Camden wrote:I hate to even say this, but I hate watching Shabazz play basketball now. It's super ugly and inconsistently effective. Most of the time the guy's a negative on the floor. I hope we shop him actively in the off-season.
I have to agree, and he was among my favorite players going into this season.
Personally this game was one of his best lately which I suppose isn't high praise. I have no problem shopping him but the guy brings it and his ability to make passes and work within a flow offense has really improved a great deal. On a good team he could be a heck of a bench player.
Think about the Clippers. They are winning plenty of games starting 2 guys that are Wolves cast offs in Wes and Luc. There are rumors that the Clippers want Payne who actually played like a worthwhile basketball player for the first time in like a month or something. My point here is that when you have a good team with good players in place you can get something out of decent players. The Wolves are quite a ways from that now.
Think about this put a couple fringe starters on this team's bench let's say Kris Hunphries and Lou Williams (just throwing out a couple names). Suddenly you have some guys that can be productive out there score points get some rebounds make some plays. Other guys don't have to do as much and can play off of other guys. I really think 2 of the right vet FA guys could make a pretty big difference for this team next year. It could make everything else work well. Heck I think a guy like Rudez could actually end up being useful if he wasn't just playing with kiddos all the time.
Camden0916 wrote:Someone tell me why Greg Smith got signed a second 10-day contract and then for the rest of the season. I don't see it. He's just not very good.
I feel a little torn on the guy. His offense has been fumbly when fed and obviously his defense and rebounding aren't world saving but the dude is a 20mpg bench player at best expectations should be realistic. Why I think they brought him back is he clearly understands his role has experience playing in the league and is 25 and has an NBA body. He can move around well enough to play as a PF or a C and has enough girth and length to not get totally housed by legit centers. I know people want more out of someone than when he has been giving but I also think he could end up being a useful guy. It feels like he would be another guy that would be better if the bench guys around him were better. I know I'm reaching a bit here but I do like some of the way he makes his rotations on D and knows what he is and isn't supposed to do. Can the Wolves do better this offseason? I do hope so but if he can stay healthy and work with the team there may be a little something there worth holding onto.
JasonIsDaMan wrote:Bell Biv Devoe? Seriously? I hope every a-hole from my college, who thought they and Bobby Brown were going to be the next soul all-stars, saw that. Ha-ha.
Yep they sang Poision and then we're on there way lol
Q12543 wrote:I don't know if I saw laziness and lack of effort from our guys. What I did see was a Clippers team 100% dialed in and not taking us for granted. JJ Redick was blanketed all over LaVine from the opening tip defensively. And Luc Richard is one of the premier wing defenders in the NBA. One of the reasons Philly's defense was halfway decent last year wasn't just Nerlens Noel, but the fact Luc Richard started 60-some games for them. Their defense took a massive step backwards this year without him.
Then you have DeAndre Jordan, who is a one man paint protector. I forgot how damn nimble that dude is.
I think it's fair to say that we didn't match their intensity and for that, our guys should get some grief.
One thing hopefully LaVine learns with time is how to move without the ball the way Redick does. That dude is an expert at using off-the-ball screens to free himself up for open jumpers. And ultimately, Zach is a jump shooter first and foremost. That is his bread and butter tendency, so he needs to get better at moving without the ball.
As a couple others have said Bjelica had another game where he looked like a basketball player. That's a good thing hopefully it continues to be a positive development.
