Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:The loss isn't KAT's fault obviously, as the bench played poorly this game, but he continues to prove that he isn't quite in that first tier of NBA talent yet. All-star caliber? Sure. All-NBA 1st or 2nd team? No way.

May be after he gets himself completely healthy and emotionally on track he will get there eventually. Right now he's a damn good player, but not top 10 or 12.

Agreed, he can't just will a team to victory, he is so damn good but he is probably a #2 on a championship team. Way to many long losing streaks with him

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:The loss isn't KAT's fault obviously, as the bench played poorly this game, but he continues to prove that he isn't quite in that first tier of NBA talent yet. All-star caliber? Sure. All-NBA 1st or 2nd team? No way.

May be after he gets himself completely healthy and emotionally on track he will get there eventually. Right now he's a damn good player, but not top 10 or 12.

I think KAT's been ast that 2nd team all-NBA level before. He's obviously not at the top of his game at the moment, which is no surprise given what's happened to him - the death of his mother and other relatives, a torn wrist ligament and Covid infection. He's been back playing for only about a week since recovering from Covid.

Having said that, no doubt in my mind that Zach LaVine is playing at an all-NBA level right now. He could still be a T-Wolf.

I don't know. Something is still just a bit off to me with LaVine. There is no denying that he is a super gifted shooter and scorer. But he still turns it over too much and while he does get his fair share of assists, I don't necessarily see him getting guys a bunch of easy buckets playing off of him.

But yeah, at some point when you shoot and score THAT efficiently, it compensates for a lot of other flaws.

Crazy to think that Wiggins and Lavine were shipped off to playoff teams and Towns is left in Minnesota with the worst record in the league. Not how I would have guess their trajectories. But maybe we can take some solace in the fact that Zach and Wiggins are contributing to wins in year 8. I think this is clearly telling us that next year is KAT's breakout season. Go Wolves.

I'm starting to get worried about Reid. He just can't stop anything on the interior. Yes, he gets his fair share of "stocks", but things are just too easy for opposing players that go down hill at him.

I also wonder if we can ultimately upgrade the backup PG position, assuming DLO is still our starting PG heading into next season. Obviously Rubio has lost a beat or two since last season and will likely be moved this summer. McLaughlin has been "nice", but we need our bench to be a strength since our starting 5 isn't going to be elite in the near future.

Fortunately, finding good backup bigs and point guards should not be as hard as, say, finding a 3&D wing.

I love the G-league brigade from last year, but these guys just might not be good enough for what we need going forward.

Q12543 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:The loss isn't KAT's fault obviously, as the bench played poorly this game, but he continues to prove that he isn't quite in that first tier of NBA talent yet. All-star caliber? Sure. All-NBA 1st or 2nd team? No way.

May be after he gets himself completely healthy and emotionally on track he will get there eventually. Right now he's a damn good player, but not top 10 or 12.

I think KAT's been ast that 2nd team all-NBA level before. He's obviously not at the top of his game at the moment, which is no surprise given what's happened to him - the death of his mother and other relatives, a torn wrist ligament and Covid infection. He's been back playing for only about a week since recovering from Covid.

Having said that, no doubt in my mind that Zach LaVine is playing at an all-NBA level right now. He could still be a T-Wolf.

I don't know. Something is still just a bit off to me with LaVine. There is no denying that he is a super gifted shooter and scorer. But he still turns it over too much and while he does get his fair share of assists, I don't necessarily see him getting guys a bunch of easy buckets playing off of him.

But yeah, at some point when you shoot and score THAT efficiently, it compensates for a lot of other flaws.

The player he compares closest too right now is Kevin Durant. His stats are nearly identical in most categories.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2021_advanced.html

EFG%, TOV%, AST%, USG%, OBPM, etc....

LaVine and Towns would have been an insane dynamic duo. That ship sailed.

I disagree with those saying Towns cannot be the #1. This team just has failed building around him. He is one of the biggest mismatches in the league. Just misused.

Fucking build around him 5 years ago, not patch around him.

Obligatory Fuck Glen Taylor.

Thibs, LaVine, Butler, Towns could've been good. Outside shooting, great mid slashing guy, unicorn big guy, decent/proven coach.

Glen ruined that.

Q12543 wrote:I'm starting to get worried about Reid. He just can't stop anything on the interior. Yes, he gets his fair share of "stocks", but things are just too easy for opposing players that go down hill at him.

I also wonder if we can ultimately upgrade the backup PG position, assuming DLO is still our starting PG heading into next season. Obviously Rubio has lost a beat or two since last season and will likely be moved this summer. McLaughlin has been "nice", but we need our bench to be a strength since our starting 5 isn't going to be elite in the near future.

Fortunately, finding good backup bigs and point guards should not be as hard as, say, finding a 3&D wing.

I love the G-league brigade from last year, but these guys just might not be good enough for what we need going forward.

I miss Tyus. The dude was not flashy, but he handled the ball well, did not turn it over and was effective.

WolvesFan21 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I'm starting to get worried about Reid. He just can't stop anything on the interior. Yes, he gets his fair share of "stocks", but things are just too easy for opposing players that go down hill at him.

I also wonder if we can ultimately upgrade the backup PG position, assuming DLO is still our starting PG heading into next season. Obviously Rubio has lost a beat or two since last season and will likely be moved this summer. McLaughlin has been "nice", but we need our bench to be a strength since our starting 5 isn't going to be elite in the near future.

Fortunately, finding good backup bigs and point guards should not be as hard as, say, finding a 3&D wing.

I love the G-league brigade from last year, but these guys just might not be good enough for what we need going forward.

I miss Tyus. The dude was not flashy, but he handled the ball well, did not turn it over and was effective.

He is not worth what he was paid.

TheFuture wrote:

WolvesFan21 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I'm starting to get worried about Reid. He just can't stop anything on the interior. Yes, he gets his fair share of "stocks", but things are just too easy for opposing players that go down hill at him.

I also wonder if we can ultimately upgrade the backup PG position, assuming DLO is still our starting PG heading into next season. Obviously Rubio has lost a beat or two since last season and will likely be moved this summer. McLaughlin has been "nice", but we need our bench to be a strength since our starting 5 isn't going to be elite in the near future.

Fortunately, finding good backup bigs and point guards should not be as hard as, say, finding a 3&D wing.

I love the G-league brigade from last year, but these guys just might not be good enough for what we need going forward.

I miss Tyus. The dude was not flashy, but he handled the ball well, did not turn it over and was effective.

He is not worth what he was paid.

It's all relative.

Tyus Jones makes $8M.
J. Hernangomez makes $7M.
J. Culver makes $6M.
Ed Davis makes $5M.

WolvesFan21 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I'm starting to get worried about Reid. He just can't stop anything on the interior. Yes, he gets his fair share of "stocks", but things are just too easy for opposing players that go down hill at him.

I also wonder if we can ultimately upgrade the backup PG position, assuming DLO is still our starting PG heading into next season. Obviously Rubio has lost a beat or two since last season and will likely be moved this summer. McLaughlin has been "nice", but we need our bench to be a strength since our starting 5 isn't going to be elite in the near future.

Fortunately, finding good backup bigs and point guards should not be as hard as, say, finding a 3&D wing.

I love the G-league brigade from last year, but these guys just might not be good enough for what we need going forward.

I miss Tyus. The dude was not flashy, but he handled the ball well, did not turn it over and was effective.

Another guard that can't score or shoot. And he makes way too much money for what he brings to the table. He was a good value while on his rookie contract, but not anymore. We'd have roughly $16-million annually invested into him and Hernangomez.