Minnesota Sports Forum

longstrangetrip wrote:

Duke13 wrote:I feel like I need to stick up for Gorgi, Horford can't even get on the court verses the Celtics.

I'm not watching, but I just saw the box score. How does he look? Is there a chance he's hurt, because his stats have been way under his norm for three straight games.

He's really only had two games where he's been struggling, but yes, he's dealing with a strained groin that occurred in Game 3.

Camden wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:

Duke13 wrote:I feel like I need to stick up for Gorgi, Horford can't even get on the court verses the Celtics.

I'm not watching, but I just saw the box score. How does he look? Is there a chance he's hurt, because his stats have been way under his norm for three straight games.

He's really only had two games where he's been struggling, but yes, he's dealing with a strained groin that occurred in Game 3.

That's too bad after a season in which he played all 82 games. But it's not like other teams aren't battling injuries too...what a bizarre postseason. I figured something had to be up with Al, because he hasn't been scoring in this series like he usually does.

This is a hypothetical thread about what top level guy you want or I guess don't want. The thing that hasn't been discussed because it's an unknown is the draft pick. Sure maybe that guy isn't a day 1 starter but could he be a significant piece going forward? Damn I would hope so. So I'm in a wait and see mode for FA because I don't know what draft position we have and that is a significant effect on what to expect. I think most assume we will be looking at one of the shooters at #5. Let's see what happens.

Overall the more I think about it the more I am against signing the max guy (depending somewhat on the draft). Sure you wouldn't say no to Horford or especially Durant if they called bed said they wanted to come here but I am not really that interested in pursuing them. Why?

If I am Thibs and Layden and I think I am putting together a top level organization I think I can find some. solid possibly good players to add to the organization to build up the team for now and possibly in the future. Add talent that's what I would be looking to do. Some will suggest looking at what the Spurs did with Aldridge as a sign we should get a max guy. That's a different situation with the top players playing for cheap and they may retire any season now. To me it's time for the Wolves to find their Sefelosha or Aminu or Carroll or whatever guy that wasn't wildly thought of and turned into a very useful player.

Look at how OKC did it when they made that young team to Finals run and look at where Portland is now. They didn't land some big expensive dude they kept adding young and value guys. I hope the Wolves trust their evaluation process and pick the right guys. Our first round pick could be a big part of that. Maybe we hit with a nice above average starter with that pick or maybe even better. People say this draft isn't that great but even that crappy 2013 draft seems to have produced some fairly worthwhile players. Why can't this team get another pick right?

I know I'm asking a lot but why can't we hope to be a team that actually identifies and selects talent like the other top franchises? This is a new era for this franchise I am going to start expecting more in that regard and because of that faith I'll pass on another massive ticket player even though that also makes perfect sense.

monsterpile wrote:This is a hypothetical thread about what top level guy you want or I guess don't want. The thing that hasn't been discussed because it's an unknown is the draft pick. Sure maybe that guy isn't a day 1 starter but could he be a significant piece going forward? Damn I would hope so. So I'm in a wait and see mode for FA because I don't know what draft position we have and that is a significant effect on what to expect. I think most assume we will be looking at one of the shooters at #5. Let's see what happens.

Overall the more I think about it the more I am against signing the max guy (depending somewhat on the draft). Sure you wouldn't say no to Horford or especially Durant if they called bed said they wanted to come here but I am not really that interested in pursuing them. Why?

If I am Thibs and Layden and I think I am putting together a top level organization I think I can find some. solid possibly good players to add to the organization to build up the team for now and possibly in the future. Add talent that's what I would be looking to do. Some will suggest looking at what the Spurs did with Aldridge as a sign we should get a max guy. That's a different situation with the top players playing for cheap and they may retire any season now. To me it's time for the Wolves to find their Sefelosha or Aminu or Carroll or whatever guy that wasn't wildly thought of and turned into a very useful player.

Look at how OKC did it when they made that young team to Finals run and look at where Portland is now. They didn't land some big expensive dude they kept adding young and value guys. I hope the Wolves trust their evaluation process and pick the right guys. Our first round pick could be a big part of that. Maybe we hit with a nice above average starter with that pick or maybe even better. People say this draft isn't that great but even that crappy 2013 draft seems to have produced some fairly worthwhile players. Why can't this team get another pick right?

I know I'm asking a lot but why can't we hope to be a team that actually identifies and selects talent like the other top franchises? This is a new era for this franchise I am going to start expecting more in that regard and because of that faith I'll pass on another massive ticket player even though that also makes perfect sense.

Well, you can do both. It's not either/or. 2nd rounders, veteran free agents, D-league guys....there is a constant need to unearth value and find guys on the cheap that can fill the 10th to 15th roster spots.

That's why I was always such a big Hummel guy. Not because I thought he was a great player. But because if you finally had some stars in the rotation, you could plug him in for spot minutes and not really lose anything. He would always make the right pass, take the right shots, and be in the right position. Nothing prevents us from continuing to try to find those guys and then coach them up.

Q12543 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:This is a hypothetical thread about what top level guy you want or I guess don't want. The thing that hasn't been discussed because it's an unknown is the draft pick. Sure maybe that guy isn't a day 1 starter but could he be a significant piece going forward? Damn I would hope so. So I'm in a wait and see mode for FA because I don't know what draft position we have and that is a significant effect on what to expect. I think most assume we will be looking at one of the shooters at #5. Let's see what happens.

Overall the more I think about it the more I am against signing the max guy (depending somewhat on the draft). Sure you wouldn't say no to Horford or especially Durant if they called bed said they wanted to come here but I am not really that interested in pursuing them. Why?

If I am Thibs and Layden and I think I am putting together a top level organization I think I can find some. solid possibly good players to add to the organization to build up the team for now and possibly in the future. Add talent that's what I would be looking to do. Some will suggest looking at what the Spurs did with Aldridge as a sign we should get a max guy. That's a different situation with the top players playing for cheap and they may retire any season now. To me it's time for the Wolves to find their Sefelosha or Aminu or Carroll or whatever guy that wasn't wildly thought of and turned into a very useful player.

Look at how OKC did it when they made that young team to Finals run and look at where Portland is now. They didn't land some big expensive dude they kept adding young and value guys. I hope the Wolves trust their evaluation process and pick the right guys. Our first round pick could be a big part of that. Maybe we hit with a nice above average starter with that pick or maybe even better. People say this draft isn't that great but even that crappy 2013 draft seems to have produced some fairly worthwhile players. Why can't this team get another pick right?

I know I'm asking a lot but why can't we hope to be a team that actually identifies and selects talent like the other top franchises? This is a new era for this franchise I am going to start expecting more in that regard and because of that faith I'll pass on another massive ticket player even though that also makes perfect sense.

Well, you can do both. It's not either/or. 2nd rounders, veteran free agents, D-league guys....there is a constant need to unearth value and find guys on the cheap that can fill the 10th to 15th roster spots.

That's why I was always such a big Hummel guy. Not because I thought he was a great player. But because if you finally had some stars in the rotation, you could plug him in for spot minutes and not really lose anything. He would always make the right pass, take the right shots, and be in the right position. Nothing prevents us from continuing to try to find those guys and then coach them up.

Sure you can do both I won't argue that. My rationale for my approach is based on the reality that at some point there is a cap on opportunity because of the players you already have. It keeps you from seeing if you really have a worthwhile guy because they may never get a chance to show it.

Sign player X to a max contract and that guy is playing a minimum of 30mpg which is obviously great cause he is at the very least a good player. Towns Wiggins Rubio are all playing 30mpg at least also. Then you have Lavine that should be in that range too plus Dieng playing in the high 20's at least. So that leaves what 58 or so minutes left (the reality is its obviously much less than that) for everybody else? We haven't even talked about the draft pick's minutes yet or backup PG minutes.

I think that's why a guy like Deng is pretty appealing. He is a vet that can help a lot but the cost seems like it would be less of an issue long term and he may be more willing to take a smaller role as time goes on.

For years the good teams especially the Spurs find good players via scrap heap, random picks international FAs and on and on. A max contract is a lot of money and it can hamper what you can do later. There are some risks there. If we do end up with Horford or Bantum or someone really good for a big chunk of money trust me I will be thrilled. If we do that we have a chance to be contenders very quickly and that that's what Cam always wants and wants it yesterday. :) I am NOT against that but we better get in writing who has final say on various decisions though. Lol

Assuming we are picking 5 the two guys I would realistically want there are Bender and Murray. Bender because he can play the 4 and Murray because he can be a bench shooter while providing insurance for both LaVine and Rubio. I do wonder if Thibs looks more towards Dunn who has great potential defensively for a PG and it provides insurance for Rubio, or Brown who is a similar developmental guy to Jimmy Butler. It will be interesting. I'm not sure there is adequate trade value for our pick. It's kind of strange that a high lottery pick is almost seen as an afterthought.

TRKO wrote:Assuming we are picking 5 the two guys I would realistically want there are Bender and Murray. Bender because he can play the 4 and Murray because he can be a bench shooter while providing insurance for both LaVine and Rubio. I do wonder if Thibs looks more towards Dunn who has great potential defensively for a PG and it provides insurance for Rubio, or Brown who is a similar developmental guy to Jimmy Butler. It will be interesting. I'm not sure there is adequate trade value for our pick. It's kind of strange that a high lottery pick is almost seen as an afterthought.

If we're picking 5 or 6, I want Brown over Murray/Hield. Yes, he's mostly a slasher at this point, but his shooting mechanics are not bad so I can definitely see him improving on his jumpshot. He's also 5x the defender either of those players are, and that is what we need at our bench wing position next to shabazz. Poeltl and Bender i'd very much welcome at 5 or 6 if we don't add another big this offseason through free agency, but Brown is right in that mix for me. He's got an nba body and athleticism, he's above average at dribbling, and he can use both hands.

I'm surprised Nic Batum isn't getting more love. He's exactly the type of player we need.

KiwiMatt wrote:I'm surprised Nic Batum isn't getting more love. He's exactly the type of player we need.

I was a huge nic Batum guy and still love him but it comes down to what you think about lavine. I think lavine will be an all star one day, so I want him to continue to start. And Batum is not coming here to come off the bench

Wow. 21 pages.

Well, good news. 82games didn't do weekly updates this year, so I thought they went out of business. Well, they posted a year end review on their website, and better news, it confirmed what I was thinking.

Wiggins' best minutes are at 2.
Rubio is only OK.
KG is a very good FIFTH post if he gets healthy.
Dieng is a 4, but a good one.
KAT is a world-class 4, only above-average 5.
Bazz is underrated, and equally good at 2 or 3.
Zach is OVERRATED, and equally bad at 1 or 2.
Belly should be a 3.
Rudez is an ok 3, especially at $1.2m (that was kind of a surprise)
If Jones is your 2nd best 1, you're in the lottery.
Payne would be a good addition to the Gophers and a great addition to Macalester.
Pek was rusty in his return.

That tells me that the draft/FreeAgency needs to be a frontline 1 (because they just don't have it) and 5 (in case Pek never returns to form). They are well stocked at 2, 3, and 4. So I hereby change my mind on Sabonnis, and at the same time, really not interested in hearing about anybody who isn't a 1 or 5 in the draft or as a FA.

A really good 1, two guys capable at 5, and trade Payne for a guy capable of being a 6th wing.