11 consecutive L's

[BloopOracle]

That is seriously impressive! I don't remember the last time we've done that when it wasn't during the end of the season. For this franchise to revive hope from it's tortured fans only to fail so spectacularly that we're talking about the lottery before the New Year is truly incredible.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Have I mentioned that I hate this team?

[thedoper]

Where's Rosas? He's letting Saunders rot.

[Lipoli390]

I've been talking about the Wolves as a post-season lottery team since before the season began. I think that was the case for the vast majority on this Board. The good start was a surprise to nearly everyone and should have been regarded for what it was, i.e., an anomaly or fool's gold. This team is more talented than the 11-game losing streak suggests, but not nearly as good as they might have appeared to be before the losing streak. The team has the talent of a lottery team and an underachieving coaching staff.

But I've always said that once Jimmy Butler forced his way out of here, Wolves management needed to take the long view and retool around KAT as he turned 24 years old entering the first year of a 5-year deal to begin this season. So as frustrating as it is to watch this team lose, the true measure of whether the retool is succeeding will be exactly 2 years from now when we're a quarter of the way into the 3rd season of KAT's contract.

It's up to the Wolves front office to make really good decisions between now and then. Unfortunately, the Rosas front office hasn't done anything to inspire confidence that they'll succeed. Trading up to draft Culver seemed like a really dumb idea at the time, and everything I've seen since has confirmed my initial impression of that move. Culver was absolutely the wrong pick for this roster, which was already light on perimeter shooters, and the wrong pick for this system. This team needed an elite ballhandler and PG as well as a 3-point shooter. Culver is none of those things. The last thing we needed was another poor-shooting wing. Sitting tight at #11 and taking Herro or trading Covington rather than Saric and taking Garland at #4 were the smart moves to make. Saric could have been dealt as a good young player on an expiring deal for some other assets. Garland has struggled, but he's shown flashes, like last night when he scored 21 highly efficient points. He only played 1 week of college ball, so his development will be a bit delayed. In addition to the poor decision to trade up for Culver, it looks like Layman is the only off-season acquisition that can be called a success. I do like the Nowell pick in the 2nd round as well as the signing of Martin, Reid and McLaughlin. But if this organization is truly aligned top to bottom as it should be, then those guys should start to get significant, consistently playing time. There is absolutely no point giving minutes to Teague because he can't be part of this team's future - unless he's being played to drive up his trade value.

The Wolves need to move Teague by the February deadline for the best array of draft picks they can get, even if it's only a solitary 2nd round pick. I've always thought the best time to trade Covington would be draft day next June. But giving his past knee issue and the way he's playing, I fear he's driving his trade value down, which means the Wolves should seriously consider trading him by the Feb. deadline -- perhaps in a package -- for future picks and/or high-upside young players.

[thedoper]

I've been talking about the Wolves as a post-season lottery team since before the season began. I think that was the case for the vast majority on this Board. The good start was a surprise to nearly everyone and should have been regarded for what it was, i.e., an anomaly or fool's gold. This team is more talented than the 11-game losing streak suggests, but not nearly as good as they might have appeared to be before the losing streak. The team has the talent of a lottery team and an underachieving coaching staff.

But I've always said that once Jimmy Butler forced his way out of here, Wolves management needed to take the long view and retool around KAT as he turned 24 years old entering the first year of a 5-year deal to begin this season. So as frustrating as it is to watch this team lose, the true measure of whether the retool is succeeding will be exactly 2 years from now when we're a quarter of the way into the 3rd season of KAT's contract.

It's up to the Wolves front office to make really good decisions between now and then. Unfortunately, the Rosas front office hasn't done anything to inspire confidence that they'll succeed. Trading up to draft Culver seemed like a really dumb idea at the time, and everything I've seen since has confirmed my initial impression of that move. Culver was absolutely the wrong pick for this roster, which was already light on perimeter shooters, and the wrong pick for this system. This team needed an elite ballhandler and PG as well as a 3-point shooter. Culver is none of those things. The last thing we needed was another poor-shooting wing. Sitting tight at #11 and taking Herro or trading Covington rather than Saric and taking Garland at #4 were the smart moves to make. Saric could have been dealt as a good young player on an expiring deal for some other assets. Garland has struggled, but he's shown flashes, like last night when he scored 21 highly efficient points. He only played 1 week of college ball, so his development will be a bit delayed. In addition to the poor decision to trade up for Culver, it looks like Layman is the only off-season acquisition that can be called a success. I do like the Nowell pick in the 2nd round as well as the signing of Martin, Reid and McLaughlin. But if this organization is truly aligned top to bottom as it should be, then those guys should start to get significant, consistently playing time. There is absolutely no point giving minutes to Teague because he can't be part of this team's future - unless he's being played to drive up his trade value.

The Wolves need to move Teague by the February deadline for the best array of draft picks they can get, even if it's only a solitary 2nd round pick. I've always thought the best time to trade Covington would be draft day next June. But giving his past knee issue and the way he's playing, I fear he's driving his trade value down, which means the Wolves should seriously consider trading him by the Feb. deadline -- perhaps in a package -- for future picks and/or high-upside young players.

Do you think that KAT will hold out for 2 more years of lottery performance? I'd agree with you if we were a legit organization with a history of success. We're a laughing stock and looked at as the farm team for the real NBA.
I think Roco needs to go now, his loafing, pouty demeanor sucks. This guy was supposed to be the ultimate glue guy and he's getting benched. At least Teague seems to care. Roco has checked out.

On the positive side thanks for checking in and have a great Christmas, you and everyone else here!! Good things there's more to life than Wolves basketball.

[Coolbreeze44]

I've mentioned how ROCO seems to be going through the motions. He can get lost for all I care. But I want to speak to the frustration so many of us are feeling. First, I don't blame any of you for feeling the way you do about this franchise. You have every right to be angry, and quite frankly I admire the unyielding loyalty you have shown for this team. You all deserve a winner as far as I'm concerned.

But here's the deal. I had very low expectations for this season. I thought we were going to be pathetic. The early season success was probably the worst thing that could have happened. There is just too much migration going on here. Migration to a new coaching staff, migration to a new system, migration to new players, and migration to new management. There was just no way this was going to work without some terrible growing pains. As a result I'm not nearly as frustrated as some Changing culture is hard to do and that's exactly what they are attempting.

The most disappointing thing to me is some of the early decisions Rosas has made. Quite frankly he has failed so far. The trade that resulted in Culver was a terrible miscalculation. And you really have to question the rest of the roster construction. But we were all clamoring for us to play a more "modern" style with a bigger emphasis on shooting 3's. Now that we're trying to play that way, we're not happy because it's not providing the desired results. Well, Duh! But you have to start someplace if you're going to change culture. The pieces don't fit, but the only thing we can do is begin to assemble the right players. It's up to Rosas to turn this around, but he better start being more dynamic. Honestly, I could care less who the parts end up being, I just want to see this franchise win. I just know they aren't ready yet. It sucks, but we need to have some patience right now.

[AbeVigodaLive]

.

Do you think that KAT will hold out for 2 more years of lottery performance? I'd agree with you if we were a legit organization with a history of success. We're a laughing stock and looked at as the farm team for the real NBA.
.

I see very little chance Towns is cool putting up with even one more really bad season.

- Playing for this losing franchise has already cost him $30M
- He has no ties here. He has ties elsewhere.
- League's worst attendance.

Heck, in the NBA world we live in today... he's going to be ripped if he DOESN'T demand to be traded sooner than later. I'm 100% convinced of this. It's a sad, sad state of affairs for Wolves fans.

Rinse. Repeat.

[Wolvesfan21]

KAT can't do anything now. What's he going to do refuse to play for the next 4 years and what? He's signed way too long to ask for a trade yet. 2 years after this one then it can maybe be time to make noise.

[AbeVigodaLive]

KAT can't do anything now. What's he going to do refuse to play for the next 4 years and what? He's signed way too long to ask for a trade yet. 2 years after this one then it can maybe be time to make noise.

The Wolves are absolutely the dregs of the NBA. And that's while playing mostly nice to superstars (or more accurately, star players) calling the shots.

In a league where disgruntled NBA players get moved... do you think the Wolves have the foundational pieces in place to withstand a disgruntled star wanting out... whether in a free agent year... or 4 years away from it? It's not like Towns is bringing in fans to the arena. Do you think those paltry crowds are gonna demand that they get to see an angry, whiny Towns lose 50+ games while he rips the team and possibly the fanbase?

Like I wrote... Towns will be ripped if he did NOT demand to be traded... if the Wolves suck next season. Holding a player "hostage" because of a contract played well for the first 60 years of the NBA. It's simply not happening right now.

As scary as it sounds, an angry, disgruntled Towns could do even more damage to this organization in a year or two...

[mjs34]

KAT can't do anything now. What's he going to do refuse to play for the next 4 years and what? He's signed way too long to ask for a trade yet. 2 years after this one then it can maybe be time to make noise.

The Wolves are absolutely the dregs of the NBA. And that's while playing mostly nice to superstars (or more accurately, star players) calling the shots.

In a league where disgruntled NBA players get moved... do you think the Wolves have the foundational pieces in place to withstand a disgruntled star wanting out... whether in a free agent year... or 4 years away from it? It's not like Towns is bringing in fans to the arena. Do you think those paltry crowds are gonna demand that they get to see an angry, whiny Towns lose 50+ games while he rips the team and possibly the fanbase?

Like I wrote... Towns will be ripped if he did NOT demand to be traded... if the Wolves suck next season. Holding a player "hostage" because of a contract played well for the first 60 years of the NBA. It's simply not happening right now.

As scary as it sounds, an angry, disgruntled Towns could do even more damage to this organization in a year or two...

I think you laid out the argument for ignoring any trade demands in the future. If our FO doesn't respect our organization, who will. We need to stop playing patty cake, and start putting some demands on these players. We don't have to make nice with any agents, because the top FAs aren't coming any way. Hell, DLO wouldn't' even come to play with his buddy (not that I wanted him).

I know I am growing tired of the same old approach. What did you call it Abe? Hope and Promise? Wish in one hand, and shit in the other? How about Ryan stop talking about how positive and rosey the lockerroom is, and figure out how to get the most of the players you have. Why are we teaching a system to players that won't be here next year?