SBNation.com User Blog: Patsfanatic83

Jon Leuer Interest... Maybe?

Patsfanatic83 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:31:29 -0000

Jon Leuer, the next T-Wolf big man? Link after jump.

Now that we know Lee isn't coming here, there is some spec from the man up at the PP.
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21113215/timberwolves-reportedly-wont-get-courtney-lee-but-considering

With the news floating around about Steamer, Hill and now Leuer.. Who would you want more as your big man?
Leuer with his offensive game, Steamer and his block party or Hill and his good rebound rates? It looks like we could go for 2 outta 3. Personally, Defense sounds better so I'd go Steamer and Hill, but at the price Hill is rumored at Leuer becomes a nice option. What say you, CH?

Poll

Which big man would you rather the Wolves get?

Leuer

47 votes

Steamer

96 votes

Hill

9 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

As expected, Batum era comes to an end.

Patsfanatic83 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:49:31 -0000

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8178326/portland-trail-blazers-match-minnesota-timberwolves-offer-nicolas-batum

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/No_surprise_Blazers_will_match_Wolves_offer_sheet_to_Nicolas_Batum071812

The Nic Batum era has come to an end before even beginning. As the Batum turns if you will. Now that this dramatic saga is over, we can turn to the Roy's and other signings right on Shvedule. Rejoice CH'er's. The offseason can finally continue! What do you want the rest of the offseason to amount to? Roy and Shved aside, who do you want the Wolfies to finish up with?

Poll

Now that the Batum saga is over, who are you wanting the Pups to go after more?

Courtney Lee

44 votes

Ronnie Brewer

26 votes

Steamer

13 votes

Birdman

9 votes

Jordan Hill

2 votes

Other (specify in comments)

5 votes

99 votes | Poll has closed

PDX being just plain childish.

Patsfanatic83 — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 04:41:21 -0000

Seems like this Batum saga is getting out of hand?

Sounds like even mainstream media realize that Minnesota has offered enough.

And that PDX is just ridiculous in its demands, especially since they might not match the offer sheet.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ attempt to acquire restricted free agent Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers apparently has devolved into a grudge match — at least for the Blazers — that involves far more than the talented young small forward. ESPN.com

via HoopsHype from Espn.com

The Timberwolves, league sources say, are prepared to sign Batum to a four-year, $46.4 million offer sheet Sunday after repeatedly trying to trade for him. They have offered as many as three future first-round draft picks and even have dangled small forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft. ESPN.com

The Blazers have resisted every overture even though multiple sources say Portland management believes $46.4 million is vastly more than Batum is worth. ESPN.com

So, the Puppies have done everything to get Batum, and PDX is just being plain childish about it.

Agree on what PDX wants. RT @EConway3 @<a Something tells me this is a no-no. Kahn must have...

Patsfanatic83 — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 22:44:33 -0000

Agree on what PDX wants. RT @EConway3 @<a

Something tells me this is a no-no. Kahn must have said hell no to D-Will going.

One crazy trade idea, and one more realistic one.

Patsfanatic83 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:49:20 -0000

Thought since everyone else and their mothers are throwing in trade ideas, it was time to add my 2 cents into the proverbial bucket.

Crazy, too over the top dream trade. (obviously the Wolves would have to give up some picks as well)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7hdztww

And then the boring conventional, works for both teams trade.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6rbf8hx

What think you, fellow CH'ers?

Thought since everyone else and their mothers are throwing in trade ideas, it was time to add my 2 cents into the proverbial bucket.

Crazy, too over the top dream trade. (obviously the Wolves would have to give up some picks as well)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7hdztww

And then the boring conventional, works for both teams trade.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6rbf8hx

What think you, fellow CH'ers?

Christina Taylor Green Angel In The Outfield

Patsfanatic83 — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:15:31 -0000

Christina Taylor Green Angel In The Outfield

This is NOT a Minnesota Twins story. But need to be shared, as this little girl had the love of baseball and life that we all have. Christina Taylor Green was born on 9-11-2001 and at 9 years old, her life was tragically taken from her in the Tuscon, AZ shooting in which a congresswoman was also shot. Please share this amazing and inspirational story of the life of Christina Taylor Green with everyone you can.

Sign Of Things To Come? Very Weak Draft?

Patsfanatic83 — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:49:37 -0000

With Jared Sullinger promising he would be back at Ohio State for his Sophomore season, citing it being the want to win a national championship. Yahoo/Rivals.com cover that story below:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=AiBYItGnn2.nRkrNjtCdtF45nYcB?slug=rivals-1204651

But I have a different idea as to why Sullinger is staying, and how that could be a very bad sign for this draft. Now everybody *Jump... Jump*.

With Jared Sullinger promising he would be back at Ohio State for his Sophomore season, citing it being the want to win a national championship. Yahoo/Rivals.com cover that story below:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=AiBYItGnn2.nRkrNjtCdtF45nYcB?slug=rivals-1204651

But I have a different idea as to why Sullinger is staying, and how that could be a very bad sign for this draft. Now everybody *Jump... Jump*.

Players in the NBA , current and future, are looking at the NFL and watching the CBA/ Lockout situation going on in the most popular game in the US. And the thing that is scary is our favorite hoops league is headed down the same path, except that they have a much larger gap to traverse then the NFL does. Young college players see this and realize they might not be playing hoops next year for a league that could be shut down for a good portion of the year.

Sullinger, staying. Irving, had an injury plagued season and has dropped down some draft boards. Might it be wiser for him to stay at Duke for another year of learning under Coach K? Personally, I don't think Derrick Williams of Arizona will ever have a higher stock then now, so I fully expect him to come out. However, Perry Jones has been rocketing down mock boards due to his lack on an NCAA appearance. But, if our beloved pups get hosed by the draft fates once again and draft 3-5 and are left with the choice between Kemba Walker, The Jimmer and Kyle Singler... When in a normal year they would have been late lottery picks? I'll I can say is...

I'm glad Utah tanked it, and Rudy Gay is injured... Those picks would be closer to second rounders in a weak class like this.

Poll

Who do you think is most likely to stay in the NBA draft this year?

J. Sullinger (He only said it in the heat of the moment)

11 votes

K. Irving

26 votes

D. Williams

52 votes

H. Barnes

27 votes

116 votes | Poll has closed

Rematch of 'Cuse and UConn for first time since 2009 (6OT game)

Patsfanatic83 — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:00:36 -0000

Sportscenter Video Highlights for 6ot game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3koPRFXzi3o

Sportscenter Video Highlights for 6ot game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3koPRFXzi3o

Remember, back when Jonny Flynn was considered a beast. Those were the days. Kemba Walker is still around from that game.

Imagine some of the players to come out of that game that were studs in college:

Stanley Robinson 28 pts 14 reb 3 stls

Jonny Flynn 34 pts 11 assists 6 stls ( oh wouldn't that be nice to even get close to for Flynn now?)

Thabeet 19 pts 14 reb 6 blks

AJ Price 33 pts 10 assists 6 turnovers ( sounds like that second half in the Pups loss to Indy!)

Funny thing being is that none of the above 4 has done anything worth beans in the NBA yet. And oddly Flynn probably has the best career so far out of these players. i didn't know, so i checked into it.

Career Avgs:

Flynn 119 games 25:48 mpg 11.0 ppg 4.2 apg 2.1 rpg 41.1 fg % 34.0 3pt %

Thabeet 115 games 10:54 mpg 2.3 ppg 0.1 apg 2.8 rpg 55.0 fg % 0.9 bpg

Price 89 games 15:24 mpg 7.0 ppg 1.8 apg 1.6 rpg 39.4 fg% 32.3 3pt%

Robinson No career NBA stats drafted by Orlando and waived w/o playing.

So, when you watch the upcoming 12 OT Cuse and UConn game, remember... Its the opposite of a car door mirror:

The objects are way further away then they appear.

16 games left... Time to look to the Offseason.

Patsfanatic83 — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:47:14 -0000

Stick with me here, this is my first major post on CH, love the site, and I have been a huge Wolves fan since the days before KG's name was called with the 5th overall pick in 1995.

Been hearing lots of draft talk around the CH water cooler lately, but not much on the free agents available in the summer of 2011...

So this is where Pats steps in for some fun info/ possible targets for this upcoming off-season.

Stick with me here, this is my first major post on CH, love the site, and I have been a huge Wolves fan since the days before KG's name was called with the 5th overall pick in 1995.

Been hearing lots of draft talk around the CH water cooler lately, but not much on the free agents available in the summer of 2011...

So this is where Pats steps in for some fun info/ possible targets for this upcoming off-season.

Team Free Agents

Not much here, we are set to lose Sebastian Telfair and his shoot first, shoot second and "whats a pass?" attitude, as an unrestricted free agent.

More Expensive Names on the Market

Unrestricted name players out there include Glen Davis (Boston), Caron Butler (Dallas), Kenyon Martin (Denver), Tracy McGrady and Tayshaun Prince (Detroit), Yao Ming (Houston), T.J. Ford (Indiana), Zach Randolph (Memphis), Michael Redd (Milwaukee), Jason Richardson (Orlando), Grant Hill (Phoenix), Samuel Dalembert (Sacramento), AK47 (Utah), and Josh Howard (Washington).

2011 is looking to be a very weak unrestricted free agent market, and to the Timberpuppies none of the above look like additions that would fit into the current mold. Unless of course Michael Redd takes a lower contract for a season or two to prove his health. A couple of interesting UFA's include Carl Landry (NO), Kris Humphries (NJ), Ike Diogu (LAC) and JR Smith (Denver).

Restricted Free Agents on the Market

The restricted free agent market is where things get mighty interesting... Tons of young talent that would be fitting to this team, however there are a couple that stick out as better fits then others.

Greg Oden (Portland) - Injury prone and hyper talented, a true man among men if he can stay healthy. Played only 21 games in 09-10 but averaged 11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 2.3 bpg in only 23.9 minutes per game. If healthy could be dominating, would be a huge risk, and could be available because of his health issues.

Arron Afflalo (Denver)- Defensive stopper, averaging 12.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.4 apg in 34.7 mpg with a 50.1 fg% and shooting 42.9 % from 3. A CH poster favorite, he has picked it up in his last 10 games with 15.9/5.5/2.6 line. Wold likely take a rather large offer to peel from the Nugs.

DeAndre Jordan (LAC)- Another RFA thrown around CH alot, averages 6.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 1.7 bpg in 25.8 mpg. Still very raw on the offensive end, very solid on the glass and a good defender, he has shown improvement in each of his 3 seasons in the NBA.

Marc Gasol (Memphis)- Younger brother of Pau, another strong center on the RFA market, having a small regression in 10-11 with 11.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg with 52.1 fg% in 32.5 mpg, compared to 09-10 where he posted 14.6/9.3/58.1% in 35.8 mpg. Unlikely that Memphis would not match a contract offer on Gasol.

Aaron Brooks (Phoenix)- Very fast, solid scorer has had attitude issues and a down year in 10-11. Averages 10.9 ppg, 3.7 asg, 35.5 fg% and 29.3% from 3 in 22.5 mpg. In 09-10, had an All-star caliber season with a 19.6/5.3/43.2%/39.8% line in 35.6 mpg. Risky signing due to attitude issues, and which Brooks would the Wolves be getting?

Nick Young (Washington)- Scorer, but not much else. Not necessarily a lack of defense, just a lack of want to play defense. Averages 17.9 ppg with 44.7 fg% and 40.1% from 3 in 32.1 mpg. Would fill a high usage scorer role, but gives up points by the boatload to opposition.

The Wolves could definitely use a high usage scoring 2 guard and a defensive minded center. Alot of moves ride on the plan of Ricky Rubio, where we land in the draft and any possible trades in the offseason. All those moves aside, who would you like to see is those sweet black Minnesota unis next season? And how much much would you be willing to sign these player for?

Poll

Which RFA would you rather see sign with Minny?

Arron Affalo

51 votes

Greg Oden

45 votes

Nick Young

9 votes

Aaron Brooks

2 votes

DeAndre Jordan

54 votes

Marc Gasol

28 votes

Other (Post in Comments!)

6 votes

195 votes | Poll has closed

Hollinger Rates Trade

Patsfanatic83 — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:52:06 -0000

Hollinger Rates Trade

This is ESPN Insider, but i will link it and run it so everyone can read it.

New York: D+

You can't evaluate this as you would a normal trade. This deal was made at gunpoint, and that colors the entire assessment.

Anthony became the first player in memory to issue a trade demand and then list one team that he'd accept a trade to. And then somehow, the Knicks decided to start bidding against themselves and repeatedly agreed to up the ante in the final hours.

New York could have had Anthony this summer while losing only Chandler (a restricted free agent they would have had to renounce). Their primary risk to that outcome was a "franchise tag" in the new collective bargaining agreement that would have allowed Denver to keep Anthony. But even then plenty of alternatives were available for the Knicks, as three better players -- Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Dwight Howard -- all seemed anxious to get to the Big Apple via power plays of their own, and one of the three (or another marquee star) may have wriggled free regardless of what new restrictions the next CBA imposes.

This isn't Indiana or Memphis, and this saga laid that reality bare. Even with a franchise tag rule, New York had so many advantages that it was only a matter of time before a second star showed up, especially given the salary cap space the Knicks had carved out.

To get a player like Anthony in those circumstances, it was worth paying something above just Chandler to convert a likely outcome to a certainty.

But in this case the premium New York paid was as follows, beyond Chandler:

• Gallinari
• Mozgov
• Their 2014 first-round draft pick
• Golden State's second-round picks in 2012 and 2013 (owned by the Knicks)
• $6 million in cash ($3 million each to Minnesota and Denver)
• Swallowing two dead-money years at the end of Balkman's contract
• Trading Anthony Randolph for Corey Brewer
• Trading Felton for Billups, making New York eight years older at the point guard spot with a player who makes nearly twice in salary next season. Remind again why they needed to commit to all eight of these additional considerations for a player they were likely to get anyway?

The worst part, of course, is that this deal proves that no matter how many advantages New York gains from its magnetic appeal to potential free agents, owner James Dolan will screw them up. Leaning on the genius of Isiah Thomas -- because it worked out so well for the first time -- he fell hook, line and sinker for every bluff thrown his way by the Nuggets and Melo's people. (Yes, Melo's people participated -- Anthony needed to make sure he got a lucrative contract extension under the current salary rules before being traded.)

New York still gets its Melo-Stoudemire nucleus, but now lacks the supporting pieces to do anything important with that core. And by extending Melo now, they agree to lock him up at such an expensive price that, in concert with Stoudemire's deal, it likely precludes making a run at Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Dwight Howard in 2012.

Denver: B+

With a loaded gun pointed at their heads, the Nuggets bluffed and schemed their way to a very palatable end-game by running circles around the New York area's battling ownership groups. Using New Jersey for leverage and hoping the Knicks were foolish enough to take the bait, Denver eventually squeezed terms that got the Nuggets under the luxury tax line -- a sizable fit considering they were $13 million over -- brought in a much younger point guard, two quality forwards, a young big man, a first-round pick, two second-round picks and cash.

That's not a bad haul, and it still may be improved upon. With Lawson ready to move up to the starting role, it appears Felton may be moved on to a third team. It's not out of the question that Denver could still make the playoffs, and if the Nuggets can hang on to center Nene Hilario -- another of the Nuggets' potential free agents -- Denver will come out of this in far better shape than most teams that lose a star player.

Minnesota: B+

I like Brewer, but I'd trade him for Randolph in a heartbeat. Brewer is a solid role player who plays great defense but can't shoot or dribble. That type of player has his uses, but that's all Brewer will ever be. Helpful, yes, but fungible too.

Randolph has a lower floor but a much higher ceiling. He can't shoot, he weighs 11 pounds and he's a head case. On the other hand, he has rare shot-blocking talent, handles the ball unusually well for a player of his size, and is an elite athlete. He's a potential game-changer at the defensive end and, if the light bulb ever comes on, he's going to provide a very potent complement to Kevin Love's skills in the Minnesota frontcourt.

The price of that trade was just swallowing Curry's expiring contract, but because of the difference in salary between Brewer and Randolph and the $3 million coming from New York, it's pretty much a wash financially. Basically it amounts to a free talent upgrade for Minnesota just for loaning out their cap space to get the Nuggets under the luxury tax.

ESPN Reporting Melo to Knicks is Done!

Patsfanatic83 — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:25:35 -0000

Melo going to the Knicks means the Timberpuppies are in the mix here, would be interesting to see what other pieces are added and/or sent. At least the possible addition of Anthony Randolph could make the last portion of the season pretty interesting. His athletic defensive play could make him a good center for when Love is on the floor. Awaiting more to float in about the trade.

On second glance, it looks like a straight up Denver and NY trade, wonder if that means its a future 1st rounder, or if the Wolves have already agreed on a different deal to send the Knicks a 1st?

PSS:The deal includes a 2014 1st rounder and 2 second round picks along with the 7 foot Russian center that Denver coveted... Looking more and more like the deal is ONLY between the Nugs and Knicks. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 first-round draft pick and 2 2nd rounders and NY gets Carmelo Anthony,Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that Minnesota will get Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry and would only send Corey Brewer to the Nugs. No 1st rounder included? I like that prospect.

K LOVE AN ALL-STAR!!!

Patsfanatic83 — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:43:49 -0000

Just announced during game that Kevin Love was named as the replacement for Yao Ming! About time David Stern! So much for Steve Nash and LMA, and was glad Love got recognition for his amazing season. After all, this team would be ALOT worse off then they are now, and 20/15 averages haven't been achieved in over 30 years now. Good to see a historic season not get overlooked by a bad record.