Minnesota Sports Forum

This poll is going even better than I would have hoped for...all 8 players have received at least one vote. If that's not a strong indicator of a team poised to make a big leap, I don't know what is.

Wig is the leader currently with 5 votes, and he wasn't even in my top 4. I think he's a good choice though. He has the strongest "star" pedigree on our roster (considered the best player in his class throughout AAU and high school, and sometimes called the (gasp) next potential LBJ), and even though he is already an elite scorer, I think our astute posters dream about how high his ceiling can be as a 2-way player. I'd love to see him become our best player, because I think we know how good KAT already is.

longstrangetrip wrote:This poll is going even better than I would have hoped for...all 8 players have received at least one vote. If that's not a strong indicator of a team poised to make a big leap, I don't know what is.

Wig is the leader currently with 5 votes, and he wasn't even in my top 4. I think he's a good choice though. He has the strongest "star" pedigree on our roster (considered the best player in his class throughout AAU and high school, and sometimes called the (gasp) next potential LBJ), and even though he is already an elite scorer, I think our astute posters dream about how high his ceiling can be as a 2-way player. I'd love to see him become our best player, because I think we know how good KAT already is.

If Wiggins becomes better than Towns we probably need to start talking him being the GOAT.

See, I already think Wig is a damn good player. If he is our biggest improver, Yahtzee!

60WinTim wrote:Lots of good choices! I went with LaVine, figuring he was held back for half the season playing backup PG. If he is our starting SG to begin the season, he could see some of the bigger statistical gains on the team.

Yup, I went with LaVine too. The fact he got stuck playing PG to start last season helps him in terms of YoY comparisons. I also think that he is going to thrive being the primary floor spacer in a unit that has Wiggins and KAT being a primary focus of opposing teams. He'll generally have the weaker wing defender on him as well.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:I went with Belly in part because his year was so disappointing last year. I really hope it's Wiggins though, in terms of efficiency, outside shooting, and defense, because then 50 wins would not be so crazy!

Bjelly wasn't as bad as it seems last year. Yes, he had an extended stretch of games where he was in the doghouse of the refs (they totally hazed him as a white Euro rookie player by calling every damn little touch foul against him) and he totally lost his confidence. But that was book-ended by some very good play on his part. We all recall his resurgence at the end of the season, but recall that he was pretty good early on too. He just fell off the map for a few weeks in the middle of the season.

I do expect him to still improve over last year, but there is a ceiling to how good he can be. If you look at his shooting, rebounding, and assist numbers last year, they were pretty solid. I just don't see dramatic improvement there. It's more a matter of his ability to stay on the floor for longer stretches.

I agree with everyone. :). But ultimately I went with Bazz based on what Bazz has been saying about his commitment to becoming a 2-way player and Thibs' belief in Bazz. I hope it's Wiggins, but I'll say Bazz.

I voted Bjelica since I think he will thrive as a stretch four. League is moving for smaller faster type of game. So his lack of strength and bulk should not be that much issue. Offensively he seems ideal to play next to high usage guys like KAT, Wiggins and Lavine since Bjelica doesn't need lot of shots, makes smart decisions with the ball and improves a lot our teams floor spacing.

lipoli390 wrote:I agree with everyone. :). But ultimately I went with Bazz based on what Bazz has been saying about his commitment to becoming a 2-way player and Thibs' belief in Bazz. I hope it's Wiggins, but I'll say Bazz.

I think Beasley made a similar statement. As did Rashad McCants. Ricky Davis. Et al.

Ok. That was a bit facetious. But I don't think Bazz's two-way play is ever going to be his calling card in the NBA. He has carved out a role as a rotation player by being able to score. He has a relentless passion to score. He won't pass. And it won't be his defense.

Whether he sticks here or elsewhere in the rotation depends on whether he maintains that relentless style and injects scoring and life to second units.

Abe -- I don't think Bazz's two-way play will ever be his "calling card." But right now he is a one-way only player who can score and rebound. If he develops into any sort of two-way player and becomes more consistent as an elite scorer and rebounder off the bench, then that puts him in the running for most improved. Thibs seems to think he can become a two-way player so that makes it credible for me.

lipoli390 wrote:Abe -- I don't think Bazz's two-way play will ever be his "calling card." But right now he is a one-way only player who can score and rebound. If he develops into any sort of two-way player and becomes more consistent as an elite scorer and rebounder off the bench, then that puts him in the running for most improved. Thibs seems to think he can become a two-way player so that makes it credible for me.

The fun part is that we get to find out in a few weeks.

Excitement is building...

Fun time to be a pro hoops fan in MN. Finally.