Minnesota Sports Forum

There's no question that the past 25 games have been one of the most painful stretches in Wolves' history. While it has been fun to watch some of our young guys progress, no team can withstand losing three starters, and the losing is becoming increasingly tiresome.
But there seems to be some good news about our injured three, and all may be playing again by the middle of the month. Assuming everyone is ready to go (I know, unrealistic considering it's the Wolves), how would you like to see Flip work his rotations? Here's what I would like to see:

Starters:
Dieng
Bennett
Wiggins
Martin
Rubio

Second string:
Pek
Young
Muhammad
Daniels
Mo

Bench three:
Raduljica
Hummel
Adrien

Coat and tie:
Budinger

D-League:
Robinson
LaVine

I think Gorgui has earned the right to continue starting, and perhaps limiting Pek to reserve minutes allows him to at least play a little. AB has not shown nearly enough offense to deserve a starting role, but I'm tired of Thad's anemic rebounding and defense, and think he is best suited to be a bench offensive sparkplug. I hate to take Shabazz out of the starting lineup, but again, he can provide a lot of bench scoring paired with Thad.

I would like to see what Daniels can do with consistent backup minutes at the SG, and since I find Mo to be a much better option at backup PG, that doesn't leave many minutes for Zach. I would prefer to see what Glenn and Zach can do with big minutes in the D-League...similar to what we did with Shabazz last year.

What do others think?

Agree with everything except I would swap Adrien for Bennett. AB is simply not ready for regular NBA minutes. He's not good, nor has he shown any improvement or willingness to exert consistent effort. He should go back to playing spot minutes off the bench and prove himself in practice.

Dieng and Young is just a poor fit, so I agree that Young should come off the bench, paired with Pek. Dieng desperately needs some muscle and toughness next to him - someone that can actually seal guys out of the paint and carom missed shots that Dieng challenges. No one does that better on our roster than Adrien.

Rubio
Martin (26 mins)
Wiggins (30 mins)
Young
Pekovic (24 mins)

Williams/LaVine
Daniels/LaVine (14 mins)
Muhammad (26 mins)
Adrien
Dieng (24 mins)

I liked what I saw from our starting group the first four games. I'd like to go right back to that. Also would like to see lots of Martin/Wiggins, Martin/Muhammad and Wiggins/Muhammad.

Cam, I'm skeptical that Pek can ever return as a starter, even if his minutes are limited to 25-30 per game. I really think if he returns at all, he will only be able to play 15-20 minutes per game tops. I hope I'm wrong.

Q12543 wrote:Cam, I'm skeptical that Pek can ever return as a starter, even if his minutes are limited to 25-30 per game. I really think if he returns at all, he will only be able to play 15-20 minutes per game tops. I hope I'm wrong.

This is the biggest disappointment of the year by far. We have to figure this out. 12 million for a cripple is baaaaad.

Agreed Doper. The Pek situation is a disaster. I don't think Flip is taking enough criticism for this. He had one good, healthy season. Now he's taking us for 60 million.

I don't think he'll ever be a strong player, Flip has to find a way to make him retire.

If reducing minutes has done nothing for Bennett to this point from an effort standpoint, what makes people think it will do him good to see even less time? With there also being no repercussion for the Vets when they have off nights, he's pretty much the only guy on the team getting put in the dog house for effort. From what I can see, what Flip is preaching isn't making a difference with Bennett so either send him to the D League to play big minutes or start him. Everything else in-between isn't working for him.

LloydBraun wrote:Agreed Doper. The Pek situation is a disaster. I don't think Flip is taking enough criticism for this. He had one good, healthy season. Now he's taking us for 60 million.

I don't think he'll ever be a strong player, Flip has to find a way to make him retire.

Shouldnt be alot of criticiam on here for that move. Seems most felt it was fair, and Pek was Goin to be a big piece of the puzzle. I wish he had been shopped this past offseason. Not sure where his value lies now.

I see it a lot different:

Starters

Rubio
Wiggins
Bazz
Adrien
Dieng

2nd Unit

Mo
Lavine
Martin
Bennett
Pek

Nothing else matters. I know this isn't going to happen, but you asked me what I would do, and this is it. Daniels would be used much like he is now.

I have a feeling that Adrien sticks around and we trade Bud and KMart (Bud needs to go, and KMart is probably going to be fairly valuable with how strong the west is). Not sure who comes back, but I am guessing we sign Miroslav Raduljica for another big. Could Thad Young be traded in there also? Would we get a couple 2nd rounders and someone to cut?

Rubio
KMart (until the trade, then Bazz moves up)
Wiggins
Young(until a trade, then Adrien)
Deing

2nd:
Lavine
Daniels
Bazz
Adrien
Pek/Raduljica

I see Pek getting the "Pop" treatment for the rest of the year, no b2b, no day games after night games, etc. So he will be inactive a bunch.


Bennett, Hummel and GR3 does it really matter? This is where we need a D-League team. Bennett should be sent down!

We might actually be able to be sellers in the cellar for those teams looking to get over the hump, or just have a better shot at the playoffs. I cannot see Cleveland calling, but they need help, as do a few other playoff teams.

LET THE KIDS PLAY!