Problems that I've seen: 1) Eddie Griffin - Even when he was hitting 3's I said that he doesn't have a complete game for someone at is position. He can't play well in the post and that's what you need in the West. Right now we're just another Eastern team in my eyes. The only person who seems to be somewhat reliable is KG. Sam can post up smaller guys or ones that don't know how to defend the post, but defenses are closing out on him and the passing lane that he ALWAYS throws towards KG. He can rebound on the defensive end but doesn't do as well on the other side becuase he doesn't play the post well. He CAN block shots, though. If he could at least get a consistent mid-range game, he could be salvaged. Right now, he's rated a little better than John Thomas in my estimation. Hell, Gary Trent was more reliable in the post. 2) Center Play - Erv is old, but brings it to the table. But he can be a liability on offense. Olowakandi - Do I have to give insight? 3) Post Play - Enough Said. 4) Consistency of the Defensive end - I've said it before, teams that play the Wolves know for a fact that no matter how many points the Wolves jump on them with, they can (and usually will) come back and make a game of it. No team is going to go %100 from the field, so that's when you have to stop the other team. Bringing up what Jim Peterson said, we were favored to be going against the Spurs for the title and can't afford to give games away. I've seen at least 6 - 7 games in which the other teams played like crap and still won the game. Some times, teams are going to bring their "A" game and you can't match that night, but when teams like the Raptors (who have never won in the Target Center) and the Bucks (who we've beaten 10 times in a row at their place) don't bring the intensity of the 2004 Pistons, you are supposed to knock them out. I have yet to see the Spurs get a large lead and lose. I've seen them come back from large deficits, but when they get a team down, the team becomes demoralized and don't think they can win. We are the opposite.
Another problem is the rotation. Flip has to return to a 8 man rotation even if it angers some players. Many players don't deserve the minutes. The post play as you said is a big problem. There isn't any. Spree is too inconsisten and shouldn't be playing at times. Sam Cassell can shoot but can't play any defense. There is a big hole at the center position. Olowokandi shouldn't be playing and fan's are fed up with him. Fred Hoiberg should get more playing time because he is playing better then some players ahead of him. They have to play 48 minutes and can't have any defensive lapses.
Theres a lot of problems with this team, but the biggest one is the unbeliveable inconsistency of the players. I have no way of explaining it, many of these players have been stars at one time or another, but somehow deteriorated over the off-season. What happened to the New York Sprewell, or at least what happened to the Spree of last year? Sam Cassel had the best year of his career last year, being an all-star and all, but your not seeing the same guy this year.What happened? What happened to the Troy Hudson who was the Laker's worst nightmare a few years ago? I can go on and on... What is with all of the players who suddenly suck? Yeah, I said it. Most of the players on this team suck. They used to be great players but now they are terrible. I didn't see the last game, but look at the game against Sacramento: Why the hell couldn't anyone make a shot? I know these players are supposed to be "old" but your a professional athlete ! It's unbelievable how bad the players on this team were playing. The number one example is Sprewell: What the hell? 9 out of 10 games he scores 2 points, but then he has one 30 point game. I dont know how his game can be the bi-polar, so it seems like he just doesn't put in the effort. Just trade away most of the players on this team and get some youthful players who come out to play every nigght and can at least keep us in a game. No more old players who go on missing-streaks that are severa games long. I dont care who they trade except KG at this point. It's time to try again. Rebuild a team around KG. And do it quick, because KG isn't getting any younger.
I totally agree with Linkin here, we have to get some sort of consistency to our rotation. It is going to toally throw players off for new guys to be with them every quarter. Saunders has to quit being a nice guy and try to get everyone in, and he has to focus on putting the best possible crop out there, and win some dang ball games. Even Cuttino Mobley was confused about Saunders play-calling after the Kings victory over the Wolves. "I don't know how anybody can get into a rhythm with how many players he [Flip] throws out there." It was something to that affect.
Great points, Saber. I am not sure if Eddie should come back next year. He has not really impressed me much. He is too much of a peaks n valley type of player. He will be either very good or very bad. Wolves need to get more out of him. Flip said it best after Tuesday's game against the Bucks about how they get beat in the paint, they shoot a lot of threes and they don't get to the free-throw line. It's been the story of this team all year.
Two thoughts (oh yeah, I didn't see any of the Phoenix game, but I hear that's a good thing): 1 - Nazr Mohammed & Kurt Thomas for Kandi & Szczerbiak. HELL, I want to get rid of Spree too, but the Knicks aren't stupid and Wally's contract will suck the life out of future moves for seasons to come. They might let go of Sweetney also. 2 - Get Darius from Portland (I'd take Pryzbilla over Kandi). Yes he's had some bad media lately, but respects the hell out of KG and would love to play with him. You get a rebounding, fast-breaking, energetic young player who would flourish under KG. Right now, here's who I find expendable: KANDI Spree Wally* Griffin Hudson Johnson* Cassell (I would think about keeping him in a limited role because he really shines in the post season) Ebi (Hasn't shown alot of promise at the NBA in my opinion) * - I would do grudgingly.
Right now, I wouldn't care if we traded anyone but Garnett, Szczerbiak, Hoiberg, and Hassell. These are the guys that come to work everynight, and we can build around them. The deal involving Thomas and Mohammed I would like. We get two gritty rebounders and defenders, and best of all we get rid of Olowakandi. It would hurt to see Szczerbiak go, but I do think we have to take extreme measures if we want to turn things around in the 2005-2006 season. The only advantage of this year I see is getting a possible lottery pick. I know it isn't the right attitude, but right now I am hurting. I never thought at the beginning of the season we would have to have discussions about how bad we are, and how much help we need. I can guarantee I am one of the many fans that came into this season thinking we would make the Western Conference Finals in a breeze. My, my, how immature we all are.
Everyone is expendable in my mind. That includes KG, but if KG is traded, I want a new GM to do it not McHale. Pure: I expected a 72 win season and a championship. I was so excited for Wolves basketball back in August. Instead, the season can't end soon enough.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Timberwolf:</div><div class="quote_post">Pure: I expected a 72 win season and a championship. I was so excited for Wolves basketball back in August. Instead, the season can't end soon enough.</div> 72!!! You may have been a little too optimistic in the goal. I expected the Wolves to win about the same amount (if not a little less) than last season for the same reason that I said that they had to win it last season, because they took teams by surprise and the league wasn't ready for what they were bringing. I knew that this season teams would be fully prepared for them and will bring their "A" games. It wasn't like that last season and remember that we were not one of the teams that were chosen to take the title until the end of the season (pretty much when we took the home court advantage from the KINGS. I knew as soon as the season was over and we received the blessing of being favorites, that things were going to change.
Sabertooth: I have to admit I was way too optimistic. Realistically. I was thinking at least 56-62 wins. I just love the way this team has played last year that I decided to go overboard with my predicitions.
