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Of late, Johnson has blossomed. His streak of four games in double figures -- he has averaged 16.2 points per game over that stretch -- is his longest of the season.

Perhaps his best game in a month came Friday at Utah, when he shot 8-for-14, including 3-for-7 on three-pointers, on the way to 19 points. He also had two assists, and on a night in which the Wolves turned the ball over 25 times, Johnson was one of only two Wolves without a turnover.

Rambis has said all season he sees great potential in Johnson, but he also sees a lot that needs to happen for him to get there. Among what the coach is looking for: better and more aggressive ball-handling and improvement on defense.

Johnson is showing some growth. Mostly a spot-up jumper early in the season, the No. 4 overall pick in last summer's NBA draft has tried to do more off the dribble, and not just with the goal of breaking down his man. In Rambis' system, wing players are expected to also use the dribble to create openings for other players.

The 6-7 Johnson also is working on his midrange and post games.

"He's improving," Rambis said. "In defense, in rebounding, on offense. He's doing more things. Not only the outside shot, but with his back to the basket, playing at the elbow areas. Those are things he's going to be really, really good at. He's not there yet."

Ice32 wrote:Difference between Brewer and Wes:
Brewer as a sub - 23 mins, 35% FG, 7.9 pts
Wes as a sub - 24 mins, 40% FG, 11.4 pts.

Brewer as a starter - 26 mins, 43% FG, 10.4 pts
Wes as a starter - 28 mins, 45% FG, 8.7 pts

revprodeji wrote:If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

moss_is_1 wrote:

revprodeji wrote:If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I'd be okay with that as well. Although I still have high hopes for him and think that he could be a great player if he can get his ball handling in check.

revprodeji wrote:If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

Breakdown777 wrote:Congrats on making the Rookie team Wes!

Now we just need:

Darko in the skills challenge
Wes and Love in the 3 point shootout
Flynn in the dunk contest (they need a new short guy)
Love to the ASG

and Pek in the new arm wrestling competition.

AQuintus wrote:

revprodeji wrote:If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I've recently been thinking about a trade of:

Iguodala + Songaila for Webster + Pekovic + Memphis 1st + 9 million cap space

I don't know how realistic it actually is, but it would allow us a rotation of Iggy, Beasley, and Johnson with Brewer getting spot minutes as an energy guy off the bench.

Biff Cooper wrote:I would do this, but doubtful Philly would.

BTW - I proposed Beasley + Utah pick for Iggy + Philly pick on the trade board a couple weeks ago just to get a feeling where they stood on Iggy, and got a maybe from one Philly fan and a no from about three others. This seems like a much better deal for Philly than your deal.

I'd really think about Beasley for Iggy straight up, but giving up Beasley plus cap space to get Iggy wouldn't be an obvious good deal for MN.

Of course, if the Sixers head back south again before the trade deadline, it's possible they may revert back and look for young talent and some cap space in return for Iguodala.

Biff Cooper wrote:AQ - I don't really disagree with anything you said. It just seems like they are going to want one of Love, Beasley, Johnson, or Rubio coming back as the main piece in an Iggy deal.

If its our choice between those 4, I either don't make a deal or I deal Beasley and try to build a real nice defensive team and hope Rubio comes over and makes up for a lot of our offensive shortcomings.

Yeah, Beasley for Iggy is much better for them and I wouldn't do it, but I also wouldn't put a ton of stock in Philly fan's opinions of Iggy trades. He's a lot like Granger for Indy and Jefferson for us last year where he's their "franchise player" and a fan favorite so their perception of his value probably isn't in line with the reality of his value.

Collins on Iguodala: "He's the cornerstone to what we're building. He's our best player."

Foshan wrote:

Yeah, Beasley for Iggy is much better for them and I wouldn't do it, but I also wouldn't put a ton of stock in Philly fan's opinions of Iggy trades. He's a lot like Granger for Indy and Jefferson for us last year where he's their "franchise player" and a fan favorite so their perception of his value probably isn't in line with the reality of his value.

While I agree, fan's opinions are rarely in line with reality, Philly fans are only hearing positive "we love Iggy" type things from our FO

Collins on Iguodala: "He's the cornerstone to what we're building. He's our best player."

Those kinda statements don't make me think he's on his way out, and if he was I can't see Webster or salary relief being the key motivating points of the move.

AQuintus wrote:
I've recently been thinking about a trade of:

Iguodala + Songaila for Webster + Pekovic + Memphis 1st + 9 million cap space

I don't know how realistic it actually is, but it would allow us a rotation of Iggy, Beasley, and Johnson with Brewer getting spot minutes as an energy guy off the bench.