Aldrich wants to play for the Wolves

[LordBaldric]

Cole Aldrich is from Minnesota and he appears hopeful that he might end up with his hometown team.

"One of the things the Wolves lack on the defensive end is making it hard for people to score inside," Aldrich said at promotional appearance at Tiffany's Sports Lounge in St. Paul's Highland Park community. "I know turning the Wolves around won't be an overnight process, but I feel I could be an ignitor to help the program get back on its feet. This is my hometown."

Kevin Love and Aldrich have developed a close friendship, adding to Aldrich's interest in the Wolves. As much as Aldrich would like to pursue an NBA career in his hometown, it is uncertain if the Wolves will have a chance to select him.

[slinky]

Wouldn't that be something...'With the 3rd pick in the 2010 NBA draft, the Wolves select Cole Aldrich, University of Kansas.'

Unfortunately for Aldrich, the wolves wont pick low enough to justify taking him with their 1st pick...and any trade up into the top-10, I would hope is for someone other than Aldrich.

Just not sure he is the type of guy, you spend the assets required to trade up for. I wouldn't hate a Darko/Aldrich/Pekovic/Love or Jefferson front court, but don't see it happening.

[revprodeji]

Not sure if he slips to the Bobcats pick and there is no way we use the first pick on him. He seems to have plateau this year and I could see that worrying some people.

Maybe he could pull a steve Franchise and refuse to play for any team other than when we draft him at 16.

[C.lupus]

If Pekovic could bring back a pick in the 10-12 range, I wouldn't mind Aldrich as a backup to Darko. Don't think I take him before 10, though.

[dunkonu21]

I don't even want him, but if he really want to play for us I would consider it. I would support going out and grabbing him by trading into the top 10. I'd much rather have Darko when it's all said and done, sorry. I must have had too much kool-aid.

[Rolf]

Whether we'd prefer Darko or Aldrich is kind of an interesting debate (at least inside my head). Two 7 foot, shot blocking, defensive centers who WANT to play for the Wolves... Cole will have a longer career, perhaps with more consistent production. Darko knows the system and fits well within it, and oddly enough might actually have a bit more "upside" despite having been in the league for 7 years. With Cole you'd have to spend an asset to move up in the draft to get him, with Darko you'd have to spend cap-space.

If we had to chose one as our center for the next few years, I'm really not sure which I'd want.

[Krapinsky]

I'll take Darko or Pekovic, simply due to the fact that both would be more entertaining to watch than Aldrich.

[Foye]

I'll take Darko or Pekovic, simply due to the fact that both would be more entertaining to watch than Aldrich.

I'd rather have a Tim Duncanlike player to watch who doesn't excite and helps to win than one who doesn't.

[Krapinsky]

Are you comparing Aldrich to Duncan? Whatever. Darko's crazyness is the only thing I like about this team right now.

[Foye]

Are you comparing Aldrich to Duncan? Whatever. Darko's crazyness is the only thing I like about this team right now.

Comparing playing style not skill. Of course Duncan is heads and shoulders above Aldrich's level.

[NewWolvesOrder]

I like Aldrich in the role of 3rd big in a rotation of Al-Darko-Cole, the role currently occupied by Love(I assume that Kevin is on the way out). I think Aldrich won't have a problem with coming off the bench, unlike Love.

[Krapinsky]

This might be nitpicking, but I think it's a legitimate concern. I don't like the way Aldrich runs. He's very lumbering. His legs do not look like they will hold up for 82 games/year.

[revprodeji]

I like Aldrich in the role of 3rd big in a rotation of Al-Darko-Cole, the role currently occupied by Love(I assume that Kevin is on the way out). I think Aldrich won't have a problem with coming off the bench, unlike Love.

Interesting you have love going and not Jefferson. I would think it is more of a Darko-Love-Aldrich situation.

Not that it matters, but remember that Love and Aldrich are friends.

[NewWolvesOrder]

I like Aldrich in the role of 3rd big in a rotation of Al-Darko-Cole, the role currently occupied by Love(I assume that Kevin is on the way out). I think Aldrich won't have a problem with coming of the bench, unlike Love.

Interesting you have love going and not Jefferson. I would think it is more of a Darko-Love-Aldrich situation.

Not that it matters, but remember that Love and Aldrich are friends.

well, Love doesn't seem to be good friends with his coaching staff, Kahn called him a
" 4th option on a contender team'', so it leads me to believe Love may go.

And in your line up of Darko-Love-Aldrich, who's a low post scorer? All 3 guys seem to be rather average in this department. In my lineup I have Al( scorer) surrounded by two good defenders(Darko & Aldrich), 2 good rebounders ( Al and Cole), 1 very good passer(Darko) and 1 good outlet passer(Aldrich). Balance all around.

[revprodeji]

I would hardly judge Love's role on the team based on a statement from the beginning of the season. The Love vs Jefferson debate will redeem itself this summer I am sure.

I do not think we will have a class low post scorer. I think the long-term look of this team will be ball dominate wing/points with bigs that play defense, pass, and hit the glass. Any offense from those bigs will be due to those guards. Love can play the Pick-pop game as well as score on the glass without plays being called to him. Darko can score in the post if left alone as well.

I think a team that has Turner and Rubio in the same backcourt will want the ball to be moved around the horn, worked in the pinch post and pushed in transition. Not given to a low post monster and moving out of the way.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Having a reliable low post scorer makes your team more dangerous and harder to stop.

[revprodeji]

Having a reliable low post scorer makes your team more dangerous and harder to stop.

I agree, but does that scorer need to be a big guy? Run a post iso for Turner perhaps.

I like Al's ability to score in the post, I also think his passing did slightly improve, but it is hard to have a guy with such a high amount of shots that does not get to the line at a decent rate.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Having a reliable low post scorer makes your team more dangerous and harder to stop.

I agree, but does that scorer need to be a big guy? Run a post iso for Turner perhaps.

I like Al's ability to score in the post, I also think his passing did slightly improve, but it is hard to have a guy with such a high amount of shots that does not get to the line at a decent rate.

If Al played with let's say Wade, I doubt he would take so many shots, it's not his fault our roster sucks, he would be just fine with his great hands and soft touch around the rim playing off of a dominant wing that could create easy scoring opportunities for him.

[revprodeji]

Yea, I have no doubt about that. I just think that Love would be even better in that role. Smarter player, better passer, better rebounder and able to play the P/R game.

[NewWolvesOrder]

Yea, I have no doubt about that. I just think that Love would be even better in that role. Smarter player, better passer, better rebounder and able to play the P/R game.

Love is not fit to hold Al's jock when it comes to converting around the rim. Have you ever paid attention to Love's offensive boards, because quite a few of them come after he fails to covert a layup around the rim, he actually inflates his rebounding numbers by missing so many easy shots.