2015-16 Wolves thread

[DaveW]

True, though these are non 19-year-olds in this case.

That's a valid point no doubt, however I still think the jump to the NBA game (more games, longer games, faster pace, immensely better talent etc) is still very signicant even in the case of upper classmen.

 

I still prefer the idea of drafting Hield and letting him lead the (2nd) team and maybe winning 6th man of the year to boot

 

Seems like a good way to ease a guy in.

[kab21]

 

That's a valid point no doubt, however I still think the jump to the NBA game (more games, longer games, faster pace, immensely better talent etc) is still very signicant even in the case of upper classmen.

I still prefer the idea of drafting Hield and letting him lead the (2nd) team and maybe winning 6th man of the year to boot

Seems like a good way to ease a guy in.

It is no doubt still a big jump but with an upperclassman you can hope to have moments where he is useful the 1st year and he should be solid in the 2nd year.  Some of these guys at around the #5 spot seem about as ready as Tyus Jones.  Kind of like how Lavine was regarded.  He has progressed faster than expected but would he have gotten as many chances with a sort of competitive team.

[Shane Wahl]

I have a bit of trepidation about Hield's transition to the NBA. Plenty of great college shooters don't amount to anything in the NBA (see every Duke guard not named J.J. Redick in the past XX years).

[kab21]

 

I have a bit of trepidation about Hield's transition to the NBA. Plenty of great college shooters don't amount to anything in the NBA (see every Duke guard not named J.J. Redick in the past XX years).

This seems to add about as much to the analysis as my mistrust of white non EU bigs.  In this draft outside of the top 2 there are going to be a ton of question marks. 

 

Hield would make a boatload of sense for this team. You can never have enough pure shooters, go buy some size in FA.

You can't pass on a guy like Hield (pure shooter) just because you have LaVine. There would be plenty of minutes to go around.

Not really. Lavine should play 30+ m/g next season so Hield is limited to whatever Lavine doesn't play unless there is a team that has a really small lineup.  My ideal pick would be a bigger wing that could back up both Lavine and Wiggins and then get 30 min/g.  But I am not as interested in a multi-year project at this point so getting a guy that has a good chance to contribute right away but only plays 15 minutes isn't a bad choice.

[DaveW]

 

This seems to add about as much to the analysis as my mistrust of white non EU bigs.  In this draft outside of the top 2 there are going to be a ton of question marks. 

 

Not really. Lavine should play 30+ m/g next season so Hield is limited to whatever Lavine doesn't play unless there is a team that has a really small lineup.  My ideal pick would be a bigger wing that could back up both Lavine and Wiggins and then get 30 min/g.  But I am not as interested in a multi-year project at this point so getting a guy that has a good chance to contribute right away but only plays 15 minutes isn't a bad choice.

I don't see any reason why Lavine and Hield can't be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes here and there (when Wiggins is resting for instance) Yeah, the lineup becomes small at that stage, but I frankly think the Wolves could just outscore teams enough at that point to make it worth it.

 

30 min Lavine

30 min Wiggins

20-25 min Hield

 

I don't see how that doesn't work?

[bluechipper]

 

I don't see any reason why Lavine and Hield can't be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes here and there (when Wiggins is resting for instance) Yeah, the lineup becomes small at that stage, but I frankly think the Wolves could just outscore teams enough at that point to make it worth it.

 

30 min Lavine

30 min Wiggins

20-25 min Hield

 

I don't see how that doesn't work?

For me, I'm a little tired of watching every Wolves team be terrible defensively. One of the problems that they currently have is rebounding, and a 3 who is actually interested in going after rebounds (not only offensive rebounds, Bazz) would be a welcome addition to the team, and especially to their bench.

[bluechipper]

One question about last night's game against the Clippers, did any of you who watched share my pain of seeing Bazz and Tayshaun play together at the 2 and the 3 and continuously catch the ball on the wing while standing two feet inside the 3 point line?

 

I know the game was out of reach by that time, but this is not what modern NBA offenses should look like. I do like the veteran leadership that Prince has provided, but it will be nice to have an upgrade for him on the court next season. I'm not sure if Bazz fits into the plans either. I'd be looking into trades for him this offseason.

[ALessKosherScott]

Too many long twos has been the big issue since last season.

 

I'm pretty certain Prince has six games left as a Wolf, and he gave us more than we reasonably could've expected from his contract. Bazzy could fit into the plans as a scorer off the bench. But right now the biggest problem seems to be there isn't a plan. If Mitchell really does want to be the coach next year, he has the same six games as Prince to figure said plan out.

[ALessKosherScott]

I don't see any reason why Lavine and Hield can't be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes here and there (when Wiggins is resting for instance) Yeah, the lineup becomes small at that stage, but I frankly think the Wolves could just outscore teams enough at that point to make it worth it.

 

30 min Lavine

30 min Wiggins

20-25 min Hield

 

I don't see how that doesn't work?

IMO, Hield works great if you're willing to commit to Wiggins at small forward. Granted, the current NBADraft.net mock has him going three to the Suns. If you want Wiggins to take advantage of the mismatches he creates at shooting guard, you probably need a more traditional 3&D wing at small forward. The question is what is the plan going forward.

[ALessKosherScott]

I have a bit of trepidation about Hield's transition to the NBA. Plenty of great college shooters don't amount to anything in the NBA (see every Duke guard not named J.J. Redick in the past XX years).

I've always thought that if you took Christian Laettner out of the 90s and put him into the modern Era he's the perfect stretch four--his game was very Kevin Love esq in an era where the NBA was looking for Garnett's. Likewise, I'd argue Steph Curry in 90s is more of a Dana Barrios where Stackhouse or Carter was the ideal scorer.

 

Eras change and shooters are the new gold standard.

[DaveW]

 

IMO, Hield works great if you're willing to commit to Wiggins at small forward. Granted, the current NBADraft.net mock has him going three to the Suns. If you want Wiggins to take advantage of the mismatches he creates at shooting guard, you probably need a more traditional 3&D wing at small forward. The question is what is the plan going forward.

Yeah good points all around. I admit I am a homer in regards to Hield, I think he helps fix this teams largest hole which is 3 pt shooting, now I think that Mitchell and his crappy game plan are a huge reason why the Wolves don't take a lot of 3's, however Hield becomes a guy you have to let take 3's.

 

On another note: What are the odds that the T Pups can bring in Hoiberg to coach the team? I think Chicago may be willing to give him up.

[bluechipper]

 

 

On another note: What are the odds that the T Pups can bring in Hoiberg to coach the team? I think Chicago may be willing to give him up.

According to this article, http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25539445/report-despite-turmoil-bulls-wont-fire-fred-hoiberg, not very high. It's unlikely Chicago would be willing to pay both Thibodeau and Hoiberg while neither is coaching the team, plus Hoiberg was management's top target last season, so they're kind of tied to him.

 

Thibodeau would be a nice get though.

[bluechipper]

 

IMO, Hield works great if you're willing to commit to Wiggins at small forward. Granted, the current NBADraft.net mock has him going three to the Suns. If you want Wiggins to take advantage of the mismatches he creates at shooting guard, you probably need a more traditional 3&D wing at small forward. The question is what is the plan going forward.

I think the plan is pretty clear that Wiggins is a 3, especially with Zach Lavine showing he can be a starter (I'm just going to forget about Zach's last three games).

 

This could change if the Wolves are really aggressive and go get someone like Batum or Barnes though (or get the 2nd pick and take Brandon Ingram!).

[bluechipper]

One more note: I'm back on the Bjelica bandwagon. 14.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg in his last...two games.

[biggentleben]

 

This could change if the Wolves are really aggressive and go get someone like Batum or Barnes though (or get the 2nd pick and take Brandon Ingram!).

 

The NBA Lockdown guys were discussing Batum this week and basically said that he's a guy that fans will be blown away by the money he gets this offseason because teams love his skill set. I'm sure Portland would love to have had him this season, even though they moved him for financial reasons.

[bluechipper]

 

The NBA Lockdown guys were discussing Batum this week and basically said that he's a guy that fans will be blown away by the money he gets this offseason because teams love his skill set. I'm sure Portland would love to have had him this season, even though they moved him for financial reasons.

Yeah it's going to be a little weird seeing Batum for sure and probably Harrison Barnes, and other 2nd tier guys like that get max contracts this offseason.

 

Batum would be great, as he contributes in every aspect of the game. The Wolves need more players with good all around games.

[kab21]

 

I don't see any reason why Lavine and Hield can't be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes here and there (when Wiggins is resting for instance) Yeah, the lineup becomes small at that stage, but I frankly think the Wolves could just outscore teams enough at that point to make it worth it.

 

30 min Lavine

30 min Wiggins

20-25 min Hield

 

I don't see how that doesn't work?

Do you have Lavine or Hield guard Durant, James, George or any of the other bigger wings that most teams have?  

[DaveW]

This is such a weird ass team, somehow they are taking the Warriors into OT.

 

 

[DaveW]

 

 

Do you have Lavine or Hield guard Durant, James, George or any of the other bigger wings that most teams have?  

Mix and match and try to attack when those guys are off the floor?

[DaveW]

Is it just me or does Wiggins just like completely step up his game when playing top "teams" in the west coast? I saw him dominate at LAC and he is taking over this game tonight.

[DaveW]

Greatest teams in NBA history:

 

3. Golden State 2015-2016

2. Chicago Bulls 1995-1996

1. Minnesota Timberwolves 2015-2016

[kab21]

 

Mix and match and try to attack when those guys are off the floor?

Except that when those guys are off the floor there is still a bigger wing that replaces them.  

 

It can work when the Wolves matchup against certain teams but as a general lineup I don't see how it works to have two guys that are 6'4" and 200 lbs on the floor together (with Rubio).

[ALessKosherScott]

Who'd have thunk it would be an old-school type like Shabazz who the invincible Warriors couldn't stop?

[bluechipper]

Who'd have thunk it would be an old-school type like Shabazz who the invincible Warriors couldn't stop?

At least there were no long 2's from Bazz. All dunks/layups, free throws, and 3's. Great game.

[kab21]

 

Who'd have thunk it would be an old-school type like Shabazz who the invincible Warriors couldn't stop?

How long did it take Mitchell to figure out that a small ball Wolves lineup was a better match for the Warriors rather than a traditional two bigs?  This is one of the problems with having 2 C's as the bigs.  There just isn't any flexibility when different looks are thrown at them.

[bluechipper]

How long did it take Mitchell to figure out that a small ball Wolves lineup was a better match for the Warriors rather than a traditional two bigs?  This is one of the problems with having 2 C's as the bigs.  There just isn't any flexibility when different looks are thrown at them.

Why can't it be the Wolves who force the issue though? Draymond Green can't guard KAT, and I like having two rim protectors out there.

 

I understand what you're saying, but it's always a case of the Wolves trying to figure out mismatches instead of the other way around.

[Shane Wahl]

 

Why can't it be the Wolves who force the issue though? Draymond Green can't guard KAT, and I like having two rim protectors out there.

I understand what you're saying, but it's always a case of the Wolves trying to figure out mismatches instead of the other way around.

 

Yes. I don't understand teams playing down to the Warriors in terms of size. The Spurs won't do it, and they have the one chance to beat the Warriors in a series.

 

1. The Celtics and T-Wolves have some similarities . . . young, super athletes who can go off and be too much for the GS defense to handle. That's one way to beat GS.

 

2. On the other hand, GS also kinda just lost this a little. Steph was shooting . . . weirdly at times. Like an exaggerated version of himself with SUPER quick releases and SUPER high arcs.

 

3. KAT did some things that were pretty amazing for a 7-footer near the end.

[ALessKosherScott]

I think you have to give some credit for Curry's off game to Rubio's defense. Curry shot under 40% against him two weeks ago too, and Rubio is one of the better perimeter defending point guards in the game. No one is going to shut down Steph Curry 100% of the time, but Rubio has as good of chance as anyone in the league of doing it any given game.

 

It also showed how useful a guy like Muhammed can be. You're not going to beat Golden State by outshooting them. So it was interesting to see Towns, Wiggins and Muhammed take the ball right at them and get Green and Bogut into foul trouble. 

 

Bjellica also had a quietly effective game.And I think that's going to be how things play out long-term. There will be some matchups that favor Dieng. But there will also be some that favor Bjellica and even (as last night proved) Muhammed.

[kab21]

 

Why can't it be the Wolves who force the issue though? Draymond Green can't guard KAT, and I like having two rim protectors out there.

I understand what you're saying, but it's always a case of the Wolves trying to figure out mismatches instead of the other way around.

But rim protection is the last thing the Wolves need against GS.  GS takes the most 3 pt FG's in the NBA and makes the highest % of them.  If you are going to defend GS then you need perimeter defenders out there and that is Dieng's weakest skill defensively (or at least a weakness).

 

If you are going to play that lineup then you need to exploit it offensively.  And you really need to exploit it offensively to offset the damage on the defensive end.  Gorgui is a nice player but he isn't causing a matchup problem on the offensive end.  

 

 

[bluechipper]

 

If you are going to play that lineup then you need to exploit it offensively.  And you really need to exploit it offensively to offset the damage on the defensive end.  Gorgui is a nice player but he isn't causing a matchup problem on the offensive end.  

Yeah you're right on that. Although the problem with matching up with the other team and playing small then becomes rebounding. Whoever the Wolves put at the 3 and 4 when going small is almost always going to be at a disadvantage in that area against other teams' wings. 

 

Wiggins has seemed to be going after rebounds more aggressively lately, so hopefully he continues to improve on that.