Minnesota Sports Forum

Hicks123 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

bleedspeed177 wrote:I really like Bridges.

I do too. His toughness and physicality would we welcome additions to the team.

Yeah, he could be the larger SF we need to enable a move of Wiggins to SG. I didn't realize he shot the 3 so well this season (and at a high volume).

Regarding Frank Whatever, I just can't get behind this guy. I agree he may jump in the rankings, but only because he is all potential and no history.

You're probably right, Hicks...he's really fun to watch on video, but I get a little Mudiay vibe from him.

I see that TJ Leaf is entering the draft. Massive mistake in my opinion. He is not even close to being physically ready to compete at the next level. He is decently skilled, but still just a boy.

Q12543 wrote:I see that TJ Leaf is entering the draft. Massive mistake in my opinion. He is not even close to being physically ready to compete at the next level. He is decently skilled, but still just a boy.

I agree.

But I have noticed lately who has come back to school who was projected decently high and improved their stock. Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone recently. So if leaf would come back and have a similar year as this year he is another year older, more holes to notice and it kills whatever value he did have

Dunn improved his stock, but I think that was more about coming out in a crap draft than his stock going up.

I think Miles Bridge is going to end up one of the top 5 players in this draft. I hope we take him. He would be great rotation player for us and could play small ball PF. Kids averaged 1.5 blocks, 8+ boards, and almost hitting 40% of 3's.

I'm going to go against the apparent grain and say I like Lauri Markkanen for this team. I think we need a stretch 4 that can start. I've seen him play a lot this year and I like him quite a bit.

I like to check the Defensive Rating for the college players (as other than steal and block stats, and maybe plus/minus, there isn't a lot of defensive stats out there). I was always able to find these stats in the past, but haven't been able to locate the link yet despite a few tries. Anyone find the link?

PS: Basketball Reference has each players DRating, but I want to look at the entire universe of prospects.

Sindarius Thornwell is a guy who Thibs might like if we had a late first or early second rounder. Might be a good 3 and D prospect. He couples very good three point shooting with superb defensive stats. He improved his stats every year. Senior in a freshman dominant draft will probably push him to end of first or second round.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I'm going to go against the apparent grain and say I like Lauri Markkanen for this team. I think we need a stretch 4 that can start. I've seen him play a lot this year and I like him quite a bit.

I just don't know who he can guard and that to me is more important than getting a stretch 4. If we added Ryan Anderson to this team how much better do you think we'd be? If it's significant then I could see going for a guy like Lauri. I just think Dieng and Towns need a versatile defending big who attacks the glass next to them. That's why I like Adebayo more than Lauri if we do go with a big.

khans2k5 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I'm going to go against the apparent grain and say I like Lauri Markkanen for this team. I think we need a stretch 4 that can start. I've seen him play a lot this year and I like him quite a bit.

I just don't know who he can guard and that to me is more important than getting a stretch 4. If we added Ryan Anderson to this team how much better do you think we'd be? If it's significant then I could see going for a guy like Lauri. I just think Dieng and Towns need a versatile defending big who attacks the glass next to them. That's why I like Adebayo more than Lauri if we do go with a big.

Yeah, I have watched Markkanen a couple times and thought he moved around very stiffly. I think he gets absolutely torched on defense.

Right now we need defense more than we need shooters. And frankly, no rookie in this draft will give that to us in Year 1. But this guy especially looks vulnerable on that end of the floor.

khans2k5 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I'm going to go against the apparent grain and say I like Lauri Markkanen for this team. I think we need a stretch 4 that can start. I've seen him play a lot this year and I like him quite a bit.

I just don't know who he can guard and that to me is more important than getting a stretch 4. If we added Ryan Anderson to this team how much better do you think we'd be? If it's significant then I could see going for a guy like Lauri. I just think Dieng and Towns need a versatile defending big who attacks the glass next to them. That's why I like Adebayo more than Lauri if we do go with a big.

You're probably right. I didn't realize his defense was so maligned.