Tim's Game Preview: Game 32, Philadelphia 76ers
by TimAllen on Feb 19, 2012 2:07 PM CST
in Tim's Previews
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Despite taking major strides this season, the 76ers are still not in the same class as the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls.
Minnesota Timberwolves (15-16) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (20-11) at Target Center
Tonight, the Minnesota Timberwolves have yet another chance to get back to a .500 record. So far this season, the Wolves have played better on the road (7-6) than at home (8-10). The Sixers have won three straight meetings against the Wolves, during which Andre Iguodala is averaging 20.3 points, 8.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
In the Sixers last game against the Dallas Mavericks, they only scored 75 points on 33% shooting, with Jrue Holiday, Jodie Meeks and Andre Iguodala shooting a combined 2-of-21 from the floor.
The Wolves defeated the Rockets at Toyota Center thanks to two 30/10 performances - which had never happened before in team history - from Nikola Pekovic (30/12) and Kevin Love (33/17). Love had his seventh straight double-double and has a league-leading 27 this season.
If Nikola Pekovic played in New York, ESPN would have already written an offensive headline about him.
Projected Starting Lineups
C: Nikola Pekovic vs. Lavoy Allen
PF: Kevin Love vs. Elton Brand
SF: Wesley Johnson vs. Andre Iguodala
SG: Luke Ridnour vs. Jodie Meeks
PG: Ricky Rubio vs.Jrue Holiday
If Elton Brand had stayed with the Los Angeles Clippers - instead of betraying Baron Davis and Mike Dunleavy - perhaps the Clippers don't draft Blake Griffin and 'Lob City' is never formed. The NBA Butterfly Effect is awfully strange.
Last 5 Games
Philadelphia 76ers: (1st in Atlantic; 3rd in East)
Fri, Feb 10: Loss vs. LA Clippers 77-78
Sat, Feb 11: Win at Cleveland 99-84
Mon, Feb 13: Win at Charlotte 98-89
Wed, Feb 15: Loss at Orlando 87-103
Fri, Feb 17: Loss vs. Dallas 75-82
Minnesota Timberwolves: (5th in Northwest, 8 1/2 gms behind OKC; 11th in West, 2 gms behind 8th)
Fri, Feb 10: Loss vs. Dallas 97-104
Sat, Feb 11: Loss vs. New York 98-100
Mon, Feb 13: Loss at Orlando 89-102
Wed, Feb 15: Win vs. Charlotte 102-90
Fri, Feb 17: Win at Houston 111-98
Fans are eager with anticipation about finally seeing Malcolm Lee play his first minutes for the Timberwolves.
Injuries
Philadelphia 76ers:
Spencer Hawes - Out indefinitely with a strained left achilles
Minnesota Timberwolves:
J.J. Barea - Probable for tonight's game after dealing with personal issues
Malcolm Lee - Questionable for tonight's game in his return from left knee surgery
Jodie Meeks, drafted with the 41st overall pick in 2009, has started all 31 games for the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference. Evan Turner, drafted with the 2nd overall pick in 2010, has yet to start a game this season.
Noteworthy Stats:
- The Sixers' two leading scorers per-36 minutes, Louis Williams and Thaddeus Young, have not started a single game this season
- Philadelphia is the second-worst offensive rebounding team in the league at 9.7 per game (Boston is 30th with 8.7 per game). Minnesota is tied for 8th at 12.1
- Last season, the Wolves shot the 5th highest percentage from three-point range at .376. This season, they are 21st at .324. They are averaging 0.6 more three-point attempts per game this season
- Only four players in NBA history have, during their first three seasons, averaged 12 or more points and 7 or more rebounds per game while shooting over .600 from the floor in a single season:
- Andrew Bynum, '07/'08, 13.1 pts, 10.2 rebs, .695
- Dwight Howard, '06/'07, 17.6 pts, 12.3 rebs, .603
- Cedric Maxwell, '79/'80, 16.9 pts, 8.8 rebs, .609
- Nikola Pekovic, '11/'12, 12.4 pts, 7.0 rebs, .617
The worst part of Doug Collins leaving TNT to coach the Philadelphia 76ers is more air time for Reggie Miller.
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This:
Jodie Meeks, drafted with the 41st overall pick in 2009, has started all 31 games for the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference. Evan Turner, drafted with the 2nd overall pick in 2010, has yet to start a game this season.
Kinda sums up the draft process in general for me.
"If you’ve got some balls, you can do some stuff"
Yep.
Most of the starters in the NBA were taken in the second round.
by Ray Williams? on Feb 19, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Errr, wait
30 teams x 5 starters = 150 starters.
30 first rounders per year x 4 year career expectations = 120 first rounders should be starting, if 1st rounders were superior to 2nd rounders.
Some of the 2nd rounders are like Pek, = euro players that did not want to go in 1st round.
Maybe not that amazing, but still pretty interesting, and a nasty comment on the effectiveness of draft evaluations.
Heh, we need a MoneyHoops book on this topic.
I decided to research this:
I looked at the starters that each team had for its most recent game. The results out of 150 total players:
118 were drafted in the 1st round.
Out of those, 49 were taken in the lottery and 15 were taken in the top 3.
24 were taken in the 2nd round.
4 of those 2nd round starters were taken in the 2011 draft (Leuer, L. Allen, I. Thomas, Parsons)
8 were undrafted (Lin, Watson, R. Williams, Calderon, Ayon, Bell, Gee, J. Anthony)
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
And the data would be a little different if you included some injured starters
like Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony, for example.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
eye test?
the BEST team
Rose – 1st rd, Rip – 1, Deng – 1, Boozer – 2, Noah – 1
the worst team
Augustin – 1, Henderson – 1, Maggette – 1, Bismack – 1, Diaw – 1
a middle team
Bell – un, Harris – 1, Hayward – 1, Jefferson – 1, Millsap – 2
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
and the Wolves...
Pek – 2, Love – 1, Batum – 1, Rubio – 1, JR Smith – 1
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
trying to figure out the best starting lineup with the current players is... difficult
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
Why does the other team NEVER agree to this?
It boggles the mind.
Reason is the first victim of strong emotion.
Meeks and Turner are two guys I would heavily target for the Wolves
see which one the Sixers are more inclined to keep and get the other. I think they’d both be excellent fits.
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
There's really no chance that Lee is going to play, right?
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
This should be an interesting game
I know Philly can play some D I but haven’t watched them much at all this year except the end of Friday’s Mavs game. I gotta believe Love and Pek will be tough matchups for them. This appears to be the rare game where Luke/JJ at the should work out alright given they seemingly rotate through Lou/Jrue/Meeks/Turner in the backcourt and none of them worry me posting Luke up.
I feel good for a W tonight but I can’t offer much rationale other than Pek/Love combo continues to open up space and facilitate movement.
I too am a lone wolfpack.
Philly is my sleeper Finals pick out of the East
I think they stand the best chance to beat the Heat unless Indy or Chicago make a big move
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
I'd take Indy over Philly for the East sleeper, big move or no big move
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Indy sure beat the crap out of the Wolves.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
I think the Sixers
just have so many guys to throw at Wade/Bron
I don’t know if they are better or not as a bball team than Indy but I think if I have to pick one team to beat the heat I’d probably pick Philly
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
After the Bulls, right?
They’re still the best shot we got at beating the Heat, IMO.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
mmmm
yeah I guess.
They are the 2nd best team in the east with a bullet no doubt….whether they are the best equipped to beat the heat….I don’t know that I’m confident in that. They are very thin on the wing outside of Deng and their post players haven’t been playing all that well either.
in saying that anytime you have Derrick Rose you stand as good a chance as any.
I’m a pretty big fan of this core of Sixers players though. I love Holiday/Iggy/Turner it’s crazy they have Williams and Young coming off the bench. It’s a solid basketball team I think they have a good playoff run in them
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Yeah, they'll be in the second round.
I don’t think they have a prayer of getting past that though.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
why do you like Indy more?
Hibbert might ultimately be the difference maker between the two teams but I like Holiday more than Collison and Iggy more than Granger, West and Brand seems like kinda a wash but George is much better than any comparable Sixer….
I’m just curious what you like about Indy vs Philly?
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Indy can just do more in my opinion.
Hibbert is a big factor in this, yeah, the X-factor as it were; only a handful of teams have that legit center. And George could end up being the best player on either team by the end of the year.
Philly’s getting fat on the regular season, I think they’re the same team they were last year. I admit their best defense is better than Indy’s best defense, but I think Philly’s best offense isn’t as good as Indy’s above-average offense. Philly’s very dependent on forcing turnovers and getting in transition. Granted, they can do that, but I don’t think they’ll be able to do that as well in the playoffs – especially against Miami and Chicago, who will both lock them down on the offensive end.
Basically, I think this is Philly’s peak (I am not as high on ET as most) and Indy can still get better.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 4:59 PM CST up reply actions
Turner and George are two of my guys
I agree I think George ends up being the best player between the two teams maybe by the end of the year too.
Indy probs does have the better offense.
I think both teams need to make a move as they have a lot of moving parts (Turner/Young, Granger/Hansbrough) that they can trade.
I expect both to have a competitive spring though. We’ll see what happens
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
which it's really too bad the Wolves
haven’t been able to develop any additional prospects here cause we could really get in on a deal with either team to pick up a Granger or something if Randolph and Johnson looked alright or something
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
(or just drafted better in the first place)
and we might be the team with Paul George
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
a little dated...
but I like this chart
http://www.scoresreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bestwing.jpg
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
i used to think Ronnie Brewer was a big guy...
until LeBron posted him up. he looked childlike afterwards. LBJ is a big dude.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Unrelated but the refs in that NYK DAL game were horrible
Dirk was getting beaten up a ton in the last 2 or 3 minutes and they weren’t calling anything, everything was in favor of NYK. Just terrible
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
"exitus acta probat"
As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.
Philly also gave up Mareese "Linebacker" Speights, a decent boarder, for a second rounder.
Apparently Speights was in Doug Collins’s doghouse. He’s not a bad offensive rebounding guy – better than anyone on the 76ers roster this season, for example.
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
Speights is playing fairly well for Memphis this season, too.
Collins must have really not liked him.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
It is a pektacular linjustice
that the media continues to ignore the amazing play that pek has been producing night in and night out. The man has been decimating other teams down low!
"We're just gonna put kevin in the naughty corner and set this caged lion free"
- Rick Adelman
by Bob Mcflallergy on Feb 19, 2012 2:36 PM CST reply actions
ESPN was going to do a story on him...
…but they couldn’t think of any racial epithets to put in the headline.
by Ray Williams? on Feb 19, 2012 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
nice
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
If that doesn't work, cheat.
by TheEvilProfessor on Feb 19, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
The Balkan Bulldozer would not count as an epithet?
The Montanegran mountain?
I'm sure they thought of a few,
they just didn’t dare use any for fear of incurring Pek’s wrath.
"Deserve ain't got nothin' to do with it."
-- W. Munney (1992) / Snoop (2008)
by ol' weird harold on Feb 19, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Let him fly under the radar. I like it better that way. I don't want our boy garnering too much attention right now.
As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.
by BaylorWest on Feb 19, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
On the game, I'm thinking the Wolves are gonna get beat up
76ers are too good to go on a long losing streak and we are inconsistent at home
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
Right. We need some balance. A wing and a SG.
You can’t beat good teams with imbalance. You need options, or you need to be damned hot. Hot damn!
As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.
Does anyone know...
…how Malcolm Lee has performed the past couple of games? I saw his stat line from his first start but haven’t heard how he’s performed since
by Timberwolf in LA on Feb 19, 2012 2:42 PM CST reply actions
The assists were interesting.
Are we playing him as a PG down there, or just letting him handle it a ton, or what?
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
That ol' butterfly does change the weather, doesn't it?
The Clippers signed Baron Davis away from the Warriors – Finally! Playing in my home town! – and looked to be taking that next step adding Davis to Elton Brand. But then Elton bolted to Philadelphia – we got our Rodney Carney epoch as a result when the Sixers cleared cap space for the signing….
At which point Elton Brand, suffering from injury and not nearly the player he’d been, immediately became one of the biggest cap anchors in the league.
(Movie transition effect)…. And then the Clippers won one lottery, getting Blake Griffin, and gave up what turned into a #1 overall choice to get rid of Baron Davis, and acquired Chris Paul….
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
And by He, I mean David Stern
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
by TimAllen on Feb 19, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Tiago Splitter is injured
maybe Pek can replace him in the Rookie Sophomore game?
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
One trend I've noticed this year...
Is teams that play real physical on D tend to take us out of our game. We’ve really struggled with that. Expect a fairly greasy game tonight. Keep feeding Pek and Love tonight, and we’ll see what happens…
"Tremble puny humans!!! One day my race will destroy you all!!!"
Maybe some Malcolm Lee time?
Here is a fair question:
Will Malcolm Lee start more games in 2012 than Derrick Williams?
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Seems like coach has settled on his 8-9
guys for the time being. I doubt Lee sees any time till after the break (and another D-League stint).
I too am a lone wolfpack.
I think Adleman would take any production out of the guard spots he can get
so I would imagine if he believes Lee can give him production he will use it
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
I don't disagree
Just seems like RA is going to rise this current setup till he sees a reason to change it up.
I too am a lone wolfpack.
Pretty sure RA said that he's not playing for a while
That was a few days ago though so this could have changed
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 19, 2012 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
that's too bad
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
We will probably get a real good look at Pek's back-up player in Europe. Nikola Vucevic
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Love just posted this, hahaha
https://twitter.com/#!/kevinlove/status/171338477739323393
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
I remember Rubio saying
that Miller is one of his favorite guys on the team.
by Stabby Stabby on Feb 19, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
Definitely not a dick
Just some routine rookie hazing, and might I mention a fabulous choice in floppy-haired Justin Bieber
by Timberwolf in LA on Feb 19, 2012 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
We missed out on J.R. Smith. He paid instant dividends for NY already.
Hopefully, we have something else in the oven.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
He also took a few of the worst shots I've seen all season for the Knicks today
I’m fine with not adding Smith.
Smith is just trouble.
He is a malcontent that adds by subtracting.
That was the same rap on a certain player in SacTown, but many here wanted hum.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
(although I'm very happy with Pek instead)
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
"Adds by subtracting"
Wes Johnson from the starting lineup
by BeasleBong on Feb 19, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
as long as we have something else in the works (do we?) I'm OK with it. But we need
to fill that position, or we’re going to stay weak there.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Same here
He hit some shots, yeah, but he also bricked some.
6 of 16 shooting? Not that impressive
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 19, 2012 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
I think
knicks made a big mistake bringing him in. Lin took 20 shots, JR took 16 shots, Amare took 10 shots, Fields got 12 shots, and everyone else got a minimal amount of shots.
Now Anthony comes in. Where is his shots going to come from. Sure Lin could take 10 shots, JR could take 10 shots, but that is going to minimize the threat and efficiency of both players.
Im glad we did not get Smith. I would be pissed to see him taking shots from Love or Pek.
Im glad we did not get Smith. I would be pissed to see him taking shots from Love or Pek.
No he wouldn’t. He’d be taking shots from Wes and Beas and Luke and Barea and…
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 4:22 PM CST up reply actions
I just think
JR smith’s style of play is just harmful to the twolves.
Twolves are not a good team when it is constantly taken out of rhythm by players like JR smith. I guess that is true, but I just wouldnt like Smith and Beasley to be on the team.
So...
…Wes’ style of play is better for the Wolves? How is it possible to think that a guy who shoots around 40% from three for his career wouldn’t help the Wolves? Ricky would get him 4-6 open three pointers a game.
The whole JR Smith is a knucklehead thing is a non-factor. I have news for all of you, most of these guys who play professional sports are jerks. The only difference is in the scale of which they let that side of them show. Professional sports is not about how nice you are off away from the game but how much you win. People don’t seem to realize how big of a jerk Kevin Garnett is/was.
by twolvesgm2012 on Feb 19, 2012 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
look how frustrating iso Beasley can be - and he's actually trying to fit in
JR’s play would just be ruining the aesthetic O play of Rubio Pek Love
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions
yup agreed
I bet knicks fans will eventually grow to hate the signing that is JR Smith after Melo comes back. Too little shots to go around for too many volume scorers
How
many games of JR smith have you seen? Smith is like Beasley. He takes long shots when he feels like hes heating up (which is always), and there are flashes when he shares the ball like Beasley in the twolves last game. However, he loves to dribble in place to size up his opponent, and stops the flow of the game.
Wes is improving game after game, and the last game he had was his best one. I believe in Wes who hasnt played 2 full seasons than JR Smith who spent his entire career disrupting the flow of the game. Its not that Wes is too stupid to play the game or is physically limited, he just hasnt adjusted to the speed of the NBA yet. I rather take a chance on Wes than pray that JR Smith can suddenly change his game for a team that he probably thinks has no chance to go to the finals without a little JR Smith magic.
...I can't even comprehend that last sentence...
I rather take a chance on Wes than pray that JR Smith can suddenly change his game for a team that he probably thinks has no chance to go to the finals without a little JR Smith magic.
I’m just staring at that and….I just can’t comprehend it.
You realize that it would be JR at the 2 and Wes at the 3, right? It’s not an either/or thing. You realize JR wouldn’t have to change his game, right? Him chucking would be fine for us – and if he missed, so what, we got two of the five best offensive rebounders in the game (and I might be underselling that).
“How many games of JR smith have you seen?” Enough. I’ve seen enough games.
Look, I want to stop the JR Smith stuff. It was a pipedream to begin with, and now it’s over anyway, so we should let it be. But this “He wouldn’t fit here, he isn’t what we need, he’s a ball-stopping knucklehead blah blah etc. etc.” is so far off the mark that I can’t help myself.
He would’ve been perfect here, just like any two guard who can hit over 40% of their threes and jump through the gym.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
Such
a terrible way to think about if a player can fit into a team.
So you think any 2 guard who can shoot threes and jump through a gym will fit into the twolves? Thats not a smart way to think about basketball.
are there any good SG upcoming free agents that would play in Minny?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-11-12
Allen, Fernandez, Terry, Lee, Gordon, Mayo?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe, who knows. But that's next year.
We’re thinking this year.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
this year is screwed
this year is just the big class experiment
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
It doesn't have to be though. We're THIS close today. Now.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
As much as i disagree with you about Smith
I do agree with this. Pek and Love will be devastating in the playoffs when the game slows down.
idk
the bench and rotation are a jumbled mess still.
the team has talent on the bench, but it’s still a slew of mix matched parts. the core 3 are solid, but the rest of the team is a high question mark. sure, we can have chimera play 48 minutes to play one game… but we’ll see in this game against Philly that playing Love 45 and Pek 40 and Rubio 45 just isn’t feasible. they’ll be sucking wind this game (if it’s close)
not having a bench isn’t close. sorry about the double negatives…
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
To a degree, yeah, its a mess. But a starting 2guard solves some of that.
Moves Luke to backup point where he belongs, allows Barea to be the sparkplug next to him that he is, doesn’t put as much pressure on Webster (and Wes), then there’s till the frontcourt rotation which isn’t too bad.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
we've already seen the Melo / Smith experiment...
which would have been repeated with Beasley / Smith (the assumption is that Beasley figures it out this year)
i think Smith possibly would have been great here, but adding Smith would have been just too much tinkering and experimenting required for this group. they’re still mixing all the colors right now….
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
Trevor Ariza
would be the “perfect” fit for twolves. He plays tough, doesn’t jack up shots, and can drive to the rim. He tries on defense unlike Smith who defends when he feels like it. Ariza crashes the boards, Smith runs down the court to conserve his energy for “defense” or to get open for a shot.
Trevor Ariza is signed for about $20mill through the next 3 years, thanks for killing our cap space.
And you got us a career 31% 3point shooter.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
Haha
if you think JR smith is a better play than Ariza for 20 mil for 3 years, you haven’t seen Ariza play.
....if you think Ariza for 20mil over the next 3 years is a better play than JR Smith for the rest of the season, well...
Ok.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
Then
why dont you say what part of Ariza’s game you dont like instead of looking up his 3 point percentage
Because I don't care about the rest of his game.
Yes, he plays D, so what?
We. Need. A. Shooter.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
on the hornets he is overpaid, Ariza is great as a complimentary player that can fit very well on a team that already has options like Pek and Love.
When he was on the Lakers, he wasnt putting up huge numbers, but he was doing everything else.
He is clutch, he plays great D, he finishes around the rim well, he is a very intelligent basketball player.
No, he's just overpaid.
He got ridiculously hot during their first championship run, got paid, and went back to being the poor shooter he is.
He can do other things and would be a good fit on some teams, but not on our team. Not at his price and not with his shooting ability.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 19, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
Ariza
is a great offensive option when the defense’s focus is diverted away from him. When teams play the twolves, they focus on Love and Pek on the defensive end.
Ariza is a great cutter and gets himself open. He fits in very well with offenses with better options than him. He is the opposite of a volume scorer, and maximizes his efficiency with 8-10 shots a game. He is great on Iso D, Help D, and is a very intelligent player. He also would fit in very well with Love’s tough mentality.
sorry for posting this 2x
that’s Ariza in the bottom left corner
http://www.scoresreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bestwing.jpg
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 6:00 PM CST up reply actions
looks like Apr 2011
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
He is a smart player
who recognizes what defense he is playing, and attacks it accordingly.
JR Smith is a player who plays the same way regardless.
Ariza maximizes his strengths when he doesn’t shoot alot of shots, and plays off the ball very well.
JR Smith maximizes his strengths when he is taking a lot of shots, and plays well with the ball in his hands.
To get Gasol, I see us having to give up Luke, plus Beasley and another player,
probably Martell.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
We don't need gasol
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 19, 2012 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Agree with this
Dont think this team needs gasol. We already have one of the best PF C combo if not the best in the league.
And twolves are just starting to play with a certain style with an emphasis with the post. Wolves got a good thing going right now. If wolves trade for anyone, I would love to see a player known for his toughness to come in to match the wolves style of play. Pipe dream would be trevor ariza.
or jj reddick
would be the second pipe dream
I think Beasley had the pipe dream
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
haha
and he probably is the biggest pipe dream of all
Pau Gasol playing SF would be better than anything we have.
and the guy can shoot n drive n dish.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
I wouldn't rotate it that way, no. Gasol can play 3 positions.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
But
dont most SF in the NBA know how to drive? and if any team saw Gasol guarding the SF, wouldn’t that team go to the SF over and over again?
You're re-iterating the same statement after my reply.
Gasol doesn’t have to guard a particular position. They can switch off.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Hm?
Who can switch off? Kevin Love with Gasol?
You love worst-case scenarios
I’m not biting your framed arguments.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
I also don't understand your logic
Regarding “switching off.” If Pau is playing the 3, then who out of him, Love, or Pek is playing against a perimeter player? And if the lineup contains something other than Pau, Love, and Pek… why the hell would Pau be playing the 3?
Rockets
Game. Rockets were getting open shots every possession in the 2-3 zone, and I doubt Gasol can go out to the 3 point line along the baseline.
Either the guy is going to get an open shot or get by him easily forcing the 5 to rotate leaving the paint wide open.
He looks good again today against the Heat.
5 of 7 on threes. Never thought I’d want a hated Duke guy on my team so much.
here's how that convo starts...
You want Pau? we want Love or Rubio and some other players. Deal?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
They already know we have 3 guys that are untouchable.
(I included Pekovic myself).
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
i love Pek
but having the built-in chemistry w/the Spanish connection would be hard to overlook
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
just b/c Pek is a fan fave doesn't mean Kahn wouldn't trade him
he didn’t draft Love and Pek, right?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
You hush your mouth.
Kahn wouldn’t dare trade Pek. Pek would reach down his throat and pull his shorts up into his mouth.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 11:00 PM CST up reply actions
THIS IS THE BIGGEST GAME IN 5 YEARS!!!
by fanslaststand on Feb 19, 2012 3:37 PM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
If this team continues to go to the post
and look to put the ball in love and peks hands early and often,
I think twolves can pull this out.
Get phillys center in foul trouble early, and the shallow depth in that position will be exposed. Also Philly is struggling for the first time this season, and it would be great to keep them reeling.
Battle of the Nikolas!
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
Interested to see if Iggy checks Rubio
Tonight’s game is big. Philly is legit, home win against an upper echelon East team would be nice, because tomorrow is a probable L
idk
denver has been in a slump for a week, and are going against thunder today. But i do think they matchup against the wolves better than most teams.
Wow you are kind of right
I always thought of Denver as a tough place to win but they are only 8-7 at home this season and 8-14 against the west overall. I still think it is a likely loss but maybe the Wolves have a better chance than I first thought.
Tomorrow is a probable WIN
Denver plays OKC tonight. No reason to think their legs will be fresher than ours.
We haven’t played Denver this year yet, and given our success against Texas teams, I see no reason why we shouldn’t sweep these guys.
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
Finally going to be able to watch a game
I haven’t watched many Wolves games the past few seasons but they are making it interesting this year. Problem is I work nights and miss almost every game. Hopefully Pek and KLove put up another big performance
"none of us is a fan of the team" - Judd Zulgad (also fabricated the "schism" reports of 09')
I like the handle
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 19, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
Announcers mentioned that Barea's personal issues
were the birth of his first child.
No clue why the team would phrase it that way but it seems to me that new dads usually play pretty well when they rejoin the team.
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
I hate this matchup for us
We are entirely dependent on a sixty plus combined point game from Kevicola up front.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Well the Sixers aren't very strong up front
so if you think about it the post match up is pretty favorable to us.
But yeah I think we get killed
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
the starters will be fine...
but i hope we get the right bench combo out there.
this game will show that it’s not feasible having Love play 45 and Pek play 40. the bench gotta step up!
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 19, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
True
but if twolves establish a post game, it could open up shots for other players. Holiday and Lou Williams also aren’t playing well lately due to their questionable shot selections, and if ricky can stay in front of Holiday, twolves could be prime to pull off a win.
It could be so much worse
I know what you mean, but hell I’ll take a team anyday with two .2 WS/48 post players and play them 40 minutes each. then pair them with a .150 pg….that’s a pretty good bball team.
I know what you mean and yes it would be nice to get two wings that can play consistently solid basketball…but it could be so much worse at the same time.
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
I prefer Lovepek, personally.
I too am a lone wolfpack.
by OR-7 on Feb 19, 2012 4:57 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
All of the rookies are getting hazed. On Twwitter:
Martell Webster @MartellWebster
The one on the left belongs to Malcom Lee The middle one belongs to @RealDwill7 and the one on the right @rickyrubio9 lockerz.com/s/185402392
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
The link
goes to <a href="http://" target="new">this.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
I give up.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
love it
bieber for rubio
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 19, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks!
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 11:00 PM CST up reply actions
How is Lou Williams awesome?
He just kinda came out of nowhere and is remarkable efficient for basically a shoot first 6’2 shooting guard
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Big Night Ricky
Unicorns have long enchanted humankind with the symbolism of their grace, finesse, and unconquerable nature.
October 21, 1990 The Best Day in Minnesota Timberwolves History
Lin had a great game today
28 and 14 with 5 steals on 11 of 20 shooting
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
Yep. He just has to remember that NBA dudes have long arms.
As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.
lolz
Marley McMillan @marleybigelow Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
“I like more Ricky.” — Pek on Ricky Rubio vs. Jeremy Lin #Twolves
by LoveTo on Feb 19, 2012 5:04 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Don't we all, big guy.
Don’t we all.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 19, 2012 11:01 PM CST up reply actions
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