Your 2018-2019 Timberwolves!!!

[Monster]

I don't remember what thread was discussing a possible Taj trade but if Taj keeps hitting 3's comfortably at even a league average rate that would make his value be even higher. Last year he started out taking and making them for a couple games but this year he actually looks comfortable and pretty much letting it fly. He isn't gonna keep shooting 40% but even 35% even on low amount of attempts would give him more value. I think the Wolves record would have to force Thibs hand (they suck) or maybe Other players like Saric play so well it makes even more sense to move him if someone offers something of value. Is refreshing to have some many modern options at PF we used to have 1 at most. Dieng is trying to be flor stretcher in his minutes at C.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Speaking of taj and saric, interesting take by the ringer as to what we should do:

The trade could create a domino effect in the Wolves rotation. Jeff Teague, who has missed the last six games with a knee injury, will return shortly, and he could share a starting lineup with four good 3-point shooters when he does. A pick-and-roll between Teague and Towns would be hard to defend in so much space, while posting up Towns should be more effective in four-out lineups. One of the few bright spots in Minnesota this season has been the career-high 3-point shooting from Wiggins (39.6 percent on 5.3 attempts per game). The Wolves could go from one of the worst floor spacing teams in the NBA last season (they were no. 30 in 3-point attempts per game) to one of the best.

It isn't just the starters, either. Gibson should be more effective as the sole big man on the floor on the second unit, a role which would have the added benefit of removing Gorgui Dieng from the rotation entirely. Derrick Rose would be free to hunt shots while sharing a backcourt with Tyus Jones, arguably the best passer on their team. Josh Okogie, the no. 20 overall pick in this year's draft, has shown promise as a hard-nosed perimeter defender on the wing, while Anthony Tolliver could space the floor next to Gibson.

This version of the Wolves has more lineup flexibility, theoretically giving Thibodeau the ability to stagger the minutes of his best players and give each more time with the ball. There's a reason most NBA teams don't play five-man bench units anymore. It makes no sense to give Towns and Wiggins max contracts and force them to spend the entire game spotting up on Butler, while keeping all of them on the bench as more limited offensive players like Jamal Crawford and Rose dominate the ball. The easiest way to get buy-in from young players on defense is to give them freedom on offense.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/11/11/18084790/timberwolves-jimmy-butler-trade-saric-covington

Interesting stuff...supports monster's thought that Gorgui will be the loser here. I got a chuckle out of the bolded phrase. Has the author seen Thib's rotations?

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

If we have space, id like to give deyonta davis a look. I think hed got the physicality we could use off the bench to offset some of kats weaknesses. Hes looked good in the gleague so far.

[Monster]

If we have space, id like to give deyonta davis a look. I think hed got the physicality we could use off the bench to offset some of kats weaknesses. Hes looked good in the gleague so far.

I was pretty high on him compared to where he was slated to be drafted and he ended up in the 2nd round. I haven't seen him a ton but I haven't been impressed with him. He doesn't seem that strong and at times looked fairly clueless. Some of the same things were said about Ed Davis year ago though so...anyway I do think the idea makes sense if we waive Bayless maybe sign a guy like this with some upside. I'm not against that or even specifically Deyonta Davis. I think it makes sense to wait a while and see how the roster looks unless there is a G-league you really know you want.

[Monster]

I listened to a bunch of podcasts today but the one that might have been the most resonate for me was the Sixers fan podcast "The Rights to Ricky Sanchez". I've listened to a couple of their podcasts in the past and they are pretty well informed fans with some amusing tales on things.

One of the things that was interesting was they talked about Butler coming in and all the stuff that he brings with him. They commented on how this is a different sort of fandom than when they went through the process and knew everything was gonna be ok even with all the losing and trading this guy for another pick etc. they said now the culmination was here and now even though they may have that bigtime squad they say there is part of them that finds the experience just different and in some ways less likeable. They said it was awesome that they were able to get a player like Jimmy Butler for 2 process guys like Covington and Saric...but they really liked those guys. Covington came from nothing Saric was never coming over etc.

This board and the ESPN board has been hoping even longer than the Sixers and we just experienced a little over a year ago some of what the Sixers fans are feeling now dealing likeable players for Jimmy.

The best news for us Wolves fans is based on these guys who have had direct contact with both guys at various events say both Covington and Saric are hard workers and great dudes. Saric is goofy and hilarious. It feels like we are going to be able to go back a bit to some good vibes and fun. That doesn't mean these guys are sort of a panacea or whatever because Covington is a very good role player and Saric is a really solid player with some actual upside.

To me there is some real hope of being the type of fan the Sixers guys were talking about where you enjoy some of the players on the roster not just wins and losses. That sounds refreashing but it also feels like this can be a competent roster as well.

[thedoper]

I really like that Wiggins is going back to a 2 offensively. He's never going to bulk up to go against the muscly 3s, it's just not his frame. I think Covington's length is going to be a huge asset as well on the defesive side. I like Wiggins staying on man on the speedier Offensive wings and Covington taking the bigger player. Jimmy was a great player, but completely in a world of his own. This is going to be great for Towns and Wiggins how I see it.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I listened to a bunch of podcasts today but the one that might have been the most resonate for me was the Sixers fan podcast "The Rights to Ricky Sanchez". I've listened to a couple of their podcasts in the past and they are pretty well informed fans with some amusing tales on things.

One of the things that was interesting was they talked about Butler coming in and all the stuff that he brings with him. They commented on how this is a different sort of fandom than when they went through the process and knew everything was gonna be ok even with all the losing and trading this guy for another pick etc. they said now the culmination was here and now even though they may have that bigtime squad they say there is part of them that finds the experience just different and in some ways less likeable. They said it was awesome that they were able to get a player like Jimmy Butler for 2 process guys like Covington and Saric...but they really liked those guys. Covington came from nothing Saric was never coming over etc.

This board and the ESPN board has been hoping even longer than the Sixers and we just experienced a little over a year ago some of what the Sixers fans are feeling now dealing likeable players for Jimmy.

The best news for us Wolves fans is based on these guys who have had direct contact with both guys at various events say both Covington and Saric are hard workers and great dudes. Saric is goofy and hilarious. It feels like we are going to be able to go back a bit to some good vibes and fun. That doesn't mean these guys are sort of a panacea or whatever because Covington is a very good role player and Saric is a really solid player with some actual upside.

To me there is some real hope of being the type of fan the Sixers guys were talking about where you enjoy some of the players on the roster not just wins and losses. That sounds refreashing but it also feels like this can be a competent roster as well.

That attitude is quite frustrating for me to see both in their thoughts on the matter and how this board has operated during Thibs tenure. It's now no longer acceptable to just win games and make the playoffs. You have to contend and be likeable while doing it. Literally all the people who don't like the Warriors desire to have their team be what the Warriors are. Guys who are likeable, like playing with each other and who contend for titles. Winning has stopped being good enough. And to me that comes off as entitled for fan bases of teams like the Wolves and the Sixers who demand it be done that way and sort of stake their fandom on that ideal.

Thibs won more games last year than we've won in more than a decade doing it his way, but it wasn't good enough because it wasn't ideal. Jimmy will help them attain another level of quality that Saric and Covington likely never could have, yet it's just not gonna be as fun for their fans. What is that? It should be fun being a team that can win doing things differently from the league norm. Grit and grind was an identity that city could be proud of. San Antonio figures out good basketball regardless if their personnel matches the direction the league is heading. How is trying to copy the formula of the greatest shooting team in NBA history with lessor personnel fun?

[Monster]

I listened to a bunch of podcasts today but the one that might have been the most resonate for me was the Sixers fan podcast "The Rights to Ricky Sanchez". I've listened to a couple of their podcasts in the past and they are pretty well informed fans with some amusing tales on things.

One of the things that was interesting was they talked about Butler coming in and all the stuff that he brings with him. They commented on how this is a different sort of fandom than when they went through the process and knew everything was gonna be ok even with all the losing and trading this guy for another pick etc. they said now the culmination was here and now even though they may have that bigtime squad they say there is part of them that finds the experience just different and in some ways less likeable. They said it was awesome that they were able to get a player like Jimmy Butler for 2 process guys like Covington and Saric...but they really liked those guys. Covington came from nothing Saric was never coming over etc.

This board and the ESPN board has been hoping even longer than the Sixers and we just experienced a little over a year ago some of what the Sixers fans are feeling now dealing likeable players for Jimmy.

The best news for us Wolves fans is based on these guys who have had direct contact with both guys at various events say both Covington and Saric are hard workers and great dudes. Saric is goofy and hilarious. It feels like we are going to be able to go back a bit to some good vibes and fun. That doesn't mean these guys are sort of a panacea or whatever because Covington is a very good role player and Saric is a really solid player with some actual upside.

To me there is some real hope of being the type of fan the Sixers guys were talking about where you enjoy some of the players on the roster not just wins and losses. That sounds refreashing but it also feels like this can be a competent roster as well.

That attitude is quite frustrating for me to see both in their thoughts on the matter and how this board has operated during Thibs tenure. It's now no longer acceptable to just win games and make the playoffs. You have to contend and be likeable while doing it. Literally all the people who don't like the Warriors desire to have their team be what the Warriors are. Guys who are likeable, like playing with each other and who contend for titles. Winning has stopped being good enough. And to me that comes off as entitled for fan bases of teams like the Wolves and the Sixers who demand it be done that way and sort of stake their fandom on that ideal.

Thibs won more games last year than we've won in more than a decade doing it his way, but it wasn't good enough because it wasn't ideal. Jimmy will help them attain another level of quality that Saric and Covington likely never could have, yet it's just not gonna be as fun for their fans. What is that? It should be fun being a team that can win doing things differently from the league norm. Grit and grind was an identity that city could be proud of. San Antonio figures out good basketball regardless if their personnel matches the direction the league is heading. How is trying to copy the formula of the greatest shooting team in NBA history with lessor personnel fun?

I must not have done the point justice. They weren't actually suggesting that you have to have fun AND be likeable. They said they absolutely realized that part of being a legit top team comes with a certain amount of drama. As Wolves fans I think it's ok if we have some guys like Saric and Covington that are likeable and win some games. Maybe we are farther away from contending but it's not like we are back to sucking but it will likely be a more likeable bunch. You are right about GS being somewhatunlikeqble although they win. Mostly I dislike GS because of my love hate relationship with Draymond Green but there are a couple other annoyances also.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

[youtube]5jWot9L9ndA[/youtube]

I found what covington had to say as the most interesting. He credits his player developmental coach for being the player who he is today. That his coach was a defensive minded guy and showed him how to play the right way through tape. The 6ers have babcock who was formerly on the Spurs staff.

Then I thought, who is our player developmental coach? Its John Lucas 3, a former bulls guys and Daisuke Yoshimoto, another one from the bulls. I dont think player development is a priority for this organization, and thibs just expect players to get it.

we are investing a boat load of money on our 2 cornerstones, I think we need to get them someone to help them advance further. A big man coach for KAT to help with defense and how to get better post position or maybe a wing coach to help guys like wiggs think about defensive positioning or someone to constantly remind him to attack rather than settling for the long 2.

Our perimeter guys are learning how to play offense and defense from John Lucas 3, think about it.

[Monster]

[youtube]5jWot9L9ndA[/youtube]

I found what covington had to say as the most interesting. He credits his player developmental coach for being the player who he is today. That his coach was a defensive minded guy and showed him how to play the right way through tape. The 6ers have babcock who was formerly on the Spurs staff.

Then I thought, who is our player developmental coach? Its John Lucas 3, a former bulls guys and Daisuke Yoshimoto, another one from the bulls. I dont think player development is a priority for this organization, and thibs just expect players to get it.

we are investing a boat load of money on our 2 cornerstones, I think we need to get them someone to help them advance further. A big man coach for KAT to help with defense and how to get better post position or maybe a wing coach to help guys like wiggs think about defensive positioning or someone to constantly remind him to attack rather than settling for the long 2.

Our perimeter guys are learning how to play offense and defense from John Lucas 3, think about it.

Thinking Thibs doesn't care about player development I think is likely unfair. JVG said that's what Thibs used to donas an assistant coach and JVG said he was very good at it. Now whether the guys being hired are good at their jobs is one thing but Lucas has been coaching young players with his dad for a long time and gone through various NBA programs to transition to a coaching role so he should be competent.