Kevin Love and Nicola Pekovic

This topic contains 20 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by B-ball fan 12 years, 6 months ago.

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Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 3:50pm #53434

JD’s_Timberpuppies
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I am a die hard Timberwolves fan and I’d like to think that I know quite a bit about the ins and out of the game. Kevin Love and Nicola Pekovic compliment each other perfectly on offense, but are absolutely horrible together on offense. I really like Love and Pek but they simply cannot play together. They are both great rebounders but Pekovic’s defensive rebounding is basically wasted because Love is going to rip that ball away from anyone.
Pekovic on defense-
Very Strong, almost unmovable. He struggles against quicker bigs because he has no lateral movement, and is not a shot blocker. He actually though is an underated post defender due to his pure strength. Pek is also not a very good team defender, he is slow and does not rotate well and often looks confused when he is not on the block defending.
Love on defense-
Tenacious rebounder best in the league, almost to a fault as he frequently puts himself out of defensive position trying to set up for a rebound. Struggles in all aspects of one on one defense, bigs shoot over him in the post and like Pek has very slow feet. His strength though is he has an extremely high basketball IQ and plays very good team defense and usually makes the proper rotations.
They have to trade one of them. Pekovic playing along side Ibaka would be a perfect fit. Like Love Ibaka would perfectly compliment Pek on offense, operating in the mid-range knocking down open jump shots and flying up and down the court catching lobs from Rubio. This would leave Pek down on the block to do what he does best backing anyone down. On defense Ibaka speed and athleticism would hide nearly all of Pek’s deficiencies. Ibaka could protect that rim while Pek boxed everyone out and finally be able to show his strength as a rebounder. I realize that a trade of this nature is extremely unlikely but hey this is what this site is for right? With the potential Steven Adams has a shot blocker this could allow the Thunder to do this, Adams protects the rim and Love does the rebounding. Love would fit beautifully for them on offense spacing the court and taking one of the bigs out of the paint to allow Westbrook and Durant to attack. The Thunder would then have the beastiest big 3 in the league. Their defense would take a hit but I really think Adams has the upside to be a great shot blocker, and the Thunder would be unstoppable on offense. There would no doubt have to be other players involved, but I really see this trade as a benefit to both teams. The Wolves would have to get more back than just Ibaka. What do you guys think? Again this is just an example I just think the Wolves need to trade one of these guys to succeed and with it being clear that there is a true risk of Love walking it would probably be in the Wolves best interest to trade him instead of Pek
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Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:20pm #863023

KHAM83
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I agree that they do not fit together. During the off-season I suggested that Minnesota pursued Asik after the Rockets signed Howard. I truly believed Derrick Williams for Asik would have worked, since Williams is the stretch four that compliments Howard. As for your trade suggestion, I doubt the Wolves would do this because it’ll make OKC that much better, while moderately improving the Wolves, if at all. There’s no way the Wolves could ever get past the Thunder, and they are still no better than the other west powerhouses. Maybe if they pursued a three team deal, sending Pek to NO, then Anderson to Houston, Asik to Minnesota. I know NO rejected Anderson for Asik, but I think that’s more due to how they view Asik rather than how they value Anderson. I think they’ll jump at Pek. Pek-Davis, Anderson-Howard, Asik-Love, all compliments each other perfectly.
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Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:20pm #862920

KHAM83
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I agree that they do not fit together. During the off-season I suggested that Minnesota pursued Asik after the Rockets signed Howard. I truly believed Derrick Williams for Asik would have worked, since Williams is the stretch four that compliments Howard. As for your trade suggestion, I doubt the Wolves would do this because it’ll make OKC that much better, while moderately improving the Wolves, if at all. There’s no way the Wolves could ever get past the Thunder, and they are still no better than the other west powerhouses. Maybe if they pursued a three team deal, sending Pek to NO, then Anderson to Houston, Asik to Minnesota. I know NO rejected Anderson for Asik, but I think that’s more due to how they view Asik rather than how they value Anderson. I think they’ll jump at Pek. Pek-Davis, Anderson-Howard, Asik-Love, all compliments each other perfectly.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:36pm #863035
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  I would rather trade Love for Lamb + Ibaka for Love than Pek for Asik. I agree OKC would be scary good, but the Wolves aren’t getting by them for quite some time anyways. I really think Love and Pek playing together on defense is the main issue with the Wolves. I watched Shabazz play in the D-league (I know it’s the D league) but I can really see why a year and a half ago there was so much hype surrounding him. Adelman has a phobia playing rookies, which bugs me. A starting lineup in 1-2 years of Rubio, Lamb, Shabazz, Ibaka, Pek in my eyes has a lot of potential. Rubio is what he is (a poor mans Rondo). He needs to be surrounded with guys that score, I believe Shabazz will develop into a good scorer and Lamb is coming along nice already. Ibaka isn’t the 3 point shooter that Love is but he has a real nice mid range jumper and will his fair share of 3s. I am also factoring in the fact that its very likely Love walks in considering this trade. As for your trade idea Wolves would have to get more back than Asik for Pek. Asik is much worse on offense than Pek is on Defense. I could see this trade if a NO draft pick comes Minnesota’s way.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:36pm #862932
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  I would rather trade Love for Lamb + Ibaka for Love than Pek for Asik. I agree OKC would be scary good, but the Wolves aren’t getting by them for quite some time anyways. I really think Love and Pek playing together on defense is the main issue with the Wolves. I watched Shabazz play in the D-league (I know it’s the D league) but I can really see why a year and a half ago there was so much hype surrounding him. Adelman has a phobia playing rookies, which bugs me. A starting lineup in 1-2 years of Rubio, Lamb, Shabazz, Ibaka, Pek in my eyes has a lot of potential. Rubio is what he is (a poor mans Rondo). He needs to be surrounded with guys that score, I believe Shabazz will develop into a good scorer and Lamb is coming along nice already. Ibaka isn’t the 3 point shooter that Love is but he has a real nice mid range jumper and will his fair share of 3s. I am also factoring in the fact that its very likely Love walks in considering this trade. As for your trade idea Wolves would have to get more back than Asik for Pek. Asik is much worse on offense than Pek is on Defense. I could see this trade if a NO draft pick comes Minnesota’s way.
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Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:32pm #863033

phila9012
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Ibaka, Lamb and a first rounder (mavs protected 1st) or PJ3 maybe, or other pieces that make the money work. As a timberwolves fan I would be happy with that. A big 3 of Westbrook, durant, is capable of winning a championship. They would have Adams at center who is a quality young bigman to pair with love. I think they would go great together. The wolves would have a promising team. I think Shabazz will take the next step and be a solid bench player next year like lamb did. I think Lamb is a solid starting SG. If the wolves could trade martin for a younger player who can be a 3 and D guy at the 3 that would be ideal. As a timberwolves fan, I think the team is kind of a mess, not giving the max to love was dumb because rubio can’t shoot or score in the paint. I don’t know what he is, or what he will be, but if he doesn’t improve his finishing and/or shooting he is a borderline starter and the twolves probably should look to do something about that, like bringing a better backup who can compete with rubio for the starting job, I don’t know who.
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Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:32pm #862930

phila9012
Participant
Ibaka, Lamb and a first rounder (mavs protected 1st) or PJ3 maybe, or other pieces that make the money work. As a timberwolves fan I would be happy with that. A big 3 of Westbrook, durant, is capable of winning a championship. They would have Adams at center who is a quality young bigman to pair with love. I think they would go great together. The wolves would have a promising team. I think Shabazz will take the next step and be a solid bench player next year like lamb did. I think Lamb is a solid starting SG. If the wolves could trade martin for a younger player who can be a 3 and D guy at the 3 that would be ideal. As a timberwolves fan, I think the team is kind of a mess, not giving the max to love was dumb because rubio can’t shoot or score in the paint. I don’t know what he is, or what he will be, but if he doesn’t improve his finishing and/or shooting he is a borderline starter and the twolves probably should look to do something about that, like bringing a better backup who can compete with rubio for the starting job, I don’t know who.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:37pm #863037
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  As I was writing my response you posted exactly what I was thinking.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:37pm #862934
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  As I was writing my response you posted exactly what I was thinking.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:40pm #863039
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  The jury is still out on Rubio. If he is surrounded by shooters I think he will succeed though. He plays pretty good defense too. It’s rough though now when you have guys like Brewer you are relying on to drain 3s. I don’t mind Martin he started the year off great and then got hurt. I’ll bet he’s still hurting. He also has a very reasonable contract.
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- Posted on: Thu, 01/16/2014 - 6:40pm #862936
  
  JD’s_Timberpuppies
  Participant
  The jury is still out on Rubio. If he is surrounded by shooters I think he will succeed though. He plays pretty good defense too. It’s rough though now when you have guys like Brewer you are relying on to drain 3s. I don’t mind Martin he started the year off great and then got hurt. I’ll bet he’s still hurting. He also has a very reasonable contract.
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  - Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 4:31am #863028
    
    phila9012
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    Rubio would be good if they had shooters, but he still would need to learn to score in someway otherwise the team would be flawed. If he could penetrate and finish the shooting wouldn’t be much of a problem. Rondo can’t shoot at all, but he can penetrate and finish at the basket which allows him to shoot a decent percentage from the field. Rubio is shooting 35% from the field, that is a major liability especially when the twolves dont have any guys who can consistantly score off the dribble.
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  - Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 4:31am #863133
    
    phila9012
    Participant
    Rubio would be good if they had shooters, but he still would need to learn to score in someway otherwise the team would be flawed. If he could penetrate and finish the shooting wouldn’t be much of a problem. Rondo can’t shoot at all, but he can penetrate and finish at the basket which allows him to shoot a decent percentage from the field. Rubio is shooting 35% from the field, that is a major liability especially when the twolves dont have any guys who can consistantly score off the dribble.
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Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 3:20am #863018

TallmanNYC
Participant
Another problem is that Rubio doesn’t fit well with Pek. Rubio should be on a team throwing lob passess to athletes running the rim. Love isn’t really that guy, but since he can do so many things he makes it work. But a cheaper and still good center like T Chandler running pick and roll with Rubio to the basket would be scary good. Deandre Jordan would be a great fit as well as he could finish off lobs and block shots behind Love. Heck, even either of the Plumlees would workout paired with Rubio.
With the season Love is putting up statistically, combined with Martin, Pek, Brewer and Rubio, this team really should be solidly above 500. I think the problem is the pieces aren’t fitting. On the other hand, trading and getting back 50 cents on the dollar won’t help. And it is almost impossible to get back equivalent value for Love because he is so good.
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- Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 6:02am #863038
  
  baggin13
  Participant
  I think it would be more exciting to watch, but Rubio is great in the Pick and Roll. And the pick and roll has been one of Pek’s strenghts. What Pek lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for in postioning and his abiulity to do cut offs and seal his opponents (both underated skills).
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  - Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 9:25am #863077
    
    B-ball fan
    Participant
    I think that Pek’s ability to position himself for drop-offs helps Rubio since Rubio likes to keep his dribble alive and dribble underneath the basket sometimes due to his poor finishing ability. Also, Rubio’s post feeds to Pek are pretty sick.
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  - Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 9:25am #863182
    
    B-ball fan
    Participant
    I think that Pek’s ability to position himself for drop-offs helps Rubio since Rubio likes to keep his dribble alive and dribble underneath the basket sometimes due to his poor finishing ability. Also, Rubio’s post feeds to Pek are pretty sick.
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- Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 6:02am #863143
  
  baggin13
  Participant
  I think it would be more exciting to watch, but Rubio is great in the Pick and Roll. And the pick and roll has been one of Pek’s strenghts. What Pek lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for in postioning and his abiulity to do cut offs and seal his opponents (both underated skills).
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Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 3:20am #863123

TallmanNYC
Participant
Another problem is that Rubio doesn’t fit well with Pek. Rubio should be on a team throwing lob passess to athletes running the rim. Love isn’t really that guy, but since he can do so many things he makes it work. But a cheaper and still good center like T Chandler running pick and roll with Rubio to the basket would be scary good. Deandre Jordan would be a great fit as well as he could finish off lobs and block shots behind Love. Heck, even either of the Plumlees would workout paired with Rubio.
With the season Love is putting up statistically, combined with Martin, Pek, Brewer and Rubio, this team really should be solidly above 500. I think the problem is the pieces aren’t fitting. On the other hand, trading and getting back 50 cents on the dollar won’t help. And it is almost impossible to get back equivalent value for Love because he is so good.
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Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 6:20am #863042

JD’s_Timberpuppies
Participant
The wolves primary goal ono offense is to run the fastbreak, after that is the high pick and pop game on the wings. At the beginning of the year this was working great. Now though teams simply slip under the screen because they know Rubio can’t shoot and then the big will just stay pat on Love because the know he isn’t going to the hoop he’s is looking for the 3 on the wing. So now none of the defneders are switching and nobody is open. Usually by this time there is about 7 seconds left on the shot clock and all they have left to do is dump the ball down in the post to PEK. When this happens PEK scores at a pretty high rate and really has been the only positive thing going for the wolves lately. PEK makes deliberate uncomplicated moves on the block which works out great as the clock is runnig down. Even though athletic bigs would be ideal for Rubio, I think still having a big man who get get in dobne on the block is extremely important. For the wolves not having a wing player who can isolate one on one with the shot clock winding down, if they were to trade PEK for either Jordan or Chandler who would be their bail out option once the half court set fails? Nobody….this would be a big problem. With Ibaka and Pek you would have your athletic big who could play pick and roll with Rubio or pick and pop, Ibaka could catch lobs and knock down jump shots at a very high rate. They also would still have their on the block post option with PEK and he would remain their bail out option. PEK and Ibaka would also compliment eachother beautifully on defense, wih PEK being that unmovable force to take up space and puch people around and Ibak the quick athletic rim protector flying all over the place with weakside help D. I honestly think that Ibaka fits in better with this current roster than Love does. Add in Jeremy Lamb and a first round pick and this would be an awesome trade for both teams. Chandler and Jordan are very limited offensively and if either of them were acquired for PEK the wolves would have absolutely no player would could score one on one and this would be a big problem.
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Posted on: Fri, 01/17/2014 - 6:20am #863147

JD’s_Timberpuppies
Participant
The wolves primary goal ono offense is to run the fastbreak, after that is the high pick and pop game on the wings. At the beginning of the year this was working great. Now though teams simply slip under the screen because they know Rubio can’t shoot and then the big will just stay pat on Love because the know he isn’t going to the hoop he’s is looking for the 3 on the wing. So now none of the defneders are switching and nobody is open. Usually by this time there is about 7 seconds left on the shot clock and all they have left to do is dump the ball down in the post to PEK. When this happens PEK scores at a pretty high rate and really has been the only positive thing going for the wolves lately. PEK makes deliberate uncomplicated moves on the block which works out great as the clock is runnig down. Even though athletic bigs would be ideal for Rubio, I think still having a big man who get get in dobne on the block is extremely important. For the wolves not having a wing player who can isolate one on one with the shot clock winding down, if they were to trade PEK for either Jordan or Chandler who would be their bail out option once the half court set fails? Nobody….this would be a big problem. With Ibaka and Pek you would have your athletic big who could play pick and roll with Rubio or pick and pop, Ibaka could catch lobs and knock down jump shots at a very high rate. They also would still have their on the block post option with PEK and he would remain their bail out option. PEK and Ibaka would also compliment eachother beautifully on defense, wih PEK being that unmovable force to take up space and puch people around and Ibak the quick athletic rim protector flying all over the place with weakside help D. I honestly think that Ibaka fits in better with this current roster than Love does. Add in Jeremy Lamb and a first round pick and this would be an awesome trade for both teams. Chandler and Jordan are very limited offensively and if either of them were acquired for PEK the wolves would have absolutely no player would could score one on one and this would be a big problem.
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