Johnson or Cousins? Vote!

[Breakdown777]

I'm leary of any stat named 'Position Adjusted Win Score per 40 minutes'. So it's some kind of abstract stat that they had adjust by position and again by minutes played, I guess? Why not do a log transformation and then do an ordination on it while you're at it?

I'm going to make up my own stat and start a blog. Tranformed height-adjusted positional performance stat (THAPPS). Wall has a THAPPS score of log18, Turner's THAPPS is log16.7893356, and Cousins is log15.789224858605. See how good it is?

[Krapinsky]

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/six ... z0rExwc1wp

This is the video of the Favors-Cousins workout from today. Towards the end of the video watch how hard Cousins' runs the court. Impressive.

I have the sense that we are really going to regret not taking Cousins. Allen, Roy, Curry, and now Cousins. The misery continues.

[Krapinsky]

I'm really, really starting to fret over Kahn taking Johnson @ #4.

Cousins is a dominant center. Those players only come around once every 5-10 years. He should be in the equation for the #1 pick with Wall. I'm serious. He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

Johnson is a 23 year old small forward in one of the deepest small forward drafts in years. Last year we took the first point guard available in a one of the deepest point guard drafts in a long time. It just so happens that players was from the same exact team/system. We run the risk of once again getting a player in the top that is not even in the top tier of his position. I feel confident Cousins is one of the top 2 centers in this draft. I do not feel confident that Johnson is one of the top 2 SFs.

At 16 and at 23 (or by virtue of combining them and trading up) there will still be quality SFs that have a chance to be very, very good players. The opportunity for a DOMINANT center may not come around again for another 10 years. In the entire T-Wolves history we have never had the opportunity to draft a player as unique as Cousins. The same cannot be said for Wes Johnson.

Cousins HAS to be the pick.

[wildvikeswolves]

I'm really, really starting to fret over Kahn taking Johnson @ #4.

Cousins is a dominant center. Those players only come around once every 5-10 years. He should be in the equation for the #1 pick with Wall. I'm serious. He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

Johnson is a 23 year old small forward in one of the deepest small forward drafts in years. Last year we took the first point guard available in a one of the deepest point guard drafts in a long time. It just so happens that players was from the same exact team/system. We run the risk of once again getting a player in the top that is not even in the top tier of his position. I feel confident Cousins is one of the top 2 centers in this draft. I do not feel confident that Johnson is one of the top 2 SFs.

At 16 and at 23 (or by virtue of combining them and trading up) there will still be quality SFs that have a chance to be very, very good players. The opportunity for a DOMINANT center may not come around again for another 10 years. In the entire T-Wolves history we have never had the opportunity to draft a player as unique as Cousins. The same cannot be said for Wes Johnson.

Cousins HAS to be the pick.

agreed 100%

[Vega06]

I'm really, really starting to fret over Kahn taking Johnson @ #4.

Cousins is a dominant center. Those players only come around once every 5-10 years. He should be in the equation for the #1 pick with Wall. I'm serious. He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

Johnson is a 23 year old small forward in one of the deepest small forward drafts in years. Last year we took the first point guard available in a one of the deepest point guard drafts in a long time. It just so happens that players was from the same exact team/system. We run the risk of once again getting a player in the top that is not even in the top tier of his position. I feel confident Cousins is one of the top 2 centers in this draft. I do not feel confident that Johnson is one of the top 2 SFs.

At 16 and at 23 (or by virtue of combining them and trading up) there will still be quality SFs that have a chance to be very, very good players. The opportunity for a DOMINANT center may not come around again for another 10 years. In the entire T-Wolves history we have never had the opportunity to draft a player as unique as Cousins. The same cannot be said for Wes Johnson.

Cousins HAS to be the pick.

That's essentially how I feel right now too. Well said. Weren't you okay with Johnson at 4, though? What changed your mind?

[Esohny]

I'm really, really starting to fret over Kahn taking Johnson @ #4.

Cousins is a dominant center. Those players only come around once every 5-10 years. He should be in the equation for the #1 pick with Wall. I'm serious. He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

Johnson is a 23 year old small forward in one of the deepest small forward drafts in years. Last year we took the first point guard available in a one of the deepest point guard drafts in a long time. It just so happens that players was from the same exact team/system. We run the risk of once again getting a player in the top that is not even in the top tier of his position. I feel confident Cousins is one of the top 2 centers in this draft. I do not feel confident that Johnson is one of the top 2 SFs.

At 16 and at 23 (or by virtue of combining them and trading up) there will still be quality SFs that have a chance to be very, very good players. The opportunity for a DOMINANT center may not come around again for another 10 years. In the entire T-Wolves history we have never had the opportunity to draft a player as unique as Cousins. The same cannot be said for Wes Johnson.

Cousins HAS to be the pick.

So you've come around?

[Slum_Dillinger]

Cuz, easily. I'm a firm believer of BPA until we have something to build around.

Exactly

[Krapinsky]

I'm really, really starting to fret over Kahn taking Johnson @ #4.

Cousins is a dominant center. Those players only come around once every 5-10 years. He should be in the equation for the #1 pick with Wall. I'm serious. He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

Johnson is a 23 year old small forward in one of the deepest small forward drafts in years. Last year we took the first point guard available in a one of the deepest point guard drafts in a long time. It just so happens that players was from the same exact team/system. We run the risk of once again getting a player in the top that is not even in the top tier of his position. I feel confident Cousins is one of the top 2 centers in this draft. I do not feel confident that Johnson is one of the top 2 SFs.

At 16 and at 23 (or by virtue of combining them and trading up) there will still be quality SFs that have a chance to be very, very good players. The opportunity for a DOMINANT center may not come around again for another 10 years. In the entire T-Wolves history we have never had the opportunity to draft a player as unique as Cousins. The same cannot be said for Wes Johnson.

Cousins HAS to be the pick.

So you've come around?

I was pumping Cousins immediately after we got #4. Worm was the first on the bandwagon. I am merely reiterating my stance, but now only more forceful then ever.

Edit: to add to that -- I was warming up to Johnson, but was never advocating taking him over Cousins. I was trying to defend Kahn's logic, as I usually try to do. However, after watching the Lakers-Celtics and being reminded once again how important big men are in the finals where these games become slugfests on defense and ISO match ups on offense, I just don't see how we can pass on Cousins for Johnson --- a player who played zone last year, may be subject to getting backed down by bigger SFs, and who is not an ISO player at all.

Right now I also like Cousins over Favors, which is a change of heart. Before I did not know how to separate them so I through in with the common sentiment that Favors has this limitless upside. However, I've now come to realize that Favors has that soft/passive personality that just doesn't really appeal to me in competitive athletes. A lot of people are blaming his point guard play, or the fact that he played with Lawall for the fact that he didn't stand out last year. However, judging from his demeanor he just seems like a kid that perhaps doesn't go after it. The fact that he was not in shape at his workout -- at a time where he has more to prove then he has ever in his life -- supports this logic.

[BrooklynBulls]

Krapinsky wrote exactly how I feel. I think Cousins is too good to not take. Bust factor? There isn't a Center out there not taken at #1 that didn't have a bust factor. And some did, even at #1. The reward surpasses the risk, Cousins is too good to pass up. He's a steal at 4.

[Krapinsky]

I'll further add this --

Many think, as do I, that Johnson would be such a great fit with Rubio on a running team that wants to play an open style. However, what I think is being overlooked is Cousins fit with Rubio in the pick and roll (he has a great pick and pop ability that was rarely featured at Kentucky) and as a target for dishes under and around the basket. Cousins has amazing hands for a big man and is a giant target which makes him able to catch a pass no matter where Rubio would be on the court.

[Klomp]

However, what I think is being overlooked is Cousins fit with Rubio in the pick and roll (he has a great pick and pop ability that was rarely featured at Kentucky)

How often did we run pick 'n roll plays last year?

[PeeDee]

The only thing I don't like about Big Cuz is that he would continue our below the rim collection of players. This is why I prefer Favors. I want athleticism on this team. I hope we explore all avenues on ways to get both Favors and Johnson on this team.

[Krapinsky]

However, what I think is being overlooked is Cousins fit with Rubio in the pick and roll (he has a great pick and pop ability that was rarely featured at Kentucky)

How often did we run pick 'n roll plays last year?

If you think a team with Ricky Rubio is not going to run the pick and roll, well then I got some beach house real estate in Antarctica I'd like to sell you.

[horaceworthy]

However, what I think is being overlooked is Cousins fit with Rubio in the pick and roll (he has a great pick and pop ability that was rarely featured at Kentucky)

How often did we run pick 'n roll plays last year?

According to Synergy, 13.8% of Minnesota's offense came from either the ballhandler or the screener on the pick and roll (this doesn't account for the ballhandler finding an open man other than the screener). In comparison, the higher percentages came from post-ups (17.8%), spot-ups (17.6%), and transition (14.2%). A team like Phoenix that's very p-n'-r heavy got 19.6% of their offense from the ballhandler or screener.

As Krap suggested, that's likely to go up a bit if/when Rubio gets here.

The only thing I don't like about Big Cuz is that he would continue our below the rim collection of players.

The difference between Cousins and the current below the rim bigs currently on the roster is that when he's on his tippy toes, he's pretty much at the rim.

[Klomp]

If you think a team with Ricky Rubio is not going to run the pick and roll, well then I got some beach house real estate in Antarctica I'd like to sell you.

You probably said the same thing last offseason about Jonny Flynn too.

[Krapinsky]

If you think a team with Ricky Rubio is not going to run the pick and roll, well then I got some beach house real estate in Antarctica I'd like to sell you.

You probably said the same thing last offseason about Jonny Flynn too.

The difference between Rubio and Flynn is that Rubio knows how to run an offense. Flynn was taught that this year. He wasn't given free reign to run the pick and roll. Next year, he'll be given more freedom. Rubio won't have the same adjustment to make. Also, when Love is out of the game we didn't have a big man that could run the pick and roll effectively -- Love isn't great either, you would think he would be better then he is. The P n' R takes two to tango and Cousins is another piece to that puzzle.

[horaceworthy]

Wasn't the company line on the lack of pick and roll this year that they were trying to take some guys (particularly Flynn), out of their comfort zones?

[collin_k41]

Can somebody please explain to me why they'd actually rather have Wes Johnson than DMC?

Cousins:

He can shoot. He can pass. He can handle the ball. He can run the length of the court. He rebounds. He could be a force defensively -- the rare big man to anchor your defense. He has that rare competitive mean streak.

I can see Cousins losing some weight then doing stuff like this in the NBA.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-yCp9I85aE[/youtube]

Seriously, if we keep the #4 pick and DMC is there you take him. Always take BPA this high in the draft, take a chance on a guy who could become great...that guy is simply not WJ.

[AQuintus]

The fact that he was not in shape at his workout -- at a time where he has more to prove then he has ever in his life -- supports this logic.

For the most part I agree with you, but you could use this exact same logic about Cousins and the Combine.

[Worm Guts]

Can somebody please explain to me why they'd actually rather have Wes Johnson than DMC?

Character and fit. People always want BPA, and that's the way I lean, but I've seen enough players fail on character to know that talent isn't always the most important factor.