Batum Signs Offer Sheet With TWolves

[BwareDWare94]

First of all, I dare say YOU don't watch this team because you just became a fan of them... what, 2 weeks ago? Rubio is going to miss a good portion of the season, which is something a lot of people forget. You also can't count on Brandon Roy staying healthy; anything he contributes is just a bonus.

I just don't see it THIS year. The West is such a tough conference, they'll have to scrap with teams like Portland/Utah/New Orleans just to make the playoffs. Saying they'll fight for the 3 seed is absurd.

They're my local team. I've been watching them for years.

And I don't know just how long Rubio will be out, but I don't think it will be for as long as you're saying, and I thought I'd just heard he could be ready earlier than expected. JJ Barea is more than good enough to start for awhile and Love and Pekovic alone will keep them in games by dominating the boards.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

They're my local team. I've been watching them for years.

And I don't know just how long Rubio will be out, but I don't think it will be for as long as you're saying, and I thought I'd just heard he could be ready earlier than expected. JJ Barea is more than good enough to start for awhile and Love and Pekovic alone will keep them in games by dominating the boards.

They went 5-20 after Rubio went down last year. I know Love and Pekovic is a pretty good post duo and Barea is a serviceable point guard, but there's no way that roster is good enough to compete for a playoff spot without Rubio. They're BARELY good enough to compete for one with him.

 

[Rios15]

David Khan referred to Nicolas Batum as the Timberwolves’ missing piece" and said the 23-year-old small forward perfectly complements Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.

"He's a dynamic wing player, capable of defending multiple positions," Kahn said. "His three-point shooting has improved every year; just a fine all-around basketball player. In certain ways, you could look at our team and say he's the missing piece."

Khan plans to sign Batum to an offer sheet, even though it seems likely the Blazers will match the offer.

"We don't see it as trouble," Kahn said. "First of all, we think we owe it to ourselves to take a shot. Secondly, if they chose to match it, that leaves us with a significant amount of (cap) room to pursue players."

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/222313/Batum_Seen_As_Timberwolves_Missing_Piece#ixzz20a2K8wG4

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There isn't enough corner to go around for him and Rubio.

 

[Rice18]

Well, since we won't get Batum, I must say THANK GOD Milicic is gone.

Even without Batum, this team is going to push for a spot in the 3-8 seeds next season.

:spideypalm:

Stop...

3-8?

I am pushing it when I say 6th at best.

To add, we? It says Rockets?

 

[BwareDWare94]

:spideypalm:

Stop...

3-8?

I am pushing it when I say 6th at best.

To add, we? It says Rockets?

I tend to say "we" about the Vikings, Wolves, and Wild just like I do about the Twins because I end up watching so many of their games. Truth be told, I think I may be slowly converting to a full-on Minnesota sports fan.

 

[BwareDWare94]

:spideypalm:

Stop...

3-8?

I am pushing it when I say 6th at best.

To add, we? It says Rockets?

The Wolves are going to surprise, man.

Let's look at seeds 1-8 and see if they're likely to be better than said team.

1. SA- No, but entirely possible if San Antonio's decline finally comes full circle, but I really doubt it, so I'll say No.
2. OKC- Not a chance in hell
3. LAL- No
4. Memphis- VERY possible, especially considering how underwhelming it was to see Memphis lose to an inferior team in the first round this past year.
5. LAC- Yes. The Clippers are not that good and I expect them to finish somewhere around the same mark next season
6. Denver- Yes. George Karl had this team overachieving this year. He's perfectly capable of doing so again, but they lose Faried or Danillo for extended time they may struggle to make the postseason
7. Dallas- Yes. Dallas is in full-on rebuild mode and just won't be that good, though they're putting together a nice foundation.
8. Utah- Yes. Really didn't belong in the playoffs this past year, anyway.

It is very possible for Minnesota to challenge for spots 3-8, with 3 a major longshot but 4-8 definitely in the cards. They have the second best coach in the western conference, the best power forward in the game, an excellent young facilitating point guard, and they have at least four shooters that will be in the rotation in Roy, Bud, Ridnour, and Love--and don't discount Rubio with how much of a surprise his 3 point shot was. Hell, what happens if Wes Matthews finally comes along as a shooter?

I love the 4-5 combo of Love and Pekovic, and I expect Minnesota to claim Scola or pursue him immediately when he becomes a UFA. Imagine Love starting and Scola coming off the bench at 4.

This team is going to be good if they can stay healthy.

 

[bosoxlover12]

Who woulda thought?

A fan for 2 weeks and already a full blown homer?!?!



I can't see higher than a 7 seed. No way they are better than Memphis, Denver, or LAC

 

[Rice18]

I tend to say "we" about the Vikings, Wolves, and Wild just like I do about the Twins because I end up watching so many of their games. Truth be told, I think I may be slowly converting to a full-on Minnesota sports fan.

I was that was with the Wild, but that is because I never really followed hockey. Still don't but will watch a game if it is on FSN.

But for you to be a big fan of that sport, and just switch because of location. You were never a fan in the first place.

 

[Rice18]

Who woulda thought?

A fan for 2 weeks and already a full blown homer?!?!



I can't see higher than a 7 seed. No way they are better than Memphis, Denver, or LAC

No way is a stretch, but I don't see us getting better then 6th. I am almost guaranteeing a playoff spot though.

 

[SaintFan25]

The Wolves are going to surprise, man.

Let's look at seeds 1-8 and see if they're likely to be better than said team.

1. SA- No, but entirely possible if San Antonio's decline finally comes full circle, but I really doubt it, so I'll say No.
2. OKC- Not a chance in hell
3. LAL- No
4. Memphis- VERY possible, especially considering how underwhelming it was to see Memphis lose to an inferior team in the first round this past year.
5. LAC- Yes. The Clippers are not that good and I expect them to finish somewhere around the same mark next season
6. Denver- Yes. George Karl had this team overachieving this year. He's perfectly capable of doing so again, but they lose Faried or Danillo for extended time they may struggle to make the postseason
7. Dallas- Yes. Dallas is in full-on rebuild mode and just won't be that good, though they're putting together a nice foundation.
8. Utah- Yes. Really didn't belong in the playoffs this past year, anyway.

It is very possible for Minnesota to challenge for spots 3-8, with 3 a major longshot but 4-8 definitely in the cards. They have the second best coach in the western conference, the best power forward in the game, an excellent young facilitating point guard, and they have at least four shooters that will be in the rotation in Roy, Bud, Ridnour, and Love--and don't discount Rubio with how much of a surprise his 3 point shot was. Hell, what happens if Wes Matthews finally comes along as a shooter?

I love the 4-5 combo of Love and Pekovic, and I expect Minnesota to claim Scola or pursue him immediately when he becomes a UFA. Imagine Love starting and Scola coming off the bench at 4.

This team is going to be good if they can stay healthy.

Matthews? :mellow:

 

[BwareDWare94]

Matthews? :mellow:

Johnson. My bad.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Who woulda thought?

A fan for 2 weeks and already a full blown homer?!?!

I can't see higher than a 7 seed. No way they are better than Memphis, Denver, or LAC

I have not actually switched. I simply have a second team that I watch and enjoy watching.

They can definitely be better than any of those three teams. I'm not all that concerned about opinions like yours when you don't really get a chance to watch this team because of location.

 

[BwareDWare94]

I was that was with the Wild, but that is because I never really followed hockey. Still don't but will watch a game if it is on FSN.

But for you to be a big fan of that sport, and just switch because of location. You were never a fan in the first place.

Well the thing is I'm not actually going to literally switch. I love my listed teams and no point will come when I they wouldn't be my #1 teams. I'm just becoming a Minnesota sports fan as well because I have to watch all of Minny's teams all damn year.

 

[bosoxlover12]

I have not actually switched. I simply have a second team that I watch and enjoy watching.

They can definitely be better than any of those three teams. I'm not all that concerned about opinions like yours when you don't really get a chance to watch this team because of location.

Doesn't live in the Minnesota area. Clearly then doesn't have NBA League Pass to watch Wolves games.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

1) First of all, I love Rick Adelman as a coach, but I KNOW he's not a better coach than Poppovich, and I don't think he's a better coach than George Karl.
2) Saying they're "likely" to be better than half of those teams is ridiculous. Minnesota is a team that is "on the outside looking in". If they are to make the playoffs, a lot of things will have to fall their way.
3) Saying Minnesota could very possibly be better than Memphis because of the way Memphis played in the playoffs is absolutely absurd.
4) Saying Minnesota will likely be better than the Clippers is even more absurd. The Clippers have the best point guard in the league, one of the best power forwards, etc. Now if Blake's knee injury is more serious than we think and he misses more time than expected, we can revisit this. But the Clippers are so much better than the Timberwolves it's not even funny.
5) The Nuggets overachieve ever year because that's how good of a coach George Karl is. They're bringing back the exact same team as last year, and add Wilson Chandler to that who missed 58 of 66 games because of playing in China during most of the season and then an injury afterwards.
6) Acting like Dallas is going into "full rebuild mode" is stupid. They just signed Chris Kaman and Elton Brand, and traded for Darren Collison. And they still have that guy called Dirk Nowitzki. They're going to make the playoffs....
7) The Jazz are still going to contend for a playoff spot too. They have arguably the best front court rotation in the league (Millsap/Jefferson/Favors/Kanter).
8) You're also discounting teams like New Orleans and Portland too.
9) You strongly overrate Minnesota, obviously. First of all, you fail to realize that Ricky Rubio is going to miss games. The Timberwolves went 5-20 after the Rubio injury last year. Brandon Roy IS NOT THE PLAYER HE USED TO BE. Kevin Love and Pekovic is a good front court offensively and on the boards, but defensively it is not. Other than those players who do they have? A bunch of role players.

The Timberwolves are not a contender for the 3 seed. They probably aren't even a playoff team. Just shut the fuck up already.

 

[BwareDWare94]

1) First of all, I love Rick Adelman as a coach, but I KNOW he's not a better coach than Poppovich, and I don't think he's a better coach than George Karl.
2) Saying they're "likely" to be better than half of those teams is ridiculous. Minnesota is a team that is "on the outside looking in". If they are to make the playoffs, a lot of things will have to fall their way.
3) Saying Minnesota could very possibly be better than Memphis because of the way Memphis played in the playoffs is absolutely absurd.
4) Saying Minnesota will likely be better than the Clippers is even more absurd. The Clippers have the best point guard in the league, one of the best power forwards, etc. Now if Blake's knee injury is more serious than we think and he misses more time than expected, we can revisit this. But the Clippers are so much better than the Timberwolves it's not even funny.
5) The Nuggets overachieve ever year because that's how good of a coach George Karl is. They're bringing back the exact same team as last year, and add Wilson Chandler to that who missed 58 of 66 games because of playing in China during most of the season and then an injury afterwards.
6) Acting like Dallas is going into "full rebuild mode" is stupid. They just signed Chris Kaman and Elton Brand, and traded for Darren Collison. And they still have that guy called Dirk Nowitzki. They're going to make the playoffs....
7) The Jazz are still going to contend for a playoff spot too. They have arguably the best front court rotation in the league (Millsap/Jefferson/Favors/Kanter).
8) You're also discounting teams like New Orleans and Portland too.
9) You strongly overrate Minnesota, obviously. First of all, you fail to realize that Ricky Rubio is going to miss games. The Timberwolves went 5-20 after the Rubio injury last year. Brandon Roy IS NOT THE PLAYER HE USED TO BE. Kevin Love and Pekovic is a good front court offensively and on the boards, but defensively it is not. Other than those players who do they have? A bunch of role players.

The Timberwolves are not a contender for the 3 seed. They probably aren't even a playoff team. Just shut the fuck up already.

Rick Adelman and George Karl are interchangeable.

Memphis lost Mayo, one of their FEW shooters.

Minnesota has the BEST power forward in the game, and Blake Griffin is outside of the top 5 PFs in the league. Don't give me that Blake Griffin bullshit.

Denver has injury prone players or players who seem to disappear.

Kaman and Brand are both injury prone. Darren Collison isn't exactly a great point guard.

Right now, reports say that Ricky Rubio could be ready for training camp.

The Timberwolves are going to surprise the hell out of arrogant punks like you who seem to think that anybody who thinks differently from you is wrong. Enjoy it, punk.

 

[Pugz]

The Wolves are going to surprise, man.

Let's look at seeds 1-8 and see if they're likely to be better than said team.

1. SA- No, but entirely possible if San Antonio's decline finally comes full circle, but I really doubt it, so I'll say No.
2. OKC- Not a chance in hell
3. LAL- No
4. Memphis- VERY possible, especially considering how underwhelming it was to see Memphis lose to an inferior team in the first round this past year.
5. LAC- Yes. The Clippers are not that good and I expect them to finish somewhere around the same mark next season
6. Denver- Yes. George Karl had this team overachieving this year. He's perfectly capable of doing so again, but they lose Faried or Danillo for extended time they may struggle to make the postseason
7. Dallas- Yes. Dallas is in full-on rebuild mode and just won't be that good, though they're putting together a nice foundation.
8. Utah- Yes. Really didn't belong in the playoffs this past year, anyway.

It is very possible for Minnesota to challenge for spots 3-8, with 3 a major longshot but 4-8 definitely in the cards. They have the second best coach in the western conference, the best power forward in the game, an excellent young facilitating point guard, and they have at least four shooters that will be in the rotation in Roy, Bud, Ridnour, and Love--and don't discount Rubio with how much of a surprise his 3 point shot was. Hell, what happens if Wes Matthews finally comes along as a shooter?

I love the 4-5 combo of Love and Pekovic, and I expect Minnesota to claim Scola or pursue him immediately when he becomes a UFA. Imagine Love starting and Scola coming off the bench at 4.

This team is going to be good if they can stay healthy.

 

[Pugz]

i did actually read and dallas is going after scola..

 

[SaintFan25]

Jason Quick ‏@jwquick

Blazers have received offer sheet from Minnesota for RFA Nicolas Batum within the last hour. Terms are unknown.

Guess they finally submitted the offer sheet.