Minnesota Sports Forum

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/ex-timberwolves-gm-david-kahn-reportedly-thought-ricky-154255546.html

Because there is nothing else going on with this time, I started thinking who I would take in this draft if I had the 5th and 6th pick, the same picks so adroitly handeled by Mr. Kahn in 2009.

How about Porzingis and Cauley-Stein? Porzingis is skilled, skinny, but so was Kirilenko. He can shoot. Cauley Stein for the defense.

Stanley Johnson and Cauley-Stein. Try to hold the opposition to 85 points. Rubio-Wiggins-Johnson-Cauley-Stein- Dieng. Defense, defense and more defense.

Stanlet Johnson - this from NBA Draft.net made me a little nervous -
Weaknesses: The offensive side has to become better for him to become an impact player on both ends ... his biggest issue right now is his jump shot ... Not that he doesn't score, he actually shoots pretty well for his form ... The problem is that right now his shot is very flat and the release point is in front of the face which doesn't allow him to be consistent, particular when tired or under pressure from a contest ...

but based on DraftExpress.Com, AVOID Hejonza---
Weaknesses:
-Looked disconnected mentally from his teammates, and from the game in general. Constantly talking to opponents. Seems to lack focus on the court
-Struggles operating within a team concept. Only really looks comfortable in isolation or pick and roll settings
-Goes too many possessions where he dribbles the ball incessantly and then settles for a contested pull-up jumper
-Needs to improve ball-handling skills in half-court. Doesn't change speeds or directions. If can't simply blow by his man, immediately pulls up off the dribble
-Struggles defensively off the ball. Shows poor awareness

It still hurts to read an article like that.

In terms of who we could take this year if we had 5 and 6, I like the 2 guys listed in those slots on nbadraft.net...Karl-Anthony Towns and Justice Winslow. That would be a nice haul.

I remember watching this draft wanting Rubio and Curry. Excitement rose and rose as they were available, then we took Rubio, and then we took..... Jonny Flynn :cry:

I don't see any game-changers in the 2015 draft. I don't see any Kobes, LeBrons, MJs, KGs. Iversons, Durant's, Westbrooks. I like some of the bigs among the top draft prospects, but I done see a Ewing, Hakeem or Anthony Davis among them.

So if the Wolves are able to climb out of the abyss after this season it won't be because of who they draft next June. It will be because of the development of those they've already drafted -- particularly Wiggins, LaVine, Dieng and Shabazz -- along with the return of a healthy Rubio. And it will be based on (1) Flip's ability as GM to convert upcoming picks and certain vets on the current roster into one or two vets who are actually starting-caliber NBA players; and (2) Flip's ability as head coach to get far more out the players he has - particularly on the defensive end.

I'm with Lip on this. Draft is and always will be a total crapshoot. This Love trade is looking worse and worse every day, Flip brought in 2 guys to compete and find his starting PF and nobody wants the job!

Anybody know off hand any good PF's on the free agent market next year? We need a solid vet, as it looks like neither of these clowns are good enough.

How does the Love trade look worse and worse every day? The prize was Wiggins. Everything else was extra. If Wiggins becomes a game changing two way player which he is progressing to that level at a nice pace, then we won the trade because he will have a bigger impact on our ability to win than Love and he'll be locked in for the next 9 years if RFA is still around in 3 years. Love was a great player for us, but we weren't built correctly around him. You don't need to build any specific way around Wiggins because he'll fit regardless. That is going to be a huge plus moving forward for the success of this team.

Lot's of PF available next year if you have the dough. Love (if he opts out....which he may), Aldridge, Millsap, Tristan Thompson.

Hicks123 wrote:Lot's of PF available next year if you have the dough. Love (if he opts out....which he may), Aldridge, Millsap, Tristan Thompson.

Yeah, not to mention all the lunchpail types that will be available and can at least bang around in the paint and play with some level of competence. We may not be in a position to throw money at an RFA or highly sought-after FA, so it may not be a problem we can solve this offseason. By the way, we likely will need a backup PG as well, as Mo is only on a one-year deal and LaVine simply has no business playing that position. So there is that hole to fill too.

Our focus should be on getting the best player out of the draft possible and then seeing if there are any low-cost/high-value vets that can help fill in the gaps.