Johnson's Recent Improvement

[Klomp]

Of late, Johnson has blossomed. His streak of four games in double figures -- he has averaged 16.2 points per game over that stretch -- is his longest of the season.

Perhaps his best game in a month came Friday at Utah, when he shot 8-for-14, including 3-for-7 on three-pointers, on the way to 19 points. He also had two assists, and on a night in which the Wolves turned the ball over 25 times, Johnson was one of only two Wolves without a turnover.

Rambis has said all season he sees great potential in Johnson, but he also sees a lot that needs to happen for him to get there. Among what the coach is looking for: better and more aggressive ball-handling and improvement on defense.

Johnson is showing some growth. Mostly a spot-up jumper early in the season, the No. 4 overall pick in last summer's NBA draft has tried to do more off the dribble, and not just with the goal of breaking down his man. In Rambis' system, wing players are expected to also use the dribble to create openings for other players.

The 6-7 Johnson also is working on his midrange and post games.

"He's improving," Rambis said. "In defense, in rebounding, on offense. He's doing more things. Not only the outside shot, but with his back to the basket, playing at the elbow areas. Those are things he's going to be really, really good at. He's not there yet."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/114983924.html

[Ice32]

What I like about Wes, is that it took a demotion for him to realise what hes capable of - and hes done a great job. Some players would have moaned and complained, but Wes took it as a way to improve on his game and work harder. It was a blessing in disguise. Whether Brewer is here next season or not, Wes will be the starting two guard for years to come. This recent stretch of games has shown everyone what he is capable of.

Difference between Brewer and Wes:

Brewer as a sub - 23 mins, 35% FG, 7.9 pts
Wes as a sub - 24 mins, 40% FG, 11.4 pts.

Brewer as a starter - 26 mins, 43% FG, 10.4 pts
Wes as a starter - 28 mins, 45% FG, 8.7 pts

Right now, Wes is clearly suited as a 6th man role, and will likely play more mins than Brewer. Brewer is filling in the starting 2 spot nicely for now, taking fewer shots and hitting them at a better percentage. He will give the Wolves 10 points per game without demanding 10+ shots.

Wes has the green light to take 15 shots off the bench and is hitting them at a high rate. Right now, its working and lets hope it turns into wins for the Wolves.

[TDWOLVESFAN]

Difference between Brewer and Wes:
Brewer as a sub - 23 mins, 35% FG, 7.9 pts
Wes as a sub - 24 mins, 40% FG, 11.4 pts.

Brewer as a starter - 26 mins, 43% FG, 10.4 pts
Wes as a starter - 28 mins, 45% FG, 8.7 pts

Nice comparison - we are +5.2 ppg on offense starting Brewer - not to mention the havoc he can create defensively the against the other team's best wing player (another 2-4 ppg to our favor). 7-9 ppg difference and, as said numerous times on this board, LESS TURNOVERS will lead to more wins.

To think 3-4 less turnovers per game and the differential outlined above would give us roughly 8-10 more wins this year -That would be a 20-27 record with point guards that ole' defense most of the time or a SG that can consistently create for themselves.

[revprodeji]

If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

[moss_is_1]

If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I'd be okay with that as well. Although I still have high hopes for him and think that he could be a great player if he can get his ball handling in check.

[shangrila]

If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I'd be okay with that as well. Although I still have high hopes for him and think that he could be a great player if he can get his ball handling in check.

I agree, although I don't think he needs to be a great ball handler to be awesome for this team. If Beasley can improve his handles then Wes' versatility offensively could be huge in taking pressure off of him and Love.

[AQuintus]

If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I've recently been thinking about a trade of:

Iguodala + Songaila for Webster + Pekovic + Memphis 1st + 9 million cap space

I don't know how realistic it actually is, but it would allow us a rotation of Iggy, Beasley, and Johnson with Brewer getting spot minutes as an energy guy off the bench.

[Breakdown777]

Congrats on making the Rookie team Wes!

Now we just need:

Darko in the skills challenge
Wes and Love in the 3 point shootout
Flynn in the dunk contest (they need a new short guy)
Love to the ASG

and Pek in the new arm wrestling competition.

[LOBO 7]

Congrats on making the Rookie team Wes!

Now we just need:

Darko in the skills challenge
Wes and Love in the 3 point shootout
Flynn in the dunk contest (they need a new short guy)
Love to the ASG

and Pek in the new arm wrestling competition.

Nice!

Yeah, I'm excited for the new arm wrestling competition. I think it will come down to Pek vs The Rhino in the finals, but I think Pek can take him.

[LordBaldric]

They are going to have an arm wrestling competition for real? Coolio!

I suggest adding and East vs West tug-of-war.

[Biff Cooper]

If we can somehow trade for a legitimate slashing SG then I have no problem with Johnson as a super 6th man that can get 15 shots a night. Perhaps that is a better role for him.

I've recently been thinking about a trade of:

Iguodala + Songaila for Webster + Pekovic + Memphis 1st + 9 million cap space

I don't know how realistic it actually is, but it would allow us a rotation of Iggy, Beasley, and Johnson with Brewer getting spot minutes as an energy guy off the bench.

I would do this, but doubtful Philly would. I'm hoping for Philadelphia to stop playing so well to make Iggy more available by the deadline.
BTW - I proposed Beasley + Utah pick for Iggy + Philly pick on the trade board a couple weeks ago just to get a feeling where they stood on Iggy, and got a maybe from one Philly fan and a no from about three others. This seems like a much better deal for Philly than your deal. I'd really think about Beasley for Iggy straight up, but giving up Beasley plus cap space to get Iggy wouldn't be an obvious good deal for MN.

[uofmike]

Kevin Love struggled a lot at the start of his rookie year too, didn't he get benched for like 5 games with out really any minutes? When he got minutes again, he really turned it up. Hopefully Wes is doing the same thing after his recent time on the bench

[AQuintus]

I would do this, but doubtful Philly would.

That's my worry, too.

BTW - I proposed Beasley + Utah pick for Iggy + Philly pick on the trade board a couple weeks ago just to get a feeling where they stood on Iggy, and got a maybe from one Philly fan and a no from about three others. This seems like a much better deal for Philly than your deal.

Yeah, Beasley for Iggy is much better for them and I wouldn't do it, but I also wouldn't put a ton of stock in Philly fan's opinions of Iggy trades. He's a lot like Granger for Indy and Jefferson for us last year where he's their "franchise player" and a fan favorite so their perception of his value probably isn't in line with the reality of his value.

I'd really think about Beasley for Iggy straight up, but giving up Beasley plus cap space to get Iggy wouldn't be an obvious good deal for MN.

I'm not sure any kind of Beasley for Iggy deal would good for Minnesota considering that Beasley is younger, paid far less, has the potential to be a number 1 option on offense, and Philly has the whole Iggy-Turner problem (which they've down played recently) potentially lowering Iggy's value.

Edit: ESPN had this to say recently:

Of course, if the Sixers head back south again before the trade deadline, it's possible they may revert back and look for young talent and some cap space in return for Iguodala.

I don't know if Webster counts as young talent, but my trade might be close provided that Philly starts losing some games.

[Biff Cooper]

AQ - I don't really disagree with anything you said. It just seems like they are going to want one of Love, Beasley, Johnson, or Rubio coming back as the main piece in an Iggy deal. If its our choice between those 4, I either don't make a deal or I deal Beasley and try to build a real nice defensive team and hope Rubio comes over and makes up for a lot of our offensive shortcomings.

[AQuintus]

AQ - I don't really disagree with anything you said. It just seems like they are going to want one of Love, Beasley, Johnson, or Rubio coming back as the main piece in an Iggy deal.

You're probably right, in which case I probably just wouldn't do a trade.

If its our choice between those 4, I either don't make a deal or I deal Beasley and try to build a real nice defensive team and hope Rubio comes over and makes up for a lot of our offensive shortcomings.

Out of those 4 guys, the only ones I would even consider are Beasley and Johnson.

For Beasley, and I'm probably being a homer here, I'd want a younger player than Iggy who has the potential to be elite in a position of need (think Favors).

Johnson for Iggy has merit, but I feel like Johnson is solid ball handling and some experience away from being a near all star level player. He already has great court vision, passing, shooting, and (outside of being bad at running through screens) good defense.

[Foshan]

Yeah, Beasley for Iggy is much better for them and I wouldn't do it, but I also wouldn't put a ton of stock in Philly fan's opinions of Iggy trades. He's a lot like Granger for Indy and Jefferson for us last year where he's their "franchise player" and a fan favorite so their perception of his value probably isn't in line with the reality of his value.

While I agree, fan's opinions are rarely in line with reality, Philly fans are only hearing positive "we love Iggy" type things from our FO

Collins on Iguodala: "He's the cornerstone to what we're building. He's our best player."

Those kinda statements don't make me think he's on his way out, and if he was I can't see Webster or salary relief being the key motivating points of the move.

[Klomp]

Yeah, Beasley for Iggy is much better for them and I wouldn't do it, but I also wouldn't put a ton of stock in Philly fan's opinions of Iggy trades. He's a lot like Granger for Indy and Jefferson for us last year where he's their "franchise player" and a fan favorite so their perception of his value probably isn't in line with the reality of his value.

While I agree, fan's opinions are rarely in line with reality, Philly fans are only hearing positive "we love Iggy" type things from our FO

Collins on Iguodala: "He's the cornerstone to what we're building. He's our best player."

Those kinda statements don't make me think he's on his way out, and if he was I can't see Webster or salary relief being the key motivating points of the move.

If I remember correctly, we were hearing the same things about Jefferson for awhile.

[cksdayoff]

I've recently been thinking about a trade of:

Iguodala + Songaila for Webster + Pekovic + Memphis 1st + 9 million cap space

I don't know how realistic it actually is, but it would allow us a rotation of Iggy, Beasley, and Johnson with Brewer getting spot minutes as an energy guy off the bench.

You guys aren't getting Iggy if Wes isn't in the deal.

[revprodeji]

Not sure Philly is in the position to negotiate for much value considering the contract of Iggy and that he is holding back Turner. It will be similar to an Al Jefferson deal. Clear cap, minor piece, and late pick. Instead of Koufos you get Webster.

[Piecake]

I still think that both teams would have been better off if the 76ers took Johnson and we took Turner. Just much better fits for both teams since the 6ers need a shooter/spacer more and we need a ball handler/play maker/driver more. I still would do a swap, and might even throw in a late first for Turner.