Any readers out there have a friend or acquaintance who is in a destructive relationship? The "always fighting," how-can-these-people-possibly-still-be-dating types? I don't get it either. Regardless, when it comes to relationships, some informal articles and professionals seem to think there is a certain breed of personality that is attracted to drama and fighting. The emotional high of destruction is a stress relief and is that particular person's only way to cope with any other issues. I believe it is also called the Projection defense mechanism, although I am probably wrong (highly credible source here). It is not necessarily an indicator of an abusive individual per se but more...let me just stop right there.
Before this continues, I am not here to suggest anyone who follows the Wolves is in a destructive relationship or fights with their spouse twice daily about who has to water the Bogonias (quite the battle sometimes though), but does the cleverly coined phrase "re-re-re-re-re building" sound familiar? We all have heard it by now, we all complain about our sub-par squad, and we all want a playoff/championship team. Yet, for some reason or another, so many of us appear to be attracted to this sub-par destructive pattern of irrational draft-pick fetish. It's as if, for some strange reason, we want to stay in this negative, rebuilding stage. Why? For example, one of the most commonly discussed trades out there is a three-piece deal of Al Jefferson to the Detroit Pistons for the 7th pick and Tayshaun Prince. Aside from a precursor to a move-up-to-2 trade, this is just a backwards-thinking, destructive move. How does this make us a Championship team? Anyone?
It was reported earlier that the Wolves turned down Flynn for the 10th pick straight up. An interesting new ingredient was thrown into the mix a short time ago:
Minnesota offering Jonny Flynn and two first-round picks (16 and 23) to Indiana for a package that includes the 10th pick, sources tell Y!
Obviously this is part of a bigger deal considering what transpired with Flynn earlier. Could it be a Roy Hibbert deal? Or a deal involving Al, Granger and others? Either way, just remember, no matter what way you slice and dice players from mediocre-to-poor squads, poop is still poop.
So, I totally blanked that it was Monday and my day to do the Daily News. Major fail on my part. Anyway, I remembered in time to give you all a special "lunch time" edition if you're stuck at your desk eating a bologna sandwich. Enjoy!
No one's really asked it much, because the inevitable answer is a punchline: "Kahn will draft three points guards, naturally." But the Wolves once again have three picks, two in the lottery, with another talent pool thought to tail off abruptly, and then plateau, after the top 10. The question is, what does Kahn do this year to get us talking in the right way?
This isn't 2009. Instead of picking at 5, 6, and 18, the Wolves are sitting at 4,16 and 23. And, many will say, there's no way that 2010 -- a draft class high on question marks, low on magnetism -- could possibly belch out three quality players at those spot.
A pretty good read from an "outsider" looking in. Basically sums up the fact that the players we need the most aren't slated to fall in the draft positions we currently own. Ugh...
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Evan Turner, Ohio State
The Wolves desperately need a perimeter creator, despite the presence of Jonny Flynn, who had a really poor rookie campaign for someone considered by many to be "ready." Turner will waste a lot of possessions with a middling jumper and turnovers galore, but he'll also put pressure on opposing defenses from Day 1, and open up the floor for Flynn and whoever survives the Al Jefferson-Kevin Love fight scene.
Yes please! Tom Ziller for GM of the Sixers and Nets!!!!
"He's quite a specimen for somebody 18 years old," Kahn said. "I think you have to wait. I think you have to be patient with him. It's hard to believe he's 18 when you look at the body. Now he just has to learn how to play and that could take a couple years. ... The team that takes him - obviously somebody will very high - has to keep reminding themselves to be patient because it'll be a while."
Can the Wolves afford to be that patient after winning 22, 24 and 15 games the past three seasons?
"We have to do what's best for the long-term viability of the franchise," Kahn said. "It's as simple as that. While I know people would prefer it happen sooner rather than later, I don't think we can be forced into doing something that isn't best for the long-term vision."
Kahn acknowledged that the team eventually would have to make roster moves if it drafts Favors. The Wolves already have power forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love and will try to sign big men Darko Milicic and Nikola Pekovic in July.
"If he's there and we take him, that obviously hastens something else that would have to occur," Kahn said.
It's kind of a tough spot for the Wolves if you draft Favors. You're basically forced to trade Al for something because you drafted somebody who may not even end up as good as Al. Having the 4th pick SUCKS!
This morning the Pioneer Press in Minneapolis reports that Kahn has said it is "very unlikely" that the selection will be traded. This could be pillow talk, and certainly things change before and on draft night, but as of now, it looks like the Wolves will be where they are. This leads to further speculation that the top five selections have already been nailed down to John Wall, Evan Turner, Derrick Favors, Wesley Johnson, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Kahn also stated that he doesn't see the team trading the rights to Spanish star Ricky Rubio. Kahn has long said that Rubio is part of the Wolves' future plan to compete on a consistent basis for championships, and that he wouldn't be dishing off Rubio to a larger market like New York. You know, like one Rubio might actually be willing to play for.
Kahn has been seen as a hyper-aggressive, if sometimes foolhardy manager, but it looks like he might be taking a more conservative approach in his second draft.
Referencing the above analysis, we almost HAVE to trade the #4 pick. Unless you feel Wes Johnson is going to set the world on fire (doubtful) or Tom Ziller just nailed the first four picks of the draft (even more doubtful), the Wolves are going to find themselves in a situation where they lose value, standing pat at #4. Then again, maybe Kahn's exhausted all our options and there aren't any worthwhile offers... Can we get to Thursday already!
The Wolves, on the other hand, always have a chance to stumble across an immediate impact player. The consensus appears to be that they will take small forward Wesley Johnson with the No. 4 overall pick. That appears to be the safe choice. Johnson turns 23 in a couple of weeks, and that is old for a rookie. He might start to creak before the Wolves turn it around.
More daring moves include trading up for the No. 2 pick so they can grab Evan Turner. Or trading down to where they still can draft, say, Al-Farouq Aminu while acquiring other assets in return for the swap. The Wolves also might look to work a deal so they can draft Bloomington's Cole Aldrich with their second pick — and then hope he doesn't turn out to be another Greg Ostertag.
Anyway, the Wolves have some possibilities. And there are absolutely no expectations for the coming season. The organization has done a splendid job of selling the public an open-ended rebuilding job. To paraphrase their marketing slogan: "Yeah, we're really terrible, aren't we? Someday we'll be better."
Personally, I'd take Greg Ostertag given our current big-man crop.
And to take a cue from WallyWorld, should the Wolves trade for Al "Farouq my life" Aminu... Well, the name sums it up. By far the best nickname heading into the draft! Strong work, Mike!
Johnson is the safer pick, a 6-7 small forward with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who would fill team needs for length, athleticism, outside shooting and a perimeter presence, even if he might not be the exact ballhandler and playmaker they seek.
Cousins is the risk/reward pick, a massive 6-11 center/forward who might be more talented than anyone in the draft, but also would join a roster where Jefferson, Love and presumably Milicic already reside. He has league executives concerned about his temperament and maturity.
Favors impressed during last week's Target Center workout with a combination of size (6-10, 7-4 wingspan) and freakish athleticism, but the Wolves probably would at least have to swing a deal with New Jersey for the third pick to get him.
Both Cousins and Favors possess the kind of size and reach that Jefferson and Love lack. If Kahn indeed trades any players currently on his roster this summer, he must decide whether to do so this week or wait perhaps for what he calls the "fallout" from a free agency period that will hum once James, Wade and Bosh, among others, decide their futures.
The Philadelphia 76ers have the No. 2 overall pick in 2010 NBA draft, and they're expected to take Evan Turner, of Ohio State. But Syracuse's Wes Johnson might have them thinking twice about what to do on Thursday night.
Johnson worked out for the Sixers on Saturday morning, and coach Doug Collins was thoroughly impressed with the former Orange forward.
"Watching Wesley work out was like, 'Wow, that was impressive.' This young kid has got it. He's charismatic. He can play. He's respectful. He's older. Impressive," Collins told the Philadelphia Daily News.
I have to admit, Wes Johnson almost seems like the kind of guy who will end up being the sleeper of the draft. Great name, good character, great interviewer... Then I remember he's old and can't create his own shot. In other words, not happening.
Several NBA sources said over the weekend that the Warriors and Minnesota are no longer having trade discussions about Anthony Randolph heading to the Timberwolves.
“Not happening,” one league source said. “Dead.”
I'm definitely not too bent out of shape about this. If we're going to turn the team around, we need to trade forwards, not backwards.
And finally, our TWB Reader Mock Draft...
With the 24th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select...
Solomon Alabi, Center from Florida State University
With the 25th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select...
Devin Ebanks, Small Forward from West Virginia University
With the 26th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select...
With the 27th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets select...
Make your picks! Results and the 28th and 29th pick poll will be posted tomorrow!
Lady and gentleman, tens of Wolves fans, it's time to put your psychic ability to the test. It's time for you to formally predict the imminent doom of the Wolves and the future playoff-level success of the surrounding 6 teams in the NBA Draft Lottery. Today we announce our 2nd Annual TwolvesBlog Draft Lottery Contest. Last year had a solid level of participation, and we expect this year's contest to be even better. Because This year's Prize is twice as good. Prize? You read right. CLICK "READ MORE" TO LEARN HOW TO ENTER THIS TWB EXCLUSIVE CONTEST.
As you all may or may not know, the NBA Draft is a week from today, next Thursday the 24th. As of right now, the T-Wolves have three first round picks (#4, #16, and #23.) What's going to happen? Who should we draft? Who do you want us to draft? Should we trade any of the picks? Try to move up from #4? Move down from #4? Try and trade our crappy players for even MORE picks? (Bwahahaha!) The possibilities are nearly endless.
We don't know what's going to happen, and I'm not sure that even Kahn yet knows what he's going to do. Who knows what opportunity could present itself for this team between now and the end of the draft. Could the golden ticket that will turn this woebegone franchise around be out there lying in wait?
This appears to be a pretty deep draft overall, although moreso in terms of overall talent; rather than a large amount of top-end talent. It's pretty obvious that the best players are clearly Wall, Turner, Favors, and probably Cousins (depending on how you feel about his attitude "issues".) But beyond them, there are two dozen or so players that have a legit shot to be good players in the NBA.
Without further ado, here is your T-Wolves Blog 2010 NBA Draft Minnesota Timberwolves "Big Board"...
To see the TWolves Blog Big Board, please click "Read More" to continue...
not ground-breaking but it will be favors or johnson if we keep the four. zilcho chance the select cousins. those opinions are 100 percent accurate. And count on wall one and turner two and there will be no change.
here's the bit ... i was sworn to secrecy by a very reliable source but there's going to be a story by a credible NBA writer for a major newspaper and supposedly very soon that will send your head spinning. if it plays out the way it was explained to me your wolves and one of the game's best will be tied together. if it doesn't hit the web within five days i will share said rumor, but until it goes public i cannot. hope you understand.
if and or when this story/rumor emerges my over-under for views of said thread on this page is 4,000. and that might be light. off to the track.
- PA has ruled out Lebron, DWade, CP3, Bosh, Danny Granger, and Josh Smith and said it's not related to Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay.I've been a bit depressed by all this Wes Johnson at #4 talk and the decreasing likelihood that we trade for Evan Turner, but this rumor has lifted my spirits. Who could he be talking about? A lot of people seem to be guessing either Amare or Carmelo Anthony. What could we possibly offer the Nuggets for Melo? Feel free to speculate in the comments section.
***UPDATE 6/18/10: New Rubechat Post from Paul Allen***
i blew it. i took something from a new source and got everybody wound up and have been asked not to talk any further about it. i feel awful. there will be a day i may share the info and the story may still come out this weekend, then you'll understand where i was going, but now is not the time. encapsulated, i blew it, i am an idiot, i got everybody all riled up, wasted your time and feel terrible about it. i truly am very sorry and know i have lost rumor cred and am letting all of you down. again i am very sorry.
-Nice work PA. #Fail, epically.
In workout news, the players participating tomorrow at the Target Center are: Oklahoma State guard James Anderson, Xavier guard Jordan Crawford, Cincinnati guard Lance Stephenson, Mississippi guard Terrico White, Syracuse guard Andy Rautins, USC guard/forward Marcus Johnson, BC Red Star Belgrade guard/forward Nemanja Bjelica, and Minnesota players Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson. Xavier Henry will not be working out.
It'll be interesting to see who impresses and disappoints in this group. I'd love for the Wolves to get either James Anderson or Jordan Crawford.
The next post in a quality series from our valued TWolves Blog Forum member "Pants." His forum posts and further discussion can be found HERE. (Feel free to join us, we're always looking for more quality members.) As a poor follower of the Wolves, Pants is always trying to talk himself into a light at the end of the tunnel. Usually that means talking himself into players we have, or could potentially have. How many guys will be stars from this draft, probabably a few? Will they be available to the Wolves? He's going to do his best to convince himself that they will be.
The consensus is that no one thinks more highly of Hassan Whiteside than Hassan Whiteside. Having Midwestern sensibilities and being recently burned by Randy Foye, there are few other red flags as great as inflated self-worth. There would be nothing better for Mr. Whiteside than to be drafted out of the top 10. Guys who are nearly 7 feet tall get cut a little slack for two reasons: first, they are on a short list of guys big enough to play center; and secondly, it has to be so damn odd to walk around being that tall that it would have to warp your view on the world.
The first thing you'll notice is that Whiteside looks nothing like the standard small school 7 footer who hits the scene out of nowhere. He isn't awkward, slow, or very rough on offense. He looks every-bit the part of a hyped center prospect out of North Carolina or Kentucky. He wasn't playing 30+ minutes every game, but he had a couple of stretches where he was for a week or two at a time. He isn't going to look completely gassed after 5 minutes on the court.
This shot looks surprisingly comfortable. I'm surprised he wasn't a better FT shooter, but these guys with monster hands really can't help it. His 3 triple doubles with blocks is a pretty nice stat. For all the talk about his inflated self-worth, it didn't translate into him being a chucker. He only took more than 12 shots twice, and he scored 20 points in both of those games. It seems like when he's out on the floor he knows how to pick his spots.
I hope his personality scares off a few teams, because there hasn't been a better guy to pair with Al Jefferson in the last 2 drafts. If Al is gone/traded, could we see great ally-oops from Love to Whiteside? The Wolves have been dying for a franchise Center for just as long as they've waited for a PG. Last year Rubio fell into their laps. Could Whiteside be the one who breaks the "Center curse"?
If you had to bet on the career of Greg Oden or Hassan Whiteside right now, who would you take?
Oh and I almost forgot, the other 7 footer on our roster (who happens to be terrible)... remember him? Check out Ryan Hollins' college stats, he was SIGNIFICANTLY worse than Hassan Whiteside when he was a 4 year Senior. He was neither a good rebounder or shot-blocker.
For more of the "Talking Myself Into..." series see here:
Wes Johnson participated in an individual workout this afternoon at the Target Center and all indications are that the Wolves are very impressed. ESPN "insider" Chad Ford even went as far as posting this tweet:
chadfordinsider: Wes Johnson was in Minn Monday. Heard he wowed everyone ... not only with his basketball skills, but he's a really great kid. A lock at 4.
Don't fret, all is not lost. Chad Ford does work for the TMZ of sports coverage and he's usually wrong about mostly everything. I don't even think Wes Johnson was here on Monday was he? It would make sense that he flew in on Tuesday, thus the late starting time of his workout. EDIT: He flew in Monday afternoon for meetings with the staff.
Another factor that certainly can't hurt his chances? Johnson actually wants to play in Minnesota.
Johnson worked out for the Wolves on Tuesday night and said he would love to be drafted by a team that won just 15 games last season and plays in a city that spends about four months of the year buried under snow and ice. Johnson transferred to Syracuse from Iowa State and grew to be close friends with Jonny Flynn, the Orange point guard who was drafted by the Wolves sixth overall last year.
"I would love to come here," the 23-year-old Johnson said. "I really would. Especially with Jonny here. I've met a lot of the people, the coaching staff, and they're wonderful people. I think I would be a good fit here."
How can you go wrong with drafting a player out of Syracuse 2 years in a row because they seem like good guys and want to play here? Umm yea...excuse me while I get to the liquor store before it closes. I'm still holding on to the opinion that all of this is somehow a part of Kahn's devious master plan, but I'm losing faith quickly.
In other workout news, Florida St. center Solomon Alabi, Tulsa center Jerome Jordan, Minnesota forward Damian Johnson (STUD), Duke center Brian Zoubek, and CSKA Moscow power forward/center Artem Zabelin will be working out tomorrow for the Wolves. Kentucky center Daniel Orton was also scheduled to work out but has cancelled, most likely because he sucks and/or is scared of Damian Johnson.
Derrick Favors will be doing an individual workout for the Wolves on Thursday.
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Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
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