So, tonight's a great example. Here the wolves are, playing the other 11-26 team, making them look like the Washington generals. Great. We obviously don't belong with the mavs. So why can't we just separate from the sludge at the bottom of the nba already?!

 

It would seem to me that basketball would be the one sport where athletic ability would be far and away more important than experience. It makes no sense to me but maybe there's something about having crafty veterans.

 

It doesn't seem to matter in college though, a team of more athletic freshman beat more experienced senior led teams all the time.

The scary part is we're still only 3.5 games out of the playoffs right now, thanks to how top heavy the West is.

They're up 17 with 6 to play and I'm still wondering how they blow this.

It's nice to see the old Ricky. 17 assists tonight. He had 15 in the last game too.

Smelling that 8 seed.

They beat the Rockets?

And the Thunder. Break up the Wolves.

Very solid night tonight.

 

I posted this on Twitter, but it is absolutely crazy when you watch a Russell Westbrook game and think he's just playing terrible compared to his normal game, and look up and he has a triple double (quadruple double if you add in the turnovers).

Just 10 points off the bench in the loss to the Mavs today, all from Bjelica. That's the biggest need to improve this team. Adding a wing to either play off the bench or push Lavine into the 6th man role will be a big help.

 

I like Shabazz, but he is awful. He's not doing himself any favors in his free agent year. 

What a bummer. I think maybe we need to rethink our big 3. I like LaVine more than wiggy, but I'm just not sure of the combination, given the success we saw in zach's absence. Of course, the last three games I chalk up to Rubio playing like a superstar, so I just don't know. This group has me confused, I guess.

 

What a bummer. I think maybe we need to rethink our big 3. I like LaVine more than wiggy, but I'm just not sure of the combination, given the success we saw in zach's absence. Of course, the last three games I chalk up to Rubio playing like a superstar, so I just don't know. This group has me confused, I guess.

Same here. I don't know what to think either. I'm more interested in adding to the group through free agency than trying to trade one at this point though.

 

Another big need is a pg who can come in and occasionally get his own shot or at least be able to space the floor. Tyus is the only one that can do that reasonably well, and he's below average in both areas.

They need to trade LaVine

 

They need to trade LaVine

 

Perhaps, but this team already struggles with shooting...

 

They need to trade LaVine

I'd probably trade Wiggins before I trade LaVine.

Perhaps, but this team already struggles with shooting...

it's not hard to find a player who plays selfish ball, no D and throws up 25+ shots a game.

 

Trade Lavine and Rubio both IMO.

Dunn as 1, Shabazz as 2 and stock up on depth and draft picks

Should have got butler when we had the chance

Edited January 18, 20179 yr by DaveW

I'm starting to wonder about Wiggins as well.

 

I'd only trade Rubio now and continue to let things play out this year. Re evaluate at the end.

If they trade Rubio now, they'll only end up drafting Ball, Fultz or Smith in June.

 

Dunn isn't the answer right now. 

 

If they trade Rubio now, they'll only end up drafting Ball, Fultz or Smith in June.

 

Dunn isn't the answer right now. 

 

Perhaps.  But I'm not sure Rubio is ever the answer.  So I don't mind them shopping around a bit.

There's some big rumors about a Rubio for Reggie Jackson trade that could be in the works. I'm a fan of Rubio, but I'd be in favor of this move, depending on the other pieces involved in the trade.

So is the thought to have Jackson start at SG and have Lavine play with the second unit? Otherwise, why?

 

So is the thought to have Jackson start at SG and have Lavine play with the second unit? Otherwise, why?

Are you asking that because you think Kris Dunn needs more playing time to help his development? 

 

I just think that having a scoring point guard would help space things out for everyone else. My main worry is Jackson's reputation of not being a great teammate. It sounds like a lot of Wolves fans don't think too highly of this trade.

Rubio for Jackson is the kind of trade that would finally make Minneapolis respect what they have in Rubio.

 

"Hey, we can't win with a point guard who can't shoot. So let's trade him for one who doesn't pass or defend."

 

Are you asking that because you think Kris Dunn needs more playing time to help his development? 

 

I just think that having a scoring point guard would help space things out for everyone else. My main worry is Jackson's reputation of not being a great teammate. It sounds like a lot of Wolves fans don't think too highly of this trade.

 

It was more trying to figure out how he'd fit. He can't play D so pairing him with Lavine seems like a huge problem waiting to happen.

 

I agree that we need a PG that is at least capable enough offensively that people won't leave him unguarded.  For all that Rubio brings, that negative is impossible to escape.  

If Rubio is on the block, I pray that we don't get a PG back. Tyus is way ahead of where he was last year and Dunn is one of the few players I know that is fun to watch play defense. I'd rather roll with that combo for the rest of the year. I've changed my tune a little bit, but I think th se guys are interesting.

2.5 games out of the eight seed. Four teams to jump, but still.

Edited January 23, 20179 yr by ALessKosherScott

Four garbage teams. Let's do it.

Rubio, yowza. Does he have any role in a late and trailing situation? Seemed pretty useless last night when it counted.

 

Rubio, yowza. Does he have any role in a late and trailing situation? Seemed pretty useless last night when it counted.

Usually I would say yes, but last night they just went with Wiggins isolations late. I guess I can't complain with the results.

Zach LaVine has announced that he's not going to compete in the dunk contest this year. That's disappointing, but he said he wants to focus on getting this team to the playoffs.

 

He's really been struggling since his leg injury, and the Wolves need his outside shooting.

Towns got snubbed for the all star team. I know stats aren't the only criteria, but he's averaging 22 and 12.