Minnesota Sports Forum

Isaiah also talking about Kyle Lowry and how he started as a bulldog defender before developing into an excellent offensive player and 3-point shooter. Another example of defense as a foundation for the development of an offensive game after getting to the NBA. Jimmy Butler is another example. Can anyone things of examples of the reverse -- i.e., players who came to the League as excellent offensive players who later developed into top defenders.

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Oh, and you mentioned LaVine...cleared for 5 on 5!? If that's the case and it's only mid-July, then I have to believe he'll be ready to go by training camp. Isn't that super fast?

That is definitely super fast. The guy must be a very quick healer. Actually, there's something about him that tells me we shouldn't be surprised.

I'm not surprised he is recovering so well.

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Watching some of these players in summer league, especially a couple of guys on the Mavs' summer league roster, has me asking the same quesiton many of us have asked repeatedly for years. Why can't the Wolves find and sign players like Ding and Yogi? Who are our scouts? They apparently get taken in by players like Adrienne Payne but never find the under-the-radar gems out there. It's really disappointing.

And don't forget Dallas picking up Seth Curry and making him into a real shooting/scoring threat last season.

You are correct. Our track record at finding and developing the proverbial diamond in the rough is horrible. As we've talked about before, a LOT of things need to go wrong for a team to miss the playoffs 13 consecutive years in a league where 50% make them every year.

I wonder how much Thibs changed our scouting staff. He's talked a lot lately about how they rely on their scouting staff. It's a reminder of how important it is for and NBA organization to have really good scouts. If we have mainly the same scouts we've had the past 10 years, including those who raved about Payne, then I would expect the same results for the next 10 years. I have a lot of confidence in Thibs eye for talent, but he necessarily has to rely on his scouting staff, especially to find the diamonds into rough.

I mentioned this before to you Lip that the Wolves scouting staff is mostly brand new guys they brought in. It's a bit early to say none of these guys are any good after one freaking summer league game.

I told people last year we should have signed Seth Curry. He was doing this stuff for the Kings down the stretch the previous year. Plenty of other teams could have had him. The Nets let Yogi Ferral go.

Let's give Thibs and his folks a little more time before we just lump him with the rest of the failings in this area of the franchise. Patience Lip you are the guy preaching it.

monsterpile wrote:

TheFuture wrote:

MikeAz wrote:This summers Wolves team is very underwhelming but I too am a bit intrigued by Deonte Burton. Maybe a cheaper version of Bazz?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsN_5KO2juo

As far as I know, Burton is the one we didn't "sign", thus we have no rights. He can go anywhere after summer league.

As far as I know we didn't sign any of these guys to any kind of contract that prevents them from signing with another team.

Actually, it seems like we had signed him on June to a contract which means if he doesn't make the Timberwolves squad he could be assigned the team's NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.

http://whotv.com/2017/06/23/deonte-burton-signs-with-timberwolves-could-play-in-des-moines-next-season/

lipoli390 wrote:Isaiah also talking about Kyle Lowry and how he started as a bulldog defender before developing into an excellent offensive player and 3-point shooter. Another example of defense as a foundation for the development of an offensive game after getting to the NBA. Jimmy Butler is another example. Can anyone things of examples of the reverse -- i.e., players who came to the League as excellent offensive players who later developed into top defenders.

I think it's really hard for someone to be an elite defender AND top offensive option. But a couple guys that seem to have turned themselves into good defenders after starting out as pure offensive types might be Kevin Durant and J.R. Smith (may be?). Curry isn't a great defender, but he's way better now than 4 or 5 years ago.

Eitan wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

TheFuture wrote:

MikeAz wrote:This summers Wolves team is very underwhelming but I too am a bit intrigued by Deonte Burton. Maybe a cheaper version of Bazz?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsN_5KO2juo

As far as I know, Burton is the one we didn't "sign", thus we have no rights. He can go anywhere after summer league.

As far as I know we didn't sign any of these guys to any kind of contract that prevents them from signing with another team.

Actually, it seems like we had signed him on June to a contract which means if he doesn't make the Timberwolves squad he could be assigned the team's NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.

http://whotv.com/2017/06/23/deonte-burton-signs-with-timberwolves-could-play-in-des-moines-next-season/

That makes sense and it's good to hear. It looks like VJ Beacham signed also. I'm glad to be wrong!

Just finished watching the Atlanta v New Orleans game. Very depressing to see John Collins play. He was really impressive, scoring on dunks and mid-range shots, hustling, rebounding, etc. Really athletic, quick and nimble. I'm not surprised. I'm still not happy we passed on a guy with this rebounding, scoring and efficiency numbers as a sophomore in a tough conference. Add to that his reputation for a high-octane motor and great attitude. Of course, as you all know, Collins was someone I was touting well before the draft. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we will all end up sorry we drafted Patton instead of John Collins. Unfortunately, we're not going to get the chance to see Patton in Summer League.

By the way, I know this is just one game and that is Summer League. Obviously, we all know that and I didn't just start touting Collins today.

lipoli390 wrote:Just finished watching the Atlanta v New Orleans game. Very depressing to see John Collins play. He was really impressive, scoring on dunks and mid-range shots, hustling, rebounding, etc. Really athletic, quick and nimble. I'm not surprised. I'm still not happy we passed on a guy with this rebounding, scoring and efficiency numbers as a sophomore in a tough conference. Add to that his reputation for a high-octane motor and great attitude. Of course, as you all know, Collins was someone I was touting well before the draft. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we will all end up sorry we drafted Patton instead of John Collins. Unfortunately, we're not going to get the chance to see Patton in Summer League.

By the way, I know this is just one game and that is Summer League. Obviously, we all know that and I didn't just start touting Collins today.

Atlanta has done a good job of doing what their new GM has said not having bad contracts. If Collins works out they would have possibly 3 young starters on that squad and plenty of ways to add to it.

My advice for you is just enjoy watching Collins when you get the chance. We really won't know the best player for maybe 7 years from now.

Dennis Smith Jr looks the guy interviewing him right in the eye when he was asking him about hanging his head etc and then gives a pretty solid response.

I was reading about Paige after yesterday's game and in the D-league last year he was basically played as a SG. There were some numbers that said he was much better shooting off the dribble compared to catch and shoot.

Also Thibs was standing behind the baseline yesterday before the game and was talking to someone and laughing and looking like he was having a good time.