2016-2017 Wolves season

[Mr. Brooks]

Allow me to distilll this ongoing argument, if I may.

 

Tyus deserves more minutes. Tyus should be considered a candidate for the starting point guard of the future.

 

One of those things we pretty much all agree on. Regarding the other, it appears mr. Brooks stands alone.

I didn't say he should be considered the PG of the future. I said he should be the PG of the present, until we find the PG of the future.

 

I mean, I explicitly started my post stating that of course he's not a long term solution.

[Pardon My Dinger]

That's fair. But, I'm just going to come out with it: (disclaimer - I have somehow missed all of jones' late game magic so fair this year) I think he kind of sucks.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I stand corrected.

[ALessKosherScott]

I would also point out this fourth quarter is showing exactly what Rubio brings to the floor, and why he is the point guard of the present.

[ALessKosherScott]

And as George Hill continues to dominate, why Dunn is the point guard of the future.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Given the opportunity, i'd just love to slug Gordon Hayward in his stupid handsome face.

[Mr. Brooks]

On the bright side, LaVine continues to look like a real quality player.

[bluechipper]

 

And as George Hill continues to dominate, why Dunn is the point guard of the future.

I wish Kris Dunn wasn't an even worse shooter than Rubio.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I wish Kris Dunn wasn't an even worse shooter than Rubio.

Crossies that our new shooting coach is worth his salt.

[Mr. Brooks]

KAT takes losing hard. Better surround him with some talent if you want him to stick around long term.

[kab21]

 

KAT takes losing hard. Better surround him with some talent if you want him to stick around long term.

The talent is there but the consistency isn't. After the hot start from 3 to start the year they have gone ice cold. Some like to point to Rubio as the problem but I still think it is Dieng starting at the 4. He would be a much better option as backup C on this team even if he is more than talented enough to be a starting C in this league. The bench also sucks (and it is improved from last year).

[Mr. Brooks]

The talent is there but the consistency isn't. After the hot start from 3 to start the year they have gone ice cold. Some like to point to Rubio as the problem but I still think it is Dieng starting at the 4. He would be a much better option as backup C on this team even if he is more than talented enough to be a starting C in this league. The bench also sucks (and it is improved from last year).

I dunno. I think this is an example of the home fans over rating the talent (not just you).

They actually are consistent- they are losing consistently.

 

I'd expect a talented but inconsistent team to be around .500.

 

We have a few pieces, but the good teams have depth. You are right, our bench is awful. The good teams also have 2 way players. Aside from KAT, I don't think we have another 2 way player on the team.

 

If Dieng is more than talented enough to be a starting C in this league then shouldn't we be getting phone calls on him every day? Maybe they are and are convinced he can be an asset at the 4.

 

I don't have the answers, I'm just saying that KAT takes the losing exceptionally hard. Look at his comments in the Strib and his absolutely dejected look after last night's game. The window before he needs to be re signed is closing by the day, and this team appears to need a lot of work before it's even a fringe 8 seed.

[DaveW]

Fire Thibs! What a joker!

[ALessKosherScott]

 

The talent is there but the consistency isn't. After the hot start from 3 to start the year they have gone ice cold. Some like to point to Rubio as the problem but I still think it is Dieng starting at the 4. He would be a much better option as backup C on this team even if he is more than talented enough to be a starting C in this league. The bench also sucks (and it is improved from last year).

 

I'd also add to that I'm not sure it would be possible for the Wolves' wing defense to be any worse this year. To illustrate:

 

[Pardon My Dinger]

What exactly should we expect to see regarding defensive improvements under Thibs? Individual development? Discipline? Better schemes? I'm not seeing anything good. 

[Mr. Brooks]

What exactly should we expect to see regarding defensive improvements under Thibs? Individual development? Discipline? Better schemes? I'm not seeing anything good.

Maybe defense is more about the players than the coach?

Maybe this bill we've been sold of the defensive whisperer that makes teams better defensively just from his mere presence wasn't quite accurate?

Or, maybe it's something that is going to take years, not months to fix?

 

I don't have any answers, just wondering out loud.

 

I guess I'd be curious to see what the Bulls defense looked like post Thibs- was it really his scheme or just good defensive players?

I mean Rose, Noah, Dieng, these are guys that were considered solid defensive players coming until the league, were they not?

 

I think the biggest immediate help would be if Dunn is capable of being anything better than a liability on offense, because he looks to be a natural defender.

 

The scary part is that the Wolves schedule has been pretty soft so far. This is the part of the schedule that should have gotten the Wolves off to a running start.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I'm sorry, but it's time for Bjelica to just go away. Just get lost, man.

[DaveW]

Sat court-side for this game tonight, this team's "defense" if you can call it that is somehow worse than the Twins starting pitching!
Lavine has a lot of talent but is a mess as a pro player, they should look to deal him IMO

[Mr. Brooks]

Look on the bright side, we'd currently have the 3rd most ping pong balls.

[bluechipper]

 

I'm sorry, but it's time for Bjelica to just go away. Just get lost, man.

You know he had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists last night, and he was a +18 in only 21 minutes? Sure, he had one bad turnover (his only turnover), but he was good other than that.

 

I actually think he should start. Probably for Gorgui, or maybe for LaVine. Something needs to change.

[bluechipper]

 

Look on the bright side, we'd currently have the 3rd most ping pong balls.

This draft is looking good. Really, really good. There should be a really good player available in the 5 to 10 range.

[Pardon My Dinger]

You know he had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists last night, and he was a +18 in only 21 minutes? Sure, he had one bad turnover (his only turnover), but he was good other than that.

 

I actually think he should start. Probably for Gorgui, or maybe for LaVine. Something needs to change.

I didn't know that. Only saw the fourth.

 

I'm gonna stick to guns on this one though.

[ALessKosherScott]

Lavine keeps the team in it. Wiggins hits the game tying 3. Rubio forces an airball on the last shot in regulation. Dieng hit the three that stretches the lead in overtime. Even Bjelica played a great game.

 

I love it when everyone maligned comes through.

[kab21]

 

I dunno. I think this is an example of the home fans over rating the talent (not just you).
They actually are consistent- they are losing consistently.
 

I'd expect a talented but inconsistent team to be around .500.

We have a few pieces, but the good teams have depth. You are right, our bench is awful. The good teams also have 2 way players. Aside from KAT, I don't think we have another 2 way player on the team.

If Dieng is more than talented enough to be a starting C in this league then shouldn't we be getting phone calls on him every day? Maybe they are and are convinced he can be an asset at the 4.

I don't have the answers, I'm just saying that KAT takes the losing exceptionally hard. Look at his comments in the Strib and his absolutely dejected look after last night's game. The window before he needs to be re signed is closing by the day, and this team appears to need a lot of work before it's even a fringe 8 seed.

 

The Wolves core is full of 2nd and 3rd year players as are many of the role players. They are very talented but these are the kind of growing pains that teams in all sports endure when they are almost entirely made up of young players. I am not surprised that these players are not good defenders yet. Their offensive skills are barely even developed yet and that is why they were picked.

 

the Wolves aren't getting calls on Dieng because he is an asset to the Wolves as a 4. Even if it isn't his ideal position, he is by far their best current option. But it is another issue for the Wolves defense if he is struggling on perimeter defense. Ironically you are in favor of putting in Tyus who is a far worse defender than either Rubio or Dunn.

KAT's window for resigning is not closing unless the new CBA takes away the big advantage that current teams have in resigning players. 

[Mr. Brooks]

The Wolves core is full of 2nd and 3rd year players as are many of the role players. They are very talented but these are the kind of growing pains that teams in all sports endure when they are almost entirely made up of young players. I am not surprised that these players are not good defenders yet. Their offensive skills are barely even developed yet and that is why they were picked.

 

the Wolves aren't getting calls on Dieng because he is an asset to the Wolves as a 4. Even if it isn't his ideal position, he is by far their best current option. But it is another issue for the Wolves defense if he is struggling on perimeter defense. Ironically you are in favor of putting in Tyus who is a far worse defender than either Rubio or Dunn.

 

KAT's window for resigning is not closing unless the new CBA takes away the big advantage that current teams have in resigning players.

KAT is going to make more money than he can spend no matter where he signs.

He takes losing especially hard.

Didn't Durant just leave OKC?

Winning matters to some players.

 

I am for trying Tyus, because what we are doing right now isn't working, and we are not making the playoffs either way.

[kab21]

 

KAT is going to make more money than he can spend no matter where he signs.
He takes losing especially hard.
Didn't Durant just leave OKC?
Winning matters to some players.

I am for trying Tyus, because what we are doing right now isn't working, and we are not making the playoffs either way.

Durant played 9 seasons in OKC/SEA. Those are the 9 seasons that the CBA gives a huge advantage to the original team and few stars have left during those years. KAT is in year 2. Even Boogie and Anthony Davis are locked into long term contracts on historically awful teams. If the Wolves are still where those teams are in KAT's year 5/6 then you should be concerned (and sad).

 

As far as I can tell you don't actually have a plan and simply want to see change for the sake of change. This season is frustrating as hell but this is exactly what happens on young and rebuilding teams.You don't just start making changes helter skelter and hoping something will magically click. You can't complain about the defense and take out the best defender and replace him with a poor defender.

[Mr. Brooks]

Durant played 9 seasons in OKC/SEA. Those are the 9 seasons that the CBA gives a huge advantage to the original team and few stars have left during those years. KAT is in year 2. Even Boogie and Anthony Davis are locked into long term contracts on historically awful teams. If the Wolves are still where those teams are in KAT's year 5/6 then you should be concerned (and sad).

 

As far as I can tell you don't actually have a plan and simply want to see change for the sake of change. This season is frustrating as hell but this is exactly what happens on young and rebuilding teams.You don't just start making changes helter skelter and hoping something will magically click. You can't complain about the defense and take out the best defender and replace him with a poor defender.

Why would I need a plan?

How would I even be qualified to have one?

I'm not a GM and the Wolves don't pay me. It's not my job to fix this mess.

I'm just saying this clearly isn't a championship caliber roster, even once it's developed.

That's on Thibs to figure out. I already said I don't care how it's done. If that means trades or Free Agency, I don't know.

 

Every player is different, and has different motivations. You can watch how painful it is to KAT to lose.

What is the max he can make if he leaves after his rookie deal?

I think he'll survive on that.

KAT looks to me to be one of the rare athletes that would put winning above making more money.

I could be wrong, we'll see how it plays out.

 

Yes, I do want to see Tyus more involved.

Rubio is a solid defense, he's not their best defender.

Defense, while a problem, is not the only problem. The offense collapsing in second halves is also a problem.

Now Rubio and Dunn have played better of late, so that's fine keep playing them for now.

I guess I don't see why anyone would have an issue giving Tyus more minutes in what is going to be a 50+ loss season, given how awful Rubio and Dunn were playing at the time I said that.

 

I'm not asking for helter skelter changes, let's not overstate my position.

I'm talking about a smart trade or some FA pieces (impact ones, not roster filler) this offseason.

[ALessKosherScott]

I don't think anybody said this was the definitive championship roster.

 

After this season though, when Garnett and (maybe) Pek come off the books, you'll have plenty of money to play with and a better understanding what the team's holes are. And, (hopefully not) another lotto pick to add another piece plus New Orleans' second rounder to add some talent.

 

Given the 2017 free agent class, you won't land Steph Curry. But there's plenty of good 3s and 4s about to hit the market that will cure a lot of problems.

[kab21]

 

Why would I need a plan?
How would I even be qualified to have one?
I'm not a GM and the Wolves don't pay me. It's not my job to fix this mess.
I'm just saying this clearly isn't a championship caliber roster, even once it's developed.
That's on Thibs to figure out. I already said I don't care how it's done. If that means trades or Free Agency, I don't know.

If you are suggesting changing roles of players around then you need a plan even if you aren't the GM.

[Mr. Brooks]

If you are suggesting changing roles of players around then you need a plan even if you aren't the GM.

No, I don't.

If my favorite restaurant keeps serving me overcooked steaks, it's not my job to go into the kitchen and show them how to cook them.

It's on them to figure it out or lose my business.

 

I have already said I don't care HOW they do it, just that it gets better.