Here is the new Battle of the Bloggers:

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/battle_of_the_bloggers_no_4_070917.html


ROUND 4 QUESTION:

What two Timberwolves would win an intersquad 2-on-2 tournament, and why?
Tiebreaker: What two NBA players would win a league-wide tournament?

HERE'S MINE:


KELSEY: Ricky Davis and Ryan Gomes

With such a sizable amount of pride and bragging rights at stake, my team would be Ricky Davis and Ryan Gomes. No other remaining two players can match their combination of size, experience, and ability to score from anywhere on the court.

In 2-on-2, it is important to be able to establish an “inside-outside” game between teammates. Davis can aptly handle the guard duties, while Gomes should be at least adequate as the “big man.” Gomes can passably guard other posts, and at the same time his athleticism will present a mismatch for the other bigs guarding him. He can bang down low, as well as hit from downtown, which will draw the defender out of the lane, allowing room for Ricky to drive inside at will against the remaining smaller Wolves guards.

As our best offensive player, Ricky should excel in 2-on-2. He’s too quick for bigs, and has too much size for our other guards to cover. Ricky is perfectly suited for 2-on-2 with someone like Gomes, who is a veritable “jack-of-all-trades.”

NBA 2-on-2 Champs: Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant

LOL at whoever Doan is for thinking that you shoot free throws in a 2-on-2 tournament. What does Foye's ft% matter??? Good call on these two CW. I think they could win a few games. I don't know much about Ryan Gomes's game yet.

mwithers wrote:
Bwwaahahahahahahahah I KNOW!!!!!

That was absolutely awful.


I like mine. I think Gomes and Dazzle would take the tourney. The next best combination (imo) is probably Big Al and Foye. I don't think they could keep up with Dazzle and Gomes though. RD and RG are just too big and versatile.

College Wolf wrote:
I don't know what to say about that. Like I said, I don't know much about Gomes's game. All I know is his stats and those look great.

mwithers wrote:

Gotcha.

I have a question. Why did so many people use statistics? There is little to no statistical relevancy between actual 5 on 5 NBA games and a 2 on 2 tournament. Baffling.

I think they used statistics because there is some relevance. It might not be comparable in the strongest sense of the word but skills do translate between the two. You need to know how to pass in order for the two to be effective and assists are a good indication of distribution abilities. You need to be able to grab boards otherwise offensive rebounds will kill you on either side of the ball. Rebound stats usually show skill levels in that department. Also, field goal percentage is a biggy. If you can't hit a decent percentage in 5-on-5, you really won't be able to shoot in 2-on-2. It is a lot harder to get open when playing 2-on-2 unless they have respect for the players shot and driving ability. Anyways, stats in a 5-on-5 are more relevant than you would think just because of skill level purposes.

mwithers wrote:

Hmmm... I dunno. I'm not sold on that.

Regardless, I think we can both agree that listing FREE THROW PERCENTAGES is the absolute worst reference in any of the seven submissions.

College Wolf wrote:
LOL.......... I know, I read that and thought to myself, that's a good way to be embarrassed by Trudell. He will probably right LOL in his analysis.

mwithers wrote:
hahahahaha I KNOW!!! I can't wait to see what he says about it. Should be good...

I think this is going to be a tough one for Trudell to judge, especially since both Sonia and I went for Rickky and Randy and Anthony and Kate went for Randy and Jefferson.

Just as a prediction, I wouldn't be shocked if CW and Alex got nailed for their inclusions of Green and Gomes. Randy, Ricky, and Jefferson seem to be the consensus top 3. Speaking from my experience with leaving Brewer off my eight man roster, you two might be in trouble. I'm not saying I'd particularly agree since I think writing style should play as big a role in this as the players you chose. But that is the track record with these things. It's tough because you want to be different and make your entry stand out, yet at the same time that can get you a bad placing.

By the way Stephen... Dwight Howard???

How do you go with him over KG, Duncan, and Dirk?

DeROK wrote:

LOL!! Yeah, I know!! This isn't a 2v2 keeper league or anything, haha!

In my humble opinion, it's just a dumb question period. How does this add to the collective knowledge (or interest) the average Timberwolves fan? It doesn't. At least the question before was quasi-entertaining...but what it morphed into is just sub-par.

I like CWs angle, I would probably pick 2 players with driving capabilities in a 2v2 tourney because of the all open space on the court. Its much harder to defend a 2nd shooter/slasher than a post up person because of the lack of bodies and the increased potential for defensive isolation.

I doubt you'll get much love from the judge, though. Sorry, CW

DeROK wrote:

I wasn't trying to make mine stand out at all. I honestly and truly believe Gomes and Dazzle are the best combo for 2on2 amongst the Wolves. Of the other two \"top 3\" (aka Foye and Al) who can guard Ricky or Gomes on the perimeter? Neither of them. Foye is too small and Jefferson is too slow. Dazzle and Gomes would take those two to school. If Foye and Jefferson sag off, Dazzle and Gomes will just bomb treys all day. Plus, Ricky and Gomes could guard any combo of the remaining two players, imo.
Ricky and Gomes is the choice.

P.S. Stephen, I love DH... he's one of my top 5 favorite players in the league. With that said, it's preposterous that you took him for 2on2??? I don't mean any disrespect but DH would get owned by the likes of KG, Duncan, Dirk, and Amare in this type of game. All those guys can extend their games and shoot over him if he doesn't come out to guard them.

whiskeydizzy wrote:
I know.

I'd rather crash and burn with my boy Gomes than go with the vanilla pick.

College Wolf wrote:
P.S. Stephen, I love DH... he's one of my top 5 favorite players in the league. With that said, it's preposterous that you took him for 2on2??? I don't mean any disrespect but DH would get owned by the likes of KG, Duncan, Dirk, and Amare in this type of game. All those guys can extend their games and shoot over him if he doesn't come out to guard them.[/quote]

Agree 100% with those sentiments...he'd be a beast to guard down low but his game is sooo limited offensively. With all that court space it would be a real disadvantage...plus you have to consider his poor free throw %