This season is a lost cause. They are likely not making the playoffs and the chances of winning a championship has been long over. The only thing that can be salavaged is to see how good Ebi is and does he have what it takes to be in the NBA. Ebi is getting paid lot of money. He shouldn't be in the "injured list" yet get paid. Wolves drafted him and they paid a lot to sign him so let him earn his money and let's see if he is in the team's future plans. Ebi is not going to learn by being in the "injured list". Ebi is probably going to be a bust, but how could it hurt to see him play. He can't be worse. If he stinks this year, then give him release after next season or trade him. The Wolves drafted this guy so they might as well let him learn. What are the Timberwolves waiting for? If I am Glen Taylor, I would tell McHale why in the world I am paying Ebi millions to be in the injured list. Glen has the power to do that.
Yeah, it makes sense,and it's what I would like to see them do, but I really dooubt it will happen. The organization wont do the smart things, and will instead try to stumble through the rest of this season and pick up 5 more wins. Unless they choose to be a lottery team, then I can see that happening, but that decision is yet to be made.
The playoffs seem to be a lost cause of the Timberwolves this season. Even if they do manage to put up a late season charge and grab the 8th spot from the Lakers, it will still be inevitable that they would get knocked out in the first round. Might as well throw in the towel and focus on the future. Rest Garnett, play Ebi, Hassell, Sczerbiak etc, guys who would still be here after Cassell and Spree retire. Most important of all is Ebi, and he has yet to get a chance to prove himself to the rest of the league. If you've already given up hope on him and want to trade, at least give him exposure so teams can be attracted.
I totally agree. Ebi needs to prove he's worth all the money he is making. And it will also help too if he gets more playing time now it will definetly help him down the line. I do believe he will be a starter in one or two years, so it's time we start playing him.
Ebi hasn't played a single game this season. Shouldn't the TWolves just let him play overseas or something? NBDL? There's no point in him rotting on the bench.
hmmm Ebi should definately play some major minutes. our team is pretty much aging, and the older guys shown they are inconsitent and frustating this season. might as well throw in some young talent and see what can they do. Trip's point about sending Ebi overseas or to the NBDL is excellent. shouldn't waste a young guy's career away on the bench. who knows, maybe he can turn out to be the next Jermaine O'neal.
If he was ready to play, I think the team would let him play. But in my opinion he isn't ready, he's still too raw and still has to improve before playing. The team knows him better than any of us. If they thought he could play, he would be playing. Well it might not be a bad idea to let him play a little, I still think the team can still have a chance to win. I disagree that it would be inevitable that they lose in the first round. They have the talent but it's just the chemistry. If they were to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, they would still have a chance of beating a team like the Spurs or the Suns. Even if it's slim in my mind. Here a article <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With center Michael Olowokandi certain to miss at least a handful of games because of a bone bruise and sprain to his right knee, the Timberwolves soon might have an active roster spot available for little-used forward Ndudi Ebi. Ebi, who played a total of 32 minutes in 17 appearances as a rookie, is way behind near the end of his second NBA season. He didn't seem too roused, good or bad, by the prospect of being activated. "I was always told that one of the seven pyramids of success was patience," Ebi said. "You can't go wrong with that." </div> Link
He was better off going to Arizona to let his skills develop and to make himself into a great players, yet he passed on that idea and declared, made himself into a first round pick, and now, instead of playing, he's rotting on the bench. Obviously he's not read if he has played close to nothing in the NBA so far. I don't really how it will hurt to let him play. The team's chemistry isn't turning around anytime soon. Injuries and lack of intensity are hurting us right now, and this season has become a waste. We have been a big disapointment and have been inconsistent, so why not let the young guy play? What could it hurt.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Ebi hasn't played a single game this season. Shouldn't the TWolves just let him play overseas or something? NBDL? There's no point in him rotting on the bench.</div> I agree. If Ebi wasn't ready to play in the pros, the Timberwolves should have sent him to Europe and let him develop there as you have saw with the Spurs sending Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Bheno Udrih to Europe so that those three guys can develop into quality players. Him being in the "injured list" and having him practice with the team daily is not going to help him develop. He needs to play in real games and real competition.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Linkin:</div><div class="quote_post">If he was ready to play, I think the team would let him play. But in my opinion he isn't ready, he's still too raw and still has to improve before playing. The team knows him better than any of us. If they thought he could play, he would be playing. Well it might not be a bad idea to let him play a little, I still think the team can still have a chance to win. I disagree that it would be inevitable that they lose in the first round. They have the talent but it's just the chemistry. If they were to make the playoffs as the 8th seed, they would still have a chance of beating a team like the Spurs or the Suns. Even if it's slim in my mind. </div> How do you know if he's ready to play or not if you don't let him play? That's a problem I have. I don't care how raw the kid is, he's never going to get to prove anything if he doesn't ever play. They seem to have the same problem the Pistons do when it comes to Darko. They each have so much talent and potential, but they don't get to show it. The only way you will be able to see how good the kid truly is, is by letting him play. Sure, practice is helpful and all, but you don't get the true experience until you step out on the court during an actual game and play some meaningful minutes. They haven't let him do that yet and they need to. Making the kid rot on the bench is doing nothing for him at all. He's never going to progress as a player if he just sits on the bench and never steps foot on the court.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">How do you know if he's ready to play or not if you don't let him play? That's a problem I have. I don't care how raw the kid is, he's never going to get to prove anything if he doesn't ever play. They seem to have the same problem the Pistons do when it comes to Darko. They each have so much talent and potential, but they don't get to show it. The only way you will be able to see how good the kid truly is, is by letting him play. Sure, practice is helpful and all, but you don't get the true experience until you step out on the court during an actual game and play some meaningful minutes. They haven't let him do that yet and they need to. Making the kid rot on the bench is doing nothing for him at all. He's never going to progress as a player if he just sits on the bench and never steps foot on the court.</div> I don't know if he is ready but the team must have some idea of how good the kid is. They've been with him the whole time. When you see Darko play, you knew he isn't ready because of his conditionning and body. He broke his hand in a couple of minutes. In my opinion, it's the same problem for Ebi because his body looks weak compared to other players and isn't an NBA type body. These guys aren't like Amare Stoudemire who was raw but had a great body. And well last season, Ebi did play 17 games and 32 minutes in total. I disagree with your last statement because you can learn alot from just watching the game but it's just not as much as you would playing. The kids young and has time to prove himself and doesn't have to be pushed onto the court. And Glen Taylor has already stated that he thinks Ebi will be able to contribute next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Linkin:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know if he is ready but the team must have some idea of how good the kid is. They've been with him the whole time. When you see Darko play, you knew he isn't ready because of his conditionning and body. He broke his hand in a couple of minutes. In my opinion, it's the same problem for Ebi because his body looks weak compared to other players and isn't an NBA type body. These guys aren't like Amare Stoudemire who was raw but had a great body. And well last season, Ebi did play 17 games and 32 minutes in total. I disagree with your last statement because you can learn alot from just watching the game but it's just not as much as you would playing. The kids young and has time to prove himself and doesn't have to be pushed onto the court. And Glen Taylor has already stated that he thinks Ebi will be able to contribute next season.</div> I disagree with you on some parts here. Firstly, you can't progress as a player if you're sitting on the bench. There's no way. All you can do when you sit on the bench is watch and hope to learn something from watching others play. The only way you can progress as a player is with in game experience. Because, if you don't play, you never know what you're capable of and you can never truly enhance your skills. Practice helps, but the only way to become your best is by playing actual NBA games. So, while watching will help, you can only truly get better by actually playing.
I agree Moo. Some players are great players in practice but they can't handle the pressure once they get onto the court. Why can't Ebi be the exact opposite? Linkin, you mention his body, but looking at KG at first glance, he also looks weak. Look at Ariza in New York, Chandler in Chicago, and Childress in Atlanta. All these players are light for their weight, but they still play key roles for their teams. 32 minutes in 17 games don't tell anything, considering the fact that Ebi gets into the game in garbage situations, or situations where there is no pressure for the Wolves to perform. Give him five games with 20 minutes or more, then judge his abillity as a player/
I do want Ebi to play some games to prove himself because the team needs some young talent but it's not our choice. Mchale will only play who he thinks will help them win games when they are still in the playoff race. I don't think Ebi is one of them. They've seen him play, they've scouted him before drafting him, they've had so much time to evaluate him, and they don't know if he is ready to play? I don't think so. They other young players who are play is because the team has nothing to lose or the coach has confidence on the player. Those might be the reason why the team doesn't play him. From what I remember of him when he was playing, he didn't look that great. If they were out of the playoff race, they'll play Ebi. Until then I doubt seeing him playing many minutes even if he is activated. Why can't we just wait until next season to play Ebi? We're in no rush and he is young and patient. In my opinion, it would be better for Ebi, if he waited til next season until he plays more minutes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree with you on some parts here. Firstly, you can't progress as a player if you're sitting on the bench. There's no way. All you can do when you sit on the bench is watch and hope to learn something from watching others play. The only way you can progress as a player is with in game experience. Because, if you don't play, you never know what you're capable of and you can never truly enhance your skills. Practice helps, but the only way to become your best is by playing actual NBA games. So, while watching will help, you can only truly get better by actually playing.</div> Practice is where you actually improve your skills and not in games. You play games to get experience and isn't where you improve something like shooting form. There are young players who haven't played organised basketball in his life and can be better than some who play organised games. All you need is hard work and pratice. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree Moo. Some players are great players in practice but they can't handle the pressure once they get onto the court. Why can't Ebi be the exact opposite? </div> That doesn't make sense. For example, you can't solve a problem for homework (practice) but can do it when it's a test (games). A reason why players can be great at practice but not in games might be because of pressure but I can't see any in practice. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Linkin, you mention his body, but looking at KG at first glance, he also looks weak. Look at Ariza in New York, Chandler in Chicago, and Childress in Atlanta. All these players are light for their weight, but they still play key roles for their teams.</div> I'm saying that it would help Ebi if he was stronger. All those players you named would be better if they were stronger. I do want Ebi to play some games to prove himself because the team needs some young talent but it's not our choice. Mchale will only play who he thinks will help them win games when they are still in the playoff race. I don't think Ebi is one of them. They've seen him play, they've scouted him before drafting him, they've had so much time to evaluate him, and they don't know if he is ready to play? I don't think so. They other young players who are play is because the team has nothing to lose or the coach has confidence on the player. Those might be the reason why the team doesn't play him. From what I remember of him when he was playing, he didn't look that great. If they were out of the playoff race, they'll play Ebi. Until then I doubt seeing him playing many minutes even if he is activated. Why can't we just wait until next season to play Ebi? We're in no rush and he is young and patient. In my opinion, it would be better for Ebi, if he waited til next season until he plays more minutes.
