Minnesota Sports Forum

TeamRicky wrote:Good points on Ibaka. Millsap and Gay are both having a bigger impact than Ibaka based on advanced stats. Ibaka is younger. On a two year deal with the idea of trying to keep Zach, I'd opt for Millsap. If a 4 year deal, I probably like Rudy Gay the best since he could push Wiggins to 2 and Zach to 6th man. Ibaka is also a good alternative.

Yeah, I'm kind of enamored with what I call Gay 2.0 - a wing with the primary purpose of being our top defender and scoring points being a distant second priority. I think he could be of use in that capacity versus the #2 offensive option like he was in Memphis and Sacramento. Play him 30 MPG and tell him to stop people.

monsterpile wrote:Q remember Ibaka didn't play for Orlando the whole year. He didn't seem to help them but Toronto went from 19th in defensive efficiency to 10th after the Ibaka trade. Was it all him? No Tucker probablybhelped as well so probably not but let's also remember the Magic had other changes to their roster too so it wasn't just Ibaka as their centerpiece and Vogel is supposed to be a good defensive coach. Ibaka went to a good team and his net rating seemed to go up. He just logged a efficient 19-14 and 3 blocks in a loss to the Bucks today. No I don't want to overpay him but I don't know if he is on the decline or not. He is a unique player and I think he is one of those guys that's over and underrated at the same time.

Also that Malcolm Brogdon is pretty good. I guess a rookie can be a worthwhile contributor after all. :)

Well, I don't think Ibaka is a bad player, but part of me would just prefer to spend a lot less $ and go get Taj Gibson, who I think gives us nearly the same production but at a much cheaper price.

Milsap on the other hand.....I'd go big for that dude.

With Serge's declining play and with how much he will cost, I don't think he will be a target. Blake Griffin will not be a target as he's neither a good defender nor a rim protector.

If we examine what Thibs has stressed during the season along with what he mentioned during the season ending press conference, the Wolves will target role players that thrive in defense, rim protection, and 3 point shooting. With that, the players likely to be added via free agency, draft, and/or trade will be at least one big (specifically power forward) and a 3 and D wing. Here's some players that may be on Thibs' list.

Paul Milsap: Thibs raved about Milsap after one of the Hawks games. Solid defender/rebounder. Provides almost no rim protection. Good midrange shooter. Does not shoot the 3 well as he's posted back to back 31% seasons (career 32% shooter from 3). Will also command a large contract around $28 million/year. I'd pass.

James Johnson: Tough defender. Below average rebounder. Provides a little rim protection but not much. Average shooter. Will likely command a large contract around $20 million/year. Pass.

Taj Gibson: Vet presence. Lunch pail box type of player. Thibs connection. In my opinion, pretty average at everything. Would bring toughness and grit. Provides absolutely no outside shooting. Taj isn't considered an automatic pass for me due to the familiarity with Thibs and his overall toughness, but he's not my favorite option.

Amir Johnson: Would be acquired solely for defensive purposes. I think we'd need to overpay to get him to come aboard. Would provide decent rim protection. Limited offensively, which is why I'd pass.

JaMychael Green: This is my favorite option as far as PFs are concerned. Very good 3 point shooter. Junk yard defender who is tough and physical. Above average rebounder for his size. Athletic. Does not provide much rim protection. Only 25 years old. He's a RFA but I'd be comfortable with a 4yr/$60 million offer. I think he'd be a great fit.

Tony Snell: Another RFA. Had a great year for the Bucks. Thibs connection. Great 3 point shooter. Above average defender. Will have to overpay so Milwaukee does not match. I like this option, but it's unlikely.

CJ Miles: He has a player option that he will absolutely decline. Great shooter and vet presence. Can you imagine if he had all of Brandon Rush's open looks ok the perimeter? Would welcome him with open arms.

I'd also inquire about Derrick Favors and ask what the Jazz would like in return. I think he'd be a nice fit next to Towns as well. Also only 25 years old.

If the Wolves came out of the offseason with JaMychael Green, CJ Miles, and whoever they take in the draft/trade the pick for, Thibs the POBO will be adored.

Mr. Brightside wrote:With Serge's declining play and with how much he will cost, I don't think he will be a target. Blake Griffin will not be a target as he's neither a good defender nor a rim protector.

If we examine what Thibs has stressed during the season along with what he mentioned during the season ending press conference, the Wolves will target role players that thrive in defense, rim protection, and 3 point shooting. With that, the players likely to be added via free agency, draft, and/or trade will be at least one big (specifically power forward) and a 3 and D wing. Here's some players that may be on Thibs' list.

Paul Milsap: Thibs raved about Milsap after one of the Hawks games. Solid defender/rebounder. Provides almost no rim protection. Good midrange shooter. Does not shoot the 3 well as he's posted back to back 31% seasons (career 32% shooter from 3). Will also command a large contract around $28 million/year. I'd pass.

James Johnson: Tough defender. Below average rebounder. Provides a little rim protection but not much. Average shooter. Will likely command a large contract around $20 million/year. Pass.

Taj Gibson: Vet presence. Lunch pail box type of player. Thibs connection. In my opinion, pretty average at everything. Would bring toughness and grit. Provides absolutely no outside shooting. Taj isn't considered an automatic pass for me due to the familiarity with Thibs and his overall toughness, but he's not my favorite option.

Amir Johnson: Would be acquired solely for defensive purposes. I think we'd need to overpay to get him to come aboard. Would provide decent rim protection. Limited offensively, which is why I'd pass.

JaMychael Green: This is my favorite option as far as PFs are concerned. Very good 3 point shooter. Junk yard defender who is tough and physical. Above average rebounder for his size. Athletic. Does not provide much rim protection. Only 25 years old. He's a RFA but I'd be comfortable with a 4yr/$60 million offer. I think he'd be a great fit.

Tony Snell: Another RFA. Had a great year for the Bucks. Thibs connection. Great 3 point shooter. Above average defender. Will have to overpay so Milwaukee does not match. I like this option, but it's unlikely.

CJ Miles: He has a player option that he will absolutely decline. Great shooter and vet presence. Can you imagine if he had all of Brandon Rush's open looks ok the perimeter? Would welcome him with open arms.

I'd also inquire about Derrick Favors and ask what the Jazz would like in return. I think he'd be a nice fit next to Towns as well. Also only 25 years old.

If the Wolves came out of the offseason with JaMychael Green, CJ Miles, and whoever they take in the draft/trade the pick for, Thibs the POBO will be adored.

Excellent post. The only thing I disagree with is Favors. Never been a fan and don't want to give up/pay what it would take to get him. Other than that, I like the way you handicap the field.

People have to remember that Ibaka was a big part of the Thunder giving the Warriors fits in the WCFS last year because he can switch onto the ball handler. 4's don't really get the benefit of hanging around the rim anymore to play help defense. They have to be able to hang on the perimeter now and he can do that. That also is going to lead to a drop in boards and blocks and not really show up anywhere in the stat sheet as perimeter defense is more eye test than stat based. Tristan Thompson never looked great defensively until he was asked to switch on guys in the playoffs and he became a defensive monster away from the rim. Ibaka can be that guy IMO and unfortunately that role just doesn't show up on the stat sheet.

TeamRicky wrote:Good points on Ibaka. Millsap and Gay are both having a bigger impact than Ibaka based on advanced stats. Ibaka is younger. On a two year deal with the idea of trying to keep Zach, I'd opt for Millsap. If a 4 year deal, I probably like Rudy Gay the best since he could push Wiggins to 2 and Zach to 6th man. Ibaka is also a good alternative.

Considering the list of NBA players returning anything close to their peak from a torn Achilles is ridiculously small (non-existent) and Gay has been ripped for years as a hollow player whose teams may even be better without him... no.

As for Ibaka, are those rumors about his "real age" still out there? And if so, does that explain in part his plateaued or regressed play? Coincidentally, there are other questions out there about Ersan Ilyasova's real age.

It makes sense. Shabazz Muhammad's dad tried to pull this ruse by one year. But I'm assuming it's a lot more challenging to pull off such a move in the U.S. than elsewhere...

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Mr. Brightside wrote:With Serge's declining play and with how much he will cost, I don't think he will be a target. Blake Griffin will not be a target as he's neither a good defender nor a rim protector.

If we examine what Thibs has stressed during the season along with what he mentioned during the season ending press conference, the Wolves will target role players that thrive in defense, rim protection, and 3 point shooting. With that, the players likely to be added via free agency, draft, and/or trade will be at least one big (specifically power forward) and a 3 and D wing. Here's some players that may be on Thibs' list.

Paul Milsap: Thibs raved about Milsap after one of the Hawks games. Solid defender/rebounder. Provides almost no rim protection. Good midrange shooter. Does not shoot the 3 well as he's posted back to back 31% seasons (career 32% shooter from 3). Will also command a large contract around $28 million/year. I'd pass.

James Johnson: Tough defender. Below average rebounder. Provides a little rim protection but not much. Average shooter. Will likely command a large contract around $20 million/year. Pass.

Taj Gibson: Vet presence. Lunch pail box type of player. Thibs connection. In my opinion, pretty average at everything. Would bring toughness and grit. Provides absolutely no outside shooting. Taj isn't considered an automatic pass for me due to the familiarity with Thibs and his overall toughness, but he's not my favorite option.

Amir Johnson: Would be acquired solely for defensive purposes. I think we'd need to overpay to get him to come aboard. Would provide decent rim protection. Limited offensively, which is why I'd pass.

JaMychael Green: This is my favorite option as far as PFs are concerned. Very good 3 point shooter. Junk yard defender who is tough and physical. Above average rebounder for his size. Athletic. Does not provide much rim protection. Only 25 years old. He's a RFA but I'd be comfortable with a 4yr/$60 million offer. I think he'd be a great fit.

Tony Snell: Another RFA. Had a great year for the Bucks. Thibs connection. Great 3 point shooter. Above average defender. Will have to overpay so Milwaukee does not match. I like this option, but it's unlikely.

CJ Miles: He has a player option that he will absolutely decline. Great shooter and vet presence. Can you imagine if he had all of Brandon Rush's open looks ok the perimeter? Would welcome him with open arms.

I'd also inquire about Derrick Favors and ask what the Jazz would like in return. I think he'd be a nice fit next to Towns as well. Also only 25 years old.

If the Wolves came out of the offseason with JaMychael Green, CJ Miles, and whoever they take in the draft/trade the pick for, Thibs the POBO will be adored.

Excellent post. The only thing I disagree with is Favors. Never been a fan and don't want to give up/pay what it would take to get him. Other than that, I like the way you handicap the field.

I agree with Cool. I agree with Brightside on everyone except Favors. I wouldn't touch Favors. He doesn't always bring it and he's also a bit of a plodder. We need to add high motor, tough players to this roster. Favors just doesn't fit that bill in my view.

Any interest in Kenneth Faried? High energy, hustle guy who rebounds the heck out of the ball. Won't shoot it well and isn't regarded as a great defender, but if I remember correctly, Thibs likes him as well. So much so that there was a rumor about a potential trade last offseason.

lipoli390 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Mr. Brightside wrote:With Serge's declining play and with how much he will cost, I don't think he will be a target. Blake Griffin will not be a target as he's neither a good defender nor a rim protector.

If we examine what Thibs has stressed during the season along with what he mentioned during the season ending press conference, the Wolves will target role players that thrive in defense, rim protection, and 3 point shooting. With that, the players likely to be added via free agency, draft, and/or trade will be at least one big (specifically power forward) and a 3 and D wing. Here's some players that may be on Thibs' list.

Paul Milsap: Thibs raved about Milsap after one of the Hawks games. Solid defender/rebounder. Provides almost no rim protection. Good midrange shooter. Does not shoot the 3 well as he's posted back to back 31% seasons (career 32% shooter from 3). Will also command a large contract around $28 million/year. I'd pass.

James Johnson: Tough defender. Below average rebounder. Provides a little rim protection but not much. Average shooter. Will likely command a large contract around $20 million/year. Pass.

Taj Gibson: Vet presence. Lunch pail box type of player. Thibs connection. In my opinion, pretty average at everything. Would bring toughness and grit. Provides absolutely no outside shooting. Taj isn't considered an automatic pass for me due to the familiarity with Thibs and his overall toughness, but he's not my favorite option.

Amir Johnson: Would be acquired solely for defensive purposes. I think we'd need to overpay to get him to come aboard. Would provide decent rim protection. Limited offensively, which is why I'd pass.

JaMychael Green: This is my favorite option as far as PFs are concerned. Very good 3 point shooter. Junk yard defender who is tough and physical. Above average rebounder for his size. Athletic. Does not provide much rim protection. Only 25 years old. He's a RFA but I'd be comfortable with a 4yr/$60 million offer. I think he'd be a great fit.

Tony Snell: Another RFA. Had a great year for the Bucks. Thibs connection. Great 3 point shooter. Above average defender. Will have to overpay so Milwaukee does not match. I like this option, but it's unlikely.

CJ Miles: He has a player option that he will absolutely decline. Great shooter and vet presence. Can you imagine if he had all of Brandon Rush's open looks ok the perimeter? Would welcome him with open arms.

I'd also inquire about Derrick Favors and ask what the Jazz would like in return. I think he'd be a nice fit next to Towns as well. Also only 25 years old.

If the Wolves came out of the offseason with JaMychael Green, CJ Miles, and whoever they take in the draft/trade the pick for, Thibs the POBO will be adored.

Excellent post. The only thing I disagree with is Favors. Never been a fan and don't want to give up/pay what it would take to get him. Other than that, I like the way you handicap the field.

I agree with Cool. I agree with Brightside on everyone except Favors. I wouldn't touch Favors. He doesn't always bring it and he's also a bit of a plodder. We need to add high motor, tough players to this roster. Favors just doesn't fit that bill in my view.

Favors is a good player. How good and how useful he is depending on your roster is up for debate. To me I see him as sort of a better version of Dieng (he is a lot better than Dieng) and to me that's not really what this team needs. He also has missed a few games the last few years. I haven't seen him play a ton but I'm starting to think he is more of a center in this new NBA than a PF. If he gets a few more good games with a bunch of minutes filling in for Gobert his price may go up. In addition the Jazz are going to be trying to be contenders (if they can keep Hayward) there is no reason for them to give him up if they don't get a nice return for him even if after next year they lose him for nothing.

I used to think Towns was a guy that could play a lot as a PF but now I'm not so sure about that. I think I would rather see him play most of the time at C he seems better suited there but it's still early in his career. I'm more interested in adding another big that moves well around the perimeter than a big shotblocking dude or whatever but obviously if you even find the next Gortat or something nobody would be complaining about that. :)

I am hoping we find a guy that comes in and has a career year for us. Some we get the untapped potential out of. Not 100% sure who that is at this point.