Minnesota Sports Forum

After watching some video, I am not impressed with Collins. I would prefer Markkanen if we are going big.

60WinTim wrote:After watching some video, I am not impressed with Collins. I would prefer Markkanen if we are going big.

I agree with this. I see a higher floor for Markkanen. His shooting is going to give him a real role no matter what.

thedoper wrote:

60WinTim wrote:After watching some video, I am not impressed with Collins. I would prefer Markkanen if we are going big.

I agree with this. I see a higher floor for Markkanen. His shooting is going to give him a real role no matter what.

holy fuck yes come over to the dark side guys he has to be the pick if Isaac doesn't fall, I"ve wanted Markkanen from the start until I fell in love with Isaac who I still think is clearly better of course but I am scared to death of Collins

You guys are really going to have to sell me on Markkanen. The one thing he allegedly does really well is hit the three, but a closer look makes me even question this. He had some great 3-point stats early in the season (often against subpar nonconference opposition), but was really not a very good shooter late in the year. In fact, after January he was only 15 for 56, or 26.7 %. So who is the real Lauri...the guy who made 5 out of 6 threes against Texas Southern, or the guy who went 2 for 8 in the NCAA tournament? That's the question Thibs is going to have to answer.

My problem with Markkanen is he's a stiff. I just don't see the mobility some of the scouting reports talk about. Yes, he has a pure stroke (notwithstanding LST's observation above), but everything else is just blah. Collins looks like he could be a solid two-way big.

Big question marks with all these guys though.....Hate that we feel like we are so reliant on yet another lottery pick.

I'd take Zach Collins over Markkenan. The only thing Markkenan did better than Collins in college was shoot threes. And as LST pointed out, there are some troubling aspects to Markkenan's shooting stats. Collins was the better shot-blocker and rebounder by far. He's longer than Markkenan and has a reputation for being tough. Collins also has a nice looking shot and showed 3-point range. My only concern is that he didn't play a lot of minutes. But I think he played enough to adequately evaluate his potential and I think he has far more upside than Markkenan as an all-around two-way player.

60WinTim wrote:After watching some video, I am not impressed with Collins. I would prefer Markkanen if we are going big.

I'm curious what tape you watched. He's aggressive and he put up big stats in small minutes (his per minute numbers are similar to KAT's). He's a legit 7 footer that can jump out of the gym. The only real negative I've seen of him is his foul issues which is probably one of the easiest flaws in the game to fix. Honestly I'm surprised he's dropping on draft boards. He seems to be a great prospect for a modern game center.

I'm at the point I'm really not sure there is much more for me to research at least as far as the guys that seem likely for the Wolves to pick. Here are my thoughts on the draft at this point. It's not my complete list but stuff that jumps out at me.

Most unique player in the draft. Lonzo Ball.

Favorite player for the Wolves:
Jonathon Isaac

Players that seem likely available at 7:

Swing for the fences! Dennis Smith Jr

Guy I like seems safe but also has upside. Zach Collins.

Monk...this was how I felt at #5 last year. Can I get a trade down?

Player I don't want, Lauri Markkanen

Other guys I like in the draft that aren't top propspects.

Justin Jackson

Kennard although he is really moving up now...

OG I like him I just honestly don't know where I would pick him.

Jordon Bell

Dillon Brooks

Undrafted homer undrafted FA signing. Andrew White III. I know who he is so he intrigues me. He is 6'7" and can shoot (what else do you need to know? Lol) and played defense at Nebraska. Could be a worthwhile guy for the d-league to develop into a 3 and D guy.

Random thoughts.

I just watched a couple minutes of Rabb. He looks like he never really gets off the ground much. He had a few lob or passes that you expect a guy like that to dunk a couple of them but he dunked none of them.

It hasn't been discussed here but the international players aren't much of a factor in this draft. You could probably include Markkanen in there if you wanted to but at most that's 2 lottery picks for international players. Its not a great class for that group but of course there could still be some good players.

Is there a team that would have use for Dubs who is over in Europe? Would they be willing to give him money and a role to get him out of Europe? Could he be a small piece in a deal for a 2nd rounder or something? I like him but idk if the Wolves will have room for him to give him a role here. I can't blame him if he wants to stay in Europe make a healthy paycheck and play plenty and basically be a star.

Can the Wolves get another pick to help stock the d-league back end of the roster? Will teams be willing to give up those picks with extra roster spots? I feel skeptical about that or there will be competition to get them more than before.

Would anyone disagree that Zach Collins was the best player at the final 4?

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Would anyone disagree that Zach Collins was the best player at the final 4?

While I won't argue with you on the potential merits of Zach Collins, using the Final Four as a measuring stick isn't always the best strategy:

Past Final Four MOPs:
2000 - Mateen Cleaves, Michigan State
2001 - Shane Battier, Duke
2002 - Juan Dixon, Maryland
2003 - Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
2004 - Emeka Okafor, Connecticut
2005 - Sean May, North Carolina
2006 - Joakim Noah, Florida
2007 - Corey Brewer, Florida
2008 - Mario Chalmers, Kansas
2009 - Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
2010 - Kyle Singler, Duke
2011 - Kemba Walker, Connecticut
2012 - Anthony Davis, Kentucky
2013 - Luke Hancock, Louisville
2014 - Shabazz Napier, Connecticut
2015 - Tyus Jones, Duke
2016 - Ryan Arcidiacono, Villanova
2017 - Joel Berry II, North Carolina

Definitely a couple of studs in there, but also a lot of guys not in the league anymore or just fringe rotation players.