Will the Wolves make the playoffs before KG retires? (2008 bump)

[Dr. Laker]

Will the Wolves make the playoffs before KG retires?

There are a number of strong teams with good young players in the West.

Figure KG plays 4 more years - through 2011-12.

SA - Parker just entering his prime and Duncan will be 35. Everyone else ancient or retired.
Dal - They may drop off by then, but Dirk at 33 and Josh at 30.
PHX - Nash will surely be out of the league, Marion likely gone, Amare' and Barbosa in prime.
Lakers - Bynum, Famar, etc. will be at the top of their games, Kobe just 33.
NO - Paul, Chandler in their primes.
GS - Baron early 30s, Ellis/Biedrens in their prime.
Den - Camby, AI gone. KMart likely gone, too. Melo, Nene as building blocks.
POR - probably will be the best team in the league.
Clippers - Likely not in the conversation.
Seattle - Durant will be scoring champ by then.
Utah - Deron, Boozer, Kirilenko will all still be under 30.
Memphis - Gay, Conley. Gasol under 30.
Hou - another mess.
Kings - Kevin Martin and junk.

Figure the Wolves add high lotto picks in 08 and 09.

By 2011/12, they almost certainly will be better than the Clippers and Kings. Houston's FO seems inept, so put them behind the Wolves, too. That leaves 3 teams Minnesota has to pass for a spot.

In my opinion, POR/LAL/UTA/NO are locks based on their young talent.
San Antonio gets a nod just because their FO has track record of rebuilding on the fly. Dallas, too, just because of Dirk/Josh and Harris.

So that leaves two spots to divide between MIN, SEA, MEM, DEN, GS and PHX.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Devilzsidewalk]

yes we will win a championship within the next 5 years

Jefferson - HOFer, perennial MVP

Foye - HOFer, perennial 1st team all nba

McCants - Perennial all-star

Brewer - future 12 time Defensive player of the year winner

Michael Beasley - future 10 time 3 point contest winner AND slam dunk contest winner. David Stern hands over the keys to his office, bows Japanese-style, and retires into seclusion in the Ozark mountains out of respect.

Craig Smith - perennial 6th man of the year winner
Ryan Gomes - equal to Craig Smith so they create a "Ryan Gomes of the Year" award especially for him.

[Basti]

yes we will win a championship within the next 5 years

Jefferson - HOFer, perennial MVP

Foye - HOFer, perennial 1st team all nba

McCants - Perennial all-star

Brewer - future 12 time Defensive player of the year winner

Michael Beasley - future 10 time 3 point contest winner AND slam dunk contest winner. David Stern hands over the keys to his office, bows Japanese-style, and retires into seclusion in the Ozark mountains out of respect.
Craig Smith - perennial 6th man of the year winner
Ryan Gomes - equal to Craig Smith so they create a "Ryan Gomes of the Year" award especially for him.

but seriously I guess we'll have a legit chance to be at least a playoffs contender by then. I'll hope that we'll sign a good FA in 2009 and that our puppies have developped into a nice core with some experience.

and btw I'm still dreaming that KG will sign here as FA if he has his ring by then and if he sees that we'll be able to compete

[C.lupus]

4 years sounds about right for the Wolves to make the playoffs again (low seed). A couple high lotto picks added to Foye, Brewer, and Jefferson (who should be just reaching his prime) plus a few years of playing together should equal a playoff team.

I'm not sure I'd automatically give SA a nod with a 35 year old Duncan and Parker as the only pieces. PHX without Nash and Marion won't go anywhere. I think MN, Seattle, and Memphis all get in.

[Basti]

4 years sounds about right for the Wolves to make the playoffs again (low seed). A couple high lotto picks added to Foye, Brewer, and Jefferson (who should be just reaching his prime) plus a few years of playing together should equal a playoff team.

I'm not sure I'd automatically give SA a nod with a 35 year old Duncan and Parker as the only pieces. PHX without Nash and Marion won't go anywhere. I think MN, Seattle, and Memphis all get in.

yeah you could see how bad they've been before nash was there or when he was hurt

[4ho5ive]

We are only giving KG 4 more years in the league?? I figured he could at least be a Mutumbo type to bring that vet/mentor help to a bench.

[shrink]

I think we're in the play-offs in 2.5 years. Many of the teams there now are not built for the long haul, like DEN, PHO, and the Lakers (Kobe is more likely to be gone in 4 years than KG).

[deeney0]

KG has 7-10 years left. I don't want to think about the Wolves missing the playoffs for that long.

[Krapinsky]

I wouldn't count out the clippers or the kings. Denver IMO may have the worst longterm future of all the Western Conference teams becasue of NENE's contract.

The Clippers have one of the best young building pieces in Kaman. If Livingston comes back ever, he'd be a piece, and Al thornton will probably develop. Add a lottery pick this year and they could be looking at a lineup of Livingston, Eric Gordon, Thornton, Brand, Kaman in four years. Nothing to snuff at.

The Kings also could have a good future. Hawes needs time to develop, but could be a great offensive five. He reminds me a lot of Hibbert, just with a little less polish. Martin will be in his prime. They'll have tons of cap space by then. What if they land Beasley in the draft? They would have Beno, Martin, ?, Beasley, Hawes. Nothing to snuff at either.

[Basti]

yeah it's scary how much raw talent is in the west...

[Devilzsidewalk]

things change fast though, hard to predict

check out the three worst teams in the league

4 years ago the Wolves won 58 games
3 years ago the Sonics won 52 games
2 years ago the Miami Heat were NBA champions

[Klomp]

Still waiting...

[Peezo]

We are only giving KG 4 more years in the league?? I figured he could at least be a Mutumbo type to bring that vet/mentor help to a bench.

Amazing and prophetic.

[Note30]

My god you guys have been here forever.

[C.lupus]

My god you guys have been here forever.

Life is overrated.

[Klomp]

I think this is the post that gets to me the most.

4 years sounds about right for the Wolves to make the playoffs again (low seed).

That was 7 years ago.

[C.lupus]

I think this is the post that gets to me the most.

4 years sounds about right for the Wolves to make the playoffs again (low seed).

That was 7 years ago.

Seemed reasonable at the time.

[Merc_Porto]

7 years ago the real quote was:

Four years from being four years away.

[Basti]

I think this is the post that gets to me the most.

4 years sounds about right for the Wolves to make the playoffs again (low seed).

That was 7 years ago.

I think this one is the runner up.

I'm not sure I'd automatically give SA a nod with a 35 year old Duncan and Parker as the only pieces.

In Lup's defense, though, San Antonio/Duncan has been unreal. They probably use cheat codes.

[Klomp]

But this might be best post

and btw I'm still dreaming that KG will sign here as FA if he has his ring by then and if he sees that we'll be able to compete