Rolf wrote:I'm surpised more predictions don't include Rubio's contributions. It's still a financial near-worst case scenario for all parties involved if he stays in Europe.
I predict a starting line-up of Rubio, Flynn, Gomes, Love and Al. 27 very entertaining wins, no All-Stars, Rubio makes 1st team All Rookie, Brewer doesn't show the improvement we all hope for, & next summer is all about upgrading the SF position.
I agree Rolf that I still think Rubio is our starting pg next fall. I think Kahn and Fegan are playing a great little poker game with DKV and are going to get the buyout cut down and get Rubio in the NBA in 09-10.
With a Starting Line-up of Rubio/Flynn/Gomes/Love/Al and no significant moves I think it's 25 wins +/- 3.
Rubio - I expect Rubio to have a decent rookie season adjusting to the NBA Game. Something like 6-8 pts/6-8 asts/2-3 rebs/1-2 stls The biggest improvement he'll make is cutting down the turnovers from around 4-5 in Nov/Dec/Jan to 2-3 in Feb/Mar/Apr.
Flynn- I think he'll have a season similar to Marcus Banks 05-06 for us after the trade. Something like 10-14 pts/4-6 asts/3-4 rebs/1-2 stls. Similar to Rubio the biggest in season improvement will be cutting down the turnovers
Brewer - He should come back and play a role similar to Ariza's on the Lakers this last year. Great defense, decent percentage hitting open 3's and solid rebounding. Nothing amazing but is an asset on D and doesn't take anything away when he's in the game. Becomes Kevin Love's favorite outlet target for his quickness down the court and lanky arms that seem to get his hands on anything thrown his way.
Love - The Big Twitter should improve and get a few more shots a game to bump his numbers up to 16pts/12 rebs/3 asts. Hopefully we see some improvement on D. I'd like to see the Wolves bring in a former dominant big man (like an Ewing in Orlando) to work with Kevin and Al on D.
Jefferson - Al I expect to come back and have a season similar to last year. 24 pts/12 rebs/3 asts/ 1 stl/1 blk. Nothing significantly different from last year other than slimming down a bit and running a few fast breaks with the rookie backcourt.
6th Man - Gomes - Allows us to play big (when hes at the 3) or small (when hes at the 4) and should provide the same as last season around 10 pts/5 rebs/1-2 3pm.
7th Man - Ellington gets the role Foye always should have had and McCants could never play consistently enough as a punch scorer off the bench, good for 10 pts/2 asts/2 rebs/1 stl/2 3's. Shows promise as a 25 min per game guy who can help spread the floor when teams double Al.
Bench - Telfair/Songaila/Thomas - All 3 should give us decent play at their respective positions without too many problems. All 3 could be thrown into deals at the deadline.
One thing to keep in mind is that we may have a chance to get a good player at the deadline for some of our expiring contracts. Could Rondo still be causing problems in Boston? Could Monta Ellis be upset with the situation in GS? Harris from NJ? Could we get Thaddeus Young from Philly if we took back Dalembert (Who might actually fit next to Jefferson/Love even if he's being paid 3 times what hes worth)? There should be a number of options and I expect Kahn to pull the trigger on something near the deadline. With the idea that we'd have a new good player coming in I think our range moves up to 30 wins +/- 3.
Predictions:
Wolves hire Sam Mitchell as head coach who does a good job at player development and who most feel does a good job.
Wolves push the pace with Rubio/Flynn backcourt and average 105 pts per game. (Give up 109 pts/gm)
Wolves trade expiring contracts for Thaddeus Young and Samuel Dalembert at the trade deadline. Most Wolves fans are excited about the deal and Young steps in right away at SF and avgs. 12 pts/5 rebs/2 asts/2 stls/1 blk while Dalembert comes off the bench as a defensive presence for 25 mins/gm for 6 pts/8 rebs/2 blks.
Big Al is an All-Star in Dallas with Rubio/Flynn/Love all representing us in the Rookie/Soph game. TNT brings back G-E-I-C-O (HORSE) and Love wins it with some of his great trick shots.
Rubio and Flynn both make 1st team All-Rookie along with Griffin, Harden, Blair.
Wolves finish 28-54 with the 5th worst record. (Sac, NJ, Mem, Mil are worse)
We get lucky for the first time ever and jump up to #2 in the draft lottery which we use on hometown kid Cole Aldrich after his 20 pts/12 rebs/4 blks year leading Kansas to the NCAA Championship.
Charlotte finishes 8th in the East (16th best) and we get their #15 pick. (The pick from the Lawson deal that is top 12 protected.)
Utah finishes 7th best and we get their #24 pick.
