[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 I want to make something clear, Klay Thompson fan like a lot of people, but I really thought he would be as good as he is today. In a argument with past user Amirr/Ghandy (famous warrior fan) for example, i told him he would drop 22-5-2 at one point.

A lot of people here is a fan of Zach Lavine but how good exactly do you think he can be:

Me: 23pts. 4rebs. 4asist..—– Future top player in the league. Wouldnt trade him for anyone type-of-thing (realistically being offered). 

 Tmac and Vince 2.0 is not farfetched, Zach Lavine and Wiggins that is.

[MarshMeloParticipant]

Yo Yo Yo!!! Zack Lavine!!!
Stillz A Teen!!! Skillz Obseen!!!
Rubio??? Oh Hell No!!!
Rubio Gotz 2 Go!!!
Peak Lavine Big N Mean!!!
Peak Lavine Scorez 18!!!

[MarshMeloParticipant]

Yo Yo Yo!!! Zack Lavine!!!
Stillz A Teen!!! Skillz Obseen!!!
Rubio??? Oh Hell No!!!
Rubio Gotz 2 Go!!!
Peak Lavine Big N Mean!!!
Peak Lavine Scorez 18!!!

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 That’s exactly what people projected Klay to score, 18 pts. 

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 That’s exactly what people projected Klay to score, 18 pts. 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 He really can ball, got a handle, shoot the 3, and of course he’s explosive, but his IQ is underwhelming to me. I’m surprised how well he turned out his first year, I just see him at best tho a 3rd option on a title contender averaging 16-5-5.

How about them t-wolves though!? That’s one team that’s forsure on the rise. Flip>> Hinkie all day lol

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 He really can ball, got a handle, shoot the 3, and of course he’s explosive, but his IQ is underwhelming to me. I’m surprised how well he turned out his first year, I just see him at best tho a 3rd option on a title contender averaging 16-5-5.

How about them t-wolves though!? That’s one team that’s forsure on the rise. Flip>> Hinkie all day lol

[GBeeParticipant]

 How well he turned out his first year? He was a pretty awful basketball player, arguably THE worst in the league who saw the minutes that he did.

http://stats-for-the-nba.appspot.com/ratings/RAPM_2015.html (scroll to the very bottom)

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/page/12/sort/RPM

http://tinyurl.com/obmsl4j

He was just a very bad player who got minutes. Does he have some talent? Yes, but he’s got a lot to learn about organized basketball. He strikes me as a player who works hard on his individual moves and predetermines them in game, with no regard for flow or team continuity. Saying that his IQ is underwhelming is an understatement to say the least. He needs to get stronger, needs to improve his ball control on drives, his shot selection and recognition of when to drive, shoot and pass. Fundamentally, he’s pretty clueless about the simple plays which constitute the overwhelming majority of all basketball plays… and that’s just one side of the floor. He’s terrible defensively showing very little awareness and no strength.

[GBeeParticipant]

 How well he turned out his first year? He was a pretty awful basketball player, arguably THE worst in the league who saw the minutes that he did.

http://stats-for-the-nba.appspot.com/ratings/RAPM_2015.html (scroll to the very bottom)

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/page/12/sort/RPM

http://tinyurl.com/obmsl4j

He was just a very bad player who got minutes. Does he have some talent? Yes, but he’s got a lot to learn about organized basketball. He strikes me as a player who works hard on his individual moves and predetermines them in game, with no regard for flow or team continuity. Saying that his IQ is underwhelming is an understatement to say the least. He needs to get stronger, needs to improve his ball control on drives, his shot selection and recognition of when to drive, shoot and pass. Fundamentally, he’s pretty clueless about the simple plays which constitute the overwhelming majority of all basketball plays… and that’s just one side of the floor. He’s terrible defensively showing very little awareness and no strength.

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 I think you’re the best poster here. My old friend 😉

I’m trying to analyze his future, while you’re going for the past. I like to look at him as a project. 

[EspressoprodigyParticipant]

 I think you’re the best poster here. My old friend 😉

I’m trying to analyze his future, while you’re going for the past. I like to look at him as a project. 

[Skeating12345Participant]

 He was a 19 year old rookie who didn’t even start on his college team. Relax. He obviously has the athleticism, shooting stroke, size, and work ethic to be a great player. Time will tell if he will put it all together, but you cannot argue that the kid isn’t talented.

[Skeating12345Participant]

 He was a 19 year old rookie who didn’t even start on his college team. Relax. He obviously has the athleticism, shooting stroke, size, and work ethic to be a great player. Time will tell if he will put it all together, but you cannot argue that the kid isn’t talented.

[GBeeParticipant]

 I’m responding to someone commenting on "how well he played."  He was awful.

His physical tools are great, outside of strength, which might always be a problem.  I like to see players with good instincts, regardless of age. I haven’t seen that with him at any level.

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 I’m responding to someone commenting on "how well he played."  He was awful.

His physical tools are great, outside of strength, which might always be a problem.  I like to see players with good instincts, regardless of age. I haven’t seen that with him at any level.

 

 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 He went off on the Spurs, averaged double digits PPG, and was rookie 2nd team. I thought forsure he would not get out of the D-League and might even lose a starting spot on a D-league team lol

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 He went off on the Spurs, averaged double digits PPG, and was rookie 2nd team. I thought forsure he would not get out of the D-League and might even lose a starting spot on a D-league team lol

[GBeeParticipant]

 2nd team all rookie is about as worthless an award that a player can get.  He was basically rewarded for getting minutes on a horrible team, with no regard for well he actually played over the course of the season.

Across the board, he was pretty much the worst rotation player in the league in terms of impact.

 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Alright bro obviously you don’t understand I had no expectations for him but whatever.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Alright bro obviously you don’t understand I had no expectations for him but whatever.

[GBeeParticipant]

 2nd team all rookie is about as worthless an award that a player can get.  He was basically rewarded for getting minutes on a horrible team, with no regard for well he actually played over the course of the season.

Across the board, he was pretty much the worst rotation player in the league in terms of impact.

 

[CobraParticipant]

 What has Flip done besides luck into Wiggins and Towns? LaVine was awful last year. Hinkie > Flip, and it’s not even close.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Wiggins was not a consensus #1 pick. He drafted Dieng and LaVine who both have loads of potential. Traded for Payne who showed a little flashes on the wolves last season to be a rotation player in this league. Kept Rubio who’s a good fit for that team.

Hinkie drafted MCW, Embiid, and Saric just to trade MCW for nothing, Embiid ending his career early, and Saric being told to stay home so they can continue to tank. 

This is no debate who’s better

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Wiggins was not a consensus #1 pick. He drafted Dieng and LaVine who both have loads of potential. Traded for Payne who showed a little flashes on the wolves last season to be a rotation player in this league. Kept Rubio who’s a good fit for that team.

Hinkie drafted MCW, Embiid, and Saric just to trade MCW for nothing, Embiid ending his career early, and Saric being told to stay home so they can continue to tank. 

This is no debate who’s better

[CobraParticipant]

 What has Flip done besides luck into Wiggins and Towns? LaVine was awful last year. Hinkie > Flip, and it’s not even close.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I wasn’t sure after his one season at UCLA but now I’m pretty convinced he’ll be Jamal Crawford type at the absolute worst and probably be a whole lot better than that. He has the potential to be an absolute star.

Between Levine, Wiggins and towns, I’d be absolutely giddy about the future if I were a wolves fan. There isn’t a better young nucleus to build around in the league imo. Even flip Saunders can’t screw this up.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I wasn’t sure after his one season at UCLA but now I’m pretty convinced he’ll be Jamal Crawford type at the absolute worst and probably be a whole lot better than that. He has the potential to be an absolute star.

Between Levine, Wiggins and towns, I’d be absolutely giddy about the future if I were a wolves fan. There isn’t a better young nucleus to build around in the league imo. Even flip Saunders can’t screw this up.

 

[Rip255]

Prime Ceiling: Vince Carter.

Prime Floor: JR Smith

Current: Smush Parker

 

 

[Rip255]

Prime Ceiling: Vince Carter.

Prime Floor: JR Smith

Current: Smush Parker

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Lavine bobos need to slow their roll on the kid. He had a nice rookie year, but lets not act like the guy flashed superstar potential. He put up numbers due to volume and showed a lot of major flaws. 

First, he’s got a low bball IQ…not average, not below average…Low. He can’t run an offense, he wasn’t a very good facilitator consistently and if you watch him, he struggles to execute simple bball plays like entering the ball in an offense without getting the ball tipped. 

Second, defense. He’s awful. The whole bball IQ thing rears its ugly head on that end of the floor maybe even more than on offense. He sticks to screens like tongues to cold light posts, ball watches, and doesn’t have the strength to put up much of a fight against NBA vets yet. 

These things can get better. I’m not saying the kid is horrible. He’s 19 and I didn’t expect him to get significant run until the second half the year anyways, but this guy’s presence at PG made people falsely remember Rubio as some elite level player because he was compared to Lavine who was substandard. 

I like the upside, but I don’t see anywhere near 23-5-5. Maybe if he’s taking 20 shots a game playing for a 15-20 win team plying at a high pace, but on a good team, in his prime, I see a Lou Williams/lesser Jamal Crawford type guy who can excel off the bench, provide some highlights and be an asset. I don’t see top 3 player on a contender though. I hope I’m wrong though because if he gets to that level, the Wolves are in some kind of business. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Lavine bobos need to slow their roll on the kid. He had a nice rookie year, but lets not act like the guy flashed superstar potential. He put up numbers due to volume and showed a lot of major flaws. 

First, he’s got a low bball IQ…not average, not below average…Low. He can’t run an offense, he wasn’t a very good facilitator consistently and if you watch him, he struggles to execute simple bball plays like entering the ball in an offense without getting the ball tipped. 

Second, defense. He’s awful. The whole bball IQ thing rears its ugly head on that end of the floor maybe even more than on offense. He sticks to screens like tongues to cold light posts, ball watches, and doesn’t have the strength to put up much of a fight against NBA vets yet. 

These things can get better. I’m not saying the kid is horrible. He’s 19 and I didn’t expect him to get significant run until the second half the year anyways, but this guy’s presence at PG made people falsely remember Rubio as some elite level player because he was compared to Lavine who was substandard. 

I like the upside, but I don’t see anywhere near 23-5-5. Maybe if he’s taking 20 shots a game playing for a 15-20 win team plying at a high pace, but on a good team, in his prime, I see a Lou Williams/lesser Jamal Crawford type guy who can excel off the bench, provide some highlights and be an asset. I don’t see top 3 player on a contender though. I hope I’m wrong though because if he gets to that level, the Wolves are in some kind of business. 

 

 

 

 

[Rip255]

 The Wolves aren’t done loading up yet. If they finish with a bottom-5 record….they’ll get another sweet pick. 

If Lady luck is extra nice, they could get #1.

 

[Rip255]

 The Wolves aren’t done loading up yet. If they finish with a bottom-5 record….they’ll get another sweet pick. 

If Lady luck is extra nice, they could get #1.

 

[SnowtaParticipant]

 I agree he doesn’t have a high bball IQ, isn’t a good facilitator, can’t dribble with his left hand, etc… You did forget to mention one thing though and that is that he’s not a PG! He played 80% of his mins at PG last year which was the main reason he looked so bad at times. He is not a PG and will never be a PG. Combo guard that will bring the ball up every once and awhile? Yes, but not a PG. He played MUCH better towards the end of the year when he was playing off the ball.

[SnowtaParticipant]

 I agree he doesn’t have a high bball IQ, isn’t a good facilitator, can’t dribble with his left hand, etc… You did forget to mention one thing though and that is that he’s not a PG! He played 80% of his mins at PG last year which was the main reason he looked so bad at times. He is not a PG and will never be a PG. Combo guard that will bring the ball up every once and awhile? Yes, but not a PG. He played MUCH better towards the end of the year when he was playing off the ball.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Rip, Stop please. The motto of Minnesotan is HALE…high aspirations low expectations. In this case, thats related to lottery luck, not playoff luck. Minny has a chance to be better this year, but most likely a bottom-7 team in the league. If they get even a top-3 pick again I’d be ecstatic, but they’ve had zero lottery luck before this past year, so lets not get ahead of ourselves. 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Rip, Stop please. The motto of Minnesotan is HALE…high aspirations low expectations. In this case, thats related to lottery luck, not playoff luck. Minny has a chance to be better this year, but most likely a bottom-7 team in the league. If they get even a top-3 pick again I’d be ecstatic, but they’ve had zero lottery luck before this past year, so lets not get ahead of ourselves. 

[SgtMcSquigglesParticipant]

 Comparing Wiggins and Lavine to Tmac and Vince is absolute madness

Wiggins showed promise, but tmac still had a better rookie year.

Saying that Lavine will reach tmac/vince levels is completely insane. Sure he showed great athleticism and dunking ability, but outside of that and being young he hasn’t shown any great skill.

 

 

 

[SgtMcSquigglesParticipant]

 Comparing Wiggins and Lavine to Tmac and Vince is absolute madness

Wiggins showed promise, but tmac still had a better rookie year.

Saying that Lavine will reach tmac/vince levels is completely insane. Sure he showed great athleticism and dunking ability, but outside of that and being young he hasn’t shown any great skill.

 

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

Lavine will have a Jamal Crawford type career..

[Robb_CParticipant]

Lavine will have a Jamal Crawford type career..

[HitsterParticipant]

 LaVine put up some good stats towards the end of his rookie year as he was playing major minutes and getting a lot of shots but he still had a very good rookie year. He gets a lot of hype as he is ultra athletic, won the dunk contest etc but the guy can play good ball too IMO.

His basketball IQ isn’t that great yet so I think he’s better playing off the ball and seeing minutes alongside Kevin Martin at SG. Martin is a very solid pro and can help LaVine develop, he’ll have Rubio to create for him and won’t need to do too much ballhandling yet with the likes of Wiggins on the roster too.

The legendary KG is also there and he’ll be able to help the young guys along too.

With the speed of LaVine and Wiggins at SG and SF then the T-Wolves could be a real run and gun team over the next few years whilst Flip rounds off the roster and they hopefully start to produce the results. They will be fun to watch for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 LaVine put up some good stats towards the end of his rookie year as he was playing major minutes and getting a lot of shots but he still had a very good rookie year. He gets a lot of hype as he is ultra athletic, won the dunk contest etc but the guy can play good ball too IMO.

His basketball IQ isn’t that great yet so I think he’s better playing off the ball and seeing minutes alongside Kevin Martin at SG. Martin is a very solid pro and can help LaVine develop, he’ll have Rubio to create for him and won’t need to do too much ballhandling yet with the likes of Wiggins on the roster too.

The legendary KG is also there and he’ll be able to help the young guys along too.

With the speed of LaVine and Wiggins at SG and SF then the T-Wolves could be a real run and gun team over the next few years whilst Flip rounds off the roster and they hopefully start to produce the results. They will be fun to watch for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

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