Howlin' T-Wolf A Fresh Perspective and Completely Biased Blog About Everything Minnesota Timberwolves

Almost immediately after Lebron’s “decision,” ESPN’s bottom line scrolled that the Knicks had traded David Lee to the Warriors for a package surrounding Anthony Randolph.

The deal? Lee walks away with 6 years, $80 mill. Wow.

Whether it was unforeseen luck that Kahn shied from acquiring Lee or just didn’t offer the best package, Kahn looked like a genius last night amidst Pat Riley’s time in the limelight.

Instead of nabbing David Lee for the next six years, six years that will be dominated by only a handful of teams in the NBA anyway, the Wolves scooped up a former 2nd overall pick in ‘08 and a considerably cheaper, younger and more of a short-term option in Michael Beasley.

Beasley, only 21, has had a rough go so far in the NBA and hasn’t quite lived up to his billing. He came into this league with so much upside, but proved that his red flags were unavoidable. The Heat and Beasley’s relationship struggled greatly for the last two years, mostly off the court. Just last summer, Beasley had a falling out and reportedly checked himself into a rehab clinic in Houston. And even before that, Beasley was caught up in a bad situation with fellow Heat teammates Mario Chalmers and Darrel Arthur where the police responded to a fire alarm at 2 a.m. and said that the room strongly smelled of marijuana burning.

It’s clear that Beasley has the talent, though, but so far it hasn’t been enough to overcome his hard attitude and off-court issues. But with the Minnesota Timberwolves, that could all change.

David Kahn has done a terrific job of bringing in high-energy players with positive attitudes. Jonny Flynn, Wes Johnson, Corey Brewer, Kevin Love, Martell Webster, Wayne Ellington; there’s not one bad egg on this team. That is why I think Beasley could succeed here in Minny  and slowly start to turn his career, but even more, his life around. There is nothing but upside that results from this trade.

Off the court, the move makes sense and so it does on the court. If Beasley finds good minutes here in Minny, it could prove to be a great trade. In Miami, Beasley didn’t get the minutes he deserved, which is rather surprising considering his talents. In his first two season, Beasley averaged under 30 minutes a game. Give the kid a break; he needs time to develop and, as a coach, giving him minutes is the best thing you can do. I could see him and Love or Jefferson playing next to each other, meaning that his minutes should grow above that 30-minute mark.

Player 48-Minute Production by Position

Stats via 82games.com

You can see that if given the minutes, Beasley’s going to contribute. An 18.9 PER? That would be the second best PER behind Kevin Love.

The Wolves will find minutes for Beasley because it’s easy to shuffle him around with his versatility. Beasley can play small forward. Actually, his game is more suited for him to stay on the perimeter because he lacks great strength in the post but holsters a good jump shot and can increase his range to three-point land. Whether he or Love would start at the 4, it would be simple to move him to the when Wes Johnson sits and the Wolves could go with a bigger frontcourt of Beasley, Love and Darko. Now that’s length.

The Wolves addressed a few needs last night by trading for Beasley. They grabbed an upside player, looking for a home. (Sounds familiar, eh? Darko…) Beasley brings athleticism and some perimeter shooting, two serious needs this offseason that had yet to be met until last night. Our perimeter defense has yet to be fixed and Beasley’s arrival won’t help the cause.

Opponent Counterpart 48-Minute Production

While Beasley can play a little post defense, and I do think he can play alongside Love or Jefferson because of his athleticism, he gets torched on the perimeter. Nearly 24 ppg in 48 minutes? That can’t happen, not this year. After watching some of the worst perimeter defense last year already, none of us can go another season of that again. Wes Johnson helps and we’re hoping that Flynn’s defense improves, but otherwise the Wolves have failed to meet that need…yet.

Whether this move was made to bring in a versatlile sixth man that has no ceiling, or a potential replacement for Love or Jefferson in next year’s starting lineup, it was the right move. It’s just another piece to the puzzle and it came at a low price. Kahn received great value in this exchange, but there is still work to do. After what originally seemed like a draft night meltdown, Kahn is slowly putting the pieces together and has already made this team that much more exciting for next season.

Things should just get better from here.

Even though Howlin’ T-Wolf exclusively monitors our beloved Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s hard to filter out main stream media no matter what. And what is more main stream than tonight’s ESPN special “The Decision” starring no other than Lebron James.

Let’s get to the bottom-line: Lebron’s decision was not the “right one.” By that I mean that his decision to join D-Wade and CB4 in South Beach was not popular by demand nor the easily predictable climax to a classic American fairy tale like many were expecting this to be. Lebron was supposed to stay home, for the fans of Cleveland and the fans of the NBA. But instead the Heat are now the Yankees of the NBA, and rightfully so. A lot of New Yorkers retire down there, you know. So now they get to cheer on their Yankees and Heat to plenty of titles in the next five years.

But what’s done is done, right?

Lebron’s decision tonight goes deeper than just switching teams for the next few seasons. This decision made an impact on literally everyone in the NBA world tonight. From New York Knickerbocker fans to Los Angeles Clipper fans, each and every team, and fans respectively, across the nation felt the impact of tonight’s events, whether they are aware of it or not. Somehow, some way, some day it’ll affect all.

Who am I referring to be saying all? Well, let’s start with the “King’s” hometown: Akron.

Cleveland/Akron:

Watching the video of Lebron’s jersey being burned in the streets of Akron was more powerful than words can describe. And it should be. They had the most emotions invested into this situation and they have the right to be angry at the outcome. I mean, it sucks!

Bill Simmons said in his piece “Countdown to Lebronocalypse” that he hopes “[Lebron] remembers to wipe the blood off the knife after he pulls it from Cleveland’s back.” How true is this after tonight? Lebron went on national television and tarnished his hometown-kid legacy by embarrassing them to death (I think it’s Lebron James, in the kitchen, with a knife…You solved the mystery!) choosing his friends over family in the end. Now that’s cold.

It makes me think of what could have happened if Joe Mauer didn’t sign an extension this year with the Twins and walked away to the Yankees scotch free. Riots would fill the streets and his name would never be mentioned again in the Twin Cities. He would even have to stay home for road series’ in Minny. He wouldn’t be welcomed back with open arms.

Lebron’s going to know that feeling more than anyone and it will stick to his conscious like old gum under a table.

The team’s that lost the Lebronpalooza:

Congratulations, Knicks. You now have Ama’re Stoudemire and you’re still not a playoff team.

Chicago, you made a good run, but if you thought desperately signing Carlos Boozer at the last second would sway Lebron from playing with his friends in Miami, you had it wrong.

How come Lebron didn’t choose his other buddy in New Jersey, Jay-Z? Oh, yeah. Because there was a 6-foot-7 russian owner looming over him, putting the pressure to his stomach with a gun (I mean that literally) to turn the Nets around in just a few seasons.

Clippers? Did they ever really have a shot?

All these teams gave it a whirl but it came down to comradery. Lebron wanted to play with his friends. Simple enough. When he says “It wasn’t about the money,” it’s true because otherwise he’d still be with Cleveland and everyone would be happy — he would’ve made more there. All those other teams had to offer was money, but they didn’t have enough to bring his two amigos into town with him unlike Heat. Bravo, Miami. You just spent your way from being a mediocre team to a championship contender. Like I said, the Yankees of the NBA which means the most hated and loved team in the nation.

Also note that the Heat will be crazy good at the 3-on-3 super video game NBA Jam next year. The other teams that missed out, not so much. Just sayin’.

NBA fans across the nation:

If you’re anything but a Heat or Lakers fan, buckle up because the next six years or so may be hell. Could it be possible to see those two teams in six straight finals? Probably.

Probably the worst wrap of all this is the fact that the NBA is now run by just a few teams. Tonight’s decision costed probably 25 teams a chance at a championship for the next six years, and it’s sad. Miami, LA, Boston, Okla. City and Orlando are primed to dominate the league for five years and beyond, in my opinion. We’re talking millions of fans that will be cheering their teams on during the regular season but might as well throw in the towel when they have to face one of those five teams in the playoffs. Since the post-season will be run by just a handful of teams or so for the next five or six years, it eliminates the opportunities for potential underdogs to go on a magical run that is oh-so familiar in collegiate ball. I’m an NCAA fan now.

I will say tonight’s events will prove that the “bandwagon effect” is America’s forte. Twitter and Facebook will be surging with “Welp, I’m a Heat fan now!” And believe me, it’ll only get worse.

Rivalries:

Today on ESPN, they were showing some old clips of Lakers vs. Celtics; Magic vs. Bird. Now I wasn’t old enough to see it live but I do understand the rivalry that took place in those match-ups and what it meant to the game and those team’s fans. Rivalries are what keep this league seriously competitive and now that three of the game’s best will be playing together, who’s going to rival them?

Instead of having each of these guy’s — meaning Bosh, James and Wade — on separate teams, all competing for a championship against each other in entertaining, fun-filled 7-game series’ that go down to the very last second, we get to watch them potentially steam roll inferior squads in four games.

In my outspoken opinion, this disgraces what competition means in the NBA. No longer will friendly rivalries be apart of the game for the next few years, but hey, watching all-star games is fun too, I guess.

The Wolves:

Believe it or not, Lebron’s decision affected us too. As I posted earlier, the Wolves acquired former 2nd overall pick Michael Beasley for just a 2nd round pick in 2011. But that’s not the only way this hit the Wolves.

We’re in a rebuilding process that is likely to take 2-3 years, but with the Heat primed to rule the league for years to come, what’s the point anymore?

I’m not saying I’m giving up complete hope, but realistically it’s hard to say that the Wolves could get to that point of what Kahn wanted. 2-3 years, the big three is still in Miami. 4-5, same scenario. It could take years before the Wolves, or any other team for that matter, to become championship contenders.

NBA: The Brand:

NBA was starting to gain steam. Even Jay Mariotti had the nerve to say on ESPN’s Around The Horn that basketball has surpassed baseball as America’s #2 favorite sport. And I believe him.

The last two out of three NBA finals brought us the old time rivalry of Boston vs. LA. This year’s free agency was more publicized than baseball or anything this summer. Even the World Cup (We’re only talking about America here, not the world).

The list goes on and on about why the NBA was becoming a name brand in America. It went through some down years, but the arrival of the “King” and others elevated the NBA to a level it hadn’t seen since the days of Michael Jordan.

But considering all the factors involved and effected by this “decision,” the NBA took a serious hit on it’s brand name tonight. A lack of rivalries and now an assumed decrease in competition, the NBA as we know could get very boring to watch for many fans, especially those who stay devoted to their squads and don’t hop aboard the “bandwagon” I spoke of earlier. If things turn out the way they seem, it just won’t be fun to watch anymore.

All hope is not lost for the NBA and its fans, but it definitely took a big hit tonight. In all aspects of NBA basketball and the Cleveland, Ohio area, Lebron’s decision tonight decided the fate of many for potentially a considerable amount of time. Some were effected positively, but many negatively. It just fascinates me that one man’s decision of where to play basketball can throw this country into such a tussle.

Pfft, America..

Amar’e agreed with the Knicks earlier this week. I woke up to the news that Wade and Bosh will be teaming up in South Beach for next season. Where does Lebron fit in with all this?

We’ll find out during his one hour “Lebron Signing Special” on ESPN at 8 p.m.

Has this gone overboard, or what? The “Lebron Signing Special” will be blown out of proportions ten-fold yet millions — and I included — will sit there and watch it. Do you think it will take the whole hour? Because I gotta work in the morning.

Now that three of the four big names have chosen their destinations, it leaves a pool of free agents, that has some big names remaining, left to scramble for a new team. And the teams that end up being the odd-man-out in the Lebron sweepstakes — namely Chicago, New Jersey and Los Angeles — will be there frantically negotiating to get something out of this summer.

Possibly the biggest name that will be left homeless — not literally — is David Lee (Carlos Boozer too, I guess). Lee has been linked to the Wolves since his fantastic visit this weekend. Word keeps spreading the Lee’s agent and Kahn have been in constant contact with each other, looking for a way to get Lee into a Wolves uniform next season. But the signings of Darko and Pekovic have seriously dented our cap space and made it nearly impossible to give Lee an enticing offer.

With about $7 million left on the books, the Wolves will need to make a move to get Lee. Odds are the Al Jefferson’s career as a Timberwolf are kaput, as he is the most appealing component of the Wolves to sign-and-trade for while we get to dump the remainder of his contract (3 years left, $42 million; Yeah, Big Al is expensive).

Now with the moves that fell today — Wade and Bosh,– other teams are going to grow more interested in acquiring Big Al, namely the teams that swing-and-miss in the Lebron sweepstakes and already missed out on connecting with Stoudemire and Bosh. The interest in Big Al will go up; it’s simple economics. But when will that happen?

If the Wolves want to acquire Lee, they need to know the exact value of Big Al and it needs to happen quickly immediately. Now that the top two power forwards are off the market, teams will be gunning for Lee and Boozer, and hopefully Jefferson. The Wolves need to make it clear the Big Al’s name is in that group and could be a better option than Lee or Boozer for those other teams. The gameplan is to shop Jefferson within the next few days and get to Lee before a team that will overpay him does. Even though he says he likes us, there’s no way in hell that Lee would turn down a near-max contract from someone like the Bulls or Nets to come to a rebuilding franchise in chilly Minnesota on a smaller contract.

I have a prediction: Things will really start moving in the next 72 hours, so buckle up.

Basketball starts up in less than two weeks; Can you believe it?! The Las Vegas Summer League is where youngsters from all over gather to showcase their skills and impress NBA GM’s and coaches.

The Timberwolves roster looks pretty solid, if you ask me:

Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League Roster (Source)

PG - Jonny Flynn, Jeremy Pargo

SG - Wayne Ellington

SF – Wesley Johnson, Lazar Hayward, Mo Charlo

PF - Cedric Simmons, Deon Thompson,

C – Patrick O’Bryant, Greg Stiemsma

Coach -

Minnesota Timberwolves Summer League Schedule – 7/12 vs San Antonio, 7/14 vs Sacramento, 7/16 vs Memphis, 7/17 vs Portland, 7/18 vs Atlanta

Flynn and Ellington are the key returning players this summer, as well as the Wolves’ fourth overall pick in this year’s draft Wes Johnson.

Flynn should dominate in Vegas this summer. After all, this is where he showed off what he was made of last year as a rookie. He made giant strides to proving that his 6th overall pick worthiness was well-deserved. I’m looking for him to show that he learned to play point guard last year, meaning I want to see a better assist/turnover ratio as well as some better decision making. His defense also needs to improve this season.

Wes Johnson will be fun to watch. We will get to see exactly what he’s made of. I’m looking for him to dominate and lead the team in scoring as well as three-point shooting — Ellington could give him a run for his money there. Watching the chemistry between he and Flynn will be fun too. The court should be full of smiles and, hopefully, tons of highlight reel material.

Probably the two most interesting names on the Wolves roster are at the center position: Patrick OBryant and Greg Stiemsma. Center was a blatant weak spot for the Wolves last year, so working a few new guys out will help. O’Bryant is a project center out of Bradley University. Not yet has he panned out in the NBA but only at age 24, he has years to grow in to. Stiemsma could possibly be on the Wolves roster next season. The legit 7-footer out of Wisconsin dominated in the D-League last year and was called up to the Wolves late last season for the very reason of playing in the Vegas league.

Anyways, this year’s squad should be fun to follow. The development of Flynn, Johnson’s first venture into the NBA and the tantalizing centers all give reason to pay close attention to this year’s summer league team.

Could Boozer replace Darko if he doesn't re-sign?

The free agent madness begins in t-minus two days and the Wolves have been gearing up to make a splash. Kahn has been outspoken that he thinks that the Timber Puppies are serious players in this summer’s market. Never have the Wolves been buyers during free agency; they usually just look for trades to upgrade — or usually downgrade — their roster. But Kahn says this year things will be different.

While I don’t think the Wolves have a shot at the “Big 3,” — Lebron, Bosh and Wade — they do have a chance to sign some supporting players or even one of the second tier guys. Amar’e Stoudemire, David Lee and Rudy Gay won’t get max contracts — maybe Stoudemire but I don’t think so — so they have a better chance at landing in Minny. But, ultimately, the weight of reeling in a big-name free agent relies heavily on the shoulders of David Kahn. Will Kahn be able to use his secret ability to sweet talk a free agent into playing for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs for six years?

Wooing free agents is not my job, thank god. My job is to criticize and create scenarios in which the Wolves could ultimately benefit from a free agent signing long-term. So taking what it is already assumed about this upcoming free agency period, it’s time to look at Kahn’s goals. But with all the evil luck that has suffocated this team since the start of its existence, Kahn needs to have contingency plans for when his initial goals turn to mush, because they most likely will.

Let’s start with Darko:

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