Minnesota Sports Forum

Q - Yes, I hope KG gets on Wiggins this season. Wiggins is so immensely talented. But his tendency to coast in 3rd gear for extended periods of time remains the one thing that could ultimately keep this extraordinary talent from becoming the extraordinary player he should eventually be.

The question, however, is whether what KG puts into Wiggins' ear will stick in Wiggins' brain and become a permanent part of his character. More accurately, the question is whether KG's mentorship will unlock something in Wiggins that's already there. Because I don't think the "fire in the belly" attitude of a great player can be transplanted into or newly created in a 20-year old who doesn't already have it. On the other hand, Wiggins is still getting taller at age 20, so maybe he's the exception. :)

I tip my hat to Flip for trying to surround the young guys with vets that get it and should set a great example even if it is more off the court then on it.

If AB comes in and has a good camp. Any chance Flip would deal Payne? I really wish we could have picked up Scola as a FA.

bleedspeed177 wrote:If AB comes in and has a good camp. Any chance Flip would deal Payne? I really wish we could have picked up Scola as a FA.

I don't think we can afford to deal a big off the team right now. If we keep Bennett it seems the most likely Rudez will get moved.

I don't think AB and Payne get many minutes unless there is an injury. We got to feed KG, Towns, Dieng, Bjelica and Pek (when healthy) first and if we go small, Bazz or Wiggins might be able to play some 4. That leaves AB and Payne in garbage time roles or as replacement guys. Unfortunately neither player has yet to carve out a specialist type role, which could earn them more minutes. That's one thing Rudez has going for himself in his bid for a spot. I really don't see both Payne and AB on the roster long term as we need to turn one of those spots into either a 3 point or defensive specialist.

TeamRicky wrote:I don't think AB and Payne get many minutes unless there is an injury. We got to feed KG, Towns, Dieng, Bjelica and Pek (when healthy) first and if we go small, Bazz or Wiggins might be able to play some 4. That leaves AB and Payne in garbage time roles or as replacement guys. Unfortunately neither player has yet to carve out a specialist type role, which could earn them more minutes. That's one thing Rudez has going for himself in his bid for a spot. I really don't see both Payne and AB on the roster long term as we need to turn one of those spots into either a 3 point or defensive specialist.

People WILL get hurt, big men especially. I can't think of a season where at least one of our bigs wasn't hurt for a significant portion of the season.

So while AB and/or Payne may struggle to get minutes at first, inevitably at some point, their number will be called upon as part of the regular rotation for some extended period of time.

True or false: We'll see Tayshaun Prince at PF before Anthony Bennett or Adreian Payne.

Keep in mind that KG only has a year, maybe two left. When he leaves that will leave us with 3 natural PF's left on the roster in AB, Payne and Bjelica and we'd have 2 guys who could fill time there in Dieng and Towns if needed. Payne is barely above a minimum level salary so there's no reason to deal him just to clear a log jam. I would expect Dieng to be the more likely piece to be traded as he is in line to get paid sooner than any of our other bugs, but I don't see anyone getting dealt this year. Once his rookie deal is up he's gonna command an 8 figure deal and I think it comes down to him or Pek that would have to go. We can't have 2 backup C's making 8 figures.

Camden0916 wrote:True or false: We'll see Tayshaun Prince at PF before Anthony Bennett or Adreian Payne.

I would hope that's a big time false. Prince really shouldn't ever see the floor unless Wiggins or Bazz get hurt.

khans2k5 wrote:

Camden0916 wrote:True or false: We'll see Tayshaun Prince at PF before Anthony Bennett or Adreian Payne.

I would hope that's a big time false. Prince really shouldn't ever see the floor unless Wiggins or Bazz get hurt.

Not to mention he only weighs 215...a steady wind can knock him over!

I see two scenarios under which Prince sees the floor. If either Muhammad or Wiggins gets injured, or perhaps to shake things up defensively (or to protect a lead late in the game) paired with Wiggins as the other wing.