Robson's latest article

[60WinTim]

What's the mystery, Lip? Sam is surrounding his two best young prospects with a supporting cast that is best suited to feature and develop those two prospects - Wiggins and Towns. Judging from the level of play we have witnessed from those two players, and the results that are being produced, where is the mystery?

Zach has a ton of potential, but he is not in the same league as Wiggins and Towns at this point in time. We all want to see him get there, but his path is clearly on a different timeline than the path Wiggins and Towns are on.

[Monster]

What's the mystery, Lip? Sam is surrounding his two best young prospects with a supporting cast that is best suited to feature and develop those two prospects - Wiggins and Towns. Judging from the level of play we have witnessed from those two players, and the results that are being produced, where is the mystery?

Zach has a ton of potential, but he is not in the same league as Wiggins and Towns at this point in time. We all want to see him get there, but his path is clearly on a different timeline than the path Wiggins and Towns are on.

I really liked that last paragraph Tim.

I do think tonight Zach played well enough tonight you could have easily liked to see him get some of Martin's minutes at SG and I think that's probably more of the mystery Lip may be refering to. Man it's tough Martin is a proven scorer albeit with flaws.

I like to focus on those first half minutes from Zach tonight we're just beautiful. That pass to Dieng over the defender was perfect and that is not an easy pass. Every game Zach makes one pass that makes me think "Huh that's actually pretty good" and it's a bit encouraging. Tonight he had plenty of those moments. He was running what he was supposed to do and making good reads both to score for himself and others. He was really playing D also. It was a heck of a breakthrough game even if it was limited minutes.

[Lipoli390]

What's the mystery, Lip? Sam is surrounding his two best young prospects with a supporting cast that is best suited to feature and develop those two prospects - Wiggins and Towns. Judging from the level of play we have witnessed from those two players, and the results that are being produced, where is the mystery?

Zach has a ton of potential, but he is not in the same league as Wiggins and Towns at this point in time. We all want to see him get there, but his path is clearly on a different timeline than the path Wiggins and Towns are on.

Tim - The mystery is giving 24 minutes to a guy who made 4 of 11 shots with 1 assist 0 rebounds and 0 steals while giving 16 minutes to a guy who hit 5 of 7 shots with 6 assists, 3 boards and 3 steals. It becomes an even deeper mystery when you consider the relative age and potential of these two players on a rebuilding team.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

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.

Not mystifying at all. LaVine had a really, really nice run in the first half, but then all hell broke loose in the second half and the same guys from the bench that were hitting on all cylinders in the first half couldn't stem the tide. At that point, LaVine was pulled for Miller for a short stint and then Rubio closed the game out.

By the way, if anyone is looking for Tayshaun Prince, he's still attached to Kyle Korver's jersey.

[Lipoli390]

Q - When LaVine was pulled for Miller was Martin left on the floor?

[AbeVigodaLive]

Minnesota: PG Darren Collison (2015: $5,013,559; 2016: $5,229,454)

Sacramento: SG Kevin Martin (2015: $7,085,000; 2016: $7,377,500)

Do it.

I like this. Especially since Karl is now benching McLemore they may be looking for a 2.

Kevin Martin is worth more then a backup point guard I think.

But Martin is a backup player for many (most?) teams, isn't he?

[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

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 .

I don't think your going to get a player that would help you more then Martin. Also I doubt you'd get anything more then a late 1st for him. Remember Flip isn't making those picks anymore, so your looking at selling it to to fill Taylor's pockets. Better just to keep Martin and let him walk. You still get cap space

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Minnesota: PG Darren Collison (2015: $5,013,559; 2016: $5,229,454)

Sacramento: SG Kevin Martin (2015: $7,085,000; 2016: $7,377,500)

Do it.

I like this. Especially since Karl is now benching McLemore they may be looking for a 2.

Kevin Martin is worth more then a backup point guard I think.

But Martin is a backup player for many (most?) teams, isn't he?

20 point scorer who shoots a high percentage I think would start on a lot of teams. There aren't a lot of good shooting guards today comparative

[AbeVigodaLive]

Minnesota: PG Darren Collison (2015: $5,013,559; 2016: $5,229,454)

Sacramento: SG Kevin Martin (2015: $7,085,000; 2016: $7,377,500)

Do it.

I like this. Especially since Karl is now benching McLemore they may be looking for a 2.

Kevin Martin is worth more then a backup point guard I think.

But Martin is a backup player for many (most?) teams, isn't he?

20 point scorer who shoots a high percentage I think would start on a lot of teams. There aren't a lot of good shooting guards today comparative

Maybe. I think it'll be interesting what his market value will be... because it's probably best for the Wolves and Martin for him to leave...

[TAFKASP]

Minnesota: PG Darren Collison (2015: $5,013,559; 2016: $5,229,454)

Sacramento: SG Kevin Martin (2015: $7,085,000; 2016: $7,377,500)

Do it.

I like this. Especially since Karl is now benching McLemore they may be looking for a 2.

Kevin Martin is worth more then a backup point guard I think.

But Martin is a backup player for many (most?) teams, isn't he?

20 point scorer who shoots a high percentage I think would start on a lot of teams. There aren't a lot of good shooting guards today comparative

KMart is not a good shooting guard, he's a good scorer, but there is far more to being a good 2 than just scoring.