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Illini in the Pros (Basketball)
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mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
That is kind of the whole point of running a team.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
TSJ is an important asset for Minnesota as an affordable team-controlled 1st rounder. They're starting to wake up to the possibility that he might be an important player for them, but then it was trading an important (declining) asset in Rob Dillingham (to a team that's stupid) that brought them an important player in Ayo, so they will be alive to that too in the offseason.
There is some level on which TSJ's highest calling in the NBA might be "good stats bad team guy". Your Anfernee Simons', your Cam Thomas', guys of that nature. Those checks still clear.
There is some level on which TSJ's highest calling in the NBA might be "good stats bad team guy". Your Anfernee Simons', your Cam Thomas', guys of that nature. Those checks still clear.
Finch finally woke up and I have to give him credit that he took accountability after game 6. They started designing things for TJ in this 1st game. I don't think they are going to trade him soon cuz he is affordable.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
not good enough!
An underrated part of the programs turnaround has been being able to watch our guys nearly year round.
Our season went into the first week of April this year
Now we have multiple guys playing roles on playoff teams
Then it’ll be the summer league where we should have 2-3 guys at least playing in that..
Then next thing you know in 10ish weeks it’ll be right back to being basketball season..
Our season went into the first week of April this year
Now we have multiple guys playing roles on playoff teams
Then it’ll be the summer league where we should have 2-3 guys at least playing in that..
Then next thing you know in 10ish weeks it’ll be right back to being basketball season..
Do we think Minny wants to trade him at this point? Their coach seems to have unlocked something (even judging by his press conference comments).
Ok so is it the keeping a good player who you barely play just si no one else can have him or the not trading him for someone that you would regularly put in the rotation. Doesn't make sense to me especially when you are not contending for championships. Minnesota is a one big gun team and that is how they are coached. Doesn't help keep Ant healthy either with all the usage.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
An underrated part of the programs turnaround has been being able to watch our guys nearly year round.
Our season went into the first week of April this year
Now we have multiple guys playing roles on playoff teams
Then it’ll be the summer league where we should have 2-3 guys at least playing in that..
Then next thing you know in 10ish weeks it’ll be right back to being basketball season..
And don't forget summer FIBA games where past, present and potential future players will get more experience and air time.
One of the critical aspects of last night’s game was the coaching chest-match.
Gobert was a negative for most of the game offensively. He’s not a scoring threat at all against Wemby, and because he can’t space the floor, Wemby was essentially inevitable at the rim.
Late 3rd QTR and for pretty much the entire 4th — MINN took Gobert off the court and played 5 out. That’s when they made their run.
Spurs countered by putting Wemby on TSJ, essentially thinking he was the weakest shooter on the floor. That’s when they gave the ball to Terrance at the top, and screened Wemby… which is all the time TSJ needs to get an uncontested layup or draw a foul.
That happened multiple times before SAS was forced to adjust.
Gobert was a negative for most of the game offensively. He’s not a scoring threat at all against Wemby, and because he can’t space the floor, Wemby was essentially inevitable at the rim.
Late 3rd QTR and for pretty much the entire 4th — MINN took Gobert off the court and played 5 out. That’s when they made their run.
Spurs countered by putting Wemby on TSJ, essentially thinking he was the weakest shooter on the floor. That’s when they gave the ball to Terrance at the top, and screened Wemby… which is all the time TSJ needs to get an uncontested layup or draw a foul.
That happened multiple times before SAS was forced to adjust.
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Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Selfish?
Minnesota owes it their fans to try to produce a winner, not to help TSJ in his career.
I agree...what we can all agree on is:
life isn't fair, ..
some teams are not great at developing and/or integrating players...
And some NBA mgmt teams are idiots..
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I mean the reason you would say yes, keep him, is that he's cheap and under contract for multiple years, and Mike Conley and Bones Hyland are free agents, so TSJ offers more for less money on what is going to be a very expensive team, especially to the extent they are determined to retain Ayo.
But the reason you would say no is that having Ant, Ayo, and TSJ all on the same team doesn't make a ton of sense from a role perspective, and TSJ is now an asset that might bring them the kind of help that would maximize that team (Tre Jones, Twin Cities native and perfect third guard true PG on a cheap deal! Call the Bulls!)
But then Ayo is a UFA, so if he goes elsewhere, then it's a whole other story.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
The Wolves have Ant in his prime and are gunning for their third straight WCF, what are you talking about?
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Hearing Grant Hill and Robbie Hummel on the call makes it feel like a Big Ten Tournament game.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
Are those two goals 100% mutually exclusive?
They keep him because he's cheap insurance for this very scenario where multiple guards are injured. Now, if they could trade him for a legit rotation piece then sure, they probably do that. But if they can't find the right trade they're not going to just unload him for whatever just because he would be better off. The bitter reality is that professional sports franchises are no different than corporations writ large in that betterment of their employees is only valued to the extent it helps the bottom line. Altruism isn't part of the equation.
I believe they are a better team if they could figure out a way to integrate TSJ with Ant on the court together.
The idea that they must be mutually exclusive players on the court is sign of a weak coach (or at least "not creative") IMO.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
not wrong:
In their defense, they were smart enough to draft him when a lot of teams passed. (26 of them to be exact) He has had the opportunity to practice against a playoff caliber team every day, and work alongside some of the best players in the world.
TJ's day is coming. The secret is out. T-Wolves have a 5 million dollar option for next year, then he is free to make his own decision.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Your years are mixed up. It's $2.8M next year, then a $5M team option for 27-28, and then he's a restricted free agent after that, so the T'Wolves can match any offer.
But yeah, whether in Minnesota or elsewhere, TSJ's gonna be seeing more of the floor next year.
Btw anybody else a little wrong-footed by him being called "TJ" now? I know he was usually referred to that way by Brad and others within the team, but the announcers never said it.
How do you integrate two guys who both need the ball in their hand as much as possible? There's only one ball. What role do you envision for TSJ as a supporting player to Ant?
I do think he gets more opportunities in Minn going forward but I'm skeptical he'll have the kind of role he'd excel in.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
