Minnesota Sports Forum

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:Thanks for the thread Tim, but I basically stopped watching after the half. Just no point. Tyus and Payne aren't going to see a lot of minutes this year and games like this don't help their case!

...but here is where getting the little things right matters. We've seen too many times where injuries derail the season for a couple of our key guys and then we end up with totally inferior talent being thrust into roles they simply can't handle. I'm not talking about guys that can step in and exactly replace the guys they are filling if for, but being able to at least hold the fort down and play smart, competent ball. If we are in a situation this season where Jones and Payne are in the top 7 or 8 of the rotation due to injuries, we're in big trouble.

It seems to be an area that San Antonio and the culture/system they have built gives them a competitive advantage. Their latest two examples of organizational superiority is Kyle Anderson and Jonathan Simmons. Anderson was drafted a couple years ago at #30. Simmons went undrafted. I would argue both of these guys are superior to a number of players Minnesota either drafted directly or traded for with higher picks, specifically Jones, Payne, and Shabazz. We used/traded 3 2nd rounder and two first rounders for three guys that are sub-optimal in many ways. Meanwhile San Antonio used ONE late first rounder for two guys that could be in the top 8 or 9 of their rotation next season.

...and they do this all the freakin' time! Those late round picks, scouring for undrafted FAs, 2nd rounders, etc. need to be given the same amount of time, energy, and care as the lottery picks are given. These guys can save your season if you run into injury issues over a difficult stretch and need to at least tread water. I don't trust that Payne and Tyus (but Payne especially) could do this for us.

longstrangetrip wrote:I didn't see much of last night's game, but did see AP's horrible line score. It's disappointing to see how far he has regressed from a year ago when, other then Zach's one game, he was our best player. Conversely, this year he was consistently terrible in all three games. I suspect he will be on the roster because he's big and under contract, but I think we will see him inactive most nights.

LST I'll say that Payne didn't play as bad as his box score indicated. He was much less of a train wreck and more of just a disappointment because he didn't finish plays. While he probably kept a few balls alive 5 rebounds in 25 mpg when there were so many offensive rebounds he could have snagged is pretty bad.

Maybe Layden and Thibs see something worth salvageable in the guy but if they don't and they want to bring in a better player it shouldn't be hard to do. It would probably only cost the vet min so I wouldn't think that would hold them or Glen back from paying that amount especially if it was for one of those cheap young guys. I pretty much consider Payne's roster spot up for grabs at this point. Flat out cutting him seems very possible if not somewhat likely. I said the same thing about Bennett last summer. The good thing for the Wolves was he wanted out so they saved some cash. Payne probably won't be giving up any money unless he is dying to play in Europe or something.

Payne has been really disappointing. He has all the physical tools to be a decent player in the league but he lacks a certain something between the ears.

He's shown glimpses of shot blocking, 3pt shooting and being a decent pick setter. A poor mans Anthony Randolph.

Is there such a thing as a "poor man's" Anthony Randolph?

Will Thibs reinstate 'dunks after dark'? ' Can we start this season already? I thought last summer was long with Big KAT, but now I wanna see how well our top 9 or 10 can do with a new coach.

BizarroJerry wrote:Will Thibs reinstate 'dunks after dark'? ' Can we start this season already? I thought last summer was long with Big KAT, but now I wanna see how well our top 9 or 10 can do with a new coach.

Indeed, we are about ready to enter the dead season.

Whew! What a ride though...Thibs/Layden, drafting Dunn, trade rumors, free agency, and now summer league.

Oh, I also just found out Rubio got hurt in Spain's international friendly and had to be taken out. It doesn't sound too serious though. But really!? Dunn and Rubio each getting banged up within two days of each other. That's how we roll baby....Timberwolves!

Q12543 wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:Will Thibs reinstate 'dunks after dark'? ' Can we start this season already? I thought last summer was long with Big KAT, but now I wanna see how well our top 9 or 10 can do with a new coach.

Indeed, we are about ready to enter the dead season.

Whew! What a ride though...Thibs/Layden, drafting Dunn, trade rumors, free agency, and now summer league.

Oh, I also just found out Rubio got hurt in Spain's international friendly and had to be taken out. It doesn't sound too serious though. But really!? Dunn and Rubio each getting banged up within two days of each other. That's how we roll baby....Timberwolves!

Yep, and we got lucky with the injury bug last year, so I'm moving my wins prediction down a bit even with Thibs, hoping we crack .500 and/or get the 8th spot (an homage to KG's last season, how many 8 seeds did we make in a row? 7?)

Duke13 wrote:Is there such a thing as a "poor man's" Anthony Randolph?

Unfortunately there is Q and his name is Adrien Payne.

BizarroJerry wrote:Will Thibs reinstate 'dunks after dark'? ' Can we start this season already? I thought last summer was long with Big KAT, but now I wanna see how well our top 9 or 10 can do with a new coach.

Lol we aren't even a month out from when the finals of last season ended.

Q12543 wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:Will Thibs reinstate 'dunks after dark'? ' Can we start this season already? I thought last summer was long with Big KAT, but now I wanna see how well our top 9 or 10 can do with a new coach.

Indeed, we are about ready to enter the dead season.

Whew! What a ride though...Thibs/Layden, drafting Dunn, trade rumors, free agency, and now summer league.

Oh, I also just found out Rubio got hurt in Spain's international friendly and had to be taken out. It doesn't sound too serious though. But really!? Dunn and Rubio each getting banged up within two days of each other. That's how we roll baby....Timberwolves!

You obviously found that out about Rubio after throwing me a jab in another thread? Haha