2015-16 Wolves thread

[kab21]

 

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.

But how is Gorgui going to box out a quick Harrison Barnes that is hanging out at the 3 point line.  That is a tough task for him even in rebounding.  There just isn't much potential for the Wolves to exploit a Gorgui vs small ball 4 matchup but they are at a big disadvantage in numerous facets.

Now if the Wolves had a second Towns then they wouldn't have any problem.

[bluechipper]

Karl Anthony Towns for the win!

 

Really nice win on the road tonight against a good Blazers team.

[TheLeviathan]

I haven't been able to watch, but have the box score improvements for Bejilica been legit?  Is he playing better?

[DaveW]

It's awesome to see them win games against great teams, however I fear that this also might convince the T Pups brass to keep Mitchell around.

[bluechipper]

 

I haven't been able to watch, but have the box score improvements for Bejilica been legit?  Is he playing better?

It's totally legit. He's been making all of the little plays (tipping rebounds to teammates, making the right pass, not committing a foul every other possession etc.) to go along with being on fire from 3 and playing solid defense. Jim Peterson can't say enough good things about him during the games lately. 

 

I'm really intrigued by how good of a player Belly can be if he continues to play with this confidence.

[bluechipper]

 

It's awesome to see them win games against great teams, however I fear that this also might convince the T Pups brass to keep Mitchell around.

That's the worry for me too. It also makes guys like Tom Thibodeau be really interested in the job.

 

I also have to admit that Mitchell has seemed to make some real strides as a coach as the season has progressed. That final play call to KAT for the game winner was impressive.

[kab21]

 

It's totally legit. He's been making all of the little plays (tipping rebounds to teammates, making the right pass, not committing a foul every other possession etc.) to go along with being on fire from 3 and playing solid defense. Jim Peterson can't say enough good things about him during the games lately. 

 

I'm really intrigued by how good of a player Belly can be if he continues to play with this confidence.

I thought he needed some time to get back into playing rhythm after missing so much time.  

 

If Bjelica is a rotation player then the Wolves critical needs keep dropping this offseason.  Before Towns was drafted I thought it would have been impossible for the Wolves to have 4 outside shooters on the court with Rubio.  They barely had two.

 

It looks like the top 3 players in the draft are separating themselves.  I love that 7'1" Euro player that can play the 3/4/5.  He sounds like a ridiculous 2nd big to pair with Towns.  Those two would create some really big matchup problems.

[bluechipper]

 

I thought he needed some time to get back into playing rhythm after missing so much time.  

 

If Bjelica is a rotation player then the Wolves critical needs keep dropping this offseason.  Before Towns was drafted I thought it would have been impossible for the Wolves to have 4 outside shooters on the court with Rubio.  They barely had two.

 

It looks like the top 3 players in the draft are separating themselves.  I love that 7'1" Euro player that can play the 3/4/5.  He sounds like a ridiculous 2nd big to pair with Towns.  Those two would create some really big matchup problems.

I'm pretty intrigued by Bender too. The Wolves would probably have to get up in the top 3 to get him though. I think it seems like a pretty solidified top 3 of Simmons, Ingram, and Bender right now.

[kab21]

I think that is at least 90% the top 3 and then it is a bunch of interesting but lesser draftees. I still like Hield because he can step in immediately and be a contributor.  A 2nd squad of Jones, Hield, Muhammad, Bjelica and one of Towns/Dieng (3 players rotating at the 4/5) has some potential and that doesn't include an FA's.

 

The one big variable is whether or not Tyus Jones can be considered a 15+ min/game backup and injury replacement or not. Right now he is holding his own when out there.  Murray or Dunn would be logical picks if the answer is no.

[ALessKosherScott]

Murray strikes me as more shooting guard than point guard at this point. Kentucky got a lot better when they moved him off ball. If we really need another PG, you'd almost want to buy an early second round pick and grab one. 

[Shane Wahl]

Thoughts:

Dieng is seriously underrated. And I think some of the comments about the pairing with Towns are overblown.

 

Bjelica's health, the continued improvement of Tyus, and Rubio dropping everything else and figuring out how to hit 38% or better from three are what will matter most.

This team is wonderful to watch now. They are hitting their stride in a real way. I am more interested in tonight's game than about the Twins home opener. WHAT!?

[Vanimal46]

I'm not a big basketball guy so I'll leave it to you guys for the answer... I've heard from my friends that Sam Mitchell needs to go. Should that happen? Just from the 30,000 foot overview, KAT has developed into a legitimate stud, LaVine has taken some steps in the right direction, Wiggins is still very good, and even Tyus Jones has gone from a non-factor to making some what of a difference.

​Shouldn't Mitchell get the benefit of the doubt for at least 1 more season?

[bluechipper]

 

I'm not a big basketball guy so I'll leave it to you guys for the answer... I've heard from my friends that Sam Mitchell needs to go. Should that happen? Just from the 30,000 foot overview, KAT has developed into a legitimate stud, LaVine has taken some steps in the right direction, Wiggins is still very good, and even Tyus Jones has gone from a non-factor to making some what of a difference.

​Shouldn't Mitchell get the benefit of the doubt for at least 1 more season?

Mid-season, about 99% of fans thought Mitchell needed to go. Now that's dropped quite a bit with the improvement that both the players and Mitchell have shown since the all star break. Most still would prefer to go outside the organization, but keeping Mitchell is no longer the #1 fear for Wolves fans.

 

I want the instant credibility that Tom Thibodeau would give the team, plus this team still needs to learn how to play defense at a high level, which Tibs is known for (along with running his starters into the ground, but still).

[kab21]

 

Thoughts:

Dieng is seriously underrated. And I think some of the comments about the pairing with Towns are overblown.

 

Dieng is a very good player (not underrated) but he isn't a perimeter defender. Against certain teams that doesn't matter though.

[ALessKosherScott]

I don't think it's for the fans to say if Mitchell gets another year. The players seemed pretty frustrated with him, Garnett and Rubio in particular, throughout the season. If they've mended enough fences to give him another chance next year, that's what matters more. If there's still some frustration, it's probably best to move on. 

[kab21]

In fairness to the Pelicans they started a team with 3-4 players that wouldn't even make a majority of the NBA rosters but it must feel good for the Wolves to win 4 of the last 5 games.

 

The coaching search officially continues with the names of Brooks, Thibodeux (damn his name for spelling) and Van Gundy being thrown out there.  

 

 

[biggentleben]

This article made me so happy...

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15198405/minnesota-timberwolves-opening-search-head-coach

[Shane Wahl]

Patrick Ewing.

 

[Shane Wahl]

Sign Pao Gasol and draft Buddy Hield?

[TheLeviathan]

Damn, this offseason is going to get really interesting really fast.

[bluechipper]

 

Sign Pao Gasol and draft Buddy Hield?

I'd be good with that strategy. Gasol and KAT, with Belly and Dieng is a good frontcourt.

 

I'd like to add a bigger wing though too. Someone who's an upgrade over Tayshaun Prince (I wouldn't mind keeping Prince in the mentor/14th man role). I think a Bazz trade would be a good idea to either get that type of player or to open up playing time there.

[Vanimal46]

Now that Flip is no longer with us (RIP) is there anyone else that could convince Izzo to leave his kingdom at Michigan State and come to the Timberwolves as either the HC or GM? Would we want him to be either one?

[bluechipper]

 

Now that Flip is no longer with us (RIP) is there anyone else that could convince Izzo to leave his kingdom at Michigan State and come to the Timberwolves as either the HC or GM? Would we want him to be either one?

I don't think Izzo would leave, especially with the best recruiting class he's ever had coming in this year, and I don't really like hiring college coaches anyway, as that generally hasn't worked out too well in the past.

 

With the Wolves job being the top open position this offseason, I think all of the top candidates will be interested, so I don't see the need to go after college coaches.

[kab21]

 

I'd be good with that strategy. Gasol and KAT, with Belly and Dieng is a good frontcourt.

 

I'd like to add a bigger wing though too. Someone who's an upgrade over Tayshaun Prince (I wouldn't mind keeping Prince in the mentor/14th man role). I think a Bazz trade would be a good idea to either get that type of player or to open up playing time there.

Is Gasol really a good option?  I was thinking a Taj Gibson type that would help rather than hurt the defense and be competent on offense.  The only problem is that Gibson has one more year left on his contract.  

 

I don't know what to think about Shabazz. He is the only decent backup wing they have right now.  

[TheLeviathan]

From my perspective, Bazz seems to be a good player whose body makes it hard to find a position for him.  He's not athletic enough for SG and players SF more like a PF.  

 

I don't want to trade him, I like how he plays, but he may be a chip to trade to help balance the roster.  Who to target with him I have no idea.  

 

But I think our shopping list should be something along the lines of: 1) Wing  2) Rebounding 4/5  3) PG

[bluechipper]

 

Is Gasol really a good option?  I was thinking a Taj Gibson type that would help rather than hurt the defense and be competent on offense.  The only problem is that Gibson has one more year left on his contract.  

 

I don't know what to think about Shabazz. He is the only decent backup wing they have right now.  

You're probably right on the defense of the player being more important. The Rubio/Gasol playing together angle would be fun to watch though, and it just looks good on paper.

 

Adding Gasol sounds good, but it would probably continue the defensive struggles, especially on mobile 4's, so that might not be the best target.

[bluechipper]

 

From my perspective, Bazz seems to be a good player whose body makes it hard to find a position for him.  He's not athletic enough for SG and players SF more like a PF.  

 

I don't want to trade him, I like how he plays, but he may be a chip to trade to help balance the roster.  Who to target with him I have no idea.  

 

But I think our shopping list should be something along the lines of: 1) Wing  2) Rebounding 4/5  3) PG

He also really struggles defensively, and I think he could be so much better if he went after defensive rebounds as hard as he goes after offensive rebounds. His scoring is nice off the bench, but his tunnel vision on offense can be hard to watch.

[kab21]

 

He also really struggles defensively, and I think he could be so much better if he went after defensive rebounds as hard as he goes after offensive rebounds. His scoring is nice off the bench, but his tunnel vision on offense can be hard to watch.

this was exactly what I was talking about.  On the other hand he is at least skilled and the reserves lack that for the most part.  

[TheLeviathan]

I don't think you can fix his defense unfortunately, he just isn't built to be a good defender.  

[bluechipper]

 

I don't think you can fix his defense unfortunately, he just isn't built to be a good defender.  

The value for Bazz is kinda hard to predict too. It seemed like there were some teams interested at the deadline. I'm just not sure how much value a guy can possibly have if he's awful defensively and lacks basketball IQ in general.