Fixing the T-Wolves - Part 9: The First Pick
With 7 games to go, the Wolves will finish 3-5 in the ping pong ball race, so they are pretty much assured of picking 1-6. Knowing that, here are my top 6 picks for the Wolves.
1 - PF Micheal Beasley: He's still my first pick because he plays both sides of the ball, can rebound, and allows the wolves to play small as the 4 (AlJeff at 5) or play big at the 3 (AlJeff at the 4).
2 - PG Derick Rose: He is charging hard and making me rethink my pick of Beasley at 1. I'd be really happy with either guy, so here's hoping the wolves get some serious luck. The Final Four might push him to #1 in my book, we'll see.
3 - SG OJ Mayo: I've been back and forth on this guy. Even though the Wolves are silly with swing men (Foye, McCants, Jaric, Brewer), what tips me to OJ vs another position is that I believe his talent level is that much greater than anyone else available. Taking him and playing the best lineup would push the Wolves to something resembling Nellie-ball.
4 - PG Russel Westbrook: I admit that this is a reach since he only ranks as #10 at ESPN, but I don't believe in Jerryd Bayless or Brook Lopez.
5 - PG Jerryd Bayless: Ok I don't believe in him, but he fits better than anyone else left.
6 - C Kevin Love: He has really impressed me during the tournament and might be a good complementary big man to ALJeff.
Notable players agonized over:
C Brook Lopez - I think he's too soft and would be a bad fit on the Wolves. We already have one scoring big who doesn't play defense, adding another one looks suspiciously like the formula they have in NY with Randolph and Curry - yuck.
PG DJ Augustine - I really love this guy, but he's too damn small to be effective in the NBA. He'll make a nice back up PG in Phoenix learning from his idol Steve Nash.
SG Eric Gordon: I think Gordon is better than he played late in the season. I'm willing to bet the coaching turmoil in Indiana has more to do with his sinking stock than is being recognized. However, I don't think he could be a PG and I don't see him as a better prospect than Foye (whereas OJ is).
Picture this - Memphis wins the 2nd spot in the draft (currently sitting 4th), and after Beasley goes to the first pick (not the Wolves), Memphis is staring the best player in their building right in the face, but have a glut of PG talent already and can't possibly take a third! Enter the Wolves with their 3rd or 4th pick. The Wolves give Memphis this year's pick for PG Mike Conley. This allows Memphis to pick Rose and draft Brook Lopez to replace Gasol. Wolves win because they get a really good PG and don't have to reach or torture their lineup. Memphis wins because they get the hometown guy AND another high pick. Done deal, right?
1 - PF Micheal Beasley: He's still my first pick because he plays both sides of the ball, can rebound, and allows the wolves to play small as the 4 (AlJeff at 5) or play big at the 3 (AlJeff at the 4).
2 - PG Derick Rose: He is charging hard and making me rethink my pick of Beasley at 1. I'd be really happy with either guy, so here's hoping the wolves get some serious luck. The Final Four might push him to #1 in my book, we'll see.
3 - SG OJ Mayo: I've been back and forth on this guy. Even though the Wolves are silly with swing men (Foye, McCants, Jaric, Brewer), what tips me to OJ vs another position is that I believe his talent level is that much greater than anyone else available. Taking him and playing the best lineup would push the Wolves to something resembling Nellie-ball.
4 - PG Russel Westbrook: I admit that this is a reach since he only ranks as #10 at ESPN, but I don't believe in Jerryd Bayless or Brook Lopez.
5 - PG Jerryd Bayless: Ok I don't believe in him, but he fits better than anyone else left.
6 - C Kevin Love: He has really impressed me during the tournament and might be a good complementary big man to ALJeff.
Notable players agonized over:
C Brook Lopez - I think he's too soft and would be a bad fit on the Wolves. We already have one scoring big who doesn't play defense, adding another one looks suspiciously like the formula they have in NY with Randolph and Curry - yuck.
PG DJ Augustine - I really love this guy, but he's too damn small to be effective in the NBA. He'll make a nice back up PG in Phoenix learning from his idol Steve Nash.
SG Eric Gordon: I think Gordon is better than he played late in the season. I'm willing to bet the coaching turmoil in Indiana has more to do with his sinking stock than is being recognized. However, I don't think he could be a PG and I don't see him as a better prospect than Foye (whereas OJ is).
Picture this - Memphis wins the 2nd spot in the draft (currently sitting 4th), and after Beasley goes to the first pick (not the Wolves), Memphis is staring the best player in their building right in the face, but have a glut of PG talent already and can't possibly take a third! Enter the Wolves with their 3rd or 4th pick. The Wolves give Memphis this year's pick for PG Mike Conley. This allows Memphis to pick Rose and draft Brook Lopez to replace Gasol. Wolves win because they get a really good PG and don't have to reach or torture their lineup. Memphis wins because they get the hometown guy AND another high pick. Done deal, right?
posted by Bill Gilles | 10:35 AM
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