Jefferson's team

[shangrila]

Since they had a similar topic in the Bulls forum about building a team around Rose I thought I'd start one here with building around Jefferson. For any non-Minnesota fans that attempt this there's a few things you should know:

-> We are a half court team. While we like to push the tempo I'd say with our style offensively we'd be compared to either Orlando or San Antonio. Jefferson is always the main and first option on offence and we should be looking to feed him first and foremost.

-> Our franchise player isn't a great defender. I'm not concerned about man to man defence since he has such a great work ethic he'll be able to fix it but team defence, rotating, etc isn't his strong point. Any centre must be able to play good team defence.

That's about all. So I'll start

PG: A good distributor who can hit an open shot. Doesn't have to be a great scorer but just able to hit open shots. More importantly must be able to get the ball to the wings and our bigs. Should also be a decent defender. With Jefferson lacking great team defence anyone that can keep his man in front of him should be grabbed.

SG: This and the small forward position are interchangeable. A complete defensive stopper. Someone that we can put on the other teams best perimeter player and expect a less then average night from. They should also be able to hit an open shot and work well in an offence.

SF: A slasher that can get to the line or anyone that can create for themselves on the perimeter. Someone who gets to the line or scores alot and is clearly the second option on offence.

PF: Al Jefferson

C: A defensive minded centre that will preferably be able to hit a jumpshot but specifically must be able to be a good shot blocker and both man and team defender. This player shouldn't be clogging the paint for Jefferson and should be able to step out and hit a jumpshot or even a 3 to open up the interior much like Okur does for Boozer or Lewis does for Howard.

Bench:
Anyone else to fill out the roster I guess. An offensive spark and a reserve bigman and swingman would give a solid 8 man rotation. By reserve bigman or swingman I mean a player like Ryan Gomes or Ronny Turiaf.

[czaras]

While Jefferson is tremendous offenbsively, looking for guys that can 'hit open shots' dopesn't make sense. We need at least one elite scorer in the backcourt. Ideally a SG (like Joe Johnson, Michael Redd, Brandon Roy, OJ Mayo :roll:) who's got an all-around arsenal and is CLUTCH. KG had Cassell, but we know how rarely you can find a scoring PG who's good for chemistry. Thus, if Telfair improved his shooting (to the point of average) then I think he could be a long-term solution. He can change gears, despite his lack of size, he works on defense thanks to his speed. He's a good passer (by far the best on our team) and protects the ball. Yes, he has lapses when he turns it over 2 possesions in a row - but a starting spot + playing time works wonders for him IMO.

Improved Telfair (or the likes of Steve Blake maybe...) plus an All-Star quality SG should be a priority.

I can agree that SG/SF are interchangeable, and beside the elite scorer ideally we'd need someone good on D. But not the overrated Trenton Hassell. Mickael Pietrus! That's a guyd I'd love to have on this team. If Corey Brewer can build some muscle while he's in rehab and return at 100% of his dynamic abilities and defensive nose - he could develop into a starter in this league.

The center position is so obvious we're desperately willing to start Jason Collins. 3 years ago there was a rumour that the (awful back then) Blazers could trade us Przybilla for Jaric. I was all over it, drooling. KG+Przybilla - hell yeah. Same with Big Al. He needs a bruiser next to him, who'll take pride in blocking shots, pushing the opponent around and grabbing offensive boards.

Hasheem Thabeet?

[Danimals]

Every team to win a championship in the past 20 years has had a:

1. floor general/facilitator
2. post-up game
3. lock-down defender
4. perimeter shooter
5. someone who attacks the basket/gets to the line
6. proven head coach
7. role players who know they are role players
8. team defense
9. clutch performer
10. and most importantly a leader who will not be denied a victory.

Any combination of players can fill any combination of these roles. (In the case of the Bulls, Jordan and Pippen both filled almost all these roles.)

So what do the Wolves have?

1. no one
2. Big Al
3. Brewer has potential, but...?
4. Mike Miller
5. no one
6. not even close
7. Foye, Brewer, Gomes, and Love; that is a potential championship bench, but do they know it?
8. ha ha ha
9. has anyone on this team ever even played in a situation to show this ability? (sorry Miller but a game winner against the Thunder is nice, but I want to win a championship not beat the worst team in the league)
10. I want this to be Jefferson, but I'm still waiting

I want the Wolves to win so bad. We need a top-down change. Mchale has to go or we will never compete. Can you imagine watching him waste the career of another amazing power forward? "the horror, the horror..."

[shangrila]

Obviously we need another elite player of some description on the perimeter. Whether it's a point guard, shooting guard or small forward largely depends on what's available.

I don't agree that Telfair will ever be our solution at the point. He doesn't work well on defence because of his size and even though he's quick he gets muscled around far too easily. If he can develop his shot then he'll be a great backup but he'll never be a starter.

[bobbyfourfingers]

Jefferson needs help

[legenderypete]

jefferson isnt good enough to be honest yes he can score and rebound, 1st his stats are hugely inflated, he reminds more of zach randolph, dosent look to pass and is a poor defender. Not a franchise type player to be honest.

Mike miller and jefferson are the only 2 good players on the team, and they dont even give miller enough shots even tho he one of the best shooters in the league who can create his own shot too.

Too many bad trades and drafting.

Foye,brewer,gomes,telfair,carney,smith,mccants could all turn out to be good backups in the nba but nothin more.

[wolvesfan41]

Jefferson is definitely a franchise player and his defense is improving.  I think you could ask any Wolves fan and they would tell you that they are happy with Al being the franchise player and really couldn't have asked much more of him so far considering how yound he is.  Comparing Al to Randolph is ridiculous.  Do you even pay attention to the Wolves?  Obviously not.  Miller is good but cannot create his own shot for the life of him.

I thank you for your post but unless you know what the hell you're talking about please don't post in the Wolves forum again.  Thanks.

[streethistory]

Jefferson is definitely a franchise player and his defense is improving.  I think you could ask any Wolves fan and they would tell you that they are happy with Al being the franchise player and really couldn't have asked much more of him so far considering how yound he is.  Comparing Al to Randolph is ridiculous.  Do you even pay attention to the Wolves?  Obviously not.  Miller is good but cannot create his own shot for the life of him.

I thank you for your post but unless you know what the hell you're talking about please don't post in the Wolves forum again.  Thanks.

I'm in agreement with you on Al isn't Randolph but I'm disappointed in his ability to defend as a team player and individually.  Also his leadership skills are a bit questionable.  He doesn't hustle back on defense and lacks leadership skills.  Instead of encouraging teammates, he yells at them during foul shots.

[acstine]

Jefferson is definitely a franchise player and his defense is improving.  I think you could ask any Wolves fan and they would tell you that they are happy with Al being the franchise player and really couldn't have asked much more of him so far considering how yound he is.  Comparing Al to Randolph is ridiculous.  Do you even pay attention to the Wolves?  Obviously not.  Miller is good but cannot create his own shot for the life of him.

I thank you for your post but unless you know what the hell you're talking about please don't post in the Wolves forum again.  Thanks.

im gonna have to disagree on the fact that most wolves fans are happy to have al as a franchise player.  i have not been necessarily dissapointed in al's play (20 and 10 is always great), but i am less than impressed with his potential as a franchise player.  the timberwolves have won 4 of 25 games.  that is just bad, there is no getting around it.  when i watch al play, a guy like that will never make u worse but i severely question how much better he will make us in the long run.  i really think we oughtta start from scratch and don't fool ourselves we have guys to build around.  i really think the improvement process around jefferson will take us around 4-5 years to start even looking like a playoff team...just in time for his contract to expire and take off.

[shangrila]

Have you actually looked at our team? Even Michael Jordan couldn't have won us more then 4 games at this point. You can't blame Jefferson for a poorly constructed roster.

[acstine]

Have you actually looked at our team? Even Michael Jordan couldn't have won us more then 4 games at this point. You can't blame Jefferson for a poorly constructed roster.

i'm not blaming him at all.  i'm saying that i really don't see a legitimate rebuilding process around jefferson going anywhere.  of course, the entire roster is poorly constructed, practically everyone plays out of position.  but jefferson is clearly the best player on our team and if al was a real contending player to build around (one who makes the bad guys better), i think we'd be squeezing some wins out of some of the closer games we've had.....and that doesn't count our 2 point win over okc.

[Miami's Finest]

jefferson is a beast in real life, but especially on NBA 2k9 if you ever have a chance to get him do it, post up and hook shot goes in every single time, hes a beast!

[shangrila]

Have you actually looked at our team? Even Michael Jordan couldn't have won us more then 4 games at this point. You can't blame Jefferson for a poorly constructed roster.

i'm not blaming him at all.  i'm saying that i really don't see a legitimate rebuilding process around jefferson going anywhere.  of course, the entire roster is poorly constructed, practically everyone plays out of position.  but jefferson is clearly the best player on our team and if al was a real contending player to build around (one who makes the bad guys better), i think we'd be squeezing some wins out of some of the closer games we've had.....and that doesn't count our 2 point win over okc.

It's far too early to be saying there's no rebuilding process happening. These things don't happen overnight and we've had 1 offseason so far to build around Al which actually netted us some decent pieces in Love and Miller while leaving us alot better financially.

We don't have great guard play either. I like Foye but a point guard that is looking for his own shot over feeding our franchise player in the post isn't really going to work. Especially late in the game when the franchise player should have the ball in his hands the majority of the time it's still out on the wings.

All I'm saying is give it some time. If anyone believed McHale's crap about winning 30-40 games this season they were kidding themselves. This is a rebuilding process that will likely take another season or two.