Robson's latest article

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

also the Wolves already have two point guards on their team not playing. The Wolves need a big more then anything

Miller's 39-years old and while he is absolutely an upgrade at running the offense over LaVine, he's not very good compared to other second-unit point guards, and he's god-awful defensively. He probably doesn't have much, if anything, left in the tank as Wolfson's reported.

Jones is a 19-year old rookie who would be better used in the D-League so he can gain more experience and work on his defense. He's not ready to play right now, especially if we're trying to be competitive this year.

Why do the Wolves need a big? They have Towns, Bjelica, Dieng, Garnett and Payne (sparkplug) right now. Pekovic could return in December or January. I think adding another ball-handler would be way more beneficial than another big.

Because KG can only play limited minutes, and we still haven't reached the point where he's going to sit games. Also doubtful that he's going to last the season. The same goes for Pek. He shouldn't be relied on to do anything, he's just a bonus. Payne sucks, and Dieng sucks, and Belly is a rookie who is still adjusting. So you basically have either injury prone players, or players that aren't very good, any Towns.

Wolves have two ball handlers on their bench already that they aren't using. A Miller/Jones- Lavine backcourt off the bench would be fine by me. Combined they should be enough ball handling in the backcourt.

Your also going to need Martin's scoring, because this team is going to go though a lot of droughts.

Bjelica is essentially our main power forward and he's been good this year. I don't classify him as a true rookie because he's been playing professional basketball for a good while already. As you can see, he doesn't look like a rookie on the court. He's averaging 8 & 8 a night on 46% from the floor and 35% from three and good defense (subjective observation on my part). I expect to see his points rise as the season continues. I'm perfectly fine with Bjelica for 30 minutes a night considering what the Wolves are asking him to do.

Also, when KG does sit, and he will, that potentially means more minutes for Dieng, who doesn't suck. Dieng is a good, maybe even really good, big off the bench. The problem with Dieng is that he isn't starter quality, and I'm not asking him to be that.

I agree we could use a guard that can score the ball. It's a good thing that Collison can fill it up too. While he's not a volume scorer like Martin, he's a much better creator for others while also being capable of getting his own.

In the same sense, you'd rather use a 19-year old and a 39-year old to help stabilize the backcourt.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

also the Wolves already have two point guards on their team not playing. The Wolves need a big more then anything

Miller's 39-years old and while he is absolutely an upgrade at running the offense over LaVine, he's not very good compared to other second-unit point guards, and he's god-awful defensively. He probably doesn't have much, if anything, left in the tank as Wolfson's reported.

Jones is a 19-year old rookie who would be better used in the D-League so he can gain more experience and work on his defense. He's not ready to play right now, especially if we're trying to be competitive this year.

Why do the Wolves need a big? They have Towns, Bjelica, Dieng, Garnett and Payne (sparkplug) right now. Pekovic could return in December or January. I think adding another ball-handler would be way more beneficial than another big.

Because KG can only play limited minutes, and we still haven't reached the point where he's going to sit games. Also doubtful that he's going to last the season. The same goes for Pek. He shouldn't be relied on to do anything, he's just a bonus. Payne sucks, and Dieng sucks, and Belly is a rookie who is still adjusting. So you basically have either injury prone players, or players that aren't very good, any Towns.

Wolves have two ball handlers on their bench already that they aren't using. A Miller/Jones- Lavine backcourt off the bench would be fine by me. Combined they should be enough ball handling in the backcourt.

Your also going to need Martin's scoring, because this team is going to go though a lot of droughts.

Bjelica is essentially our main power forward and he's been good this year. I don't classify him as a true rookie because he's been playing professional basketball for a good while already. As you can see, he doesn't look like a rookie on the court. He's averaging 8 & 8 a night on 46% from the floor and 35% from three and good defense (subjective observation on my part). I expect to see his points rise as the season continues. I'm perfectly fine with Bjelica for 30 minutes a night considering what the Wolves are asking him to do.

Also, when KG does sit, and he will, that potentially means more minutes for Dieng, who doesn't suck. Dieng is a good, maybe even really good, big off the bench. The problem with Dieng is that he isn't starter quality, and I'm not asking him to be that.

I agree we could use a guard that can score the ball. It's a good thing that Collison can fill it up too. While he's not a volume scorer like Martin, he's a much better creator for others while also being capable of getting his own.

In the same sense, you'd rather use a 19-year old and a 39-year old to help stabilize the backcourt.

Let's just say what I would do if I was the coach,

I would go with a Rubio-Martin-Wiggins-Belly-Towns starting lineup. But what about the defense you ask? Well I think Towns is already a game changer on defense. With a anchor like him, you can get away with some bad defenders around him.

Off the bench I would like to see a Jones-Lavine-Bazz-Dieng and whoever(that's where my idea of another big lies). So you got a bunch of young guys and two ball handlers in Lavine and Jones, and I would just push the ball all the time ala the Nash-Suns.

Prince is not in my rotation, I'd rather not have Rudez or Payne either but whatever. Miller can play spot minutes with foul trouble or injuries. KG can play sometimes, but it seems people like more his mentoring on the bench then anything on the court so I'd leave him at that.

[Porckchop]

I think a championship caliber team could use Martin's services much more than this team could right now . The problem with that is we probably wouldn't get much back in that scenario . Shopping him to a team that's on the cusp and looking to just make the playoffs would be ideal . They may be more willing to offer up more in the way of draft picks . Than we just hope they fall flat on their face and we get a better draft pick.
What is Martin going to do for this team 2 years from now when we have legitimate expectations? I'd deal him now while he still has value.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I think a championship caliber team could use Martin's services much more than this team could right now . The problem with that is we probably wouldn't get much back in that scenario . Shopping him to a team that's on the cusp and looking to just make the playoffs would be ideal . They may be more willing to offer up more in the way of draft picks . Than we just hope they fall flat on their face and we get a better draft pick.
What is Martin going to do for this team 2 years from now when we have legitimate expectations? I'd deal him now while he still has value.

Martin won't be on the team two years from now. But he'll be more valuable to the Wolves then anything they would get in a trade

[Porckchop]

So knowing he won't be on the team what is there to gain by keeping him. Unless you think he's a vital cog to a deep playoff run this year we'really just wasting the last of his value.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

So knowing he won't be on the team what is there to gain by keeping him. Unless you think he's a vital cog to a deep playoff run this year we'really just wasting the last of his value.

Neither is Prince or KG, yet they are still playing and won't be traded

[Porckchop]

So knowing he won't be on the team what is there to gain by keeping him. Unless you think he's a vital cog to a deep playoff run this year we'really just wasting the last of his value.

Neither is Prince or KG, yet they are still playing and won't be traded

Isn't that besides the point? You would agree that he still holds value.
I guess I look at what the Patriots always do. They trade away players that still have value but will be on their way out of the league in a few years all the time. Always looking to the future ensures keeping a competitive team in the present and down the road .
I get wanting to see this team win a few extra games, but instant gratification could come at the detriment of team depth down the road .

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

You just have to find a playoff team who has a development guy they aren't playing a lot. An example would be trading him to Memphis for Jordan Adams or maybe even if the Kings have given up on McLemore, Martin for McLemore. You just have to find the right balance of trying to win now and a young prospect who is stuck on the bench. Miami is looking to move Chalmers. He'd be a nice combo guard defensive complement to Zach. He's not young, but he'd be another guy in his prime to add to the roster who could help us now and is a better fit.

[Porckchop]

Notice Martin on the bench in crunch time and the wolves win. He can keep ya in games but he's more likely to lose them for ya then win em .

[Lipoli390]

Kahns -

I agree completely with both your posts. And I think Robson's analysis hits the mark. At age 32, Martin is what he is - a very good/efficient scorer and decent 3-point shooter. That's it. He's a horrible defender, a poor rebounder, a below average ballhandler for his position and a bad passer. Further, the way Sam is using him, coupled with the decision to start Prince, is stifling the development of LaVine and Shabazz.

Great win tonight, but there is no legitimate justification for allocating 24 minutes each to Prince and Martin while playing LaVine only 16. Compare their numbers from tonight's game. Sam's allocation of minutes among these three was mystifying. I have to believe that Sam has some master plan he can't reveal that would that explain this mystery.

However, the good news is that Sam is getting these guys to play defense and the team as a whole seems to be channeling Sam's toughness. And importantly, the team is winning games under difficult circumstances. I don't care who you play, it's tough to win on the road in the NBA and the Wolves are 4-0 on the road thus far. That's incredible.