Minnesota Sports Forum

First of all he looks like a real player. He is an athletic undersized PG that can run a team is a really good passer (Dude makes some really good reads) and has some actual quickness to beat some guys off the dribble. He probably is going to be able to get a decent percentage from 3 but I don't think he even HAS to do that to be a solid backup because he is good at enough things. He looks plenty solid on D also. He has continued to be able to at least contest guys shots like he was doing in summer league.

So we look like we have a solid rotation player for nothing. Undrafted played in the nets organization and they didn't have room for him so we got him. Maybe the Wolves or the guys that are here with the Wolves can even take some credit for his development. Maybe there is some hope after all.

Think about this...The Wolves had a really solid young smart PG in Tyus Jones that was a RFA last year. how much was he going to get paid? Would the Wolves keep him? They let him go after he got a pretty nice contract than almost nobody expected him to get...and PGs got paid some nice contracts last offseason. The Wolves added Napier for basically nothing to fill that spot and it was a 1 year deal. Meanwhile the Wolves added McLaughlin on a 2-way contract. McLaughlin has been a nice surprise and basically is doing alot of what Tyus Jones is known for. Smart basketball knowing what he is doing and almost never turning the ball over. Tyus should get credit for being a rotation player on a .500 team but McLaughlin has been playing with a mish mash of lineups and some other tough stats all while being a rookie and these guys are basically the same age. So the Wolves may have replaced Tyus Jones with a guy that will make a fraction of the money with a guy in McLaughlin that may be a comparable player who quite frankly fits what they are trying to do better (whether you agree with it or not).

So...while its early and there are some other not so encouraging signs...McLaughlin may represent a sliver of hope for this franchise. Think about the Grizzlies and some of the misses they had in drafts etc. They end up with Gasol turning into a terrific center. They took on a troubled and talented Zach Randolph who turned into a core player for them. Its not just about nailing the big moves making little move and maybe even some stomach churning gambles because you don't have a whole lot to lose can actually be worthwhile. Sometimes you gotta get lucky too. Maybe there are some more good news in this type of vein for the Wolves ahead. I'm daring to have some hope.

JMac has grown on me for sure. I simply didn't think he had the juice to be effective at the NBA level, but he has truly developed this season. That being said, competent backup PGs seem to be a dime a dozen, which is why it was smart to let Tyus walk and not pay a premium for a backup PG. I really liked Tyus, but kind of soured on him last season when he didn't improve on his shooting (in keeping with tradition of Wolves perimeter draft picks).

So yes, it's a refreshing to see unsung prospects like Reid and JMac showing signs of being solid rotation players - very rare for this franchise to unearth such finds - but unfortunately it hasn't led to any more winning.

Q12543 wrote:JMac has grown on me for sure. I simply didn't think he had the juice to be effective at the NBA level, but he has truly developed this season. That being said, competent backup PGs seem to be a dime a dozen, which is why it was smart to let Tyus walk and not pay a premium for a backup PG. I really liked Tyus, but kind of soured on him last season when he didn't improve on his shooting (in keeping with tradition of Wolves perimeter draft picks).

So yes, it's a refreshing to see unsung prospects like Reid and JMac showing signs of being solid rotation players - very rare for this franchise to unearth such finds - but unfortunately it hasn't led to any more winning.

Unearthing young unsung prospects rarely leads to winning right away. That's where patience comes into play. The good franchises show patience like Toronto did with Siakam, VanVleet and Powell. It's what the Wolves failed to do with Billups. You find them, you play them and then you show patience as they develop. Eventually, it will pay off with wins. The Wolves were wise to lock up Naz, Nowell and Layman in cheap multi-year contracts. They should do the same with J-Mac. And they should definitely pick up Vanderbilt's option. I'd like to see more of Martin this season.

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:JMac has grown on me for sure. I simply didn't think he had the juice to be effective at the NBA level, but he has truly developed this season. That being said, competent backup PGs seem to be a dime a dozen, which is why it was smart to let Tyus walk and not pay a premium for a backup PG. I really liked Tyus, but kind of soured on him last season when he didn't improve on his shooting (in keeping with tradition of Wolves perimeter draft picks).

So yes, it's a refreshing to see unsung prospects like Reid and JMac showing signs of being solid rotation players - very rare for this franchise to unearth such finds - but unfortunately it hasn't led to any more winning.

Unearthing young unsung prospects rarely leads to winning right away. That's where patience comes into play. The good franchises show patience like Toronto did with Siakam, VanVleet and Powell. It's what the Wolves failed to do with Billups. You find them, you play them and then you show patience as they develop. Eventually, it will pay off with wins. The Wolves were wise to lock up Naz, Nowell and Layman in cheap multi-year contracts. They should do the same with J-Mac. And they should definitely pick up Vanderbilt's option. I'd like to see more of Martin this season.

Lip what has made you a Vanderbilt believer?

The Iowa stuff has been by far the most positive aspect of the season.

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:JMac has grown on me for sure. I simply didn't think he had the juice to be effective at the NBA level, but he has truly developed this season. That being said, competent backup PGs seem to be a dime a dozen, which is why it was smart to let Tyus walk and not pay a premium for a backup PG. I really liked Tyus, but kind of soured on him last season when he didn't improve on his shooting (in keeping with tradition of Wolves perimeter draft picks).

So yes, it's a refreshing to see unsung prospects like Reid and JMac showing signs of being solid rotation players - very rare for this franchise to unearth such finds - but unfortunately it hasn't led to any more winning.

Unearthing young unsung prospects rarely leads to winning right away. That's where patience comes into play. The good franchises show patience like Toronto did with Siakam, VanVleet and Powell. It's what the Wolves failed to do with Billups. You find them, you play them and then you show patience as they develop. Eventually, it will pay off with wins. The Wolves were wise to lock up Naz, Nowell and Layman in cheap multi-year contracts. They should do the same with J-Mac. And they should definitely pick up Vanderbilt's option. I'd like to see more of Martin this season.

Lip what has made you a Vanderbilt believer?

The fact that he averaged 8 rebounds in only 17 minutes per game as a college freshman. He also averaged 2.4 steals per 40 minutes. Add to that the reviews he got as a draft prospect. Those reviews generally referred to his rebounding prowess and "instinctual defense." Reviews also refer to his high motor and intensity. Here's a typical draft review of Vanderbilt:

"Strengths: Is the most dominant rebounder in his draft class, pulling down 25% of all available rebounds during his brief career at Kentucky ... Averaged 18.5 rebounds per 40 minutes in college ... Handles the ball extremely well for a player his size (6-9, 218 pounds) ... Passes the ball very well, is able to thread the needle as well as make the easy pass ... Has very good court vision, sees all 9 other players at all times ... Plays with a lot of intensity and passion, motor is not an issue ... Is capable of impacting a game even without taking a shot ... Can defend multiple positions, is able to rotate quickly and can make long closeouts to take away jump shots ... Has a 7'1" wingspan and 6.34% body fat ... Vertical jump was measured at 39.5" at Kentucky's pro day (though many of the measurements seemed inflated) ... Possesses good strength and his upper body is NBA ready ..."

I always like high-upside young talent and Vanderbilt clearly falls into that category. He's reputed to have great intensity and a high octane motor - a key to success in the NBA. Draft analyses I read indicated that the only thing holding him back from developing into a college star was his injury problems. His strengths are defense and rebounding - two things the Wolves really need.

Having said all that, I think he's a long shot. I have more faith in Spellman than Vanderbilt. But they should both be playing here so the organization can better evaluate their potential and their fit. Meanwhile, the young guys I like the most have always been and continue to be J-Mac, Martin, Naz and Nowell. Those are the four guys I want to see playing for the Minnesota Wolves (not Iowa Wolves) every game for the rest of this season.