe I was incorrect in my assumption that by "so far", you meant this year. If so, my mistake. But if you want more sample size to compare their rebounding performance, take a look at their comparative college rebounding numbers, or their comparative rebounding numbers from last year. I'm open to any facts that show Thad is on the same rebounding class as Bennett, but I'm just not seeing any.

I'm kind of scratching my head at the passion that comes out when anyone dares to point out a negative here about Thad Young, even if it is balanced in the same paragraph with some positive comments. I get that he seems to be a really good guy, but does that preclude having an honest discussion about him as a basketball player? I love Ricky Rubio as a player, and admit that I often look for positive stats to support my positive conclusion. It's an emotional thing...I just find him an easy guy to cheer for. On the other side, I always had a difficult time cheering for Kevin Love...just wasn't my kind of guy...and I would tend to favor discussion about his negatives more than his positives. So I get the emotional attachment thing...both positive and negative. But I never feel personally offended when someone points out a negative about a guy I like (Rubio) or a positive about a guy I don't like( Love)...I know and accept that Ricky's shooting stats are substandard, and Love's scoring and rebounding are at an elite level. But jeez...mention a well-documented negative about Thad Young on this board, and the daggers come out! Thad for some reason is on the protected species list :) .