Why I liked this forum...

[mrhockey89]

Hey guys, we got the #1 pick!

Fast forward a couple years: Hey guys, we drafted the wrong guy with the number one pick!

Well that's a given, but let's enjoy the interim. We won something and that can never be taken away.

Hey think of the bright side the wolves have never made a bad pick picking #1

That means we had better not trade down. :)

A very convincing argument!

On the politics front. I think the reasons things keep changing to politics is this is all forcing it's way into virtually every aspect of our lives. Most of us look at sports as a diversion from real life where we can take all our disagreements, put them to the side, and come together for a common cause (which as a Wolves fan ends up being "what are our current lottery odds?" typically). Between COVID and the protesting, riots, and looting, there's great effect on all of our lives. Add to that the athletes are using their athletic stage to make political/social statements at an increasing rate so we can't even get a break in the sports front.

I think that if we actually micro-reviewed the issues and broke them up we would also probably find more common ground, not only on this board but in this country. Unfortunately, what one event (as a whole) represents to one person vs what that same event represents to someone else (again, as a whole) may take on a completely different meaning. I'm seeing that this year more than any. For example...some people would view Robin Hood as a thief and a criminal, while others would view him a hero.

I'm gaining more and more feeling that we won't be able to trade for an established star. And with that, I odds say we will either draft at #1, or a trade back. Here's an interesting idea from Kevin Pelton (ESPN) I read today:

ew York Knicks get: No. 1 pick (from Minnesota)

Minnesota Timberwolves get: No. 6 pick (from Atlanta), 2021 top-three protected first-round pick (from New York)

Atlanta Hawks get: No. 8 pick, No. 27 pick (from New York via LA Clippers)

Interested proposal, and if I'm the Wolves, depending on my review of Wiseman, I might consider it. Basically turning #1 into #6 and 1st in 2021 (a stronger draft), more or less replacing the pick we traded for Russell.

[Lipoli390]

I've refrained from participating in the recent political debate in this forum because, like Abe, I consider this forum an opportunity to escape the political and social realities that bombard all of us in our daily lives. I don't begrudge those who do engage in the debate and respect the opinions expressed by everyone who has participated. I think all the views expressed have been thoughtful and have come from a good place.

I will, however, offer one comment from a former Colorado Legislator I know. He decided to leave the Legislature, which is itself commendable since so many find it hard to ever leave those positions once they have them. He didn't stop there. He also declared his independence from his political Party. Here's what he said publicly when explaining his decision: "Both nationally and in Colorado, the parties have morphed into a malignant duopoly whose primary function is to amass power by dividing Americans against one another. I can't say I have a solution, but I certainly no longer want to be part of the problem... What was once a disagreement (susceptible to argument and compromise) is now a moral imperative with no room for discussion. Put a different way: You're not just wrong, You're evil." He said more, but that's the core of it.

I offer that comment for two reasons. First, it captures my view of the core problem with our politics today. Second, it makes me appreciate the largely respectful and thoughtful tone and substance of the debate many of you have engaged in recently on this forum.

Now back to basketball. I like the Kevin Pelton trade idea Hockey posted above. It's a variation of a deal I suggested. My deal would have us getting the Knicks' #8 pick along with their top 3 protected 2021 pick AND their #27 pick this year. I'd have the pick become unprotected in 2022 like the pick we traded to Golden State in the Russell deal. I like Pelton's deal better because moving up two spots from 6 to 8 seems more valuable to me than getting the #27 pick, which I would propose packaging with #17 to move up a few slots. Either way, I think the Knicks are the most likely and best potential trade partner for the Wolves. The Knicks need a star more than any other team in the top 8 and I suspect they are drooling over LaMello Ball right now.

However, the Wolves should not do this Knicks deal if they're convinced that Edwards, Ball or Wiseman will be a star. It's highly unlikely any of those three will be available at #6. If the Wolves are convinced that Okongwu is the guy they want, then I'm not so sure. I could see him falling to #6, but I could also see him selected in the 3-5 range. The Wolves should only do this deal if they have several prospects they like about equally after the top three (Edwards, Ball and Wiseman). I currently have Okongwu rated higher than the other top prospects, including Dani, Vassell, Toppin, Haliburton and Hays. So I'd be reluctant to do the deal unless I had information indicating that Okongwu would be available at #6. Then again, the situation is still fluid for me as I learn more about the guys in this year's draft. And I would love to get the Knicks 2021 first round pick, which will invariably be a high lottery pick.

[thedoper]

Thanks Lip. I agree with your post and appreciate it. Everything is getting too polarized. Its to the point where every issue that should simply have a human response needs to follow a political narrative. Im worried about the rhetoric and the more extreme ideas that are being presented as truth at present. The embellishments on either side of any of the issues going on at present make it hard for anyone to avoid being embroiled in some sort a strange narrative discussion. Good for you for being able to avoid it here.

[Monster]

Lip thanks for the quote from that former legislator. I think it hits on what many people here in this forum have said for a while.

Leado shared why he likes talking about sports we can walk away after having a discussion about whatever and it's cool. What can we take from that and apply that to other subjects? It doesn't have to be discussed here but what is it that keeps us From being able to have those discussions about things that likely matter even more than sports? Why is it that religion and politics are topics we know in our society simply can't be discussed? Is there some way that can be changed? As Cam said in another thread can culture be changed? Can it be cool to discuss things with something that seems to think differently than us and walk away afterwards as human beings that value each other?

I think some of the change starts with us. I'm trying hard to be someone that is more open. As Lip's quote showed even in the sphere of politics it often can't even be discussed in a healthy way there. I've seen that with religion in churches there is only one way to see things.

I'm basically suggesting that part of the reason why have and others doing want to discuss politics is there is no joy in it, discussing it leads to nowhere, and often seems like there are no answers either. Why talk about something that seems worthless? I've certainly felt pretty apathetic to many of these topics over the years. Fortunately especially the last couple years I've had avenues to have more open discussions (Including some here) about both. I hope my openness is also in other places too including sports on this forum. Please call me out if I'm not doing so.

Back to basketball I'm in the trade down camp if a reasonable trade option presents itself...but idk if that will happen. It feels like the year we drafted Derrick Williams with less consensus at the top. As for us having that great record drafting #1 let's not fall into that trap. The Cavs did that and ended up with Anthony Bennett! ;)




and Andrew Wiggins...

[WildWolf2813]

I've always believed that sports can be a distraction from things, but that's what entertainment is. If you need sports to get your mind off politics, you might need to re-evaluate how much politics you consume in a day. Watching sports for 3 hours to take a break from the other 12 hours you consume watching political banter isn't healthy. If news about these things bothers you, try being around the stuff you see on the news all the time. It sucks.

When it comes to the Wolves I need to do something else to distract myself from the fact this team still doesn't look like they're going anywhere. If this time off has done anything, it has allowed me to pick up hobbies I can do where I can just zone out and create and find other things I can learn.

[thedoper]

I've always believed that sports can be a distraction from things, but that's what entertainment is. If you need sports to get your mind off politics, you might need to re-evaluate how much politics you consume in a day. Watching sports for 3 hours to take a break from the other 12 hours you consume watching political banter isn't healthy. If news about these things bothers you, try being around the stuff you see on the news all the time. It sucks.

When it comes to the Wolves I need to do something else to distract myself from the fact this team still doesn't look like they're going anywhere. If this time off has done anything, it has allowed me to pick up hobbies I can do where I can just zone out and create and find other things I can learn.

I think that's what gets lost for a lot of people in all of this are the real stories of real people. We spend a disproportionate time viewing everything now through heightened lens in media with the aim to sensationalize for viewership. I've had the privilege to watch this all from afar and it has been really challenging and emotionally draining, I can't imagine having to live in the middle of it.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

It would help if everyone lived in reality, but unfortunately many do not.

[Coolbreeze44]

I've always believed that sports can be a distraction from things, but that's what entertainment is. If you need sports to get your mind off politics, you might need to re-evaluate how much politics you consume in a day. Watching sports for 3 hours to take a break from the other 12 hours you consume watching political banter isn't healthy. If news about these things bothers you, try being around the stuff you see on the news all the time. It sucks.

When it comes to the Wolves I need to do something else to distract myself from the fact this team still doesn't look like they're going anywhere. If this time off has done anything, it has allowed me to pick up hobbies I can do where I can just zone out and create and find other things I can learn.

I think that's what gets lost for a lot of people in all of this are the real stories of real people. We spend a disproportionate time viewing everything now through heightened lens in media with the aim to sensationalize for viewership. I've had the privilege to watch this all from afar and it has been really challenging and emotionally draining, I can't imagine having to live in the middle of it.

I'm in the eye of the storm in Portland, and I'm tired of it. It used to be a really nice beautiful city. That's not the case currently.

[Lipoli390]

I've always believed that sports can be a distraction from things, but that's what entertainment is. If you need sports to get your mind off politics, you might need to re-evaluate how much politics you consume in a day. Watching sports for 3 hours to take a break from the other 12 hours you consume watching political banter isn't healthy. If news about these things bothers you, try being around the stuff you see on the news all the time. It sucks.

When it comes to the Wolves I need to do something else to distract myself from the fact this team still doesn't look like they're going anywhere. If this time off has done anything, it has allowed me to pick up hobbies I can do where I can just zone out and create and find other things I can learn.

If anyone on this Board is spending 12 hours a day watching political banter we need to undertake an immediate intervention! :). Sadly, I actually have been around the stuff I see on the news. But thankfully, I spend zero hours watching political banter.

[mrhockey89]

I've always believed that sports can be a distraction from things, but that's what entertainment is. If you need sports to get your mind off politics, you might need to re-evaluate how much politics you consume in a day. Watching sports for 3 hours to take a break from the other 12 hours you consume watching political banter isn't healthy. If news about these things bothers you, try being around the stuff you see on the news all the time. It sucks.

When it comes to the Wolves I need to do something else to distract myself from the fact this team still doesn't look like they're going anywhere. If this time off has done anything, it has allowed me to pick up hobbies I can do where I can just zone out and create and find other things I can learn.

I think that's what gets lost for a lot of people in all of this are the real stories of real people. We spend a disproportionate time viewing everything now through heightened lens in media with the aim to sensationalize for viewership. I've had the privilege to watch this all from afar and it has been really challenging and emotionally draining, I can't imagine having to live in the middle of it.

I'm in the eye of the storm in Portland, and I'm tired of it. It used to be a really nice beautiful city. That's not the case currently.

That's not true at all Cool, the Portland Mayor just listed the problems that Portland is currently facing, and riots/violence was not one of them.