2009-10 Predictions

[cpfsf]

-Kahn made the right choices on draft day (I think the sports writers don't know themselves if Khan made the right moves...but they reserve the right to slam him if his draft day decisions backfire).
-Ricky will stay in Europe
-Flynn All Rookie second team
-Flynn and Love to play the Rookie - Sophomore game (rookies will get smoked)
-Al Jefferson to play in the All-Star (largely because Yao and Shaq won't be able to play for the West)

28-54. 4th worst record in the NBA (LAC, Sacramento, and Memphis). Although I believe Memphis will give us a run for our money

Flynn Stats
11.3 PPG
1.7 RPG
3.8 APG

Personally I think Flynn will become the next DJ Augustin

[Foye]

I don't think Al will play in the all star game.
4th worst record could be right, but I guess Memphis and LAC will be better than us so its going to be more like 3th worst record with 25 wins and 57 losses.
Only teams finishing worse than we do will be Kings and Nets. If the Nets have some injury problems they can easily be by far the worst team this season IMO.

Love 14-9
Flynn: 13-2-5.5 (All-Rookie 2nd-team, although playing good enough to be in the 1st-team)
Ellington 8-2-2
Brewer 11-4-1.5
Al 23-11

Al will guarantee us 15 wins - and the rest of the team will combine for 10

We had far more potential last year - could have won like 35 games last season without injuries and McHale coaching right away - but in terms of competitiveness our roster has gotten worse by trading away Foye and Miller - so I guess we won't see much improvement recordwise.

[MLC84]

With the roster as is (and Rubio in Europe) - record = 22-60 because loss of Foye and Miller + 2 key pieces are rookies + injury issues = short term step backwards for sure

Al Jeff -- just get back to where he was and improve his D

Love -- better finishing, some range, better D

Gomes -- just keep improving

Brewer -- recover and show us something on offense and awareness

Bassy -- work with Flynn, keep improvoing finish and outside shot, try and do something on D

Smith -- back-up role

Flynn -- take it slow, learn, work into starter role, but don't discourage/abuse him by asking too much. Get him a long-time veteran mentor (e.g., Ollie)

Ellington -- back-up SG, offense off the bench - again, let him develop

Thomas, Songaila, Pecherov -- can't be worse than Collins and S. Williams

Carney, Cardinal, Brown -- not expecting more than what we have seen

[Steve_Holiday]

If no significant trades are made to address the holes in the backcourt, I have a tough time envisioning over 20 wins. With Flynn, Ellington, Telfair, and Brewer all slated to play significant minutes, I'd wouldn't be surprised in the least if the Wolves were the worst team in the league next season.

[Worm Guts]

If the Wolves win less than 20 games next year with a healthy Al Jefferson, they're building around the wrong guy. It wouldn't take much from Flynn to upgrade the point guard position, Gomes is still around at the 3, Love should be better. There's a gaping hole at 2 which has me concerned, but I think the Wolves should win around 25 games on strength of the front court.

[diegorociana]

If the Wolves win less than 20 games next year with a healthy Al Jefferson, they're building around the wrong guy.

I think Jefferson can't be guilty of it. The guilties is the general manager for not bring us great players. I don't ask for NBA stars but at least good enough players to have playoffs possibillties. We have five seasons without joining at the playoffs.

[Worm Guts]

I'm not saying Jefferson should lead the Wolves to the playoffs, just something better than the worst record in the NBA.

[Esohny]

I'm not saying Jefferson should lead the Wolves to the playoffs, just something better than the worst record in the NBA.

I'd agree. Assuming Al's healthy, I can't see the Wolves being worst in the league. Love will average a double double and should be able to handle more minutes this year. Gomes will be a capable starter at the 3, and even with the young backcourt, I can't see the team losing as many games as last year. We're going to be bad, but come on.

It would be nice if the team can play some decent basketball and stay in games, whether they lose or not. I'd just like to see clear development from Flynn, Ellington, Brewer, and Love, and if we end up with a top 5 pick in a strong draft with all our other assets, it'll be a great 2010.

[collin_k41]

I'm thinking around 25 wins as is. That is, Rubio in Europe, and no more trades and no major FA signing.

Big Al--It's tough to gauge where he'll be next season. If he isn't 100% healthy at the beginning of the season and misses a few games I think it'll take him a while to get adjusted and such which could hurt his stats. If he gets 100% a month before the season I think it will be another 23/11 season.

Corey Brewer--I think we'll see much improvement from him with flashes of excellence. He reminds me of a more athletic Mike Miller but instead of dead-eye shooter he's a lock-down defender. Otherwise, they both play a VERY well-rounded game. They both are good passers, both can definitely pull down the rebounds, etc. If Brewer improved his shot and added some muscle mass(He's got crazy quicks but could never finish because he'd get bumped and go FLYING) during his time off he could surprise people this year. I like Brewer to average about 11pts/4reb/3ast/2stl. I wish the best for Brewer, we really need him to succeed and reach his potential of a defensive stopper with the number of super-star wings in this league.

Kevin Love---I look for Love to continue to improve off of what he did last year. I think he will continue to rebound at a beastly rate, especially offensively. I also think his defense and all-around post game will improve as he continues to adjust to the NBA game. I look forward to some mad outlet passes to Flynn and Brewer to get our fast break game going. Mostly though, I expect a MUCH improved jumpshot from Kluv including 3-point range. I think he'll average 15/9. Also, remember people, Kevin Love is still 20 years old....

Ryan Gomes---I look for Gomes to keep doing what he's been doing with maybe an improved 3 point shot. He brings a sort of smooth calm to the game. It's really hard to learn this, but I hope Gomes can be more consistent this year. He's had games where he's nonexistent and games where he puts up 35/10..I'd rather see him in between on a more regular basis.

Jonny Flynn---I don't think he'll start right away but it still depends on the coach we hire. I expect him to get plenty of playing time and think there will definitely be some growing pains but it'll be worth it. I'm looking forward to his smile and his leadership. I hope the losing doesn't deter him but motivates him to get better. It's hard to call what he'll average but I'd think it should be about 10/4.

Everyone else---role-players or I don't care.

Good luck next season WOLVES!! Already looking forward to some AAARRRRROOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve_Holiday]

I'd agree. Assuming Al's healthy, I can't see the Wolves being worst in the league. Love will average a double double and should be able to handle more minutes this year. Gomes will be a capable starter at the 3, and even with the young backcourt, I can't see the team losing as many games as last year. We're going to be bad, but come on.

The Wolves won only 32 games in 06-07 with Kevin Garnett and a stronger supporting cast than Jefferson will have next year. Keep in mind, in the Wolves' most successful month last year, Foye was the main catalyst averaging nearly 20 points and 5 assists while shooting at an extremely high percentage.

I suppose I am a lot more pessimistic than most posters, especially when it comes to believing Corey Brewer and Wayne Ellington will be contributing anything meaningful to the team next year. Although I have high hopes for Flynn, I think he'll take time. While he's taking his time, Telfair will be racking up minutes, and the Wolves will be losing games.

[Worm Guts]

I'd agree. Assuming Al's healthy, I can't see the Wolves being worst in the league. Love will average a double double and should be able to handle more minutes this year. Gomes will be a capable starter at the 3, and even with the young backcourt, I can't see the team losing as many games as last year. We're going to be bad, but come on.

The Wolves won only 32 games in 06-07 with Kevin Garnett and a stronger supporting cast than Jefferson will have next year.

KG may have had a stronger supporting cast numbers wise but it was an incredibly selfish team. Look at where they went in 07-08, Davis and Blount helped Shaq and Wade win 15 games, Mike James and Trenton Hassell were banished to the benches of Houston and Dallas. Jaric was still on the Wolves winning 22 games. Then there were Troy Hudson, Rashad McCants, and Eddie Griffin. No one who was on the 06-07 Wolves made an impact anywhere in 07-08 except KG.

[Worm Guts]

An interesting comparison to make would be with the 96-97 Wolves. Marbury and KG were 20, Gugliotta was 27. This year Love and Flynn are 21 and Jefferson is 24. The 96-97 team won 40 games.
I don't expect this team to win 40 games or even 30, but if you have talent you can win, even if you're really young.

[Steve_Holiday]

WormGuts, I agree on all points regarding the 06-07 roster.

I'm just saying that this team is going to have a really tough time winning games with the 28th pick in this year's draft and an injury-riddled defensive specialist who can't shoot sharing the majority of minutes at the 2. If the Wolves are to improve on last year's record, they will need a lot more from Flynn than the all-rookie second team, as many posters have predicted (although I don't doubt that he can do it).

[deeney0]

I'll echo Worm Guts reasoning. With a healthy Al and an improved healthy sophomore season Love... 30 wins would not surprise me. 28 +/- 5 would be my best guess right now.

[Rolf]

I'm surpised more predictions don't include Rubio's contributions. It's still a financial near-worst case scenario for all parties involved if he stays in Europe.

I predict a starting line-up of Rubio, Flynn, Gomes, Love and Al. 27 very entertaining wins, no All-Stars, Rubio makes 1st team All Rookie, Brewer doesn't show the improvement we all hope for, & next summer is all about upgrading the SF position.

[Esohny]

Well, a pessimistic view would be:

No Rubio, Al doesn't get back right away and isn't fully ready until december, Brewer shoots 40%. Honestly, I can't see Flynn not ending up as the clear starter over Telfair before very long, but we'll assume he's only so-so. Ellington gets toasted on defense all the time. Gomes regresses. We end up with the worst record in the league (20 wins?) and it's us, so we "only" get the 3rd pick in the great draft.

Barring catastrophic injuries(I'm sure we'll all be somewhat worried about Love's knee, at least a little bit), that's my worst case.

[skorff26]

Barring no trades.

PG: Flynn averages 12 pts, 4 ast, 1 stl; he showes flashes of brilliance, but he also makes a lot of mistakes. He plays in the rookie/sophomore game and gets 3rd team all rookie team (not sure if they have it or not, but if they do he is on the 3rd team)
Telfair starts off the starter, Flynn takes his job mid December, he becomes a cancer in the dressing room after going to the bench and is regulated to street clothes for 10 of the last 12 games and several games throughout the season.
Brown doesn't get much playing time until after Telfair explodes, he does a decent job as a backup PG and 3rd PG and is someone that everyone wants to bring back (next years Snyder/Carney)
Rubio decides to stay in Europe next year, but comes over in the summer of 2010.

SG: Everyone praises Brewer for his vast improvements, he added a little bit of weight (lost a little quickness but is still quick) from last year, his shot is vastly improved and leads our team in 3pnt %, he becomes our #1 guy on defense and a team leader
Ellington plays about 18 minutes a game and ends the year averaging 12 pts a game, the only problem is that the other teams SG averages 15 pts a game in those 18 minutes. We realize his role is instant offense off the bench but nothing else unless he improves his defense

SF: Ryan Gomes has about the same year as last year and we realize that he is a great 7th man but he should not be logging starter minutes. SF becomes our #1 priority in 2010.
Craig Smith ends up backing up SF instead of PF since we don't have anyone else to do it. Craig puts in a solid effort, he has a lot of trouble against the quicker SF. With that being said, he does establish his mid range game and is still a very productive bench player and a fairly solid defender against slower to average speed SF.
Brian Cardinal, he gets spot minutes here and there but nothing substantial, and he is gone after the year.

PF: Kevin Love establishes himself as one of the top rebounders in the league, his offensive game gets a little bit better as well. He averages 16 and 12 by the end of the year and plays in the rookie/sophomore game this year
Darius Songalia shows that he can still be fairly productive in about 12 minutes a game and is a good locker room presence.

PF/C: Al Jefferson, he starts at C but plays 10 to 12 minutes a game at PF; he doesn't have as good of year as last year but he rehabs his knee well and the last month of the season he feels a lot better (and picks up his game) and he pulls us from second last in the standings to about 7th last in the standings; upsetting a lot of people who want a high draft pick

C: Etan Thomas gives us some solid defensive play, he becomes a fan favorite as our defensive big man; a lot of people end up hoping that we will bring him back the following year, and I give it a 50/50 chance of happening
Oleksiy Pecherov becomes the best outside shooting bigman Minnesota has ever had, but he doesn't get too many minutes. He puts up a few long shots once in awhile and get people excited but on the defensive end of the court, he is completely outmuscled and ends up being a liability.
Marc Madsen does whatever the team wants him to and is a class act but doesn't get many minutes.

In the offseason
We get pick #7 (ours) and Utah's (#25); we draft Aminu at #7 and #25 Andrew Ogilvy
The lottery goes 1. Sacramento 2. New York (pick goes to Utah) 3. Milwaukee; with another division foe (Utah) getting a high pick, and Sacramento becomes another team that gets a lot younger and better by winning the lottery.

[wolves_fan_82au]

a lot will depend on how our main 3 goes (Al,Love and Flynn)
i was quiet pissed when rubio decided to stay overseas cause i didnt want to see telfair log major mins and we let go of 2 decent players
so i was hopeing for this
Jefferson,/Love/Miller/Foye/Flynn over this Jefferson/Love/Gomes/Brewer/Flynn
now we have lost 2 very important pieces and we were looking ok too before al got injured last year

[HL Slamdunk]

Okay, I have a question. What is the protection on our pick that we owe to the clippers? I haven't been able to find any info.

[Worm Guts]

The Clippers pick is top 10 protected, same as it always is.