Poll: Who should the Wolves take with the #1 overall pick?

[Mattya]

Ok well saw this video and am guessing most of you guys saw it too.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHLRD_w6cPo[/youtube]
Listen closey around 15-16 seconds and around 26-28 seconds

Am I crazy or do I hear "We got Karl Towns!" at 15-16 seconds in and "Towns!" at 26-28 seconds in?

I could maybe hear "we got towns" or "we got top pick" I didn't hear anyone say Karl though. But i'm no expert.

I think they said "We got Kristaps!".

Wolves fans reaction on draft night

[horaceworthy]

"I think the Wolves will eventually decide to take him 1", I hope he is right.

Yeah, if Towns works out for us there's no way flip won't see what everyone else is seeing. He's got a heavy bias towards okafor for all the wrong reasons, up until the other day he didn't even know Towns had range on his shot! There's no way he'll be able to keep his head in the sand when it comes to Towns after getting him in the gym though.

I am not optimistic. Flip is stubborn, and often ignores reality.
Remember the Lavine at PG situation. He made his mind before the draft that Lavine is a PG and he continued playing him at PG even when it was obvious for everybody else that his natural position and where he excels is at SG.

Yeah, playing LaVine over Lorenzo Brown and the rest of the 3rd string PG types really speaks to Flip's stubbornness and detachment from reality.

[jpatrick]

One thing to remember with Flip is that Towns had a really bad game in the one Kentucky game he went to in person. He was in foul trouble all game. Now a decision shouldn't be made off of one game but that probably didn't do Towns any favors with Flip.

I too think Flip will see the light when KAT comes to workout. He really embodies everything Flip has said he's looking for. Of course Okafor might really, really impress in his workout/interview, too.

I think this is right. During the season, Flip had his coaching hat on continually. Between gameplans, practices, and games, there was no time for him to be GM Flip (one reason he shouldn't be coach and GM). Thus, all he had to go off of were scouting reports and what he had seen of these guys prior to the season, a time when Okafor was universally considered the #1 guy. Then, after the season, he sees Towns once, in a game where he barely played because of foul trouble. No wonder Flip had Okafor as his guy during and immediately after the season. I think once he does his due diligence, interviews former coaches, and puts Towns through a workout (hopefully), Towns will end up being the guy (or maybe that's wishful thinking).

[TwolvesFanRome]

http://www.sportando.com/it/usa/nba/162759/flip-saunders-preferisce-jahlil-okafor-a-karl-anthony-towns.html

One of the most important basket news site in italy reports that Flip prefers Okafor oer KAT...

[TaylorTag]

I only want the Wolves to select Towns because it will put the Lakers in a pickle. If Flip takes Okafor, he is only giving Lakers Nation exactly what they want. Let the Lakers deal with a Randle/Okafor front court

[Merc_Porto]

http://www.sportando.com/it/usa/nba/162759/flip-saunders-preferisce-jahlil-okafor-a-karl-anthony-towns.html

One of the most important basket news site in italy reports that Flip prefers Okafor oer KAT...

Some of the comments below are funny

[moss_is_1]

That Towns workout video is pretty beast...I'm not sure why we wouldn't want a center that can protect the rim and then stretch the floor, pass, and rebound on offense. Sure Okafor looks to be the much better post up guy, and probably a #1 option. We hopefully already have that guy in Wiggins, though. With Wiggins we need to surround him with an anchor, shooters, and more complimentary scorers/players. Towns looks like he's a legit 1b / #2 type option on offense, and someone that can anchor your defense.

Comparision that I think really fits here is like a bigger Al Horford. That's a surefire stud. Horford with more length would block more shots, and be more of a defensive presence. Plus Towns might even have more range, and be a bit more athletic. That's for sure a superstar. Horford is a 3X all-star, and made All-NBA 3rd team.

[Calinks]

Watched the Towns shooting vid. Really impressive. To me this screams the kind of big you want going forward. Now this is just speculation on my part, but I would guess that even his body type is superior to Okafor's because he is the long, lanky kind of big that seems to have a bod that can hold up a lot better than Okafor's slightly more bulkier build. I really think he is the way to go for many reasons the fact that he may be more durable is another one. As I have said before, I have had my fill of Bigs who cant defend and bigs who are great in the low post, I love post guys, I really do, but I don't think you build a team around them anymore, especially if they dont bring defense.

[Merc_Porto]

Karl-Anthony Towns 2015 NBA Draft Workout Video - Shooting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjSHa5Vgs8

Karl-Anthony Towns 2015 NBA Draft Workout Video - Dunks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk5HxjDmyGU

Those videos are private , but they work through the links, i think.

[Mattya]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DWolfsonKSTP/status/605888280748376064[/tweet]

I think Flip will definitely factor this into his decision as well. He said the interview process is important. He wants guys who want to be here and if Towns or Russell come to Minneapolis for their interview while Okafor make Flip go to him, that will be major points to them. Russell is by far the best of the bunch in interviews. He thinks he is the best player in the draft. Doesn't care where he goes. Doesn't care about team history. Wants to win. Ultra competitive.

[AQuintus]

Russell is by far the best of the bunch in interviews.

I would say that Towns is as good or better from what I've seen.

He thinks he is the best player in the draft.

As does every other player in the draft.

Doesn't care where he goes. Doesn't care about team history. Wants to win. Ultra competitive.

All of this also applies to Towns.

[Mattya]

Russell is by far the best of the bunch in interviews.

I would say that Towns is as good or better from what I've seen.

He thinks he is the best player in the draft.

As does every other player in the draft.

Doesn't care where he goes. Doesn't care about team history. Wants to win. Ultra competitive.

All of this also applies to Towns.

I think Russell is all by himself when it comes to being interviewed. How many guys have come out and said "I'm the best player in the draft" especially when they haven't been led into saying it. I just came away more impressed with Russell's interviews when he specifically talks about those things, then I was with Towns.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Russell is by far the best of the bunch in interviews.

I would say that Towns is as good or better from what I've seen.

He thinks he is the best player in the draft.

As does every other player in the draft.

Doesn't care where he goes. Doesn't care about team history. Wants to win. Ultra competitive.

All of this also applies to Towns.

I think Russell is all by himself when it comes to being interviewed. How many guys have come out and said "I'm the best player in the draft" especially when they haven't been led into saying it. I just came away more impressed with Russell's interviews when he specifically talks about those things, then I was with Towns.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2464974-stanley-johnson-im-the-best-player-in-the-2015-nba-draft

[Mattya]

Doesn't make Russell's interviewing any less impressive.

[TRKO]

Watched the Towns shooting vid. Really impressive. To me this screams the kind of big you want going forward. Now this is just speculation on my part, but I would guess that even his body type is superior to Okafor's because he is the long, lanky kind of big that seems to have a bod that can hold up a lot better than Okafor's slightly more bulkier build. I really think he is the way to go for many reasons the fact that he may be more durable is another one. As I have said before, I have had my fill of Bigs who cant defend and bigs who are great in the low post, I love post guys, I really do, but I don't think you build a team around them anymore, especially if they dont bring defense.

Okafor actually had the bigger wingspan and standing reach numbers.

[TRKO]

Pretty fair article supporting Okafor:
www.canishoopus.com/2015/6/3/8721085/in ... lil-okafor

[urinesane]

I think Towns sounds smarter and more importantly humble in his interviews. He's extremely talented, but seems to have no ego and just wants to get better.

I'd rather have a guy like that come in and mesh with Wiggins/Rubio, rather than Russell who very may well believe he is the best.

Who knows how that could clash with Wiggins though? You have one guy coming in wanting to be the man, it can cause issues (i.e. Starbury). Confidence is great, but chemistry is important.

I think the Wolves need big men more, Towns is the best fit player wise, and I also think he has the highest ceiling.

Seriously I don't understand how people can't think Towns has a ridiculous ceiling.

He has the potential to be able to shoot the 3 better than Love (36%), rebound at a high level, elite defender, and effective low post scorer. Oh yeah and he shoots FTs as well as Love too (81%).

He could bring the positives that Love brought, but with more size and the ability to be a great defender.

Towns has a ridiculous ceiling and imo it's higher than anyone else in the draft.

I think he's the rare pick that is the safest and also has the most potential.

[urinesane]

Pretty fair article supporting Okafor:
www.canishoopus.com/2015/6/3/8721085/in ... lil-okafor

He even said it was a devil's advocate piece, which means it's a debate, not his actual opinion.

When someone does a writing exercise to explore an opinion he disagrees with, it can be interesting, but who the hell wants to argue for a point they don't actually agree with?

That makes it go from actually trying to predict what a player will be and turns it into a debate where winning is more important than finding the right move.

Then again, Eric in Madison is one of my least favorite writers for the major Wolves blogs, so maybe I am biased. I often disagree with his views and find him to be overly cynical most of the time. This article is no exception.

[jpatrick]

Watched the Towns shooting vid. Really impressive. To me this screams the kind of big you want going forward. Now this is just speculation on my part, but I would guess that even his body type is superior to Okafor's because he is the long, lanky kind of big that seems to have a bod that can hold up a lot better than Okafor's slightly more bulkier build. I really think he is the way to go for many reasons the fact that he may be more durable is another one. As I have said before, I have had my fill of Bigs who cant defend and bigs who are great in the low post, I love post guys, I really do, but I don't think you build a team around them anymore, especially if they dont bring defense.

Okafor actually had the bigger wingspan and standing reach numbers.

I don't think you're correct. 2014 Hoops Summit measurements (so done at the same place/time):

Okafor: 6'10.75" tall 9'2.5" reach
Towns: 7' tall 9'5" reach

I know Towns had a lower reach at the UK day, but I believe it was either a mismeasurement or he tanked it to increase his vertical jump number. I think that for two reasons, I've watched quite a few Okafor and Towns games the past two weeks, and Towns looks like he has a higher reach. Further, I don't think Towns has the 37" vertical he recorded at the UK day, which is about the same as WCS. Using his Hoops Summit reach measurement, he would have recorded a 33" vertical, which from watching him, seems more accurate.

[Mattya]

I think Towns sounds smarter and more importantly humble in his interviews. He's extremely talented, but seems to have no ego and just wants to get better.

I'd rather have a guy like that come in and mesh with Wiggins/Rubio, rather than Russell who very may well believe he is the best. Who knows how that could clash with Wiggins though.

I think the Wolves need big men more, Towns is the best fit player wise, and I also think he has the highest ceiling.

Seriously I don't understand how people can't think Towns has a ridiculous ceiling.

He has the potential to be able to shoot the 3 better than Love (36%), rebound at a high level, elite defender, and effective low post scorer. Oh yeah and he shoots FTs as well as Love too (81%).

He could bring the positives that Love brought, but with more size and the ability to be a great defender.

Towns has a ridiculous ceiling and imo it's higher than anyone else in the draft.

I think he's the rare pick that is the safest and also has the most potential.

I'm not saying Russell should go before Towns, I just think Russell is better at interviews than Towns. Huge chip on his shoulder, but respectful. Smarts between these guys doesn't really matter to me. Some of the best players in the NBA weren't even good students in High School. I don't think anyone sane thinks Towns doesn't have a ridiculous ceilings. It doesn't mean people can't see the great aspects of other prospects game and personality.