Minnesota Sports Forum

CoolBreeze44 wrote:KAT's defense looked much improved to me over Summer League.

thedoper wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:I'm going to the game tonight and hoping for a good showing in the last preseason game. There's no question the team doesn't look nearly as ready to start the season as they did last year, but I'm hoping for a good defensive performance tonight to kick my optimism level up a little.

I have to admit to some amusement in reading the vitriol directed toward Sam largely based on his decision to start Prince at SF. You would think we were a team in the hunt for a championship with some clearly established starters like the Spurs, and not a team coming off a 16-win season! How can Sam consider starting Prince over proven NBA stars such as LaVine, Muhammad and Bjelica?!!! I'm hearing Sam being described in two ways..."moron" and "not establishing an identity for the team", neither of which I agree with.

The "moron" label mostly appears in the thread in which Prince was announced as the starter. I wonder if those here that are calling this a moronic move forget that Prince started at SF in a third of the games he played in for a team that started 21-4 just one year ago. Yep, he was good enough to start for the Memphis Grizzlies, but the coach of the juggernaut Minnesota Timberwolves is a moron for thinking he's good enough to start for our team!

And I think Sam's moves this past week show a clear identity he is trying to define for this team. Unlike the "identity" of the past several years, Mitchell is trying to create a team that emphasizes defense first...he has been clear about this from the first televised practice. I think this is why he originally named Zach as the starting SG...because he knew that KMart doesn't fit the defensive identity he is trying to define, and he was hopeful that the more athletic LaVine could improve the defense. Unfortunately, it was clear pretty early that Zach is not an NBA caliber defender...at least not yet. I'm not giving up on Zach becoming an NBA starter...far from it. But I agree with Sam's assessment that he is not ready to contribute at that level at age 20, and that he needs a lot more backup time. Having come to that conclusion, the only SG who fit the defensive identity he is creating was Wiggins. And with Bazz still a work-in-process on D, Prince was the logical answer to start at SF.

I share the prevailing view here that Zach seems out of place at PG, but I'm willing to give it another shot because Sam clearly has him behind Wig and Martin at the 2. And since we all know the defensive shortcomings of Miller and Jones, I sense Mitchell is hoping Zach can provide better defense at PG backing up Ricky. I'm not on board yet, but I'm willing to give it a shot for a few games. If Zach is a disaster at backup PG, he very likely will be odd man out as long as Wig and Martin are healthy.

But I'm much more on board with Sam going with his best defensive option at SF. Prince was good enough to start several games for Joerger, so I don't know why he isn't good enough to start for a far worse team. Towns, KG, Prince, Wig and Ricky is certainly not a powerhouse offensive lineup, but it is the best defensive 5 Sam can put on the floor. And agree with it or not, that's Sam's vision for this team. I'm willing to give our best defenders starter's minutes as our young core continues to develop on both ends of the court. Seems like a logical plan to me.

I'm with Tim. The line between genius and moron is very fine. I guess the emotions of being a Wolves' fan pushes you to extremes.

Hicks123 wrote:I can't stand Sam Mitchell. Let's start there.

But this team stinks, plain and simple....regardless of coach.

I said last season, and stand by it again this season...Lavine is a LONG way away from being a productive NBA player. I get it....he had some flashes at the end of last season. But we have seen fools gold with many players over the years when you simply look at a small sample size. Overall, he was one of the worst players in the entire NBA last season. Now that said, from his limited experience and age, I fully expected exactly what we are seeing. Doesn't mean he can't become a very good player...but it ain't happening this season. And if Sam "destryed his confidence"

I am one of several that hated the KG signing. I am even more disappointed now than the offseason. He looks every bit his age so far, and he adds so little to this team. Mentor, smentor...I ain't buying.

I like Shabazz. Looks like an unstoppable offensive force waiting to happen. But defensively....different story.

Martin constantly gets bagged on. But he will again be one of our only consistent performers. I get his flaws....but at least he is consistently superior in one area of his game.

Rubio simply needs to be a lot better than he has ever been. I am not a believer....but I have never wanted anyone to prove me wrong more than Ricky.

That's all for now.