Timberwolves 2012-2013

[ozzie]

I will agree with ya Juan on most counts but the part where you say K Love can't create his own shot in the post...his first year you are right but since then he has learned to create seperation and score in the post and although his defense isn't outstanding he has improved on his post defense...it still lacks alot but his post defense has improved. Let's put it this way, K Love wouldn't be an offensive threat if he couldn't score in the post.

[Juan Grande]

Think about it Oz, all his points come on threes, free throws and put backs on rebounds. How many times do you see them feed him in the post and he backs his guy down and makes a nice move for a bucket? He really struggles getting shots off against more athletic PFs and Cs which is the case most of the time.

Love is more effective down low when he is cleaning up the weak side rebounds and getting put backs. Pek is a much better low post scorer.

[ozzie]

maybe it has been just too long since I have watched K Love play. I just know that his first year it was ugly how many times he got rejected or couldn't get a shot off amongst the bigs now he get fouled down low and he scores and gets to the line. Yes alot of his points come from the line, threes, and put backs but he has improved greatly on his ability to get shots off amongst the trees...

[Juan Grande]

...and he's getting more calls because he's an all star. All of of the foul calls come when he's scrapping under the basket getting rebounds. When he does try a post move, he often gets blocked or has to alter his shot to get it over the guy. He's more of a Dirk Nowitzki type scorer than a Tim Duncan.

[ozzie]

well if you are being guarded by a taller guy you normally have to alter your shot to get it over them...lol but I guess I can't argue without video evidence or if he would have played this year...haha I love talking Twolves

[Storm]

Pretty impressive last couple games by the wolves even though I would like to see them lose to get a better lottery chance, I can't complain with some decent looking basketball again. If only Rubio shot three's every night like tonight he would be on a level by himself. Its nice to see what this team is capable of again when they even have close to a full roster.

[Scott K]

Rubio has been playing much better, but he needs to control the turnovers. Pek is a monster, and they better find a way to get him signed

[Juan Grande]

Well 6'10" is plenty tall for a PF. I wouldn't say he's constantly matched up with guys who are taller than he is. Better jumpers? Yes.

Have you been watching the Wolves lately? Meaningless games, but they've been fun to watch. Still lousy on defense, but very efficient on offense. Pek has been a beast the past two games inside. Last night Rubio had 19 pts, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 8 steals and 5 threes. Granted, he had 8 turnovers, but they still won. D.Williams had 15 points in 19 minutes.

[Scott K]

Adelman got his 1000th win last night, congratulations! He is only the 8th coach to ever get it.

[Storm]

Not like it mattered if he returned this year anyways.

Love Has Surgery on Knee

[schmitty3]

He sure made a lot of money for playing in 18 games this year...

[Scott K]

Well hopefully he is healthy all of nest season, and in shape, and ready to play. I think next season will be Kahns last if we dont go a series or 2 deep in the playoffs. We have a pretty decent team now, they have been playing above 500 ball for the past 3 weeks or so, not that that will help the team in the draft, but a few spots wont make much differnce this year anyhow. A lot of mediocre players throughout the top 20 picks or so.

It is actually fun to watch the team be who they should have been all year, and to watch them finish the season strong, even if it is to late.

[Scott M]

Yawn...pick 9. The Wolves have never picked better than their draft position once. What are the mathematical probabilities of that? I'd love to know of a franchise with worse luck in the draft and in actual selection of players than the Minnesota Timberwolves.

[Scott K]

I didnt expect us to move up, in fact, I wouldnt have been to surprised if we actually moved down a position. Seems like that is par for the Wolves luck.

We have 2 picks in the 1st round, we should be able to get some talent in one of those picks. I dont see much sence in moving up either, it would cost to much to get in the top 3, and I dont think the talent is much of a deal breaker from 4-10.

Who knows what Flip has in mind, but I would like to get a good SG in here, even if it means we package together both our 1st round picks this year, and trade for a young, quality SG.

[JBMasterAngler]

I have no faith in the draft this year. The last thing the t-wolves need is a skinny teenager that is not physically (or mentally) mature enough for the NBA. We need veteran role players! We need the Grant Hill, Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen, Derek Fisher type guys.

[Scott M]

McCollum. 52% 3PT shooting. Take him.

[schmitty3]

Just give us a guy that can shoot the ball. No more of this raw talent, and guys that SHOULD grow into good players. Every year we need a guy that could just knock down open jumpers.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Rick Adelman has reportedly told Flip Saunders that he intends to coach next season.

This is at least the third report that Adelman plans to be with the Timberwolves next season, so barring something unforeseen, we feel confident projecting he'll be back.

[ozzie]

That is the first huge hurdle to jump over for the Wolves Nation...now they need to resign Pek to a deal that works for both sides, and then get Kirilenko to pick up his player option and start thinking about the great prospect we draft with the number 9 pick

[Scott K]

I agree, but I have no doubts that Pek will be a Timberwolf next season, and for several more. There is no way, the FO would just let him walk, with nothing in return. They would have had either put him on the trading block this past season, before the trading deadline, or traded him outright.

Pek said he wants to stay in MN, he even said he isnt looking for max dollars, he just wants a good contract. I have no doubt the FO will get him signed to a 3-5 year deal.

As for AK, again, I have no doubt he will be back, if he decides to decline his last year on his contract, he would be lucky to get half of what we he will be getting with us. And if he does decicde to leave, we then have 10 million more to go out and sign a good quality staring SG. His defense will be missed, but Williams has shown signs he should be getting starting minutes, and his defence has vastly improved recently.

I would like to see them re sign Buddinger to a 3 year contract, as well, and let him and Williams man the SF position if AK decides to opt out. I am still excited to see what this team can do when healthy. I think they are capable of a 50+ season, and who knows once they get into the playoffs. Earlier last season, we were competing well with the big teams, when we were healthy.

[ozzie]

well if that doesn't mess me up when your name changed!!! I thought we had a new contributor to our Twolves talk!!! haha

I agree that Pek and Kirilenko will or should both be Twolves next year. I also think that Buddinger will be a Wolf now that Adelman has stated he will be back...I was deeply dissapointed when he got hurt as he would have made our season different if he stayed healthy.

Should be a fun interesting summer for the T-pups and hope it turns into a great 2013-14 season!!

[Scott K]

Sorry to disappoint you ozzie

I just figured it would be much more personal with my name, rather then a fake name, that didnt really fit me anymore. Since I cant even remember the last time I purposely tried to catch a walleye

[ozzie]

Yep very disspointed!!!

Go Wolves!!!

[Scott M]

I think Budinger knows he will do well under Adelman. He won't make the peanuts he was getting on his 2nd round rookie contract, but he should still be a decent investment.

I do believe they will match a nice offer for Pek. I'm certain Portland will offer big money as a way to stick it to the Wolves. Portland and Minny have been in a back and forth slapfest for a few years ever since the Martell Webster trade, the Roy signing that made his contract count against Portland, Batum RFA deal, etc.

I think Kirilenko comes back but then again now that he's shown he can play he might get some offers...none that will pay more, but some that will offer better chances to win a championship.

One of our PGs needs to get dealt. And Flip needs to find an answer at 2 guard. I'm okay with him making some trades to do it. Have I mentioned I like McCollum? I guess he's looking really good in pre-draft workouts. Good things about Minnesota native Muscala as a late first, early 2nd. Little athleticism or size but tons of skill and shooting the lights out.

[ozzie]

The best thing would be for Portland to make a rediculous offer to Pek thinking we will match it and then let him go to them and really screw them for years. How did Batum do for them last year? When a player doesn't want to play on your team and expresses it through the media why make them play on your team?