Minnesota Sports Forum

Looks like the Spurs will win this one. The Wolves win no matter who wins this game, but I've been pulling for a Spurs win tonight since it improves our chances of finishing as high as 4th.

tomorrows is a must win game with the way the schedule is set up.

Clips vs Blazers
Nuggets vs thunder

we will create space between us and the 9th seed or get closer to homecourt advantage. There are other important games, but Im not counting on any help.

crazy-canuck wrote:tomorrows is a must win game with the way the schedule is set up.

Clips vs Blazers
Nuggets vs thunder

we will create space between us and the 9th seed or get closer to homecourt advantage. There are other important games, but Im not counting on any help.

I agree. I didn't have the Mavs game as a must win until we lost the Memphis the other night. In fact, I projected the Mavs game as a loss. But now it's essential if the Wolves want a realistic shot at a top 6 seed.

I'm watching Golden State get blown off the court by the Bucks at Golden State. The Warriors started the game without Curry or Thompson. Then Durant got himself thrown out of the game with back-to-back technicals after playing only 17 minutes. The Warriors were already struggling before Durant was thrown out.

The bad news is that three of our main rivals -- the Thunder, Jazz and Pelicans - each have one game remaining against the Warriors. The Thunder and Jazz will both be at home against the Warriors while the Pelicans will play at Golden State. Before Curry went down I had all three games as wins for Golden State. Curry will definitely be out those games. Durant will likely play, but he's rusty and I'm guessing his ribs are still probably sore. I'm not sure whether Thompson will play any of those games and Draymond Green seems pretty banged up. So I'm expecting the Thunder and Jazz to win their games against the Warriors and I'd also give the edge to the Pelicans as well. Not good for the Wolves. But again, the Wolves hold their fate in their own hands. If they beat the Mavs on the road and then win their three remaining home games against the Jazz, Grizzlies and Nuggets, the Wolves should finish in the top 6. Beat the Lakers on the road and the Wolves have a great shot at finishing 4th.

The undrafted 3rd year player, Quinn Cook, had 28 points tonight for the Warriors. He was putting up great numbers for Golden State's G-League affiliate before getting called up when Curry went down. I'm still waiting for the Wolves to sign and develop a talented under-the-radar guy like Cook. Or draft someone like Kuzma who other teams overlooked late in the first round. Or sign veteran free agents to cheap contracts late in the season like Bellinelli or Ilyasova.

lipoli390 wrote:The undrafted 3rd year player, Quinn Cook, had 28 points tonight for the Warriors. He was putting up great numbers for Golden State's G-League affiliate before getting called up when Curry went down. I'm still waiting for the Wolves to sign and develop a talented under-the-radar guy like Cook. Or draft someone like Kuzma who other teams overlooked late in the first round. Or sign veteran free agents to cheap contracts late in the season like Bellinelli or Ilyasova.

Wouldn't belly and tyus be considered in that category

I like the optimism for getting the 4th seed. I just think that we will be let down. I see the defense as too big an issue. Wolves will probably throw up and lose to the tanking Mavs.

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:The undrafted 3rd year player, Quinn Cook, had 28 points tonight for the Warriors. He was putting up great numbers for Golden State's G-League affiliate before getting called up when Curry went down. I'm still waiting for the Wolves to sign and develop a talented under-the-radar guy like Cook. Or draft someone like Kuzma who other teams overlooked late in the first round. Or sign veteran free agents to cheap contracts late in the season like Bellinelli or Ilyasova.

Wouldn't belly and tyus be considered in that category

We traded three 2nd rounders to move up into the first round and draft Tyus, so I'm not sure I'd put him in the same category as Quinn Cook or other 2nd rounders/undrafted free agents.

I think Bjelly is a pretty good example, but he's been kind of up and down in his career.

Historically, this franchise has been absolutely awful at finding and developing talent of all stripes. It's why we've been so bad for so many years.

The rhino. Craig Smith bitches.

Q12543 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:The undrafted 3rd year player, Quinn Cook, had 28 points tonight for the Warriors. He was putting up great numbers for Golden State's G-League affiliate before getting called up when Curry went down. I'm still waiting for the Wolves to sign and develop a talented under-the-radar guy like Cook. Or draft someone like Kuzma who other teams overlooked late in the first round. Or sign veteran free agents to cheap contracts late in the season like Bellinelli or Ilyasova.

Wouldn't belly and tyus be considered in that category

We traded three 2nd rounders to move up into the first round and draft Tyus, so I'm not sure I'd put him in the same category as Quinn Cook or other 2nd rounders/undrafted free agents.

I think Bjelly is a pretty good example, but he's been kind of up and down in his career.

Historically, this franchise has been absolutely awful at finding and developing talent of all stripes. It's why we've been so bad for so many years.

Well In Lip's Post he named Kuzma who was a later 1st round pick so that's why Tyus is included. Regardless is Tyus continues his progression and ends up as an average starting PG I think that would be a worthwhile win in the developing lower talent (not lottery guys) for the Wolves franchise. Until this year despite there being other better players available Fieng looked to be a win there and might still be if he didn't have the contract.

With Thibs in charge there is a weird dichotomy with him. He has often played younger players over vets and/or signed younger players. At times though despite having the younger player he hasn't played them especially this year except Tyus. So at times Thibs hasn't given a lot of opportunity to a guy like MGH. To some extent the Wolves have stayed just healthy enough this season where it's not play whoever you have time. Tyus and Belly played well when they have gotten their chances as starters. We haven't seen the rash of injuries that the Clippers and no GS or other teams where they just pick up guys and basically have to play them massive minutes. The way GS roster was constructed they only had 2 PGs unless you considered McCaw and option but he has been hurt also. Livingston can't play big minutes and he offers no shooting. So a guy like Cook can play huge minutes and do his thing. Look at my guy Trey Burke. He has been tearing it up this year at every level. Sometimes teams can actually benefit from having some injuries if it means they find some worthwhile players. Who is GS going to let go inna few weeks to have Quinn on their playoff roster? Yeah he isnthat inportant now. How good are some of these guys really though? Only time will tell.

I've been saying over and over again this is the type of thing the Wolves and any other team has to do find some under the radar talent and get something worthwhile out of them. The Wolves seemed to dona solid job of sticking their G-League team with talent. Amile Jeffeerson was either a guy they look smart in bringing in or got lucky. The guy was just terrific at that level. I think MGH is a guy that could be something and I think after giving him sort of the Jimmy Butler rookie treatment this season he may get some more opportunities next year assuming they bring him back unless one team offers him a bunch of money. lol Patton being useful would help things also. You just have to keep building your roster. We will see.

Something for fans to keep in the back of their minds is Crawford could be a guy that's traded this offseason. He has value as a player and is one of the few contracts that makes sense to move. It's not something that will likely be a big move but it could also open up a spot or 2 for other players including...yep Derrick Rose on a cheap deal which would make a lot more sense if Crawford was gone.