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RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 11:53:20 AM

kgdabom

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

ESPN rankings are out and RoCo at #97???????

However, this is the blurb next to that ranking.

Andre Snellings on Covington's rank: At No. 97, Covington is cartoonishly underrated if healthy. He quietly plays Defensive Player of the Year-caliber D, with Rudy Gobert as the only player in the NBA to rank higher than Covington in defensive RPM in each of the past three seasons. Covington had injury issues last season, but in 2017-18, he measured eighth in the NBA in overall impact as determined by RPM, and all seven of the players in front of him that season are consensus top-25 guys when healthy.

8th in the NBA in Impact. That is crazy good.

That's seems about right. Considering there are 30 NBA teams, on an average team he'd be the 4th best player.

If he stays healthy He could really flourish here and raise that rating.

Top 8 player in impact. At least a top 30 player overall.

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Post #: 751

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 11:54:48 AM

kgdabom

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

Speaking of Culver, has there ever been less fanfare and hype surrounding a #6 pick? I blame that stupid NBA policy where draft day trade players can't be introduced by their new teams for two weeks or whatever. By then nobody is paying attention any more and the player gets forgotten.

I think he could fantastic. He's an energy guy, like Covington and Okoge. This could be a fun unit to watch.

For those who doubt Culvers athleticism.

https://www.reddit.com/r/chicagobulls/comments/bw34gh/jarret_culver_vertical_jump/

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Post #: 752

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 12:13:44 PM

David Levine

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Joined: 7/14/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

Speaking of Culver, has there ever been less fanfare and hype surrounding a #6 pick? I blame that stupid NBA policy where draft day trade players can't be introduced by their new teams for two weeks or whatever. By then nobody is paying attention any more and the player gets forgotten.

I think he could fantastic. He's an energy guy, like Covington and Okoge. This could be a fun unit to watch.

Really, really weak draft. Its not just Culver getting no hype, no one outside of Williamson is getting any.

Zion is a special talent that would go Top 2 in almost any draft, but the next 5 guys would likely be fringe lottery talent at best in a "usual" draft.

I like Culver a lot, but he's a definite project - especially regarding his shot.

Most of the players in most drafts are projects. Sometimes even the number 1 pick. I like Culver and hope we can coach him up.

Not really the point I was trying to make, but sure.

Post #: 753

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 12:24:54 PM

David Levine

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Zach Lowe has us one tier below "Borderline Playoff Teams" - as "Netherworld of the West", along with OKC. And only ahead of Phoenix and Memphis in the West:

Several projection systems -- including Kevin Pelton's at ESPN and the 538 forecast -- treat the Wolves more kindly. They outscored opponents by about three points per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robert Covington on the floor, and Covington is on track to start the season healthy.

They made a bunch of nice fringe moves: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jake Layman, Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Tyrone Wallace. Some of those contracts could be handy in two- and three-team trades; Minnesota figures to be active.

Towns is a god on offense, and having just one scorer so talented -- a legitimate fulcrum -- tends to push even blah teams toward .500. He has missed five games in four seasons. The wrenching, energy-sapping melodrama of the Jimmy Butler/Tom Thibodeau saga is behind them.

But the talent gap between Towns and the rest of the roster is huge. Everyone else is either untested or underwhelming. This group has almost zero record of competent defense. A bounce-back from Jeff Teague, or any bounce at all from Andrew Wiggins, would shift the trajectory, but it's tough to bet on either doing enough to elevate Minnesota into the thick of the West playoff race.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

Post #: 754

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 12:35:57 PM

ruffenach

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

Zach Lowe has us one tier below "Borderline Playoff Teams" - as "Netherworld of the West", along with OKC. And only ahead of Phoenix and Memphis in the West:

Several projection systems -- including Kevin Pelton's at ESPN and the 538 forecast -- treat the Wolves more kindly. They outscored opponents by about three points per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robert Covington on the floor, and Covington is on track to start the season healthy.

They made a bunch of nice fringe moves: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jake Layman, Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Tyrone Wallace. Some of those contracts could be handy in two- and three-team trades; Minnesota figures to be active.

Towns is a god on offense, and having just one scorer so talented -- a legitimate fulcrum -- tends to push even blah teams toward .500. He has missed five games in four seasons. The wrenching, energy-sapping melodrama of the Jimmy Butler/Tom Thibodeau saga is behind them.

But the talent gap between Towns and the rest of the roster is huge. Everyone else is either untested or underwhelming. This group has almost zero record of competent defense. A bounce-back from Jeff Teague, or any bounce at all from Andrew Wiggins, would shift the trajectory, but it's tough to bet on either doing enough to elevate Minnesota into the thick of the West playoff race.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

KAT has a very high upside. I think Roco will be a good player. I am most concerned about Jeff. We seem to have a talent gap at the point guard position. If Wiggins does't bring it, he can be benched and replaced in the starting lineup. I am not so sure if we have an adequate replacement for Jeff, if he fails to preform or is out for an extended period.

Post #: 755

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/4/2019 3:52:57 PM

Bill Johanesen

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The daily press coverage on Wiggins being benched would be insane! I love it.

The poster child for the messed up system - basically stealing $150 million while only having the same skills he had as a high school player.

Post #: 756

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/6/2019 12:37:46 AM

kgdabom

Posts: 29444
Joined: 7/29/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

Zach Lowe has us one tier below "Borderline Playoff Teams" - as "Netherworld of the West", along with OKC. And only ahead of Phoenix and Memphis in the West:

Several projection systems -- including Kevin Pelton's at ESPN and the 538 forecast -- treat the Wolves more kindly. They outscored opponents by about three points per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robert Covington on the floor, and Covington is on track to start the season healthy.

They made a bunch of nice fringe moves: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jake Layman, Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Tyrone Wallace. Some of those contracts could be handy in two- and three-team trades; Minnesota figures to be active.

Towns is a god on offense, and having just one scorer so talented -- a legitimate fulcrum -- tends to push even blah teams toward .500. He has missed five games in four seasons. The wrenching, energy-sapping melodrama of the Jimmy Butler/Tom Thibodeau saga is behind them.

But the talent gap between Towns and the rest of the roster is huge. Everyone else is either untested or underwhelming. This group has almost zero record of competent defense. A bounce-back from Jeff Teague, or any bounce at all from Andrew Wiggins, would shift the trajectory, but it's tough to bet on either doing enough to elevate Minnesota into the thick of the West playoff race.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

KAT has a very high upside. I think Roco will be a good player. I am most concerned about Jeff. We seem to have a talent gap at the point guard position. If Wiggins does't bring it, he can be benched and replaced in the starting lineup. I am not so sure if we have an adequate replacement for Jeff, if he fails to preform or is out for an extended period.

Last season we were a winning team when Teague played and a highly losing team when he didn't. His health or lack thereof will be critical for the Wolves success this year.

_____________________________

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So let it be done."

Post #: 757

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/6/2019 12:36:07 PM

ruffenach

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Joined: 1/12/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

Zach Lowe has us one tier below "Borderline Playoff Teams" - as "Netherworld of the West", along with OKC. And only ahead of Phoenix and Memphis in the West:

Several projection systems -- including Kevin Pelton's at ESPN and the 538 forecast -- treat the Wolves more kindly. They outscored opponents by about three points per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robert Covington on the floor, and Covington is on track to start the season healthy.

They made a bunch of nice fringe moves: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jake Layman, Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Tyrone Wallace. Some of those contracts could be handy in two- and three-team trades; Minnesota figures to be active.

Towns is a god on offense, and having just one scorer so talented -- a legitimate fulcrum -- tends to push even blah teams toward .500. He has missed five games in four seasons. The wrenching, energy-sapping melodrama of the Jimmy Butler/Tom Thibodeau saga is behind them.

But the talent gap between Towns and the rest of the roster is huge. Everyone else is either untested or underwhelming. This group has almost zero record of competent defense. A bounce-back from Jeff Teague, or any bounce at all from Andrew Wiggins, would shift the trajectory, but it's tough to bet on either doing enough to elevate Minnesota into the thick of the West playoff race.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

KAT has a very high upside. I think Roco will be a good player. I am most concerned about Jeff. We seem to have a talent gap at the point guard position. If Wiggins does't bring it, he can be benched and replaced in the starting lineup. I am not so sure if we have an adequate replacement for Jeff, if he fails to preform or is out for an extended period.

Last season we were a winning team when Teague played and a highly losing team when he didn't. His health or lack thereof will be critical for the Wolves success this year.

Last season we had shit for back point guards, This season our point guards are slightly better, but little experience. Your argument hardly makes him a good point guard, other than Thibs is a bad POBO.

Post #: 758

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/6/2019 1:07:55 PM

kgdabom

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Joined: 7/29/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

Zach Lowe has us one tier below "Borderline Playoff Teams" - as "Netherworld of the West", along with OKC. And only ahead of Phoenix and Memphis in the West:

Several projection systems -- including Kevin Pelton's at ESPN and the 538 forecast -- treat the Wolves more kindly. They outscored opponents by about three points per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns and Robert Covington on the floor, and Covington is on track to start the season healthy.

They made a bunch of nice fringe moves: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, Jake Layman, Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Tyrone Wallace. Some of those contracts could be handy in two- and three-team trades; Minnesota figures to be active.

Towns is a god on offense, and having just one scorer so talented -- a legitimate fulcrum -- tends to push even blah teams toward .500. He has missed five games in four seasons. The wrenching, energy-sapping melodrama of the Jimmy Butler/Tom Thibodeau saga is behind them.

But the talent gap between Towns and the rest of the roster is huge. Everyone else is either untested or underwhelming. This group has almost zero record of competent defense. A bounce-back from Jeff Teague, or any bounce at all from Andrew Wiggins, would shift the trajectory, but it's tough to bet on either doing enough to elevate Minnesota into the thick of the West playoff race.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27763420/nba-30-teams-rated-top-contenders-bottom-tier

KAT has a very high upside. I think Roco will be a good player. I am most concerned about Jeff. We seem to have a talent gap at the point guard position. If Wiggins does't bring it, he can be benched and replaced in the starting lineup. I am not so sure if we have an adequate replacement for Jeff, if he fails to preform or is out for an extended period.

Last season we were a winning team when Teague played and a highly losing team when he didn't. His health or lack thereof will be critical for the Wolves success this year.

Last season we had shit for back point guards, This season our point guards are slightly better, but little experience. Your argument hardly makes him a good point guard, other than Thibs is a bad POBO.

Results. We win when he plays we lose when he doesn't and almost everybody would disagree with you that our PGs are better this year than last.

_____________________________

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Post #: 759

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/6/2019 3:01:30 PM

kgdabom

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W/T

< Message edited by kgdabom -- 10/6/2019 3:07:54 PM >

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So let it be done."

Post #: 760

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 10:42:52 AM

ruffenach

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When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Post #: 761

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 10:47:00 AM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Camp started a week+ ago. 1st game is tomorrow.

Post #: 762

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 11:02:03 AM

David Levine

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Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Las Vegas
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Hollinger:

"Minnesota probably doesn’t have enough help around Karl-Anthony Towns to make the playoffs in a loaded West, and any injury to him would almost immediately torpedo its chances. That said, the Timberwolves have embarked on an encouraging recovery from the Jimmy Butler-TimberBulls crack-up by pulling together some sweet value deals over the summer. By trading up to the 6th pick in the draft, getting Shabazz Napier and Tyrone Wallace for free, and adding Noah Vonleh, Jordan Bell and Jake Layman on low-cost deals, Minnesota quickly spruced up a tattered bench unit.

Alas, the sins of the past still haunt the future. With $47M in 2020-21 cap committed to Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, and Jeff Teague the starting point guard by default after the offseason pursuit of D’Angelo Russell fell short, Minnesota has work to do both on it cap and its roster to build a true playoff team around the gifts of Towns.

Towns is in the first of a five-year extension with no options, so the Wolves still have some time before he starts getting itchy. Under new management post-Thibs, they’re also looking at time horizons beyond Thursday. Minnesota signed mostly one-year deals and declined to match an offer sheet to Tyus Jones, so its books stay clear in 2020-21. Merely stretching Dieng next summer would get the Wolves to about $20M range in cap room, while other moves (Can I interest you in a Canadian small forward?) could grant them max space. They still face a difficult pathway to putting another star around Towns, but you can at least see the road from there.

The young wing combination of Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie is the other key element of Minnesota’s future. Culver needs to improve his shooting but also had very few off-the-catch opportunities in a Texas Tech system centered on his creation skills. His size, defense and smoothness on the ball hint at a valuable player down the line despite lacking eye-popping athleticism. Okogie made some wow plays as a 20-year-old rookie – including a clean spike of a James Harden step-back – but needs to improve his shooting and refine his erratic halfcourt decision-making to be a long-term solution at the 2.

In the meantime, try to hunt down some Wolves games and appreciate Towns’ brilliance. Hidden from the masses in the far north, he has a combination of shooting ability and offensive rebounding that makes him arguably one of the 10 best players in the league. On his own, he may be good enough to keep Minnesota in the playoff race until April.

Prediction: 38-44, 4th in Northwest division, 11th in Western Conference.

Post #: 763

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 4:27:41 PM

ruffenach

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Camp started a week+ ago. 1st game is tomorrow.

There has not been any talk about how people are preforming in camp. Seems like not much interest in this by the sports writers.

Post #: 764

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 5:22:00 PM

David Levine

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Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Las Vegas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Camp started a week+ ago. 1st game is tomorrow.

There has not been any talk about how people are preforming in camp. Seems like not much interest in this by the sports writers.

The Strib has had like 14 articles in just the past week, how much more coverage do you need?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/

Post #: 765

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 6:33:19 PM

twinsfan

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Close this thread, Timbo.

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Post #: 766

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 6:34:31 PM

David Levine

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Just don't let Matt get the final post.

Post #: 767

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 7:22:20 PM

Karl Juhnke

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Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Camp started a week+ ago. 1st game is tomorrow.

There has not been any talk about how people are preforming in camp. Seems like not much interest in this by the sports writers.

The Strib has had like 14 articles in just the past week, how much more coverage do you need?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/

Yeah they’ve had a feel good feature on a different player every day it seems like. There was a rosy piece the other day about how Jordan Bell should be more of a scorer. Er...no.

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Post #: 768

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/7/2019 8:05:19 PM

David Levine

Posts: 70974
Joined: 7/14/2007
From: Las Vegas
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: ruffenach

When are the Wolves starting pre-season camp. Haven't heard a word about it and other teams are already playing pre-season games.

Camp started a week+ ago. 1st game is tomorrow.

There has not been any talk about how people are preforming in camp. Seems like not much interest in this by the sports writers.

The Strib has had like 14 articles in just the past week, how much more coverage do you need?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/

Yeah they’ve had a feel good feature on a different player every day it seems like. There was a rosy piece the other day about how Jordan Bell should be more of a scorer. Er...no.

Right. It is what it is. They've been together for a week. There just isn't that much quality content, but there has absolutely been interest by the media.

We've probably had more Wolves coverage this offseason than anytime I can remember. All new Front office, all the new coaches, the player acquisitions, all the stories of everyone being in town working out over the summer, Summer League, The Bahamas trip, Okogie leading Nigeria at the World Cup to an Olympic Qualification.

For a team that no one expects to be very good, I think they've been more than well covered.

Post #: 769

RE: 2019 Wolves offseason - 10/9/2019 7:22:36 AM

Phil Riewer

Posts: 19054
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: MN
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I remember the Butler saga preseason from last year....there is a reason there is less coverage.

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Post #: 770