Lowe - Timberwolves Still Want D-Russell

[KGdaBom]

Watch on YouTube

Way beyond the arc!

if you can guarantee that video was not edited than I'm all in on Russell.

That was edited to show how many he can hit in a row. Still impressive!

If they were deleting his misses than it's meaningless.

[GeekFreak]

I watched a video of DeAngello Russell on YouTube where he badly missed 5 three pointer in a row from just behind the arc. I was shocked at how bad he was in practice at 3's. He must be a little more focused here, lol.

But I got to say I find it strange that D-Lo haters on here put more stock in what a pubescent DeAngello did at 19-20-21 with the Lakers then what a fully mature Russell did this last year. I find it to be some very bizarre logic.

[shrink]

But I got to say I find it strange that D-Lo haters on here put more stock in what a pubescent DeAngello did at 19-20-21 with the Lakers then what a fully mature Russell did this last year. I find it to be some very bizarre logic.

To be fair, this is the same question we have for any young player. We try to make predictions on future production, and each person must try to choose whether one good year is a trend, or an aberration from three previous years of data.

Both sides have legitimacy, and we won’t know the answer until later. I am concerned though by two things.

First, 3P shooting is a highly variable stat. TJ Warren has played 5 years in the NBA, and his 3-point shooting percentages have been 23.8%, 40.0%, 26.5%, 22.2%, 42.8%. Did Suns fans think he figured it out after Year 2? What will he shoot in Year 6?

Russell has shot 35.1%, 35.2%, 32.4%, 36.9%. What will he do next year? He NEEDS to be a reliable three point shooter to maximize his pick-and-roll.

Second, Russell only had one good year, and it was in a setting that’s unlikely to be repeated. When LeVert and Dinwiddie went down, the Nets turned the team over to Russell, and he was third in the entire NBA in pick-and-rolls. If he came here, we’d see more PnR, but there is no way that Saunders turns the team over to him, our third best player. If you are a fan, you might predict he’d do even better without having to carry a team, if you’re a doubter, you might predict he only does well in a very limited situation.

In the end, it isn’t a logic issue. People could be right or wrong on their predictions. We just won’t know until later.

[Killboard]

But I got to say I find it strange that D-Lo haters on here put more stock in what a pubescent DeAngello did at 19-20-21 with the Lakers then what a fully mature Russell did this last year. I find it to be some very bizarre logic.

To be fair, this is the same question we have for any young player. We try to make predictions on future production, and each person must try to choose whether one good year is a trend, or an aberration from three previous years of data.

Both sides have legitimacy, and we won’t know the answer until later. I am concerned though by two things.

First, 3P shooting is a highly variable stat. TJ Warren has played 5 years in the NBA, and his 3-point shooting percentages have been 23.8%, 40.0%, 26.5%, 22.2%, 42.8%. Did Suns fans think he figured it out after Year 2? What will he shoot in Year 6?

Russell has shot 35.1%, 35.2%, 32.4%, 36.9%. What will he do next year? He NEEDS to be a reliable three point shooter to maximize his pick-and-roll.

Its would be probably wiser to use career 3Pt%, and also take a look to volume and how many of them were assisted.

Russell is 589/1667=.353, 10.5 Attemps per100 (.608 assisted)
Warren is 156/459=.340, 3.1 Attemps per100 (.923 assisted)

Teague in his 4th first seasons was at 165/477=.346, 3.9 Attemps per100 (.638 assisted)

[Mattya]

if you can guarantee that video was not edited than I'm all in on Russell.

That was edited to show how many he can hit in a row. Still impressive!

If they were deleting his misses than it's meaningless.

NBA pros don't miss many shots in workouts like this. Especially when they are already good outside shooters.

[Nick K]

Watch on YouTube

Way beyond the arc!

Sign him up!! Who cares what he costs.

Honestly I'm impressed how he is able to hit deep 3s after stepback. I'm not kidding.

I was only somewhat kidding. I'm impressed too! A lot!

[shrink]

He’s not as good in practice as this guy! Let’s go give him 4 years, $121!

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[LaViggins]

If we get Russell I will be happy but if not and Karl leaves during his prime and we get picks when we trade him I wont be too mad either. Ive wondered if he can lead us to a championship or at least a 2nd round playoff appearance but I dont think big men can be a teams main piece anymore. Forwards and guards are dominating the league, every other star big man we have had has left to play with the Cavs or Celtics and won a championship (Love/Garnett). Its just sad we cant get any quality guards or forwards to come play here but I guess we will keep relying on the draft until we find a miracle.

[DaKid]

DLo, Towns and Wigs will be a great combo, imo. Plug in defensive players, roco and okogie, around them and we can go places.

[Macwolf527]

If we get Russell I will be happy but if not and Karl leaves during his prime and we get picks when we trade him I wont be too mad either. Ive wondered if he can lead us to a championship or at least a 2nd round playoff appearance but I dont think big men can be a teams main piece anymore. Forwards and guards are dominating the league, every other star big man we have had has left to play with the Cavs or Celtics and won a championship (Love/Garnett). Its just sad we cant get any quality guards or forwards to come play here but I guess we will keep relying on the draft until we find a miracle.

I used to think that too, but the key in my opinion is having the right people around your star player that maximizes what he does well. Karl absolutely needs space. You need shooters, movement, and defense. Shooters speaks for itself. As far as movement goes, there's nothing worse than getting the ball on the block and having everybody just stand around. As soon as that ball goes into the post, every player on the court should be vacating his current spot to create lanes to the basket. Karl has too take advantage of this movement, by hitting the cutters or those spotting up on the perimeter. If everybody is tight, he must utilize his repertoire of moves to score on his man if he wants to be consider the "Moses" of his team.

Defensively, there's nothing worse that having a barrage offensive players coming towards you constantly on the interior. The Wolves were by far the worse, if not one of the worse, defending the perimeter last year. Your man should not blow by you every time, but that's the matador defense they played. It would be nice to get some players that take playing defense personal. Surround Karl with that, and I believe he can take this team far because he is by far the most unique offensive player in the league and that makes him a "UNICORN".

[karch34]

But I got to say I find it strange that D-Lo haters on here put more stock in what a pubescent DeAngello did at 19-20-21 with the Lakers then what a fully mature Russell did this last year. I find it to be some very bizarre logic.

To be fair, this is the same question we have for any young player. We try to make predictions on future production, and each person must try to choose whether one good year is a trend, or an aberration from three previous years of data.

Both sides have legitimacy, and we won’t know the answer until later. I am concerned though by two things.

First, 3P shooting is a highly variable stat. TJ Warren has played 5 years in the NBA, and his 3-point shooting percentages have been 23.8%, 40.0%, 26.5%, 22.2%, 42.8%. Did Suns fans think he figured it out after Year 2? What will he shoot in Year 6?

Russell has shot 35.1%, 35.2%, 32.4%, 36.9%. What will he do next year? He NEEDS to be a reliable three point shooter to maximize his pick-and-roll.

Second, Russell only had one good year, and it was in a setting that’s unlikely to be repeated. When LeVert and Dinwiddie went down, the Nets turned the team over to Russell, and he was third in the entire NBA in pick-and-rolls. If he came here, we’d see more PnR, but there is no way that Saunders turns the team over to him, our third best player. If you are a fan, you might predict he’d do even better without having to carry a team, if you’re a doubter, you might predict he only does well in a very limited situation.

In the end, it isn’t a logic issue. People could be right or wrong on their predictions. We just won’t know until later.

Good point. I think with any young player there's concerns about what's true development vs. high usage, situation, etc. I like D-Lo but contract could look bad really quick if he's not a true #2 for us. We'd also have lost the chance at some future flexibility if we trade Teague and Dieng and cost controlled asset (future 1st) moving forward. If the possible big 3 (salary wise) of D-Lo, Wiggs, and KAT play to their potential then it's a great move and Culver, Okogie, Covington, etc look great in their roles, but if not things could go south really quick.

I think we're interested in D-Lo, but I wonder if some of it is to show Towns we're committed to making him happy after Butler and Thibs more than a be all end all attempt to get D-Lo.

[LaViggins]

If we get Russell I will be happy but if not and Karl leaves during his prime and we get picks when we trade him I wont be too mad either. Ive wondered if he can lead us to a championship or at least a 2nd round playoff appearance but I dont think big men can be a teams main piece anymore. Forwards and guards are dominating the league, every other star big man we have had has left to play with the Cavs or Celtics and won a championship (Love/Garnett). Its just sad we cant get any quality guards or forwards to come play here but I guess we will keep relying on the draft until we find a miracle.

I used to think that too, but the key in my opinion is having the right people around your star player that maximizes what he does well. Karl absolutely needs space. You need shooters, movement, and defense. Shooters speaks for itself. As far as movement goes, there's nothing worse than getting the ball on the block and having everybody just stand around. As soon as that ball goes into the post, every player on the court should be vacating his current spot to create lanes to the basket. Karl has too take advantage of this movement, by hitting the cutters or those spotting up on the perimeter. If everybody is tight, he must utilize his repertoire of moves to score on his man if he wants to be consider the "Moses" of his team.

Defensively, there's nothing worse that having a barrage offensive players coming towards you constantly on the interior. The Wolves were by far the worse, if not one of the worse, defending the perimeter last year. Your man should not blow by you every time, but that's the matador defense they played. It would be nice to get some players that take playing defense personal. Surround Karl with that, and I believe he can take this team far because he is by far the most unique offensive player in the league and that makes him a "UNICORN".

I agree with a lot you say. What would be your ideal and realistic starting 5 around Karl that we could put together within 4 years? Almost a team like the 2010 Mavs?

[shrink]

If a Wiggins trade is the pathway to Russell, it’s likely to a team with cap, who is unlikely to sign big stars with it.

Read on Twitter

[Worm Guts]

If a Wiggins trade is the pathway to Russell, it’s likely to a team with cap, who is unlikely to sign big stars with it.

Read on Twitter

The team that jumps out from this list would be Sacramento.

[Macwolf527]

If we get Russell I will be happy but if not and Karl leaves during his prime and we get picks when we trade him I wont be too mad either. Ive wondered if he can lead us to a championship or at least a 2nd round playoff appearance but I dont think big men can be a teams main piece anymore. Forwards and guards are dominating the league, every other star big man we have had has left to play with the Cavs or Celtics and won a championship (Love/Garnett). Its just sad we cant get any quality guards or forwards to come play here but I guess we will keep relying on the draft until we find a miracle.

I used to think that too, but the key in my opinion is having the right people around your star player that maximizes what he does well. Karl absolutely needs space. You need shooters, movement, and defense. Shooters speaks for itself. As far as movement goes, there's nothing worse than getting the ball on the block and having everybody just stand around. As soon as that ball goes into the post, every player on the court should be vacating his current spot to create lanes to the basket. Karl has too take advantage of this movement, by hitting the cutters or those spotting up on the perimeter. If everybody is tight, he must utilize his repertoire of moves to score on his man if he wants to be consider the "Moses" of his team.

Defensively, there's nothing worse that having a barrage offensive players coming towards you constantly on the interior. The Wolves were by far the worse, if not one of the worse, defending the perimeter last year. Your man should not blow by you every time, but that's the matador defense they played. It would be nice to get some players that take playing defense personal. Surround Karl with that, and I believe he can take this team far because he is by far the most unique offensive player in the league and that makes him a "UNICORN".

I agree with a lot you say. What would be your ideal and realistic starting 5 around Karl that we could put together within 4 years? Almost a team like the 2010 Mavs?

Well, assuming Covington has moved on due to age and I'm operating from the current roster and possible free agent and draft picks over the next few years, here's my idea starting five.

Russell
Okogie
Culver
Amar Sylla, F, Senegall (Surprise pick 2020 - Think Paskal)
Towns

Hear my logic before going in on me. Keep in mind, we're talking about 4 years from now. I think we're finally at place where we have the coaching talent to develop our own draft picks. While both Okogie and Culver may be considered small for their perspective position at SG and SF, I think they both have the tenacity to hold their ground I also believe with continued work, both we creep close to 40% shooting from the 3pt arc. Both shot 38% once or twice in college and I don't think you trip over those numbers. Defensively they are already ahead of the curve, so it's really about them developing offensively. Russell and Towns are our go-to scorers and both have the skill and mentality to be cutthroat if surrounded with the right support pieces.

My surprise player is a somewhat unknown, who I think will be a player in this league years from now and that Amar Sylla. He's raw right now, but shows good form on this shot and he's defensive terror. He fits the mode of the new type of player in the NBA (instead of 3 and D), think 4-3 and D (basically a stretch 4 that plays like a SF with strong defensive abilities). I believe he'll develop a 3 pt shot, helping to keep the floor space for his team to operate. What makes this team a Champion, is their ability to lock down defensively. Okogie has the ability to switch with Russell and Culver, with Russelltaking the weaker scorer of the opposition in spots 1 thru 3, so he's not torch every night. This is not the norm, just a necessary move when teams are trying to go at him. In essence, we cover up his defensive liability with 2 strong perimeter defenders. Towns and Sylla will own the paint defensively. No layups allowed. This team will win with balance, offensively and defensively. And since 4 of 5 are our draft picks, we should be able to build a strong bench around them.

[Slim Tubby]

If a Wiggins trade is the pathway to Russell, it’s likely to a team with cap, who is unlikely to sign big stars with it.

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The team that jumps out from this list would be Sacramento.

I agree completely. They have a strong young core to build around and plenty of cash to spend. The problem that remains is are they able to attract FA's? Incredibly high state taxes, horrific traffic and the OAK/SAC area is disgusting.

[Killboard]

He’s not as good in practice as this guy! Let’s go give him 4 years, $121!

Read on Twitter

Can he pass?

[Krapinsky]

If a Wiggins trade is the pathway to Russell, it’s likely to a team with cap, who is unlikely to sign big stars with it.

Read on Twitter

Kings
Knicks
Raptors (if Kwahi leaves)
Mavs (stealth sleeper)

[Krapinsky]

I for one wouldn't mind keeping Wiggins one more year, pairing him with Russell who by all accounts is fun to play with, and see how he does with a new front office and no Butler stealing his mojo.

[shangrila]

I for one wouldn't mind keeping Wiggins one more year, pairing him with Russell who by all accounts is fun to play with, and see how he does with a new front office and no Butler stealing his mojo.

NOPE

He's had enough chances here. It's time to move on ESPECIALLY if he can somehow be moved for cheap.