Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:Watched some of the Celtics/Golden State game before the Wolves. I'd be curious to hear from others that might watch the C's a bit more, but if you think Edwards has sticky fingers, go watch Jayson Tatum. My god, all he does is play iso ball. And then every once in a while Jaylen Brown gets a turn and he does the same thing.

Yep. The lack of playmaking chops has been a big issue... along with counting on Marcus Smart as the starting PG.

That franchise had the world at its fingertips five years ago... a string of bad luck/decisions later has them staring down a play-in berth.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Watched some of the Celtics/Golden State game before the Wolves. I'd be curious to hear from others that might watch the C's a bit more, but if you think Edwards has sticky fingers, go watch Jayson Tatum. My god, all he does is play iso ball. And then every once in a while Jaylen Brown gets a turn and he does the same thing.

Yep. The lack of playmaking chops has been a big issue... along with counting on Marcus Smart as the starting PG.

That franchise had the world at its fingertips five years ago... a string of bad luck/decisions later has them staring down a play-in berth.

When Kyrie Irving walked in free agency, to me that was the end of whatever championship window they might have had with that core. They did their best to retool with Kemba Walker, but it was never the same. That Celtics team hasn't been as dangerous since.

Woj:

NBA teams can now sign one replacement player for each roster player who tests positive for Covid, sources tell ESPN.

Most importantly for teams: Hardship signings will not impact team's salary cap and luxury tax, sources tell ESPN.

Camden wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Watched some of the Celtics/Golden State game before the Wolves. I'd be curious to hear from others that might watch the C's a bit more, but if you think Edwards has sticky fingers, go watch Jayson Tatum. My god, all he does is play iso ball. And then every once in a while Jaylen Brown gets a turn and he does the same thing.

Yep. The lack of playmaking chops has been a big issue... along with counting on Marcus Smart as the starting PG.

That franchise had the world at its fingertips five years ago... a string of bad luck/decisions later has them staring down a play-in berth.

When Kyrie Irving walked in free agency, to me that was the end of whatever championship window they might have had with that core. They did their best to retool with Kemba Walker, but it was never the same. That Celtics team hasn't been as dangerous since.

Maybe on paper.

But the Celtics made the ECF without Irving (injured). Then, they flamed out in the playoffs with him (with Irving playing terrible, selfish basketball).

The first year after Irving was gone... they made the ECF again.

Keita Bates-Diop with the kind of game we enjoyed so much from him when he was playing for us...30 points on 14 for 14 shooting plus 8 rebounds in the final game ever at Staples Center.

Ricky Rubio was just helped off the floor and taken back to the locker room after a non-contact injury in which he collapsed to the ground holding his left knee. The video looked pretty terrible. I've been both a passionate fan and critic of Rubio throughout the years, but I hope it's less severe than it appeared. He's been fun for that surprisingly good Cavs team. Wishing him well!

That's too bad. He and Kevin Love have really helped that Cavs team become a force in the Eastern Conference. They will miss him if he's out for a long time. Hell, we miss him this year! While PBev has been awesome, I'd take Rubio over Prince every single time.

Q12543 wrote:That's too bad. He and Kevin Love have really helped that Cavs team become a force in the Eastern Conference. They will miss him if he's out for a long time. Hell, we miss him this year! While PBev has been awesome, I'd take Rubio over Prince every single time.

Agreed, but the trade had additional layers built into it that helped the Wolves. For instance, the cap savings from shedding Ricky Rubio's contract for Taurean Prince's -- $4.8M to be exact -- led to Minnesota re-signing Jarred Vanderbilt without exceeding the luxury tax threshold. Vanderbilt has arguably been more impactful than Rubio would have been for the Wolves this year. Not to mention, would Minnesota have stolen Patrick Beverley for Jarrett Culver and Juan Hernangomez if Rubio was still on the team? It's pretty unlikely, but I suppose there was a chance. In the end, the result of said moves ended up making the Wolves a better team, in my opinion.

We could have used this version of him last year, though! Where was that guy? Even with the shooting numbers crashing back down to earth, he's still been a solid player for Cleveland. Much different than what he was in his last year as a Wolf.

27 / 13 / 9 ... and a terrible injury for Rubio?

Yikes.

I'm ok with trading Rubio. He was pretty awful for vast stretches of last season, not the best fit with the current crew and certainly not the answer in MN for the better part of a decade. But the Taurean Prince trade was terrible. That guy has been worse than terrible.

It's ok to applaud all the freedom the trade afforded the Timberwolves AND expect something positive from the guy making $15M. Prince has been unplayable.

Ugh, so sad. Same knee as 2012. Really hope it's not an ACL tear, he's "only" 31, but I think it'd be a struggle for him to get back into the league again in a couple years :(

AbeVigodaLive wrote:It's ok to applaud all the freedom the trade afforded the Timberwolves AND expect something positive from the guy making $15M. Prince has been unplayable.

We should expect it, but also not be surprised any more when a new acquisition hits all time lows in fg % while they wear a wolves jersey.