As a Wolves fan with a little bit of a biased opinion on these things, I'm curious to know what others think of the Wolves. Not necessarliy as a team record wise, but on what they can do in the future. What do you think of Jefferson, Foye, Brewer, McCants, Green? I'm very curious to know what you think of my guys.
I see a lot of redundancy on their roster and no real franchise player to build around. Unfortunately, Foye hasn't suited up yet and he's one of their core players. I think everyone will have a better idea of what this team is capable of once he works his way back into game shape. The TWolves will need to add another big man to play off Al Jefferson and help anchor the defense. Telfair has been a nice surprise considering he was a throw in for the KG deal. However, I'm not convinced he's the long term solution at PG for this team. He'd make a solid backup, but he's pretty much outmatched in the starter role every night. Gerald Green is still a mystery for the TWolves. Once Foye returns they'll be even less opportunity for Green. I love Corey Brewer's game from what I've seen so far. I don't think anyone expected his rebounding production.
You have some nice pieces there to work with, especially with Al Jefferson, but outside of him I'm not too high on anyone on the Wolves roster. The one player that would compliment Jefferson immensely if he can develop is Corey Brewer, but he seems very inconsistent even for a rookie. I want to see what he can do next year with a full year under his belt. Unfortunately I don't see a bright future as long as McHale is running the show, he already wasted KG's prime years and I would hate for him to do the same to Al Jefferson.
I like Al Jefferson. He's a nice piece to build around: young, hardworking, character guy. At age 22, he's putting up 20/12, so clearly he has a good future ahead. Rashad McCants and Sebastian Telfair are looking good. But with a 3-20 record, the Wolves have a long way to go before they are back on the basketball map. I'm also very concerned with Green's production. He seemes to have taken a huge step backwards, averaging less than 3 points. Like Shape mentioned, once Foye comes back, his minutes will decline.
I'm a Celtics fan, so I can't help but heavily pay attention to my old guys. I've watched more than half of Minnesota's games this season and plan on continuing to excessively follow them. I really like a lot of Wolves. Al Jefferson is one of the most unique young players in the NBA, and one of the brightest young stars just waiting to get recognized. People see the numbers he's putting him, but I still don't believe many people truly understand what Big Al is capable of or how wide his repertoire really is. I'll go as far as saying his low post arsenal is wider than any player in the league outside of Tim Duncan, and even then, they are different players. Jefferson is lethal with his up-fakes, is very quick, and like McHale said - he's so unique because he plays instinctual basketball. He knows where he is, he knows where his defender is, and he can set himself up for a shot at any given time. There aren't too many post players in the NBA nowadays where you can just give the ball to in a one-on-one situation and expect them to score. Al Jefferson is one of those guys. On top of it, he is a great kid with a superb attitude, maturity level, and work ethic. He's no Kevin Garnett, but he's the best player Minnesota could have gotten in return for him. I like Randy Foye, but I don't think he fits in Minnesota. He's not a point guard, and you want a heady floor general running the offense on a team like this, where you have a interior firepower and streak shooters on the wing. Foye isn't a point guard, and he's too small to play full-time 2-guard. I think he's going to put up big numbers and will get Minnesota fans giddy about his talent and potential, but in the end will not be able to run a successful team. I think most people know how I feel about Sebastian Telfair on this site. If you don't, you can check out this article I wrote in October, this topic I made the other day, or simply take my word for it when I say that I have backed Bassy up on numerous occasions with old BBW members and on Celtics websites. I've been a big Ryan Gomes supporter since his days at Providence. He's just such a solid player who can play either forward position, bang inside, he hustles, has a nose for the ball, and is one of the most intelligent/level-headed guys in the league. I'm not, however, happy with how he is being utilized in Minnesota. When he was in Boston, he was a hustle guy who cleaned up around the basket and put his near-automatic mid-range jumper on display at a relatively consistent level. In Minnesota, he has been used solely on the perimeter and has began taking way too many 3's. I understand he has extended his range, but that is not his game. If he were still in Boston, I guarantee he wouldn't have gone away from what he does best. I will always love Antoine Walker, as he was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics when I really started getting into basketball. I loved what he did for us and how he electrified the fans. He has his faults, no doubt, but he is an outstanding individual and a guy who you can at the very least count on for leadership. So far in Minnesota, he has received nothing but praise for his positive influence on the young players. On top of that, he was playing surprisingly consistent ball before the ankle injury. Again, I'll always have a special place in my heart for Toine - and the shimmy. Craig Smith is a guy that you can't dislike even if you try. With his wide frame and strength, he's one of the real bruisers in the paint. He may not be 6'10'', but he makes up for it. He has done damage in the paint all year long and has really carried the load offensively when Big Al has had tough nights. Cookie is a nice piece to have. Corey Brewer has a lot to learn and needs a couple years of steady development before he is able to truly shine, but he is an excellent piece on a rebuilding team. He's a freak athlete, n excellent defender, has a nose for the ball, is as active as they come, makes all the hustle plays, has a high basketball IQ, works hard, and most importantly - he knows how to win. So many guys think they can get by on athleticism alone and don't have a firm grasp of the game, such as Gerald Green, but Brewer is unique. He needs some time, but once he comes of age, he's going to be a terrific player. I've always liked Rashad McCants, and he's actually one of my favorite 2-guards in the league. It's unfortunate that he had to experience a setback to his development last season with the knee injury, but he has come back beautifully. He still has things to learn as well, but he is an excellent talent. He can score from anywhere on the floor, is explosive, is mentally tough, and he really can defend the perimeter when he wants to. He sometimes gets out of hand with his shot attempts, but when he's on, you don't complain. He's going to continue to grow as a player and I think he's going to be an effective 2-guard for a long time. Streaky, but effective. Gerald Green is the wildcard, but I really do like him. So many "busts" nowadays are usually freakishly athletic players who have a bad attitude and aren't willing to work. They are lazy. Gerald is a unique case, as he is a good kid and is willing to put in work to improve as a player. The problem with Gerald isn't laziness or disinterest, it's lack of experience and the lack of a basketball IQ. He always seems lost out there, and he's as raw a player as they come. He only played 2 years of organized ball in high school, then made the jump to the NBA. He certainly is a guy that should have went to college. He should have went to Oklahoma State and developed his skills, because he came in as a huge project. He has so much to learn, but again, he's a good kid and wants to get better. If he can ever harness his athletic gifts, smooth shooting stroke, and body type to turn himself into a basketball player, that'd be great. I'll be rooting for him, I hope he does. I wouldn't, however, put money on it. He really hasn't improved since he has come into the league and can't even win a spot in the rotation on the worst team in the NBA - in his third year. I expect Gerald to get a contract this summer based on name value alone, but it's make-or-break time for Gerald. He could either turn into a late blooming stud or a complete bust. He's either a home run or a strike-out. There's no in between. I like a lot of guys on this roster and I think a lot of them have bright futures (not on the same team, though), but patience is key. This thing can work if they play their cards right (not likely with McHale running the show), but it will take a good 3-4 years before we can even think about the Wolves sniffing the postseason. They could be something to watch out for in the future though, if they implement the right pieces around Al Jefferson and their top 5 pick in this year's draft. It'll be fun to follow, that's for sure.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 21 2007, 03:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Gerald Green is the wildcard, but I really do like him. So many "busts" nowadays are usually freakishly athletic players who have a bad attitude and aren't willing to work. They are lazy. Gerald is a unique case, as he is a good kid and is willing to put in work to improve as a player. The problem with Gerald isn't laziness or disinterest, it's lack of experience and the lack of a basketball IQ. He always seems lost out there, and he's as raw a player as they come. He only played 2 years of organized ball in high school, then made the jump to the NBA. He certainly is a guy that should have went to college. He should have went to Oklahoma State and developed his skills, because he came in as a huge project. He has so much to learn, but again, he's a good kid and wants to get better. If he can ever harness his athletic gifts, smooth shooting stroke, and body type to turn himself into a basketball player, that'd be great. I'll be rooting for him, I hope he does. I wouldn't, however, put money on it. He really hasn't improved since he has come into the league and can't even win a spot in the rotation on the worst team in the NBA - in his third year. I expect Gerald to get a contract this summer based on name value alone, but it's make-or-break time for Gerald. He could either turn into a late blooming stud or a complete bust. He's either a home run or a strike-out. There's no in between.</div> This whole lost thing is a stereotype or whatever you call it. It's been implemented since he came into the league as a rookie. People have it stuck in their heads that since he's looked lost his rookie year, he'll always be lost. Another thing I disagree in is that you say he hasn't improved since he's came into the league. That's completely untrue. Gerald has toned his body, improved defense, improved his 3 point shooting, seems a lot more active, and is stronger. He's got a fell for the game I think now. His rookie year it was let it fly or him taking world-be-free shots. I also don't think it's gonna be a contract on name value only signing for him next year, but more of a playing style contract. Teams like Golden State, Phoenix, Denver, run-and-gun teams are going to really want Gerald next year because he would fit so beautifully in their systems. For example, put Gerald in Azubuike's place and he'll produce just as much if not better. I don't expect Gerald to become a complete bust. I think with his work ethic and motivation he'll become an borderline all-star at least. But let's not get ahead of ourselves he still has to play in Minnesota.
