Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:D'Angelo Russell with a triple double tonight: 23 pts, 11 assts, and 11 rebs in 35 minutes.

Again, this kid is doing stuff that is almost unheard of at the D-1 level in terms of his all-around play. Evan Turner is the last guy I can think of that was putting up these kinds of numbers, but he did it as a junior, not a freshman. I realize ET didn't turn out to be that great of a pro, but Russell definitely has a better outside shot, which is Turner's achilles heel.

That is awesome. So many options this year. We've got a good thing going.

I'm getting worried that this is shaping up to be a three-man draft in the top tier: Okafor, Russell, and Towns. And the way we're playing, we'll be on the outside looking in!

(Don't get me wrong. I want us to compete and win games. Tanking is uncouth. But still, damn, are these three starting to get separation from the field!)

That is exactly how I see this draft. But I believe we will be top 3. Flip is going to trade away Martin at least and talk about how he wants to try creative lineups to assess our talent.

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:D'Angelo Russell with a triple double tonight: 23 pts, 11 assts, and 11 rebs in 35 minutes.

Again, this kid is doing stuff that is almost unheard of at the D-1 level in terms of his all-around play. Evan Turner is the last guy I can think of that was putting up these kinds of numbers, but he did it as a junior, not a freshman. I realize ET didn't turn out to be that great of a pro, but Russell definitely has a better outside shot, which is Turner's achilles heel.

That is awesome. So many options this year. We've got a good thing going.

I'm getting worried that this is shaping up to be a three-man draft in the top tier: Okafor, Russell, and Towns. And the way we're playing, we'll be on the outside looking in!

(Don't get me wrong. I want us to compete and win games. Tanking is uncouth. But still, damn, are these three starting to get separation from the field!)

Don't forget Mudiay. He could be the best of them all.

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:D'Angelo Russell with a triple double tonight: 23 pts, 11 assts, and 11 rebs in 35 minutes.

Again, this kid is doing stuff that is almost unheard of at the D-1 level in terms of his all-around play. Evan Turner is the last guy I can think of that was putting up these kinds of numbers, but he did it as a junior, not a freshman. I realize ET didn't turn out to be that great of a pro, but Russell definitely has a better outside shot, which is Turner's achilles heel.

That is awesome. So many options this year. We've got a good thing going.

I'm getting worried that this is shaping up to be a three-man draft in the top tier: Okafor, Russell, and Towns. And the way we're playing, we'll be on the outside looking in!

(Don't get me wrong. I want us to compete and win games. Tanking is uncouth. But still, damn, are these three starting to get separation from the field!)

Meh. Not long ago you and I were arguing about Towns and now he's in your top tier. I also like Stanley Johnson and if he's the "consolation prize" in this scenario, then I'll be a happy camper.

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:D'Angelo Russell with a triple double tonight: 23 pts, 11 assts, and 11 rebs in 35 minutes.

Again, this kid is doing stuff that is almost unheard of at the D-1 level in terms of his all-around play. Evan Turner is the last guy I can think of that was putting up these kinds of numbers, but he did it as a junior, not a freshman. I realize ET didn't turn out to be that great of a pro, but Russell definitely has a better outside shot, which is Turner's achilles heel.

That is awesome. So many options this year. We've got a good thing going.

I'm getting worried that this is shaping up to be a three-man draft in the top tier: Okafor, Russell, and Towns. And the way we're playing, we'll be on the outside looking in!

(Don't get me wrong. I want us to compete and win games. Tanking is uncouth. But still, damn, are these three starting to get separation from the field!)

Meh. Not long ago you and I were arguing about Towns and now he's in your top tier. I also like Stanley Johnson and if he's the "consolation prize" in this scenario, then I'll be a happy camper.

It is early but I am liking this draft class, I like Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Johnson, Russell I consider would be all good gets, there are also other players that I like in this draft, I think we need a top 5 pick though

I believe getting a top 3 pick is better for us then winning games that don't matter. Getting another blue chip young building block to go with Wiggins and Rubio would be huge. It would give us a big three that gets to grow together and build chemistry.

TRKO wrote:I believe getting a top 3 pick is better for us then winning games that don't matter. Getting another blue chip young building block to go with Wiggins and Rubio would be huge. It would give us a big three that gets to grow together and build chemistry.

I'd like to have our cake and eat it too. Put together a good stretch of wins while the roster is healthy. Show that we actually have a pretty good team, and when injuries (minor or major) take place, let the guys take plenty of time to recover before thinking about returning. The last couple months of the season it wouldn't hurt to pull back some of the guys minutes too. Right now we should learn how to win, and actually get wins, but towards the season's end we should be pulling it back a little. That high draft pick has so much value to us it's ridiculous. I don't expect Flip to let it slip away.

camden0916 wrote:

TRKO wrote:I believe getting a top 3 pick is better for us then winning games that don't matter. Getting another blue chip young building block to go with Wiggins and Rubio would be huge. It would give us a big three that gets to grow together and build chemistry.

I'd like to have our cake and eat it too. Put together a good stretch of wins while the roster is healthy. Show that we actually have a pretty good team, and when injuries (minor or major) take place, let the guys take plenty of time to recover before thinking about returning. The last couple months of the season it wouldn't hurt to pull back some of the guys minutes too. Right now we should learn how to win, and actually get wins, but towards the season's end we should be pulling it back a little. That high draft pick has so much value to us it's ridiculous. I don't expect Flip to let it slip away.

If there were a way to build momentum and still get a top 3 pick by all means do it. This team is better than the record indicates. The problem was our top 3 veterans have been hurt most of the year.

I would like to see Martin and Young moved for good picks or young assets. I think both are very attractive trade chips. Both players are better served as role players on contending teams. I would really like to see us add a PF in trade. Gibson, Jones, Vonleh are all good targets if attainable.

Have no fear, the losses will be here... Our next 14 games are stupid.

ATL 42-10
GS 40-9
PHO 29-24
@ HOU 35-16
WAS 32-20
@ CHI 32-20
MEM 38-13
LAC 33-19
DEN 19-32
POR 35-17
@ LAC 33-19
@ PHO 29-24
@ OKC 26-25
@ SA 32-19

Realistically, I see two or three wins there. Two against the Suns and one against Denver. Could be less than that. We'll get to enjoy competitive basketball, I believe, but the W/L will not be pretty.

Camden wrote:Have no fear, the losses will be here... Our next 14 games are stupid.

ATL 42-10
GS 40-9
PHO 29-24
@ HOU 35-16
WAS 32-20
@ CHI 32-20
MEM 38-13
LAC 33-19
DEN 19-32
POR 35-17
@ LAC 33-19
@ PHO 29-24
@ OKC 26-25
@ SA 32-19

Realistically, I see two or three wins there. Two against the Suns and one against Denver. Could be less than that. We'll get to enjoy competitive basketball, I believe, but the W/L will not be pretty.

Going to get this one tonight

Anybody else think Russell is the best player in this draft? So skilled offensively. Very good rebounding guard. I think he will be a Curry/Harden type star. I hope we get him.