Presser for new guys

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I agree. If Wiggins suddenly emerges as an all star caliber player, putting up 20+ points efficiently, pulling down 6 boards a game and playing ball-stopping defense, then the picture changes.

At this point Wiggins picture should be in the dictionary next to both If and Delusional.

I believe Wiggins has the ability to play ball stopping....offense. :)

I bet he fumbles even when playing with his own balls.

Hahaha! Well played sir

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The 2019-20 Timberwolves roster features 13 players who got NBA minutes last seasons.

The two best shooters of the group -- KAT and Covington -- connected on 227 of 580 total 3-pointers (39.1%).

Meanwhile, the other 11 made just 468 of 1,468 (31.9%) attempts.

[Lipoli390]

The 2019-20 Timberwolves roster features 13 players who got NBA minutes last seasons.

The two best shooters of the group -- KAT and Covington -- connected on 227 of 580 total 3-pointers (39.1%).

Meanwhile, the other 11 made just 468 of 1,468 (31.9%) attempts.

Our three biggest weaknesses as a team last season were (1) 3-point shooting, (2) rebounding, and (3) defense.

With the exception of Nowell, we haven't added any players with track records to suggest they'll improve our 3-point shooting. In fact, we're worse statistically when you consider the loss of Derrick Rose who hit 37% of his threes last season.

Our rebounding could improve if Vonleh and/or Bell get lot of playing time and perform at something close to their potential. But we're losing Gibson's rebounding. Moreover, if the plan is to start Covington at PF with Wiggins and either Okogie or Culver at the wings, then our rebounding will likely be worse.

We've added defensive talent/potential in Culver, Vonleh and Bell. But we've lost Gibson's defense. Moreover, Culver is a rookie while Vonleh and Bell have thus far failed to show they're bona fide rotation NBA players.

Overall, there is little reason to be optimistic about the Wolves this coming season. We haven't added players who can be counted on to improve any of the team's weaknesses and we could be even weaker in a couple of those areas - 3-point shooting and rebounding. Rosas is obviously playing the long game and I give him credit for it.

Now Rosas needs to remain patient and stick to his long game strategy. Ultimately, his success implementing that strategy will depend on the quality of his player personnel decisions and whether the coaching staff he has put together proves it can develop young talent. Did Rosas and his front office team make the right picks in Culver and Nowell? Would they have been better off trading Covington and drafting Garland instead fo Culver or just staying at #11 and drafting someone else (Alexander-Walker, Langford, Herro)? Will they make the right pick in next June's lottery? Did they show good judgment signing Naz Reid, Layman, Vonleh and Bell? How will our coaching staff perform in developing all these young players - Culver, Nowell, Okogie, KBD, Layman, Vonleh, Naz Reid and/or Bell? The answers to these questions will determine the fate of Rosas and this organization as they attempt KAT-rebuild 2.0.

Meanwhile, fans like us will need to be patient and endure what will probably be a very frustrating season. We have to hope that at least a couple of our young guys really excite us with their play.

[KG4Ever]

Its not the fans, but the front office that needs to be patient. That's why Thibs was such a disaster as he was probably the least patient person in terms of his front office moves, his coaching and developing young players. I am a believer in building organically by drafting well and developing young talent and hopefully Rosas believes that too.

[Monster]

The 2019-20 Timberwolves roster features 13 players who got NBA minutes last seasons.

The two best shooters of the group -- KAT and Covington -- connected on 227 of 580 total 3-pointers (39.1%).

Meanwhile, the other 11 made just 468 of 1,468 (31.9%) attempts.

Our three biggest weaknesses as a team last season were (1) 3-point shooting, (2) rebounding, and (3) defense.

With the exception of Nowell, we haven't added any players with track records to suggest they'll improve our 3-point shooting. In fact, we're worse statistically when you consider the loss of Derrick Rose who hit 37% of his threes last season.

Our rebounding could improve if Vonleh and/or Bell get lot of playing time and perform at something close to their potential. But we're losing Gibson's rebounding. Moreover, if the plan is to start Covington at PF with Wiggins and either Okogie or Culver at the wings, then our rebounding will likely be worse.

We've added defensive talent/potential in Culver, Vonleh and Bell. But we've lost Gibson's defense. Moreover, Culver is a rookie while Vonleh and Bell have thus far failed to show they're bona fide rotation NBA players.

Overall, there is little reason to be optimistic about the Wolves this coming season. We haven't added players who can be counted on to improve any of the team's weaknesses and we could be even weaker in a couple of those areas - 3-point shooting and rebounding. Rosas is obviously playing the long game and I give him credit for it.

Now Rosas needs to remain patient and stick to his long game strategy. Ultimately, his success implementing that strategy will depend on the quality of his player personnel decisions and whether the coaching staff he has put together proves it can develop young talent. Did Rosas and his front office team make the right picks in Culver and Nowell? Would they have been better off trading Covington and drafting Garland instead fo Culver or just staying at #11 and drafting someone else (Alexander-Walker, Langford, Herro)? Will they make the right pick in next June's lottery? Did they show good judgment signing Naz Reid, Layman, Vonleh and Bell? How will our coaching staff perform in developing all these young players - Culver, Nowell, Okogie, KBD, Layman, Vonleh, Naz Reid and/or Bell? The answers to these questions will determine the fate of Rosas and this organization as they attempt KAT-rebuild 2.0.

Meanwhile, fans like us will need to be patient and endure what will probably be a very frustrating season. We have to hope that at least a couple of our young guys really excite us with their play.

I'm a Taj Gibson fan for life but I think you are overrating his defensive rebounding. He often got owned on the defensive boards. Taj has played as a big his whole career and only averaged a little over 2 more rebounds per 36 (8.9) than Covington (6.7) who has played a lot of his minutes as a wing. Taj's defense was solid and he had some moments but Covington playing another 40 more games than he did will be a bigger deal than anyone we lost on either end of the court. Taj's consistency will be missed but I think there is some optimism that some young players can provide some overall similar-ish value. It's worth mentioning that Taj played in 70 games and ended up averaging 24 mpg so his role was smaller than it may seem.

A question I've been curious about is are we buying into advanced stats on guys to evaluate players or not?

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

The 2019-20 Timberwolves roster features 13 players who got NBA minutes last seasons.

The two best shooters of the group -- KAT and Covington -- connected on 227 of 580 total 3-pointers (39.1%).

Meanwhile, the other 11 made just 468 of 1,468 (31.9%) attempts.

Our three biggest weaknesses as a team last season were (1) 3-point shooting, (2) rebounding, and (3) defense.

With the exception of Nowell, we haven't added any players with track records to suggest they'll improve our 3-point shooting. In fact, we're worse statistically when you consider the loss of Derrick Rose who hit 37% of his threes last season.

Our rebounding could improve if Vonleh and/or Bell get lot of playing time and perform at something close to their potential. But we're losing Gibson's rebounding. Moreover, if the plan is to start Covington at PF with Wiggins and either Okogie or Culver at the wings, then our rebounding will likely be worse.

We've added defensive talent/potential in Culver, Vonleh and Bell. But we've lost Gibson's defense. Moreover, Culver is a rookie while Vonleh and Bell have thus far failed to show they're bona fide rotation NBA players.

Overall, there is little reason to be optimistic about the Wolves this coming season. We haven't added players who can be counted on to improve any of the team's weaknesses and we could be even weaker in a couple of those areas - 3-point shooting and rebounding. Rosas is obviously playing the long game and I give him credit for it.

Now Rosas needs to remain patient and stick to his long game strategy. Ultimately, his success implementing that strategy will depend on the quality of his player personnel decisions and whether the coaching staff he has put together proves it can develop young talent. Did Rosas and his front office team make the right picks in Culver and Nowell? Would they have been better off trading Covington and drafting Garland instead fo Culver or just staying at #11 and drafting someone else (Alexander-Walker, Langford, Herro)? Will they make the right pick in next June's lottery? Did they show good judgment signing Naz Reid, Layman, Vonleh and Bell? How will our coaching staff perform in developing all these young players - Culver, Nowell, Okogie, KBD, Layman, Vonleh, Naz Reid and/or Bell? The answers to these questions will determine the fate of Rosas and this organization as they attempt KAT-rebuild 2.0.

Meanwhile, fans like us will need to be patient and endure what will probably be a very frustrating season. We have to hope that at least a couple of our young guys really excite us with their play.

I'm a Taj Gibson fan for life but I think you are overrating his defensive rebounding. He often got owned on the defensive boards. Taj has played as a big his whole career and only averaged a little over 2 more rebounds per 36 (8.9) than Covington (6.7) who has played a lot of his minutes as a wing. Taj's defense was solid and he had some moments but Covington playing another 40 more games than he did will be a bigger deal than anyone we lost on either end of the court. Taj's consistency will be missed but I think there is some optimism that some young players can provide some overall similar-ish value. It's worth mentioning that Taj played in 70 games and ended up averaging 24 mpg so his role was smaller than it may seem.

A question I've been curious about is are we buying into advanced stats on guys to evaluate players or not?

I think it plays a part, but....

I think rosas is banking on his developmental staff to develop young upside guys that can play fast and play multiple position.

Culver fits that mold
Layman fits that mold
Bell, vonleh, etc...

And the guys that cant such rose, tyus, taj, saric, etc.. were traded or let go.

Kat is the centerpiece.
Everyone wanted wiggs gone, but he fits that mold.
Okogie, kbd, etc...also fit.

Teague and dieng are the 2 guys left that stick out.

Instead of getting a big boost from a star player, we are going to try to get a boost from depth.

So analytics does play a part, but i think style is what rosas was going after.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The 2019-20 Timberwolves roster features 13 players who got NBA minutes last seasons.

The two best shooters of the group -- KAT and Covington -- connected on 227 of 580 total 3-pointers (39.1%).

Meanwhile, the other 11 made just 468 of 1,468 (31.9%) attempts.

Our three biggest weaknesses as a team last season were (1) 3-point shooting, (2) rebounding, and (3) defense.

With the exception of Nowell, we haven't added any players with track records to suggest they'll improve our 3-point shooting. In fact, we're worse statistically when you consider the loss of Derrick Rose who hit 37% of his threes last season.

Our rebounding could improve if Vonleh and/or Bell get lot of playing time and perform at something close to their potential. But we're losing Gibson's rebounding. Moreover, if the plan is to start Covington at PF with Wiggins and either Okogie or Culver at the wings, then our rebounding will likely be worse.

We've added defensive talent/potential in Culver, Vonleh and Bell. But we've lost Gibson's defense. Moreover, Culver is a rookie while Vonleh and Bell have thus far failed to show they're bona fide rotation NBA players.

Overall, there is little reason to be optimistic about the Wolves this coming season. We haven't added players who can be counted on to improve any of the team's weaknesses and we could be even weaker in a couple of those areas - 3-point shooting and rebounding. Rosas is obviously playing the long game and I give him credit for it.

Now Rosas needs to remain patient and stick to his long game strategy. Ultimately, his success implementing that strategy will depend on the quality of his player personnel decisions and whether the coaching staff he has put together proves it can develop young talent. Did Rosas and his front office team make the right picks in Culver and Nowell? Would they have been better off trading Covington and drafting Garland instead fo Culver or just staying at #11 and drafting someone else (Alexander-Walker, Langford, Herro)? Will they make the right pick in next June's lottery? Did they show good judgment signing Naz Reid, Layman, Vonleh and Bell? How will our coaching staff perform in developing all these young players - Culver, Nowell, Okogie, KBD, Layman, Vonleh, Naz Reid and/or Bell? The answers to these questions will determine the fate of Rosas and this organization as they attempt KAT-rebuild 2.0.

Meanwhile, fans like us will need to be patient and endure what will probably be a very frustrating season. We have to hope that at least a couple of our young guys really excite us with their play.

I'm a Taj Gibson fan for life but I think you are overrating his defensive rebounding. He often got owned on the defensive boards. Taj has played as a big his whole career and only averaged a little over 2 more rebounds per 36 (8.9) than Covington (6.7) who has played a lot of his minutes as a wing. Taj's defense was solid and he had some moments but Covington playing another 40 more games than he did will be a bigger deal than anyone we lost on either end of the court. Taj's consistency will be missed but I think there is some optimism that some young players can provide some overall similar-ish value. It's worth mentioning that Taj played in 70 games and ended up averaging 24 mpg so his role was smaller than it may seem.

A question I've been curious about is are we buying into advanced stats on guys to evaluate players or not?

I think it plays a part, but....

I think rosas is banking on his developmental staff to develop young upside guys that can play fast and play multiple position.

Culver fits that mold
Layman fits that mold
Bell, vonleh, etc...

And the guys that cant such rose, tyus, taj, saric, etc.. were traded or let go.

Kat is the centerpiece.
Everyone wanted wiggs gone, but he fits that mold.
Okogie, kbd, etc...also fit.

Teague and dieng are the 2 guys left that stick out.

Instead of getting a big boost from a star player, we are going to try to get a boost from depth.

So analytics does play a part, but i think style is what rosas was going after.

Style of play and "position-less" basketball is pretty meaningless unless at the end of the day you can make shots and defend shots. Covington is the only proven player on the roster that can actually do both well. Him staying healthy (along with KAT of course) will be one of the big keys to us eeking out the 35 or so wins Vegas has us down for.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Depth and quality depth are two very different things. Right now, it is fair to say that the Wolves have below average reserves. We have warm bodies with names on their jerseys. None of them have proven themselves to be quality NBA rotation players, which is why I will continue to advocate that everyone pump the breaks and expect a poor upcoming season from a win/loss perspective.

[Lipoli390]

Its not the fans, but the front office that needs to be patient. That's why Thibs was such a disaster as he was probably the least patient person in terms of his front office moves, his coaching and developing young players. I am a believer in building organically by drafting well and developing young talent and hopefully Rosas believes that too.

I agree completely on building organically. That's why I said in my post that Rosas needs to remain patient. But fans do as well.

Rosas showed patience this summer. The true test will be whether he can remain patient after a 30-win season or worse and avoid the temptation for a quick fix like the Butler deal. There are no shortcuts to success unless perhaps you're a marque franchise in a big-market warm weather city. Even then, you have to take time to amass valuable assets, including first round picks and talented young players, to position yourself for major trade that catapults your team forward. The Clippers are a good example. They were able to acquire Paul George because they amassed first round picks and a very talented young player, SGA. At the same time, they carefully managed their payroll by avoiding the temptation to do bad deals, leaving them with the cap room to sign Kawhi as a free agent and absorb the Paul George contract without giving up matching salaries.

Of course, patience isn't enough. Rosas will also need to show skill in evaluating, selecting and developing young players to make his patience pay off. So we'll have to see if Rosas has the mental toughness to remain patient when the going gets rough. And we'll see if he has the player personnel judgment to make the most of his patience.

[Lipoli390]

Depth and quality depth are two very different things. Right now, it is fair to say that the Wolves have below average reserves. We have warm bodies with names on their jerseys. None of them have proven themselves to be quality NBA rotation players, which is why I will continue to advocate that everyone pump the breaks and expect a poor upcoming season from a win/loss perspective.

I agree Cam. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised, but we can't ignore the track records of the players we've acquired this summer. Based on those track records, they are indeed warm bodies with names on their jerseys as you said.