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

[TRKO]

Here are my concerns with Towns:

Towns lack of base strength. He will be going against some powerful big men. Dieng was touted as a defensive big man, but his lack of strength has limited his effectiveness. Will he be able to establish his post game against stronger players? He is 19 and should be able to get stronger, but it still is a concern.

Also Towns has a nice stroke, but can he create his own shot? Does that shot translate to in game success? He attempted a very small amount of threes in college. A lot of his offensive allure hasn't been proven throughout a college season. He is being called a stretch 5, but didn't play that role in college. It's a projection and he may very well be a stretch 5, but what if his shot doesn't translate to in game situations?

I'm also concerned he played with 6 other guys that will probably be drafted. His team superiority had to help. I think it really helped him on defense, where Kentucky was superior.

[Klomp]

What do people think of the comparison of Towns to a 7-foot version of Rasheed Wallace? Skilled all-around player without many weaknesses, but never really considered an elite player.

[Crazy-Canuck]

What do people think of the comparison of Towns to a 7-foot version of Rasheed Wallace? Skilled all-around player without many weaknesses, but never really considered an elite player.

AD is closer to Wallace. If Wallace wasnt such a head case, he would have been considered one of the best in the game.

I see KAT as more like a LMA without the offensive polish. LMA would have been number 1 if not for his health concern and his refusal to want to play C at the next level.

[Grits n Gravy]

There are similarities to Wallace for sure. You have to remember also Sheed was playing in an era with prime Duncan, KG, Dirk, Chris Webber and was still a 4 time all star and pivotal member of a championship team. If he wasn't a headcase and didn't play in a era of hall of famers at his position he'd be remembered more fondly imo.

[The J Rocka]

You could mold like three/four players to come up with a Towns comparison.

I think he'll compare best to Karl-Anthony Towns.

[Calinks]

If he wound up being Sheed that would be great. I think Wiggins is going to be our guy, Sheed would be a perfect number 2 to go along with him. We would be set with the 1 and 2 punch dynamic. Lavine or Shabazz could possibly be the third man.

[Calinks]

Here is another article that I feel illustrates why we need Towns.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2483 ... es-rebuild

Step 1: Draft Karl-Anthony Towns

It's not difficult.

As intriguing as Jahlil Okafor may be, he's just not the right fit for the Wolves, even if that's apparently where the organization—read: Saunders—is leaning, per ESPN Insider Chad Ford.

Sure, he'd work out rather nicely and command plenty of double-teams in the post during his rookie season, but his skill set isn't as advantageous to the long-term rebuild. He brings strengths to the proverbial table; he just doesn't eliminate primary weaknesses.

The NBA is morphing into more of a three-point-shooting league every year, and the Wolves would risk being left even further behind the curve if they selected Okafor. Already, they're arguably the worst perimeter shooting team in the Association, though that weakness is only emphasized with the pound-it-inside Saunders holding the clipboard.

[TRKO]

I think great post play would open up three point shot for others. I'm also not sure we can conclude a guy that shot 2 of 8 from three is going to be a three point threat. He has a good stroke, but the NBA three is a whole different animal.

[AQuintus]

What do people think of the comparison of Towns to a 7-foot version of Rasheed Wallace? Skilled all-around player without many weaknesses, but never really considered an elite player.

I think he'll be a higher volume scorer (22-23 ppg vs Sheed's career high of 19.3), rebounder (10-11 vs Sheed's career high of 8.2), and shot blocker (2-2.5 vs. Sheed's career high of 1.8), but otherwise it's a solid comparison.

I started out liking the comparison, but after looking at the stats, that might come off as sarcastic.

[AQuintus]

AD is closer to Wallace.

AD is substantially better already than Wallace ever was.

I see KAT as more like a LMA without the offensive polish.

KAT is bigger, more physical in the post, and will likely be a better 3-point shooter. On top of that, the LMA comparison really doesn't do KAT's defense justice. He's a much better shot blocker especially.

[AQuintus]

I think great post play would open up three point shot for others.

Sure, but the drive and kick game also does that, and post play hinders the drive and kick game.

I'm also not sure we can conclude a guy that shot 2 of 8 from three is going to be a three point threat. He has a good stroke, but the NBA three is a whole different animal.

Nobody is concluding anything. We're all making projections/predictions based on the limited evidence we have, and that limited evidence suggests that Towns should develop into a good 3-point shooter, or at the very least, a quality mid-range shooter.

[FargoWolf]

I don't really question Towns shot that much, this step back to me in the clutch shows he can do it effectively...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnR-kLulNZg[/youtube]

He just has a very pure shooting stroke..



Also playing under Cal was the right call, Cal made him into a low post threat and Cal is also one of the best defensive minds in the college game.

[Mattya]

What do people think of the comparison of Towns to a 7-foot version of Rasheed Wallace? Skilled all-around player without many weaknesses, but never really considered an elite player.

I made this comparison a few months ago and only a couple people liked it.

[Calinks]

I think great post play would open up three point shot for others. I'm also not sure we can conclude a guy that shot 2 of 8 from three is going to be a three point threat. He has a good stroke, but the NBA three is a whole different animal.

It can but your post player needs to be an exceptionaly good passer and have vision. Also, post moves take time to develop, many of those kick out oppurtunites get closed rather fast and its just not as efficient as alternative in todays game.

Towns doesn't have to hit a ton of threes. If he can just hit the mid range, we are in business, he will space the floor, can play with guys like Pek and Dieng, give them a lot more room to operate in down low. He will be a threat everywhere and not just in the paint, teams will have to respect him and that will open the floor up. Wolves need shooters period, from anywhere we can get them. If Rubio cant shoot then it only helps to have a 5 that can. Also another reason why Bennett could be really good for us if he ever gets his game together.

[FargoWolf]

Putting Rasheed Wallace next to Wiggins would be an insanely good combo. Not sure it is a prefect comp for Towns but is a decent one.

[Merc_Porto]

Also another reason why Bennett could be really good for us if he ever gets his game together.

Yes. Im not the only one that still believes in Bennett.

[eroomlladnar]

Towns will be deadly in the pick and pop.

[Klomp]

I don't really question Towns shot that much, this step back to me in the clutch shows he can do it effectively...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnR-kLulNZg[/youtube]

But is that really the type of play you want from your 7-foot center?

If he does that during the season, people will blame Flip for drafting someone who likes taking long 2s.

[Klomp]

Here is another article that I feel illustrates why we need Towns.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2483 ... es-rebuild

Step 1: Draft Karl-Anthony Towns

It's not difficult.

As intriguing as Jahlil Okafor may be, he's just not the right fit for the Wolves, even if that's apparently where the organization—read: Saunders—is leaning, per ESPN Insider Chad Ford.

Sure, he'd work out rather nicely and command plenty of double-teams in the post during his rookie season, but his skill set isn't as advantageous to the long-term rebuild. He brings strengths to the proverbial table; he just doesn't eliminate primary weaknesses.

The NBA is morphing into more of a three-point-shooting league every year, and the Wolves would risk being left even further behind the curve if they selected Okafor. Already, they're arguably the worst perimeter shooting team in the Association, though that weakness is only emphasized with the pound-it-inside Saunders holding the clipboard.

The bolded/underlined is one major reason I'm willing to consider Towns.

However, as for the last graph you quoted, neither draft pick is going to move the 3-pt needle one way or another. In fact, you could even argue that Okafor will be a greater help in improving there than Towns would. While Okafor doesn't have Towns' range, I'm not sure Towns will ever get to a point where he's commanding double teams. Okafor is there now. Double teams allow for your shooters to get more open. The more open shooters are, the more likely they are to hit the shot.

[AQuintus]

But is that really the type of play you want from your 7-foot center?

You wouldn't design that play for him, but I'd take that every time over a shot clock violation.

If he does that during the season, people will blame Flip for drafting someone who likes taking long 2s.