[valentine]

The 76ers are playing really well right now.  The young kids are improving their shooting, building their confidence, know their roles, MCW is finally cutting out the hero bs and spreading the ball, and Noel’s body is starting to develop.  Conditioning is the biggest hurdle for these guys, and i think they are becoming men and starting to adjust to the NBA schedule, and also learning how to play together and they’ve done it without any veteran "guidance".  Rather, Brett Brown has done a fantastic job.  I honestly think Jerami Grant adds a lot to the team confidence.  I think he’s a stabilizer intangibles guy.

 

The Wolves have Lavine, who I was really high on, but who plays like a guy that drank 50 Red Bulls before coming onto the court.  He hasn’t learned his role and how to play, because there is no role for him.  Wiggins is a stud.  He is really coming along, the game is becoming easier for him, now he needs to progress into a ball-dominant guy.  The "veteran leadership" they have is overrated.  Mo Williams and KMart are not guys taking the stars under their wings.  I think its been more of a hindrance.  Instead of allowing the young guys to play aggressive and flourish, too often they don’t know what to do with the ball in their hands because they don’t want to upset the senior players, some of whom are probably playing for contracts.  

 

The Sixers have used the minutes to allow their young players to develop, and still have more talent waiting to join like Embiid and Saric.  

The Wolves have what they have right now and are still the worst.  The only upside is Wiggins ascension, I think the rest of their young players are overrated.  And they haven’t developed much because of the veteran inhibition.

[juves4783Participant]

to be a philly fan boy is one thing, but to say that minny’s "only upside is wiggins ascension" is just ignorant.  dieng, rubio, lavine and muhammad all have upside and are all 25 and under.

[juves4783Participant]

to be a philly fan boy is one thing, but to say that minny’s "only upside is wiggins ascension" is just ignorant.  dieng, rubio, lavine and muhammad all have upside and are all 25 and under.

[Ebown5Participant]

I’m a Sixer fan and I agree with this. I think that Wolves have a lot of upside already, and will get a top 5 pick this year to add to it.

As I always say, with the Sixers it all comes down to Embiid’s health. If he is able to stay healthy, then the Sixers are in great shape and have a brighter future than the Twolves. If he can’t, then we are behind the Twolves.

The Twolves have their franchise player, and although I believe that the Sixers do too, it won’t be until Embiid proves his health until it is official.

Also, despite Lavine’s knucklehead tendancies right now, I love his skills, and think that he can still be a really good player. I don’t think he ends up being a point guard though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ebown5Participant]

I’m a Sixer fan and I agree with this. I think that Wolves have a lot of upside already, and will get a top 5 pick this year to add to it.

As I always say, with the Sixers it all comes down to Embiid’s health. If he is able to stay healthy, then the Sixers are in great shape and have a brighter future than the Twolves. If he can’t, then we are behind the Twolves.

The Twolves have their franchise player, and although I believe that the Sixers do too, it won’t be until Embiid proves his health until it is official.

Also, despite Lavine’s knucklehead tendancies right now, I love his skills, and think that he can still be a really good player. I don’t think he ends up being a point guard though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HinkieAndFalkParticipant]

after missing out on parker and wiggins we lost if embiid pans out great but our futures doesn’t rely solely on him.
We can draft two players who are way better then him these next few draft embiid shot up draft boards so to say our future is in his hands is false he wasn’t even on our big board to start the year.

okafor is one of the best offensive freshmen bigs of all time.

jalyen brown looks like a stud.

Benn Simmons is the closes thing to LeBron ive seen

who know what other prospects are out there hope embiid pans out but we took him knowing he may bust or get injured we aren’t sure who are franchise player will be theres no clear cut person.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Most experts had Embiid going over Wiggins until Embiid got hurt. The Sixers are lucky as heck to get him. I agree that Okafor should go 1st or 2nd, but I and many others would take Embiid over Okafor if given the choice. 

[HinkieAndFalkParticipant]

most draft experts same draft experts that change big boards…

We are talking about clear cut franchise player embiid shot up draft boards am I wrong ?whos to say another player wont in the next few years that’s viewed as a ONCE IN A DECADE PLAYER along with the benn simmons and browns ? He hasn’t played a game yet so to say hes our franchise player is foolish he could be the worse player out of the entire draft for all we know I hope he isn’t but to say hes the only hope we have and our franchise player is stupid. he hasn’t logged 1 min yet.

Why would you put all your eggs in one basket and build around him when we still are able to get top picks that could be better then embiid and right now wiggins and parker are better then embiid they played nba games and looked very good.

the logic of embiid BEING our franchise player is foolish I hope he BECOMES our franchise player but right now hes a injured reserve.

Not wanting to work out and follow his recovery plan we might see our 2015 picks play before him and that “300” hes said to be carrying.

[HinkieAndFalkParticipant]

most draft experts same draft experts that change big boards…

We are talking about clear cut franchise player embiid shot up draft boards am I wrong ?whos to say another player wont in the next few years that’s viewed as a ONCE IN A DECADE PLAYER along with the benn simmons and browns ? He hasn’t played a game yet so to say hes our franchise player is foolish he could be the worse player out of the entire draft for all we know I hope he isn’t but to say hes the only hope we have and our franchise player is stupid. he hasn’t logged 1 min yet.

Why would you put all your eggs in one basket and build around him when we still are able to get top picks that could be better then embiid and right now wiggins and parker are better then embiid they played nba games and looked very good.

the logic of embiid BEING our franchise player is foolish I hope he BECOMES our franchise player but right now hes a injured reserve.

Not wanting to work out and follow his recovery plan we might see our 2015 picks play before him and that “300” hes said to be carrying.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Most experts had Embiid going over Wiggins until Embiid got hurt. The Sixers are lucky as heck to get him. I agree that Okafor should go 1st or 2nd, but I and many others would take Embiid over Okafor if given the choice. 

[HinkieAndFalkParticipant]

after missing out on parker and wiggins we lost if embiid pans out great but our futures doesn’t rely solely on him.
We can draft two players who are way better then him these next few draft embiid shot up draft boards so to say our future is in his hands is false he wasn’t even on our big board to start the year.

okafor is one of the best offensive freshmen bigs of all time.

jalyen brown looks like a stud.

Benn Simmons is the closes thing to LeBron ive seen

who know what other prospects are out there hope embiid pans out but we took him knowing he may bust or get injured we aren’t sure who are franchise player will be theres no clear cut person.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The Wolves terrible record is due mostly to injuries. Flip’s plan was to develop the young talent around the veterans and hopefully contend for the 8th spot. When three players who earn starters minutes in Rubio, Pekovic, and Martin all go down so early in the year, the goal of playoff contention was out of reach and it’s beyond their control. I actually think this way of developing talent may be more effective than Philadelphia’s route because Wiggins, LaVine, Bennett, Muhammad, etc., are getting minutes alongside proven and quality NBA talent and believe they have a shot to compete in/win every game. This team is deep when healthy.

I do think Brett Brown has done a nice job as well and like what the Sixers are doing. However, they better pan out and keep Carter-Williams, Noel, and maybe McDaniels around. If they flip these guys for more picks, it’s going to be 10 years instead of 5 before they can think about the playoffs. That being said, adding Embiid, Saric, and a top 5 and 10-20 pick (from Miami) could really speed this process up. I’ve personally been very impressed with MCW and think he will flourish with a more talented team. 

Both teams are going about the process of developing players in different ways and they seem to be successful in doing so. Let’s just hope it translates into wins sooner rather than later.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The Wolves terrible record is due mostly to injuries. Flip’s plan was to develop the young talent around the veterans and hopefully contend for the 8th spot. When three players who earn starters minutes in Rubio, Pekovic, and Martin all go down so early in the year, the goal of playoff contention was out of reach and it’s beyond their control. I actually think this way of developing talent may be more effective than Philadelphia’s route because Wiggins, LaVine, Bennett, Muhammad, etc., are getting minutes alongside proven and quality NBA talent and believe they have a shot to compete in/win every game. This team is deep when healthy.

I do think Brett Brown has done a nice job as well and like what the Sixers are doing. However, they better pan out and keep Carter-Williams, Noel, and maybe McDaniels around. If they flip these guys for more picks, it’s going to be 10 years instead of 5 before they can think about the playoffs. That being said, adding Embiid, Saric, and a top 5 and 10-20 pick (from Miami) could really speed this process up. I’ve personally been very impressed with MCW and think he will flourish with a more talented team. 

Both teams are going about the process of developing players in different ways and they seem to be successful in doing so. Let’s just hope it translates into wins sooner rather than later.

[phila9012Participant]

 The wolves should be able to win 30 to 35 games next year and will have pieces that fit together. Since there are few big men in the top of the draft they will fit right in. Where as the 76ers most likely will have either drafted four bigmen the past 3 drafts an a point guard who cant shoot or 3 bigmen and two PGs and will be paying a second round pick around 5 million a year in his second year in the league. The only guy who actually fits their team at the top of the draft is russell. Wiggins will be a top 5 player in the league, I am pretty sure no one on the sixers will be a top 15 player in the league at any point during their careers. They need to be taught how to win especially because they don’t have a durant or westbrook type of competitor on their team. I think they are going to peak as a 5 to 8 seed in a weak eastern coference.

[phila9012Participant]

 The wolves should be able to win 30 to 35 games next year and will have pieces that fit together. Since there are few big men in the top of the draft they will fit right in. Where as the 76ers most likely will have either drafted four bigmen the past 3 drafts an a point guard who cant shoot or 3 bigmen and two PGs and will be paying a second round pick around 5 million a year in his second year in the league. The only guy who actually fits their team at the top of the draft is russell. Wiggins will be a top 5 player in the league, I am pretty sure no one on the sixers will be a top 15 player in the league at any point during their careers. They need to be taught how to win especially because they don’t have a durant or westbrook type of competitor on their team. I think they are going to peak as a 5 to 8 seed in a weak eastern coference.

[PhillytheKid]

MCW vs Rubio – neither can shoot.  MCW is the better defender, and rebounder.  Rubio is the smarter player (minimally) and passer.  I think MCW’s ability to get in the paint and score in the future, and his ++rebounding gives him the edge.

Lavine vs Wroten – thats a wash.  Lavine has the better outside shot, but otherwise, they play the same way.  I’m actually surprised Lavine is a bad defender (I thoguht his athleticism would make him a good defender but his hamstrings are like bound coils that inhibits his lateral movement).  Lavine also (I don’t know if its his being timid), but he never goes to the hole hard.  Is he just a sissy?  I give that to Wroten.

** Wroten isn’t our starter.  We’ll draft a starter.  I am actually hoping we move up and grab Hezonja with that Heat pick.  

KJ/Grant/Covington vs Wiggins/Muhammad – Obviously Wiggins is showing his promise right now.  Clear edge here if Wiggins becomes ball dominant.  But if he plays passive, that clear edge becomes a little murky.  The Sixers are NOT in bad shape at the 3 with these THREE.  And if they get the 4th pick, they’ll probably get a Stanley Johnson.

Noel/Embiid/Saric/1st Round Pick vs. Pekovic/Thad(if stays)/Bennett/1st Round Pick/Dieng (assume its either Towns/Okafor/Turner.  — Here’s where your statement is ridiculous.  Embiid has flashes of Olajuwon, this is the reason you said "pretty sure" no one on the Sixers will be a top 15 player.  Are you kidding me?  Embiid has as much upside as Wiggins.  And I’ll take that frontcourt over Pekovic and Okafor/Towns and Dieng…Bennett sucks.

Most importantly it comes down to coaching.  Brett Brown has these guys playing smart, while the Wolves are exactly like you said, supposed to be competing for the 8th seed, but instead they are competing for the worst record in the NBA.  I blame that on Flip Saunders.  I’ve watched the games and their young crew looks timid and dumb (aside from Wiggins).

I hope Minnesota starts winning some games so we get the higher pick.  But the way they are playing is pathetic.  They can have the 8th seed in the West.  I’m riding with Philly.

 

[PhillytheKid]

MCW vs Rubio – neither can shoot.  MCW is the better defender, and rebounder.  Rubio is the smarter player (minimally) and passer.  I think MCW’s ability to get in the paint and score in the future, and his ++rebounding gives him the edge.

Lavine vs Wroten – thats a wash.  Lavine has the better outside shot, but otherwise, they play the same way.  I’m actually surprised Lavine is a bad defender (I thoguht his athleticism would make him a good defender but his hamstrings are like bound coils that inhibits his lateral movement).  Lavine also (I don’t know if its his being timid), but he never goes to the hole hard.  Is he just a sissy?  I give that to Wroten.

** Wroten isn’t our starter.  We’ll draft a starter.  I am actually hoping we move up and grab Hezonja with that Heat pick.  

KJ/Grant/Covington vs Wiggins/Muhammad – Obviously Wiggins is showing his promise right now.  Clear edge here if Wiggins becomes ball dominant.  But if he plays passive, that clear edge becomes a little murky.  The Sixers are NOT in bad shape at the 3 with these THREE.  And if they get the 4th pick, they’ll probably get a Stanley Johnson.

Noel/Embiid/Saric/1st Round Pick vs. Pekovic/Thad(if stays)/Bennett/1st Round Pick/Dieng (assume its either Towns/Okafor/Turner.  — Here’s where your statement is ridiculous.  Embiid has flashes of Olajuwon, this is the reason you said "pretty sure" no one on the Sixers will be a top 15 player.  Are you kidding me?  Embiid has as much upside as Wiggins.  And I’ll take that frontcourt over Pekovic and Okafor/Towns and Dieng…Bennett sucks.

Most importantly it comes down to coaching.  Brett Brown has these guys playing smart, while the Wolves are exactly like you said, supposed to be competing for the 8th seed, but instead they are competing for the worst record in the NBA.  I blame that on Flip Saunders.  I’ve watched the games and their young crew looks timid and dumb (aside from Wiggins).

I hope Minnesota starts winning some games so we get the higher pick.  But the way they are playing is pathetic.  They can have the 8th seed in the West.  I’m riding with Philly.

 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

It’s funny to me when people post this crap. What proof do you have that Wiggins will be top 5, or that no Philly player will be top 15?? You haven’t seen Embiid or Saric play who could both become all-stars, and MCW has multiple triple doubles on his resume and is really starting to play more under control. All these players are so young, it amazes me how you could even guess who’s going to be "top" whatever.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

It’s funny to me when people post this crap. What proof do you have that Wiggins will be top 5, or that no Philly player will be top 15?? You haven’t seen Embiid or Saric play who could both become all-stars, and MCW has multiple triple doubles on his resume and is really starting to play more under control. All these players are so young, it amazes me how you could even guess who’s going to be "top" whatever.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 The T Wolves have a better rebuild so far.  Wiggins is an all-star in the making and potentially a superstar.  Then Dieng inside.  Rubio and Lavine at guards and Shabazz at the wing.  They can go with a guard like D’Angeo Russell or a big like Okafor or Karl Anthony Towns.

I think the Sixers still need a centerpiece to their franchise.  They are basically a couple of nice young combo guards then some project centers — and this draft features mostly combo guards and centers at the top.

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 The T Wolves have a better rebuild so far.  Wiggins is an all-star in the making and potentially a superstar.  Then Dieng inside.  Rubio and Lavine at guards and Shabazz at the wing.  They can go with a guard like D’Angeo Russell or a big like Okafor or Karl Anthony Towns.

I think the Sixers still need a centerpiece to their franchise.  They are basically a couple of nice young combo guards then some project centers — and this draft features mostly combo guards and centers at the top.

 

 

 

[Ebown5Participant]

Embiid is not a "project" center. He is a great centerpiece if he can be healthy.

Outside of health, he is a flawless prospect that can do everything on the court. As much as I love Wiggins, Embiid is definitely a notch above him in the potential department.

I think rebuilds are evaluated by stars, or potential stars, and not just accumulation of talent. The Twolves have found a star before the Sixers have(seeing as we have to still wait on Embiid) so in that sense, they are ahead. A year from now it could be a very different story.

All of the ancililary talent on both teams(while a good thing) is really beside the point. You can rearrange the complimentary pieces, but getting stars is the hard part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ebown5Participant]

Embiid is not a "project" center. He is a great centerpiece if he can be healthy.

Outside of health, he is a flawless prospect that can do everything on the court. As much as I love Wiggins, Embiid is definitely a notch above him in the potential department.

I think rebuilds are evaluated by stars, or potential stars, and not just accumulation of talent. The Twolves have found a star before the Sixers have(seeing as we have to still wait on Embiid) so in that sense, they are ahead. A year from now it could be a very different story.

All of the ancililary talent on both teams(while a good thing) is really beside the point. You can rearrange the complimentary pieces, but getting stars is the hard part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BlueLacesParticipant]

Clearly, you haven’t paid too much attention to the Wolves since you are saying their veteran’s are "holding" the young guys back.  K-Mart, Rubio and Pek have all missed huge amounts of time.  Mo Williams has been forced to play way too much because they don’t have anyone else who can play the point, and Flip has played Bazz over veterans like Chase Budinger and traded away Corey Brewer to give those guys more minutes.  So, not really sure what you are getting at…

[BlueLacesParticipant]

Clearly, you haven’t paid too much attention to the Wolves since you are saying their veteran’s are "holding" the young guys back.  K-Mart, Rubio and Pek have all missed huge amounts of time.  Mo Williams has been forced to play way too much because they don’t have anyone else who can play the point, and Flip has played Bazz over veterans like Chase Budinger and traded away Corey Brewer to give those guys more minutes.  So, not really sure what you are getting at…

[PhillytheKid]

The 76ers are showing signs of playing smart basketball and being on the same page.  With Embiid, Saric, and two first round picks, and a high pick in next year’s draft on the way.  

The Wolves look like a hot mess (besides Wiggins).  True their full roster hasn’t been together, but Rubio, Pek, Mo Williams, Shabazz, Thad, KMart, and (Wiggins, Lavine, Bennett, Dieng and 1st round pick), is nothing more than an 8th seed in the West seeing how these guys play.  Their talent is overrated, and their upside is basically Wiggins.  Its embarassing that they’re fighting for last place.

 

I compared records.  The way the Sixers are playing…even with their injured vets coming back, I’m "pretty sure" the Sixers will have a better record than the lowly Wolves.  

 

 

[PhillytheKid]

The 76ers are showing signs of playing smart basketball and being on the same page.  With Embiid, Saric, and two first round picks, and a high pick in next year’s draft on the way.  

The Wolves look like a hot mess (besides Wiggins).  True their full roster hasn’t been together, but Rubio, Pek, Mo Williams, Shabazz, Thad, KMart, and (Wiggins, Lavine, Bennett, Dieng and 1st round pick), is nothing more than an 8th seed in the West seeing how these guys play.  Their talent is overrated, and their upside is basically Wiggins.  Its embarassing that they’re fighting for last place.

 

I compared records.  The way the Sixers are playing…even with their injured vets coming back, I’m "pretty sure" the Sixers will have a better record than the lowly Wolves.  

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

 i’m sorry but i really can’t take this thread seriously anymore.  if only i could figure out how to pull old forum posts from last year…you were all over zach lavine’s nuts worse than a squirrel at a planters’ peanut factory.  now that the 76ers didn’t draft him, you are going to write the most ridiculous things like his hammy’s are too coiled up preventing his lateral movement and he’s scarred…

c’mon homie…if wiggins and lavine were on the 76ers, you’d be talking up their potential so hard.  

 

[juves4783Participant]

 i’m sorry but i really can’t take this thread seriously anymore.  if only i could figure out how to pull old forum posts from last year…you were all over zach lavine’s nuts worse than a squirrel at a planters’ peanut factory.  now that the 76ers didn’t draft him, you are going to write the most ridiculous things like his hammy’s are too coiled up preventing his lateral movement and he’s scarred…

c’mon homie…if wiggins and lavine were on the 76ers, you’d be talking up their potential so hard.  

 

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Lol oh ya. I remember those posts saying Lavine was more ready than any sg in the draft… Not any more I guess.

[SpartanGloryParticipant]

Lol oh ya. I remember those posts saying Lavine was more ready than any sg in the draft… Not any more I guess.

[PhillytheKid]

I was looking for your boy Gary Harris to get off the bench on an average Denver squad last night….hahaha.

All I’m saying is, if we’re gonna compare rebuilds.  I don’t think the veteran leadership (besides Pekovic who is a solid piece), provides anything but a hindrance, and is nothing to be lauded.

I mean KMart and Mo Williams are just scorers.  What are you gonna learn from those two?  Rather, if you put them on your roster, you get into the 8th seed and accomplish what?

Minnesota got lucky to acquire Wiggins.  And I am surprised I was Wrong about Lavine so far.  Yeah he can run and jump, but you guys know I am not about that, I am about smart basketball and good defense.

Lavine can’t play one on one defense.  And worse, he just looks like some hyper kid out there that has no sense how to play.  Where was the Mo Williams help there?

They made a nice move to acquire Thad Young.  He can help the young guys.  Thad, Rubio, and Pekovic are nice pieces.  

More or less I’m upset with them because they suck, can’t win games, and are ruining the Philly Tank Job.  

Yet a lot of guys here seem to think they’re some promising team.  Everyone on that squad is overrated except for Wiggins and Pekovic.  

 

I just keep it real.  I still would take Lavine over Harris any day.  I am also content with the Saric pick.  No complaints. Philly is in good shape right now.  I also wanted to trade MCW btw, but he seems like he is starting to learn how to play properly.  Finally, when Noel went public and started complaining about how he needed the ball.

Dude I just want Towns or Okafor.  Make me happy by Upside Minny winning some games.

[PhillytheKid]

I was looking for your boy Gary Harris to get off the bench on an average Denver squad last night….hahaha.

All I’m saying is, if we’re gonna compare rebuilds.  I don’t think the veteran leadership (besides Pekovic who is a solid piece), provides anything but a hindrance, and is nothing to be lauded.

I mean KMart and Mo Williams are just scorers.  What are you gonna learn from those two?  Rather, if you put them on your roster, you get into the 8th seed and accomplish what?

Minnesota got lucky to acquire Wiggins.  And I am surprised I was Wrong about Lavine so far.  Yeah he can run and jump, but you guys know I am not about that, I am about smart basketball and good defense.

Lavine can’t play one on one defense.  And worse, he just looks like some hyper kid out there that has no sense how to play.  Where was the Mo Williams help there?

They made a nice move to acquire Thad Young.  He can help the young guys.  Thad, Rubio, and Pekovic are nice pieces.  

More or less I’m upset with them because they suck, can’t win games, and are ruining the Philly Tank Job.  

Yet a lot of guys here seem to think they’re some promising team.  Everyone on that squad is overrated except for Wiggins and Pekovic.  

 

I just keep it real.  I still would take Lavine over Harris any day.  I am also content with the Saric pick.  No complaints. Philly is in good shape right now.  I also wanted to trade MCW btw, but he seems like he is starting to learn how to play properly.  Finally, when Noel went public and started complaining about how he needed the ball.

Dude I just want Towns or Okafor.  Make me happy by Upside Minny winning some games.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

Phillythekid: Carter williams is in no way shape or form better than Rubio,Rubio is the definition of a player that “makes his teammates better”. He’s a MUUUCH better passer,a better defender,and their offense is similar,even if a would give MCW an edge because of his size. MCW is a highly inefficient player.
Minny has veterans and no It’s absolutly underrated,especially for everything off the court. Except his scoring ability,what does K-Mart bring? well spacing,room to eoperate and you know actually win some games. You improve 100 ties more by playing to win. Wiggins will improve much more by scoring 15 points on a win than 30 on a loss.
Dieng is much better than Noel at this point also,better shooter,passer,defender. well better basketball player. Noone is cose to Wiggins on the sixers squad neither.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

Phillythekid: Carter williams is in no way shape or form better than Rubio,Rubio is the definition of a player that “makes his teammates better”. He’s a MUUUCH better passer,a better defender,and their offense is similar,even if a would give MCW an edge because of his size. MCW is a highly inefficient player.
Minny has veterans and no It’s absolutly underrated,especially for everything off the court. Except his scoring ability,what does K-Mart bring? well spacing,room to eoperate and you know actually win some games. You improve 100 ties more by playing to win. Wiggins will improve much more by scoring 15 points on a win than 30 on a loss.
Dieng is much better than Noel at this point also,better shooter,passer,defender. well better basketball player. Noone is cose to Wiggins on the sixers squad neither.

[NCarmean18Participant]

 This thread is a complete joke.  The Timberwolves don’t have any potential outside of Andrew Wiggins?  Are you kidding me?  

Zach LaVine is only 19 years old, and everybody knew that it would take a few years for him to develop.  You cannot write him off because he hasn’t dropped 20 points per game his rookie season.  He has shown flashes of solid scoring and capable playmaking.  Once he has a few years under his belt, him and Wiggins can fly together in Minnesota. 

Rubio to me has not reached his full potential.  He can be a pest defensively (whenever he wants to be), has shown a very impressive ability to understand when and how to make an accurate pass and do it efficiently, and his offense is starting to come around.  Is he a superstar?  No.  But does he has some serious potential to be one of the league’s top 5 playmakers?  Absolutely.  

I’m not even going to discuss Andrew Wiggins, because everybody already knows how good this kid is going to be.  

Anthony Bennett has looked better since shedding weight.  His athleticism is back, and he has played with more confidence and more efficiency.  The tools are there for him to put all of the things that he is good at together to become a solid NBA player, and he still has a lot of time left to develop.  

Gorgui Dieng has looked like an absolute steal dating back to the end of last season.  Whenever Pek went down, this guy was consistently dropping a double-double with a few blocked shots here and there.  His defensive potential is out of this world, and he is only going to get better as a big body on the offensive end.  

Finally, I would like to touch on some of the vets that you just trashed.  I don’t know if you are completely blinded by your own Philadelphia pride that you cannot give credit where credit is due, or… What?  Anyway.  Mo Williams, K-Mart, Thad Young, and Pek are definitely quality veterans with the leadership skills to teach the younger players.  

Mo Williams was the starting point guard for a Cavaliers team that made the NBA Finals.  He has always been a solid scorer, and he knows how to get his teammates involved.  He easily can teach LaVine when to look for his own shot, and when to get his teammates involved.  

K-Mart has been a scoring machine during the prime of his career, and was always great at getting to the free throw line – somewhat of a lost art in today’s game (among most guards).  Free throws are vital in the NBA, and they can help you win games.  Teaching both LaVine and Wiggins to be more aggressive as scorers and showing them how to pick their spots would be essential to those two learning to grow as scorers.  That seems rather important to me.  

Finally Pekovic.  Pek can teach Dieng how to throw hid body around in the paint.  He can show him a few tips and tricks that have allowed Pek to become one of the better low post scorers in the NBA today.  

You see, these veterans still possess quality traits and knowledge that will only allow these young players to mature and grow.  While Philadelphia has some potential for the future, I find it almost insulting how badly you have bashed both the young talent and the veteran leadership that the Minnesota Timberwolves have to offer.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NCarmean18Participant]

 This thread is a complete joke.  The Timberwolves don’t have any potential outside of Andrew Wiggins?  Are you kidding me?  

Zach LaVine is only 19 years old, and everybody knew that it would take a few years for him to develop.  You cannot write him off because he hasn’t dropped 20 points per game his rookie season.  He has shown flashes of solid scoring and capable playmaking.  Once he has a few years under his belt, him and Wiggins can fly together in Minnesota. 

Rubio to me has not reached his full potential.  He can be a pest defensively (whenever he wants to be), has shown a very impressive ability to understand when and how to make an accurate pass and do it efficiently, and his offense is starting to come around.  Is he a superstar?  No.  But does he has some serious potential to be one of the league’s top 5 playmakers?  Absolutely.  

I’m not even going to discuss Andrew Wiggins, because everybody already knows how good this kid is going to be.  

Anthony Bennett has looked better since shedding weight.  His athleticism is back, and he has played with more confidence and more efficiency.  The tools are there for him to put all of the things that he is good at together to become a solid NBA player, and he still has a lot of time left to develop.  

Gorgui Dieng has looked like an absolute steal dating back to the end of last season.  Whenever Pek went down, this guy was consistently dropping a double-double with a few blocked shots here and there.  His defensive potential is out of this world, and he is only going to get better as a big body on the offensive end.  

Finally, I would like to touch on some of the vets that you just trashed.  I don’t know if you are completely blinded by your own Philadelphia pride that you cannot give credit where credit is due, or… What?  Anyway.  Mo Williams, K-Mart, Thad Young, and Pek are definitely quality veterans with the leadership skills to teach the younger players.  

Mo Williams was the starting point guard for a Cavaliers team that made the NBA Finals.  He has always been a solid scorer, and he knows how to get his teammates involved.  He easily can teach LaVine when to look for his own shot, and when to get his teammates involved.  

K-Mart has been a scoring machine during the prime of his career, and was always great at getting to the free throw line – somewhat of a lost art in today’s game (among most guards).  Free throws are vital in the NBA, and they can help you win games.  Teaching both LaVine and Wiggins to be more aggressive as scorers and showing them how to pick their spots would be essential to those two learning to grow as scorers.  That seems rather important to me.  

Finally Pekovic.  Pek can teach Dieng how to throw hid body around in the paint.  He can show him a few tips and tricks that have allowed Pek to become one of the better low post scorers in the NBA today.  

You see, these veterans still possess quality traits and knowledge that will only allow these young players to mature and grow.  While Philadelphia has some potential for the future, I find it almost insulting how badly you have bashed both the young talent and the veteran leadership that the Minnesota Timberwolves have to offer.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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