11 games in... The state of the Wolves

[Monster]

We are a few games out from having some decent statistical data to go off of in terms of having a sample size, but here where we stand and maybe some things to consider that hasn't been talked about much.

4-7...not a great record. Still even though we are behind a number of teams and none of them bad we are 2 games out of the playoffs. We also only have 2 more wins than the worst teams (in terms of record) in the conference. Q mentioned we have played a tough schedule. Its also worth noting we are 4-1 at home. A couple wins in the next couple games could get them back on track to being more relevant. we will see what happens. MAYBE they will get a road victory before their next home game.

So what else is there to consider the rest of the season?

Apparently to get his bigger contract Towns has to make an all-NBA team this season. Britt Robison brought this up in a recent article and confirmed it on Dane Moore's podcast. He said he checked in with a number of people to confirm that. I did some of my own research reading on it and wasn't sure but I think its correct. I don't think its a certainty that Towns is all NBA as a center. Embiid is a lock. there are guys like Gobert, Jokic, Drummond and what if Anthony Davis is considered a center? Lamarcus Aldridge is another guy to consider or maybe even Capela. If another guy is putting up stats on a very good team that may sway some voters. If the Wolves struggle and don't defend... you never know. I'd guess that Towns makes 3rd team NBA but its not certain. Also it can be written into the contract what level of raise it is based on how what team all NBA he is. So its possible even if he gets 3rd team all nba he doesn't get 190 million but maybe a pretty nice bump. I don't exactly want to cheer against Towns making all-NBA but...it could really help the team build going forward. Even with Towns flaws I think he will be worth the 190 million.

Does the higher pace numbers and getting fast break points hold up all year? Can the Wolves stay at around 20th in 3 point shooting attempts of maybe even improve on that? 20th doesn't sound great but its a pretty big jump from being one of the worst 3 team the last few years. The Dunc's on guys said on a recent podcast that 3 point attempts and Pace numbers early in a season are ones that tend to hold up over a full season. I'm hoping that's the case. Its been a positive for this team as a whole. I think getting all 3 PG types in Teague Rose and Tyus healthy again could ramp the speed up even some.

[Monster]

NBA Hustle stats...Wiggins last year averaged 1.7 deflections per 36...he played 36 minutes which makes these things so convenient. This season he is averaging 2.8 in 31 minutes so thats almost double per 36. That's top 20 in the NBA in the category so far. I'll add for fun that I noticed Jared Terrell had 3 deflections in his 1 game to be up there. =) Butler and Westbrook are at the top with 3.9 and 3.8 respectively. Of course its worth noting that Wiggins net rating right now is HORRIFIC but actually working hard and hustling more of the time is something worth noting...IF its really happening and IF Wiggins actually does is for more than just some stretch of games. We will see... To compare Josh Okogie has 2.6 deflections in 28 mpg.

[thedoper]

Our starters are all around bad so far. Just no other way around it. I think that is 100% on Jimmy as our best player. Not only did he create off the court drama, but he's been horseshit on the court. If he's not going to play like our best player than move aside.

I said in a game thread earlier this year that Taj seems to have dipped. I am noticing that he just hasn't been there in impacting the game compared to last year. He's our worst starter at present in terms of net rating. Our bottom 3 are Jimmy, Taj, and Teague. What a difference 11 games in a new year makes.

I should also add that there was a noticeable dip in offensive execution in the games without Teague. Yes he has a horrible net rating too so far, but we desperately need another shot-maker. Tyus' airballs aren't cutting it for me.

If this remains the team it is way to difficult to make any logical conclusions because Jimmy's impact on the court has been out of character. Either he is not trying or not physically well. It problematic any way you look at it.

[Monster]

Our starters are all around bad so far. Just no other way around it. I think that is 100% on Jimmy as our best player. Not only did he create off the court drama, but he's been horseshit on the court. If he's not going to play like our best player than move aside.

I said in a game thread earlier this year that Taj seems to have dipped. I am noticing that he just hasn't been there in impacting the game compared to last year. He's our worst starter at present in terms of net rating. Our bottom 3 are Jimmy, Taj, and Teague. What a difference 11 games in a new year makes.

I should also add that there was a noticeable dip in offensive execution in the games without Teague. Yes he has a horrible net rating too so far, but we desperately need another shot-maker. Tyus' airballs aren't cutting it for me.

If this remains the team it is way to difficult to make any logical conclusions because Jimmy's impact on the court has been out of character. Either he is not trying or not physically well. It problematic any way you look at it.

Good thoughts Doper.

On Taj his traditional stats and PER paint the picture of a guy having a very prodicitive season actually one of the best of his career. I think one of the problems I have had with him this season is he has been too willing to switch when it's not needed and even though he moves well he has gotten cooked when he didn't need to be in that position. Dane Moore has talked about the Wolves adjusting what they are doing on certain spots on the floor. It's possible Taj hasn't quite fit into the new scheme and that's led to some of the less than positive results in net rating.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

This looks like a team simply going through the motions with no purpose nor direction. The life has been sucked out of them. now people are turning on the people that want to be here instead of focusing their anger on the main perpetrators of this mess:

Taylor
Thibs
Butler

nothing gets resolved until those 3 problems are dealt with; Thibs and Butler in particular.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Good write-up Monster.

I personally think we will see turnover of our our coach/POBO and most of the existing players next offseason and this will end up being a lost year. I do think it's nice to follow the progress of Okogie and see how KAT does post-Bulter, but otherwise, I'm not sure what else we can take away from this current squad.

[Monster]

Good write-up Monster.

I personally think we will see turnover of our our coach/POBO and most of the existing players next offseason and this will end up being a lost year. I do think it's nice to follow the progress of Okogie and see how KAT does post-Bulter, but otherwise, I'm not sure what else we can take away from this current squad.

I would agree with your post. To me that's why I find the numbers on pace and 3 point shooting worth following whether there is the likely turnover or not. Let's say we get a new coach and Thibs and his staff have actually had a season where this group actually got up and done the floor let's say even middle of the pack. That's pretty significant considering it hasn't happened with some of the guys on the roster. It could help set the stage for the next people to work from.

Your post makes me thing about the coaching situation and the people making decisions going forward. Personally I think there is some sort of small chance the Wolves don't bottom out with Thibs in charge some guys actually look promising and he sticks around for another year. I'm not even suggesting I want that to happen but some of the numbers are encouraging and some of the players he signed this offseason are certainly part of the fast pace and more 3 point shooting. To me other than how the team and individual players do another factor is who is available. Right now the best option is probably a young unproven coach because the experienced guys don't make sense. Last season the Bucks were in a similar situation. The finally fired Kidd but who were they going to get?!? So far it looks like they were VERY fortunate to get coach Bud. I think the only real worry about him for the Bucks was whether or not he would be on the same page as management. If that goes well the Bucks should be in very good shape. Dwayne Casey is another good coach that was available also. SVG and Steve Clifford were good coaches that came available but they weren't a good fit for the Bucks...or the Wolves. So...who becomes available in a few months? Some new assistant? Someone that gets fired? Someone that's been a previous head coach that's a hot name again?

So far from what I can gather of guys I could see being available the best case scenario if it's obvious that we should move on is probably Luke Walton getting fired and we pair him with a young front office guy from one of the smart organizations like the Spurs etc. I think Walton did a pretty good job with the Lakers the last couple of years and it's nice to get a young coach who isn't just doing it for the first time.

As for who would want to take this job as a GM you point out that there could be plenty of turnover on the roster. I think having a bunch of guys with expiring deals could make the job kinda intruiging for someone coming in. There are some worthwhile young pieces and even if the person coming in sees Wiggins as a guy to move on from they will probably see some sort of opportunity there to remake the roster even if it's basically dumping him for nothing. My point is that the roster COULD have a lot of flexibility and that could make someone see plenty of chance to put their stamp on the roster very quickly and long term as well.

[Monster]

That Lakers game was there for the taking but a road loss to Lebron isn't exactly that embarrassing either.

Next up is Sacremento and then a home stand and before the end of the month they play a couple poorer teams in Chicago and Cleveland. There is still a chance the Wolves can weather this and stay within a game or 2 of .500 at the Ed of the month. Staying competitive keeps giving the team some leverage in a Butler deal as well as showing this team has something worthwhile in the future with guys on the team.

Meanwhile with that outburst last night the Wolves are now 17th in the NBA in 3pt attempts and 13th in makes. There you go folks your Minnesota Timberwolves joining the 3 point shooting party. Of course offensive and defensive efficiency ratings are...um...sub optimal. I still like seeing this team have more space and pace even if it isn't yielding positive results yet.

[thedoper]

Derrick Rose is our best player right now. Imagine someone predicting that 3 years ago. Depressing.

[Monster]

Derrick Rose is our best player right now. Imagine someone predicting that 3 years ago. Depressing.

Since you mention Rose...I was thinking about how...(ok it's too early) it's possible Rose is the vet guy that ends up turning around this franchise and not Butler. What if he can stay mostly healthy and becomes a good player for this team as a starter or 6th man maybe a Manu type (but not as good of a defender but really important). What if he has turned around his life and now is a good dude and good leader? What if he takes less money to stay here and try and help a team win etc? These are a lot of ifs and it's still early but could he be the guy that takes less money players hard lifts up guys and shows he wants to win? It could be quite the story. It's clear he cares when he is out there.

This is all still a stretch. There are questions about Rose the person. He has said some weird stuff at times and while ago think he meant is a different way than it came out it didn't sounds good. Maybe he and Glen Taylor should go to some communication workshops together or something. Lol staying healthy is a massive question mark. Can Rose keep playing well especially hitting a decent clip of 3's? Lots of ifs and time will tell. I'd say that at this point people tend to cheer for his success more than they expected to and that includes myself who has believed there was something worthwhile there if he was just healthy. He is certainly exceeding my expectations on and off the floor.