Derrick Williams - what's goin' on?

[Rondo2Hondo]

I admit, I haven't watched many Timberwolves games since Rubio went down, up until then I had watched all of them, and I have been a hardcore Boston fan all my life. I did however catch the Thunder game last night.

What is up with Williams? He looks so doughy and goofy. I was high in this kid in college, but there's something about him I can't put my finger on, but it scares me. Like he might be the illegitimate son of Tim Thomas or Terry Mills.

I never call a guy a bust before the end of his 3rd season, it's just not right, but Williams just doesn't seem to have it. Al Harrington might be his ceiling. Speaking of Harrington, the 2008-09 Warriors cut Harrington loose so they could play Randolph more minutes. In both cases, if Anthony Randolph outworks you in practice and on the court, you're probably not the type of guy to keep around.

I love watching the Timberwolves, and I am kind of sick of seeing this guy put up horrid performances. I wish we could somehow put his skill set into Thomas Robinson's body with Robinson's brain, too.

How do you guys feel about this kid?

[lazfa199]

He has been really disappointing, but as you said its too early to call him a bust and give up on him. The best thing would have been to trade that pick but it is what it is and we have to try to make it work. I just wish last year draft class could have been this year draft class with us having the second pick again.

[Tirion]

He's really out of shape.

[Little Digger]

The best thing would have been to trade that pick.

Should have had to patience to wait on Valanciunas

[jade_hippo]

Wait... what exactly did DW do to show he was a bust? I'm not sure what your expectations are for a rookie who gets inconsistent burn during a season with no training camps and limited practice, but other than the strictly ISO scorer rookies, I expected little from this whole class. He's top 10 in scoring and rebounding among rookies and only plays 20min. Can you please explain the out of shape thing? I haven't caught that at all.

[Klomp]

Wait... what exactly did DW do to show he was a bust? I'm not sure what your expectations are for a rookie who gets inconsistent burn during a season with no training camps and limited practice, but other than the strictly ISO scorer rookies, I expected little from this whole class. He's top 10 in scoring and rebounding among rookies and only plays 20min. Can you please explain the out of shape thing? I haven't caught that at all.

[Stebo_SSK]

How is he a bust? He is playing on team where they are still trying to find roles for certain players. They dont have a true SG, they dont know who they want to play full time at SF and we know that DWill is a PF/SF hybrid. The times I did catch a Twolves game he looked good in high transitiong games.

[Devilzsidewalk]

hopefully he has a year 1 to year 2 progression like he did in college. We've at least seen a smattering of good games, so the skills are there.

Another theory is that Kevin Love continues to inexplicably improve each year as our rookies somehow get worse from day 1...it's highly probable that he has some sort of mutant absorbing ability and we need to continue to feed him increases in power with fresh lottery picks. We'll be able to test the theory next year as we won't have a lotto pick; if Love doesn't improve or gets worse, then we might need to bring in Senator Kelly to stop the mutant madness. Pekovic is a little suspicious too...

[marty264]

hopefully he has a year 1 to year 2 progression like he did in college. We've at least seen a smattering of good games, so the skills are there.

Another theory is that Kevin Love continues to inexplicably improve each year as our rookies somehow get worse from day 1...it's highly probable that he has some sort of mutant absorbing ability and we need to continue to feed him increases in power with fresh lottery picks. We'll be able to test the theory next year as we won't have a lotto pick; if Love doesn't improve or gets worse, then we might need to bring in Senator Kelly to stop the mutant madness. Pekovic is a little suspicious too...

This just made my day.

[Calinks]

hopefully he has a year 1 to year 2 progression like he did in college. We've at least seen a smattering of good games, so the skills are there.

Another theory is that Kevin Love continues to inexplicably improve each year as our rookies somehow get worse from day 1...it's highly probable that he has some sort of mutant absorbing ability and we need to continue to feed him increases in power with fresh lottery picks. We'll be able to test the theory next year as we won't have a lotto pick; if Love doesn't improve or gets worse, then we might need to bring in Senator Kelly to stop the mutant madness. Pekovic is a little suspicious too...

[Narf]

I foresee an off season thread comparing Wolves players to mutants
JJ Barea as Toad?

[LBCsun49]

would you trade derrick williams to the hornets for Ariza and there 2nd lotto 2012 1st round pick?

this would give you Ariza for SF and Jeremy Lamb as a possible draft or Austin Rivers for the hornets pick

[LordBaldric]

would you trade derrick williams to the hornets for Ariza and there 2nd lotto 2012 1st round pick?

this would give you Ariza for SF and Jeremy Lamb as a possible draft or Austin Rivers for the hornets pick

I would.

[touchedbyPek]

It's risky, but I would probably do it too. The pick could turn out to be something special, or we could package the pick and other assets to maybe move up even further. Derrick doesn't fit the squad here. He will never get enough minutes behind Love. Unless he goes more for being a SF, he just doesn't fit here. But I do believe he will be a solid starter in this league, averaging 17/8 maybe? But that's as a PF.

[Calinks]

Williams has been a let down but keep in mind. No training camp, few practices. Basketball players are made in the off-season. If a deal comes along that look great, pull the trigger. Otherwise, let's see what kind of player he is next season.

[AQuintus]

would you trade derrick williams to the hornets for Ariza and there 2nd lotto 2012 1st round pick?

this would give you Ariza for SF and Jeremy Lamb as a possible draft or Austin Rivers for the hornets pick

Ariza's contract and our pick (the 10th or so)? Hell no.

Ariza's contract and New Orleans pick (3rd right now)? Sure.

[Klomp]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7_9IrKLrY0[/youtube]

[Krapinsky]

would you trade derrick williams to the hornets for Ariza and there 2nd lotto 2012 1st round pick?

this would give you Ariza for SF and Jeremy Lamb as a possible draft or Austin Rivers for the hornets pick

Ariza's contract and our pick (the 10th or so)? Hell no.

Ariza's contract and New Orleans pick (3rd right now)? Sure.

I'd consider that if they took Darko back. I don't know that I'd take Lamb with that pick though.

I'd try to package our picks and get Beal, Barnes, or MKG. I'd take Rivers over Lamb. He's too laid back for my liking.

[Grits n Gravy]

nice video

i really hope he studies the game a bit during the off season and comes back with the mentality to go in then out. i really think he settles far to often for long jumpers he could get in the last 5 seconds of the shot clock. if he could come back with some seblance of a post game - just a jump hook and a counter move it would take his offensive game to another level. he's already outstanding at getting the initial blow by of his man at the mid range/mid post but need to improve his decision making and skill level after the blow by. improving as kev has at that mid post tim duncanesque would make him pretty much unguardable for opposing 4's. it's been a pretty rough year for DW but the tools are obvious. if he can add a few more pieces to his game and more importantly increase his understanding level he should be good.

[AQuintus]

I'd try to package our picks and get Beal, Barnes, or MKG. I'd take Rivers over Lamb. He's too laid back for my liking.

Honestly, I'm not even sure if I'd take Barnes with the Utah pick.