Thoughts in General, Rumors, etc 4.0

[K_chile22]

KAT's comments are let's just say not super encouraging if you are a Wolves fan. Feels like the team makes him a scapegoat while never putting him into position to succeed.

For what it is worth, the scapegoating section was entirely directed at Jimmy Butlers unprofessional behaviour that Towns unfortunately had to deal with, but Minnesota fans are pretty aware that Towns is gone if they don't make the play-in, at least. There is not a single other player in the League that has dealt with the amount of dysfunction that Towns has.

Well, Sports Illustrated released a big story on Towns this morning

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/27/karl-anthony-towns-covid-19-daily-cover

Towns has publicly committed to the Timberwolves several times, most recently at the end of the 2020–21 season, when he told reporters he wanted to have a career like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, spending it all with one team. According to someone close to Towns, nothing related to that goal was altered in any meaningful way by Rosas’s dismissal. A contract extension is already on his radar.

“My chips are all on the table,” Towns says. “So it’s up to the Wolves, you know? If they give me the chance to stay there I fa’ sho would take it. The ball is in their court.”

I mean, are we supposed to take anything from that? Players say they won't leave all the time. What else are they supposed to say?

[shrink]

For what it is worth, the scapegoating section was entirely directed at Jimmy Butlers unprofessional behaviour that Towns unfortunately had to deal with, but Minnesota fans are pretty aware that Towns is gone if they don't make the play-in, at least. There is not a single other player in the League that has dealt with the amount of dysfunction that Towns has.

Well, Sports Illustrated released a big story on Towns this morning

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/27/karl-anthony-towns-covid-19-daily-cover

Towns has publicly committed to the Timberwolves several times, most recently at the end of the 2020–21 season, when he told reporters he wanted to have a career like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, spending it all with one team. According to someone close to Towns, nothing related to that goal was altered in any meaningful way by Rosas’s dismissal. A contract extension is already on his radar.

“My chips are all on the table,” Towns says. “So it’s up to the Wolves, you know? If they give me the chance to stay there I fa’ sho would take it. The ball is in their court.”

I mean, are we supposed to take anything from that? Players say they won't leave all the time. What else are they supposed to say?

I know, right? I mean, Towns has been going out of his way to say the same thing, over and over for years - far better to just disregard it and speculate with our own internet opinions!

Who cares about anything from the real world that contradicts our opinions, right? Shut up, KAT!

[K_chile22]

Well, Sports Illustrated released a big story on Towns this morning

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/27/karl-anthony-towns-covid-19-daily-cover

I mean, are we supposed to take anything from that? Players say they won't leave all the time. What else are they supposed to say?

I know, right? I mean, Towns has been going out of his way to say the same thing, over and over for years - far better to just disregard it and speculate with our own internet opinions!

Who cares about anything from the real world that contradicts our opinions, right? Shut up, KAT!

I just think it's fair to speculate when a player has a presser like KAT just had, even when a player has said he won't leave in the past. Especially since that just happened with the best player on my favorite team

[shrink]

If anyone really wants to understand Towns and what he went through last year, I suggest you read the SI article. If you still feel like MIN should be nervous about Towns’ loyalty, listen to the full eight minute presser.

“I’ve always put the organization first, and I’m going to continue to put the organizations first. That’s not going to change.”

https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/timberwolves-media-day-karl-anthony-towns-press-conference/6251903/

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Coach Nate talking about the Hawks playing some all bench units this year due to the strength of their depth. Pretty big advantage if they can survive that allowing their best 5 to play more minutes together.

Dieng/Gallo/Reddish/Huerter/Wright really puts a lot of pressure on Gallo offensively, but against other teams' benches might be okay. I guess they can replace Dieng with Lou and play Gallo at center to get more offense out there as well.

Hawks had a really good off-season and should be even better than last year even if they don't repeat the ECF run(Nets and Bucks have to be favorites).

As ball dominant as Trae is and should be , I think there is a case for Bogdanovic playing with the bench if they want to add more defense on the court. Would need Hunter/ Redish to take a step forward offensively to make it work though.

Love Hawks overall rebuild approach , They match up well against any contender to have a shot.

[Texas Chuck]

If anyone really wants to understand Towns and what he went through last year, I suggest you read the SI article. If you still feel like MIN should be nervous about Towns’ loyalty, listen to the full eight minute presser.

“I’ve always put the organization first, and I’m going to continue to put the organizations first. That’s not going to change.”

https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/timberwolves-media-day-karl-anthony-towns-press-conference/6251903/

Towns has gone through stuff nobody should have had to go through. His personal story is heartbreaking.

I'd also love to just hand wave away what I watched and heard from him yesterday because having been a Mavs fan through the 90's I understand bad basketball in ways even Wolves and Kings fans cannot. And lack of hope in ways they cannot. Mike Iuzzolino was a Mav on the old NBA Jam game for crying out loud. Dallas was barely winning double digit games, had no talent, no lottery luck, a terrible governor only interested in building a new arena. I root hard for these franchises who are dreadful for a long time.

But I also like to deal in reality. I'm aware that Luka isn't Dirk and the clock is ticking and if Dallas doesn't want him to be the Lakers next superstar they've got to get really good and do it really fast. And when I hear Towns talk the way he did, it seems pretty clear that while he might really want it to work out in Minnesota, he's not sounding interested at all in sticking around for 3 more years of this.

Hope I'm wrong and he'll stay as long as you want him to no matter how bad the team is or how bad of decisions they make. But I'm sorry I do not believe that is what he wants to do. I think he wants the team to make moves to get good or he will want to move somewhere that gives him a chance to compete.

[Texas Chuck]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

[tidho]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

that is brutal for IND

seems like every year they'd be among the top teams in the East... if they were healthy.

[HornetJail]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

that is brutal for IND

seems like every year they'd be among the top teams in the East... if they were healthy.

That's kind of the problem with the roster construction of this iteration of the team. They got Warren and LeVert as cheap as they did because those two are always a danger to miss months at a time with injury. Brutal injury luck in the past, but this is kind of expected with Warren and LeVert.

[pacers33granger]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

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[Resistance]

Are the Pacers going to continue with the strategy of takes chances on players with histories of getting various injuries or will they eventually tire of it?

[HartfordWhalers]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

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I had LeVert negative value before this. Since I'm the biggest LeVert hater, I'm not going to have this be a big negative for Indy.

[Scoot McGroot]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

And may need to keep Martin around the start of the year, at least.

[Texas Chuck]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

I had LeVert negative value before this. Since I'm the biggest LeVert hater, I'm not going to have this be a big negative for Indy.

I'm not a big fan of the player either. But when I look at their roster, he is going to have to play a key role for them offensively. They don't really have better options honestly.

Still think this should be the CJ team.

[Godaddycurse]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

And may need to keep Martin around the start of the year, at least.

good thing they drafted duarte and not a raw rookie

[pacers33granger]

In shocking news LeVert has a stress fracture in his back because he plays for the Pacers and that's a rule.

Now they think he might not miss any RS time, but still not great to have another guy out when you have a new coach installing a new system and LeVert figured to be a major part of the offense.

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

I had LeVert negative value before this. Since I'm the biggest LeVert hater, I'm not going to have this be a big negative for Indy.

If he's out it means Lamb and Duarte are our only SGs, which is less than ideal. Levert is also the only guy who can really run a pick and roll on the roster to any level of decency. Brogdon sucks, TJ can't shoot, and the rest aren't ballhandlers.

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[jayjaysee]

Hopefully Rick is better than both Nates at managing other starters minutes. Though I fully expect Brogdon to start off hot, fizzle a bit, then get injured no matter what Rick does.

And this means that Lamb may actually be needed now. With Sumner out we may be down 3 rotation wings to start the season.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

I had LeVert negative value before this. Since I'm the biggest LeVert hater, I'm not going to have this be a big negative for Indy.

If he's out it means Lamb and Duarte are our only SGs, which is less than ideal. Levert is also the only guy who can really run a pick and roll on the roster to any level of decency. Brogdon sucks, TJ can't shoot, and the rest aren't ballhandlers.

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Half green font says Rick can get anyone to run an efficient pick and roll.

[loserX]

I had LeVert negative value before this. Since I'm the biggest LeVert hater, I'm not going to have this be a big negative for Indy.

If he's out it means Lamb and Duarte are our only SGs, which is less than ideal. Levert is also the only guy who can really run a pick and roll on the roster to any level of decency. Brogdon sucks, TJ can't shoot, and the rest aren't ballhandlers.

Sent from my SM-A716U using RealGM Forums mobile app

Half green font says Rick can get anyone to run an efficient pick and roll.

He did turn JJ Barea into the GOAT, after all.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Has the NBA announced a positive test protocol? These anti vaccine types are going to miss games, but we are still going to get a ton of positive tests given *gestures broadly*

[HartfordWhalers]

If Wiggins does not play half his games, I eagerly await everyone getting whiplash a second time on the Dlo - Wiggins trade