Singing the Memphis Blues: Wolves Report Card 2/8/12
by Matt Leisen on Feb 9, 2012 12:58 AM CST
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Print.500 baby! It’s been a long, hard road, but here we are at last.
Seriously though, 1-1 without Kevin Love. I’ll take it, but this was a bad game. I worked as an usher at the Target Center for five years, joining soon after the Wolves lost in the Western Conference Finals. My thought at the time: I’m going to get to paid to watch this team play in the playoffs and possible the NBA finals next year and beyond. Sign me up! Five years later – zero playoff games and A LOT of bad basketball. Tonight, unfortunately was reminiscent of many of those nights in the two-thirds empty Target Center watching a slower, less-athletic, overmatched team trying to find a line-up, any line-up that could produce.
Speaking of empty crowds, where was the Memphis crowd tonight? Lot of empty seats. Very little energy despite what seemed like about dozen poster-dunks on helpless Wolves. Weren’t they like a hair away from the Western Conference finals last year?
My other lasting memory of Memphis from last year: Zach Randolph sarcastically clapping like a dopey circus clown after Kevin Love recorded his double-double. If memory serves, Love had just been chosen over Z-Bo for the All-Start game and Memphis was wiping the floor with puppy hides. Tonight we get no Z-Bo and no Love, but the Memphis domination continues – 9 of 10 for the Grizz.
On to the grades:
A = Star performance. Exceeds expectation. A joy to watch.
B = Competent performance. Just what you’d expect from a bona fide professional basketball player.
C = A bright spot here and there, but certainly less than competent. You’re not winning any games with C’s.
D = Um. . . screw it. We’re not giving D’s.
F = The Corey Brewer Zone. A performance you just want to forget. Let’s move on.
Wes
23 min. 3-6 FG. 1-2 FT. 2 REB. 1 AST. 1 TO. 7 PTS. Grade: C
According to Jim Peterson, Wes has dunked more in the first third of this season than he did all of last season. Ok. But he’s shooting less than 25% from 3-point range. I’m not sure why Wes is still logging starts. Really liked Wes’ feed to Pek in the 3rd quarter. Not really a presence in the game (including on defense), but 3-6 and only 1 turnover gets him the C.
C-Lion
30 min. 6-13 FG. 1-1 FT. 9 REB. 1 STL. 1 BLK. 2 TO. 13 pts. C+
First quarter was a B, for sure. 4-7 shooting. 6 REB. Lots of energy. Next two quarters. Yikes. You might want to get back on defense. 4th quarter DNP. Looking slightly more competent running a set offense, but still suffers from stretches where he seem lost on offense. I’m a fan. I think he’s a beast. I hope he figures it out.
Pek
28 min. 5-8 FG. 0-2 FT. 9 REB. 1 STL. 1 TO. 10 PTS. B-
I like the 5-8 and he logs a double-double if he plays during the 4th quarter. 10 and 9 through 3 quarters is pretty much what I expect from the Pek (trying to temper exPEKtations). Nearly dropped him into the C range because he couldn’t seem to find his rhythm offensively and looked slow. I also thought Gasol was having his way with him, but then I saw Gasol’s 4-13. We’re giving Pek credit for some of that.
Luke
22 min. 1-8 FG. 3 AST. 1 STL. 2 BLK. 0 TO. 2 PTS. F
No offense. No defense. 3 assists and 2 blocks give him some buzz, but you’re not passing this one, Luke.
Unicorn
28 min. 1-6 FG. 2-2 FT. 7 REB. 1 AST. 2 STL. 4 TO. 4 PTS. F.
This one hurts, sports fans, but we’re doling out some tough love today. Yes, Ricky gets more assists if anyone can knock down an open shot. Yes, the 7 REB draw attention, but Ricky didn’t have it tonight, and we’re not giving D’s. What’s the point? Conley had similar stats, but looked quicker, stronger, and was able to impact the game. And two of those turnovers came from Ricky jumping into the air with nowhere to pass – a cardinal basketball sin. Let’s just put it behind us and move on.
Starting lineup: 39% FG. 0-8 3-pt FG. 7 FTA. Average +/- of -10. 4th quarter minutes: 0
Ability to get back on defense: NEEDS IMPROVEMENT. To say the least.
Miller
8 min. 0-2 FG. 2-2 FT. 1 TO 2 pts. B- (adjusted grade)
Nothing special, but just what you’d expect from 8 minutes of Brad Miller. Competent. Didn’t kill us. Did some wily veteran stuff.
AT
19 min. 1-2 FG. 4 REB. 1 BLK. 1 TO 2 PTS. B
Nice 20 footer to log those 2 points, AT. Somehow managed a +8 (best on the team), but probably benefitted from playing with JJ and during the Grizzles cold streaks. We’ll give him some defensive points.
JJ
23 min. 4-9 FG. 3-6 3pt FG. 6-8 FT. 3 REB. 6 AST. 2 STL. 2 TO. 17 pts. A
Lone bright sport for our favorite team. Padded the stats. Pushed the tempo. He was active and seemed to be the only player drawing fouls. Drew a charge. My 3rd and 4th quarter notes are dominated by "JJ ____!" Fun to watch on a night when the Wolves were not fun to watch.
Martell
8 min. 0-3 FG. 1 REB. 0 PTS. F
Complete non factor unless you’re counting his, um, "defense" on Mayo or his stupid foul to end the 1st quarter. Martell is not the answer, people.
Wayne
12 min. 1-4 FG. 3 REB. 1 AST. 1 STL. 1 BLK. 2 pts. C
I got a little excited for about 90 seconds in the 4th quarter. JJ was keeping it close and I thought, hey, Wayne hits a couple of threes, grabs a couple of steals, and we sneak out of here with a game we have no business winning. Make it Wayne, people!
Wayne’s not the answer, either.
B-Easy
27 min. 6-11. 1-2 3pt FG. 6 REB. 2 AST. 2 STL. 2 TO. 13 pts. B-
This is good, solid 6th man stats here. I’ll take 6-11 from the Bease any day. In fact, why wasn’t he shooting it MORE? It’s not like the offense was a-rollin’. I know, I know. We complain about his ball stopping, and we hail him every time he passes. But this was a garbage game from tip-off to buzzer. Unleash the Bease. He might have been the answer.
AR
12 min. 3-7 FG. 2-2 FT. 3 REB. 1 AST. 8 PTS. B-
Wanted to slap a C grade here for Randolph getting waxed on the board and for his horrible shot in the 4th quarter. But based on what we expect from AR, wasn’t he competent? He drew a charge. Was in the right place at the right time on offence to the tune of 8 pts. What more do you want from your 4th string PF?
Kevin Love
I sent an invite to the Big Tweet last night telling him my pad was open if he wanted to hang here for the night and watch the game. He didn’t respond. I’m a little miffed, but I’ll get over it. And the Wolves will get over this game, for sure. Short-term memory, right K-Love? We’ll see you on Friday.
Want to wrap up with a shout-out to all the administrators, bloggers, and fans who make Canis Hoopus what it is. Thanks for making my Woves games 68.4% more enjoyable. Keep up the good work.
What did you all think?
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Very nice job
Original spin on the wrap.
FYI, they do have medication for the twitters.
Wolves 2011-12: Crossing the Rubikahn....alea iacta est...... " et tu Ricky?"
by Tangerine dream on Feb 9, 2012 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
Good stuff!
Though I’d drag AT’s grade back to F. Dude has been contributing nothing for a week at least, and he was pure garbage tonight.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
He's just awful out there.
Can’t shoot at all, is a turnover waiting to happen and is trying to play WAY beyond his abilities.
At this point when I look at his whole career, I have to assume his shooting last season was an outlier.
Nice work!
Hate to have to write report cards for games like these, but somebody’s gotta do it.
Sounds bloody terrible. Nice report card.
Still, we lost to the Grizzlies by 5 without KLove. I’ll take that.
"If you’ve got some balls, you can do some stuff"
by JonesTheCat on Feb 9, 2012 7:45 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I didn't watch the last minute or two
But it felt like we were down by a lot more than 10 with 2 or 3 minutes left. I don’t think this game was as close as the boxscore would make you think
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 9, 2012 8:31 AM CST up reply actions
everytime I looked at the score I was surprised we were only down 8-12 points
It was winnable if someone caught fire, but that clearly wasn’t happening.
It was the type of game where it teases you
into thinking they just may be able to pull out a V if they can just do this or that, but at the end of the game there really wasn’t a prayer and all those hopes were false.
At least that’s what was going through my mind during and post game.
I’ll take .500 w/out Love. Hell if you asked me last year, I would have taken .500 for this whole season with Love.
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
by Skat the Rat on Feb 9, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
you're right
some garbage points at the end.
On the other hand, that’s something I’ve noticed with Adelman at the helm: every game, every single game, we are closer/winning by more than we ought to be from just watching the game flow and not paying attention to the score. He’s a damn good coach.
And for those complaining about him not playing AR…this game was a poster game for why he can’t get consistent minutes. He really does occasional awesome things on his own, and yet is utterly and absolutely unreliable to do the right thing for the team. Jack up a long two at a terrible time? check. Terrible foul at terrible time? check. I don’t know if Adelman is trying to sit him until he learns to play, or is just sitting him because he can’t play, but either way, it amounts to the same thing.
I think this was a game
where Adelman knew we could loose and still be 0.500 and he let everybody play and get whatever out of their system. Probably tired of hearing complaints from the players and they could derive whatever information from the results. Anyway Kevin will be back, refreshed knowing the team pretty much slides toward suckdom without him and wanting some vindication when playing the next game. Ricky will back to form, without any Spanish Kryptonite around to affect his Unicorn powers. Hopefully Pek will be starting, causing Dirk to utter incomprehensible German phrases and loosing bodily function. Probably affects Odom and the Kardashians the same way. The rest of the team will be in their usual inconsistent state hopefully towards the positive. And JJ would overcome the shortage of adderall and be energetic but focused against his old team. He must have scored a dose from somebody just before this game and bioavailability being what it is … I was really hoping for a lot more from Luke during this game but I guess he wanted to lower his trade value. He really likes Minnesota. All in all, the gradings were right on!
by inyofaz on Feb 9, 2012 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
By the way,
I thought this game deserves a recipe.
Pollo al ajillo – Garlic Chicken (serves 4):
1 chicken,
6 cloves garlic,
1 pinch of cayenne
Juice of 1 lemon,
white wine, big splash of dry sherry 1/4 to 1/2 cup,
salt
and chopped fresh parsley.
Preparation:
Begin cleaning and cutting the chicken into quarters and each quarter cut it into at least three more pieces. The part with the ribs save in the freezer for making soup.
Brown the chicken in a pan with a little oil and meanwhile chop the garlic. When the chicken is golden brown add the garlic and lemon juice, stir well and add the wine. Let cook over medium heat until the wine is reduced. Serve hot.
Hilarious post. :)
“Spanish Kryptonite” is pretty funny.
This was an 8-point loss
where the Grizzlies felt very comfortable letting Beasley spot up for a wide open 3-point shot at the end to improve his stats and the final line. He made the shot, but it was almost the equivalent of a practice 3. You are right that it wasn’t as close as the final 5-point deficit suggests. We need Love to keep guys like Speights off of our offensive glass. We all knew this game would be tough in Memphis, but hoped for better.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 9, 2012 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
Also good report card...I wish that the fanpost thing was fixed though, hopefully this gets put onto the front page
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
I don't envy you having to grade this game
so thanks for doing so. Enjoyable read and mostly fair. I liked your simple grading criteria. I’m losing confidence in Tolliver as fast as he is so it’s nice to see something positive about him even if I’m not sure I agree. Memphis does give us fits and extreme quickness seems to be the best defense against Rubio.
It's nights like this
where we need a volume scorer to develop. Maybe it’s Beasley maybe it’s Williams maybe it’s outside hire…but we gotta cultivate a minimum of an ok volume guy
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.
If Williams could shoot, he could totally be that guy.
He is showing a very good knack for being able to get shots off. I just cringe every time the ball leaves his hands.
Also, it appears that nothing is instinctual for him right now. Every time he gets the ball, he seems to take a beat to size up his options – and then make a move. He needs to make much faster decisions.
Yes
So can I throw this at you?
I’ve long been pimping Williams as the 3 of the future for the exact sentence you issued “if he can shoot he absolutely could be that guy”
I’m not saying he is defensively a 3, but offensively I think he’s probably the best bet both on this team and including outside hire we have of cultivate an effective volume guy.
Assuming he un-breaks his jump shot can you live with the problem’s that might occur defensively with him? I can, but I have been on the Williams train for almost a year now.
Also, hopefully he spends the summer with Love and drops 8 pounds or so to get him down to like 230-233 ish where he is in Danny Grangers wheel house for weight class
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 like what you're cooking up here. . .
The lockout kept C-Lion from getting offseason work with this coaching staff. If he buys in and works his tail off this summer, the defense will come. And it will be glorious.
I hope C-Lion sticks
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 still don't see it.
Especially the Granger comparison. Williams is a much bigger dude than Granger. Not just weight, but body type. He can dribble some in a straight line, but I don’t think he has nearly the handle to play the 3 on offense, and I think he’s always going to be a mess trying to guard the position. And who you can defend is really the most important part of what position you play.
I know you love to say he isn’t a PF, but I think that’s exactly what he is. He’s not an “old school, back to the basket, post up” PF, he’s a face-up PF. IMO, he’s in the mode of David West or Antwan Jamison. Both good players, but not what we need, and not a good compliment to Love.
I think if he ever has a chance to be any kind of star, it will be at the 4.
I think the key thing...
people always leave out when hammering home how much DWill isn’t a 3 is passing.
Small forwards should be able to create some offense for guys other than themselves. They don’t need to be Steve Nash, but they should be able to keep the ball moving and occasionally setup the bigs with a nice look.
Williams is eons away from being that kind of a player. He didn’t get any assists in college, and he seems pretty awkward even making simple passes to keep the offense flowing at the NBA level. He has good handles for getting past his defender, but he is extremely uncomfortable moving with the ball in any way that would create opportunities for someone else. He is a 4 offensively, defensively, spiritually, completely.
Passing to create is fair
but he isn’t a ball stopper either.
I just don’t see how he is offensively a 4. What 4 in the history of the NBA starts 90 percent of his possession within 5 feet of the three point line? That’s where Williams is comfortable, at least it appears. He likes the space to make a move or take a shot
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.
Sure
even he goes in the post though….even if it’s not a post up and more to get the positioning for his shot.
But hell, you don’t think Dirk and Love couldn’t play together as a 3/4 combo? you’d have to make some adjustments with the rest of your team (like having a Ty Chandler and a lock down 2) but that could totally work.
I for the record don’t think Williams will be as good as Dirk, nor is his game anything like it….but for arguments sake if you have Love and Dirk I don’t see why you wouldn’t first try making that work
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.
"you don’t think Dirk and Love couldn’t play together as a 3/4 combo?"
No.
I think they could play some as a 4/5 combo, but it would be far from ideal on both ends – especially defensively.
Team that scores the most points wins
with those two you would have a very solid leg up on almost any team to score more points than the other team.
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.
Team that gives up the fewest points wins.
If it was all about scoring, we should’ve hired Don Nelson (or Paul Westhead) to coach us.
Offense is sexy, but defense wins championships.
I'd argue he's much better
at penetrating than West and Jamison have ever been in there entire career’s already.
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.
Exactly!
D-Dub needs to emulate Granger, in both weight and game. And no reason Derrick shouldn’t be a better rebounder than Granger.
I too am a lone wolfpack.
I'd like to see Wes emulate Scottie Pippen, in both weight and game.
Doesn’t mean it can happen.
Williams just doesn’t have the same skillset Granger has. And he has a much bulkier frame. There is only so much body reshaping that is possible.
He could stand to lose 8 or so pounds
whether he is a 3 or a 4. He’s got some baby fat on him (probably lock-out induced) that needs to go. Even if he will only ever be a 4 this weight will only hold him back until he loses 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.
Why?
I don’t understand this thinking at all, and I’m sure I’m just missing something. Why would we prefer a less efficient player shooting a lot to spreading the ball around and letting people take shots in their more efficient areas?
Because
there are nights like tonight where nothing is working and Rubio can’t set anyone up and even if he could no one is hitting shots….so you need a player who can get his own shot you gotta have it. from pick up leagues to the pro’s most good teams are gonna have the guy who can get his own shot when the offense breaks down/isn’t working.
Both Beasley and Williams have shown the ability to do it, but neither has done it on a consistent enough basis yet.
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.
Beasley does not create his own shot
He takes shots other players just wouldn’t attempt (at least not often). If you stand facing your opponent 21 feet out without moving for several seconds, then pull up for the jumper, you have not created your own shot. Love does that at times, and it is usually the worst shots he takes in a game. Fade away jumpers from the post are not created shots. Driving into the teeth of the defense in the lane to take a contested leaner after failing in getting to the rim is not really creating a shot, even if you’re more likely to make the shot than your teammates are.
by dropstep on Feb 9, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The Wolves need a guy
that when all else fails, gets up a load of steam and heads for the paint, looking to draw fouls. Beas COULD do this but doesn’t. Ricky COULD do it as well but he needs to get to the point where he trusts his shot. D Dub, frankly, appears to have the best potential/results if he adapted this mindset within the offense.
I too am a lone wolfpack.
I have always kinda thought a bigger Maggette
might ultimately be the best comp for DWill
however in theory he seems like he is a more driven basketball player and has a better jumper. but the overall idea of a physical beast who relentlessly attacks the basket seems pretty good
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 hope he ends up with a better jumper than Maggette
But its SUPER ugly right now. Like you can see the misses as they come off his hands.
I mean, we really don’t have much of a record of Williams being able to shoot other than taking 2 threes a game and hitting them at a crazy clip last year (after having no deep range as a freshman).
I really hope his shooting last year wasn’t a mirage like Wes’ final college year.
yes.
nope this is the fairest argument in my book against DWill and his future with the Wolves, simply because we have something that proves he isn’t doing what was part of the bill of goods i.e. his shooting.
If the guy can’t consistently hit three pointers like it looked like he was going to be able to do then that is a different story entirely.
If he can though there is no reason, with his ability to drive the ball, that he couldn’t just be like a tweener 3 that might cause some defensive mismatches every now and then but for the most part is a more positive offensive player than he is a negative on defense.
also, he’s appears to be a smart basketball player. We’ve seen guys like Steph Curry and even our own Kevin Love defy athletic odds and become good enough defensive players by just learning how to position themselves.
I’m not saying the kid is untouchable. But 20 games into his rookie season just feels way to damn early. It’s not like his trade value is going to go down if he continues to produce when he plays. Hell, it might even go up like James Harden if he gets a big spot moment to show what he’s got
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.
His shooting is scaring the hell out of me.
His form is an absolute mess.
It's nights like this when the Wolves need their best player not to be suspended
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 9, 2012 9:05 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
they've had nights like this with Love too
Atlanta game is one that sticks out as a game we really need an effective volume shooter to step up
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 think that has anything to do with it
When the heat lose even though Wade goes for 33, is it a lack of a volume shooter that is the problem?
What they need is more good players.
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 10, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
"Effective" is much more important than "volume"
TS% by itself is a pretty good predictor of winning percentage. Last year, teams at or above 0.500 had an average TS% of 55.2, whereas teams below 0.500 had a TS% of 52.9. Just using own TS%, you can explain 58% of the variation in wins across teams from last season.
The difference between own TS% and opponent’s TS% explained 84.3% of the variation in wins across teams last year.
If your team scores efficiently and prevents the other team from scoring efficiently, they’re going to win a lot of games.
For a relatively inefficient volume scorer like Beasley to help, you have to argue that his inefficiency somehow enables everyone else to score a lot more efficiently, such that the net effect is more efficient scoring. Given that the volume scorer is putting up a lot of shots (and thus plays a relatively large role in determining the team’s TS%), this doesn’t seem like a very good story.
by Madison Dan on Feb 10, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This is joint-Madison response
Eric-my theory has always been you need one guy like this. you get one solid volume guy and stick him on a team with 6 other Math Ballers and that is the key to success in the NBA. But you need to have a guy to take the pressure off of set plays and in our case Ricky Rubio to set up the offense. It’s too much damn work to pass the ball around for 20 seconds a possession if no one can beat their man and make a play.
Dan- The tag of “volume” I think gets a negative connotation because a large amount of players that have the tag are seen to be the Michael Beasley types, where it appears they are ball stoppers etc. I personally don’t really believe Michael Beasley is the answer for this team, but he is one of two players on the roster that I believe has the ability to do what I want this player to do and that is to create his own shot when the offense stalls. I’m not counting on him getting it…..but they do need a 3rd option to go to when the Grizzlies are hounding Rubio and he can’t facilitate anything or when the Hawks are swarming Love with 4 6’9 players with 8 foot wingspans.
Outside of Barea, Derrick Williams in the first half and Michael Beasley in the 4th quarter our team largely had no clue what do with the ball offensively. Memphis had us so off our game and I did not find that to be surprising at all=the three players who have shot creating ability on our team where the only ones that looked even reasonably effective on offense vs a stingy Memphis defense.
They have to get that guy. Maybe it’s Williams maybe it’s outside hire, but they gotta get that third offensive option that can shoot with volume if the team needs it, cause we’re gonna need it every now and then.
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.
missed the game...
thank you for helping me find my seat.
http://loisaidabbclub.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @loisaidabbclub
by beatsandpeasnyc on Feb 9, 2012 11:05 AM CST reply actions
I've been told I couldn't find my azz with both hands
So congrats on finding yours
There is an iphone app for this
Althought you need one hand to hold it.
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
Nice!
Ugliest of games to grade this year… A/T has been in a F mode all season, that’s the only grade I would change… Thanx for this…
"There are nights when the wolves are silent, and only the moon howls". Carlin
by Patrick Daniels on Feb 9, 2012 11:46 AM CST reply actions
wow bad time to become an usher
I almost want to apologize for all the terrible basketball you’ve watched, but at least you didn’t pay for it.
And I got to see Rasheed Wallace kick over chairs for no reason what-so-ever during warm-ups so the floor ushers could scramble to pick them up! Sheed!
by Matt Leisen on Feb 9, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Ball don't lie
I've changed my sig. The Wolves are now like a reasonably decent meal.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 9, 2012 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
I drop Wes to an F-
for smiling and laughing on the bench while the Wolves were throwing their last chances away in the 4th quarter.
Thanks for doing the writeup, I like…
by daaje on Feb 9, 2012 11:55 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Smiling
I get it. We want our player to take this stuff seriously. And to take ugly losses to heart. Nothing to laught at here. But Wes is almost always smiling. He’s like a kid. Did you see him trying not to grin after his clean-up dunk on Tuesday night? He couldn’t help himself. He’s just that type of person (big assumption by me, I know. I’ve never met him). I wouldn’t want him to change. Well, ok, I guess I would change his ability to hit open jump shots, but darn it, I like the kid. I think he progresses as long as he keeps that smile.
And Wes converted Rubio's only assist on the night
Maybe he thought it was funny that nobody else could do it… I mean, if he can do it, how could nobody else??
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 9, 2012 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
I bet Red Auerbach would get him to quit smiling...
…with a quick cuff upside the head. And then sat him on the bench… where he belongs.
nah, not that I want him to be all serious
but he has shown a pattern of being consistently flippant regarding game outcomes. Look at the bench during almost any loss and you’ll see two things: Wes Johnson and Wes Johnson smiling. He hasn’t displayed a penchant for gut checks when the going gets tough and I don’t think he has much opportunity yet to change.
It isn’t a smile, its the missing heart.
Ridnour seems much better shooting off the dribble.
It seems like every time someone throws him a pass as he runs into the offensive zone wide open, he rises up for a jumper and bricks it. Not sure what the issue is here, but I guess he does have a lot more experience with taking shots off the dribble.
He also made several bad decisions with where to pass the ball in the last couple of games(behind the back to Jimmer was particularly horrific), and I’ll just say his on-ball defense is lackluster. I will give him a little credit for team defense when he occasionally leaves his guy and forces turnovers by covering the pass to someone else’s guy. I would love to see a reasonable trade for a SG that can knock down wide open spot up 3s at or above 40% and defend other 2s. Lots of people out here clamoring for OJ Mayo, but I am concerned with how much you might have to pay to retain him for next season, so I would look for other options.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 9, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
He has some skils, but
As PG is a black hole in offense and as a SG is a hole in D. He doesn’t fit in any role.
Sometimes it looks he is trying to do better as PG, like if he’s been watching the Unicorn. Having to learn this at his age makes me think how badly he must have been coached so far in his career.
again, sorry for my english.
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
That game was like
when you’re really constipated and you squeeze your hernias together to try and let out the massive buildup in your guts, then when the glorious turd comes halfway out, it gets stagefright and sucks back up into your butthole and you have to leave the bathroom dejected and defeated.
by Dr_Defecate on Feb 9, 2012 6:14 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Guess experiences like these is what makes you the doctor
Gratefully I’m just a patient.
Wolves 2011-12: Crossing the Rubikahn....alea iacta est...... " et tu Ricky?"
by Tangerine dream on Feb 9, 2012 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The path of wisedom
is hard.
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
by Joe Kozinski on Feb 10, 2012 12:24 AM CST up reply actions
Talk about anal retentive!
Wolves 2011-12: Crossing the Rubikahn....alea iacta est...... " et tu Ricky?"
by Tangerine dream on Feb 10, 2012 8:29 AM CST up reply actions
Ibaka with ten blocks
Again!
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
Sounds like a downer of a game, I won't bother to watch it
nice report.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
does this chart change your expectations of each of the players?
Player — 2011/12 Salary — Rank — % — Avg. Per Game
Beasley — $6,262,347 — 1 — 11% — $94,884.05
Webster — $5,256,000 — 2 — 9% — $79,636.36
Milicic — $4,776,500 — 3 — 8% — $72,371.21
Miller — $4,752,000 — 4 — 8% — $72,000.00
Barea — $4,300,000 — 5 — 8% — $65,151.52
Love — $4,609,704 — 6 — 8% — $69,844.00
Williams — $4,602,720 — 7 — 8% — $69,738.18
Pekovic — $4,320,000 — 8 — 8% — $65,454.55
Johnson — $4,006,080 — 9 — 7% — $60,698.18
Ridnour — $3,680,000 — 10 — 6% — $55,757.58
Rubio — $3,480,120 — 11 — 6% — $52,729.09
Randolph — $2,911,231 — 12 — 5% — $44,109.56
Tolliver — $2,050,000 — 13 — 4% — $31,060.61
Ellington — $1,154,040 — 14 — 2% — $17,485.45
Lee — $473,604 — 15 — 1% — $7,175.82
$56,634,346 $858,096.15
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 6:17 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Darko and Beas making a ton of bank over love
lol
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 10, 2012 6:24 AM CST up reply actions
M.L., did Beasley deserve a B- & $94k as the highest paid player?
yup… but for an evaluation of solely this game… Love wasn’t worth $70 grand for not playing.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 6:29 AM CST up reply actions
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
That’s a great list. Thanks for post, rona.
Money taints the picture (insert “taint” joke below) and certainly could/would change “expectations” for a given game. It would change the difintion of each of the grades.
Frankly, to answer your question, no. 94K? It’s hard for me to justify anyone cashing that much bank for playing a game with bladder and a couple of peach baskets.
Don’t get me wrong, I like contract talk, i.e. would you rather have David Lee for 6 years and $80 million or Carlos Boozer for 4 years and $60 million?*
But game- to-game there’s no way I want to be dwelling on how much they are earning. I want to be able to enjoy the game.
*Answer: Neither. Yuck. I’d rather have . . . hell, I don’t know. Anyone?
by Matt Leisen on Feb 10, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
are any professional athletes worth the money?
sure… if all the riff-raff masses are focused on sports or religion (and not focused on the economy, their unemployment, ransacking the homes of the rich…), then sure their worth their salaries if they help keep world order.
just like a lottery ticket, it also gives a bunch of lower income folks hope. rather than pillaging the neighbor town, some young men have their lives focused on sports & the dream of becoming a pro athlete.
plus, these guys create jobs for other folks. from the kid selling popcorn in the bleachers & to the architectural engineer designing the HVAC of the stadium & to my Filipino cousins making 20 cents an hour sewing Nikes :)
all I know is I’d never wanna go to Cleveland for vacation. that place is effing miserable. if those residents didn’t have the Browns, Cavs, and Indians… life in that city for the regular folks would be absolutely miserable.
controlling the masses, hope, the economy, entertainment… yeah, I guess diamonds (aka worthless rocks) are worth more than water.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 1:47 PM CST up reply actions
but I'm a "normal" person from the masses that doesn't wanna dwell on salary game to game
however, I do think it’s fair to set expectations as their percentage of the salary cap (rather than the amount itself)
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions
% of the salary cap . . .
You’ve given me something to think about if/when I write another report card.
And how many jobs would sports create
if the government stepped in and set up a peewee to professional sports infrastructure where local communities owned the stadiums and arenas and athletes got paid from the profits after all expenses were paid?
Pro teams could justify their ticket prices by seriously giving back to the community. Not making athletes show up for diabetic cooking lessons, but by coughing up bucks to repair gyms and bleachers and giving old equipment to grade schools, etc. But they don’t.
Not everything should be privatized and I for one cannot think of any aspect of our current sports system that has been improved by the profit motive.
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
I'd be happy
If we stopped using public money to build billionaires stadiums so they can charge us outrageous prices to attend games.
para.2 - they do give back... it's called taxes
and if the community doesn’t think they’re giving back enough, citizens and politicians should go fix the tax structure.
but yes, I agree that many owners and players don’t give back to the community as much as they should. but some do.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah you lost when you started with "how many jobs would sports create"
and went to “if the government stepped in”
I've got good judgement from experience and experience from bad judgement.
lost me*
I wish there was an “edit” button somewhere
I've got good judgement from experience and experience from bad judgement.
I do get where you're coming from
Believe me, however conservative a household you grew up in, mine was way more conservative. But after spending my adult years watching this country run into the ground by CEOs who believe the goal line in the game of capitalism is establishing a monopoly, I no longer believe in unfettered capitalism. We need rules, and private ownership of sports is all about arguing over the rules to give yourself an advantage over the other guy. Teams that represent a community or state should be owned by the people they’re representing for, unless, of course, the only point of sports is to make money. ???
There are a number of articles about how the NFL’s “socialist” money management makes for a more exciting league, whereas the NBA’s deep pockets owners keep giving us the same teams in the championship round year after year.
As a lifelong Yankees fan, George Steinbrenner killed my interest in baseball. He singlehandedly sucked all the fun out of the game, and I don’t even bother to watch the World Series anymore. Sports should not be about money. If it should be, why aren’t we making phys ed class team captains “buy” their players?
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
I ain't a B-Easy hater, but...
Here are some other folks making $6mil this year & paying for the drinks. B-Easy looks pretty good compared to many of these folks. Well… except for the 2nd guy.
J O’Neal
D Rose
A Harrington
MW Peace
M Conley
D Gooden
T Ariza
JJ Redick
G Davis
A Nocioni
G Hill
J Childress
A Blatche
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
no just wrong... Beas looks way way worse than those guys
I’d take Rose, Harrington, Conley, Gooden, Ariza, Redick (please, would be awesome as our 2 guard… if he grows a better beard), Hill, O’Neal or Childress and Probablyy big baby as well.
In short the only guys I would take Beas over are Nocioni, and Blatche. MW Peace seems to have fallen off a cliff but historically has been way better than Skittles.
by zebano on Feb 10, 2012 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
O’Neal over Beas? Gonna have to agree to disagree on the that one (empahsis on the disagree).
Who on that list gets you more in a trade right now than Beas? That’s important. Not Hill. Not Ariza. And definitely not .. .
MW PEACE?!?! The same Peace who got shut down by Luke earlier this year? Come on. Historically, every living member of the HOF has had a better run than Beas, but right now I’m taking Beas and his 6 mil over Bill Russell.
by Matt Leisen on Feb 10, 2012 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
Beas to me despite a couple games worth of looking like he cares
is still a chucker who doesn’t play much defense, doesn’t get FTA, doesn’t pass the ball, doesn’t even make his move until the defense has a chance to reset, takes too many long 2s, not enough 3s and not nearly enough shots in the paint. With Pek I guess I’d take Beas over O’Neal on the floor because without Skittles our other options are Wes Fing Johnson and Martel Webster. Who exactly are you going to trade Beasley to where he actually has value outside being an expiring? 2 years ago his stock was higher and he went for 2 second round picks I’m not sure there are that many GMs left who want to take the chance.
To answer your question: No . . one
Just realized Beas was expiring. That cat’s got minimal (or no?) trade value right now.
Better question: how in the hell did I end up in a discussion defending Mike Fricken’ Beasley? Screw it. I’m in this deep. I can pay 6 mil for my 6th man. He ain’t Gilbert Arenas.
Tonight’s game can’t arrive fast enough.
by Matt Leisen on Feb 10, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
Given our team, I think he should be starting but
you listed a ton of decent players … and I don’t know why you would want an inconsistent volume shooter over and average player…
I didn't list them.
Someone else did. I just agreed with the sentiment that Beas at 6 mil looked pretty good compared to most some of them.
yup, that was me
aside from D Rose, none of those folks were #2 picks “expected” to be eventual stars in the League. he’s a 23 year old kid that will eventually figure it out and be a solid 20/5 guy.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
There are plenty of guys who can give you 20/5 and don't help your team.
Beasley has a LONG, LONG way to go. I’d prefer he try with another franchise.
Would you rather
A) We tough it out with him and he actually figures it out
or
B) We give up on him and eventually he does become a machine with another team?
maybe a better way to look at the question is this
if you knew for sure that in 2 years Beasley was going to go on a 6 year run of reasonably effective 20 ppg basketball would you be willing to tough out the growing pains a little longer?
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.
as part of the deal
it wouldn’t just happen out of the blue
you’d see some development the rest of this season, and then maybe next year he gives you a little more like 18 still a little consistent but largely effective bball and then the year after explodes for like 23 and it’s mostly quality hoop
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.
Of course I'd rather he figure it out for us.
But you only gave me 2 options – and both have him turning into the player you hope he can become. Its a false choice that makes giving up on him look stupid.
I think option C is much more likely.
C) Beasley stays the exact same player that he’s been for 3.5 years in the league.
I didn't give you an option C though
I presented you with a hypothetical situation the assumes Beasley does become this kind of player. Would you be willing to tough it out through the rough spots IF YOU KNEW (which you can’t know, which is why it’s hypothetical) that he would be a reasonably effective scorer for us
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.
Its not a fair question because it forces an assumption.
Obviously if it was somehow known Beasley would become a stud, EVERYONE would be willing to tough it out. It would be stupid to answer any other way. Its a totally leading false choice.
Its like me saying with Williams, would you rather:
A) Tough it out for a couple years while he continues to show he can’t shoot and never develops into more than a bit player.
B) Trade him now while he has a perceived value around the league and watch him become a bust for his new team?
for B... trade him where?
what solid 2 or 3 is available on the trade block?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
Anywhere.
Since we’re using the assumption that he WILL be a bust, as long as you get a functional player, you come out ahead.
i'm not saying that any of the other 6mil player comparisons are reasonable trade options, but...
Redick? so we can get a guy that plays slightly better D than Ridnour but doesn’t shoot as well?
O’Neal? Harrington? Retirement community w/dentures?
Blitche?
Grant Hill… I like this one. Solid old man. It gives Phoenix a glimmer of hope for the future. And it gives the Wolves a solid player.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions
no can do Grant trade - ISO 3834 prohibition sign, circle-backslash symbol, or universal no
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine
hmmm… any other options?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
The assumption is if we trade Williams now,
he should have good value still. In my crazy hypothetical, only WE know he’s going to be a bust.
No way should we trade him for anyone you listed.
OJ Mayo?
their bust for the Heat bust?
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:55 PM CST up reply actions
Eric Gordon would have been a great trade
but no 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 10, 2012 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
that's a false choice
those are absolutely not the only things that can happen and history suggests he will become neither of those and instead stay an inefficient 20ppg guy (if he gets the minutes).
would you rather
a. The USA continue to be a prosperous nation with a democratic president
b. Enter a steep economic decline similar to Greece with a republican president
I can make stupid multiple choice questions too!
I see nothing wrong with those choices.
That pretty much reflects reality. (I keed, I keed (kinda)).
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 10, 2012 2:57 PM CST up reply actions
I actually meant to make them more dramatic than that
honestly I don’t think it matters in the least who wins the presidency our economy is going to be stuck in a slow recovery regardless.
It's a hypothetical situation man
lol
I raise the question because I want to know IF (emphasis on if) he does become that player, but it’s still going to take awhile, are you willing to tough it out?
I in no way shape or form suggested they were the only two outcomes
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.
D) eval at end of season b/c Wolves are stuck with him for this year
he’s better than half of the starting small forwards… that ain’t bad.
is there a reasonable trade scenario out there that provides a reliable 2nd scoring option? hmmm… i’m open to suggestions, but i don’t think there’s a “reasonable” one out there.
from a positive spin, i’d like to see this team get a lower seed in the playoffs this year, scare a higher seed and win 1 or 2 games in the 1st round… and B-Easy needs to step it up.
Love, Rubio, Ridnour, Pek, and Barea will perform as expected… but B-Easy (or D-Will) gotta step it up for this team to go somewhere.
This is my opinion and does not constitute an endorsement, opinion or official position of the U.S. Army.
by ronatcampzama on Feb 10, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
better than half? not a chance
I’ll make a note next to any I think Beas is better than and some comments on a few others too
Philly – Iguadala
Boston – Pierce
New York – Melo
New Jersey – they have so many injuries I have no idea who is starting here. If its Morrow I’ll take him over BEasley.
Toronto – James Johnson … probably better than Beas but bad enough I’ll take a shot on potential especially since BEas had better seasons in Miami.
Chicago – Deng
Indiana – Granger – bad contract but much better than Beas
Milwaukee – Delfino …
Cleveland – Casspi – could go for Beas here but I like Gee the best
Detroit – Prince … still better than Beas just expensive
Miami – LeBron
Atlanta – M Williams – absolutely beasting this year… much better than Beas
Orlando – Turkeyglue still better than Beas though probably not for more than 1 more year tops.
Washington – Vesely
Charlotte – T. Thomas – bad bad year but I’d rather gamble on him returning to form than Beas getting “ti”
OKC – Durant
Denver – Gallinari
Utah – Hayward … ugg yes, still better than Beas
POR – Batum or Wallace .. both better
MIN – Webster .. IMO Beas isn’t the best on his own team
LAC- Butler … heck I might take Gomes back
LAL- Barnes – old, but efficient and still defends. Barnes wins
Phoenix – Dudley
GSW – Rush or Wright
Sac – Salmons/Outlaw … I’ll take Beasley over either of these guys. Heck I might take Johnson over them
SAS – Leonard!
Hou – Parsons or Budinger recent games not withstanding
Dal – Marion
Mem – Gay
NOH – Ariza? might lean towards Beas here.
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