Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Mmmmm, something is nagging at me and I'm not sure what.....Oh, I remember.....

WE HAVE BRANDON RUSH ON THE ROSTER - A CAREER 40% 3-POINT SHOOTER THAT STARTED 25 GAMES FOR ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS EVER ASSEMBLED LAST YEAR. OH, AND HE HAS A RING ON HIS FINGER. NOT A WEDDING RING....NOT A MOOD RING.....A CHAMPIONSHIP RING!!! AND GUESS WHAT? WE CAN PLAY HIM STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT WITHOUT HAVING TO FILL OUT ANY PAPERWORK! BUT NOW HOLLIS THOMPSON IS THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS!?!? AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

(sorry about that....back to work now).

To be fair, Rush was in a perfect situation last season. He basically only shot wide open looks on one of the best teams in NBA history filled with willing passers.

His percentages were good... but it was limited. He only averaged 10 ppg per 36 minutes. He wasn't even part of the rotation come playoff time. These Wolves are NOTHING like those Warriors. They're not as good. They're not as smart. They're not as unselfish. The ball sticks in Minnesota... it moved quickly to the open guy in GS. So I think last season is the outlier, not this season. Why? Consider...

2015: He shot 20.4% from the field in very limited time. That's not a typo.
2014: He shot 33.3% for Utah (34% on 3s) also in limited minutes.

Remember, he tore up his ACL for the second time in the 2013 season. The guy is 31 and has had two major knee operations... without spacing afforded him by the likes of S. Curry, K. Thompson, D. Green and others... this is probably more like the Brandon Rush people should expect.

So why should we expect anything better from Hollis Thompson, who was just waived by a team that is actually worse than the Timberwolves?

By the way, the (theoretical) value of Brandon Rush isn't just if he actually takes and makes 3's. It's that he is a legitimate threat to take and make 3's. So even if he's just parked in the corner, there is a gravitational pull on the defense to account for that. (again, that's the theory, but we're the Wolves, where all good shooters go into a suspended state of incompetence).

Regardless, Thibs has opted for Bazz to soak up all of the back-up wing minutes. I'm not sure how that calculus changes with Hollis Thompson on the roster.

Whenever we sign a fringe shooter - whether it be Troy Daniels, Damjan Rudez, or now Brandon Rush - they seemingly NEVER end up having a positive impact for the Wolves. Hollis Thompson would be no different. He'd either never play or he'd put up career low shooting numbers. It's the natural law.

I know the issue of good shooters come here and stop shooting well is one of your pet issues, but I don't know how much of it is tongue-in-cheek. After all, it's been debunked before.

Again... take out last season's anomaly when Rush played on one of the most unique/best teams in basketball... and he's been a TERRIBLE shooter in 3 of the past 4 seasons since his 2nd ACL injury.

As for Thompson... dunno if he's good or terrible. But he's been an above league average 3 point shooter (efficiency) each season in the league DESPITE playing for the worst team in the league. Philly is jettisoning him because it saves them money, they need backcourt depth (Stauskas is the backup PG!), Simmons might be returning and they want to play the rookie more (TLC hyphen name guy).

From what I read, Thompson is very limited but can shoot. He's not good defensively. Doesn't offer much else beyond three point shooting. And as with the previous regime, I don't know how much that type of guy is valued. Basically, he's a taller Brandon Rush... shorter Damien Rudez. And if the ball continues to stick with Towns/Wiggins/LaVine, what good is having a guy who can only shoot open three pointers anyway.

I really hate watching how the Wolves move the ball right now (decent offensive stats be damned).



[Note: The Wolves are 3rd in line to claim him off waivers, behind Brooklyn and Phoenix.]

Wile E Coyote wrote:I think it would be a good move to bring in Thompson. Sixers are doing it because they need another roster spot for a PG. Thompson is only 25, and the Wolves have very little wing depth.

I dunno what happened with Rush. He seemed like a good signing, but for whatever reason Thibs refuses to play him. I assume he either can't hang physically or has not picked up the schemes. Thompson seems like an upgrade unless Thibs just wants a 8 man rotation period.

Is that what the Sixers said, wile? Doesn't make sense to me...the Sixers have 3 healthy PGs on their roster, but with Simmons out, the only player ESPN lists as a SF on the roster is the reviled Covington. It makes you wonder how unhappy the Sixers were with Thompson if they decided to release the only true backup SF on their roster. Something doesn't add up here...I suspect there's much more to this story than stats.

Anyway, I think I'm done talking about what guys who are not going to play anyway look better on the bench.

longstrangetrip wrote:

Wile E Coyote wrote:I think it would be a good move to bring in Thompson. Sixers are doing it because they need another roster spot for a PG. Thompson is only 25, and the Wolves have very little wing depth.

I dunno what happened with Rush. He seemed like a good signing, but for whatever reason Thibs refuses to play him. I assume he either can't hang physically or has not picked up the schemes. Thompson seems like an upgrade unless Thibs just wants a 8 man rotation period.

Is that what the Sixers said, wile? Doesn't make sense to me...the Sixers have 3 healthy PGs on their roster, but with Simmons out, the only player ESPN lists as a SF on the roster is the reviled Covington. It makes you wonder how unhappy the Sixers were with Thompson if they decided to release the only true backup SF on their roster. Something doesn't add up here...I suspect there's much more to this story than stats.

Anyway, I think I'm done talking about what guys who are not going to play anyway look better on the bench.

Huh?

Nik Stauskas (not a PG) is currently the team's backup PG. Rodriguez is out right now. Who's the 3rd "healthy" PG?

As I noted, Simmons might be returning. They want to play the rookie Timothe Luwauae-Cabarrot more. Gerald Henderson will be back in the mix soon. They have to pay his guaranteed salary if he's still on the team next week. They're also playing Saric more at SF with Ilyasova doing well at the 4.

I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Carlos Danger wrote:I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Probably true. But who do the Wolves have to offer to move the proverbial needle?

Remember, without a draft pick, it's going to be difficult to put together a meaningful package with the supplemental pieces this team has.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Probably true. But who do the Wolves have to offer to move the proverbial needle?

Remember, without a draft pick, it's going to be difficult to put together a meaningful package with the supplemental pieces this team has.

I think eventually Thibbs will have to look at dealing someone from the starting line up unless they show signs of being able to play winning basketball ball. I think there is a pretty quick switch with coaches. They usually only get two years to do something before they get fired. I'm sure Thibbs was hoping things would come together pretty quickly here. That's hasn't happened. Now he has to either wait and hope things get better or he has to do something. I think he'll do something i.e. make a trade to shake things up. Let the speculation begin!

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Probably true. But who do the Wolves have to offer to move the proverbial needle?

Remember, without a draft pick, it's going to be difficult to put together a meaningful package with the supplemental pieces this team has.

I think eventually Thibbs will have to look at dealing someone from the starting line up unless they show signs of being able to play winning basketball ball. I think there is a pretty quick switch with coaches. They usually only get two years to do something before they get fired. I'm sure Thibbs was hoping things would come together pretty quickly here. That's hasn't happened. Now he has to either wait and hope things get better or he has to do something. I think he'll do something i.e. make a trade to shake things up. Let the speculation begin!

Yeah, that's where I was leading you.

It has to come from the starters. And Rubio is a problem to trade right now. Granted, he's having a down year, but that's not the biggest issue. There are just few teams who would even consider him... even though he is so damn good at various parts of the game. He just doesn't fit the system or they already have a viable PG.

So you have Dieng. What could the team get in return? What hole would he leave behind?

Or... wait for it... we have the Big 3. It's been rare for a team to build from scratch over the long haul with 3 super young guys reaching their potential simultaneously. Not saying it should happen now. Or even at all. But at what point should it be considered with the right offer?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Probably true. But who do the Wolves have to offer to move the proverbial needle?

Remember, without a draft pick, it's going to be difficult to put together a meaningful package with the supplemental pieces this team has.

I think eventually Thibbs will have to look at dealing someone from the starting line up unless they show signs of being able to play winning basketball ball. I think there is a pretty quick switch with coaches. They usually only get two years to do something before they get fired. I'm sure Thibbs was hoping things would come together pretty quickly here. That's hasn't happened. Now he has to either wait and hope things get better or he has to do something. I think he'll do something i.e. make a trade to shake things up. Let the speculation begin!

Yeah, that's where I was leading you.

It has to come from the starters. And Rubio is a problem to trade right now. Granted, he's having a down year, but that's not the biggest issue. There are just few teams who would even consider him... even though he is so damn good at various parts of the game. He just doesn't fit the system or they already have a viable PG.

So you have Dieng. What could the team get in return? What hole would he leave behind?

Or... wait for it... we have the Big 3. It's been rare for a team to build from scratch over the long haul with 3 super young guys reaching their potential simultaneously. Not saying it should happen now. Or even at all. But at what point should it be considered with the right offer?

It's an interesting topic. I'm sure one that will be super charged with emotion as most of us have our "untouchables!". But it remains to be seen if our "Big Three" are our best bet going forward or if we'd be better with two of the three plus an established vet who can play some defense and help take pressure off the remaining young kids. I for one of going to grab my helmet because I expect some won't like even considering trading one of our young core! But I think all options should be on the table to improve this cursed franchise.

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:I can't get excited about adding someone like Hollis Thompson. I don't think he's that good that he'd make any sort of difference. And I don't think he'd get much of a chance if signed anyhow (the way Thibbs uses his bench). If they make a move, it needs to move the needle.

Probably true. But who do the Wolves have to offer to move the proverbial needle?

Remember, without a draft pick, it's going to be difficult to put together a meaningful package with the supplemental pieces this team has.

I think eventually Thibbs will have to look at dealing someone from the starting line up unless they show signs of being able to play winning basketball ball. I think there is a pretty quick switch with coaches. They usually only get two years to do something before they get fired. I'm sure Thibbs was hoping things would come together pretty quickly here. That's hasn't happened. Now he has to either wait and hope things get better or he has to do something. I think he'll do something i.e. make a trade to shake things up. Let the speculation begin!

Yeah, that's where I was leading you.

It has to come from the starters. And Rubio is a problem to trade right now. Granted, he's having a down year, but that's not the biggest issue. There are just few teams who would even consider him... even though he is so damn good at various parts of the game. He just doesn't fit the system or they already have a viable PG.

So you have Dieng. What could the team get in return? What hole would he leave behind?

Or... wait for it... we have the Big 3. It's been rare for a team to build from scratch over the long haul with 3 super young guys reaching their potential simultaneously. Not saying it should happen now. Or even at all. But at what point should it be considered with the right offer?

It's an interesting topic. I'm sure one that will be super charged with emotion as most of us have our "untouchables!". But it remains to be seen if our "Big Three" are our best bet going forward or if we'd be better with two of the three plus an established vet who can play some defense and help take pressure off the remaining young kids. I for one of going to grab my helmet because I expect some won't like even considering trading one of our young core! But I think all options should be on the table to improve this cursed franchise.

The scariest thing in all of this...

With a potentially loaded draft coming up... could it be a Big 4?

Yes. There can be such a thing as too many talented young guys all trying to make a name for themselves... but all that talent could lead to some exciting decisions. The more assets the better...

So why should we ever bother signing a 3pt shooter ever again? It's the law that they will suck here so why even try? Just pack it in. Why bother trying anymore? It's not like we have two limited 3 pt shooters getting all of the minutes at the 3 and we have 4 PG's 2 of which don't play. Why bother trying anymore?