Minnesota Sports Forum

khans2k5 wrote:We still need a backup PG so Mudiay would not be a terrible pick. He also wouldn't be relied on to be the guy out of the gate. He could develop behind Ricky and be a different type of player than Ricky to run the second unit. He'd also be a good trade chip. We have needs pretty much everywhere so we have to take BPA and go from there. We also really shouldn't be relying on any rookie to play 30+ minutes like Wiggins because it just doesn't lead to many wins.

+1

Just to add on to a couple things... There's also the possibility that Mudiay turns into a better overall player than Rubio. Let's not throw that option out the window yet. And the guy's got star player potential, whether you like the fit or not. And how long have we wanted a guy to be able to create his own shot and get to the rim and finish?

At worst in that scenario, you get a very good guard. Who knows? Perhaps Mudiay and Wiggins turn into one of the best backcourts in basketball. Or perhaps Rubio/Mudiay are somehow able to coexist. Or Mudiay/LaVine/Wiggins turns into a filthy 1-2-3. While this all sounds unrealistic right now, it's not out of the question.

Camden wrote:Just to add on to a couple things... There's also the possibility that Mudiay turns into a better overall player than Rubio. Let's not throw that option out the window yet. And the guy's got star player potential, whether you like the fit or not. And how long have we wanted a guy to be able to create his own shot and get to the rim and finish?

At worst in that scenario, you get a very good guard. Who knows? Perhaps Mudiay and Wiggins turn into one of the best backcourts in basketball. Or perhaps Rubio/Mudiay are somehow able to coexist. Or Mudiay/LaVine/Wiggins turns into a filthy 1-2-3. While this all sounds unrealistic right now, it's not out of the question.

And that's why you take BPA. You really can't be second guessed if you do that.

Do you think the influence of Garnett help a guy like Okafor develop into a decent defender? Okafor is destined to be a 20+ ppg scorer. His low post scoring ability would open things up offensively for others. I'm trying to rationalize picking a below average defending big because his offensive ability is off the charts good.

I wish we would stop thinking that KG is able to take guys who are awful defensively (Bennett, Payne, Okafor, etc.). My belief is that KG on the court makes that five man unit much better than if he was off. That's the impact he has. He may help the other guys learn some things here and there, but he's not a miracle worker. He's no NBA equivalent to Jesus. If they're awful on defense, perhaps KG can make them just below average.

Okafor's problems on defense lie with his lateral quickness, effort, intensity and understanding of positioning. KG can only help with one of those weaknesses and that's positioning. Defense is something that is instilled in a player. Something they've grown up with even. Wiggins, for instance, was preached to by his father while growing up the importance of defense. Mitchell taught his son to have that dog in him. Rubio's got that dog in him. Okafor is much more interested in scoring buckets; not locking down on defense. You can't teach that.

Camden0916 wrote:I wish we would stop thinking that KG is able to take guys who are awful defensively (Bennett, Payne, Okafor, etc.). My belief is that KG on the court makes that five man unit much better than if he was off. That's the impact he has. He may help the other guys learn some things here and there, but he's not a miracle worker. He's no NBA equivalent to Jesus. If they're awful on defense, perhaps KG can make them just below average.

Okafor's problems on defense lie with his lateral quickness, effort, intensity and understanding of positioning. KG can only help with one of those weaknesses and that's positioning. Defense is something that is instilled in a player. Something they've grown up with even. Wiggins, for instance, was preached to by his father while growing up the importance of defense. Mitchell taught his son to have that dog in him. Rubio's got that dog in him. Okafor is much more interested in scoring buckets; not locking down on defense. You can't teach that.

I didn't say KG was a miracle worker, but he can help with awareness and maybe the intensity aspect.

I also highly disagree with Okafor not possessing quickness.

Young guys usually suck on defense because they are in the wrong position often. They don't know how to play defense in a team concept well. KG can help them learn the right position to be in on defense and how to play defense in the team concept. IQ is such an important part of defense nowadays and most of these guys really have no clue for several years how to play defense correctly. KG can help speed that learning process up significantly and then it comes down to strength and athleticism to determine how good they can be. He can't make them good defenders, but he can give them the IQ to be good defenders which is half the battle.

On Mudiay - My only fear would be a Reggie Jackson scenario where he's unhappy playing backup to Rubio and forces a trade that yields us cents on the dollar. That's why if he's BPA when we draft, I wouldn't be opposed of trading down a slot or two. I do agree we could use a dynamic backup, but I just wonder how sustainable that arrangement would be with a top 4 pick.

On Okafor's defense - Hibbert and Marc Gasol came into the league as lumbering big men with issues defensively at first. Now they are both very solid defensive anchors. I'm not sure if Okafor will ever be great on defense, but he certainly has the tools to be good.

Okafor gets compared somewhat derisively to Al Jefferson, who we all remember as a strong low post scorer and rebounder, but a sieve defensively. Well, guess whose been the starting Center for the Charlotte Hornets' #5 ranked defense in 21013-14 and #8 ranked defense this season? Big Al Jefferson.

Well, it looks like Russell's cold streak has come to an end. He's now had a couple of fairly dominant performances in a row. He's got 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals tonight....and the game isn't even over yet!

Q12543 wrote:Well, it looks like Russell's cold streak has come to an end. He's now had a couple of fairly dominant performances in a row. He's got 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals tonight....and the game isn't even over yet!

Hope he is our starting SG next year.