Minnesota Sports Forum

northernhoops wrote:Closest thing to a two way player, that could be available at our pick in my mind

True. My response to that all year has been: Is he the best player we could get? Throw out the two-way thing. I think that's getting a bit overblown. We need to draft the best player, period. I believe that's Stauskas, due to his elite abilities on offense and average defense. Harris is elite on defense, but has a ton to grow on offense.

Again, I still like Harris a lot. I wouldn't complain if we drafted him. I just think Stauskas has a higher ceiling than Harris due to his playmaking and shooting.

I'm not sure about Harris. I like him, but I want to see more highlights and read some more about him. He's a very good college defender, but I'm not sure how good he'll be at the NBA level. His shooting isn't particularly impressive in college and that makes me worry about what he'll be able to do offensively at the NBA level. He also appears to be a bit undersized for an NBA SG without elite NBA quickness or athleticism to compensate. But we have yet to see his combine results to know his length, quickness and jumping ability.

What I like about Stauskas is that you know you're getting a guy who can shoot the three at a high level in the NBA. I base that two things I've seen watching him in addition to his excellent college shooting stats: (1) his incredibly quick release, and (2) his extended range beyond the college arc. As a bonus, I like that he can handle the ball, although I'm not sure how effective he'll be handling the ball as a SG in the NBA. That remains to be seen. But my bottom line is that he seems like a can't miss prospect as a quality shooter. There may be players with more upside and potentially better all-around games available when the Wolves are on the clock, but I don't see anyone else at this point who would be worth passing up the sure-fire sharp-shooting of Stauskas.

If the Wolves truly intend to keep Love next season for one more run with the current core, then I don't think we can afford to come up empty with our 13th pick. Taking Stauskas at #13, in my view, ensures that the pick isn't wasted.

Stauskas went 4-14 against Harris in the Big Ten Championship. If we're not trading Pek, I think we need a defensive player.

northernhoops wrote:Stauskas went 4-14 against Harris in the Big Ten Championship. If we're not trading Pek, I think we need a defensive player.

Good point, Northernhoops. But I think Stauskas was simply off that game. I didn't see his poor shooting in that game as a reflection of a problem with his shooting generally or Harris' defense. But there is no doubt this team needs to substantially improve its defense and I think that requires more than a head coaching change. Harris cold be the right choice. So it's a tough call for me. Flip had better get it right.

I think Stauskas and Harris are both good prospects. The bottom line is Harris is the superior athlete and Stauskas is the superior shooter. With this in mind I think Harris has the higher ceiling and I would opt for him. I wouldn't complain at either at 13 but I prefer Harris, who is no slouch when it comes to shooting as well. Stauskas did disappear against good athletic defenders (see the Duke game this year and his Michigan state Game) which is more of a red flag than Harris's shoot numbers.

northernhoops wrote:Stauskas went 4-14 against Harris in the Big Ten Championship. If we're not trading Pek, I think we need a defensive player.

Way to pick out one game?

As I've ALREADY pointed out... Here were their H2Hs this past year.

They went against each other three times.

- 1/25
NK: 19 pts (7-12 FG, 5-6 3P), 4 ast, 1 TO. Michigan won.
GH: 27 pts (9-16 FG, 4-6 3P), 5 reb, 1 TO. MSU lost.

- 2/23
NK: 25 pts (9-13 FG, 3-5 3P), 5 ast, 2 TOs. Michigan won.
GH: 21 pts (7-17 FG, 4-13 3P), 4 ast, 3 TOs. MSU lost.

- 3/16
NK: 17 pts (4-14 FG, 3-5 3P), 3 TOs. Michigan lost.
GH: 15 pts (7-13 FG, 1-5 3P). MSU won.

And to doper's point about Stauskas having off games.. Should I post the games where Harris didn't show up in the stat sheet? These are two good, young prospects who aren't capped in potential. It shouldn't surprise anyone they have several off games over the course of the season and there are reasons why Harris shot under 43% from the field last year.

I worry Greg Harris is overrated as a defender. In the NBA I feel you need to be able to guard 2 positions. I know Harris is solid, but he is not big enough to guard SF's and would he be quick enough to guard PG's?

I would almost be more tempted to take James Young over him.

bleedspeed177 wrote:I worry Greg Harris is overrated as a defender. In the NBA I feel you need to be able to guard 2 positions. I know Harris is solid, but he is not big enough to guard SF's and would he be quick enough to guard PG's?

I would almost be more tempted to take James Young over him.

I'd be inclined to say Greg Harris can't play defense to save his life. 58-year old former pitcher for the Padres. He was pretty ambidextrous, though. He could probably finish at the rim with either hand. :thumb:

Gary, on the other hand, can guard both backcourt positions well. He has the lateral quickness and smarts capable of containing point guards while having the strength necessary to bang with shooting guards. He has zero chance of defending small forwards, though. Most will be able to shoot right over him.

Please tell me the James Young thing's a joke... I don't get the hype on this board with him. He's a chucker who plays poor defense and only has mediocre athleticism to go with it. He has very nice length and a pretty jumper. Got lucky with his dunk in the title game. Someone tell me what I'm missing.

If we're excited about Young, we might as well be even more excited about LaVine, though neither will help this franchise for the next several years.

Stauskas
Harris
Hairston

These are the SGs you need to be focused on. Forget about James Young.

I only get excited about Stauskus in that bunch. I think I would go a different direction if he is not there.