Pope Riot's T-Wolves off-season plan

Keep in mind this is just one man's opinion, don't hate me over it. I think this team needs a new start and a new identity. So here is my off-season plan for the Timberwolves, if I was Kevin McHale.

First thing is first, you have to hire a head coach. I think Paul Silas is the perfect coach. He is hardnose and he challenges his players. I don't know if him and Troy Hudson would clash but I think he could get the most of our players. He runs a simple offense and I think that fits the team best since we started playing the best basketball of the season under McHale who runs a simple offense.

The first thing is the draft. With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft the Timberwolves should select PG Jarret Jack. He is a strong, big point guard who can create mismatches. He has great vision and ballhandling skills too, he is a great point guard. He just gets the job done and isn't flashy or anything, he plays with confidence. I think he would be the perfect player for the Timberwolves. Then in the second round select Luther Head from Illionis. He can play three positions (PG,SG,SF) and he is a great defender. He can shoot very well too. I think him and Jack would be great additions to the team next year.

Then, I think you have to get rid of Sam Cassell. I hate to say it but it's obvious Glen Taylor and management aren't getting along with him and there is no way he'll get an extension now so I think he is as good as gone. I think if we trade him to Portland for Darius Miles (sigh) it would work out well for both sides. Portland will need a point guard now that Stoudamire and Van Exel are both gone. Also, Blazers are desperate to get rid of Darius Miles and trading him for a veteran, expiring point guard to help teach youngster Sebastian Telfair would be ideal. The Timberwolves get some youth and an athlete to help the older guys out.

The next step is resigning our guys. Pope Riot, Mr. Cassell and Sprewell supporter, thinks Sprewell shouldn't be resigned. Believe it or not I think he should be gone from the team, let him walk. Wally wants to start and with Hassell there is only one starting spot left. Then we should resign Eddie Griffin to the full MLE. Eddie has shown a lot of promise and putting him with KG at times can be a deadly combo. Eddie still has a lot to learn but the talent is there. Resign Mark Madsen to the full LLE.

Then comes the signing period. I don't think the Timberwolves will be a very big player in free agency since I think they should spen their MLE and LLE on resigning Griffin and Madsen. All the Timberwolves do is sign veteran big man Bo Outlaw to the veterans minimum.

Here is Riot's 2005-2006 Minnesota Timberwolves!

Starting at Guard, 6-1 out of Southern Illionis...#16 TROY HUDSON!

Starting at the other Guard, 6-6 out of Austin Peay...#23 TRENTON HASSELL!

Starting at Center, 7 foot out of Pacific...#34 MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI!

Starting at Forward, 6-7 out of Miami of Ohio...#10 WALLY SZCZERBIAK!

Starting at the other Forward, 6-11 out of Farragut Academy HS...#21 KEVIN GARNETT!


Here is the team just in a roster form:

C-Michael Olowokandi/Mark Madsen
PF-Kevin Garnett/Eddie Griffin
SF-Wally Szczerbiak/Darius Miles
SG-Trenton Hassell/Fred Hoiberg
PG-Troy Hudson/Jarret Jack

11th man-Luther Head
12th man-Ndudi Ebi

IR-Bo Outlaw

Bo Outlaw on IR Seriously though, the Wolves would be a tough team with that lineup, especially with Spree and Cassell out of the way, but they need to mesh as a team as they did when they reached the Western Conference Finals. Of course, getting Silas as coach would be nice.

Code:

Player/Position   MPG   PPG   RPG   APG   Main Role
Centers               
Michael Olowokandi   20mpg   7ppg   6rpg   1apg   Help in paint
Mark Madsen   10mpg   2ppg   3rpg   0.5apg   Energy and Hustle
Power Forwards               
Kevin Garnett   40mpg   24ppg   13rpg   5apg   MVP
Eddie Griffin   26mpg   8ppg   5rpg   1.5apg   Help on boards and stretch floor
Small Forwards               
Wally Szczerbiak   34mpg   17ppg   4rpg   3apg   Help carry load offensively
Darius Miles   22mpg   7ppg   3rpg   1.5apg   Athleticism
Shooting Guards               
Trenton Hassell   30mpg   10ppg   5rpg   2apg   Defense and attack basket
Fred Hoiberg   12mpg   3ppg   2rpg   1apg   Shooter and Hustle
Point Guards               
Troy Hudson   30mpg   12ppg   2rpg   5apg   Control tempo and help offensively
Jarret Jack   13mpg   4ppg   1rpg   2apg   Relieve Hudson
Bench Players               
Luther Head   5-10mpg   2ppg   1rpg   1.5apg   Backup at PG,SG and SF
Ndudi Ebi   Sparingly   Null   Null   Null   Null
Totals   Null   96ppg   45rpg   24apg   Null


sounds pretty good. cassell and spree will definitely be gone next season since they're a "failed experiment"

The first thing is the draft. With the 14th pick in the NBA Draft the Timberwolves should select PG Jarret Jack.

He'll be gone by then, and Luther Head is a possibility to go undrafted.

I'm thinking the Wolves lineup for 2005-2006 might look like this:

Guard: Troy Hudson

Guard: Wally Szczerbiak

Center: Michael Olowokandi

Foward: Lamar Odom

Foward: Devean George


Heh, heh, heh.

Well depending on how the large number of euros impress at workouts, Jack could be available, but I'd expect them to draft a big man like the french Johan Petro or Channing Frye, so they can spend their MLE on a guard to compete with Hudson and Hassel.

I doubt they would take a chance on Miels, he seems like his stock, as low as it was already, has dropped even more based on his behavior. I think its more likely taht Mies ends up with a team like Indiana, Milwaukee or Seattle, teams whoa re happy with their coaches and will trade Miles before they fire the coach. At this point he's like Kenyon Martin or Dennis Rodman without the talent.

I can see them looking for a more exerienced point guard to back up Hudson, someoen like Van Exel or Tony Delk, and maybe dealing a guy like Ebi or any unforfieted draft picks, plus whatever they get for Cassell.

The ideal situation I see, is where they convince a team with cap room like Atlanta or Charlotte to take Cassell off their hands with almost no returning salary, giving them about $9 mil in cap room, so they can take a run at Ilglauskus.

I'd rather them get rid of Hudson. He takes too many shots and misses a lot. I would rather Cassell stay and them do maybe a sign and trade deal on Spree but I dont think it will happen. I think it is important to keep Wally as he played well this season. I think they should also play Ebi or get rid of him. But there are a lot of different options so who knows.

I agree with Kevin, I think they should draft Frye or if Chris Taft slips that low (which he might) or if Warrick is still available. Jack will be gone most likely and I dont think hes a good fit for the team anyways.

Other then that good job.

Hudson can be a solid starting point guard if you tell him his role at the beginning of the season and tell him what he is suppose to do. Earlier this year Flip didn't make it clear what everyone's roles were going to be. Plus, Hudson's ankle isn't even at 100% yet so we have yet to see him at full strength still.

And hopefully Jack will be there, plus you never know. Maybe the Wolves will get lucky in the lottery!

And hopefully Jack will be there, plus you never know. Maybe the Wolves will get lucky in the lottery!

It would really be funny if they did get the number 1 pick.

And hopefully Jack will be there, plus you never know. Maybe the Wolves will get lucky in the lottery!

It would really be funny if they did get the number 1 pick.

Yeah, and watch them take the next Will Avery or Ndudi Ebi.

Hey Riot have you Twolve fans ever even seen Ndudi Ebi play?

They need to start Wallyworld, and find another outside shooter to spread the defense so KG or a KG/PG combo can operate. Right now everybody just quadruple teams KG and don't really care.

Minny isn't a total wreck, they just have too many guys that need the ball. Kobe-syndrome.

Yeah, and watch them take the next Will Avery or Ndudi Ebi.

At least they didn't pick Darko ahead of Wade

Hey Riot have you Twolve fans ever even seen Ndudi Ebi play?

Not really, he played in some garbage time his rookie year but he just got activated for the final two games so we'll get to see him play tonight vs. the Hornets and Wednesday vs. the Spurs.

Ebi played 22 minutes got 9 points (3-7FG) 8 rebounds a steal, a block and an assist. I have read that he had a bit of a slow start but worked into it.

Ebi is a project... so i wouldnt expect too much from him. Next eason though... he'll get PT.

Man, wish the Wolves signed Rick Rickert...

so Kevin Garnett gets a bit of boxing practice?!?

I really would like Rickert and Wally to sock it to Garnett

if they don't take a PG, I expect the T'wolves to pick a SG or SF to replace Sprewell....so that could be Antoine Wright or Danny Granger....Granger would probably be a better fit than Wright I'd say....

According to the Star Tribune, Garnett said, "I would love them back," Garnett said. "I don't understand why everybody's turning negative on those two because it's a 13-man roster, a five-man game, and to just put the onus on two guys is not even fair. A lot is different [from last season]. Not just with the players but with management and upstairs. A lot of things are different." (referring to Cassell and Sprewell)

I don't know if he was just saying that to not be so cocky or whatever, but maybe they should come back since KG wants them back.

KG, Sam and Sprewell have some of the best chemistry I've ever seen. Yesterday in the win over New Orleans when Ebi grabbed the game sealing rebound they were at center-court dancing and laughing.

They said during the game that KG has been "quiet" for virtually the whole game and the team isn't really saying much (especially Garnett who is normally vocal in the timeouts). They said this is a team "suffering" and it's tearing Garnett apart to play in the last two games. He is like 5 rebounds short of his 1,100th of the season (which would be his 3rd 1,100th rebound season in a row).