I just read through Steve Aschburner's latest on the NBA Draft and how the Timberwolves are in a spot to dramatically change the course of the draft at their current third slot (here's the link; http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/steve_aschburner/06/20/third.pick/index.html ). As a Timber-pup fan I can only say thank you to Aschburner for again showing the short-comings of this franchise. That's not even suppose to be sarcastic, I mean it, thank you Steve Aschburner! There are sports fans out there that know about idiot General Managers or team executives (Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Hawks, Kansas City Royals, L.A. Clippers, etc.) so I don't want for any of these fans to think that I'm being too over dramatic about how this team drafts players.
Here's where I'll start; Kevin Garnett. The team wanted, and stated it clearly at the time, that they wanted Antonio McDyess if he fell to the five spot. He was drafted second behind Joe Smith (oh God, does that name make me sick) then followed by Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace. This means that the Timberwolves had to choose between Garnett and Bryant "Big Country" Reeves; ya, that's right, "Big Country". And I won't let them tell me otherwise. The Timberwolves have always liked big but not physical centers (Felton Spencer, Luc Longley, etc.) and Garnett was only a high schooler, Big Country led Oklahoma State into the Final Four. This is the only bright side for an executive group that has never won any fans over through their draft practices.
In 1996 the tragedy begins as the Timberwolves wanted Stephon Marbury so badly that they were willing to select Ray Allen fifth and trade him and a future first round pick to Milwaukee for Marbury. Yep, I realized it too. The Wolves selected two of Boston's current team leaders in back-to-back years. So this latest NBA Championship could have been a championship for Minnesota about ten years ago had the team executives not traded away a good pick for someone that they thought could run the point and add flash to the team. The team has repeatedly looked only for the now and not to the future.
Now I won't go through the rest of the draft history of the current executive team, I will only say that it revolves around poor center picks, yet to be proven guards, and a lot of suspended picks because of a certain under-the-table deal with a past number one pick (I hate Joe Smith). What I'm really asking is that the team looks at all the players and possibilities that the number three pick brings. Do not settle, do not over-hype, do not lie to the fans about what you are going to do with the selection. Also, please remember that we have a lot of cap room to sign free agents so let's put the best team on the court that is possible while still looking towards the future.
Going through players drafted in the first round in 1995, five of the first 20 players were on the team's roster at least one season; Joe Smith, Kevin Garnett, Gary Trent, Cherokee Parks, and Theo Ratliff. Talk about falling in love with a draft class.
Faces at the U.S. Open
Comments (6)
Don't forget Pooh...or did we not draft him...? I forget....
Secret Squirrel | 06/22/08, 04:19 PM
Report Offensive CommentNo one can make a case in favor of the T-Wolves executives. I will say that the draft is always a guessing game. They are notoriously bad guessers. However, most teams, I would argue, have a record of misses on point guards and bigs that had 'potential for greatness.' It is the plague of every draft. Despite this year's supposed turn for proven quality over potential, consider that almost everyone at the top is a college freshman. They would have been picked in the lottery last year as high school seniors if they could have. It's the nature of the beast.
All said...I call upon my unhappy, unlucky friend from Minnesota to lay his cards down. Who would the Wolves have to pick for you to feel like they got it right? You have to name names, or you have no credibility.
barkking | 06/23/08, 06:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentOK. I'll name a name. I'd like to get something started.
Although I think that the Wolves will keep the pick and draft Mayo, he is a prime candidate to be either a big star or a big flop. I don't think they can afford that gamble.
They should keep the pick and take Lopez, even though that is a little high for him. He will never be the big star. But he will have huge impact. He will allow Big Al to move to forward and be unleashed. He will command bodies and attention. And he will be at least 14 points and 9 rebounds for years. Totally clean,safe, solid.
True, some will cry later when some predicted or unpredictable star rises from a later pick. But no one will ever be able to say it was another bust. Anchor, and, for a change, not wound around your collective necks.
barkking | 06/23/08, 08:59 PM
Report Offensive CommentThis is like the library blog. Am I talking too loud?
barkking | 06/23/08, 09:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentI know that I have been away from my own blog for a month and that it must have seemed like forever. barkking is right, I gave no names in this blog and so it does lack a little bit of credibility. My original blog posting (that didn't save) mentioned all the things wrong with Love, Mayo, and Brooke Lopez and my hope for what the Timberwolves should do with the pick (I said trade it to a team situated between 8 and 15 and pick-up and extra second round pick to try and trade 3 second round picks for another first round slot).
In retrospect, the draft again killed me. I already had my head wrapped around the idea of a true 3 guard system and Big Al being stuck in the middle again when the Mayo for Love trade occured. Kevin Love wasn't the answer the Timberwolves needed and everyone should see that. Sure he can pass real well and he can draw defenders out beyond 15 feet, but he's not a true center that can pull a post double team away from Big Al. Love will get double-teamed, but by a forward/center and guard duo, not a forward-forward or forward-center grouping.
Back to an earlier point, the Timberwolves could've blown everyone's minds had they pulled off an arrangement (with the pick swap I noted earlier) to get both of the Lopez twins. This would give the team the option of a defensive or offensive set in the front court. In fact, we already know that Brooke and Robin can play together and if another young big man was put in with them that could be quite a dynamic force inside.
Note to Super Squirrel: the Timberwolves did draft Pooh, but no one from the current executive team was with the Wolves at that time. Also, you don't want me to talk about Pooh.
Note to barkking: sorry about my month long absence. I was disgusted by the Timberwolves actions that I did not want to come out on FanNation and dicuss the matter. That and I was hindered by work and I had a much needed vacation from both work and my computer.
TM Chill | 07/23/08, 02:44 AM
Report Offensive CommentChill,
I'll never begrudge a man his vacation. Besides, I only visit here from time to time myself. I got somewhat carried off around draft time.
Two comments:
1. You'll love Love. You are right about this, though; Mayo will really be great. I cannot believe the number of people describing him as a bust in the making. They'll eat those words.
2. I think it's good the Lopez' are separated. It will be better for both of them, particularly Robin.
Keep it real.
barkking | 08/07/08, 02:59 PM
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