SBNation.com User Blog: thejanitor

ESPN's #NBA Rank and our beloved Wolves

thejanitor — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:19:39 -0000

I'm guessing most of you have seen that ESPN and the TrueHoop network are, once again, ranking the top 500 players in "our league" counting them down on twitter...

While this isn't too exciting, I can't help but check each day for Wolves players and the tweet that may accompany the rank. While I'm definitely biased towards the Pups, I'm also realistic. Just thought I'd get a thread going in regards to Wolves Rankings. Feel free to add players and speak your mind on anything in particular.

I'm guessing most of you have seen that ESPN and the TrueHoop network are, once again, ranking the top 500 players in "our league" counting them down on twitter...

Thus Far:

1. Malcolm Lee-404 Last year's rank-429

2. Alexey Shved-353 Last Year's rank-NA

"#NbaRank @NBAonESPN Shved proved for Russia that he can lead a team. Another PG for David Khan."

3.Dante Cunningham-298 Last year's rank-311

"@WesFromTheATL

Dante Cunningham is a gritty bench post player. Any team could use a guy like him #NBARank"

4. Anthony Tolliver-289 Last year's rank-289

"@gregfield93

#nbarank @NBAonESPN @ATolliver44 at 289, is probably the happiest and most humble guy in the nba."

5. Greg Stiesma-270 Last year's rank-NA

"@Ian_Segovia

There are few self-evident truths in this world: one of them is that Jared Jeffries isn't a better player than Greg Stiemsma #NBARank"

6. Luke Ridnour-194 Last year's rank-182

"#NBArank 194: Luke Ridnour. bit.ly/2012NBArank181…"

Mike Welch @MikeWelch11

@NBAonESPN One of the NBA's good guys, and a better than adequate backup PG #NBArank"

7. Brandon Roy-145 Last year's rank-59

"@gus_bus23

Roy at 145 is a tough call. Dude has bad/no knees & has not played in a year. But when he was at his prime he was a beast #NBArank"

8. Derrick Williams-139 Last years rank-196

"Jamison Beuerman @jbeuerman

Derrick Williams that high? did this list get mixed up with the one from the 2011 draft combine? #NBArank"

9. Jose Juan Barea-134 Last years rank-92

"@bochurney

Is 4.97 JJ Barea's score in #NBArank, or his height in feet?"

10. Chase Budinger-133 Last years rank-170

"@TheFullTimeDad

I'm not sure how Chase Budinger is ranked 19 spots higher than the guy who took his spot in the starting lineup, Chandler Parson. #nbarank"

11. Nikola Pekovic-105 Last years rank-395

@talkhoops

Wait, you guys didn't give Nikola Pekovic a 10 in #NBARank? Good luck when this comes to your door. twitpic.com/atlbht"

12. Andrei Kirilenko-79 Last years rank-90

"@CliffMusic

Apparently ESPN watches the Olympics. Andrei Kirilenko's rank would be 100 spots lower if it weren't for his London performance #nbarank"

13. Ricky Rubio-47 Last years rank-204

"@ben_fischer

@NBAonESPN Ricky Rubio coming off an amazing rookie season even with the injury, will help the Wolves make the playoffs this year. #NBARank"

Will Barton scores 72 in Pro-Am game

thejanitor — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:53:54 -0000

I realize this is essentially a playground game but he's playing (in more ways than one) some NBA talent including ours truly, Derrick Williams. It's too bad we (Wolves FO!!) didn't see any potential in this kid...smh. And 72 pts. on a 40 minute running clock, sheesh!

Seems as tho he's got the confidence necessary to make it along with the obvious skills.

Here's the Hoopdoctors article plus video:

http://thehoopdoctors.com/online2/2012/08/video-blazers-rookie-will-barton-scores-72-pts-vs-nba-pros/

The Day After-Random Thoughts & Ramblings

thejanitor — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:33:08 -0000

Whoa Nelly!! Let the Budinger-mania come to a grinding pause. A significant move was made yesterday; a competent wing was signed to the pups and the great CH group-think has determined this to be a positive. Huzzah!

Now; what shall we do about our pressing 2-guard need? A much needed backup big? How in the hell do we get back into the draft? Must get back into draft...

So, yeah, just starting a new thread with some thoughts (some of which may have originated from other posters comments, I'm not stealing them for my own, only reiterating plausible ideas or wishful thinking.)

First and foremost; we need a legit starting SG. While a Jamal Crawford signing seems inevitable I think we're all hoping for a different answer..

Brandon Roy you say? Only if you're ready for him to play 20 minutes a game/perhaps only come off the bench. He isn't the answer. If signed cheap I'd be ok with Roy, but you shouldn't expect too much.

Alexy Shved? I like giving this kid a shot, but he's unproven in the league (of course.) You never know how a Euro player will adapt to the NBA style.

As far as FA's or possible trades go, who would be of interest and/or attainable? JJ Reddick, Wesley Matthews or Elliot Williams, JR Smith? On the higher end; Nic Batum, Eric Gordon or dare I say...The Beard?? I'll leave the money side of things to vjl110 or anyone else as I'm at work and doin this in haste. Just hoping to get a conversation started...

JR Smith. What would ppl think of signing him? He'd give us much needed tenacity and scoring and...headaches? his sister fighting in the stands..?

And as far as trading back into the draft:

Does Wes Johnson get us one of Bostons picks?? Or am I dreaming and he'd only maybe net us Cleveland 2nd rounder? Would you do it? I'm guessing most of us would. Is this selling too low, or have we yet to see Les Johnson's basement? : / (Les Johnson's basement...not a bad band name)

and lastly is it worth it to trade D-Will at this point? I know we all desire a balanced roster and better depth. Is it smart to move last years #2 for this years, say 11 and Elliot Williams? or Dudley and 13? I'd say yeah, providing we could grab one of Leonard, Henson, or Zeller. I'm sure there are a few (yeah, not too many, I'm guessing) that would strongly advise against this...will D-Will prove us wrong this year?? Will he be traded tomorrow night??!

Ok, just getting the ball rolling...

Now; what shall we do about our pressing 2-guard need? A much needed backup big? How in the hell do we get back into the draft? Must get back into draft...

First and foremost; we need a legit starting SG. While a Jamal Crawford signing seems inevitable I think we're all hoping for a different answer..

Alexy Shved? I like giving this kid a shot, but he's unproven in the league (of course.) You never know how a Euro player will adapt to the NBA style.

JR Smith. What would ppl think of signing him? He'd give us much needed tenacity and scoring and...headaches? his sister fighting in the stands..?

And as far as trading back into the draft:

Ok, just getting the ball rolling...

Deal with Hornets?

thejanitor — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:00:49 -0000

The Hornets are ~~more than likely~~ always looking to dump Emeka Okafor's contract. Perhaps we could do worse than to trade for him and the #10...

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cwhcfe8

Would New Orleans consider a trade of Brad Miller, Martell Webster, and the 58 for Emeka Okafor and the 10? Or would it take our 18 to get it done? Would you trade Miller, Webster and the 18 for Emeka and the 10? Perhaps we could rather include next years Memphis unprotected??

Mr. Okafor played in only 27 games this season averaging:

28.9 mins, 53 FG%, only 51%FT, 7.9rpg, 1bpg, 9.9ppg

He could fill a much needed role of back-up big (Center or PF), playing 15-25 minutes per game.

On the other hand looking at his career stats, his ppg, rpg, and ft% have gone down nearly every year!

I know this is nothing new. Discussions of taking on Okafor for other benefits (primarily lottery picks or Ariza) have been goin on for some time. I think that now may be the time to move on it if the #10 was included. I'm looking at you Meyer's Leonard. Especially if we were able to keep our 18 and draft a wing as well (Barton,White,Ross.)

What do you all think?

The Hornets are ~~more than likely~~ always looking to dump Emeka Okafor's contract. Perhaps we could do worse than to trade for him and the #10...

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cwhcfe8

Mr. Okafor played in only 27 games this season averaging:

28.9 mins, 53 FG%, only 51%FT, 7.9rpg, 1bpg, 9.9ppg

He could fill a much needed role of back-up big (Center or PF), playing 15-25 minutes per game.

On the other hand looking at his career stats, his ppg, rpg, and ft% have gone down nearly every year!

What do you all think?

Poll

What say you?

I'd trade for Emeka/#10 if we didn't have to include the 18th pick.

45 votes

I'd trade for Emeka/the 10 even if we did include the 18th pick.

30 votes

I'd only do this trade if no pick was included by the Wolves.

5 votes

Not interested at all. We can do better!

43 votes

123 votes | Poll has closed

Royce White-General Thoughts?

thejanitor — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:07:26 -0000

Hey everyone, I'm just wondering how people are feeling about Hopkins finest; Royce White? I only saw the Kentucky game-Iowa State's final game-this year so that's all I have to go on.

I must say I was very impressed. He seemed to be a beast that Kentucky had no answer for...fortunately for them he's just too unselfish. There were a few times I was screaming at my TV "why did you just pass that?!"

Now I know he has a past but he doesn't seem to be too much of a headcase, does he? I honestly don't know.

So I'm just wondering how people are feeling about him. It seems as though he's slated mid-first round, but he may have a chance to slide into the lottery, we'll see. If the Wolves had a shot at him in the twenties (assuming some trade happens/Utah makes the playoffs) would that be a smart move? Maybe not with D-Will, idk..? He would seem to me to fit the bill as a smart team player and mesh nicely with Love and Rubio, but wouldn't solve our SG woes...

Aside from that what are people's thoughts on him in general? Will he make a good pro?

Discuss.

Hey everyone, I'm just wondering how people are feeling about Hopkins finest; Royce White? I only saw the Kentucky game-Iowa State's final game-this year so that's all I have to go on.

Now I know he has a past but he doesn't seem to be too much of a headcase, does he? I honestly don't know.

Aside from that what are people's thoughts on him in general? Will he make a good pro?

Discuss.

Poll

How will Royce White's career unfold?

Will he show promise and be a contributor his rookie year?

47 votes

Will he fizzle out in the pros?

26 votes

Will he become a star in the league sooner than later?

13 votes

I don't really care...he blew it with the Gophs

27 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

TRADE (almost) EVERYONE!

thejanitor — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 23:03:37 -0000

Kidding, of course, but I've been on ESPN's trade machine for the last hr, reworking our team. Here's what I came up with:

Trade 1

Wolves get:            Knicks get:           Nuggets get:
Roger Mason          Melo                    Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph, Eddie Curry, 2 Knicks Draft Picks(?)
Nene                       Bassy                  Timberwolves 2nd 2011 pick (viaGrizz-viaJAZZ,top14protected, I believe)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4vpqjzd
Wolves get a high PER/physical center in NENE, Knicks get there man in Melo, and the Nuggets get a decent grab bag...better than nothing.

Trade 2

Wolves get: Sixers:
Andre Iguodala Corey Brewer, Wes Johnson

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=45kyuue
Wolves get a team leader,fellow team USA teammate of Love...Philly; cap relief and two decent wings.

Trade 3

Wolves get: Pacers get:
Danny Granger Mike Beasley, Martell Webster

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4r2q265
Wolves get another great player for the price of 2 young good, potentially great in Beasley's case, players.
Trade 4:

Wolves get:           Suns get:
Nash                      Rubio
                              Flynn

Wolves get a great veteran leader. Suns get a temporary backup to Dragic in Flynn and the potential young star in Rubio.

2011-12
pg-NASH,ridnour
sg-IGUODALA,ellington/mason
sf-GRANGER,terrencejones?
pf-LOVE,perryjones?,tolliver
c-NENE,darko

I know this would probably never fly, just thought my first post would be a fun one. ;)

What do you guys think?