Minnesota Sports Forum

Figured we would compare for the rest of the year at least...especially if both make the playoffs. Might as well have a place to post about the future Philly drama, Philly's loses and Jimmy playing hero ball.

Not sure comparing the success of these two teams this year is a good idea considering the Sixers are legitimate contenders in the East, the Wolves are currently in the bottom five of the West, and Jimmy Butler was the best player in that trade.

All things look to Philadelphia getting stronger and winning 55-ish games. Minnesota's season is likely a success if they just make things interesting for the 8th-seed.

I agree with Cam. The Wolves are already in a hole in a very tough Western Conference. Houston showed tonight that they're going to get it together. Portland looks really good and the Lakers are definitely a playoff contender. LeBron is too good for that team, which has some nice young talent, not to be a playoff team. I'd love the see the Wolves get a playoff birth this season, but it will be tough sledding and a 7th or 8th seed would look like the Wolves ceiling this season. I suspect the Wolves will end up in the lottery. Meanwhile, the Sixers will likely end up with over 50 wins and a top 4 position in the East.

Next to season is when I could see the Wolves having a break-through, making a comparison to the Sixers more appropriate. The keys to next season, as I see it will be the following:'

1. Replacing Thibodeau with a better head coach
2. Further development of Okogie, who already looks like a good and potentially great player
3. Teague opting out and the Wolves signing a good FA with the resulting cap room
4. Saric taking his already good game up a notch & becoming a a fixture as our starting PF

The only fair comparison between the two teams this season will be regarding how much drama they face internally! Will Butler's attitude poison the 76ers well? Will the apparent joy shown in Butler's absence be overcome by the frustration of losing, a lot?

In the 76ers case I hope the answer is yes! In the Wolves case I expect they'll lose a lot, and if they aren't miserable then that would not bode well for the future.

I probably titled the thread wrong. Should have been "The Butlers watch thread" as the topic, like it or not, will be talked about at naseuum this year. Similar to Wigs discussion and rubio

ItsJustSoSab wrote:I probably titled the thread wrong. Should have been "The Butlers watch thread" as the topic, like it or not, will be talked about at naseuum this year. Similar to Wigs discussion and rubio

not really the same.

Rubio and wiggins threads are about hating our own players. Butler isnt on the team anymore.

That next in line to be crowned the teams whipping boy after wiggins, now that would be interesting. Im guessing Dieng.

crazy-canuck wrote:

ItsJustSoSab wrote:I probably titled the thread wrong. Should have been "The Butlers watch thread" as the topic, like it or not, will be talked about at naseuum this year. Similar to Wigs discussion and rubio

not really the same.

Rubio and wiggins threads are about hating our own players. Butler isnt on the team anymore.

That next in line to be crowned the teams whipping boy after wiggins, now that would be interesting. Im guessing Dieng.

They are all reacurring topics which have and will be brought up many a time on this board. Rubio still gets brought up. It happened talking about the Utah game just yesterday. Jimmy will be no different especially this year

It's all relative. To be honest if the Wolves play .500 ball the rest of the season without Butler that could actually be successful and a possible sign we are going in the right direction. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

I've already seen some articles wondering if the Sixers jumped the gun on their process acquiring Butler. There certainly is a path to that being the case but Butler for the price the paid was a bigtime addition and they are more ready to win than we were.

ItsJustSoSab wrote:I probably titled the thread wrong. Should have been "The Butlers watch thread" as the topic, like it or not, will be talked about at naseuum this year. Similar to Wigs discussion and rubio

I actually like the title as I will be closely watching the fortunes of the two teams going forward...at least as long as the comparative results are favorable :). I like SP's take, to observe how cohesive the two teams are going forward...and that might be an indicator of success. At least right now we are winning: Wolves 2-0, Butlers 1-1.

crazy-canuck wrote:

ItsJustSoSab wrote:I probably titled the thread wrong. Should have been "The Butlers watch thread" as the topic, like it or not, will be talked about at naseuum this year. Similar to Wigs discussion and rubio

not really the same.

Rubio and wiggins threads are about hating our own players. Butler isnt on the team anymore.

That next in line to be crowned the teams whipping boy after wiggins, now that would be interestingThat next in line to be crowned the teams whipping boy after wiggins, now that would be interesting. Im guessing Dieng.

I think it's Teague, whether it's fully deserved or not. His ball handling and decision making responsibilities just went up about 2X with Butler gone and Thibs' guard-reliant offense.