Starting the Minnesota Game:

John Wall, #1 (Draft Pick)

Nick Young, #16

JaVale McGee, #18

Chris Singleton, #18

Andray Blatche, #49

In all seriousness, is this really a surprise? Look at that starting roster. We've got 8 dudes picked out of the top-15, who, with the exception of Blatche and Young, have little to almost no experience. We've got 2 lottery picks. I think Minnesota has 7 in the top-6. Clearly, there is a talent disparity. I'm not stating talent or draft picks determine everything, but an objective viewer would notice this as a striking contrast between re-building franchises. People want to fire Ernie and Flip, and I understand the sentiment, but mostly because Flip deserves better. I can sort of understand Grunfield, but what is the expectation? A winning team? Even a team that would improve over last year?

I too was extremely disheartened by the play, especially the lack of effort, but there is a reason these guys were picked at that level. Obviously, we've noted that they have skill or potential, but even the favorite (outside of Wall) in Singleton is a first-year player.

Again, no excuse for the lack of effort, but being young and terrible, we cannot underestimate the situation: a bad team gets frustrated and gives up. I am not stating excuses, but merely pointing out that it was a sparsely attended, Sunday day game, with an 0-7 team manhandled by the Twolves. Throw in the incident with Rashard Lewis, and the Ricky Rubio haunting, and there was definitely the makings of an implosion.

But, my purpose in this post is to see if anybody shares the same outlook. I think two statements from Flip Saunders and Michael Lee capitulate it: Minnesota has been rebuilding for 5 years (Flip), and Michael Lee points out there just isn't talent on this team.

There is a reason Nick Young didn't get paid. There's a reason we all have always loathed Blatche. McGee is coming off a year in which he used to dribble up court and ate cinammon in the offseason (by the way, you should check out Kevin Love's offseason).So, while he has improved, what do you want from him? Then, Jordan Crawford is our "scoring spark" off the bench. Kevin Seraphin is our back-up center!

We flat out stink talent-wise.

 I think the Wizards may have the worst roster in the league at this point, or are tied with Sac. If we get to 20 wins it will be a feat. I think we will have the worst record in the league by the end of year. That's right -- the Cavs will overtake us, as will the TWolves. Not trying to be a downer -- just a thought. I'm thinking 2-4 games, we'll win. Taking a leap on that.

Any thoughts? 

Cavs lost Jamison, Williams, but "gained" B-Chubby, (Erden and Harangody, too). Kings have added Thornton which helps considering the injuries to Evans. 

Raptors seem to be playing better, and Nets have added Deron Williams. 

We got Jordan Crawford.

The roster right now is damnation. Our vets are hobbling to the end of the season and Blatche has -- and this is coming from a strong defender of his -- shown himself as, at best, a 1-in-5er. McGee cannot hold his own among other centers. Hilton's gone, and he continues to dribble up court. This is not to discredit his improvement or that of Booker, Young, Seraphim, etc. 

Yes, we've got scorers and creators in the backcourt, and a serviceable bench player in Mo Evans, but no finishers, defense, our rebounding. 

I saw in another post that someone was miffed the Wiz training staff had not gotten McGee to put on more weight, or is not getting him in shape. I don't think that these guys necessarily only work out with the Wiz staff. I think most hire trainers. I would. I think it's on McGee for conditioning and weight gain. 

That said, I don't think weight gain is his issue. He just does not know how to, or does not, use his strength. Plenty of centers are only 250 and know how to or are willing to use the body.

I have not watched the second game, but did not really like him in the first game. I mean, we know what he can do: play offense, i.e., run, drive, run on a break, dunk on oops. He can also block and alter shots. 

He has no low-post moves, and is a liability on defense and defensive rebounds. I think he's a clown, abetted by Blatche and Young, surely. I'm really hoping he can develop some kind of Center play beyond the aforementioned skills. He's going to get killed by Howard, Bosh (should he play center), Stoudemire, Bogut (who puts a clinic on him EVERY time),  

From Al Iannazzone in the North Jersey's The Record.

The Nets are close to moving Yi Jianlian.

They are working on a deal with the Wizards that would send Yi and cash to Washington for a player who makes "significantly less" than what the Nets’ power forward earns. Three sources confirmed this could happen.

The player could be Quinton Ross ($1.14 million) or one of their draft picks. Yi makes $4.05 million this season. Either way, the Nets are close to getting Yi’s salary off their books.

Thoughts? I'll take it. We need help up front, and 7 footers with that kind of skill set aren't falling out of trees. Seems in line with our strategy to build with young guys. I like his game, but he's a little passive. Also, not exactly a "dead" in the BOYD strategy considering his age, ability, okay contract, and some of his performance. Of course, he did play on the Nets last year.

I know another talked post dealt with 'Sheed. I saw Camby in there but I think the Clips want to keep him and he's old.

Would you all take either? I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'd take Randolph. I think we could get either pretty cheap. Ideas? Hey, we need to win now -- this year or next. 

Other bigs/power forwards that we would go after? (side note that may be helpful in trading for players: I've heard some say McGee is more of a power forward in his potential, so maybe another center is not impossible)