Around the League

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Good post, Lip. I'm not meaning to nitpick or be a wise ass with my addition to your comment, but I think Nikola Pekovic was good enough for a handful of years to be considered a "double" in your analogy -- or maybe a single and stolen base, I don't know. He was a solid, steadying force in the middle of the Wolves lineup that kept bodies off the glass and always made opposing bigs work. I can remember Amar'e Stoudemire talking about his matchup with Dwight Howard and a reporter asked him about going against the strongest center in the league and Stoudemire corrected him by saying Nikola Pekovic is the strongest big in the game. DeMarcus Cousins on a different occasion called him one of the five strongest centers in the game. Take their word for it, those guys were feeling the physicality from Pek night in and night out.

Lastly, Corey Brewer is probably a single when it's all said and done. I know, I'm digging deep here, but he's somehow stuck around in the league for over a decade. He's a legitimate NBA player and while he wasn't ever a core piece, he wasn't a strikeout either.

I accept your proposals as friendly amendments to my analogy. I forgot about both Pek and Corey. I'll give the Wolves a single for Pek. I'd give them a double if not for the fact that D'Andre Jordan was available with that pick and Pek's inability to stay healthy combined with his huge contract. I agree that the Wolves deserve credit for a solid single for Corey Brewer, although he was a pretty high lottery pick.

I was tempted to give the Wolves a home run for Kevin Love as Abe suggests, especially given the conventional wisdom and impetus to take Mayo. But I'm reserving home runs for picks who stay for an extended period without whining and begging to leave. So far that's just KG and KAT.

I realized I overlooked Marbury (technically we drafted Allen, but effectively we were drafting Marbury). He was really good for the short time he was here before flaming out and ending up in China. Considering we could have have Ray Allen, I have a hard time giving the Wolves an extra base hit for the Marbury pick, but I have to give them credit for a single. And I think the Wolves deserve a single for Ellington.

So my final tally for the Wolves 30-year draft history is the following:

- 5 extra base hits, including 2 home runs (KG & KAT), 1 triple (Love) and 2 doubles (Wally & Zach).

- 5 singles (Rubio, Pek, Brewer, Ellington & Marbury)

- 1 sacrifice fly (Dunn)

I looked back and counted all the Wolves 1st and 2nd round picks. If you include the 1st round pick we sold in 2013, the Wolves have had 74 draft picks in their 30-year history. With the one sacrifice fly (Dunn), the Wolves have 11 hits in 73 at bats - a .150 batting average with only 5 extra base hits. Is there any wonder why the Wolves have no championships, only 8 playoff appearances and first round exists in 7 of those 8 in 30 years? Like any other mid-market NBA team, if the Wolves don't draft well they won't do well. The Wolves draft history has been atrocious.

Among the Wolves draft whiffs, here's my hall of shame list:

1. Nudity Ebi
2. Randy Foye (because Brandon Roy was available)
3. Jonny Flynn (because Curry and DeRozan were available and we already drafted Ricky)
4. Bazz (because we could have drafted McCollum, or if no trade, Giannis)
5. Selling the 27th pick for cash when Gobert was available

I'd like to see your baseball average system applied to other teams, Lip.

Also, thanks for the new username.

[Monster]

Good post, Lip. I'm not meaning to nitpick or be a wise ass with my addition to your comment, but I think Nikola Pekovic was good enough for a handful of years to be considered a "double" in your analogy -- or maybe a single and stolen base, I don't know. He was a solid, steadying force in the middle of the Wolves lineup that kept bodies off the glass and always made opposing bigs work. I can remember Amar'e Stoudemire talking about his matchup with Dwight Howard and a reporter asked him about going against the strongest center in the league and Stoudemire corrected him by saying Nikola Pekovic is the strongest big in the game. DeMarcus Cousins on a different occasion called him one of the five strongest centers in the game. Take their word for it, those guys were feeling the physicality from Pek night in and night out.

Lastly, Corey Brewer is probably a single when it's all said and done. I know, I'm digging deep here, but he's somehow stuck around in the league for over a decade. He's a legitimate NBA player and while he wasn't ever a core piece, he wasn't a strikeout either.

I accept your proposals as friendly amendments to my analogy. I forgot about both Pek and Corey. I'll give the Wolves a single for Pek. I'd give them a double if not for the fact that D'Andre Jordan was available with that pick and Pek's inability to stay healthy combined with his huge contract. I agree that the Wolves deserve credit for a solid single for Corey Brewer, although he was a pretty high lottery pick.

I was tempted to give the Wolves a home run for Kevin Love as Abe suggests, especially given the conventional wisdom and impetus to take Mayo. But I'm reserving home runs for picks who stay for an extended period without whining and begging to leave. So far that's just KG and KAT.

I realized I overlooked Marbury (technically we drafted Allen, but effectively we were drafting Marbury). He was really good for the short time he was here before flaming out and ending up in China. Considering we could have have Ray Allen, I have a hard time giving the Wolves an extra base hit for the Marbury pick, but I have to give them credit for a single. And I think the Wolves deserve a single for Ellington.

So my final tally for the Wolves 30-year draft history is the following:

- 5 extra base hits, including 2 home runs (KG & KAT), 1 triple (Love) and 2 doubles (Wally & Zach).

- 5 singles (Rubio, Pek, Brewer, Ellington & Marbury)

- 1 sacrifice fly (Dunn)

I looked back and counted all the Wolves 1st and 2nd round picks. If you include the 1st round pick we sold in 2013, the Wolves have had 74 draft picks in their 30-year history. With the one sacrifice fly (Dunn), the Wolves have 11 hits in 73 at bats - a .150 batting average with only 5 extra base hits. Is there any wonder why the Wolves have no championships, only 8 playoff appearances and first round exists in 7 of those 8 in 30 years? Like any other mid-market NBA team, if the Wolves don't draft well they won't do well. The Wolves draft history has been atrocious.

Among the Wolves draft whiffs, here's my hall of shame list:

1. Nudity Ebi
2. Randy Foye (because Brandon Roy was available)
3. Jonny Flynn (because Curry and DeRozan were available and we already drafted Ricky)
4. Bazz (because we could have drafted McCollum, or if no trade, Giannis)
5. Selling the 27th pick for cash when Gobert was available

I'd like to see your baseball average system applied to other teams, Lip.

Also, thanks for the new username.

That username is Ebi-c!!!! Lol lol

[Monster]

I'd like to get some thoughts on the Bucks chances in the East. They are past being a cute story or pleasant surprise. They are a legit threat to win the conference now. Only team in the league who is top 5 in offense and defense. They have the first prerequisite, a legitimate aircraft carrier in Giannis. They have a modern offense and make a bunch of three's even though they don't have particularly great shooters. They have borderline all stars in Brogdon and Bledsoe. And they have another good, emerging young piece in DJ Wilson. They have a lot of length and they compete at both ends. I'm guessing Philadelphia is going to get by Toronto, the Bucks will outlast Boston, and it will be the 6ers and Bucks for the conference. If that happens the CoolBreeze household is going to be on lockdown. The chance to knock my favorite son Jimmy Butler out of the playoffs would just be too good. What do you guys think?

I don't have any strong opinion about their chances other than I'm really, really happy that a small market midwest franchise is having a ton of success right now. Good to see. And these guys didn't just luck into it. They have made calculated risks (e.g. Giannis) and savvy moves to get to this point. Their coaching hire was the latest example.

The east isn't good from top to bottom but there are some pretty good teams at the top. If Dipo hadn't gotten hurt Indiana would have been another team to give all these teams a run for their money. If the Nets get healthy especially if Caris Lavert returns to form that's a team with nothing to lose that could be a tough out.

Ok to Cool's question about the Bucks. I think they are pretty legit. They are thought of as a young team and that's true. It they also have some vets that have been around like Bledsoe Lopez George Hill illyasova etc. having a vet head coach like Bud is a big advantage for them also. I don't know where I put them in terms of the team in the east. I think even though they have vet guys and Bud as a coach you still don't know what they are capable of. Raptors with Leonard and a new coach, Boston trying to figure out how to play with everyone and the Sixers have their issues. The Bucks pieces have been working together from the get go they have the vet coach even if he is new to them and their pieces fit. I also think their defense is real. I agree with Q it's fun to see them succeed.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'd like to get some thoughts on the Bucks chances in the East. They are past being a cute story or pleasant surprise. They are a legit threat to win the conference now. Only team in the league who is top 5 in offense and defense. They have the first prerequisite, a legitimate aircraft carrier in Giannis. They have a modern offense and make a bunch of three's even though they don't have particularly great shooters. They have borderline all stars in Brogdon and Bledsoe. And they have another good, emerging young piece in DJ Wilson. They have a lot of length and they compete at both ends. I'm guessing Philadelphia is going to get by Toronto, the Bucks will outlast Boston, and it will be the 6ers and Bucks for the conference. If that happens the CoolBreeze household is going to be on lockdown. The chance to knock my favorite son Jimmy Butler out of the playoffs would just be too good. What do you guys think?

I don't have any strong opinion about their chances other than I'm really, really happy that a small market midwest franchise is having a ton of success right now. Good to see. And these guys didn't just luck into it. They have made calculated risks (e.g. Giannis) and savvy moves to get to this point. Their coaching hire was the latest example.

Thanks Q - Yeah it's great to see this small market team having a big year.

[Lipoli390]

I'd like to get some thoughts on the Bucks chances in the East. They are past being a cute story or pleasant surprise. They are a legit threat to win the conference now. Only team in the league who is top 5 in offense and defense. They have the first prerequisite, a legitimate aircraft carrier in Giannis. They have a modern offense and make a bunch of three's even though they don't have particularly great shooters. They have borderline all stars in Brogdon and Bledsoe. And they have another good, emerging young piece in DJ Wilson. They have a lot of length and they compete at both ends. I'm guessing Philadelphia is going to get by Toronto, the Bucks will outlast Boston, and it will be the 6ers and Bucks for the conference. If that happens the CoolBreeze household is going to be on lockdown. The chance to knock my favorite son Jimmy Butler out of the playoffs would just be too good. What do you guys think?

I don't have any strong opinion about their chances other than I'm really, really happy that a small market midwest franchise is having a ton of success right now. Good to see. And these guys didn't just luck into it. They have made calculated risks (e.g. Giannis) and savvy moves to get to this point. Their coaching hire was the latest example.

Thanks Q - Yeah it's great to see this small market team having a big year.

I'm definitely pulling for the Bucks in the East. We have relatives in Milwaukee, so we have a family tie. But mainly I'm inclined to support a Midwest mid-market franchise. I also like the guys on their team as well as their head coach. If it can't be the Bucks, I'll take the Celtics or Raptors. Any team but the Sixers!

[Lipoli390]

Good post, Lip. I'm not meaning to nitpick or be a wise ass with my addition to your comment, but I think Nikola Pekovic was good enough for a handful of years to be considered a "double" in your analogy -- or maybe a single and stolen base, I don't know. He was a solid, steadying force in the middle of the Wolves lineup that kept bodies off the glass and always made opposing bigs work. I can remember Amar'e Stoudemire talking about his matchup with Dwight Howard and a reporter asked him about going against the strongest center in the league and Stoudemire corrected him by saying Nikola Pekovic is the strongest big in the game. DeMarcus Cousins on a different occasion called him one of the five strongest centers in the game. Take their word for it, those guys were feeling the physicality from Pek night in and night out.

Lastly, Corey Brewer is probably a single when it's all said and done. I know, I'm digging deep here, but he's somehow stuck around in the league for over a decade. He's a legitimate NBA player and while he wasn't ever a core piece, he wasn't a strikeout either.

I accept your proposals as friendly amendments to my analogy. I forgot about both Pek and Corey. I'll give the Wolves a single for Pek. I'd give them a double if not for the fact that D'Andre Jordan was available with that pick and Pek's inability to stay healthy combined with his huge contract. I agree that the Wolves deserve credit for a solid single for Corey Brewer, although he was a pretty high lottery pick.

I was tempted to give the Wolves a home run for Kevin Love as Abe suggests, especially given the conventional wisdom and impetus to take Mayo. But I'm reserving home runs for picks who stay for an extended period without whining and begging to leave. So far that's just KG and KAT.

I realized I overlooked Marbury (technically we drafted Allen, but effectively we were drafting Marbury). He was really good for the short time he was here before flaming out and ending up in China. Considering we could have have Ray Allen, I have a hard time giving the Wolves an extra base hit for the Marbury pick, but I have to give them credit for a single. And I think the Wolves deserve a single for Ellington.

So my final tally for the Wolves 30-year draft history is the following:

- 5 extra base hits, including 2 home runs (KG & KAT), 1 triple (Love) and 2 doubles (Wally & Zach).

- 5 singles (Rubio, Pek, Brewer, Ellington & Marbury)

- 1 sacrifice fly (Dunn)

I looked back and counted all the Wolves 1st and 2nd round picks. If you include the 1st round pick we sold in 2013, the Wolves have had 74 draft picks in their 30-year history. With the one sacrifice fly (Dunn), the Wolves have 11 hits in 73 at bats - a .150 batting average with only 5 extra base hits. Is there any wonder why the Wolves have no championships, only 8 playoff appearances and first round exists in 7 of those 8 in 30 years? Like any other mid-market NBA team, if the Wolves don't draft well they won't do well. The Wolves draft history has been atrocious.

Among the Wolves draft whiffs, here's my hall of shame list:

1. Nudity Ebi
2. Randy Foye (because Brandon Roy was available)
3. Jonny Flynn (because Curry and DeRozan were available and we already drafted Ricky)
4. Bazz (because we could have drafted McCollum, or if no trade, Giannis)
5. Selling the 27th pick for cash when Gobert was available

I'd like to see your baseball average system applied to other teams, Lip.

Also, thanks for the new username.

You're welcome on the username. I'm sure there are some other organizations with similar draft batting averages. But I'm too lazy to bother. My next step would be to apply the baseball average system to the two teams that came into the League around the time the Wolves did - Miami and Orlando. For Miami, the Dwayne Wade pick wouldn't just be a home run; it would be a grand slam. If we applied the baseball average system to transactions (trades and free agent signings), Miami's average would likely be a lot higher than the Wolves.

[Wolvesfan21]

The Wolves also picked Glenn Robinson III right before Jokic was selected. I understand every team has whiffs, do that draft over and Jokic and Embiid go 1-2. Wiggins still might be top 10, it's pretty hard to hit home runs, but seriously. This many tries, no great player EVER drafted in the mid-later 1st or second round and yes, it certainly hurts to have a cheapfk owner who sells picks, because you can't hit a homer if you don't swing.

[kekgeek]

Michael Beasley got into a verbal fight with Walton tonight

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Rubio in trade talks and now the bulls are listening to offers for lavine.

[Wolvesfan21]

Rubio in trade talks and now the bulls are listening to offers for lavine.

Do you think the Bulls would let us dump Wiggins on them for LaVine? lol