This Organization always comes off looking like a joke.

[Calinks]

Here I am laying in bed, and laughing. I'm not even angry over the whole Mayo/Love thing anymore, really I just find it rather funny. I'm like that, when things seemingly go really bad it makes me laugh. I've been laughing at the comments, freinds reactions, etc...

But what has had me chuckling to myslef in bed for the last 20 minutes or so is just how stupid we come off looking time and time again. When will this organization get its crap together? I didn't doubt some of the things KG said about how the Celtics organzation was a whole different class act than ours. How the hell does this happn?

Minnesota Timberwolves select O.J. Mayo with first pick
By Don Seeholzer
dseeholzer@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 06/26/2008 08:01:18 PM CDT

The Timberwolves have O.J. Mayo and they aren't about to let him go.

Assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg made that official after addressing fans at the team's draft party.

"We picked him for us," Hoiberg said of Mayo, the Southern California guard Minnesota took with the third overall selection. "This means we're keeping him."

There had been speculation that the Wolves might pick Mayo and trade him to another team for someone like UCLA power forward/center Kevin Love and a veteran player or asset.

Love went fourth to Memphis, but Hoiberg made it clear there will be no deal. He was just glad the Wolves got the chance to take Mayo.

"We thought it was a very realistic chance that Miami would take him at No. 2," Hoiberg said. "They thought that highly of him. We think he'll come in here and be able to help us out right away. He's been working out against these (NBA) guys since he was a high school kid."

The Wolves were one of five teams to watch Mayo work out Saturday in Chicago and Hoiberg said that played an important part in their decision.

"Of his first 50 shots, I think he made 47 of them, so the guy can just flat-out stroke the basketball," Hoiberg said. "He's going to spread the court. He's going to allow Al (Jefferson) to have more room to operate on the block. He can play some point guard to allow Randy Foye to take a break. I think those two will play very well together. And the most impressive part we saw was the interview afterthe workout. He just blew us away, answered some very tough questions that we had for him."

Mayo averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists during his one college season, leading Southern California to a 21-12 record and NCAA Tournament berth.

He was regarded as a potential character question, however, because of allegations that he received thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from an agent's representative while in high school and college.

The Mayo selection was a hit with Wolves fans at the draft party and with Mayo, who stepped onto the stage at draft headquarters at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York wearing a cap with the team's new logo.

"I'm just happy to be part of the organization," Mayo told ESPN, "and I'm ready to roll."

Hoiberg said it's possible the Wolves will package their two second-round selections (Nos. 31 and 34 overall) to move back into the first round.

"I think some size would be good to get now to put next to Al," Hoiberg said. "There's also some free-agent centers that are going to be in play for us starting July 1. It would be nice to get some size. It's just going to be good to get another piece to fit into this young group, which we think O.J. will be a big part of."

Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale isn't scheduled to address the media until after the team makes its final pick.

Really now, this is embarrassing!

How do you come out and tell your fans this and then have the complete opposite happen a couple hours later? What does this look like to most people? Either they lied to the fans or someone didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Either way we look like an absolute joke and unprofessional. I just find this very funny. People read/heard this and went to bed happy. This is bad business, really bad business. We got to clean the perception of this place up. We really need to get our crap together!

[big3_8_19_21]

There is seriously going to be hell to pay in a couple hours when people start waking up.

COMPLETE and UTTER lack of responsibility and accountability by the front office to feed us that **** about keeping Mayo and then turning around and trading him in the same night. They better explain themselves, and explain themselves well.

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

only bright side is that KFAN will be an entertaining day.

[AQuintus]

--When it was Hoiberg's turn, he noted that the Wolves had Mayo and Love very close, "side by side" in their evaluations, but praised Mayo and also called him a "sexy pick" who can 'spread the floor." But he stated that when you can add a Mike Miller and have the two guys who are so close together be swapped, you do the deal. Somebody asked Hoiberg about his comments to the Wolves draft party, and to reporters, about keeping Mayo, and Hoiberg was happy to be able to clarify that at the time he made those comments it was indeed the status quo--the Wolves didn't know Memphis would want back into the picture. Then McHale came back and piled on to Stack's athleticism argument for Love, saying that he, McHale, was actually "really surprised" with Love's athleticism and then went into a soliloquy about the "small area quickness" and how important it was to rebounding that apparently some of you have already heard him deliver on KFAN.

Apparently Hoiberg was just flat out lying to the fans.

[revprodeji]

It is simple, Mchale went over Hoibergs head. Or the Mem/Min stuff died for a while and started up after the pick. Thus fred did not know.

[Tirion]

Somebody asked Hoiberg about his comments to the Wolves draft party, and to reporters, about keeping Mayo, and Hoiberg was happy to be able to clarify that at the time he made those comments it was indeed the status quo--the Wolves didn't know Memphis would want back into the picture.

[theGreatRC]

Well, we're going to have to live with Love.

I already made a cool video for Mayo too. All that hard work, gone.

[TMo519]

Seriously though, this is the part that irritates me the most. It ain't even about the deal, which was actually pretty decent. It's that like he said, we just look like we have no freakin clue what we're doing. Even when they do something not that bad, it just looks terrible when we do it for whatever the reason is.

[MN Die Hard]

Outside the debacle of trading away Mayo, I dont even think the deal is that good. Dumping Marko (3 years) is mitigated by taking back Cardinal (2 years). Big deal we saved one year. It should have been Marko/Buckner for Miller plus the picks. Adding Walker/Collins/Cardinal only makes it worse for MN.

[TrentTuckerForever]

Seriously though, this is the part that irritates me the most. It ain't even about the deal, which was actually pretty decent. It's that like he said, we just look like we have no freakin clue what we're doing. Even when they do something not that bad, it just looks terrible when we do it for whatever the reason is.

Disagree. It is a decent deal... Marko might be somewhat productive (and we'll now have less reason for pie ) but he's a below-average player on an above average contract. Shaving a year off by swapping for Cardinal is a good thing.

We now can trot out four 3 pt shooters (Miller, Love, McCants and Foye) to surround Big Al. We took the best available player at 3 and leveraged him into what this roster actually needs. Sounds like a plan to me.

[cpfsf]

I don't think people understand the impact of this trade. We just broke up a Gay Love partnership.

[Devilzsidewalk]

We now can trot out four 3 pt shooters (Miller, Love, McCants and Foye) to surround Big Al. We took the best available player at 3 and leveraged him into what this roster actually needs. Sounds like a plan to me.

but what's the point of having 3 point shooters that don't do a shimmy shake after they hit it?

[TMo519]

Seriously though, this is the part that irritates me the most. It ain't even about the deal, which was actually pretty decent. It's that like he said, we just look like we have no freakin clue what we're doing. Even when they do something not that bad, it just looks terrible when we do it for whatever the reason is.

Disagree. It is a decent deal... Marko might be somewhat productive (and we'll now have less reason for pie ) but he's a below-average player on an above average contract. Shaving a year off by swapping for Cardinal is a good thing.

We now can trot out four 3 pt shooters (Miller, Love, McCants and Foye) to surround Big Al. We took the best available player at 3 and leveraged him into what this roster actually needs. Sounds like a plan to me.

You misunderstood me. I said the deal was decent. I'm saying the fact that they're like "Oh yeah, we're keeping Mayo". "Oh wait, never mind, we're trading him". It just looks stupid, even though it's not really their fault. I'm talking about public perception.

And I wouldn't exactly call Love a 3 point shooter.

[JPZx]

I think that if we have Jefferson + Mayo on this team it brings instant star power to Minnesota. Miller, Love, Jefferson,....I can't believe this.

We'll see how it works out but right now I'm

[SSUBluesman]

**** McHale. What, did he get upset because everyone was talking about how horrible Memphis' Gm is? Did he need to remind everyone who the worst GM is? ****.

As others mentioned, how did WE get stuck with Cardinal's contract when WE gave up the higher pick/better player? How did we not get any of their guards back? And lastly, how great does our perimeter defense look good now that we can have both McCants AND Mike Miller on the court?

The ONLY thing that makes this even remotely acceptable is if Mayo really didn't want to come here and the Wolves put together this deal to get what they could. I don't think that is is though, as last night Jonathan G was talking about how the Wolves were taking Love and Mayo was going to the Grizz, and then right before the draft that the Wolves were taking Mayo. This organization has SERIOUS issues where a split in decision-making causes something like this, someone goes over someone else's head to make a deal, etc.

[TrentTuckerForever]

**** McHale. What, did he get upset because everyone was talking about how horrible Memphis' Gm is? Did he need to remind everyone who the worst GM is? ****.

As others mentioned, how did WE get stuck with Cardinal's contract when WE gave up the higher pick/better player? How did we not get any of their guards back? And lastly, how great does our perimeter defense look good now that we can have both McCants AND Mike Miller on the court?

The ONLY thing that makes this even remotely acceptable is if Mayo really didn't want to come here and the Wolves put together this deal to get what they could. I don't think that is is though, as last night Jonathan G was talking about how the Wolves were taking Love and Mayo was going to the Grizz, and then right before the draft that the Wolves were taking Mayo. This organization has SERIOUS issues where a split in decision-making causes something like this, someone goes over someone else's head to make a deal, etc.

Wow, I'm defending Kevin McHale before 9 o'clock in the morning. What's next, locusts?

To your points - Jaric's contract is worse than Cardinal's (a year longer.) I know Jaric is more productive than Cardinal, but not so much to justify his contract.

Mayo is a better prospect than Love, not a better player. You probably think that's splitting hairs, but it's an important distinction. If you're talking about who got the best productive player in the deal, it's the Wolves. Based on last year, Mike Miller is the most productive player in this deal.

We didn't get any their point guards back because the Wolves believe Foye is their guy. Foye might prove not to be, but he was hurt last year. When he was healthy his numbers were equivalent to Roy's, and we all know he can take and make big shots.

Perimeter defense - we drafted Brewer to play defense, and he will play opposite Miller/McCants a lot.

Split decisions - this is why I didn't relax when Beasley/Mayo went 2/3. I honestly thought that Beasley was going to get moved, which might effect what the Wolves did even AFTER they picked. You can't take the initial comments after a draft pick seriously - there are always more manuvers, guys who get interviewed with the wrong hat on. It doesn't mean the Wolves don't know what they're doing.

The bottom line is that they thought Love was the best prospect for the Wolves. They didn't take him at 3 (which would have seriously pissed me off), they took the best available player at 3 and leveraged him into the guy they think is the best fit (Love) and a solid starter (Miller.) It's a defensible plan. And I'm watching for locusts.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I would've just taken Love outright at 3, I'm impressed they got Mike Miller out of the deal and shaved a year off of Jaric in the process, not bad. I didn't think Memphis had any interest in Mayo.

[SSUBluesman]

Jaric is a useful player who makes too much money. Cardinal is a contract that sits on the bench, hence why MEM was packaging him with the #5 pick for David Lee.

**** Miller. We're not that desperate for shooting, especially if you factor in Mayo staying. Oh yea, and unlike Miller and McCants, Mayo actually plays defense. Besides, we're REBUILDING, which means you don't add players like Miller...of course that's if you're going to rebuild the right way, and once again McFail has demonstrated he doesn't know what the **** he is doing. Either way you look at it, there is no reason to get Miller.

Wow, one good perimeter defender. That's all you really need. And besides, why do you need perimeter defense when you you have Love and Jefferson protecting the basket?

So Foye is going to play all 48 minutes, he's guaranteed to pan out, McCants is our guy, etc.? Or, how about the simple fact that it's a young guy that MIGHT develop into a player, trade asset, etc.? But no, you're right, what would this team want with young players with potential?

LOL the Wolves didn't know what they were doing...THEY ADMITTED IT THEMSELVES. The deal was off an on up until the draft, they expected to keep Mayo and then they and the Grizz are calling back and forth, Hoiberg was selling Mayo to the fans as he was being dealt, etc. The "they knew what they were doing" bit is entirely divorced from reality and a desperate attempt to rationalize another example of why this franchise goes nowhere.

[Wingman]

I'm not sure if this has been posted, but

“This trade should make Minnesota better a lot faster,” said one Western Conference executive.

Another West GM was more succinct: “Memphis got jobbed again.”


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns


ESPN gives wolves better grade then Memphis. The only negatives I have heard are from wolves fans.

[TrentTuckerForever]

Jaric is a useful player who makes too much money. Cardinal is a contract that sits on the bench, hence why MEM was packaging him with the #5 pick for David Lee.

**** Miller. We're not that desperate for shooting, especially if you factor in Mayo staying. Oh yea, and unlike Miller and McCants, Mayo actually plays defense. Besides, we're REBUILDING, which means you don't add players like Miller...of course that's if you're going to rebuild the right way, and once again McFail has demonstrated he doesn't know what the **** he is doing. Either way you look at it, there is no reason to get Miller.

Wow, one good perimeter defender. That's all you really need. And besides, why do you need perimeter defense when you you have Love and Jefferson protecting the basket?

So Foye is going to play all 48 minutes, he's guaranteed to pan out, McCants is our guy, etc.? Or, how about the simple fact that it's a young guy that MIGHT develop into a player, trade asset, etc.? But no, you're right, what would this team want with young players with potential?

LOL the Wolves didn't know what they were doing...THEY ADMITTED IT THEMSELVES. The deal was off an on up until the draft, they expected to keep Mayo and then they and the Grizz are calling back and forth, Hoiberg was selling Mayo to the fans as he was being dealt, etc. The "they knew what they were doing" bit is entirely divorced from reality and a desperate attempt to rationalize another example of why this franchise goes nowhere.

Your posts read like shrill man-crushes on Mayo, so I'm not going to apologize for rationalizing. Agree to disagree I guess. Any of the arguments you make can be flipped over (I'm saying you only need one defensive specialist, you're saying shooting isn't a problem) so....

My "rationalization" is a defense of a plan. I didn't say that the plan was guaranteed to work, just that it is a defensible plan.