Tim's Game Preview: Game 33, Denver Nuggets
by TimAllen on Feb 20, 2012 2:03 PM CST
in Tim's Previews
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Are there any Wolves fans left who would rather have Wesley Johnson than Corey Brewer?
Minnesota Timberwolves (16-16) vs. Denver Nuggets (17-15) at Pepsi Center
Tonight in Denver, the Timberwolves are trying to win their fourth straight game, a feat the team has not accomplished since February 6th, 2010. After defeating the Philadelphia 76ers last night in Minneapolis, the Wolves have one more win than the entire '09-'10 campaign and are only one win shy of matching last season's win total.
Denver has lost three straight, including an overtime thriller to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. The Nuggets have won the last six contests against Minnesota, but they are dealing with injuries to some key players.
Including tonight's game, there are two remaining before the All-Star break, after which, the Wolves will have a four-game road trip out west to play the Clippers, Lakers, Suns and Blazers. A win tonight in Denver, and a win at home on Wednesday against the Jazz, would provide some great momentum.
Last night, Pekovic scored 17 points on only 7 shot attempts. He currently has the third highest shooting percentage in the NBA, behind only Tyson Chandler and Tiago Splitter.
Projected Starting Lineups
C: Nikola Pekovic vs. Blake Griffin's First Poster
PF: Kevin Love vs. Kenneth Faried
SF: Wesley Johnson vs. Corey Brewer
SG: Luke Ridnour vs. Arron Afflalo
PG: Ricky Rubio vs. Ty Lawson
Kenneth Faried currently has a higher rebound % (20.8) and rebound per-36 (12.9) than Kevin Love (19.6 and 12.8, respectively).
Last 5 Games
Denver Nuggets: (3rd in Northwest, 7 1/2 gms behind OKC; Tied for 8th seed in West)
Sat, Feb 11: Win at Indiana 113-109
Tue, Feb 14: Win vs. Phoenix 109-92
Wed, Feb 15: Loss at Dallas 84-102
Fri, Feb 17: Loss at Memphis 102-103
Sun, Feb 19: Loss at Oklahoma City 118-124
Minnesota Timberwolves: (5th in Northwest, 8 1/2 gms behind OKC; 1 gm behind 8th seed in West)
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
Sun, Feb 19: Win vs. Philadelphia 92-91
Danilo Gallinari's extension is paying for itself already.
Injuries
Denver Nuggets:
Rudy Fernandez - Day to day with strained lower back
Danilo Gallinari - Out indefinitely with a sprained left ankle
Nene - Expected to miss at least a week with a strained left calf
Minnesota Timberwolves:
No significant injuries
Ty Lawson is a nice player, but I'd still rather have Ricky Rubio. Lawson is a better scorer, but Rubio is better in nearly every other area. Rubio is averaging more than twice the number of assists per game (8.5) that Lawson averaged in his rookie year (3.1).
Noteworthy Stats
- Against Philadelphia, Wesley Johnson went 0-of-4 for 0 points with 2 rebounds, 1 block and 2 turnovers. It was the fifth game this season that Johnson failed to make a single shot
- The Nuggets score the most points per game (103.8), but give up the 2nd most points per game (100.8). The Wolves rank 10th (96.6) and 17th (95.3), respectively
- The Wolves would have to lose their next 66 games in a row for Rick Adelman to match Kurt Rambis' winning percentage as coach of the team (.195)
- Kosta Koufos went from scoring 11.4 points on .435 shooting, and grabbing 10.4 rebounds per-36 minutes, with the Timberwolves to scoring 12.5 points on .574 shooting, with 12.4 rebounds per-36, with the Denver Nuggets.
- Like Koufos, Corey Brewer has also made drastic improvements since leaving Minnesota. His scoring average is up 6 points and he is grabbing nearly 2 more rebounds per-36. In his four seasons in Minnesota, he averaged a WS/48 of .0225. In Denver, he has averaged a WS/48 of .1415. For everyone hoping Wesley Johnson could become something, Brewer - whose play improved around the age of 24 - is an example to point to
One of the best parts of Nugget games is seeing George Karl on the sidelines. It's great to see him back coaching.
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The Wolves would have to lose their next 66 games in a row for Rick Adelman to match Kurt Rambis’ winning percentage as coach of the team (.195)
You should update this in every preview, it will be amazing at the end of the season.
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
by Joe Kozinski on Feb 20, 2012 2:18 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
ONLY Rubio?
Pek’s emergence… even Rambis would have won more games within lineup. not as many as Adelman, but more nonetheless
this isa better team. Rubio and Pek’s debutante party have been huge.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:14 PM CST up reply actions
Pek's emergence is due to coaching and adjusting to the NBA
Rhambis would have destroyed Rubio’s psyche. Dude was horrible.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 4:20 PM CST up reply actions
how terrible?
insert joke here
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
kurt rambis terrible.
his name is synonamous with terrible
by statue_left on Feb 20, 2012 5:17 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
+1 - It's an upgraded team personnel-wise - except for anchor Wes. Rather have
Brewer and AR playing together on the court. LOL
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Galinari is one of my boys
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.
by VoodooMagic on Feb 20, 2012 2:32 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Every time I used to express my hope in Brewer becoming an improved Trenton Hassell...
Someone would laugh at me.
I don’t think Wes is the next Brewer. Brewer’s game was always about playing off other guys and playing with a lot of energy. Wes doesn’t really do either. Brewer was a solid defender, if not much else, in his first two years. I still don’t think Brewer was the problem with those Wolves teams and I think time has proven me right there. I think the problem was that the Wolves SUCKED at point during those years and Brewer got stuck facilitating offense way more than he should have. He should have been focused on defense and being the guy cutting towards the hoop for the dunk, not the guy passing to the guy passing to the guy or the guy shifting over to defend the point guard on the perimeter.
by Jim Nomad on Feb 20, 2012 2:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I don't think their styles of play are similar
But Brewer went from pretty bad to a decent player at the age of 24-25, which is where Wes is now. So, there is a track record of a wing player making an improvement at that age. That’s the optimistic piece if you’re still holding on to the idea of Wes being a productive player
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
Wes doesn't have any of Brewer's patented 'WTF????!!!' plays, though
Not sure whether that’s good or bad.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
So weird
I don’t really remember how Brewer ended up getting sent off. I do, however, remember that he was visibly sad that he was being traded. He seemed to honestly love being on the team as well as his teammates.
I always root for Brewer now.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly.
Brewer played out of control, but he always played hard and you couldn’t not notice him on the floor.
Wes plays incredibly passive, and you often don;t even see him when he’s on the court.
Brewer finally has the role he was meant to have. He’s a role player on a solid team. We tried to have him do too much and that magnified all his faults. I’d still rather have him than Wes, but I’d only want him as a bench guy.
They're Yin and Yang, yep.
Brewer was always meant to be a disruptive player. Maybe he’s learned not to disrupt his own team’s offense now?
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
When Brewer channeled his energy into Defense, he was fine. Maybe a cue for WJ.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
To answer your question
Id take Brewer over Wes 100% of the time. Such a shame. And the guy we traded him for hasn’t gotten out of the DNP column in quite a while now.
I watch this team, and i care so much, simply because i can’t not. It’s just a part of who i am..
by Love4MVP on Feb 20, 2012 2:43 PM CST via mobile reply actions
nice write-up but...
It’s nit-picking I know but Mozgov was not Blake’s first poster. His most impressive one to that point, sure. But first? Hardly. Griffin may run slightly behind KLove in the grand scheme of power forwards, but he was dunking from the… er, jump. What will be fun will be watching Ricky toss him some additional poster material in the Rising Stars game. If Rubio can oop the generally landlocked Love, it’s scary to think what he might do with Griffin.
Otherwise, I always liked Brewer. Even as an FSU grad, so that’s saying a lot.
Mosgov was the best one last year imo
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
In that we agree.
That dunk rates all time. Where, I’m not sure, but it’s on the short list.
Must have been
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 20, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Not bad, but she would've been in her 40s when Griffin was hitting puberty
He was probably more of a Tyra fan.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
I forgot that I'm old.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 20, 2012 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
possibly. Or maybe Christy Brinkley?
But as far as slams, if memory serves he dunked over the Lakers Mbenga in the pre-season. After that everyone pretty much tried to stay out of his way.
These are the games we need to win....
…against other teams in those 5-10 slots in the West. Next game with Utah is huge too. Locked up a few tie-breakers, but Memphis, Utah, Portland, and Denver are still hanging around.
And yet we have the tie-breaker with two upper-level Western teams
(SAS and DAL). Good, but frustrating. All 4 of those teams you mentioned scare me. Memphis and Portland seem to always kick our a**es. (I know this data is easily available..I am too lazy to look it up right now, but I remember a couple of annihilations at Portland’s hands last year).
With Nene, Gallo and Fernandez out, this is a game I'd expect us to win...
…but my gut tells me we’re going to lose, and badly. Maybe it’s a hangover from the Philly game, but teams that shoot in the low 40s % and don’t defend are cannon fodder for these Nuggets.
What is the team you are referring to that doesn't defend?
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 3:32 PM CST up reply actions
Well ok, doesn't defend is an exaggeration
Let’s just say that, if it took 91 combined points from Durant and Westbrook, a triple double from Ibaka, and overtime for the Thunder to beat this injured Nuggets team, I’m not to high on our own chances
(Denver's 15 losses this year are to:)
POR
LAL
SAS
NOH
UTA
LAC
MEM
And then, in early February, they started sliding, losing 8 of 10 from 2/2 on:
LAL
POR
HOU
DAL
GSW
DAL
MEM
OKC
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
Except for Utah and Golden State, that's a list of the best team's in the West
If that was meant to imply they’re not as good as advertised, I don’t think it worked
Maybe OKC wore them out. That's my only hope - that and nene being out.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Sigh. Nothing to prove, Oceanary.
In general, no, I don’t think very much of convoluted thinking about how A beat B, so if C beat A then C should beat B. But all I was doing here was thinking aloud, and dropping the list in to see what we all thought too.
Not everything is a rejoinder in a debate.
The last thing we want to do is take long twos. It's still on our list, though.
Well, I'm expecting a loss too
but I can’t say you’ve given any sort of compelling reason. Last night was last night. I could say the same thing about almost any team in the league if I picked one game.
On the road against a fairly talented and deep team that desperately needs a win…yeah, I think tonight is probably a loss.
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
why do folks mentally prepare themselves for a loss?
Wolves are a solid club. they got some tough games coming up, and they need to take advantage of a Nuggets team that’s not full strength
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
I always prepare myself for a loss
I don’t know why. I am a cup half empty guy when it comes to sports. I assume the worst is going to happen, so I’m only ever happily surprised.
Though even I couldn’t adequately prepare myself for the past 2 seasons. (I did joke before 2009-10 that they could approach the all-time record for losses, but I didn’t really think they would…)
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
this team team deserves to have expectations
i agree w/the sports mentality when facing a full strength team like OKC… but now that this is a team w/a good shot at the playoffs… i don’t think it’s unreasonable to “expect” that this should be a win against a hobbled Nuggets team
don’t get me wrong, I think that any NBA team could beat another any given day, but I think the Wolves should win this game
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
We have the Beef Brothers, so you never know. If you get a decent start
from Kevin, and Ricky cranks up the Bulldozer, you have always have a chance – but why, oh why, are we still wingless? That’s the only reason we can’t fly.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
If you don't have a decent wing, you don't spread it out enough to get
our bruisers some working room.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
wing play (or lack thereof) is not the only reason...
these guys aren’t video games. Rubio, Pek, Love can’t play 48 good minutes. these guys need rest.
so after the wing solution is resolved, the bench and rotation need to be solidified as well.
we’ve finished half of this lockout shortened season, and this team has won the same number of post-season games needed to win a championship. wow… that’s a lot of minutes.
don’t get me wrong, improvement of wing play is the primary need for this team, but there’s no reason that solidification of the bench/rotation can’t be addressed in the meantime.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
A more compelling reason then...
….might be that the Nuggets rank top three in just about every offensive metric conceivable and are hyper-effective at attacking the rim, against which we really don’t have any defense
True, but the Wolves did take that same Thunder team to the last couple possessions in a 4 point loss earlier this year.
Without Pekovic and with Rubio logging less than 27 mins. Thunder are really good, but they turn the ball over and make it much easier to stay in the game than they should. I believe they are still leading the league in TO per game.
600 N First Ave "like a Pirate's cove".
Minnesota Timberwolves:
No significant injuries
Dear Rick,
Wes has strained his zygomaticus major muscle. Please put him on the inactive list.
Thanks,
PoohRubio
Rubios - "Clinically PROVEN to Help Reduce Suckiness"
by PoohRubio on Feb 20, 2012 3:17 PM CST reply actions 6 recs
Funny
That would be career ending for Jonny Flynn.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Somehow "career ending"
just doesn’t seem quite right in this context.
I wonder what
would happen if somehow Wes and AR produced a clone together. The potential expression alone would be worth seeing.
If Wes was injured...
That would still read the same thing
I'm not a medical expert,
but I’m fairly certain that Wes doesn’t have a major muscle, unless it’s the oblique shot-hoisting deltoid…..
Ricky is lobbing at an Ooptimal level!
I can see this being another physical grit n grind game like last night.
Denver runs like crazy, I don’t know if our short bench will be able to keep up.
I think our big 3 will have good games, but we will need a combination of 2 of these 3 things for the victory: Average to above average wing production, Good Luke, Good JJ.
"This year we got more more more fun than last year" - Nikola Pekovic
I'm quite looking forward to getting owned by Corey
I miss him so much. Sniff.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Question:
If you had to pick someone on the current Wolves roster to be Corey’s next Derek-Fisher-esque victim, immortalized in GIFs circulated worldwide, who would that be? I’ll hang up and take my answer off the air.
Brad Miller
just so he can get some minutes
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
J. J. Barea
Something just rubs me wrong about that guy.
Does one of those Js stand for Jonny, or Juany?
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Absolutely Wes
I watch this team, and i care so much, simply because i can’t not. It’s just a part of who i am..
With Nene and Gallinari the Nuggets look quite beatable, I must say
Keep Faried off the glass and Ty out of the paint (no one wants to be the next DJ MBangedon) and you feel we have the advantage in the starting unit by some considerable margin.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
but this is a pretty unselfish team
I don’t think it’ll be a blowout. they’ll show what a good team w/decent pros can do.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
In slightly unrelated news
I see nba 2k12 have recently updated their rosters. Jeremy Lin is sitting comfortably at a 75 rating while our boy pek is still at 56. PEKTACULAR LINJUSTICE!
Bags playing basketball with all my friends
by Bob Mcflallergy on Feb 20, 2012 3:52 PM CST reply actions
I have tweeted
The 2k12 guys a dozen times over. They just ignore the play of Pek but update Lin immediately. Apparently 2k12 is more expensive in NY.
Authentic frontier Gibberish
by FunkDoobious on Feb 20, 2012 4:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
He's getting an increase calm down
Agree that Pekovic is due for an increase.
From the NBA 2k insider twitter.
I watch this team, and i care so much, simply because i can’t not. It’s just a part of who i am..
I'm going to have to watch this one on the replay
WWE Monday Night RAW is at Target Center. I had originally written a WWE-themed preview of tonight’s game, but decided it best to spare everyone from a couple thousand words discussing such topics as: How Robert Parish and the Undertaker are similar; the racism of Cryme Tyme; and whether C.M. Punk is the Tim Tebow of professional wrestling.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
by TimAllen on Feb 20, 2012 4:02 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Unfortunately you can't powerslam Tim Tebow through a table
Although I think the world would be much improved if you could.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
by Malastare on Feb 20, 2012 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This game is a huge karmic entanglement.
How many choices are reflected in these rosters?
We chose Wes over Brewer (with whom we obtained AntRand).
We traded the Lawson pick for the pick that was traded for Martell (because we thought Flynn and Rubio were better; Flynn became Miller).
We implicitly chose Pek and Darko over Koufus (whom we obtained by choosing Love over Al).
Williams vs Faried in a battle of a high-first rook PF vs low-first rook PF.
I half expect Wes and Corey to disappear in a matter-antimatter poof after an inevitable (literal and metaphysical) collision.
"You know you're getting the silver medal, right?" Ricky to Kobe
by CaliWolf on Feb 20, 2012 4:24 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
if Corey outplays Wes by aside margin today...
the fallout will not be pretty on CH
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
aside? = a wide
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
My Wes insight of the day
Is I notice his wrists seem kind of tight when he misses and he follows through more when he makes. Wes soften up those wrists man! Follow through.
[I may be imagining things, but let me know if you notice that at all]
nah, i've seen him make mechanically correct aesthetically pleasing bricks
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
He looks perfect
But great shooters got those floppy wrists. He’s really stiff with his hands.
You probably right though.
i do remember him taking an alligator arms (not full extension) shot yesterday though
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
yup, that's better
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
half full, brother... half full
much thx for the entertaining preview
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
my bad, red pill
I’m new here
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
Spurs just announced Tiago Splitter is out a couple weeks
Looks like Pek will be heading to all star weekend
That's great news... but bad news too
I want guys to rest over All-Star weekend. It’s a short brutal year.
Plus I like guys with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.
I swear someone on this site could find a negative about
anything.
“The Wolves won the NBA Championship!”
“Yeah, but I’m really worried about Finals MVP going to Kevin Love’s head…”
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
by TimAllen on Feb 20, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
at the end of the year, 29 teams will be losers, ultimately failing to complete every team's primary basketball goal for the season
but one team will meet its basketball goals. and all the teams are much better off financially due to the end of the lockout.
is that a more positive spin?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 5:56 PM CST up reply actions
Pek's tattoo can do the work over All Star Weekend. Pek can rest.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
What i Pek assists D-Will in the Slam Dunk Contest?
by Darth Paxton on Feb 20, 2012 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
Probably not
He’d get called for three seconds before making the lob
by Oceanary on Feb 20, 2012 5:21 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Balkan Bulldozer!!!!!
The east concedes the all-star game, to avoid injuries!!!!
Ricky is lobbing at an Ooptimal level!
he's the logical choice
but Klay Thompson will get some consideration.
what is this poop
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 20, 2012 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
And here I thought
You were number two…
by SSOL (thats what she said) on Feb 20, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
and that would put him with DWill
against Ricky. Hmmm… somehow I don’t see him getting all those nifty post passes he’s used to in that game.
I'm hoping for a good game for you guys to watch.
I have to work job #2, though, so I won’t be able to join you. Make the game thread very specific so I can live vicariously through it when I get home!
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
don't react too strenuously but
Kahn just received kudos from one of the commentators on NBATV’s “The Beat” for putting together the Love, Rubio, Pek trio. Statements like “one of the best young nucleli” were tossed about, as well as the observation that Khan was an ex-sports writer that no one gave initial credit to. Has he been judged too harshly by those closest to him?
Rubio's the only player he actually picked
He inherited Love and Pek from McHale and actively tried his damnest to trade them both
by Oceanary on Feb 20, 2012 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The only think Kahn did
Was not screw up the current nucleus, and make a no-brainer pick in Rubio. Maybe he tried to trade Love and Pek before they broke out but never had any takers. Who knows? He wheeled and dealt into average or below average reclamation projects and seriously messed up a few high draft picks.
Right now the best thing Kahn can do is pull a Wes Johnson: not mess up the offense and play average defense (negotiate contracts) though even that part of his abilities was sub-par when he worked on the KLove deal…
by SSOL (thats what she said) on Feb 20, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
"...pull a Wes Johnson: not mess up the offense and play average defense ..."
but it’s hard to overlook Wes’ bricks leading to easy fast break points and his mental lapses on O & D. he’s not even setting good screens. but on a positive note, he has cool Rubioops and blocks once in awhile. and aside from some D lapses and crappy help D, he has decent iso D.
funny comment btw.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
If Wes shot a rainmaker and missed, I'm OK with it. It's those line-drives that get the stampede the other way going.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
but he's not even setting good screens chrissakes
just stand there, cover the nadz, and take it…
he’s not even expected to roll.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
Wes
Can be a decent piece, as long as he knows his strengths and works to improve his weaknesses. He needs to be decisive in his shooting (you see him either hesitate or rush his shot quite a bit). He seems to be good for a couple of good plays and a couple of bonehead plays each night.
Similarly, Kahn could be OK if he wheels and deals, keeps his media commentary short and leaves the talent evaluation to others.
by SSOL (thats what she said) on Feb 20, 2012 6:55 PM CST up reply actions
that's like telling a kid he can be President or an astronaut
at some point, you gotta tell a kid that’s not showing promise that being an accountant or plumber isn’t such a bad thing
Wes could use some work in the D-League. Kahn should go back to writing. nothing wrong with D-League, writing, accounting, or plumbing… all noble pursuits. they just shouldn’t be starting wings or GMs.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
And he's working on a one-sided trade in our favor to land a great wing, yea right
October 21, 1990 The Best Day in Minnesota Timberwolves History
Corey Brewer is proof why we need to be patient with Wes and D Will.
I’ve been as upset with Wes and D Will’s play as much as the next TWolves fan, but these players need time to adjust to the NBA. Give them time and if they don’t produce by the end of their contracts let them walk.
No
Because, you know, I want to win. Soon.
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 6:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
We have three years of Love
The time to wait around hoping Williams will get better is emphatically not now.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Beasley or D-Will need to step up now
expecting 20-30 min of solid bench play from a #2 pick isn’t a stretch.
hell, Kyrie has taken a bottom cellar team on his back by himself. D-Will should at least prove that he’s a bench badass. 20 min per game is more than enough to prove his worth.
he’s gotta be D-Billy Badass after All-Star break (or Beasley 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 20, 2012 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
A wing better than Wes. Are they in short supply?
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
i don't know about that
didn’t Latvia produce Biedrins (more trade value than Wes) and other USSR players?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:46 PM CST up reply actions
This was mostly a reference to that sitcom New Girl
Than a calculated diss on the basketball quality of Baltic States
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
A propos of that (because I've been wanting to share this opinion with someone somewhere)
I don’t buy the dude they have playing Winston as a former hooper. In the pilot, they had young Wayans in the role, who I think was much better/more believeable, but they had to re-cast it because he’s on that wretched Happy Endings thing.
(I enjoy New Girl v. much)
I thought Wayans
was “the coach”. A personal trainer type. Even referred as such in a recent episode. As in a different guy. Winston is a new character I think. Agree about the enjoyment.
But who would wanna trade with us? Who’d take Wes? The way you guys talk about D Will if organizations feel the same way who’d take him? No one would want a troublemaker like Beasley. So who do we have to trade to get this proven vet?
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:39 PM CST up reply actions
We protect 3-4 guys. Everyone else is up for bid.
"I'm shocked - shocked - to find basketball going on in here."
Williams has value
He could be awesome. He also might not be. Can we afford to wait and find out? Well, that is a question, isn’t it.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
by Malastare on Feb 20, 2012 6:44 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Thank god we have a front office with such a wonderful track record to answer it
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
If he could play 3 one day
I think you hang on to him.
If it’s always and forever going to be the 4 you might as well deal him.
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 problem is Williams isn't really all that skilled
he can do a lot of things, but where’s his go-to move? He’s inconsistent in the post, too slow to drive past threes and too bad at finishing to take big men to the rack.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
I used to think you were wrong to press on this...
And then we won a few games and I remembered how much more fun it was to watch… Win, please. Hurry.
by TheH on Feb 20, 2012 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
You can’t trade for guys and throw guys together and expect a championship. Sports doesn’t work like that. Look at OKC for example. Yea they traded for Perkins but other than him the guys they use night in night out were all brought in through the draft. Look how good they are now! They’ll be successful for years to come….Now look at Boston they brought in all those guys through trades and free agency and yea they won a championship but look where they are now.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
Patience is key guys we’ve got a young talented team they just need time to gel and figure out their roles.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sorry, that was just an awful take.
Look at OKC for example. Yea they traded for Perkins
Like…right there. We’d still have a bunch of guys we drafted, young guys who came up together, but we’d augment it with a capable vet who fills a need.
Look at OKC for example.
Now look at Boston they brought in all those guys through trades and free agency and yea they won a championship but look where they are now.
Um, three years removed from a Championship and with a boatload of cap space coming in the offseason? Sign me up.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 20, 2012 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Again I ask the question what team would give away their “capable vet” for Wes, D Will, Beasley or anyone else on our team other than Ricky, Love and Pek?
Who’s in the free agent market that can carry a team in the future other than Dwight Howard? Pierce, Allen and KG (pains me to say this) have nothing left in the tank.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
That's a completely different question though, isn't it.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 20, 2012 7:00 PM CST up reply actions
All i'm saying is....
I’d much rather have long term success we tried bringing in vets before with KG and we all know how that ended.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
We all know how that ended...
with us having the best record in the west? Or should we have been patient and continued to start Troy Hudson?
(raises white flag) I give up. I’m happy with what we have. We’re .500 with no experience. I think we have a good future that is all. I’m done.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
just make good moves
veteran’s are fine, young guys are probably ideal, but make a good decision. the Wolves make far to little good decisions or at least in the past few years.
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 don't need someone to carry a team.
We need a decent-sized wing to make shots and play good D. We’re not asking for the moon.
Oh my bad. I kind of type before I think sometimes sorry.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
his name was JR Smith
that sounds exactly like the person you’re describing…
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 7:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
NOOOOOO!!!
He’s too crazy to play basketball well! %
Championship? Who said anything about a championship?
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
(Raises hand)
I enjoy championships!
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.
Well, I wouldn't know
but just win more. Find a guy who will help you win more.
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 20, 2012 7:25 PM CST up reply actions
a lot of people say
that it’s all about chemistry. Role players knowing their roles and accepting them. Featured guys doing what they’re supposed to do at the right times. Pulling together and listening to the coach. You have to have good players certainly, but they have to be able to work together. No “me” attitudes.
Aren't we winning now?
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 wonder if this will
be a wacky George Karl game in which he gives harrington much burn at the 5 to keep pek off the floor, turn the game into a track meet and watch us get buried by poor outside shooting?
I too am a lone wolfpack.
by OR-7 on Feb 20, 2012 5:49 PM CST via Android app reply actions
Off topic but what do you guys think of going after either Tyreke Evans or Marcus Thorton?
here's the start of the Tyreke Evans convo...
you want Evans? we’ll take Rubio. deal?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
If Derrick Williams didn’t have a future with the team we wouldn’t of drafted him. I think we’re trying to groom him into the 6th man Beasley is right now.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:11 PM CST up reply actions
if he eventually becomes a solid 6th man, he will probably average 30 min per game
so 8 minutes can be accounted for resting love. what about the other 22? that would mean that Love would play center w/him for 22 min.
so far, do you think Love and D-Will have looked good together?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:16 PM CST up reply actions
the assumption here is that D-Will hasn't shown enough promise to adequately fill SF minutes
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:17 PM CST up reply actions
which would mean 34 min for Pek... which wouldn't be such a bad thing
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:22 PM CST up reply actions
It's a pretty fair assumption though
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
by Malastare on Feb 20, 2012 6:22 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know if I like a Pek - Love - D-Will rotation
with no Darko in the mix, a Pek/Love/D-Will rotation wouldn’t provide enough shot-blocking presence, IMO… defensively, that puts a lot of pressure on the wings.
hmmm… boy, a Josh Smith (minus the bad outside shot selection) type in Minny would be neat.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
ChuckD would love you - (he's a poster who hasn't been around lately)
Early last season he was pushing for a Love-Smith trade, haha.
Seriously, I get what you’re saying, though.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
He can't yet.
We’ve gotta realize he had no summer league or training camp to adjust to the NBA. With time under Adelman maybe he can turn into the SF he wants to be. Right now he plays like a oversized SF, maybe Adelman’s looking to do with him what he did with Hedo in Sacramento. D Will’s just gotta buy in to what Adelman wants too. Will he? Who knows.
by MychalShannon1 on Feb 20, 2012 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
I would maybe give up Williams for Evans but not Thornton
and by maybe I mean probably no, but I could be talked into Evans.
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.
In the 'must be a joke, but nobody is that cruel' category...
Greg Oden went in for minor knee surgery today….and came out with microfracture surgery…again. Unbelievable. To have unexpected microfracture…twice. He must be out for at least another year.
Sad. Hope he saved his money.
"You know you're getting the silver medal, right?" Ricky to Kobe
Yes, more bad news for him and the Blazers. The parallels to Bowie are just strange.
October 21, 1990 The Best Day in Minnesota Timberwolves History
but Bowie was never gonna be good
a healthy Oden would have been a stud
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 7:12 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Jesus Christ.
It’s a fucking tragedy.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Feb 20, 2012 6:47 PM CST up reply actions
i hoping he can pull a Grant Hill
but he’s looking like he’s headed toward the Yao trajectory
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
Grant at least had a career before the injuries though...
and it seems that the rehab/possible misdiagnoses/playing when he shouldn’t have been were the problem, as opposed to what looks like it might be anatomical/destined on Oden. So, so, sad :(.
Hate to see that
Don’t want the Blazers to get better, but really hate to see what has happened to Oden.
Isnt Wes Johnson already 26?
?
---I got a dig bick-------- You that read wrong-------- You read that wrong too---
yeah, I'm thinking that would have been a good pickup...
expecting JR Smith to play nice in the sandbox is more believable than expecting Wes to develop a J or Beasley to play D
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 20, 2012 7:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think there are better fits out there
but I would have been A-OK picking up smith
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.
insider reporting?
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.
Davis and Smith on the same team...
and playing together with ‘Melo boggles the mind. If that doesn’t destroy the Knicks new-found chemistry, nothing will.
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