Minnesota Sports Forum

All he needed was an opportunity.

Instead of me singing my own praises, I'm gonna say how I'm impressed I am that Shabazz didn't snap, didn't complain, didn't do anything but just use the time to make himself a better player and that's key. He's helping himself out instead of the team trying to mold him into something he isn't.

When the team's up 20, just play the kid. When you're up 33 at Milwaukee, give him a test run. I wasn't asking for him to play 25 minutes a night from the start, but just give him bits and pieces he (and Dieng) can take and learn. Rick didn't do that, and that's what made things feel so disheartening. I think Shabazz would be even further ahead had he gotten even those small pockets of PT. We wouldn't have needed all these guys to get hurt for us to learn about Shabazz. I hope he continues to get that opportunity because what I wouldn't wanna see is us draft or sign a guy to completely bury Shabazz.

I said around draft time, so what if he comes off as a jerk? This team kinda needs a jerk. He's a well spoken kid who is polite but he is all business and this team could use a bit of his moxie. He's the anti-Brewer in some ways.

and this is for Lipoli: He'll have good games like tonight. He'll have crappy ones too. It's all part of the process. He's the litmus test for whether Flip will know what to do with big time talent. I'm not gonna run around and yell out I TOLD YOU SO. I just hope this teams sticks by him and rewards him (and others) for whatever growth they show. When the youngins produce, it's contagious and everyone plays better as a result. I hope this is the spark for one last stab at a playoff spot this year.

WildWolf2813 wrote:All he needed was an opportunity.

Instead of me singing my own praises, I'm gonna say how I'm impressed I am that Shabazz didn't snap, didn't complain, didn't do anything but just use the time to make himself a better player and that's key. He's helping himself out instead of the team trying to mold him into something he isn't.

When the team's up 20, just play the kid. When you're up 33 at Milwaukee, give him a test run. I wasn't asking for him to play 25 minutes a night from the start, but just give him bits and pieces he (and Dieng) can take and learn. Rick didn't do that, and that's what made things feel so disheartening. I think Shabazz would be even further ahead had he gotten even those small pockets of PT. We wouldn't have needed all these guys to get hurt for us to learn about Shabazz. I hope he continues to get that opportunity because what I wouldn't wanna see is us draft or sign a guy to completely bury Shabazz.

I said around draft time, so what if he comes off as a jerk? This team kinda needs a jerk. He's a well spoken kid who is polite but he is all business and this team could use a bit of his moxie. He's the anti-Brewer in some ways.

and this is for Lipoli: He'll have good games like tonight. He'll have crappy ones too. It's all part of the process. He's the litmus test for whether Flip will know what to do with big time talent. I'm not gonna run around and yell out I TOLD YOU SO. I just hope this teams sticks by him and rewards him (and others) for whatever growth they show. When the youngins produce, it's contagious and everyone plays better as a result. I hope this is the spark for one last stab at a playoff spot this year.

Well, you kind of did just say "I told you so", but it's understandable given your pining for Shabazz all these months.

I was a major Shabazz skeptic and it wasn't because I thought he had a bad attitude or work ethic. I just didn't think he had a very good skill-set. A guy that can't dribble, go right, play off the pick and roll, or pass very well didn't seem like someone with a ton of upside. But to his credit, he has a go-to move that works for him; he's built like a shit brickhouse; and he's relentlessly attacking the basket for rebounds and points. My eyes started to open up watching his stint in the D-League. Let's hope he keeps this up.

By the way, I thought his defense was pretty good as well. He could turn out to be a very solid positional defender because of his strength and intensity.

If the Bazz fans get a shout out........maybe those that have bitched about Flip's draft picks should reconsider.....


It seems one and the same to me.

Not to mention that Dieng has played well for a production per minute stand point

I am happy to hear he had a breakout game tonight. It is about time. I was worried his D-League play wouldn't translate, but he is getting it done. I think the Bonzi Wells comparison is a good one. I really think he could be the answer at SF. We woudl just plan over power people at the SF/PF/C position with him in the lineup. Love and him can shoot the 3 enough to make it work.

markkbu wrote:If the Bazz fans get a shout out........maybe those that have bitched about Flip's draft picks should reconsider.....


It seems one and the same to me.

can we get more then a one game sample size before crowning him?

alexftbl8181 wrote:
can we get more then a one game sample size before crowning him?

No you can't! Sorry

bleedspeed177 wrote:

alexftbl8181 wrote:
can we get more then a one game sample size before crowning him?

No you can't! Sorry

Denny Green would say you can. He is who we thought he was.

alexftbl8181 wrote:

markkbu wrote:If the Bazz fans get a shout out........maybe those that have bitched about Flip's draft picks should reconsider.....


It seems one and the same to me.

can we get more then a one game sample size before crowning him?

It'd be nice if Adelman would actually give him the minutes so that we could have a larger sample size. He's only played 15+ minutes in a game just THREE times this season! Compared to the rest of the rookie class, that's ridiculous. Also, Hummel's played 15+ minutes this season eight times. There is zero reason for Hummel's minute total (359) to be more than double Muhammad's (140).

- 2/8 POR: 17 mins, 4-8 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-5 FT, 12 pts, 2 reb.

- 2/23 POR: 22 mins, 1-8 FG, 0-1 FT, 2 pts, 7 reb.

- 2/25 PHO: 24 mins, 8-13 FG, 4-6 FT, 20 pts, 6 reb.

Camden wrote:
- 2/8 POR: 17 mins, 4-8 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-5 FT, 12 pts, 2 reb.

- 2/23 POR: 22 mins, 1-8 FG, 0-1 FT, 2 pts, 7 reb.

- 2/25 PHO: 24 mins, 8-13 FG, 4-6 FT, 20 pts, 6 reb.

OR

21 Minutes
11.3 Points
5 Rebound
44.8 FG%
66.7 FT%