2015-16 Wolves thread

[ashbury]

How many years in a row of winning RoY results in the league awarding the championship by acclaim?

[biggentleben]

 

How many years in a row of winning RoY results in the league awarding the championship by acclaim?

 

Ask the early 1990s Los Angeles Dodgers...

[biggentleben]

Bill Simmons has his "Conspiracy Theory Lottery", which has ended up closer than actual projections each year (though taking just the highest odds gets you the best shot, but no one wants to do that - it's no fun!). Simmons has the TWolves getting the #1 pick in his conspiracy theory lottery.

[Vanimal46]

#5 for the Wolves. Do they keep it? Or trade it for a veteran, starting caliber player?

[PseudoSABR]

 

#5 for the Wolves. Do they keep it? Or trade it for a veteran, starting caliber player?

Part of package for Jimmy Butler?

[ALessKosherScott]

To me, the question now becomes will the Celtics and Suns pass on Bender.

[bluechipper]

 

To me, the question now becomes will the Celtics and Suns pass on Bender.

I'd have to think he goes to the Celtics. It's too good of a fit for him to get past there.

[kab21]

 

To me, the question now becomes will the Celtics and Suns pass on Bender.

Extremely unlikely considering the next best players are <6'5" and both the Celtics and Suns have 3-4 very good guards. Bender would be a great get but I don't see how he lasts until 5.

 

I am guessing that we spend the next month debating Dunn vs Murray vs Hield with a little Brown and Ellenson mixed in. 

[ALessKosherScott]

I could see the Celtics passing on Bender for Murrary or Hield. They lost their playoff series on three point shooting and the big man they need probably has to be strong and tall enough to defend in the paint. Phoenix would be less likely.

 

I'd have to rank the remaining five:

 

Murray

Hield

Ellenson

Dunn

Just About Anybody Else

Brown

[kab21]

 

I could see the Celtics passing on Bender for Murrary or Hield. They lost their playoff series on three point shooting and the big man they need probably has to be strong and tall enough to defend in the paint. Phoenix would be less likely.

 

I'd have to rank the remaining five:

 

Murray

Hield

Ellenson

Dunn

Just About Anybody Else

Brown

I completely agree with this. Getting a nice wing scorer completely changes the bench. Jones, Murray/Hield, Shabazz and Bjelica should at least score points.

[nicksaviking]

My only concern is that most projections are for the Wolves to get better perimeter shooting AND upgrade Lavine's spot.

 

But Lavine is currently the team's best outside shooter. If hitting more threes is the goal, shouldn't they be addressing the one or the three spot? Sending your second best outside threat to the bench makes little sense to me.

[kab21]

 

My only concern is that most projections are for the Wolves to get better perimeter shooting AND upgrade Lavine's spot.

But Lavine is currently the team's best outside shooter. If hitting more threes is the goal, shouldn't they be addressing the one or the three spot? Sending your second best outside threat to the bench makes little sense to me.

What indication is there about benching Lavine with anyone that is drafted? Lavine is only going to play 30 minutes a game and drafting someone like Hield is about the other 18 minutes/game that they need 3 pt shooting.

[ALessKosherScott]

 

My only concern is that most projections are for the Wolves to get better perimeter shooting AND upgrade Lavine's spot.

But Lavine is currently the team's best outside shooter. If hitting more threes is the goal, shouldn't they be addressing the one or the three spot? Sending your second best outside threat to the bench makes little sense to me.

 

IMO, with this draft there are two guys who could step into a starting lineup right away, and they'll be gone after the first two picks. At five, you're looking for a guy who can fill a role for a couple of years and potentially step into the starting lineup two years down the road. Hield or Murray could play 20 minutes a game with Wiggins and Lavine and space the floor so they can attack the hoop. You hope Hield lives up to his defensive potential enough to become a Wes Matthews-type or Murray gets good enough with ball-movement to be a James Harden type. Jaylen Brown is the three that might be available, but the flaw to him from the Wolves standpoint is he's too similar too Wiggins.

 

From a power forward standpoint, you're looking for a guy who can defend the modern four, shoot and rebound to complement Towns. Ellenson and Sabonis can shoot and rebound, but they're probably never going to be quick enough to be good defenders. Chriss can shoot and defend, but he's a horrible rebounder. Davis can defend and rebound, but he's a questionable shooter. Bender might be able to do all three, emphasis on might.

 

The old joke is good, fast, and cheap, pick two. It feels like that's this draft, to an extent on both potential wings and bigs.

 

[ALessKosherScott]

An interesting article on translated three point% in moving from NCAA to NBA. 

 

http://www.canishoopus.com/2016/5/19/11718478/evaluating-the-shooters-of-the-2016-nba-draft

[nicksaviking]

 

What indication is there about benching Lavine with anyone that is drafted? Lavine is only going to play 30 minutes a game and drafting someone like Hield is about the other 18 minutes/game that they need 3 pt shooting.

 

Who ever gets drafted may not start, or likely will not start. I guess what I'm getting at, is don't you want to find a way to have both of your best perimeter shooters on the floor together as much as possible?

[Vanimal46]

I don't know the first thing about building a basketball team, but since the Wolves are the most intriguing team in town these days I want to learn.

 

The core of this team is either below or barely above the drinking age. Do they really need to add another 19 year old to the mix with their #5 pick?

 

I would think that pick is better used as a trade chip to acquire a veteran who can either start, or play valuable minutes off the bench. Most likely I'm wrong, but I wanted to throw it out there.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

I don't know the first thing about building a basketball team, but since the Wolves are the most intriguing team in town these days I want to learn.

The core of this team is either below or barely above the drinking age. Do they really need to add another 19 year old to the mix with their #5 pick?

I would think that pick is better used as a trade chip to acquire a veteran who can either start, or play valuable minutes off the bench. Most likely I'm wrong, but I wanted to throw it out there.

I know even less than you do, but I too have recently have punched my ticket for this bandwagon. 

 

Seems to me, it's time to stop buidling. No more Yoots. 

[kab21]

 

Who ever gets drafted may not start, or likely will not start. I guess what I'm getting at, is don't you want to find a way to have both of your best perimeter shooters on the floor together as much as possible?

Whoever gets drafted won't be better than either Lavine or Wiggins so I don't understand your point. In addition to that neither Hield nor Murray (or Lavine) can guard most of the larger wings in the NBA. They would be drafted to fill the bench which is the biggest weakness going forward.

[ALessKosherScott]

I don't know the first thing about building a basketball team, but since the Wolves are the most intriguing team in town these days I want to learn.

In an ideal world, they're looking to bring in a defensive-minded power forward and wing. And in a perfect world they both can shoot. Ibaka would be the perfect power forward to pair with Towns. Butler would be the perfect wing to pair with Wiggins and Lavine. But the five pick is the starting point for each of those players. My gut feeling is Thibs is looking to trade down for more picks, unless they're seriously considering Thon Maket at five.

The core of this team is either below or barely above the drinking age. Do they really need to add another 19 year old to the mix with their #5 pick?

 

I don't think there's a wrong or right answer. Whatever they use it for, Thibs just needs it to work.

[biggentleben]

So a little sideways comment during the NBA Lockdown podcast caught my ear. In talking about destinations for Joakim Noah, they spoke about Luol Deng playing with Noah again, and the whole crew (who are fairly well-sourced around the league) stated Deng would be in Minnesota, who doesn't need Noah. The way that it was so easily thrown out and accepted without any discussion among the group on the podcast made it seem like it's a fairly well-known thing. That'd be a fairly significant piece on the team as far as complimentary skill set to the current roster.

[Shane Wahl]

 

So a little sideways comment during the NBA Lockdown podcast caught my ear. In talking about destinations for Joakim Noah, they spoke about Luol Deng playing with Noah again, and the whole crew (who are fairly well-sourced around the league) stated Deng would be in Minnesota, who doesn't need Noah. The way that it was so easily thrown out and accepted without any discussion among the group on the podcast made it seem like it's a fairly well-known thing. That'd be a fairly significant piece on the team as far as complimentary skill set to the current roster.

​That would be a very nice addition. Deng is consistent and an all-around good player. Maybe upgrade over Tayshaun.

[kab21]

Getting Deng would reduce Shabazz's role with the Wolves and it would allow Wiggins to get some minutes at the smaller wing. I think this is the perfect type of role player that the Wolves should go after. Batum/Barnes get mentioned a lot but this is much more affordable and the Wolves won't have to commit near max dollars/length to get him.

 

It seems that every Bull and former Bull is going to be playing for the Wolves next season. I can't wait until Kirk Hinrich and Carlos Boozer are rumored to be Wolves.

[biggentleben]

 

Getting Deng would reduce Shabazz's role with the Wolves and it would allow Wiggins to get some minutes at the smaller wing. I think this is the perfect type of role player that the Wolves should go after. Batum/Barnes get mentioned a lot but this is much more affordable and the Wolves won't have to commit near max dollars/length to get him.

 

It seems that every Bull and former Bull is going to be playing for the Wolves next season. I can't wait until Kirk Hinrich and Carlos Boozer are rumored to be Wolves.

 

Not me. I'm holding out for Horace Grant. #VivaLosGoggles!

[ALessKosherScott]

You kind of have to feel bad for Kevin Love. He's going to be the scapegoat for the Cavs losing this series, and it really isn't his fault the Cavs have decided to turn him into Mike Miller.

[ALessKosherScott]

I like the chutzpah in offering the 5 pick to the Bulls for Butler. I almost wonder if the better (and less costly move) long term is getting into the Kevin Love sweepstakes though.

[Vanimal46]

 

I like the chutzpah in offering the 5 pick to the Bulls for Butler. I almost wonder if the better (and less costly move) long term is getting into the Kevin Love sweepstakes though.

Hmm, reacquiring Love would be interesting. Could him and Towns start together? I don't know enough about the difference in offensive systems between the T Wolves and the Cavs, but Love certainly isn't getting the rebounding numbers he used to. I've got to imagine that's a system thing instead of Love just not being able to rebound like he used to. 

[bluechipper]

 

I like the chutzpah in offering the 5 pick to the Bulls for Butler. I almost wonder if the better (and less costly move) long term is getting into the Kevin Love sweepstakes though.

Wiggins and the #5 pick for Butler. Um... no thanks.

[bluechipper]

 

Hmm, reacquiring Love would be interesting. Could him and Towns start together? I don't know enough about the difference in offensive systems between the T Wolves and the Cavs, but Love certainly isn't getting the rebounding numbers he used to. I've got to imagine that's a system thing instead of Love just not being able to rebound like he used to. 

If the Cavs would take Gorgui and the #5 pick for Kevin Love, that would be a great move for the Wolves.

[kab21]

I am not seeing how the Wolves/Bulls match up for Butler. Wiggins is way too much considering his age and low salary. Lavine and #5 probably isn't enough. It is funny though reading FB/forum comments about Butler. Butler is a near elite player.

 

One interesting chemistry issue that was brought up by NBA Lockdown (ESPN podcast). Could Butler mess up Wiggins/Towns development?

 

Kevin Love appears to be perfect for this team. I think that bridge has been burned though.

[TheLeviathan]

Loves ability to stretch the floor, but isn't his defense awful enough to avoid him?