Case for LaVine Starting

[bleedspeed]

I think this has been debated, but I really would like to start LaVine at SG next year if continues to show what he did last spring. Here is a snap shot of what was said about him in Risers and Fallers.

Which player will break through next season?

Adande: Zach LaVine. As in, break through from a guy known just for his dunks into a guy recognized as a legit player. The Timberwolves made him a full-time starter for the last 15 games of his rookie season, and he averaged 20 points, six assists and five rebounds in that stretch. In summer league he got wherever he wanted to on the court. He looks ready to do some things for a Minnesota squad that should be fun to watch grow.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13332684/biggest-risers-fallers-2015-16-nba-season

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

There's no question putting Zach LaVine in the starting lineup makes us a better team, for several reasons:

1) While he struggled most of the season on defense, his athletic ability and work ethic are going to turn him into a plus defender...something Kevin Martin will never be.

2) Zach put up terrific stats starting the final 20 games of last season, and should experience the usual second year leap and improve on them.

3) Kevin Martin's game is ideal for coming off the bench. Not only will he supply much needed scoring while the starters are resting, but it's also easier to hide his defense against the backup SG. Look at Martin's stats the last time he was a 6th man, 2012-3 with OkC...his 43% 3-point shooting was the best of his career, and his 45% overall shooting was better than any year except his early Sacramento days.

4) LaVine is part of our future...Martin is not.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I don't want to highjack the thread, but I was surprised that all 4 writers picked OkC to make the biggest leap next year, and nobody mentioned the Wolves. I agree that OkC will be much improved if their 2 stars are healthy, and agree with the writers that they should win 8-10 more games. But to suggest that the Wolves are going to win fewer than 24 games is absurd. The only way they win that few is if everyone is hurt again.

[60WinTim]

Well, I will get the thread back on track...

I want Zach to develop into our starting SG. But I am not convinced he is there, yet. He needs to earn the starting spot. I am much more interested in wins than I am in trying to fast-track Zach into a starting SG, just like we tried to fast-track Zach into an NBA player last year.

And one could argue that Miller is a better lob passer than Rubio. Miller lobbing to Zach and Bazz is something I would like to see. And with our current roster, there is a lot to be said for having two guys that can handle the ball (Miller and Zach) when Rubio is not on the floor.

Zach's time will come. But let's work more on a winning culture than sacrificing wins in the name of development.

[Monster]

A couple thoughts:

I've been saying I start Martin to begin the season but with the addition of Miller I am more likely to go either way on that. Martin can get his own shot but he is more effective if someone can set him up too. Of course you could say that for a lot of guys but we saw at times last year him struggle at times it have to take shots that were less efficient because he was playing with lower level talent. Miller with Lavine makes a lot of sense also. Basically I'm saying either way sounds good to me for various reasons.

Let's keep in mind that Lavine getting all those minutes was not the plan last year. He got those minutes because the season went down in flames with the injuries. Withbthe season done early on Flip made the decision to develop Lavine. I think it looks clear to me Flip is looking to win some games as part of his deceloental process. That means Lavine may need to be more steady to get a starter role or 30+ minutes. He is gonna play a lot unless he really struggles which I don't expect.

Martin is a terrific offensive player let's not forget that. He isn't just a shooter the dude can flat out score the ball in a variety of ways. I don't expect Martin to have any issue with coming off the bench based on the fact he is still here (he could have asked out of this rebuilding process) and Flip has openly talked about Martin being a bench player in the future.

I am a little more on the wait and see perspective when it comes to Zach's defense. Martin had some good moments on that end last year too but obviously Lavine has more potential on that end. I'd kinda like to see him prove it before I say he is an upgrade there.

The bottom line is we have a good problem picking between these guys at SG and I do believe Lavine will be an improved player and likely be up for significant and generally effective minutes. It could come down to what guys have a chemistry together. Maybe Miller and Lavine really click or maybe Lavine and Dieng really click so having those guys playing a chunk of their minutes together makes a lot of sense.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Oh, I agree Tim...a second year player should not just be given the starting position. Zach needs to earn the starting role, and I believe he will. But I'm like you...I want wins. And if Kevin Martin clearly outplays LaVine in pre-season, then he should be our starter at the beginning of the season.

That's the same case I have been making about Towns...he needs to earn the starting center position. I have made the case in other threads that the Wolves will be a more successful team this year if Towns backs up KG and a healthy Pek at PF and C, and I still think that. But even if Pek isn't able to go at the start of the season (or at all), I still need Towns to beat out Gorgui...and I don't think that is a given at all. The Towns that I watched in Vegas has enormous potential, but at this point doesn't look ready to start at center in the NBA.

Both Zach and Karl are a strong part of our future, but I'm not in favor of anointing either one as a starter unless they prove they deserve it.

[bleedspeed]

If it is close I want LaVine starting and playing with Wiggins and Towns so they can build chemistry on the floor. I really like adding Miller will help this team a ton. I remember reading somewhere how LaVine was better being assisted and Wiggins was the one that primarily did it. That pairing needs to grow together.

[TheFuture]

I also want to see lavine start.

Rubio, Lavine, Wiggins, and towns are our core starters moving forward. I'm not going to kid myself with the playoffs this year, I just want to see 30-40 wins in a tough conference. Getting those wins with those 4 building chemistry for years going forward is the most important. I also want them to develop again with bulk minutes like last year so we can actual contend for the playoffs in 2 years.

Shabazz and dieng are our two role players/first players off the bench moving forward. Shabazz should be our 6th man this year and years going forward. Dieng should be the first big off the bench spelling KG.

This will allow us to really conserve martins, millers, and peks minutes over the season so they are fresh if we do hit the playoffs. It also should reduce injuries. With our glut of bigs we can also do this with KG and focus on playing him the bulk of his minutes in the 1st quarter and 4th quarter.

Its still all about developing our young guys and setting ourselves up to compete if we do get close to the playoff race near the end of the season.

My lineups:

Rubio
Lavine
Wiggins
KG
Towns

Miller
Martin
Shabazz(6th man)
Bjelica
Dieng

That 1st team has great defensive potential and a good mix of versatile scoring. That should enable us to get leads.

The second unit is all about offensive firepower really. If the first team secures a lead, that second unit should have no time keeping it. They may not get the stops to improve the lead, but keeping for a change would be a welcome surprise.

Also, a bit off topic but does anyone know when serge ibaka is a free agent? He'd be my ideal PF for that starting unit.

[TheFuture]

Pek is the 3rd center for me. No expectations. Bring him along slow with as much time as he needs to get healthy. If he does, great surprise. If he doesn't, no let down.

[bleedspeed]

If Pek is healthy he is better then Dieng and should be playing. I would like to see Towns start for sure. I think we have to give him 24+ minutes a night. He already looks better then Payne for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if he is better then Dieng too on day one of camp.