Ratliff Update

Post #1 » by **Klomp** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:22 pm

Wolves center Theo Ratliff - who had been rehabbing in Atlanta from a small meniscus tear in his knee - returned to Minnesota Tuesday to resume work with the Wolves' training staff.

After Tuesday's shootaround, head coach Randy Wittman said getting Ratliff back in town provides a mental boost to the team, much like what occurred when Randy Foye resumed workouts last week.

Ratliff addressed assembled media after shootaround, providing more details about his injury, and declared that he will "definitely be back on the floor" this season

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/ra ... 80115.html

Post #2 » by **Calinks** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:28 pm

Our team has been getting a ton of mental boost action lately. Hopefully they are strapping up we don't catch alzheimer's or something.

This is good news. Reinforcements are on the way!

theGreatRC · Post #3 » by **theGreatRC** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:30 pm

Yeaaaah Boy! We get our C and PG back, ooh I can't wait.

Our post enforcer, and our #2 offensive option.

Post #4 » by **Basti** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:07 am

how long will it take for theo to be on court again? I hope less than 2 weeks

dunkonu21 · Post #5 » by **dunkonu21** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:37 am

Watch out Blazers!!!!!

Post #6 » by **Klomp** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:42 am

the_incredible_basti wrote:how long will it take for theo to be on court again? I hope less than 2 weeks

He said they are shooting for after the break.

Post #7 » by **Basti** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:03 am

thx klomp

MN Die Hard · Post #8 » by **MN Die Hard** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:51 pm

Really the only Ratliff update that would matter is if his contract all of a sudden somehow didnt expire after this season. Otherwise he (or I should say his contract) is filling the role we wanted and expected.

IcemanMN · Post #9 » by **IcemanMN** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:35 pm

When Ratliff returns, you will eat those words. He is exactly who we need next to Al.

Xand1 · Post #10 » by **Xand1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:44 pm

If he comes back, what's the over/under on games until he sprains his left nut or something?

deeney0 · Post #11 » by **deeney0** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:51 pm

Chris Sheridan wrote:Theo Ratliff, Timberwolves
He makes the list not because of his talent, but because of his salary, $11.6 million, which comes off the books after this season.

Also, we expect him to take a buyout in late February and then sign with a team needing extra size -- perhaps Boston or Phoenix -- for the postseason.

funkatron101 · Post #12 » by **funkatron101** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:53 pm

Xand1 wrote:If he comes back, what's the over/under on games until he sprains his left nut or something?

3 games.

Post #13 » by **Klomp** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:50 pm

deeney0 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Link?

MN Die Hard · Post #14 » by **MN Die Hard** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:15 pm

IcemanMN wrote:When Ratliff returns, you will eat those words. He is exactly who we need next to Al.

Yeah that skillset is exactly what we need next to Al....we need another Theo only ten years younger.

deeney0 · Post #15 » by **deeney0** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:06 pm

klomp44 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Link?

Front page story on ESPN right now.

Post #16 » by **Klomp** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:24 pm

OK.

How would a buyout affect our salary situation?

funkatron101 · Post #17 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:42 am

klomp44 wrote:OK.

How would a buyout affect our salary situation?

If that sports writer was serious, he should be fired.

MN Die Hard · Post #18 » by **MN Die Hard** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:27 pm

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why not buy out Theo? What do we have to lose?

Taylor pays less than his full contract, it has no cap implications since he's expiring anyway, he's not part of the future, any good he does on the court that results in more wins ultimately just hurts the Wolves anyway, it opens a roster spot if we want to bring in a young player for a cheap preview, and he seems like a decent guy who should have a chance to sign with a contender.

I guess I cant think of any reasons on the other side of the argument that outweigh these.

funkatron101 · Post #19 » by **funkatron101** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:03 pm

The way I look at it is.
A. Wittman likes Theo and wants him back in the lineup.

B. We obviously have a hole at center that we need to plug. Even if we don't resign Theo, having him play out the rest of the season will give us a clearer picture of what we need for a center next year.

C. How many more players are we going to pay to not play for us this year? Are we going for a record?

D. Does Theo even want a buyout?

E. If this was Taylor's intention, I would have expected a buyout early in the season.

MN Die Hard · Post #20 » by **MN Die Hard** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:56 pm

funkatron101 wrote:A. Wittman likes Theo and wants him back in the lineup.

B. We obviously have a hole at center that we need to plug. Even if we don't resign Theo, having him play out the rest of the season will give us a clearer picture of what we need for a center next year.

I dont disagree with either of these points but I also prefer to look at the long term. Having Theo in the lineup this year does nothing for us in the long term. Also, I'm not sure what you mean by having Theo in the lineup this year will give us a clearer picture of what we need for a center next year - I think we all agree we need a defensive-minded/rebounding center for the long term....we know that with Theo or without Theo.

funkatron101 wrote:C. How many more players are we going to pay to not play for us this year? Are we going for a record?

E. If this was Taylor's intention, I would have expected a buyout early in the season.

I dont think a half-season buyout is anything to get too excited about. In fact, as I stated above it actually saves Taylor money, cause he's not paying his whole salary.

funkatron101 wrote:D. Does Theo even want a buyout?

Great question, and if the answer is "no" this is all moot. If the answer is "yes" then I think granting the wish is how your organization gets to be respected by veterans around the league, and increases the chances ever so sligtly that we'll be able to attract future free agents.