3-0 and more draft boarding
by Stop-n-Pop on Jun 11, 2009 7:48 AM CDT
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It was Las Vegas night at the Target Center when the Lynx went to 3-0 with a victory against the Ms. Sheldon Williams-less Los Angeles Sparks. What happened at the TC definitely doesn't deserve to stay there as your hometown five played yet another exciting up-tempo game for a win.
The star of last night's game was Olympian Seimone Augustus, who scored 30 points on 22 shots with a +20, 9 rebounds, and 4-5 from beyond the arc. She did have 6 turnovers but hey, that's definitely something you can live with when you have a player who handles the rock that much while shooting that efficiently.
The star of the season so far has been 2nd year center Nicky Anosike. Last night she scored 16 points on 7-10 shooting. It could have been even better had she not missed 6 of her 8 free throws. In three games Anosike is shooting 17-24 with 16 rebounds, 24 assists, and 7 blocks while holding down the paint.
The other big revelation has been head coach Jen Gillom, who has instituted an up-tempo style that seeks to maximize the number of possessions (read: opportunities) her collection of efficient players have to put the ball in the bucket. Last year the Lynx started out 5-0 and ended up out of the playoffs with the 2nd highest scoring offense. It will be interesting to keep track of any difference in pace between this year's squad and last year's version. Offense wasn't exactly a problem for last year's Lynx but they have kicked it up to another level this season. Granted, we're talking about small sample size theater at this point, but it's still an encouraging sign to see them playing at the tempo they are currently playing at.
BTW: The stat of the night was Rashanda McCants picking up a Shaddy-esque -9 in 3:15 of play. I know, it's a cheap shot; but it's against the dearly departed loser of the Foye/Shaddy Death Match. Here's hoping the sister can make her way through professional ball in Minny with a bit more grace than the brother.
Moving on to the Canis Community Draft Board, here is where we stand after last round's voting:
- Blake Griffin
- Ricky Rubio
- James Harden
- Stephen Curry
- Hasheem Thabeet
- Tyreke Evans
- Demar DeRozan
- Brandon Jennings
- ???
Who should the Wolves have as the #9 player on their draft board? Vote below.
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I voted Holiday,
but I almost voted for Hill. I think he is bpa so I would give him a long look at this point for his trade value.
I voted Hill…and I guess I am the only one. This is nitpicky, because obviously we get one of the other guys, but how could people not be voting Hill at this point!?!?!
Are we that enamored with drafting a pg, any point guard, that we would not take a much more valuable asset like Hill. We can always trade the guy. At the very least he’s a huge upgrade on any back up PF or C on the roster.
I voted Hill too.
It’s just a value thing at this point. I like Gerald Henderson too.
by princelyfrank on Jun 11, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
The problem
is Hill’s only really translatable skill at this point in time is Rebounding. He’s still somewhat raw on Offensive and Defensive fundamentals. You’re right in that he projects as better than anyone we could have as a backup 4-5 right now. He’s also a reasonably good athlete so their is potential there for him to cause problems on the perimeter with his length. So I clearly see the thinking behind advocating for him.
I think the issue is people advocate a PG or Upside more than anything. Jrue Holiday has the upside to be a good defensive PG. Jonny Flynn is explosive if nothing else. I think a lot of the thinking is a starting PG is more valuable than a backup 4/5 if talent wise they’re comparable.
FYI- I voted for Henderson- just since I figured he’s on thier cause I asked about him. He’s also the best Defensive wing in the draft- who plays a reasonably smart Offensive game. He also finishes at the rim nearly as well as James Harden and shows an ability to get to the line.
Well Hill was projecting as a #3 pick not that long ago, has only been playing organized hoops for like 5 years, improved dramatically every college season, and if I am too believe the scouting reports is much more than a reasonably good athlete. That screams upside to me.
My main point is value, not need, and on the surface he seems to have a lot more value than the other guys left on the poll. Stockpiling the best assets you can get cannot hurt…we could probably trade him down the road for a Jonny Flynn AND Henderson equivalent duo.
Athletic big men who rebound and play defense are always in high demand…hell we could use one too!
Hill vs. PG
I think the other thing to factor in is how far apart we view a #18 guard vs. a #6 guard not named Curry or Harden. If the gap isn’t that far apart, then I can see the logic in taking Hill at #6 and guard X at #18. I mean, someone solid is going to slip to #18. There are very, very few bigs in this draft and getting a guy like Hill that has the luxury of playing behind and with a Love/Jefferson combo would be a nice situation for him. God, I’d love to see the day where we never have to see a Kevin Love-Ryan Gomes or Craig Smith C-PF pairing again.
exactly…it’s almost a given that one of: Lawson, Flynn, Holiday, Jennings or Maynor are going to slip to 18. Not every team is PG strapped like us, and it is the only position in this draft with depth. If we can’t get Curry or Rubio at #6, it makes sense to roll the dice and wait to see who’s available at 18.
The Wolves aren’t picking 8th, so is this a vote for who the 8th best player is, or who the 8th best player for the Wolves would be? Hill falls pretty far down the latter list, but is probably ahead of half the guys already picked on the former. There was a rumor on dimemag.com that Dallas might trade Josh Howard or Jason Terry to Washington, so they can pick Hill at 5.
Kahn’s big talk that was posted yesterday (in second-hand, rumor form) has me a lot more excited/interested in this draft, and what types of moves he might try to make. I wish (and correct me if I’m wrong on this) the base year compensation status of players around the league expired before the draft. It would open up more trade opportunities that will have to wait for a few weeks after the draft.
Holiday for me...
As many of you know, I watch a lot of PAC-10. Holiday’s freshmen year was pretty nondescript, but you could see the tools…great size, strength, length, and an excellent defender. I’ve read a lot of very positive feedback on Holiday lately from his workouts and the Combine, and I’m defintely warming up to taking him at 6.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I think what impressed me most watching Holliday
Was his ability to get into the lane at will, slithering through traffic, very crafty with the ball. I can’t tell you how many times I didn’t think there was space to get through and that he was going to get cut off and lead into an offensive foul, but he is a master at changing directions.
That being said, his ability to get into the lane was not matched by an ability to finish with the basketball. He definitely needs work on developing more crafty finishing moves in the paint, and going up strong to the rack.
From what I saw the last 2 years, I don’t think he’s as athletic as Westbrook was, but I also think he has a better handle than westbrook and looks more under control in his drives. I know the common sentiment is that “what has he shown to be picked this high” or “the only reason he’s being considered is because of Westbrook last year” I think that’s unfair. He was a PG playing backup to a senior leader in Collison and Howland still had to get him on the floor because he was IMO the best player UCLA had last year in a down year for that program. He needs to work on shooting and finishing at the rim, but his defensive skills, drive skills, and passing skills all point to an above average NBA starter.
I voted Flynn.
I feel like Wolves fans might be underrating Jonny Flynn. He’s bigger than scouts thought, a pretty tough defender for his size, he might be the most explosive point guard in the draft, he has a reasonably good jumper, and he’s a face of the franchise/on-court leader type personality. He showed over and over again at Syracuse that he thrives under pressure. I think he’s going to be an entertaining, borderline all-star point guard in the NBA. The Wolves are going NOWHERE without a starting-caliber point, and this is the year to get one. Why wait til 18 for a lesser PG prospect when we’re pretty much guaranteed to get a top-flight one in either Curry or Flynn?
I’ve actually been voting for Flynn since Curry went at #4…
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