Post by A2J on Jun 11, 2008 19:47:41 GMT -5
Two words: Craig Smith.
Craig Smith is the fucking key. The key to why this team is going to have renewed success in 2008 despite not adding any major pieces like the Jazz, or having any young players who look primed to become major superstars within the next few years. No, those players and unimportant to the Wolves of Minnesota. What's important is a second year, second round, second string power forward who I didn't even pick myself.
Craig Smith is the future of Minnesota basketball.
A stellar TC in a rookie season, improving in four categories and becoming a legitimate rotation player immediately is not something easily accomplished. But for the majority of the year, coming off of the bench out of position behind Antoine Walker, Craig Smith was exactly that. His production was ridiculous, outside of two small flaws; poor defensive stats, particularly steals, and high turnovers. But that's the beauty of Craig Smith. He's not a small forward. Oh no. He's a PF. And one that is going to be better than you think.
In 14.7 MPG at SF last year, Smith averaged 0.4 BPG. With starters minutes, say 35 per game, he's averaging over a block per while not playing in a shotblocking position. To imagine he could swat 1.5 as a starting PF is completely reasonable. And his turnovers, when given starters minutes at SF, would only creep up to around 2 per game, meaning he will like be closer to the 1.5 margin at PF as well.
Why is this so important? Two reasons.
Firstly is the major strategic weakness my team faced last season - Antoine Walker. Past his prime and a turnover whore, production wise and especially defensively, he was a necessary option at SF. Smith was ready, Arthur Johnson is a terrible defender, and no one else could be worthy of the starting SF or PF spot to tandem with West. But Smith will be there this season, even with just a minor defensive increase, an RC to his strength, maybe a little more lovin' in TC? Who knows. Walker going to the bench cuts down my turnovers drastically, especially considering Smith moves to PF. I now have a full supporting cast around Marbury who can finish around the rim, and will rarely turn the ball over, the two major points I'm trying to emphasize. Walker as a backup SF - golden role for him. Exactly where he should be playing.
Secondly is much more simple. David West. Small Forward. Simple. He scores like a machine, his rebounding weakness is whatever, he still never turns the ball over, his percentages are awesome ... he's a fucking small forward. I hated playing him at PF. And he was still sick.
So that's basically it boys. That's why next year my team will continue to be relevant, continue to shoot for the West, continue to try and add pieces to push over the hump. My roster is ugly as shit. I don't make blockbuster trades. I ride in the background, no hype or help from any commissioner or GM.
I'm the fucking Wolves bitch. Fuck your depth chart.
Craig Smith is the fucking key. The key to why this team is going to have renewed success in 2008 despite not adding any major pieces like the Jazz, or having any young players who look primed to become major superstars within the next few years. No, those players and unimportant to the Wolves of Minnesota. What's important is a second year, second round, second string power forward who I didn't even pick myself.
Craig Smith is the future of Minnesota basketball.
A stellar TC in a rookie season, improving in four categories and becoming a legitimate rotation player immediately is not something easily accomplished. But for the majority of the year, coming off of the bench out of position behind Antoine Walker, Craig Smith was exactly that. His production was ridiculous, outside of two small flaws; poor defensive stats, particularly steals, and high turnovers. But that's the beauty of Craig Smith. He's not a small forward. Oh no. He's a PF. And one that is going to be better than you think.
In 14.7 MPG at SF last year, Smith averaged 0.4 BPG. With starters minutes, say 35 per game, he's averaging over a block per while not playing in a shotblocking position. To imagine he could swat 1.5 as a starting PF is completely reasonable. And his turnovers, when given starters minutes at SF, would only creep up to around 2 per game, meaning he will like be closer to the 1.5 margin at PF as well.
Why is this so important? Two reasons.
Firstly is the major strategic weakness my team faced last season - Antoine Walker. Past his prime and a turnover whore, production wise and especially defensively, he was a necessary option at SF. Smith was ready, Arthur Johnson is a terrible defender, and no one else could be worthy of the starting SF or PF spot to tandem with West. But Smith will be there this season, even with just a minor defensive increase, an RC to his strength, maybe a little more lovin' in TC? Who knows. Walker going to the bench cuts down my turnovers drastically, especially considering Smith moves to PF. I now have a full supporting cast around Marbury who can finish around the rim, and will rarely turn the ball over, the two major points I'm trying to emphasize. Walker as a backup SF - golden role for him. Exactly where he should be playing.
Secondly is much more simple. David West. Small Forward. Simple. He scores like a machine, his rebounding weakness is whatever, he still never turns the ball over, his percentages are awesome ... he's a fucking small forward. I hated playing him at PF. And he was still sick.
So that's basically it boys. That's why next year my team will continue to be relevant, continue to shoot for the West, continue to try and add pieces to push over the hump. My roster is ugly as shit. I don't make blockbuster trades. I ride in the background, no hype or help from any commissioner or GM.
I'm the fucking Wolves bitch. Fuck your depth chart.
