Minnesota Sports Forum

bleedspeed177 wrote:Shabazz fits as the prefect backup to Wiggins and LaVine. Sure we could use 3&D backup, but at least he is not a guy you wouldn't be afraid to start for a few games a year.

I really think this team needs to worry about a PF/C and backup PG this offseason and build around Towns/Wiggins/LaVine/Dieng/Rubio/Shabazz.

Bazz is far from the perfect backup for those two. You can't play him with Zach because the defense is terrible and the spacing isn't good when he plays with Wiggins and Ricky. He also isn't versatile position wise. He pretty much can only play the 3 because his handle and creating off the dribble aren't there to be a 2 and he also has no prayer at guarding most 2's. A guy like Batum is the perfect pairing with them because he has 3&D traits, but he also has some ability to create off the dribble and he has the position versatility to play 2 or 3. So Batum's the perfect fit with them, but a 3&D guy would still be a better fit than Bazz because he covers the weaknesses of Zach and Wiggins while being able to play next to either.

Perfect was a poor choose of words there. Maybe a workable backup. Possible spot starter. Problem with Batum is you are going to pay him like a starter and I want don't want him starting in front of LaVine.

bleedspeed177 wrote:Perfect was a poor choose of words there. Maybe a workable backup. Possible spot starter. Problem with Batum is you are going to pay him like a starter and I want don't want him starting in front of LaVine.

Bazz is a perfect bench player in that you bring him in he is gonna give you something right away. Scoring rebounding energy hustle. I find it funny we have the talk about these SF that may be the next D Carroll or Crowder but Bazz can't end up being a 3 point shooter? 23 isn't super young but there are a few guys you can look to that didn't really find their game till around the age of 25 or 26. I think Bazz may not be a finished product and could end up being a really nice player in this league beyond what we see now. Now will the Wolves end up having to move on from Bazz at some point? Even as a Bazz fan I realize that's a very real possibility and I do think the Wolves should be listening to offered but I would like to see things play out a little longer before moving him.

Carroll and Crowder play good defense. Bazz is a really bad defender despite actually trying. It's not really comparable, IMO.

Camden0916 wrote:Carroll and Crowder play good defense. Bazz is a really bad defender despite actually trying. It's not really comparable, IMO.

I guess I should clarify was ONLY comparing 3 point shooting.

Do you think Bazz would interest the Bulls? They need scoring and we need a PF. Maybe I'm too high on Portis, but I think he would be a great fit here.

TRKO wrote:Do you think Bazz would interest the Bulls? They need scoring and we need a PF. Maybe I'm too high on Portis, but I think he would be a great fit here.

I doubt they would be interested in giving up Portis for Bazz. They still have McDermott who I would bet they still like (keep in mind his connection to Hoiberg) and I don't think they have a young PF besides Portis and he fits what Hoiberg wants to do so I don't think that trade is gonna happen.

thedoper wrote:Smarter teams want Bazz. He is still trending upward, trading him isn't our best move.

Actually, he's trended backwards this season. Last season was better. That's not to say that he still can't improve; I just don't see the upward trend you speak of. What really has hurt is his 3-point shot falling off (what a shock - he's a Timberwolf after all).

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:Smarter teams want Bazz. He is still trending upward, trading him isn't our best move.

Actually, he's trended backwards this season. Last season was better. That's not to say that he still can't improve; I just don't see the upward trend you speak of. What really has hurt is his 3-point shot falling off (what a shock - he's a Timberwolf after all).

Q I think Bazz's all around game has taken a step forward though leading to him "trending upward" in some sense. Moving the ball and his defense while still not at an acceptable level has improved from absolutely terrible to just a liability. Lol I am not saying Bazz is an all around player because he isn't but he has trended in the right direction despite some other aspects that seem to have fallen off a bit. Like you said with his 3 point shot he is a Timberwolf so...

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:Smarter teams want Bazz. He is still trending upward, trading him isn't our best move.

Actually, he's trended backwards this season. Last season was better. That's not to say that he still can't improve; I just don't see the upward trend you speak of. What really has hurt is his 3-point shot falling off (what a shock - he's a Timberwolf after all).

Technically your right q. last 10 games has dipped him below his last year numbers in 38 games. Until those 10 he was well ahead of his numbers from last year. His TS% is still relatively close to his small sample size from last year, nothing to indicate a backwards trend especially since the trend would be judged on 10 games. In the last 10 his playing time has been erratic. Flip was playing him more and used him in more unique ways (starting him at the 2 for matchups). This is exactly what a good coach will do with him if we a dumb enough to trade him. I'd like to see him used to his strengths again before blindly shipping him out and watching him flourish under a real coach. There is a reason why a smart guy like Brad Stevens wants him.