Minnesota Sports Forum

I voted for our trio, mostly because all three still have further upside and one of them is already damn near elite (Towns). I really like Middleton, but he's in his 4th season and it feels like he's getting pretty close to his ceiling.

But yeah, this is not some new debate based on a small sample of recent games. We've been going back and forth previously on Giannis vs. Wiggins and Parker vs. Wiggins.

I know this is a small sample size, but it hasn't really been talked about, though I'm sure we've all noticed it. Over his last 20 games, Andrew Wiggins is shooting 38.5% from 3P on 2.0 attempts per game. I'm not concerned about volume with him because he's going to earn his checks by living in the paint, but if he can make the wide open threes that he's been getting, that's a huge development for his game. Definitely something to watch with 16 games left in the season.

Camden wrote:I know this is a small sample size, but it hasn't really been talked about, though I'm sure we've all noticed it. Over his last 20 games, Andrew Wiggins is shooting 38.5% from 3P on 2.0 attempts per game. I'm not concerned about volume with him because he's going to earn his checks by living in the paint, but if he can make the wide open threes that he's been getting, that's a huge development for his game. Definitely something to watch with 16 games left in the season.

Agreed, that is a pretty big deal actually. One of the knocks on Wiggins is his inefficiency as a scorer. Up until just a couple weeks ago, he was the least efficient 20+ PPG scorer in the league. But partially thanks to his better 3-pt shooting of late, he's passed up Wall and 'Melo and is now "only" the 3rd least efficient scorer of the 24 guys averaging 20+ pts per game. That still isn't very good, but considering his age, the trend is headed in the right direction.

I still think he ends up as a better version of DeMar DeRozan. Adding a consistent 3-point shot would get him there pretty quickly.

Q12543 wrote:

Camden wrote:I know this is a small sample size, but it hasn't really been talked about, though I'm sure we've all noticed it. Over his last 20 games, Andrew Wiggins is shooting 38.5% from 3P on 2.0 attempts per game. I'm not concerned about volume with him because he's going to earn his checks by living in the paint, but if he can make the wide open threes that he's been getting, that's a huge development for his game. Definitely something to watch with 16 games left in the season.

Agreed, that is a pretty big deal actually. One of the knocks on Wiggins is his inefficiency as a scorer. Up until just a couple weeks ago, he was the least efficient 20+ PPG scorer in the league. But partially thanks to his better 3-pt shooting of late, he's passed up Wall and 'Melo and is now "only" the 3rd least efficient scorer of the 24 guys averaging 20+ pts per game. That still isn't very good, but considering his age, the trend is headed in the right direction.

I still think he ends up as a better version of DeMar DeRozan. Adding a consistent 3-point shot would get him there pretty quickly.

Me... after watching a better version of 2016 DeRozan paired with an improved Towns...

This is like asking "Who would you rather shag - Kate Upton or Jessica Simpson?". You might have a preference, but the reality is you'd feel pretty good with either choice.

The Bucks trio is a little further along in metrics, but also age. The Wolves trio certainly has the potential to be as good if not better. Only time will tell.

The wolves trio.

Like many here, towns is the difference maker. He is going to be a top 5 player in the league in the future. Can't say the same for the other 5.

Wiggins and Gianni's are going to be all stars while Lavine and Parker are going to be high caliber players that has a chance at being all stars. Middleton is solid but may have reached his potential. Would love to have him though. But towns alone makes it in favor of the wolves.

How is this even a question with KAT on the Wolves?

The Bucks trio is further along in their development, but they have a nice young team. I would pick the Wolves trio because I think it has the most upside.

There are some teams that have some good young talent on it. If the Lakers can get Ingrahm to pair with Russell, Randle and Clarkson, then they will have a nice young talented roster too. Unfortunately the 76ers tank to get a young good roster and they seem stuck in quicksand.

TRKO wrote:The Bucks trio is further along in their development, but they have a nice young team. I would pick the Wolves trio because I think it has the most upside.

There are some teams that have some good young talent on it. If the Lakers can get Ingrahm to pair with Russell, Randle and Clarkson, then they will have a nice young talented roster too. Unfortunately the 76ers tank to get a young good roster and they seem stuck in quicksand.

The 76ers would have a nice roster too had they not drafted terribly after the Noel pick in 2013. That Holiday for two firsts trade looks great in hindsight, though I admit I criticized it at the time.

2013: Noel (top-three player from that draft), Carter-Williams (ROY, but has steady declined, traded for future 1st)
2014: Embiid (complete waste of a first round pick), Saric (LaVine went one pick later, had originally drafted E. Payton)
2015: Okafor (should have traded his rights on draft night when value was at a high; didn't need more frontcourt youth)

Here's who they could have if they re-drafted knowing what they know now:

2013: Noel, Antetokounmpo
2014: Exum, LaVine
2015: Porzingis

Exum-LaVine-Antetokounmpo-Porzingis-Noel would be their starting five going forward with more help on the way and plenty of cap space. That five has it all: athleticism, length, shot creators, defense, two good 3P shooters. It just goes to show how important drafting is and you absolutely cannot whiff completely on picks, especially top-five picks. It sets back your franchise tremendously, and in all likelihood will cost Hinkie his job.

Camden0916 wrote:I know this is a small sample size, but it hasn't really been talked about, though I'm sure we've all noticed it. Over his last 20 games, Andrew Wiggins is shooting 38.5% from 3P on 2.0 attempts per game. I'm not concerned about volume with him because he's going to earn his checks by living in the paint, but if he can make the wide open threes that he's been getting, that's a huge development for his game. Definitely something to watch with 16 games left in the season.

It's a small sample size and the upside isn't there like Wiggins but Rubio has been hitting shots over that stretch also.