If Brewer isin't traded.....

[Ice32]

His name has surfaced recently in trade rumors and he has openly said that he loves Minnesota and wants to stay. Obviously his minutes have decreased with the return of Webster, however Coach Rambis doesn’t look at that as him being "squeezed out". Rambis had this to say last week about Brewer:

"Corey always has been a valuable asset to this ballclub," Rambis said. "He's one of the league leaders in taking charges and his defensive energy and intensity; those are all things we value highly."

What’s interesting is that during the last 3 wins, Brewer is seeing the majority of his playing time during the 4th quarters. Which could be where he is best suited - a defensive/energy guy in crunch time. The Last 3 wins show Brewers minutes in the 4th quarters:

• Win vs. Cavs - Played entire 4th quarter. Held Anthony Parker to 2 FGs.
• Win vs. Hornets - Played 7 mins - had 2 steals and 4 points.
• Win vs. Nets - Played 11 mins - had 3 rebs, 2 pts and kept Vujacic to 1 FG.

So out of a possible 36 minutes in the three 4th quarters, Brewer has played 30 mins (83%). He’s also committed zero turnovers and only 2 personal fouls. He has shot 3-7 FGs in those 30 mins, so he’s not taking too many shots. He’s played with a lot more consistency during the last 5 games.

If Brewer does remain with the Wolves for the rest of the season, I see can him playing 4th quarters a lot more, as Rambis has faith in him and what he brings to the floor during crunch time.

[cpfsf]

I can understand the logic in trading Brewer and encourage some change, but I have to admit that it has been hard to fall in love with a team that consistently trades it's players. Brewer has played more years with the team than anyone else on the roster, but this is only his fourth season in Minnesota. That practically makes him a senior citizen.

[Peezo]

Interesting thread. Those numbers kind of surprise me, but I have noticed that he gets the crunch time minutes. If he ISN'T going to be brought back next year, I would prefer these minutes went to Wes. This makes me wonder if he will be back...

[Peezo]

I can understand the logic in trading Brewer and encourage some change, but I have to admit that it has been hard to fall in love with a team that consistently trades it's players. Brewer has played more seasons than anyone else on the roster, but this is only his fourth season in Minnesota. That practically makes him a senior citizen.

I think the trades are what makes the team exciting: we are clearly getting better. Trading guys like Jaric/Walker and then later Foye/Miller to me were completely necessary steps to begin our rebuild. I don't think we will see that sort of flurry of trades ever again (Kahn was a mad man at first). But moves like Blount for Q Richardson were purely financial, and he made multiple small trades to set up for a better future. After Corey is gone, I think we will begin to see some longevity.

[Ice32]

Interesting thread. Those numbers kind of surprise me, but I have noticed that he gets the crunch time minutes. If he ISN'T going to be brought back next year, I would prefer these minutes went to Wes. This makes me wonder if he will be back...

Exactly, I think Coach Rambis appreciates what Brewer does and sees alot of himself in Brewer (similar to the type of player Rambis was in his playing days). Its not like Brewer is going to demand a massive contract in the off-season. If the Wolves can keep him for a few million a year, why wouldnt they? Hes a serviceable backup to Wes, and is insurance in the event of an injury to Wes, Webster or Beasley. Ideally he would love more minutes, but hes not the type of player that will openly complain. He brings 100% effort, no matter what.

[southern wolf]

He gets unfairly criticised on this board. He's become a bit of a whipping boy because of his offense, but Rambis knows what he's doing and those numbers say a lot. I think they work a lot on taking charges at practise and it's a pretty underrated part of the game which Brewer does very well in. If he keeps his shots down, I like him as a high energy defender off the bench. He's become a bit of a 4th quarter specialist.

[shangrila]

He gets unfairly criticised on this board. He's become a bit of a whipping boy because of his offense, but Rambis knows what he's doing and those numbers say a lot. I think they work a lot on taking charges at practise and it's a pretty underrated part of the game which Brewer does very well in. If he keeps his shots down, I like him as a high energy defender off the bench. He's become a bit of a 4th quarter specialist.

This is the key. It's not like he got criticized for nothing by this board. Both he, and to a lesser extent Ridnour, had such horrible shot selection that they shouldn't have even been on the court.

But lately both have improved that aspect of their games and it's showed in the win column. If Brewer can keep up this kind of restraint then I'd have no problems keeping him here long term.

[Ice32]

He gets unfairly criticised on this board. He's become a bit of a whipping boy because of his offense, but Rambis knows what he's doing and those numbers say a lot. I think they work a lot on taking charges at practise and it's a pretty underrated part of the game which Brewer does very well in. If he keeps his shots down, I like him as a high energy defender off the bench. He's become a bit of a 4th quarter specialist.

This is the key. It's not like he got criticized for nothing by this board. Both he, and to a lesser extent Ridnour, had such horrible shot selection that they shouldn't have even been on the court.

But lately both have improved that aspect of their games and it's showed in the win column. If Brewer can keep up this kind of restraint then I'd have no problems keeping him here long term.

Well in the last 3 wins, during the 4th qtrs, hes 3-7 FGs and 3-4 FTs. His shots have been:

1. makes 16-foot jumper
2. misses 20-foot jumper
3. makes driving layup
4. misses 7-foot jumper
5. Brook Lopez blocks Corey Brewer's 5-foot jumper
6. makes two point shot
7. misses 24-foot three point jumper

So hes not taking/forcing too many shots, or taking shots away from other players. Also, in the 9 Wolves wins, Brewer has played 80 of 108 4th quarter minutes (75%) and scored 27 points (he scores every 3 mins). His contribution on defense and offense has been steady, and is what is keeping him on the floor during crunch time.

[Peezo]

Ice I would bring him back to be a backup to Snipes and Webster, but I don't think a kid who is only 25 would want to be in that role. If he was okay with it, he probably would still want more money than we would give him. Best of luck to him if he does leave

[teven_1]

I like Brew as a back up SG.
SG is still our biggest need. We are porous at the guard position, I think we should make another grade watching the best young SG's (that could be ours) in the L

[shrink]

I thought it was interesting that when Kahn came in, he wanted this team to be longer, more athletic, and be bale to get up and down the court. Brewer would arguably fit all three demands. I'm a bit surprised that he used all our 1sts, two 2nds, and cap space to bring in four players that can take minutes from Brewer at SF, and some even at SG.

Now, I understand Brewer hasn't made good on his athletic potential consistently, but young, long, good character, athletes with upside .. who don't cost much financially or in trade value .. seem to me to be the type of player that Kahn would seek to bring in. I think Kahn painted Corey Brewer out the door in the off-season.

[Piecake]

I thought it was interesting that when Kahn came in, he wanted this team to be longer, more athletic, and be bale to get up and down the court. Brewer would arguably fit all three demands. I'm a bit surprised that he used all our 1sts, two 2nds, and cap space to bring in four players that can take minutes from Brewer at SF, and some even at SG.

Now, I understand Brewer hasn't made good on his athletic potential consistently, but young, long, good character, athletes with upside .. who don't cost much financially or in trade value .. seem to me to be the type of player that Kahn would seek to bring in. I think Kahn painted Corey Brewer out the door in the off-season.

Based on his moves, it seems like he also wanted those athletic guys to be good shooters though

[teven_1]

I thought it was interesting that when Kahn came in, he wanted this team to be longer, more athletic, and be bale to get up and down the court. Brewer would arguably fit all three demands. I'm a bit surprised that he used all our 1sts, two 2nds, and cap space to bring in four players that can take minutes from Brewer at SF, and some even at SG.

Now, I understand Brewer hasn't made good on his athletic potential consistently, but young, long, good character, athletes with upside .. who don't cost much financially or in trade value .. seem to me to be the type of player that Kahn would seek to bring in. I think Kahn painted Corey Brewer out the door in the off-season.

Based on his moves, it seems like he also wanted those athletic guys to be good shooters though

Given how high Brewer was drafted I don't think he has really met expectations. I remember b4 the draft I was hoping for a guy who could drive to the hook with more authority, put some meat on his bones, maybe be a better lockdown defender, ideally a very poor mans Igoudala (with a slightly better jump shot but less of a go to guy) if that makes any sense.

Instead we got ourselves a savvy role player with decent offense but slightly poor decision making. I would very much like having brewer long term, if we ever become decent he could be a key guy off the bench, but still he's not the player we hoped when we drafted him.

[younggunsmn]

Brewer played the final 15 minutes in that Cavs game, and he almost singlehandedly took us from a big lead to a 14 point defecit by giving up 5 wide open made 3-pointers to Jawad Williams and Anthony Parker.
Love and Ridnour's insanely hot shooting and beasley's clutch shot (along with the cavs' lack of talent and general incompetence) are the only things that salvaged that game.

The Nets suck and played with no heart. He was matched up on Vujacic all game and sasha dropped 23 on 9/16 shooting on him, and a good deal of those were layups and short jumpers.

There are plenty of bad losses and 4th quarter leads where rambis played Brewer down the stretch, and the good teams forced him into having to be a scorer and he responded by sucking extra hard. The SA games, and the 1st Denver one where he dribbled the ball off his leg and let his man dunk on the other end while he and Jonny played "my bad" comes to mind.

I personally can't stand him being in the game during crunch time. It's clear he's in there primarily because Rambis does not trust Wes, because Wes lacks confidence at times (some of which stems from Rambis having such a quick hook with Wes, so it's kind of a self-reinforcing circle of mistrust). It's a 9-25 team, I say give the more talented player some experience in crunch time and see how he responds.

When you say "At least he's not shooting the ball very often" (paraphrase) as a reason to play him in the 4th quarter, you've proven my point for me.

I appreciate Brewer's hustle and energy, and willingness to take charges, but that's about it. That's not enough to play in crunch time in the NBA.

Brewer in a nutshell: Bad turnover, or spinning bricked hook shot on the offensive end, charge taken on the defensive end. Steal on the defensive end, ignoring all of his teammates on the break and missing a layup on the other end. Brewer either missing or passing up open shots on one end, the other team running him through a meatgrinder of screens possession after possession on the other end resulting in an open jumper.

Ideally I want Wes and Webster playing 30+ minutes, with Beasley playing 36-40. That leaves little time for Brewer after Tolliver comes back.

It's clear Kahn and Rambis are doing and saying everything they can to pump up Brewer's trade value. I think Kahn will be doing the team (forcing Rambis to trust Wes) and Brewer (no future here) both a favor by finding an expiring (or cap space) plus a 2nd rounder to a team that could justify a bigger role for him (Cleveland was mentioned on the trade board, and they have a plethora of 2nd rounders).

He has a 4.966 million qualifying offer for 2011 to make him a RFA, there is no chance we excercise it. We'11 have 12 guaranteed deals+Rubio+2 1sts. That is a full roster without even signing a free agent. The best depth in the upcoming draft is at the wing positions. It's probably in both our and Brewer's best interest he signs somewhere else.

I think Wes is just as good a defender, plays more under control, and has a TON of potential offensively. I really want to see him get the chance to prove himself, and right now Brewer is eating into his development in a major way.

[Ice32]

Wow, thats brutal.

[UK-Wolf]

Wow, thats brutal.

Brutal but probably a close assessment. Quite accurate though I don't think he's that inept of a player and in the crunch time him being there has it's ups and downs. Tonights game at the Celtics I thought Brewer did a good job on offense and defense, especially containing Allen. Though all in all, I'd like to see Wes get the bulk of minutes instead of Brewer.

Good post younggunsmn.

[Piecake]

Brewer's defense on Allen is consistent with how he usually plays D. He gambles. He gambled and tried to double team pierce to get the steal, but he got burned. You just can't do that when you are guarding the best 3 point shooter in NBA history - its just a bonehead play

[Ice32]

Pierce hit a three pointer at the 3:34 mark, so pick your poison, either him or Allen were gonna hit it

But Brewer didnt cost us this game. But Ridnour shooting 0-4, and allowing Rondo to hit two jumpers and fouling Glen Davis and Nate Robinson is ok though? Oh and the travel...

[Piecake]

Pierce hit a three pointer at the 3:34 mark, so pick your poison, either him or Allen were gonna hit it

But Brewer didnt cost us this game. But Ridnour shooting 0-4, and allowing Rondo to hit two jumpers and fouling Glen Davis and Nate Robinson is ok though? Oh and the travel...

When did I say he did? Everyone but Beasley blew chunks down the stretch, and even he had that turnover.

And ill take Pierce shooting a 3 every time over Allen shooting one. You simply don't leave Ray open. It was a big mistake.

[Ice32]

Yeah, I got it. Im sure Brewer is crying right now.