GameThread -1: vs Toronto (in Sioux Falls)
by wyn on Oct 23, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
115 comments
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct 23, 2009 7:00 PM CDT
Final preseason game of 2009. No Al Jefferson tonight and, of course, no Kevin Love.
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There is no TV coverage of the game tonight guys
KFAN is broadcasting the game radio wise…So go to KFAN.com…they might stream the game tonight.
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That would be sweet, but I thought it was not filmed.
by revprodeji on Oct 23, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, no worries, we're not missing anything important.
13-4 Raptors.
This is Chopper Dave's made for TV movie, Blades Of Vengeance. See, he's a chopper pilot by day, but by night he fights crime as a werewolf... YEAH!
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on Oct 23, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well!
I for one cannot believe no one would send a camera crew to Sioux Falls to cover this VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL PRESEASON NBA GAME.
Really.
by TMiss on Oct 23, 2009 7:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Radio feed
The kfan raido feed is available via the espn.com link. I’m listening to it now.
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You're clicking on the "listen" link at
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm kind of surprised it worked for me
This is the first time it has worked and I’m not a League Pass member, etc. Interesting. . .
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raptors Lead 28-25 after 1
Gomes with 7 points, Wilkins and Hollins each with Six, Flynn with 4 and Ellington with 2
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 7:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hollins
It sounds like Hollins is having an impact (along with a couple of TOs, of course).
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 7:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brewer hits a three and Flynn hits from 17 consecutively
Nicely done jump shooters!
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 7:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mark Blount enters the game?
That can’t be right, can it?
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 8:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Blount???? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(*unless he is going to be traded)
by revprodeji on Oct 23, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
WTF...Blount Got playing time?
Maybe he has decided to stick it out for the year and will stay on the team?
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 8:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Raptors 46 Wolves 44 end of the 1st Half
Mark F*cking Blount got playing time..unreal
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 8:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He's not in the yahoo box score
don’t know what you’re talking about with Blount playing
by Biff Cooper on Oct 23, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's on the espn.com box score
How’s TCF doing, Bill Cooper?
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blount didn't play
Jawai did. ESPN messed up
by Funkle Jesse on Oct 23, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of the radio guys
has a weird speech thing where he slurs names some of the time. Not sure which announcer but sometimes I do a doubletake and realize I have absolutely no clue what name the guy just said.
by TMiss on Oct 23, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
listening to KFAN
but I’m guessing it’s the same feed as you’re listening to
by TMiss on Oct 23, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm not listening to KFAN
I can’t find a stream anywhere.
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really hope Jawai was mistaken for Blount. can we confirm this?
by revprodeji on Oct 23, 2009 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes its confirmed..
NBA.com and Yahoo both have Jawai in the boxscore…ESPN doesn’t even have Jawai on the Roster Page..
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Houston
We have a Jawai sighting.
Or reading I guess, no one being able to watch the game except for the Sioux Fallsians.
I hear they’re short, hairy people who have a mostly barter economy and intermittent phone service.
by TMiss on Oct 23, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, the short hairy people were
your ancestors.
by levi_mn on Oct 23, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still impressed with Hollins
And yes, I concur that there was no Blount only Jawai.
by Facial on Oct 23, 2009 8:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hollins has really come on the last couple of games
A little worrying though that Love and Jefferson get run over by Bosh and Bargnani, while Ryan Hollins has a field day on them…that definitely highlights a need for athleticism in the frontcourt.
by Oceanary on Oct 23, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lead slipping away...
Wolves up 4 with 5:30 left.
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Check www.popcornmachine.net after the game
for +/- stint by stint, etc
http://www.popcornmachine.net/
They’re not doing live feeds yet, but at least they’re covering preseason games.
by levi_mn on Oct 23, 2009 9:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Flynn and Brewer
These two are beginning to make a pretty feisty guard tandem. What a pleasant surprise thus far this preseason.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 23, 2009 9:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
I think we’ll see the best backcourt of the post-KG era this year (fingers crossed…)
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder what kind of difference Flynn can make replacing Foye, Brewer replacing Miller and Sessions replacing bassy. We see the difference in defense, but what about offense?
what can we do to get Sessions rolling?
by revprodeji on Oct 23, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only 15 Minutes for Sessions..yet Sasha has 25?
I think Sessions is traded by the mid-way point of the season
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sessions conundrum
So we sign the guy everybody says is underrated to a deal everybody says is a steal. Our coach won’t put him on the floor with Flynn. What happens now? Do we read anything into Flynn getting many more minutes recently? Is it really going to be 30+ minutes for Jonny and sub 20 for Sessions? We can’t trade him without getting another PG.
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
by CaliWolf on Oct 23, 2009 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Silver lining
This wouldn’t be such a problem if Flynn wasn’t playing so well. Let’s be thankful we have a rookie guard that has earned and played up to the minutes he’s been given! That being said, I agree. Sessions deserves more run. Heck, throw a Sessions/Flynn/Brewer triumvirate out there for some brief stints and do some pressing.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 23, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt
Very happy with Jonny. But I am concerned that Rambis has not put them on the floor together outside of practice, apparently, for a single minute. Hell, he put the Creature That Nathan Jawai on the floor tonight! Not ONE minute for Jonny/Ramon? How likely is it they end up sharing 8 a night when the season starts?
I guess I don’t see the long term goal anymore. If Jonny, Sessions, Brewer each get 32 minutes in the backcourt (assuming Brewer keeps up the good work and improves) we are pretty good. If we end up paying $4M for 15 minutes it would go against everything Kahn has said.
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
by CaliWolf on Oct 23, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless...
We signed Sessions strictly as a trade asset. Which, going by what we’ve seen so far, is looking increasingly likely.
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I get it, but..
..every team in the league could have signed him for that deal (or close to it) and nobody did. What is the market for him now, when he can’t get minutes from a rookie (assuming that happens)? I assume Ramon signed here for a combination of the minutes he assumed he would get and the money – right? He must have thought he would start and/or play some SG and the money must have been the biggest, or nearly the biggest, offer he got. So, what happened? He seems to be playing well right? I guess I am a little concerned that the staff is not getting what they want from him. Assuming we aren’t adding long term money what can we reasonably expect to get for him that fits in his $4M slot and includes a PG, should it come to that?
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
by CaliWolf on Oct 23, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Signing him to that deal meant taking on additional salary, whereas trading for him means he can be part of a deal whereby we take salary back. I.E. he could be a valuable asset on a deal to bring back a player on a bigger deal, in conjunction with an expiring contract, picks etc
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 23, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course..
…but what are we getting back for Ramon and an expiring? We have to toss a pick in to get anything of value since that is not bringing back a star.
How about Ramon straight up for Rudy Gay (okay and a pick)? Works – though we can’t trade Ramon until Dec 15th. Memphis gets a real PG and somebody who will pass the ball. Of course Ramon may never touch the ball with AI, Mayo, and Zach on the team, but hey.
I guess my concern for such a well-received signing – I mean people were assuming he’d be a better player than Flynn – is that the shine has come off so quickly. Caveat, of course preseason minutes might be no indicator at all of anything – but the fact that Zgoda is hinting at a move makes me think the staff is not all that thrilled with him. And with that much money (modest though it is) for a back-up? It would take a particular type of team to give us much in return for a $4M backup these days.
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
by CaliWolf on Oct 23, 2009 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What could we get? I don’t know. I won’t pretend to be able to predict the future, but at least we have another asset, assuming he’s anywhere near as talented as he’s shown in the past. There’s nothing to say you move just him and an expiring. He could be part of a much bigger deal, replacing empty salary with a talented young player. I think the current economic state of the NBA caused him to be undervalued and allowed us to swoop in and get a great deal on him. I think that if he was a free agent next year he’d have gotten a bigger deal.. Of course, this is assuming he gets more than 15 mpg and plays like he did last year. In that case, he becomes either a great trade asset or a valuable addition to the team worth more than his contract.
As to Sessions himself, well, it’s preseason. From what I’ve seen so far, he hasn’t been running pick and roll plays much at all, but has looked very effective when he does. He’s also on a new team running a new system. I’m quite confident that we’ll see much more from him when the reins are off and he can play to his strengths. You’d have to think that establishing him as a player is in the team’s best interest, regardless of their ultimate plans for him.. Hopefully Rambis doesn’t disappoint and actually plays him.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 23, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wayyyy too soon to talk trading Sessions
…this whole topic may deserve it’s own FanPost
It’s preseason. It’s the time to work Jonny hard.
On the “dark side”…
Ramon may not be happy with, or totally grasp, the role of the PG in the triangle. And remember that he was half of the 2-PG duo that made Rambis go “ewwww…” Looking back over various evals during his pro career, it seems like Ramon might just be one of those guys who is slow to adapt.
by levi_mn on Oct 24, 2009 6:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, it was "ehhh" not "ewww"
I’m not going to get into a semantics debate but one seems to indicate indifference while the other indicates dislike.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 24, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
indeed, "ehhhhh" was reported
but I would have liked to have heard the original inflection.
Faugh. (seen in an old P.G. Wodehouse novel)
by levi_mn on Oct 24, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about the clutch three from Pecherov?
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 9:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Flynn looking very nice with a 14/5/3 game. Such a nice feeling having competent coaching, being able to be up in a game with our two best players out with injury, don’t care that it’s preseason. Whole different vibe than last year.
by Son of Gerald Green on Oct 23, 2009 9:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
2009-10 Starting Backcourt tonight:
combined: 31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 steals. Nice.
by LoveTo on Oct 23, 2009 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
0 points, 0 rebounds, 4 fouls, 15 minutes, Wolves game high +10
Brian Cardinal ladies and gentlemen!
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 23, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The secret weapon!
Compare that to Bosh’s 27 points/14 rebounds on just 12 shots for a mere +1. If only he’d be more like the Custodian…
by John Doe on Oct 24, 2009 4:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea, I really hope we get 20-25 mpg for Sessions during the season. he cannot be having these sub 15 games.
by revprodeji on Oct 23, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
22 forced turnovers is a nice stat, too
Along with 13 steals.
Here’s my guess with Sessions: they try out the 2-PG scheme in a blowout, and the success makes them try it at other times during the year. I’m not buying a Sessions trade just because I think they want to avoid the situations they’ve had the last few years with playing Marko Jaric and Kevin Ollie significant minutes.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 23, 2009 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
did we end up winning?...My computer crashed
by TonyO on Oct 23, 2009 9:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
AGAIN we play better without Love and Jefferson
That’s…kind of concerning. The teams seems a lot more fluid without them, and the point guards seem more confident with the playbook as well. Our big men are kind of looking like fish out of water right now….slow goers in a fast system…
This game in particular was kind of shocking. Bosh and Bargnani steamrolled Al and Love, but tonight they got beat up by….Ryan Hollins…? Hmmm…
Anyway, looks like the starting lineup for now is very solidly Flynn, Brewer, Wilkins, Gomes and Pecherov. I can see Sasha and Hollins both working their way in though.
by Oceanary on Oct 23, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Al's the issue
I remember the First Game after Al was injured last year vs the Raptors. In the Post-Game – Players commented on how things opened up quite a bit on Offense without Al drawing defenders into the post. This should be especially true for players like Brewer and Flynn who’s games are predicated on attacking the basket. This is why Mobile Bigs- Hollins, Rangy-Bigs- White Hole, and players who move well off the ball seem- Kevlar seem to be a better fit long-term than Al with the current roster. I’ll in fact make a prediction- Al’s not on this roster come the 2010 Season Opener.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 24, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree with you Jose
Let’s just hope that Favors is available in the draft when the Wolves are picking or alternatively we are trading Al for another big man because for all of Al’s deficiencies replacing 35 minutes in the post with replacement level players is not a step in the right direction.
by Ebomb on Oct 24, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I'm suggesting
Isn’t that the White-Hole is any sort of long term solution. I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Al for a Mobile Big who is more Defense and Rebounding focused that can be effective without the ball. Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Anderson Varejao are a few players that come to mind. Favors would be awesome. Granted the Wolves would lack any sort of go to scorer- at the same time they’d have a line-up whose game compliment each others better. Although Favors has potential to develop into a number 1 type option.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 24, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, I’m not a big advocate of moving Al without seeing him play in the new system and with more talent, but since we’re on the topic and this is a Toronto thread, how about this: A sign and trade of some sort involving Al and Bosh. If Bosh is dead set on leaving Toronto, can they do better than get a very productive young guy who’s on a fair deal? Bosh, meanwhile, is probably a better overall fit for where our team is looking to go in that he’s more athletic, has better range and is a better passer/defender. Just throwing it out there.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or maybe it would have to be a midseason trade without the guarantee of an extension, which would be the risk of you take in getting a player who better fits the system. If a sign and trade wouldn’t work (I don’t have time to iron out the details), use your imagination to find a way to get him here.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A trade like that would have to include a guarantee on an extension...
And that’s not going to happen. It’s not worth the risk otherwise.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 24, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very true, although it could be done as a sign and trade next offseason. I will say that I definitely believe Bosh would fit better here. If this whole “we play better with Al off the floor” phenomenon continues, it might be something to look into. Probably not happening given that teams like Miami and NYK will have cap space, but you never know..
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bosh
Would be another possibility although it’s not real likely due to the reasons stated above. If you could get Favors perhaps Al nets you a sweet-shooting wing.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 24, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps. Just one more way this team has massive flexibility. I really wish I had a crystal ball so I could see what the team looks like in 5 years..
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
I’m of a similar mindset – that Al may get traded prior to camp breaking next season. On the other hand, a player like him offers great solace in a grind-it-out 7-game playoff series where the pace slows down and throwing it into the post is a good way to get some easier looks when the legs are tired and the jumpers aren’t falling. Yes, a motion, ball-movement oriented offense is prettier to watch, but sometimes you need to toss it inside to settle things down. I also question if we can get equal value for Al. He has an extremely reasonable contract considering his production level. I will be very interesting to see how his On/Off numbers look like this season. Last season the team was better defensively and offensively with him on the court. I think over the long term, I don’t like him 100% at C. I really believe that if we find ourselves in a contending mode, it will be with him spending a fair amount of time flexing between PF and C, with Love perhaps as a 6th man PF off the bench. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Hollins-Jefferson starting lineup while Love is out to see how that works out.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 24, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with the issue of not getting value for Al. The names I see people throwing around indicate that many are in favor of moving him for pennies, an idea I can’t get behind. If we’re moving Al, we need to at least get back a guy with serious potential to play at his level, if not one who already does, and that’s going to be tough. I wouldn’t look to move him unless it’s obvious there’s truth to the pattern that we play better without him and there’s a deal on the table that brings back significant talent.
Hopefully having Hollins and Al play together will give us an idea of whether or not we need to go after a legit C. Al looked pretty damn good next to Theo during their brief stints together, but the sample size was too small to make a judgment. Cole Aldrich might quickly become a more attractive draft target if Al looks good with a real big behind him.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would hardly call the names I suggested pennies
Varejao is an elite defender and passer. Horford would be a very nice fit in our system. Noah is an excellent rebounder. All three of these guys are vastly superior defenders to Al. We’re probably not getting back another elite scorer for Al. At the same time- we’re getting better on Defense and better complimentary Offensive talent.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 24, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Varejao is a roleplayer. A good one, but still a role player, and I’m quite certain the other 2 will go down in the books as the same. Moving Al for one of those guys simply because he’s a better fit would be a terrible idea. If we’re getting more talent in such a deal then it might make sense, but you don’t trade on fit even if it means a big overall downgrade in talent.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 25, 2009 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree
Varejao is one of the 2 or 3 Best Defensive Bigs in the game. He’s nowhere near the scorer of Al Jefferson. At the same time- on the other end of the court- Al’s not within miles as a defender. The positives about his Offensive game are passing and Off-Ball Movement- thereby opening lane for slashers like Flynn and Brewer. Varejao by himself turns around the Wolves D.
As far as getting more in talent- we must realize their is more to win basketball games than just pure scoring. There is also the ability to facilate scoring and stopping the other team from scoring. As good a scorer as Al is there are reasons why he’s never been on real successful teams.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 25, 2009 6:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you’re greatly overvaluing his D and undervaluing Al. There’s no two ways about it: Varejao is good, but he’s still a limited role player. I’m not saying that he wouldn’t help the team, I’m just saying that getting him back for Al would be a terrible return for our best player. We would be the laughing stock of the league if such a deal went down.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 25, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Few Points
I tend to think Al wouldn’t fetch as much in a trade as some think. This is due to the limitations in his game that have been discussed at naesuam on this blog. My suggestion isn’t even related to overall talent- more so overall fit. I just am not sure if Al’s game is going to mesh with a lot of the players on this roster long-term. I realize my suggestions- might seem bizzare or crazy. I just tend to think Al’s scoring is underrated where as the skill-set of a Varejao is underrated. The reason- you beat other teams in scouting talent is finding players with undervalued aspects.
by Jose Cordoba on Oct 25, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's becoming clear...
isn’t it? I think it is fair to give Al a chance to perform in a system that is not built around him and dedicate himself to becoming at least an adequate defender. But I wonder if people are going to like the results, and I wonder if he can stomach the demotion.
I too think that Al’s trade value is quite a bit below what a lot of people think, and frankly, I just want a player(s) in return that are young and make us a better team.
I am dumbfounded that everyone thinks McHale is an idiot, yet they still cling to his assertion that Jefferson is a cornerstone-level talent.
by DougW on Oct 26, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think anyone around here thinks he’s a cornerstone, I think he’s just not as bad a player as some seem to think. I really think you guys are undervaluing him and that to accept less than what he’s worth would just be bad business.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 26, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say bad, not at all...
I would say limited and a poor fit for the system we are trying to instill. I just want to know what kind of player people seem to think we could get for Jefferson. A lot of these trade proposals sound really good to me, but everyone jumps all over them, saying we’d be getting robbed.
My dream trade, btw…Horford and Marvin Williams for Al. I doubt the Hawks bite, but Horford is a stud role player at the very least, with borderline All-Star upside.
by DougW on Oct 27, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at his days in Boston
He played quite well with Kendrick Perkins, easily exceeding his normal +/- when paired with Kendrick his first two seasons. In his third year at Boston, the pairing neither helped nor hurt his +/-. The following season in Minnesota, the ONLY time he was a + was when paired with Madsen or Ratliff. Last season he did quite poorly when paired with Collins, but Collins was just horrible last season. I think the problem is it’s tough to find a big man at Center that is good enough offensively to be able to stay on the floor. When paired with guys like Madsen or Collins, we were playing 4 on 5 offensively. Hollins is no world-beater on offense, but the man flat out attacks the basket. I will be keeping a very close eye on Al’s +/- when paired with Hollins versus other bigs this season, including Love.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 24, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewer looking like a solid..
…rotation player and Flynn looking like a future stud. I think that’s the best that can be said about this team right now. Flynn is going to be good.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
by Stop-n-Pop on Oct 23, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who would have thought Brewer would be our highlight of the preseason?
Not that I’m complaining since I pull for the kid as hard as anyone. But it’s certainly unexpected.
by Oceanary on Oct 23, 2009 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Things looking up?
Pleasant surprises, at least from the box score. Should we be giving Rambis some credit here? Like Flip, maybe he’ll be able to get the most out of his team. Would be nice to see the team play some good ball in laying the foundation for the future.
by uncle rico on Oct 23, 2009 11:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Let’s hope so! As long as it’s entertaining I’ll be happy.
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story.
by Xand1 on Oct 24, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes,
that is a key word there, “entertaining.” Although I haven’t watched so many games in recent years, what I witnessed last year was painful. Wittman really was awful as a coach. I like the direction Kahn is taking this team. > risk > reward.
I also think Rambis could really be an exceptional coach. Even the past few games they lost, save for the blowout in Denver, they Pups shot terribly (<%40), defended terribly (at least judging by opponents shooting %) yet were still somehow in the game. Replacement refs blowing too many whistles? Or a coach that is more flexible in making adjustments based on what is working at the time? Not rhetorical questions here.
In any case, it all should make for a very interesting season, to be sure.
by uncle rico on Oct 24, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must give credit where credit is due
And that credit must go to Jose Calderon. Look at the number of free throws Jonny took in EVERY previous game. Then look at tonight. A big donut hole. And yes… I chose the do spelling of donut over the dough because it saved me time (which has thus been lost by my explanation). Well done Jose. Also, Ryan Hollins single handedly fouled out Bargnani. This is looking good for us. If nothing else we have a nice matchup demon. When the long ballers take Big Al and Love’s positive offensive contributions out for us, we now have Hollins to take over without having to worry. Small sample size pending.
by Mplax on Oct 24, 2009 12:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll hold off for now, being that it's the preseason
But if Sessions doesn’t get more minutes during the regular season, the complaining will start. We’ve accepted that this is going to be a season of building for the future. Well part of building for the future is making sure that the guy you just signed to a four year deal doesn’t become untradeable because you’re playing him so little that every other team thinks he stinks.
For a season with such modest goals, couldn’t we find a way to also maintain Sessions’ status as a positive asset?
by John Doe on Oct 24, 2009 4:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is still a long way to go
so while I’d like to see Sessions get more PT, I’m not convinced he will be moved out this season. A rookie PG with only Jason Hart for backup sounds risky.
Happy to see we have a squad that is adaptable without Al and Love.
Judd: "...I've since watched some Steven Seagal movies and I realise that pressure points are no laughing matter.".
by Auswolf on Oct 24, 2009 4:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rambis is giving more time to Flynn to gain experience.
Ramon will play more when the season starts.
by PoohRubio on Oct 24, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there is something to this.
Ramon Sessions is, more or less, a known quantity, especially when compared to Flynn, Brewer, and the rest of our guard rotation. While it might be nice for him to get some burn at the two, or a little more run with the big guns who aren’t currently hurt, my gut says that he’ll get some more work as the slightly less rosy regular season realities come along.
by TheH on Oct 24, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't necessarily agree with this
None of us knows Sessions well enough to determine whether he’ll pitch a fit about not playing enough. My guess is he and his agent weren’t BSed by Kahn into thinking that he’d start, and this is still a better situation than what he left in Milwaukee (where there might’ve been games that he didn’t play at all). There are plenty of players in this league who don’t complain if they’re not playing as much as they’d like.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 24, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
Look at Sessions’ options:
a) he doesn’t get sign with anyone this summer and ends up back in Milwaukee
b) he does sign but Milwaukee matches, and again he’s back competing with at least two other PGs for PT.
c) he signs and goes to a team (here, in this case), and gets out of Milwaukee to a slightly better situation (at least in terms of PT and a shot at a starting role), and he gets paid (which he also does in ‘b’).
Sessions’ options were quite limited in retrospect. You have to wonder at this point if he is just happy to have his $16 million and the chance to be a key contributor (but necessarily starter) on a team. If he’s truly committed to winning and he’s smart, he’ll work with DK and not against him, and either the TWolves will become winners or DK will figure out how to move him to a better situation when the time is right (as DK so far has been willing to do).
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Oct 24, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd think maybe his ego
if it was ever too bad, is gone by now. No one offered him anything this season and now he comes to a new team that is not… good…. and he still isn’t getting respect. Maybe he’ll realize that he isn’t necessarily THAT good and that he can deal with 15-20per game. That being said, he probably does deserve at least 25/game.
by Mplax on Oct 24, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that thoughts like this
Will make much more sense if this happens for the full season. As of right now, I think it’s pretty premature make any major assumptions about how this team is gonna shake out. If we know one thing, it’s that there’s gonna be a lot of change, and evalution and development being emphasized. Injuries will happen. I’m just saying that it’s gonna take a few months before we should consider that’s it’s plausible that we trade our high-value free agent signing.
by nja700 on Oct 24, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT
It’s preseason and the trade was consummated on draft night. But Ty Lawson went off for 29 last night. But we do have that pick via Charlotte for next year, right?
by uncle rico on Oct 24, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Still the correct move
They weren’t getting offers for #6 but were for #18, and it’s possible that what they would’ve gotten for #6 would’ve been similar to the deal they got from Denver (considering it’s uncertain how Charlotte will finish but could easily be out of the top 12). Plus, Lawson got 25 of his 29 off of layups and free throws against a team whose weakness is at the point and who was playing without Bynum and Gasol and had Kobe play 9 minutes. I’m not sure I prefer Flynn over Lawson yet, though.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 24, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did not watch the game
Nor do I believe that one preseason game will define Lawson’s career.
I was not even thinking of a Flynn-Lawson comparison. That said, I do like Flynn and think that guys like him (and Billups or Roy) who elevate their program have a lot of clear upside. It sometimes is more difficult to judge how college players on the best teams will transition to the pros. Just one factor or variable among many, of course.
by uncle rico on Oct 24, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lawson looked good
and based on what I’ve seen so far, PSR has it about right. Jonny probably wins on the charisma front — something the Wolves need to help put butts into seats.
by levi_mn on Oct 24, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jonny's the better pro player.
I saw that Nuggets game, & though Lawson played very well, let’s not forget it was against the B team.
There weren’t too many starters on the floor, & Billups, Melo, Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, et al- played sparingly, if at all.
An apt comparison between Jonny & Lawson would be CP3 vs Deron Williams. Both are great PG’s obviously, but given a choice most people would favor CP3.
The better PG is CP3, more versatile, gifted, & simply, better.
Same with Flynn & Lawson, IMHO.
by Verbal Kint on Oct 24, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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