Johnson or Cousins? Vote!

[collin_k41]

Are his character "issues" really that bad? I mean John Wall was charged with breaking and entering but nobody talks about his character issues. Frankly, I'm with Kraps on this one. Sure the kid has emotions, but they are more competitive than him just flat out being a mean dude. The small risk is worth the potential huge reward.

[Worm Guts]

Are his character "issues" really that bad? I mean John Wall was charged with breaking and entering but nobody talks about his character issues. Frankly, I'm with Kraps on this one. Sure the kid has emotions, but they are more competitive than him just flat out being a mean dude. The small risk is worth the potential huge reward.

I don't know, that's for other people to decide. I am a little worried about the 16 percent body fat.

[Esohny]

Supposedly Cousins is down below 13% now. And still working hard.

If Kahn passes over him for Johnson...ugh.

[Mcfale313]

I like Johnson. plus if we get Carmelo we can get a All-Syracuse backcourt triangle in Flynn, Johnson, and Carmelo

[john2jer]

I like Johnson. plus if we get Carmelo we can get a All-Syracuse backcourt triangle in Flynn, Johnson, and Carmelo

Wait, thats a good thing?

[TheProdigy]

Cousins has the higher ceiling, but the pick has to be Johnson. He fits the needs of our team perfectly. We need a small forward, we need perimeter shooting, and we need athleticism. Sure he played zone in college and we can't be certain whether his defense translates... However, he is extemely athletic and appears to be an intelligent, good natured kid. He should be atleast average on D.

I never thought I would say this, but another reason we shouldn't pick Cousins is because that means the end for Darko. I truely believe that Darko has found a spot in the league. He's perfect for the triangle offense, very athletic, good interior defender, and has a hook shot that was starting to look impossible to defend last season. We didn't give up anything for him really, but it would still be a shame if we didn't seize the opportunity to bring him back.

Another reason not to draft Cousins is that we would be forced to sell low on our other big men. Jefferson came back early from a nasty injury and wasn't 100% next year. Love is only 21 years old and learned an entirely new system last season. Not only that, but he's been too public recently with his discontent which also lowers his value. Call me a homer, but I still think these guys have better days ahead.

Last, but not least how do Cousins and Johnson fit with Rubio? Cousins already has a weight problem and hasn't even gotten paid yet. If he gets any larger(which is more likely than him losing weight), how does he mesh with our "breathtaking" fast break offense? How does he fit with our defensive plans if he can't get on the floor more than 24 minutes without fouling out? These are legitimate questions. The legitimate questions with Johnson are his age and lack of playmaking ability. If Rubio is everything we anticipate him to be, then Johnson shouldn't be required to handle the ball too often. Think Shawn Marion in Phoenix with Nash running the point. That leaves age as the primary concern. He picked up basketball later than usual and had a late growth spurt, so he was a late bloomer.

Cousins may very well end up being the superior player. However when you take everything into consideration like losing Darko, selling low on Al/Love, how Cousins fits with our scheme, and his bust potential, the pick should be world wide Wes... or Derrick Favors

[collin_k41]

Very good post and you made some good points DaKidKG.

On Darko leaving: If we draft Cousins and trade Al or Love Darko will absolutely have a place on this team. Cousins only played like 24 mpg last year at Kentucky so in reality we'd NEED Darko. Plus, like you said, he's found a niche here in Minny and fits our offensive system really well and is the defensive Center we need. If we draft Cousins, obviously one of Al or Love will be traded so Darko will still be very much in the picture.

On Trading Low: If we are indeed going to draft Cousins why would we hold off until after the draft to make a trade of one of our other big men? It would indeed kill some of the value just as you have suggested. There's been some rumors of interest in Al as well. He's a young guy who has put up 20/10 in the past and got better and better through last year after coming off that nasty injury. They know that, and they know he could get back to that point. I think most signs point to him returning to that form. Last season he played with a bum knee and improved throughout and still averaged 17/9. Not to mention, he'll always be in the discussion of the best low-post scorer in the league. We can get value, we just need to be smart about it.

On fit with Rubio: You're absolutely right. Cousins could get fat, lazy, and become sir fouls a lot but there's a greater chance that he slims down (like he is reportedly doing right now), and learns to play the game like a beast. Personally I'll take Cousins upside with Rubio to WJ's. Like others have said, the P n R would just be sick with those two.

I can see why some people want the pick to be Wes Johnson and I won't lose my mind if we do pick him but I will be pretty disappointed. Cousins has the chance to be a great player in this league. The skills he has as a bigman hardly ever come around in a draft not to mention being talked about as the #4 pick or later. Character and weight are obvious issues I think they are aren't very pressing considering the potential DMC has. Basically, I'm sick and tired of us making the "safe" pick or drafting guys who only end up being good bench players. I'm not saying Wes won't be better than that(he will) but we can do better. Shoot for the stars, draft DMC.

[shrink]

1. We are too far from contention to pass on the BPA because we want a better fit.

2. The one thing this team needs more than anything is a guy that has the potential to be a franchise player.

3. Yes, players fail because of character. But few achieve franchise status without amazing physical tools. Wes Johnson is only the safe pick for a player who's upside is "very good."

4. SAC would love Cousins. Even if we have Johnson over Cousins on our big board, we should still pick him and trade him to SAC for Wes Johnson PLUS something. Moreover, since the #5 isn't particularly valuable to SAC, I think we can acquire that pick without touching the #4, and get both.

[shrink]

I like to keep an eye on the Concensus Mock Draft

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/05/18/cons ... index.html

.. and it now has us choosing Johnson over Cousins 7-to-5.

Every mock updated since 6/7 has us picking Johnson.

[Foye]

I like to keep an eye on the Concensus Mock Draft

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/05/18/cons ... index.html

.. and it now has us choosing Johnson over Cousins 7-to-5.

Every mock updated since 6/7 has us picking Johnson.

Can't say that I like it.
I want a potential franchise player. I'd be ok with taking Johnson 4th if we make a play for Favors with other assets but I'd be kind of frustrated if we just select Johnson 4th. Even if we trade down with Cousins I won't be too happy.

[horaceworthy]

Cousins has the higher ceiling, but the pick has to be Johnson. He fits the needs of our team perfectly. We need a small forward, we need perimeter shooting, and we need athleticism.

No, it doesn't have to be Johnson. He fits some of the needs on the team, but not those of a true #1 or someone who can create shots from the wing. It's also almost certain that there will be a solid SF available at #16, #23, or both. Unless Whiteside drops, there won't be a big man whose upside sniffs DMC's.

We can certainly have a successful draft if we go with WJ, the worry for me would be that Kahn will drone on and on about finding a way to get a superstar here, then when he has a chance to pick one, he takes a guy who is best playing off of others.

I never thought I would say this, but another reason we shouldn't pick Cousins is because that means the end for Darko.

I think it would mean the end of Jefferson, not Darko. Darko and Cousins would actually fit well next to each other, and give the Wolves an NBA sized frontcourt for the first time in years.

Another reason not to draft Cousins is that we would be forced to sell low on our other big men. Jefferson came back early from a nasty injury and wasn't 100% next year. Love is only 21 years old and learned an entirely new system last season. Not only that, but he's been too public recently with his discontent which also lowers his value. Call me a homer, but I still think these guys have better days ahead.

I also think they have better days ahead, but I'm not sure trade value in front offices is the same type of roller coaster as trade value on message boards. I also think the upside for Cousins is greater than that of either Jefferson or Love.

Last, but not least how do Cousins and Johnson fit with Rubio? Cousins already has a weight problem and hasn't even gotten paid yet. If he gets any larger(which is more likely than him losing weight), how does he mesh with our "breathtaking" fast break offense? How does he fit with our defensive plans if he can't get on the floor more than 24 minutes without fouling out? These are legitimate questions.

All legitimate questions, but to me they fall more into the "reasons why he won't be picked #1 or #2" than "reasons he shouldn't be the pick at #4". I can't remember the last time somebody with DMC's combination of skill, length and bulk came around, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder to boot. Yes, there are concerns, but if Kahn's going to put his (technically Taylor's) money where his mouth is, Cousins should be the pick.

The legitimate questions with Johnson are his age and lack of playmaking ability. If Rubio is everything we anticipate him to be, then Johnson shouldn't be required to handle the ball too often. Think Shawn Marion in Phoenix with Nash running the point. That leaves age as the primary concern. He picked up basketball later than usual and had a late growth spurt, so he was a late bloomer.

My main concern with Johnson is that he tended to disappear over the last half of games. Even if/when Rubio comes, someone with the ability to create his own shots from the wing will still be a need. Marion isn't a promising comparison to me. He was best served as a PF on a running team, and was the third best player on the teams of his that came close to making any noise. Kind of immaterial to me, though, since I don't really think Johnson compares to Marion outside of how he runs the floor and his likely upside being a very good #3.

I've got nothing against WJ, he'd be a nice fit here, and with some of the questions surrounding Cousins, he's the safer pick. I don't like him as much as most, but I see the appeal. I just want them to roll the dice on upside and sort things out from there. I'm sick of watching an undersized frontcourt get punished.

[Krapinsky]

Does anyone else feel that if Sac gets Cousins that will now be another team in the west that we won't be able to compete with for the foreseeable future with OKC and Portland?

[funkatron101]

I'm not sure we should be making any decisions based around Darko. If you think Cousins is a star in the making, you take him. I personally like Johnson better though. I like what he brings to the table.

Pick Cousins, make Sacramento pay for him if they want him. Or if Kahn is really ambitious, he can try to pull another repeat from last year and snag the 5 in addition to the 4.

[perezident]

Sac fan here:

I think you guys are much deserving of Cousins. And I really dnt think you guys pass on him. Especially looking at the finals. Seeing the Lakers length bother EVERY team they played also Andrew Bynum's progress in the triangle. But its Khan we're talking about here.... I'm hoping you guys take Johnson though . Good Luck in the draft

[Slum_Dillinger]

I'm not sure we should be making any decisions based around Darko.

I am absolutely sure we should not be making any decisions based around Darko. I loved the things he was able to do once he got here, but he is by no means a guy we should be drafting around. I would love to see him and DMC on the floor together, that is major size, but in no way should we prevent ourselves from taking a potential star because Darko had a nice 20 game stretch.

[Slum_Dillinger]

Sac fan here:

I think you guys are much deserving of Cousins. And I really dnt think you guys pass on him. Especially looking at the finals. Seeing the Lakers length bother EVERY team they played also Andrew Bynum's progress in the triangle. But its Khan we're talking about here.... I'm hoping you guys take Johnson though . Good Luck in the draft

Oh?

[C.lupus]

We better take Cousins at 4 if we keep the pick. If Kahn wants to trade up for Favors, though, I'd be OK with that. I want to come out of draft night with one of Cousins/Favors AND one of Johnson/George (or maybe Henry).

[Klomp]

Now, I'm not sure if this is a valid comparison, but I certainly see some comparisons. Look back 20 years to the 1990 NBA Draft. Anyone see similarities between Cousins/Johnson and Coleman/Scott?

Coleman was talented, but clearly had some personal and character issues he had to deal with. Meanwhile, while Scott might not have been as talented as Coleman, he was a vital piece of the Magic's success.

Coleman was only on one team with more than 50 wins in a season, in his final season in the league with the Pistons. He played 5 games that year, Darko Milicic played 37. That was also only the 3rd season his teams advanced past the first round of the playoffs, and first time past the conference semifinals. By contrast, Scott was on four 50 win teams and played in the Finals.

Look ahead to now. Cousins is CLEARLY the more talented player. However, there are still many concerns around him off the court. While Johnson might not be as well-rounded as Cousins, he does one thing really well....three point shooting.

New Jersey drafted Coleman because they felt he was the best player on the board. But did they do good enough on their homework, looking at other areas of his life? I'm not saying they should've taken Scott #1, but I don't think its a coincidence that Scott had the better career.

Thoughts?

[Krapinsky]

I think Cousins' "off court concerns" are completely overblown. Coleman was an alcoholic and had all kinds of personal problems throughout his career. In my opinion that's like comparing a mountain to a molehill.

[Esohny]

I think Cousins' "off court concerns" are completely overblown. Coleman was an alcoholic and had all kinds of personal problems throughout his career. In my opinion that's like comparing a mountain to a molehill.

I'd agree with that.