The Official 2013-14 Around The NBA Thread......

The big issue with Minnesota isn't talent, it's health. There are a lot of very breakable players on that roster. Kevin Martin actually stayed healthy last year, so maybe he has turned a corner?

 

I think it's 1a. Health 1b. Depth

Who is their go to bench man? Shved? Barea?

So far they remind me of our squad last year. Come out hot then fizzle with the starters playing so many minutes.

 

LA is definitely the best PF in the NBA for the Blazers. I don't think Love would do as well here.

 

Their depth is actually a big reason they could be a threat. They lost Turiaf who gave them a solid big and Budinger (their biggest scoring threat off the bench).

They still have:

Barea
Shved
Williams
Cunningham
Dieng

I wasn't the biggest fan of Barea in year's past, but he will be important this year. He can provide scoring in an instance (followed by the worst basketball plays you will ever see).

 

Easily.

 

Forgot about Budinger, still I see mostly hustle guys. Not much scoring threat IMO. Do you think Williams will last much longer in Minny?

 

Second best. I think it is:

Love
small gap
Aldridge
small gap
Dirk

 

double post

 

He has shown some signs this year. Played pretty good defense on Melo tonight. He has lost weight and looks much quicker. If he would attack the basket with more force, he could be a very solid role player. He has a spot, not sure if it is with this team once Budinger comes back.

 

IF and when budinger comes back, thats 10 points and 35% on 3s right there, and rest for Martin.

 

Not it is a pretty dry position, which is why it is so great for the Wolves and Blazers to have the top 2.

I think after Dirk:
Bosh
Randolph
Griffin

then.... David Lee? I don't count Duncan as a PF.

 

I always thought Williams for Evan Turner would be mutually beneficial.

 

Exactly. And a slasher. He is a big piece.

Also, when did Brewer become not awful at basketball? Night and day difference between his first stint with the Wolves and now.

 

Someone needs to tell Love to stop jacking threes.

He shot 10-19 for the game, but 2-8 from downtown. If he would have taken half as many threes, he would have shot a much more impressive 10-15.

Also, 15 FTA? I wish we had a player that was handed free points like that.

 

I wish he wouldn't do it as much when Pek isn't in the game. But when he is, you still have a very good offensive rebounder under the basket (even if they are mostly longer rebounds).

He was open on most of the attempts.

 

Dude, he was 2-8... there's a reason why he's open. I know some people want Aldridge to start shooting threes and I hate it. It drove me nuts when Sheed would jack up threes all game. They play power forward. Get the fuck under the hoop.