Flynn & Rubio Tandem

[horaceworthy]

No chance they start together. It should work in the short term with them splitting the minutes at the point, and maybe giving Flynn some spot minutes at the 2, but that should be mainly to find out what we have.

If Rubio comes over this year and Flynn is kept, I think there's a pretty good chance they start and/or see significant minutes next to each other. Assuming Rubio is the starting PG the minute he walks in the door, as Kahn says, Flynn doesn't have much competition for the other backcourt spot. I think it's more likely he starts than Ellington, Brewer or Richardson, our other options at the position.

Long term I don't see that backcourt starting, but I am intrigued by the possibility of a 3 guard rotation of Rubio, Flynn and Ellington (particularly if Ellington and Flynn's performance beyond the arc in Vegas carries over in the slightest to the regular season).

[john2jer]

He said that during his press conference after the draft I think. I vividly remember him saying that though. Rubio is our starter right when he gets here and I doubt Ellington could beat out Flynn. Maybe Brewer, but I'd guess Flynn starts at the 2 right away.

Johhny Flynn is 5'11 ( measure 5'11.25 barefoot at the combine) with a 6'4 wingspan. That is fairly undersized for the 1, it is a massive liability at the 2. I suppose you could switch Rubio onto the the opposing SG on D, but he is only 6'3 and 170ish...that front court will badly exploited by any team with an even average sized back court.

Was that an attempt to see how much you could be wrong in a paragraph? You might have set a record.

1. Basketball is played with shoes on, in which Flynn measured over 6'0".
2. Flynn would guard the point, Rubio would guard the 2.
3. Rubio measured in recently at 6'5" with a 6'9" wingpan and 190 pounds, as an 18 year old kid. Those are good numbers for an NBA shooting guard. I'm willing to bet he puts on a little weight as he reaches adulthood.

[Worm Guts]

No chance they start together. It should work in the short term with them splitting the minutes at the point, and maybe giving Flynn some spot minutes at the 2, but that should be mainly to find out what we have.

If Rubio comes over this year and Flynn is kept, I think there's a pretty good chance they start and/or see significant minutes next to each other. Assuming Rubio is the starting PG the minute he walks in the door, as Kahn says, Flynn doesn't have much competition for the other backcourt spot. I think it's more likely he starts than Ellington, Brewer or Richardson, our other options at the position.

Long term I don't see that backcourt starting, but I am intrigued by the possibility of a 3 guard rotation of Rubio, Flynn and Ellington (particularly if Ellington and Flynn's performance beyond the arc in Vegas carries over in the slightest to the regular season).

I think Richardson starts at the 2 by default. I also think the team is better off letting Flynn and Rubio each spend as much time running the point as possible. It gives the team the most opportunity to evaluate them at the position they are most likely to succeed at. You need to let them play together some to get a feel for it, but I'd limit it to 5-10 minutes at most.

[Worm Guts]

That quote convinced me Kahn was just saying what was necessary to get him over here and then ultimately the coach will decide who plays.

I'd rather not alienate players for no reason. If Kahn promised Rubio a starting job, he should start.

[Dewey]

You look at this from Love the Jefferson's point of view ...
1.) These two guards will be setting them up alot !!
2.) We already know our team defense needs to improve, but it would be even more critical.
3.) Finishing in the lane via transition ... they better fill the lane.

[The Skyhook]

I don't think its a good idea to start Rubio and Flynn together at the 1 and 2. Let one start and the other come off the bench. If that causes a problem where it is ruining team chemistry then you guys can then start to look at some trade ideas. If one of them is performing significatnly better than the other it would make trading one easier. If both are playing really great then it will be a tough choice on who the franchise would like to keep. I can't see the Wolves keeping both Flynn and Rubio if both live up to their hype.

[horaceworthy]

I think Richardson starts at the 2 by default. I also think the team is better off letting Flynn and Rubio each spend as much time running the point as possible. It gives the team the most opportunity to evaluate them at the position they are most likely to succeed at. You need to let them play together some to get a feel for it, but I'd limit it to 5-10 minutes at most.

If we were getting the Q from 4 or 5 years ago I'd agree. Since then, Richardson's struggled to stay in shape or healthy, and hasn't been productive even when he has been on the floor. I don't expect him to be anything more than expiring end of the bench fodder. I think Ellington has a better shot at starting than Richardson.

If Rubio comes over this year, I don't expect us to go a minute without either him or Flynn on the court, and each to play around 30 minutes a night. That would leave the minutes Rubio and Flynn play together more in the 10-15 range. Considering his competition for the backcourt spot next to Rubio, I think it's pretty likely that Flynn could start. As the roster stands right now, he's the only guy who looks capable of creating shots from the perimeter in the halfcourt. I don't see that being relegated to the bench the entire year, having 0% chance of starting as was originally stated.

[john2jer]

I don't think its a good idea to start Rubio and Flynn together at the 1 and 2. Let one start and the other come off the bench. If that causes a problem where it is ruining team chemistry then you guys can then start to look at some trade ideas. If one of them is performing significatnly better than the other it would make trading one easier. If both are playing really great then it will be a tough choice on who the franchise would like to keep. I can't see the Wolves keeping both Flynn and Rubio if both live up to their hype.

Why not?

[Krapinsky]

That quote convinced me Kahn was just saying what was necessary to get him over here and then ultimately the coach will decide who plays.

I'd rather not alienate players for no reason. If Kahn promised Rubio a starting job, he should start.

I don't think a starting position should ever be guaranteed by a GM. That alienates the coach.

Rubio should be given an opportunity to show that he can start, obviously, but if it's readily apparent that he's not ready, then it would disservice to throw him out there and allow the fans to quickly turn against him if he struggles.

[JMillott]

I think that is just a little hyperbole from Kahn selling his draft pick both to his fans and selling him on coming over to the Wolves as fast as possible.

I'm 100% sure that whomever they bring in to coach this team will have the final say on his starting lineups and if not they will not be able to get a quality coach to take or keep the job.

I'm sure a big part of his coaching search is finding a guy who agrees with his vision on how he wants the team to play and has an equal balance between what is best for the franchise between longterm and shorterm goals.

But no coach who wishes to have control of his lockeroom is going to promise a starting job to an 18 year old before they even begin their first training camp.

[dunkonu21]

He said that during his press conference after the draft I think. I vividly remember him saying that though. Rubio is our starter right when he gets here and I doubt Ellington could beat out Flynn. Maybe Brewer, but I'd guess Flynn starts at the 2 right away.

Johhny Flynn is 5'11 ( measure 5'11.25 barefoot at the combine) with a 6'4 wingspan. That is fairly undersized for the 1, it is a massive liability at the 2. I suppose you could switch Rubio onto the the opposing SG on D, but he is only 6'3 and 170ish...that front court will badly exploited by any team with an even average sized back court.

Was that an attempt to see how much you could be wrong in a paragraph? You might have set a record.

1. Basketball is played with shoes on, in which Flynn measured over 6'0".
2. Flynn would guard the point, Rubio would guard the 2.
3. Rubio measured in recently at 6'5" with a 6'9" wingpan and 190 pounds, as an 18 year old kid. Those are good numbers for an NBA shooting guard. I'm willing to bet he puts on a little weight as he reaches adulthood.

I kinda thought that Rubio and Flynn switching on D was implied...but I guess not.

[Worm Guts]

I don't think a starting position should ever be guaranteed by a GM. That alienates the coach.

Maybe not, but the ship may have already sailed on that. If the promised is made, it should be kept as long as the player is reasonably capable of starting.

Rubio should be given an opportunity to show that he can start, obviously, but if it's readily apparent that he's not ready, then it would disservice to throw him out there and allow the fans to quickly turn against him if he struggles.

If Rubio is clearly overwhelmed, then I agree it would more detrimental to start him but if he's playing reasonably well but not quite as good as Flynn, I think you let Rubio start.

[invno1]

Yes Sir, Timberwolves play Rubio as a starter at PG. There is going to be some ugly stuff, but Khan will bring in some developers. It means more to the fans as well, growing your talent rather than shipping it in.