Minnesota Sports Forum

Wolves have 4 risings stars this year. Congrats!

LaVine and Shabazz - USA
Wiggins and Dieng - World

U.S. Team

Guards
Trey Burke, Jazz (Sophomore)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Pistons (Sophomore)
Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers (Sophomore)
Zach LaVine, Timberwolves (Rookie)
Victor Oladipo, Magic (Sophomore)
Elfrid Payton, Magic (Rookie)

Frontcourt
Shabazz Muhammad, Timberwolves (Sophomore)
Nerlens Noel, 76ers (Rookie)
Mason Plumlee, Nets (Sophomore)
Cody Zeller, Hornets (Sophomore)


World Team

Guards
Bojan Bogdanovic, Nets (Rookie)
Dante Exum, Jazz (Rookie)
Dennis Schroder, Hawks (Sophomore)
Andrew Wiggins, Timberwolves (Rookie)

Frontcourt
Steven Adams, Thunder (Sophomore)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (Sophomore)
Gorgui Dieng, Timberwolves (Sophomore)
Rudy Gobert, Jazz (Sophomore)
Nikola Mirotic, Bulls (Rookie)
Kelly Olynyk, Celtics (Sophomore)

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/28/andrew-wiggins-one-of-just-four-2014-draft-picks-on-rising-star-challenge-rosters/

This is why I'm not down about the Wolves in spite of our worst-in-the-League record. Having 4 of our young guys selected among the 20 top 1st and 2nd year players -- 20% of the total -- is extraordinary. And this wasn't a popularity contest or the product of hype. These players were chosen by NBA assistant coaches - guys who know the game and who have studied in depth all of the League's players as part of routine game preparation.

Of course you don't have to be an NBA assistant coach to recognize that Wiggins and Dieng are clearly among the League's 20 best 1st and 2nd year players. And I think it's almost as obvious from his performance this season that Shabazz is also among the top 20. The only selection among Wolves players who doesn't fall into the obvious category is LaVine. That's why his selection is the most exciting of all. Those who know these players best -- true NBA experts who have watched and analyzed hours of film on nearly every NBA player -- concluded that Zach was one of the 20 best young players in the League. How fitting that his selection was announced on the day of his best game to date, scoring 17 points with 6 assists in only 24 minutes. Flip was incredibly high on Zach last summer and I think Flip has proven to have an impressive eye for young talent as evidenced by his Shabazz and Dieng picks. Apparently Zach's NBA play to date has caught the eye the League's assistant coaches.

Yes, it's been a tough season and it gets old watching the losses pile up as the Wolves seem headed towards a franchise in futility. And yes, even youth can't fully excuse the team's porous defense. But the this team has an incredible collection of young talent -- a fact confirmed the 4 rising star selections from the Wolves' roster. Add the talented 24 year old Ricky Rubio to the mix and see if you still have a hard time getting excited about this team's future.

I am with you. I love how the artical refers to this as the Timberwolves scrimmage.

Good post, Lipoli, and I share your optimism. 4 of the top 20 young players get to play with Ricky Rubio, who makes everyone he plays with better. Plus Flip gets to add another top 5 player to the mix in the next draft. And even though he has been terrible recently, I'm not giving up on AB yet...6 rebounds last night in only 8 minutes.

Since our Big Young 4 are primarily effective scoring inside, having a long-distance sniper like Kevin Martin on the court really opens things up for them. I found his comments interesting last night, that the Wolves would have been this year's Suns if the injuries hadn't happened. With the assets Flip has assembled, only injuries can stop us.

Im not mad or anything but Marcus Smart and KJ Mcdaniels maybe should have made the US team over Lavine. Im sure Lavine will be more exciting to watch over those guys tho which means more viewers.

Brandon BassHole wrote:Im not mad or anything but Marcus Smart and KJ Mcdaniels maybe should have made the US team over Lavine. Im sure Lavine will be more exciting to watch over those guys tho which means more viewers.

I thought the same until I checked out Smart's numbers. And Smart missed some time to really show himself due to that ankle injury.

Coin flip between McDaniels and LaVine. NBA probably just saving themselves the cost of a plane ticket lol. Zach is going to be there for the dunk contest; might as well be in the RS game.

Will Bazz be healthy to play?