MN: When Martin Comes Back

This topic contains 6 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by aztwulf 12 years, 3 months ago.

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Posted on: Sat, 03/01/2014 - 3:51pm #54125

baggin13
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Wanted to throw a topic out. When Kevin Martin comes back from his broken thumb should he come off the bench? I’ll go ahead and assume he would not prefer to, but the bench could really use some help. As soon as the starters leave, mor often then not the scoring decrease greatly. I pitch, continue to start Chase Budinger or for a more options in this discussion, plug either Luc Mbah a Moute or Shabazz Muhammad into the starting five.
Budinger is an offensive player who can shoot the three and is a decent cutter, keeping the starting SG an offensive threat. I believe Budigner would make the most sense out of any other option (bold statement since he has been starting in place of Martin), considering he helps spread the offense, provides off ball movement, and is a willing passer. Martin provides the first two, but at times he tries too hard to create for himself and ends up taking a tough or off balance shot. Knowing when to give up the rock is an underatted quality.
Mbah a Moute would play SF and Brewer would slide to SG. Moute’s defensive abilities and versatiliy brings more overall defense and toughness to the starting unit. The complete lack of shooting in the starting five…outside Love would be weak. However, Nikola Pekovic is set to return soon which brings back some offensive punch. Adelman likes to get Pekovic going early (which helps even out Martin early absence), between Pek and Love they should be able to provide and the Rebounding should be slightly better (MN is currently 4th).
Muhammad has only had one solid complete game and it was Minnesota’s previous game, aming this is a stretch. Although, if Muhammad continiues to get minutes and produe, it could be worth it. Shabazz is still working on becoming a more versitle offensive player then I saw earlier in the season. He still prefers to go left, but is learing how to take what the opertinity provides. He crashes the offensive boards well for his postion, but it can be an issue for getting back on D, and MN is already horrid in transition defense. Still a Rookie, Shabazz will still make mistakes; and he also has Rick Adelman, who does not like to play rookies, as his coach. I would say Muhammad steppng into the starting five is the least likely option. I
My pick, start Chase and bring Martin off the bench. They are similar offensive players which doesn’t throw off the job/role of the SG in either the startering unit or the bench. The reason why Martin serves better on the bench is becasue he is more consitient offensively then Budinger, which is exactly what the bench is missing. Instead of heavily relying on JJ Barea to score (which can get very ugly), Martin becomes the primary option. Martin helps spread the opposing defense, instead of the opponent clogging the lane waiting for Barea to drive. The biggest concern would be the starting offense, but I don’t think it will take a big hit without him considering Martin would still receive starter minutes, raising bench points. Another perk is with Martin playing a mojority of his minutes with the bench, Love would not have to play so many minutes exhausting him for the……playoffs (Please God). But I should be honest, MN needs love to play as many minutes as he can if they want to win….and win consistantly.

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Posted on: Sat, 03/01/2014 - 5:09pm #875834

Rip255
I was thinking about the Timberwolves this morning and wondered why can’t they make a run at the 8th seed? I think they can overtake Phoenix.
I believe they have the talent and just need to figure out how to win close games. I’m going to watch the match vs Sacramento now.
On a side note, I don’t think Kevin Love is a lock to leave Minnesota either.
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Posted on: Sat, 03/01/2014 - 5:09pm #875725

Rip255
I was thinking about the Timberwolves this morning and wondered why can’t they make a run at the 8th seed? I think they can overtake Phoenix.
I believe they have the talent and just need to figure out how to win close games. I’m going to watch the match vs Sacramento now.
On a side note, I don’t think Kevin Love is a lock to leave Minnesota either.
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Posted on: Sat, 03/01/2014 - 5:36pm #875842

river09
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Martin started the game tonight didn’t he? The idea is interesting as the wolves bench is miserable, and Adelman refuses to play Shabazz who is the only player who even looks for his own shot (outside of JJ Barea who really should stop shooting so much)..
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Posted on: Sat, 03/01/2014 - 5:36pm #875733

river09
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Martin started the game tonight didn’t he? The idea is interesting as the wolves bench is miserable, and Adelman refuses to play Shabazz who is the only player who even looks for his own shot (outside of JJ Barea who really should stop shooting so much)..
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Posted on: Sun, 03/02/2014 - 5:37am #875797

aztwulf
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I think you are spot on. The wolves biggest issue is no consistent production from the bench. The starters usually leave the bench with a 5 point lead, only to watch the bench lose the lead at a rate of about 2 points per minute to the oppositions bench.
Typically, Minnesota’s second unit is JJ Barea, Budinger, Cunningham, Turiaf (when healthy), and Brewer/Shved/or Mbah a Moute. Regardless of the exact composition, it comes down to Barea (who flat out loves to call his own number) and a bunch of non-shooters (other than Budinger, who is a decent, but not great, shooter). The Wolve’s bench simply can’t score other than on those nights where JJ’s garbage is going in.
The starting five of Love, Rubio, Pek, KMart, and Brewer could afford to give KMart’s slot to someone like Budinger and hardly miss a beat. The spacing is still there, as both KMart and Budinger play mostly out at the three point line. The only real difference is that KMart is better than Budinger at what they do. The bulk of the half court offense flows through Love and Pek, Brewer scores his points on run-outs, and Rubio distributes. Budinger could spot up at the three point line just like KMart does now.
KMart spending some time with the second unit provides more of a threat than Budinger with the second unit, and provides an alternative to JJ’s inefficient shot-jacking style.
I like your idea.
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Posted on: Sun, 03/02/2014 - 5:37am #875906

aztwulf
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I think you are spot on. The wolves biggest issue is no consistent production from the bench. The starters usually leave the bench with a 5 point lead, only to watch the bench lose the lead at a rate of about 2 points per minute to the oppositions bench.
Typically, Minnesota’s second unit is JJ Barea, Budinger, Cunningham, Turiaf (when healthy), and Brewer/Shved/or Mbah a Moute. Regardless of the exact composition, it comes down to Barea (who flat out loves to call his own number) and a bunch of non-shooters (other than Budinger, who is a decent, but not great, shooter). The Wolve’s bench simply can’t score other than on those nights where JJ’s garbage is going in.
The starting five of Love, Rubio, Pek, KMart, and Brewer could afford to give KMart’s slot to someone like Budinger and hardly miss a beat. The spacing is still there, as both KMart and Budinger play mostly out at the three point line. The only real difference is that KMart is better than Budinger at what they do. The bulk of the half court offense flows through Love and Pek, Brewer scores his points on run-outs, and Rubio distributes. Budinger could spot up at the three point line just like KMart does now.
KMart spending some time with the second unit provides more of a threat than Budinger with the second unit, and provides an alternative to JJ’s inefficient shot-jacking style.
I like your idea.
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