Post by A2J on Apr 28, 2008 17:01:58 GMT -5
With the loss of Jarron Collins, a key aspect to the Timberwolves franchise in Free Agency, it is interesting to see where the team will go from this point. Still built around a core of Mike Dunleavy, Antoine Walker and Antonio McDyess, the Wolves are faced with the classical question that eventually stares down every sim league GM - retool or rebuild. This article attempts to simplify that decision through a position-by-position breakdown of the Wolves roster, assessing their overall potential for the upcoming season.
Center
Projected Starter:
Michael Olowokandi C 30 7'0'' 269 B- D+ F+ A- B- D
Key Backups:
Malik Rose PF 30 6'7'' 240 B C- D+ A- C+ D
The center position is the biggest weakness this team is facing. Luckily blessed with a number of expiring contracts as well as some potentially valuable draft picks, they should find it possible to address this situation through trading. However, with the lack of solid big men available for a cheap price, the Wolves may choose to go to war with the Kandi Man, a player they brought in to be a starter a number of years ago. Since that time, Kandi has received a bump in his potential only to regress in training camp, leaving the Wolves hoping for a bounce back this time around. Rose is a solid bench player, though slightly undersized for the center position, which may lead the Wolves to pursue other options as well.
Power Forward
Projected Starter:
Antonio McDyess PF 31 6'9'' 220 A- C- C B B- B
Key Backups:
Malik Rose PF 30 6'7'' 240 B C- D+ A- C+ D
Arthur Johnson PF 23 6'9'' 255 B+ C- C- C C+ C
From the weak center position comes the Wolves strongest overall position, led by reigning All-BBS First Teamer Antonio McDyess. The lethal scorer will hopefully enjoy playing next to a healthy Antoine Walker and an improved Mike Dunleavy next season, and can continue his assault on the rims of the league. The surprise play of rookie Arthur Johnson last year should be able to earn him significant minutes again this year - the burly forward is one of the league's better scorers in the paint already, despite his defensive deficiencies. Trade rumours have begun circulating regarding McDyess, who the Wolves see as expendable due to his age when compared with the ages and development levels of the rest of their team, but expect it to take a very strong offer for him to be moved.
Small Forward
Projected Starter:
Antoine Walker SF 29 6'9'' 247 B+ B- C+ B+ B C
Key Backups:
Keith Van Horn SF 30 6'10'' 252 B- B C- B- C+ C
Vladimir Radmanovic SF 24 6'9'' 206 C+ A- D+ B- C C
Walker, still suffering the effects of his ACL injury late last season, will be back in time for the opening tip this year, hopefully back to his old self. Despite and impressive 18, 8 and 5 season, numbers which few other small forwards can come close to, it was definitely one of Toine's more disappointing campaigns thus far in BBS. He struggled with his shot early and never raised his shooting percentages to their previous level, while also turning the ball over heavily before going down with his season ending injury. Despite these struggles the Wolves stand by their star, and are expecting a big time resurgence this year. Radmanovic will likely be traded before long, while it is possible Van Horn finds a place in the lineup if his expiring contract is not needed to pull in more talent in the frontcourt.
Shooting Guard
Projected Starter:
Eddie Jones SG 34 6'6'' 200 B B C+ A- C- D
Key Backups:
Orien Greene SG 23 6'4'' 208 B- C C+ B C C
Eddie Jones has seemingly been hooked up to the fountain of youth over the past few seasons, but reaching age 34 one wonders how long it is before his decline begins to set in. Still a great option for his ability to score, pass and control his turnovers, Jones has little competition for the starting SG role. The backup role is one that the Wolves have struggled with for years, trying out players from Byron Mouton to Maurice Evans with little success. The latest attempt to fill the role is Orien Greene, a second round draft pick who looks to rely on his defensive capabilities in carving out a role on the roster. Any improvement from Greene in training camp would solidify him as the primary backup - a disappointing TC could leave the Wolves looking for other options.
Point Guard
Projected Starter:
Mike Dunleavy PG 24 6'9'' 232 C+ A- B B C A
Key Backups:
Troy Hudson PG 29 6'1'' 180 C B- B+ B D C
Sebastian Telfair PG 20 6'0'' 165 B- C- B+ C+ C C
For now and the future, point guard is the position with the smallest mystery on the T-Wolves franchise. Mike "White Magic" Dunleavy has stolen the hearts of management and fans alike with his dazzling passing ability and his constant triple doubles. With another TC and another RC soon to come to the young star, this season could be when Dunleavy makes the leap from a potential stud to a star in reality. Hudson and Telfair will compete for the backup role, but Telfair's turnover prone nature, despite his awesome passing ability, will likely relegate him to the bench. His name has also been thrown around in a number of trade offers, so seeing Bassy shipped off for help in the frontcourt wouldn't be surprising either.
Overall Assessment
Do the Wolves have the guns to contend with teams such as the Mavericks, Knicks and Magic next season? It remains to be seen. What is certain is that GM A2J has significant moves that need to be made to shore up the holes in his lineup, and hopefully vault his team into the upper echelon once more. As always, training camp will be one of the big deciders in how this year goes for the team - if Dunleavy can make strides, and the vets on the team can maintain their current ratings, it's possible that the Wolves will be pressing for a title once more. Without TC kindness, expect to see a major shakeup in the near future.
Center
Projected Starter:
Michael Olowokandi C 30 7'0'' 269 B- D+ F+ A- B- D
Key Backups:
Malik Rose PF 30 6'7'' 240 B C- D+ A- C+ D
The center position is the biggest weakness this team is facing. Luckily blessed with a number of expiring contracts as well as some potentially valuable draft picks, they should find it possible to address this situation through trading. However, with the lack of solid big men available for a cheap price, the Wolves may choose to go to war with the Kandi Man, a player they brought in to be a starter a number of years ago. Since that time, Kandi has received a bump in his potential only to regress in training camp, leaving the Wolves hoping for a bounce back this time around. Rose is a solid bench player, though slightly undersized for the center position, which may lead the Wolves to pursue other options as well.
Power Forward
Projected Starter:
Antonio McDyess PF 31 6'9'' 220 A- C- C B B- B
Key Backups:
Malik Rose PF 30 6'7'' 240 B C- D+ A- C+ D
Arthur Johnson PF 23 6'9'' 255 B+ C- C- C C+ C
From the weak center position comes the Wolves strongest overall position, led by reigning All-BBS First Teamer Antonio McDyess. The lethal scorer will hopefully enjoy playing next to a healthy Antoine Walker and an improved Mike Dunleavy next season, and can continue his assault on the rims of the league. The surprise play of rookie Arthur Johnson last year should be able to earn him significant minutes again this year - the burly forward is one of the league's better scorers in the paint already, despite his defensive deficiencies. Trade rumours have begun circulating regarding McDyess, who the Wolves see as expendable due to his age when compared with the ages and development levels of the rest of their team, but expect it to take a very strong offer for him to be moved.
Small Forward
Projected Starter:
Antoine Walker SF 29 6'9'' 247 B+ B- C+ B+ B C
Key Backups:
Keith Van Horn SF 30 6'10'' 252 B- B C- B- C+ C
Vladimir Radmanovic SF 24 6'9'' 206 C+ A- D+ B- C C
Walker, still suffering the effects of his ACL injury late last season, will be back in time for the opening tip this year, hopefully back to his old self. Despite and impressive 18, 8 and 5 season, numbers which few other small forwards can come close to, it was definitely one of Toine's more disappointing campaigns thus far in BBS. He struggled with his shot early and never raised his shooting percentages to their previous level, while also turning the ball over heavily before going down with his season ending injury. Despite these struggles the Wolves stand by their star, and are expecting a big time resurgence this year. Radmanovic will likely be traded before long, while it is possible Van Horn finds a place in the lineup if his expiring contract is not needed to pull in more talent in the frontcourt.
Shooting Guard
Projected Starter:
Eddie Jones SG 34 6'6'' 200 B B C+ A- C- D
Key Backups:
Orien Greene SG 23 6'4'' 208 B- C C+ B C C
Eddie Jones has seemingly been hooked up to the fountain of youth over the past few seasons, but reaching age 34 one wonders how long it is before his decline begins to set in. Still a great option for his ability to score, pass and control his turnovers, Jones has little competition for the starting SG role. The backup role is one that the Wolves have struggled with for years, trying out players from Byron Mouton to Maurice Evans with little success. The latest attempt to fill the role is Orien Greene, a second round draft pick who looks to rely on his defensive capabilities in carving out a role on the roster. Any improvement from Greene in training camp would solidify him as the primary backup - a disappointing TC could leave the Wolves looking for other options.
Point Guard
Projected Starter:
Mike Dunleavy PG 24 6'9'' 232 C+ A- B B C A
Key Backups:
Troy Hudson PG 29 6'1'' 180 C B- B+ B D C
Sebastian Telfair PG 20 6'0'' 165 B- C- B+ C+ C C
For now and the future, point guard is the position with the smallest mystery on the T-Wolves franchise. Mike "White Magic" Dunleavy has stolen the hearts of management and fans alike with his dazzling passing ability and his constant triple doubles. With another TC and another RC soon to come to the young star, this season could be when Dunleavy makes the leap from a potential stud to a star in reality. Hudson and Telfair will compete for the backup role, but Telfair's turnover prone nature, despite his awesome passing ability, will likely relegate him to the bench. His name has also been thrown around in a number of trade offers, so seeing Bassy shipped off for help in the frontcourt wouldn't be surprising either.
Overall Assessment
Do the Wolves have the guns to contend with teams such as the Mavericks, Knicks and Magic next season? It remains to be seen. What is certain is that GM A2J has significant moves that need to be made to shore up the holes in his lineup, and hopefully vault his team into the upper echelon once more. As always, training camp will be one of the big deciders in how this year goes for the team - if Dunleavy can make strides, and the vets on the team can maintain their current ratings, it's possible that the Wolves will be pressing for a title once more. Without TC kindness, expect to see a major shakeup in the near future.
