Sunday, May 20, 2012
ALL ABOARD! The Train Is Leaving...
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
It may be early yet…but it’s time to officially jump on the Wolves bandwagon or forever hold your peace. The Wolves are young, but they are playing a style of basketball us real Timberwolves fans haven’t seen in years. That style is called “GOOD” basketball.
This Wolves roster isn’t perfect and it’s almost certain their young, fresh legs will wear out and hit that “rookie wall”, even in this lockout shortened season. However, is that a bad thing? No…not the way I see it.
First off, there isn’t a clear cut top four or five teams out of the West that automatically eliminate a handful of teams the moment the season tips off. The Wolves have a legit shot at flirting with the 8th spot this year, but that’s all (and more) we’ve been asking for since KG left.
Secondly, the Wolves get a couple veterans back that don’t just add depth; they also add experience and key roles that this team lacks. Martell Webster is the diamond in the rough this year…as he can play some ball at a position we’re soft at. Can he stay healthy? That’s yet to be seen. Brad Miller, also often injured and 67 years old, can still stroke fifteen foot jumpers like he did in Sac-town. This is a skill that made KG the player he was in Minnesota when he had a legit point guard (Marbury, Brandon, Cassell…etc). Rubio is able to create open jumpers for anyone, but it’s that player’s job to knock it down…and Miller can do that. Although his defense will be a major factor of his playing time, his outside range will stretch the lane out and hopefully leave backdoor lanes and openings for players like Beasley, Wes, D.Williams and others.
Lastly, if Webster and Miller are able to stay healthy…we just increased our trade bait. I see Wolves fans all over Twitter saying that we should “just trade Beasley, Wes, Darko for ______”. Those fans simply don’t get it. They are the same fans that say the Twins need to trade every crappy player we have for a prized prospect. OTHER TEAMS DON’T WANT OUR TRASH! With that said, there may be some teams out there willing to take on Darko, Beasley or Wes (for his youth) as part of a packaged deal, but they surely won’t take them straight up. The other down side? We don’t have a 1st round pick next year unless the Jazz make the playoffs. Wolves fans need to start accepting that the best deal we’ll be involved in is either a three team deal where we get back a 1st round pick of a playoff team, while giving away two players or more…or one where we get some average journeyman that “fills a need” while dumping wasted space like Darko. I’m fine with either of those ideas…because Darko, Wes, Luke and Beasley have some value, but only to teams who need depth (Boston, Orlando) or are a piece or two away from dominance (OKC, Chicago...etc). Don’t expect any major roster additions until free agency, which still scares me…but Rubio/Love and D-Will are certainly helping our case.
Speaking of Derrick Williams, I can see it coming…he’s getting better, faster, stronger, more confident and defensively better. There’s been so much talk about Rubio, Love and even Nikola “check out my” Pek(s)” ovic, that Williams’ play has gone somewhat unnoticed. It appears that Adelman is saving his legs and using Williams as needed…but it’s only a matter of time before he puts his stamp on this team during his rookie season. You can guarantee he’s seen how monumental K-Love and Rubio have become…and he knows he’ll get paid a huge deal if he continues to work hard like Love has. This is a very good problem to have.
Overall, the Wolves will probably come up short this year in the playoff race (or maybe not), but as I’ve been saying for years, this town LOVES their Timberwolves…they just hate to admit it when they aren’t good. We’ll always love our Vikings and our Twins…but this town goes nuts over the Wolves when they are for real. If that means we need a “teaser” year to re-build the interest, before becoming a legit threat for the next few years…so be it.
I’m on board, and I invite you to get your ticket now…as this won’t be an open invitation for ever. We will find you fair weather fans and we will point you out.
Secondly, the Wolves get a couple veterans back that don’t just add depth; they also add experience and key roles that this team lacks. Martell Webster is the diamond in the rough this year…as he can play some ball at a position we’re soft at. Can he stay healthy? That’s yet to be seen. Brad Miller, also often injured and 67 years old, can still stroke fifteen foot jumpers like he did in Sac-town. This is a skill that made KG the player he was in Minnesota when he had a legit point guard (Marbury, Brandon, Cassell…etc). Rubio is able to create open jumpers for anyone, but it’s that player’s job to knock it down…and Miller can do that. Although his defense will be a major factor of his playing time, his outside range will stretch the lane out and hopefully leave backdoor lanes and openings for players like Beasley, Wes, D.Williams and others.
Lastly, if Webster and Miller are able to stay healthy…we just increased our trade bait. I see Wolves fans all over Twitter saying that we should “just trade Beasley, Wes, Darko for ______”. Those fans simply don’t get it. They are the same fans that say the Twins need to trade every crappy player we have for a prized prospect. OTHER TEAMS DON’T WANT OUR TRASH! With that said, there may be some teams out there willing to take on Darko, Beasley or Wes (for his youth) as part of a packaged deal, but they surely won’t take them straight up. The other down side? We don’t have a 1st round pick next year unless the Jazz make the playoffs. Wolves fans need to start accepting that the best deal we’ll be involved in is either a three team deal where we get back a 1st round pick of a playoff team, while giving away two players or more…or one where we get some average journeyman that “fills a need” while dumping wasted space like Darko. I’m fine with either of those ideas…because Darko, Wes, Luke and Beasley have some value, but only to teams who need depth (Boston, Orlando) or are a piece or two away from dominance (OKC, Chicago...etc). Don’t expect any major roster additions until free agency, which still scares me…but Rubio/Love and D-Will are certainly helping our case.
Speaking of Derrick Williams, I can see it coming…he’s getting better, faster, stronger, more confident and defensively better. There’s been so much talk about Rubio, Love and even Nikola “check out my” Pek(s)” ovic, that Williams’ play has gone somewhat unnoticed. It appears that Adelman is saving his legs and using Williams as needed…but it’s only a matter of time before he puts his stamp on this team during his rookie season. You can guarantee he’s seen how monumental K-Love and Rubio have become…and he knows he’ll get paid a huge deal if he continues to work hard like Love has. This is a very good problem to have.
Overall, the Wolves will probably come up short this year in the playoff race (or maybe not), but as I’ve been saying for years, this town LOVES their Timberwolves…they just hate to admit it when they aren’t good. We’ll always love our Vikings and our Twins…but this town goes nuts over the Wolves when they are for real. If that means we need a “teaser” year to re-build the interest, before becoming a legit threat for the next few years…so be it.
I’m on board, and I invite you to get your ticket now…as this won’t be an open invitation for ever. We will find you fair weather fans and we will point you out.
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