DE: Minnesota "have their mind made up on Wes Johnson"

[allweneedisLOVE]

Well don't worry, he's LEGIT.

[shangrila]

Yeah I'm less worried about him, but I still don't like him as the only top player they get. If they somehow got Favors or Turner and THEN Johnson, he'd be perfect (as unrealistic as that may be) but as a guy brought in to try and help turn around a franchise, I just don't think he can cut it.

[PeeDee]

Videos of Kahn and Wes after his workouts are up at Timberwolves.com

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/video/2 ... index.html

[Esohny]

This feels like Flynn at #6 all over again. I don't care if he's a great guy, I care about his bball skills.

I'm not a fan of taking Johnson over Cousins at 4, but it's not really similar to Flynn last year. Johnson was in the top 4-5 in mocks for the bulk of the season. He hasn't made a meteoric rise based on a big game in the postseason and some good workouts/interviews.

[Krapinsky]

Videos of Kahn and Wes after his workouts are up at Timberwolves.com

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/video/2 ... index.html

Kahn doesn't look too happy there.

[PeeDee]

I thought that too at first, but then I thought he just looked tired.

[TrentTuckerForever]

This feels like Flynn at #6 all over again. I don't care if he's a great guy, I care about his bball skills.

I'm not a fan of taking Johnson over Cousins at 4, but it's not really similar to Flynn last year. Johnson was in the top 4-5 in mocks for the bulk of the season. He hasn't made a meteoric rise based on a big game in the postseason and some good workouts/interviews.

He has similar questions about his ceiling though, based on his age. I don't mind taking character/fit guys (Johnson and Flynn are both for this team, in spades.) Look at what the Spurs have been able to accomplish in the past decade by emphasizing fit and chemistry. But they have Tim Duncan as a starting point... the overriding problem is that Johnson less likely than Cousins to become the franchise player the Wolves desperately need.

[Klomp]

Facebook

Minnesota Timberwolves Wes Johnson just completed his second workout for the Wolves. Kurt Rambis was a little more involved and Johnson drilled shots from deep range during the session. The second group of prospects just arrived at the Target Center

[dunkonu21]

Kahn was mad at that guy on the left sticking the mic all up in his grill!

[SSUBluesman]

This feels like Flynn at #6 all over again. I don't care if he's a great guy, I care about his bball skills.

I'm not a fan of taking Johnson over Cousins at 4, but it's not really similar to Flynn last year. Johnson was in the top 4-5 in mocks for the bulk of the season. He hasn't made a meteoric rise based on a big game in the postseason and some good workouts/interviews.

He has similar questions about his ceiling though, based on his age. I don't mind taking character/fit guys (Johnson and Flynn are both for this team, in spades.) Look at what the Spurs have been able to accomplish in the past decade by emphasizing fit and chemistry. But they have Tim Duncan as a starting point... the overriding problem is that Johnson less likely than Cousins to become the franchise player the Wolves desperately need.

I agree with this, except for the idea that the ceiling of a 23 year old vs. that of a 21 year old should have age taken into consideration.

[IAmTheTruth]

Tim Duncan is one of the best character guys in NBA history in addition to being one of the best players period. Cousins has the star ability but not the makeup. Not saying he won't become awesome, but he won't be leading a good character team any time soon.

[SSUBluesman]

Tim Duncan is one of the best character guys in NBA history in addition to being one of the best players period. Cousins has the star ability but not the makeup. Not saying he won't become awesome, but he won't be leading a good character team any time soon.

WHAT??? Duncan plays Dungeons and Dragons, which means aside from being a super-duper nerd, he (as told to me by multiple people, thus making it true) is a witch who worships satan. Sure Duncan will never ever be accused of rape or face a paternity suit, but he will flush your playoff hopes down the drain to the Dark Lord (how else do you explain the loss to the Suns?) via his level 7 dual-classed fighter/thief.

[shrink]

You use of the word "dual-classed" makes me raise an eyebrow

[B Calrissian]

Your use of the words "raise an eyebrow" remind me of Duncans wide-eyed "I'm such a good guy, how DARE you call a foul on me" look.
Last season I saw Love doing the same. So disappointing.

Oh and of course it reminds me of this too:

[Esohny]

Ah, Tim Duncan. Great player, giant d-bag.

[TrentTuckerForever]

I agree with this, except for the idea that the ceiling of a 23 year old vs. that of a 21 year old should have age taken into consideration.

Not saying it's 100% fair, but age is a consideration. There are examples of "old" rookies topping out their careers early (I'm thinking of Al Thornton with the Clippers.)

[TrentTuckerForever]

Tim Duncan is one of the best character guys in NBA history in addition to being one of the best players period. Cousins has the star ability but not the makeup. Not saying he won't become awesome, but he won't be leading a good character team any time soon.

WHAT??? Duncan plays Dungeons and Dragons, which means aside from being a super-duper nerd, he (as told to me by multiple people, thus making it true) is a witch who worships satan. Sure Duncan will never ever be accused of rape or face a paternity suit, but he will flush your playoff hopes down the drain to the Dark Lord (how else do you explain the loss to the Suns?) via his level 7 dual-classed fighter/thief.

You know, whenever I feel down I just swing by the Wolves board on Real GM. There is always a post to pick you up when you're down in the dumps! You guys are just the bee's knees!

Sunshine on my shoulders, makes me happy...

[Dewey]

These young players need time to develop physically ... Brewer (25) needed three years to mature and Johnson has just recently developed physically.

I'm not certain a young team like ours can continue to draft and develop younger players (Favors may be the exception this year) and progressively improve. After #1 and #2, Favors is my guy, but I think Johnsons maturity skillset are very fitting for our team. I'm game either way, but nonetheless, the age thing is waaay over-blown.

We need to keep in mind we are likely building a team that fits Rubio's play ... players like Favors, Johnson, Randolph would be terrific assets to have in the mix.

[Kevin_Love_42]

Im starting to warm up to Wes Johnson at 4 a little more.

[SSUBluesman]

I agree with this, except for the idea that the ceiling of a 23 year old vs. that of a 21 year old should have age taken into consideration.

Not saying it's 100% fair, but age is a consideration. There are examples of "old" rookies topping out their careers early (I'm thinking of Al Thornton with the Clippers.)

Al Thornton being (largely) the same player since he entered the league has nothing to do with his age and everything to do with him not having the ability (mental/physical) to significantly improve. Unless we're talking about someone in their late late 20's (which we never will) age has nothing to do with potential, upside, etc. It's kind of like when someone looks at a really raw player (Ty Thomas, Joe Alexander) and thinks they have more upside as a result, when in fact they're not very good basketball players so they have a ton of room for improvement. Whether they can improve depends on many personal attributes and environmental factors, however age does not play a role. Alexander having the IQ of a (really dumb) rock or Thomas being unable to move in anything other than a straight line (or dribble, shoot) plays a far greater role in their development than age.