Tank-O-Meter...2015 edition

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

And once again the lottery ball junkies are out in full force while our 20 year olds sink into a deep hole of losing that just adds years to get out. I don't see anybody in this draft that was worth possibly being the worst team in the NBA to get. We'll be lucky to win 30 games next year. Losing has a big effect on these guys who aren't used to losing a lot until this level. Add whatever rookie you want. That won't be enough to turn it around quickly.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

And once again the lottery ball junkies are out in full force while our 20 year olds sink into a deep hole of losing that just adds years to get out. I don't see anybody in this draft that was worth possibly being the worst team in the NBA to get. We'll be lucky to win 30 games next year. Losing has a big effect on these guys who aren't used to losing a lot until this level. Add whatever rookie you want. That won't be enough to turn it around quickly.

So if we won 30 games this year would we be any better off next year? Quite honestly I think we would be worse off. How many years were the Thunder picking near the top? They were able to get Durant, Westbrook, and Harden in consecutive years. All high picks. If healthy they are one of the best teams in the league. Losing didn't kill them in the long run. If we get Okafor/Towns/Russell we are a better team next year and in the long run.

[Coolbreeze44]

And once again the lottery ball junkies are out in full force while our 20 year olds sink into a deep hole of losing that just adds years to get out. I don't see anybody in this draft that was worth possibly being the worst team in the NBA to get. We'll be lucky to win 30 games next year. Losing has a big effect on these guys who aren't used to losing a lot until this level. Add whatever rookie you want. That won't be enough to turn it around quickly.

I tend to agree with this take Khans. I don't see much difference with the top 5 picks in terms of generational talents. Plus, I've already told you we are winning the lottery no matter where we finish.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Meh. It was Wiggins and LaVine's first year of losing. It's not like Rubio who hasn't had a winning season since he entered the league. With Rubio, you can see the effects setting in. It's not as fun, not as exciting for him anymore. That hasn't/shouldn't be the case with Wiggins and LaVine as long as the rebuild isn't fucked up somehow. With more trades like the Payne one, we'll never get out of this hole.

If anything it just sets the bar super low and gives them less expectations to carry next year, as they likely go for the 30-35 win count. Winning 30 games next year would be improvement. You can build on improvement. If they come into next season and win 20 games again... oh boy.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

And once again the lottery ball junkies are out in full force while our 20 year olds sink into a deep hole of losing that just adds years to get out. I don't see anybody in this draft that was worth possibly being the worst team in the NBA to get. We'll be lucky to win 30 games next year. Losing has a big effect on these guys who aren't used to losing a lot until this level. Add whatever rookie you want. That won't be enough to turn it around quickly.

Ha, I love the concept of the "lottery ball junkie", khans...I'm guilty as charged. I need those extra chances at the top pick to heal the wounds of a terrible season. Beating the Knicks last month didn't get rid of the hurt, but getting a great draft pick will. I do admit that my interest in the percentages is probably bigger than the numbers really warrant though.

The one concept I don't buy into is the "losing culture" narrative. These guys have played sports their entire lives and they understand what a real win and a real loss is. Sure, they want to win every game. But they also know that losing with seven guys, only three of whom have had a chance to practice with the team, doesn't amount to anything. I was in San Fran Saturday night and caught the end of the game with three friends who love their Warriors. When Zach got hot and pulled the Wolves within 1, I have to admit I got a little excited, and thought about how fun a win would be. Then I came to my senses and cheered for the inevitable. Zach and Drew said all the right things after the game, but I caught a couple glances of them when they didn't have their faux glum faces on, and they looked pretty happy. They are smart enough to know Flip isn't able to put the real Wolves on the court now, and that NBA reserves aren't going to beat NBA starters. I think if you asked them how many games they thought the Wolves are going to win next year, they would say about 50. They're savvy enough to know the future is bright, IF we finally have a season with a reasonable amount of injuries.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Zach and Drew said all the right things after the game, but I caught a couple glances of them when they didn't have their faux glum faces on, and they looked pretty happy.

I get it, but it worries me a little that those guys are happy and faking being upset. Given the circumstances, you can't blame them too much. They're rookies, 82 games is a grind, and we've been slammed with injuries this year.

But still. We won 16 games this year. We're the worst team in the league. The. Worst. It's bad enough for us as fans to actually want to lose for ping pong balls (I think this is a mental cancer on this team and its fans for the last 8 years or so actually), but no player should be happy with that under any circumstances. And if these guys are really that good, they should be even more upset.

Losing is one thing, but I'd be more confident that they'll become stars if they were both much more upset than this. If they were more upset, it would suggest they hate losing and have a killer instinct and a burning desire to get better and win. Ask yourself, how good do you think they can be without that? What kind of leadership does that indicate?

I'd love nothing better than to see these guys come out and put the hammer down on both New Orleans and OKC, or at least go down angry and fighting, anything would be better than being happy while losing.

[TheGrey08]

Couldn't agree more. I like Russell the most, but I want one of the big man because they fill a bigger need. The more we lose the better chance we have of getting a top 2 pick.

Also if Philadelphia gets a top 2 pick I think that also ensures us of getting a big man. I think they probably will want Russell.

That's my thinking too. I figure they would likely look to swap picks while picking another asset. Even if it's simply a high second rounder which we have. I would see them winning the lotto, drafting a big & flipping him for a spot or 2 lower while acquiring another asset. Even if it's just a 2nd.

[mjs34]

Drew, are you saying that Wiggins and Lavine weren't trying to win. Because that is when I would have a problem with them. Short of that, understanding the situation, and reacting to it, doesn't really bother me.

I am not even going to try and guess how many guys are being held out for tanking purposes, but I am also not going to chastise Flip for playing the game the NBA created. We have been shafted by the lottery system for years, so anything we do to improve our chances is OK with me as long as we aren't throwing games. The lakers held out Boozer and Hill even though they were healthy.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think if we had come down the stretch run and won a bunch of games we would all be royally pumped because it would likely be on the backs of our young guys. It's one thing to watch Wiggins and LaVine put up some nice games; it's another when they put up nice games, along with others, that are good enough to get us some wins. That's a whole other level of excitement and anticipation for next season.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

I think if we had come down the stretch run and won a bunch of games we would all be royally pumped because it would likely be on the backs of our young guys. It's one thing to watch Wiggins and LaVine put up some nice games; it's another when they put up nice games, along with others, that are good enough to get us some wins. That's a whole other level of excitement and anticipation for next season.

Our front court sucks way too much for us to win. What it boils down to is our PG is hurt and our C and PF aren't good enough.