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Well, I believe it is time to create Cardinal's own topic, rather than dropping a line on every other topic about him.

I'm really excited that he has worked his way into the rotation, and it is evident that he can really help this team. I said earlier in the season that i thought the wolves had some talented players, but they REALLY lacked in experience, leadership and toughness. Cardinal addresses all of these.

The wolves are 2-1 with Cardinal getting real minutes and the game they lost was the monster loss to Dallas in which he played a really good game. He does the little things like setting great screens, playing hard defense, and making good decisions passing the ball around on offense. His shot is off right now, but he'll shoot his way out of the slump. He really hasn't played a lot the past couple of seasons, but i think you'll start to see a little more offensively from him soon.

I also wouldn't underestimate the impact he has on Kevin Love. Love is much more talented than cardinal and if he can learn some of the little knacks from Cardinal, Love will be a great player for a long time.

Anyways the wolves have been enjoyable to watch these past 3 games and have looked like a solid team that is finding it's identity.

The sounds like the title of a bad John Grisham novel.

I dont like that Cardinal feels its his responsibility to launch 3's in tight games. Its not like he shoots them with the clock running out either, he's just not the guy i want taking those shots.

Other than that yea he helps, id like to see a bit more of his minutes go to Carney but i cant complain with what he brings.

niner2716 wrote:I also wouldn't underestimate the impact he has on Kevin Love. Love is much more talented than cardinal and if he can learn some of the little knacks from Cardinal, Love will be a great player for a long time.

Thats something Jim brought up during last night's game that I never really thought of. Last year, Al's main veteran that he could learn from was Antoine Walker. This year, Love has Cardinal to show him the ropes because Al isn't to that place yet where he can mentor Love.

I believe the same goes for Ollie's impact on Foye and Telfair.

Yeah during the game last night Petersen was talking about how Cardinal helps Love on court in a way that Jefferson doesn't. That surprised me because I thought young players learned best by being yelled/glared at by their teams best player.. Cardinal should be taking more minutes away from Smith. With Love playing better I don't see why Smith gets any minutes at all. I would like to see Love and Jefferson get the bulk of the frontcourt minutes with Cardinal and Collins filling in the rest.

Open three's and he's a career 37% 3-point shooter so meh :/

klomp44 wrote:Thats something Jim brought up during last night's game that I never really thought of. Last year, Al's main veteran that he could learn from was Antoine Walker. This year, Love has Cardinal to show him the ropes because Al isn't to that place yet where he can mentor Love.

Not to mention Jason Collins and Calvin Booth

I see the complaints about the 3's. But most of the shots have been open looks, he's just not making them. He's always been a player that's confident in his game, so i'm guessing he'll just keep trying to shoot. But he only has like 25 shot attempts this year, and has played sparingly over the past 2 seasons, so it will take some time.

One thing i was unsure of coming into the year was whether or not his knees were healthy. He's not a great athlete, but he seems to be moving pretty good out there for him. He's a half step away from getting alot of charges called against the other team.

I really liked Craig Smith at Boston College too, but i don't see his value on the wolves. I think he'd be better suited coming off the bench for a good team that can make up for his defensive shortcomings ala Carl Landry in Houston.

B Calrissian wrote: with Cardinal and Collins filling in the rest.

I doubt Collins will play much, if at all, for the rest of the year. His value is in practice.

Why wouldn't he play at all for the rest of the year? And I really don't care if it is Madsen getting a few minutes or Gomes playing a little more pf, Craig Smith should get zero minutes a game. All he can do is score in the paint and the only players he can score on are smaller guys. The same smaller guys that Love would be able to score on AND also out rebound.

B Calrissian wrote:Why wouldn't he play at all for the rest of the year?

He hasn't seen any time yet under the McHale regime.

klomp44 wrote:

B Calrissian wrote:Why wouldn't he play at all for the rest of the year?

He hasn't seen any time yet under the McHale regime.

So? There is a lot of time left in the season. Cardinal and Carney didn't get many minutes from McHale at first. I would bet money that Collins plays this season. I mean how long can they continue to give minutes to useless Smith?

Mcfale313 wrote:and for Cardinal, please geez

looking like a 50 years old man doesnt mean you must be Michael Jordan.....

he shoots way too many unnecessary 3s...............I wonder if he reallly know his role in this team

Mcfale313 wrote:

Mcfale313 wrote:and for Cardinal, please geez

looking like a 50 years old man doesnt mean you must be Michael Jordan.....

he shoots way too many unnecessary 3s...............I wonder if he reallly know his role in this team

What IS his role in this team? You know it?

MadKGskillz wrote:

Mcfale313 wrote:

Mcfale313 wrote:and for Cardinal, please geez

looking like a 50 years old man doesnt mean you must be Michael Jordan.....

he shoots way too many unnecessary 3s...............I wonder if he reallly know his role in this team

What IS his role in this team? You know it?

well...first of all i dont have to know his role, he needs to know his role is anything but a 3 point shooter.......secondly, in my opinion, his role is just supportive, you know, doing the dirty job on the defensive end, box out, harass opponent scorer, fight for every rebounds possible, taking charges; and on the offensive end, setting screens and chase down the offensive rebounds.......none of those have anything to do with random 3 point shooting

B Calrissian wrote:Yeah during the game last night Petersen was talking about how Cardinal helps Love on court in a way that Jefferson doesn't. That surprised me because I thought young players learned best by being yelled/glared at by their teams best player.. Cardinal should be taking more minutes away from Smith. With Love playing better I don't see why Smith gets any minutes at all. I would like to see Love and Jefferson get the bulk of the frontcourt minutes with Cardinal and Collins filling in the rest.