I've said it before, and I'll say it again....

[Ice32]

Brewer needs to start! Todays defensive effort in the 1st quarter was disgusting, theres no way you can let a team connect on 5 threes in a quater, let alone ONE PLAYER!

Now that Tolliver is back, Rambis has to give minutes to guys that deserve them, and to me Brewer and Tolliver are more valuable right now than Wes and Darko. Sorry, but Wes is not playing with any energy or enthusiasm. Beasley also dissapears on defense to, and Darko is just playing like S**T.

We all know Brewer gives us headaches on offense and sometimes takes bad shots, but he just gives 100% effort at all times. He gets to the FT line, he gets steals (and blocks lately) and isint turnover prone. He did a great job vs. the Bobcats last game and today he was in Wesley Matthews face, holding him to 1 FG in the 2nd Half. Rambis sounds like a broken record..."no energy, no defense, no hustle, bad starts, cant hold leads". Its time for a shake up.

I say ditch Wes, start Brewer and play Tolliver more. I can tell you now that Wes will become a better scorer with the 2nd unit. Even if Wes plays more minutes than Brewer off the bench, at least the Wolves have that defensive energy and spark immediately, not at the end of the 1st quarter when its too late. I left at half time today knowing down 20 was going to be a hard fight, but the Wolves almost got there.

I hope Rambis looks really hard at todays performance and starts recognizing who deserves minutes and who doesnt. Defense wins games and Brewer deserves more time.

[shangrila]

I've been saying for a while that Wes should be brought off the bench. The whole "throw him in the deep end" thing obviously isn't working for him. I'm also cool with starting Brewer for a game or two just to see what happens. Honestly, not much could be worse then what we've seen the last 2 games.

[Grits n Gravy]

agreed, i can't believe after all this time that darko still doesn't get it, he needs to play hard every game from the start....when he plays hard and focused he is incredibly valuable to the team, unfortunately you cannot bank on him bringing enthusiasm and energy every game which is inexusable.

[Klomp]

I've been saying this since the preseason....and Rambis actually sounded postgame like he was ready for a change.

[Ice32]

To think that this 'improved' roster has just 9 wins after 37 games, its pretty obvious that we suck in several areas, and still havent corrected them, even little things like fast breaks, inbounding the ball, guarding the three point line, holding onto leads...we still cannot do it.

If the Wolves want to win games, then they need to start acting like they want to. How can you let other teams come out hot and play catch up for 3 qtrs just to lose over and over again? Something has to change and right now, a starting line up change could help, at least between now and the All Star break. Give the guys that play hard some more burn, and see what happens.

[Peezo]

Anybody else think this thread was going to in some way be about the Ninja Turtles movie?

[cpfsf]

I've been saying for a while that Wes should be brought off the bench. The whole "throw him in the deep end" thing obviously isn't working for him. I'm also cool with starting Brewer for a game or two just to see what happens. Honestly, not much could be worse then what we've seen the last 2 games.

I'm still surprised that Johnson plays most of his minutes at the shooting guard position, but it is what it is. I have no problem with Minnesota changing their rotation for different opponents. By the way, we play San Antonio two times in a row. I think Brewer is our best option against Ginobili.

[Esohny]

Anybody else think this thread was going to in some way be about the Ninja Turtles movie?

Yes.

And Brewer is terrible. I don't think the team needs to tank even more than it already is by playing him more minutes.

[Ice32]

I've been saying for a while that Wes should be brought off the bench. The whole "throw him in the deep end" thing obviously isn't working for him. I'm also cool with starting Brewer for a game or two just to see what happens. Honestly, not much could be worse then what we've seen the last 2 games.

I'm still surprised that Johnson plays most of his minutes at the shooting guard position, but it is what it is. I have no problem with Minnesota changing their rotation for different opponents. By the way, we play San Antonio two times in a row. I think Brewer is our best option against Ginobili.

Ginobili is a nightmare to guard, but I think Brewer will have the upperhand, with his length and speed. Maybe Wes and Brewer will each get a start in the Spurs double?

[Ice32]

Anybody else think this thread was going to in some way be about the Ninja Turtles movie?

Yes.

And Brewer is terrible. I don't think the team needs to tank even more than it already is by playing him more minutes.

You clearly missed todays game then.

[shangrila]

I've been saying for a while that Wes should be brought off the bench. The whole "throw him in the deep end" thing obviously isn't working for him. I'm also cool with starting Brewer for a game or two just to see what happens. Honestly, not much could be worse then what we've seen the last 2 games.

I'm still surprised that Johnson plays most of his minutes at the shooting guard position, but it is what it is. I have no problem with Minnesota changing their rotation for different opponents. By the way, we play San Antonio two times in a row. I think Brewer is our best option against Ginobili.

Ginobili is a nightmare to guard, but I think Brewer will have the upperhand, with his length and speed. Maybe Wes and Brewer will each get a start in the Spurs double?

You know what? I'd start Brewer and Tolliver for the next game and bring Darko/Wes off the bench. More energy in the starting lineup without giving up too much and if it doesn't work, well, you just change it back for the game after. It's worth a try.

It's also worth seriously looking at trade opportunities. Get in on a Melo deal to get Anderson, Smith or Billups, for instance. Anything to upgrade the roster with some experience.

[Esohny]

Anybody else think this thread was going to in some way be about the Ninja Turtles movie?

Yes.

And Brewer is terrible. I don't think the team needs to tank even more than it already is by playing him more minutes.

You clearly missed todays game then.

Oh, you mean the game where he was really poor, but less terrible than the rookie? If you want improvement from the SG spot, the solution is to pull the trigger on a trade for an actual player, not give the starting job to a player who has proven over and over that he isn't cut out for it.

[Calinks]

I've been saying this since 1987. When I saw that little baby come out of the womb I knew he was going to be better suited for the bench.

[deeney0]

I've been saying this since 1987. When I saw that little baby come out of the womb I knew he was going to be better suited for the bench.

I've got that beat by 9 months.

[Piecake]

I've been saying this since 1987. When I saw that little baby come out of the womb I knew he was going to be better suited for the bench.

I've got that beat by 9 months.

Papa Brewer? Is that you?

[CoffeeJanitor]

I filled in the rest of the thread title with "man I love being a turtle."

Anywho, I'd still give Wes minutes....I want him to become something. And that means he needs minutes (I think).

EDIT: Turns out I wasn't the only one.

[southern wolf]

Who says we have to start Brewer instead? Webster would be more than capable starting at shooting guard IMO.

[Ice32]

Who says we have to start Brewer instead? Webster would be more than capable starting at shooting guard IMO.

We need Websters scoring punch off the bench. Bringing him and Wes off the bench gives the Wolves two outside threats and allows Brewer to focus on just defense. I dont think its a bad move to give it a go. Seems like the Coach was also impressed:

Afterward, Rambis called Brewer's defensive play "brilliant," clearly a word he did not utter the rest of the night.

"Not by any stretch of the imagination was it all Wes' fault, but Corey is a terrific defender in this league and has experience," Rambis said.

[Dewey]

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... When Webster, Johnson, Beas, etc give the effort, Brewer will not get the minutes. It's so plain and simple and that's what is most frustrating. Webster and Johnson are NOT playing up to their ability, and Beas is in for scoring only - he doesn't seem to get that? I don't see why people want to belittle Brewers play and suggest other lackluster players should be getting the starts and minutes.

If Rambis got this effort from his so-called starters, I thinks there's a good chance he would change his defensive philosophy and get more pressure on the perimeter ... it's a players game, and we don't have players stepping up and playing to their potential. Period. My only gripe with Rambis right now is that he doesn't bench Johnson and Webster until he sees them GET IT ON.

Lastly, get Flynn out of here. I can't stomach his presence anymore. Someone needs to wipe that smile off his face ... It's been a long time since I've seen an NBA player this non-functional and be this much of a liability to the team.

[shangrila]

I think Corey will be awesome some day. He'll have a Celtics-Posey type of impact for a contender at some point.

Of course he'll probably be a career journeyman at that point and people will complain that Kahn let him go.