Minnesota Sports Forum

I'll start it here in the 4th quarter by wondering out loud why Covington ever attempts dribble penetration. He's so bad at it. I'll continue by wondering why Vonleh isn't getting any playing time tonight. Is he injured or ill? I'll continue by observing that the Wolves are significantly better simply by having a decent PG who shares the ball and runs the offense like a PG should.

I like the effort our young guys have been showing the past several games with our top vets out. I'd rather see this the rest of the season, win or lose, than watch what we were seeing with KAT, Wiggins and Teague on the floor.

lipoli390 wrote:I'll start it here in the 4th quarter by wondering out loud why Covington ever attempts dribble penetration. He's so bad at it. I'll continue by wondering why Vonleh isn't getting any playing time tonight. Is he injured or ill? I'll continue by observing that the Wolves are significantly better simply by having a decent PG who shares the ball and runs the offense like a PG should.

Game thread was one down (I was watching the gophers choke twice once in regulation then in OT so just started).

Vonleh is hurt with a left butt cheek contusion.

Napier is making shots but as a whole the offensive numbers are down since Napier has been the starter (also have so many injuries that could do with some of it)

lipoli390 wrote:I like the effort our young guys have been showing the past several games with our top vets out. I'd rather see this the rest of the season, win or lose, than watch what we were seeing with KAT, Wiggins and Teague on the floor.

I get what you are saying. But I would rather watch the young guys play with the vets to see how naz, Culver, kbd fit inside the system with everyone healthy

- Good to see Napier come around these last few games. We don't win that game if he and RoCo don't come through for us.

- Love the hustle from the G-League mob! Kelan Martin isn't a naturally gifted defender, but it's fun seeing him just work his ass off out there.

- Reid is a skilled, skilled dude. He can be a bit sloppy and heavy-footed at times, but he's a very intriguing prospect.

- Anyone watching how hard Napier and Kelan Martin play can now see what a good motor looks like compared to the up and down energy we see from the likes of Teague and Wiggins. Obviously the latter two are far superior skills-wise, but there is a reason they along with KAT are the three worst on the team in terms of Defensive Rating.

- If KAT is ever over his owwee and Wiggins ever over his sniffles, let's see if Saunders can somehow integrate their offense without losing the hustle and defense we've seen over this past 8 or 9 games. Then perhaps we can actually be competitive again. Kind of pathetic that we improve this much on defense with our two max guys out.

This will be the moment we point back to 3 years from now when Towns finally leads us to the playoffs. Big win.

I only saw that last quarter and a half but once again great defensive effort. I think some of why the wolves are so gritty and playing good D. Is every player outside of Cov is playing for their NBA life coming into this year.

Martin- 2 way guy, played in Germany, probably dosen't want to go back to Iowa.

McLaughlin- Wants a full time NBA contract. Grinding to make the NBA.

Nowell and Naz- Undrafted and 2nd round guys. Who want to be full time NBA guys. Don't want their careers to be placed in Iowa.

KBD- Older 2nd round guy, trying to fill out a role as a rotation player. Probably dosen't get many more chances in the NBA if he fails with the wolves

Okogie- Trying to prove he can be a consistent rotation piece. And for sure have a safe NBA career

Culver- Yes, high lotto pick, but a super low recruit that nothing has ever been given to him and had to make his name on the defensive side of the ball.

Napier and Dieng- going into this season, I believe both of these guys were a bad season away from their NBA career ending after their contracts were up. Gorgui has stepped up this year and last 3 games Napier has stepped up.

Cov- the only guy who has a for sure NBA future but even him he knows what it takes coming from a small school, Undrafted, grinded the G League to get a chance. Its part of his DNA.

Nothing is given to these guys, they are playing desperate to hold on to their NBA careers and it has shown on the defensive end. I love it even though they are not extremely talented

Q12543 wrote:- Good to see Napier come around these last few games. We don't win that game if he and RoCo don't come through for us.

- Love the hustle from the G-League mob! Kelan Martin isn't a naturally gifted defender, but it's fun seeing him just work his ass off out there.

- Reid is a skilled, skilled dude. He can be a bit sloppy and heavy-footed at times, but he's a very intriguing prospect.

- Anyone watching how hard Napier and Kelan Martin play can now see what a good motor looks like compared to the up and down energy we see from the likes of Teague and Wiggins. Obviously the latter two are far superior skills-wise, but there is a reason they along with KAT are the three worst on the team in terms of Defensive Rating.

- If KAT is ever over his owwee and Wiggins ever over his sniffles, let's see if Saunders can somehow integrate their offense without losing the hustle and defense we've seen over this past 8 or 9 games. Then perhaps we can actually be competitive again. Kind of pathetic that we improve this much on defense with our two max guys out.

I agree, Q.

As I watch these younger guys along with Napier and RoCo, it strikes me that the Wolves can't become a contender with both KAT and Wiggins as their centerpieces. You need at least two pure true all-stars to be a contender in the NBA, but at least one of them has to be a strong two-way all-out effort player. No question in my mind that KAT is the guy to keep. Wiggins has been playing well so far this season, but that's all the more reason to trade him - either by the Feb. deadline or next June. His NBA track record is long enough to suggest the risk of backsliding, his defense still ebbs and flows. Meanwhile, his poor handle and mediocre instincts prevent him from being a reliable ball-dominant player on the offensive end. The Wolves are NOT going to contend for anything more than a possible 8th seed this season and I think Andrew's stock is probably about as high as it will ever be right now. Therefore, this is the time to look for the best possible deal for Wiggins.

If we consider possible trades for Wiggins, we need to be realistic and recognized that we're not going to get great value for him in return as we would have if we had traded him after his 2nd or even his 3rd season. I could see the Hornets having an interest in acquiring Wiggins. They're competing for a playoff slot and could see Wiggins as a break-out move that vaults them above the pack scrapping for the 8th seed. How much would they be willing to give up for him and what would the Wolves expect in return? I don't have a good answer to those questions. But the inquiry should be made and expectations should be realistic given Andrew's track record and contract.

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:- Good to see Napier come around these last few games. We don't win that game if he and RoCo don't come through for us.

- Love the hustle from the G-League mob! Kelan Martin isn't a naturally gifted defender, but it's fun seeing him just work his ass off out there.

- Reid is a skilled, skilled dude. He can be a bit sloppy and heavy-footed at times, but he's a very intriguing prospect.

- Anyone watching how hard Napier and Kelan Martin play can now see what a good motor looks like compared to the up and down energy we see from the likes of Teague and Wiggins. Obviously the latter two are far superior skills-wise, but there is a reason they along with KAT are the three worst on the team in terms of Defensive Rating.

- If KAT is ever over his owwee and Wiggins ever over his sniffles, let's see if Saunders can somehow integrate their offense without losing the hustle and defense we've seen over this past 8 or 9 games. Then perhaps we can actually be competitive again. Kind of pathetic that we improve this much on defense with our two max guys out.

I agree, Q.

As I watch these younger guys along with Napier and RoCo, it strikes me that the Wolves can't become a contender with both KAT and Wiggins as their centerpieces. You need at least two pure true all-stars to be a contender in the NBA, but at least one of them has to be a strong two-way all-out effort player. No question in my mind that KAT is the guy to keep. Wiggins has been playing well so far this season, but that's all the more reason to trade him - either by the Feb. deadline or next June. His NBA track record is long enough to suggest the risk of backsliding, his defense still ebbs and flows. Meanwhile, his poor handle and mediocre instincts prevent him from being a reliable ball-dominant player on the offensive end. The Wolves are NOT going to contend for anything more than a possible 8th seed this season and I think Andrew's stock is probably about as high as it will ever be right now. Therefore, this is the time to look for the best possible deal for Wiggins.

If we consider possible trades for Wiggins, we need to be realistic and recognized that we're not going to get great value for him in return as we would have if we had traded him after his 2nd or even his 3rd season. I could see the Hornets having an interest in acquiring Wiggins. They're competing for a playoff slot and could see Wiggins as a break-out move that vaults them above the pack scrapping for the 8th seed. How much would they be willing to give up for him and what would the Wolves expect in return? I don't have a good answer to those questions. But the inquiry should be made and expectations should be realistic given Andrew's track record and contract.

Trying to move Wiggins while he may have some neutral to positive value is something I'm sure Rosas is open to. Charlotte definitely seems like a solid destination. They could use a #1 type scorer on that roster and they have multiple guards and forwards that can shoot and open up more space for Wigs (Graham, Washington, Bridges, and Rozier). They also have expiring contracts that could help easily match (MKG, Biyombo) without having to give up a core starter.