Minnesota Sports Forum

I guess I understand those of you who would rather have our own draft pick instead of a playoff berth. I just can't find myself agreeing with that kind of thinking. There are steps to becoming a contender. Making the playoffs is the first one. I thought we might actually jump to step two (home-court advantage) this year when we were firmly entrenched as the three or four seed, but Butler's injury derailed that plan. Regardless, we must play post-season basketball if for nothing else but to get Towns and Wiggins a taste of how intense that atmosphere is. I'd bet they think they're at that level now, which is why they need their eyes opened as to how far they need to grow. Playing defense in the post-season isn't whenever you feel like it. It's an every possession grind or else you're getting benched or you're getting beat by 20. The Wolves might actually need that ass-beating from the Rockets/Warriors/Blazers in order to realize that.

Camden0916 wrote:I guess I understand those of you who would rather have our own draft pick instead of a playoff berth. I just can't find myself agreeing with that kind of thinking. There are steps to becoming a contender. Making the playoffs is the first one. I thought we might actually jump to step two (home-court advantage) this year when we were firmly entrenched as the three or four seed, but Butler's injury derailed that plan. Regardless, we must play post-season basketball if for nothing else but to get Towns and Wiggins a taste of how intense that atmosphere is. I'd bet they think they're at that level now, which is why they need their eyes opened as to how far they need to grow. Playing defense in the post-season isn't whenever you feel like it. It's an every possession grind or else you're getting benched or you're getting beat by 20. The Wolves might actually need that ass-beating from the Rockets/Warriors/Blazers in order to realize that.

Absolutely. There is no scenario where I can see it better for the team to not progress at this point.

Camden0916 wrote:I guess I understand those of you who would rather have our own draft pick instead of a playoff berth. I just can't find myself agreeing with that kind of thinking. There are steps to becoming a contender. Making the playoffs is the first one. I thought we might actually jump to step two (home-court advantage) this year when we were firmly entrenched as the three or four seed, but Butler's injury derailed that plan. Regardless, we must play post-season basketball if for nothing else but to get Towns and Wiggins a taste of how intense that atmosphere is. I'd bet they think they're at that level now, which is why they need their eyes opened as to how far they need to grow. Playing defense in the post-season isn't whenever you feel like it. It's an every possession grind or else you're getting benched or you're getting beat by 20. The Wolves might actually need that ass-beating from the Rockets/Warriors/Blazers in order to realize that.

Great points here Cam even if some people didn't agree with it I think it's a worthwhile perspective to consider. Heck look at the Rockets now. They got their Asses handed to them in a series each of the last 4-5 years. After last season nobody was supposed to be able to compete with the Warriors but they kept trying and they are a terrific team and now have a legit chance at a title. So yeah maybe a trip to the playoffs and getting your butt handed too you isn't the absolute worst thing ever especially when they do already have 1 first round pick in this draft.

Camden wrote:I guess I understand those of you who would rather have our own draft pick instead of a playoff berth. I just can't find myself agreeing with that kind of thinking. There are steps to becoming a contender. Making the playoffs is the first one. I thought we might actually jump to step two (home-court advantage) this year when we were firmly entrenched as the three or four seed, but Butler's injury derailed that plan. Regardless, we must play post-season basketball if for nothing else but to get Towns and Wiggins a taste of how intense that atmosphere is. I'd bet they think they're at that level now, which is why they need their eyes opened as to how far they need to grow. Playing defense in the post-season isn't whenever you feel like it. It's an every possession grind or else you're getting benched or you're getting beat by 20. The Wolves might actually need that ass-beating from the Rockets/Warriors/Blazers in order to realize that.

I appreciate your perspective, Cam. It's probably a majority perspective on this board. And if it were just a matter of getting a top 15 draft pick this June I might even agree with you. But for me, missing the playoffs might also be the impetus Glen needs to replace Thibs. The combination of the pick and the possibility of pushing Glen to cross the threshold and replace Thibs is enough for me to prefer finishing 9th over finishing 8th and getting humiliated by the Rockets.

As for getting Wiggins and Towns post-season experience to teach them how intense it is, I might agree with you if they had already shown an appreciation for the intensity of a battle for playoff position. The home loss the the Grizzlies and home blow-out loss to the Jazz tell me these guys aren't ready for the next step. The much younger Sixers' core have risen to the occasion and have emerged as winners down the stretch, even without Embiid the past few games. So I'd say they're ready to take the next step and get a taste of the playoffs.

But the Wolves still have a chance to finish 7th or even 6th, in which case our first-round series might be competitive with Butler back and at the top of his game. So I'm looking for two more Wolves wins while hoping the Thunder and Pelicans lose at least one of their two remaining games.

There is no way a lottery ball with .5% chance of winning is worth more than a playoff series, even against the Rockets.

Part of it is about the experience as guys mentioned, but a big part is about perception. We have become the new Clippers. The worst team in the NBA over several seasons. We have got to start changing that perception around the league and within the organization and fanbase. The potential for losing guys like Butler or not attracting good coaching candidates in the future is at stake here.

Right now, it's basically two game 7s just to get into the playoffs for us. The Butler injury hurt us terribly, but we basically did this to ourselves. God, it's so hard to keep cheering for this fucking team.

We really need NO and OKC to lose one game and we need to win out. Unfortunately Miami might try to tank the last 2 in an attempt to get the 7 and play the Celtics and avoid Cleveland who will likely end up the 3. That would allow OKC to likely go 2-0. Tonight was just a killer.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:There is no way a lottery ball with .5% chance of winning is worth more than a playoff series, even against the Rockets.

Part of it is about the experience as guys mentioned, but a big part is about perception. We have become the new Clippers. The worst team in the NBA over several seasons. We have got to start changing that perception around the league and within the organization and fanbase. The potential for losing guys like Butler or not attracting good coaching candidates in the future is at stake here.

Right now, it's basically two game 7s just to get into the playoffs for us. The Butler injury hurt us terribly, but we basically did this to ourselves. God, it's so hard to keep cheering for this fucking team.

All good points, Drew. It's really frustrating to be in this position, especially when you consider losses like the home loss to the Suns, the road loss to the Hawks and the two losses to the Grizzlies. Winning just one of those four games would have made a huge difference right now for playoff position. But you're right about the perception issue. My disdain for Thibs clouds my judgment a bit on this. I have to keep in mind that I can't count on Glen firing Thibs even if we miss the playoffs. So I think you and Cam are thinking more clearly on this than I am.

Wow, the Bulls are in full tank mode. Credit the Nets for continuing to play their hearts out, beating the Bulls by 28 points tonight. Credit the Bucks for beating the Knicks in New York by double digits without the Greek Freak or Brogdon. Jabari Parker had 12 rebounds and 16 points in that game. It's good to see him do well after the struggles he's had with his knees since coming into the League.

Have we been brainwashed after 14 years? Or, do we simply like our evenings free in mid-April to shovel snow or something?

After 14 years... it's time we join the rest of the NBA (and 95% of the rest of pro sports) and get in the playoffs.

Draft pick after draft pick after draft pick... led to more draft picks after draft picks. But no playoffs. The Wolves have TWO #1 picks starting for this team. That SHOULD be enough to build a solid to good to contending team.

It starts by making the playoffs. As many have noted... it's part of the experience. These guys have to know what it's going to take if they want to realize their true potential. They might never get there. But they DEFINITELY won't get there if they never even make the playoffs.

I'm sick of hoping for draft picks to pan out. The Wolves success rate at that is extremely low.

I clearly hear the majority view here, and I wish I felt the same way...it's a much healthier way for a fan to feel. But I come down on Lip's side...an 8th seed is not optimal for this team. It's not the .5% chance of a top 3 pick that sways my opinion. It's these factors:

1) My G2 that Thibs is on the hot seat if the team doesn't make the playoffs, and conversely, that he is certain to stay if they do. A new coach is much more important to the future of this team (and to my viewing enjoyment) than playoff experience, especially against a team that destroyed us 4 times this year (3 times by 18 points)
2) The avoidance of a 4-game sweep with all losses double digit. This Thibs defense has proven over and over again that it simply can't defend the 3-point shot, and I would prefer avoiding the agony of watching 150 wide-open threes over the course of a series.
3) The avoidance of a negative experience for our young guys. Yes, playoff experience can be good for a young team, but not if the experience is a complete disaster. And come on, guys...you know that this would be a complete disaster.
4) The 14th pick in the draft. I hear Abe's point that we fans are tired of hoping draft picks will turn this team around. But wouldn't you rather have Miles Bridges (or the available wing of your choice) backing up our wings over Jamal Crawford?

I will be actively cheering for the Heat to beat the crap out of OkC tomorrow night, because I would very much enjoy a playoff series against Portland or Utah. But if OkC wins, I don't want the Wolves to beat Denver in the finale and end up playing the Rockets. The four points I lay out above are just too persuasive to me.