NDSU’s Woodside has “landed in a great situation” with Wolves summer league team
Posted on June 27th, 2009 – 11:03 AMBy Jerry Zgoda
Ben Woodside, Albert Lea’s own, said he wasn’t disappointed when he didn’t get drafted Thursday night because he never expected it and becoming a free agent allowed his agents to find him the best situation on a summer-league team.
That opportunity will come with the Wolves, a team lacking guards who have signed him to play with Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington, among others, in Vegas next month. (Don’t hold your breathe on Ricky Rubio).
“It’s a great situation to play alongside great players, to compete against great players,” he said. “I’m just excited for the opportunity. I’ve landed in a great situation. I’m ready to start right away.”
He made the 90-minute ride from Albert Lea when he was a kid. Now, with about just four guards on the roster, there is a chance the guy who put up 37 points against Kansas in that NCAA tourney game at the Metrodome could next fall call Target Center his office.
“I was a big fan, coming up to see K.G. and Marbury,” he said.
Marbury? That was a long time ago.
“I was just a little guy,” he said.
You could say he still is, at about 5-11.
“I just want to show everybody what I can do,” he said. “A kid from Albert Lea, I don’t think many people expected it.”
Asked about the outside chance that he could play in the same backcourt with Ricky Rubio in Vegas, Woodside said, “I don’t care who’s next to me. You get here (NBA camps) and they’re all great players.”
121 Responses to "NDSU’s Woodside has “landed in a great situation” with Wolves summer league team"
Let the “why didn’t they draft Woodside instead of Rubio (he’s a whiner)” comments begin!
Why didn’t they draft Woodside instead of Rubio?! He’s a whiner!
Rubio is going to be the best player EVER, I hope we never trade him.
Jerry,
What is your gut feeling about whether we see Rubio this year or not? This is for anybody do we know what the restrictions are on the draft pick we got from Denver? I’ve heard top 12 but I thought Jerry said top 16 that is a major difference
The charlotte pick is top 12 protected next year, then top 10, top 8, top 3, unprotected.
I’m still fairly confident we will see Rubio this year. I think after all the posturing, he’ll be here. It’s not entirely clear that returning to Joventut is even a financial option at this point, and I think they are trying hard to reduce the buyout.
For all you Flynn lovers out there I want to hear some reason why Jonny Flynn is better than Ty Lawson. Because Ty Lawson shot over 50% at all three years at UNC, including 53% last year. Lawson also shot 47% last year from three. Jonny Flynn shot 45% from the field and 31% from three, yes 31%. So all this talk about Jonny Flynn being a two guard is nonsense. We picked a better two-guard prospect at 18.
Lawson also had a better A/T ratio at 3.48 compared to Jonny Flynn at 1.97.
On defense Lawson had 2.1 steals per game and 3.0 rebounds. Flynn had 1.5 steals per game, and 2.7.
Flynn had more ppg at 17.4 compared to Lawson at 16.6, but Flynn also logged 37.3 minutes per game compared to Lawson at 29.9. Maybe that explains some of Flynn’s depressed shooting percentages, but the bottom line is that there is no evidence that Jonny Flynn is a better player than Ty Lawson, and certainly is a reach at the sixth pick. You might as well keep Lawson for less money and see if you can get a higher pick for Flynn in next year’s draft.
You can say that Flynn is saying all the right things, but I’d have a smile from ear to ear too if I just got picked 5 or 6 picks higher than I should have.
I hope we pick up Woodside as our 12th guy and drop Bobby Brown. He put up a superb performance against Collins from Kansas. Good interview Jerry. You probably thought you’d get the summer off but now you will be getting top billing on the sports page for Rubio coverage (at least until Favre Gate picks up again). Kudos to you. Have fun.
Rubio will be playing at Target Center this year. His highlight videos will be shown before the game, during timeouts, and at halftime. Dingus “Danny Kaye” Kahn now has exclusive rights to the videos.
Mike B.
Did your steal and reobunding numbers above for Lawson and Flynn take into account that Syracuse plays the 2-3 zone. NC plays to man to man. Rebounds and steals occur less frequently in the Zone for a guard always camped out by the 3 point line, further, steals in the 2-3 zone are usually the product of being in the right spot, not due to instinct.
Further, even though Flynn and Lawson are the same height, Flynn can jump 5″ higher than Lawson, this is important when they are both 6′.
Finally, because Flynn played the zone, we have no idea how well his on the ball defense will be in the pros. With the hand checking rules, agility and athleticism are requirements to play perimeter defense, by all account Flynn is superior in this respect.
Lawson had a great career at North Carolina, that doesn’t mean he is the best Pro Prospect. I’m sure nothing I said is going to convince you otherwise, but all these draft picks are lottery tickets, arguing who should have been taken is now worthless and the proof will be on the court.
I think that the Charlotte is top 12 protected, and the Utah pick is top 16 protected.
Patience young grasshoppers. This is how it will go between Kahn and Fegan:
Mike B. Agreed. It will be fun to at least see Woodside get the chance. I saw the blog title and I was very happy about it. I was hoping it would be the Wolves that gave him a chance in the summer league. Well this has got me excited and happy about things at least. Remember Ben’s only about 5′11 and close to the same height as Flynn, so it’s gonna have to work itself out. Either way I hope he does good and even does good enough to make a roster stretch, even though some say that could be reaching. WoodSi’Deeeeee
Woodside is a good pick up. If he can make it anywhere in the NBA it will be here. I like Flynn a lot, he seems like a high character guy and I love the defensive upside. Rubio must come to Minnesota. Don’t trade him. The Wolves are not in a position to simply trade away valuable assets; we need game changers and personalities that will attract fans and attention (as silly as that sounds). I love Big Al but he has to be the most boring great player in the NBA right now. And K Love is the ultimate white trash trucker cashing in on sloppy seconds. They are both fine, but we need some spice and flash on this team. Flynn and Rubio can both deliver that in spades.
I do hope the T-Wolves give Woodside a solid, meaningful chance to join the team. He’d be a great asset to the club, and he has a huge built-in fan base who’d be interested in watching him play. Sign him!
the wolves are just trying to be “nice” to woodside and this is a simple PR stunt more than anything. he is not an nba caliber player and won’t make an nba roster following the summer. sorry, but it is the truth. good kid, but not nba good. you will likely see him playing in europe for a few years.
I agree on the PR, but I also think he has a chance to do good. He would bring more fans if he makes it to NBA, and I too hope they give him a legit chance. Although I agree, even if he doesn’t make NBA, Europe could do him some good, and he would end up back in NBA if he chose. dowside 5′11, small school, didn’t play as many big schools, hard time occasionally against bigger schools and some defense aspects. Upside, can plain out score, is durable, good build for size, great endurance, decent assist, put up big numbers against some big schools(see tournament game vs. Kansas), outscored there point guard, though he scored a lot too, received praise from Kansas coach as best PG they played all season. Know I don’t think it’s too far fetched he could earn a spot, if actually given the opportunity, he could be a formidable back up to Flynn and compete, especially if Rubio doesn’t come here this season. Yes, I know we have Telfair, dump Ollie. Concern, chocking in with the bigger better competition probably at least every other time. Time to step it up and not choke up.
BTW, Flynn isn’t necessarily the best scorer to keep in mind, though he is a terrific assist master, he can leap though too, athletic, but we do need some scoring, so he too will have to step it up and find that jumper, though his set is more NBA ready, to at least contribute at this very point, at least you Could say that.
Mike B.:
Also take into account that Lawson was surrounded by maybe the deepest, most talented team in NCAA history. His efficiency stats and percentages are going to look very good because he had so much talent around him, all he had to do was drive the car.
Flynn, on the other hand, carried his team, took over repeatedly in clutch situations, and produced while being the obvious go-to guy on his team every night.
While there really is no use discussing it at this point, I see Lawson as a good floor general to lead a talented team. I see Flynn as a kind of point guard who you can build around.
I’ll give you the fact that the stats will have some margin of error. But on FG% and 3-point %, which is really the value of a 2 guard, Flynn is materially worse than Lawson.
mike B I agree with your opinion on Flynn, but I had to call you out on this comment, “Also take into account that Lawson was surrounded by maybe the deepest, most talented team in NCAA history.”
Can someone explain what picks we actually got in return for Lawson, Kalathis?
aaron
lawson - we got a top 12 protected first rounder from charlotte next year (which is top 10, then top 8 the next couple years).
calathes - i think we got a future second rounder and cash considerations from dallas.
The Wolves would/will be foolish if the let Woodside slip away from Minnesota. I watched him play at NDSU and this kid “ROCKS”!!! His natural ability to move and spin keeping his presence is cat like. He can pick your pocket and be gone before you realize what happened. The game against Kansas was no fluke….just a normal day on the court for Ben. Get this guy signed and move on with the other high drama queens. Ben has a midwest work ethic and is a true team player. We could use some of that in the NBA again! No whiner here!!!
Facial did you work in porn?
Anybody else read the article where Rubio says he was proud of the pick, not disappointed! Im on my phone so i cant post a link, but go to sportsspyder.com, then go to the twolves page, and its the one titled in spanish. GREAT READ! Rubio will be a TIMBERWOLF!!!
Thanks Brandon, I’d be willing to bet that ESPN will never show that quote.
That’s a good one Foo. I was going for the double entendre, but I didn’t think of that triple entendre when I chose the name. I guess I did a better job of picking a name than I thought.
I do work in film (among other things), but nothing X rated. . .
lol thats what im curious about. im at work right now, so if anything happens keep me updated please…
Also, to anyone that read the article i put above, can someone try to clarify that sentance when he talks about only going to back to Spain if the team doesnt want him, or something like that?
DenKihl wrote: “The Wolves would/will be foolish if the let Woodside slip away from Minnesota”. Really? Please! Woodside is not a PG that is going to make waves in the NBA. Why in the hell should the Wolves use up a roster spot/cap space to sign him? Just because he is from MN originally? Great strategy bud. There are plenty of guys from MN who are in NFL/NBA/NHL/MLB drafts. The Minneapolis pro teams can’t draft them all, nor should they. You need to get over your provincial North Dakota/NDSU self (I am assuming that is where you are from/went to school) because you sound like a homer-centric idiot.
I hope they get some size along the way for thier summer team, I am kind of hoping to pick up a sg that didn’t get drafted to play behind ellington in summer league
Woodside is a Summer League body. I wouldn’t get attached to him and I don’t see anyone on the roster I’d drop to keep him.
TRANSLATION UPDATE:
Ricky: “I’m proud, not disappointed”
Ricky Rubio told Channel Four’s (Spanish TV station) cameras his feelings regarding being selected as fifth pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I’m not disappointed, not at all. I’m proud. Two or three Europeans have been selected in the top three or five,” he declared.
“My Dream is to play in the NBA, where I’ve always dreamed of playing. There’s a possibility I’ll play in Europe, but it’s minimal, and only if Joventut doesn’t want me,” said Ricky regarding his future options.
What Ricky didn’t expect is to not know, at this stage, where he’d play next season. “I thought that I’d know where I’d go after the draft.”
http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/6/27/927721/ricky-estoy-orgulloso-no
Ya that Joventut line screws with my head! I need even more translation! Lol, it just doesnt make any sense!
Marty McFly is much more civil over on the canishoopus board. . .
Anti-Woodside guy, you’re telling me you would rather re sign Ollie then pick up someone who can legitimately score, Ollie may have some defense, but his offense is not there and its not going to hurt to pay little to nothing to have Woodside and bring in some extra fans, especially if Rubio doesn’t come this year. Whether he actually gets signed is another story, Kahn works in funny/interesting ways, in some type of fashion.
I assume the intended translation would that he’ll only be playing in Europe (this year) if Juventut doesn’t want to make the concessions he needs with the buyout to enable him to come over this year.
Doesn’t really make sense otherwise.
I would just add to that though, that nothing is Guaranteed and that goes both ways. -Oh man now I’m kinda sounding like Kahn right there, lol.
Woodside in the NBA. lol. I can’t add anything else, just makes me laugh. lol
Hope you picked up a solid degree at ndsu.
You’re just mad you don’t have skills to even compete in a sport, lol. I hope you’re not talking about me being at NDSU, I was born and raised in S. Mpls buddy. I don’t have nothing against NDSU necessarily, but they did a good job, it was only there first year being tournament eligible. I visited up there once and they really do need a new B-ball court though. BTW I’ve seen worse players in the NBA, I don’t know what you have even witnessed in this regard. I’m just going to stop there for now.
Woodside was a nice little mid major player, but let’s be realistic here. The only reason they’ll carry an extra point when Rubio crosses the pond is due to his size. Woodside is going to be competing for 2 or maybe 3 roster spots with Telfair, Flynn and Brown.
If he didn’t turn the ball over so much I could see him maybe giving Brown a run, but Brown offers more defensively and in terms of athleticism and is a known commodity.
Don’t really see Woodside moving up barring a miracle.
makeitime - i am not anti-woodside, rather i am pro-timberwolves. there is a BIG difference there. where as you seem to be blinded by some kind of emotional connection to either NDSU or woodside or perhaps both i am not. woodside is not a good fit for the wolves and their rebuilding plans. just the way it is.
second, i really think you are over-estimating the effect woodside would have in drawing additional fans. the only people in MN who even know who woodside is are often those who go to or graduated from NDSU or live up that way. your thought process on this is likely not something kahn is even considering since he has publicly stated that this is a couple year rebuild, so why would he even consider giving woodside a limited roster spot?
btw - i am not “laughing at woodside in the NBA….says”. that is somebody else who posted that.
Agreed, lots of TO’s, agreed. But you may be crazy to say that for Brown, if you looked deeper, yes Brown turns the ball over very little, he also gets very little steals, even in other forms if he is a better defender. He also puts up very little points. Biggest point, do you know how bobby brown got into the NBA, do you know he went to Cal State Fullerton, Who? know you might know what I’m saying. And on top of that did you know that Woodside put up better stats in college in almost every category then Bobby? Bobby only played one year in Germany before joining the King’s. I’ll take my chances on Woodside for Bobby’s salary. Woodside is athletic enough, but he’s only 5′11 as Brown is 6′2, but brown was 175lbs, but lets not even throw that into the equation. Lets remember, Woodside doesn’t have to be Jordan, lol, he just has to do what he can to be in the NBA and were a team he could make if any. This all goes out the window if Rubio comes this year though, but easily a Bobby as well.
This whole Woodside thing is reminiscent of the clamor for Steve Blake last year. Maybe he’s a fan favorite, but let’s be real…he’s 5′11″, and we already have two point guards just 6′0″ on the roster. And he’s young….two rookie points is enough.
If we take on another point guard, it should be a veteran who can help the kids we already have grow and adjust to the NBA. I like Woodside, but this really is nothing more than a little home town catering, like when the Wolves brought in guys like Rick Rickert or Sam Jacobson.
Riggghtt… He doesn’t have to be the difference maker, he just has to make a difference, off the bench is fine. I don’t have a emotional connection in a way you would be talking about. Woodside is from Mn, Not N. Dakota if you checked, given he is from Albert Lea I believe. Why not give him a limited role, he did have a good workout and he will be had for little, check my last post before this. I already told you where I’m from. Limited spot because Rubio is not here, duh, unless Kahn is going to find someone who he would spend some money on to make a legit difference this season. I would have been fine if we could have found a way to Get Gordon and fit him in our salary, but now thats not going to happen is it, not they way things just got put together. Come better next time. No pun intended.
Did Rickert make any extra money for being Kevin(I hate tall white guys from Minnesota)Garnett’s punching bag.
I doubt Woodside will play in the NBA next year, but if there is one NBA team that an undersized PG from NDSU could make the roster, it’s the Wolves.
And that’s only if they decide to retain Rubio’s rights and let him stay in Spain and decide to use next year as a combination development year for their young players/lost season to possibly have the worst record in the NBA for draft purposes.
By having the worst record in the NBA next year, the Wolves could assure themselves of the No. 4 overall pick as three talented large market teams who barely miss the playoffs “miraculously defy the odds” and are awarded the top three lottery picks.
Brown is also 6′2″, extremely athletic, and a great deep shooter. All needs we have in the backcourt. And he’s proven himself…had some absolutely fantastic games last season.
Rick Rickert, K.G.’s Biaatch? It’s different. Agreed we could use a legit 2 guard, now, even if he played behind Ellington, or could help Ellington, but I rather not try a Ollie, or someone, just for some Vet experience, now that would be a waste, Grant Hills aging self, now thats something I would take a chance, or vet on, yes he does play SF, but if you want to learn something he would be your man, getting him here could be a different story.
Brown hasn’t proved nothing to me yet??? His highest scoring game last year was with the King’s at 21 other wise I believe he never reached 20 points again, he did give a consistent 2-4 points though, if that’s what you mean? Not very much of an offensive presence, not many steals either.
I wouldn’t expect to see anybody — not Carney, certainly not Kevin Ollie — from the McHale era re-signed.
Interesting question:
If you had to choose, would you rather build around… Rubio/Love or Flynn/Jefferson?
Too bad. Carney is the kind of player that would mesh very well with Rubio.
Jerry, how does the team plan to bring the new kids along? We’re sorely lacking on veteran stability and throwing the team out there with two rookie point guards…well, we saw two years ago how difficult it is for a team of nothing but youngsters to make real progress. Iron sharpens iron and all that.
Flynn/Jefferson
Carney is ok, but I partially agree with Jerry. TY btw. I like Craig Smith though, but he could be of value in a trade.
I saw Kyle Sanden the other day delivering (I think it was) Fritos. Maybe he’s available for the summer league?
How ’bout Kevin Loge, too?
anyone that says signing woodside is the wolves being ‘nice’ doesn’t know jack. woodside is quick enough and an above average outside shooter that he should make a team this year or next. i’d take him over bobby brown as our 3rd pg without a doubt…assuming rubio isn’t here. he may not be starter material, but he’ll definitely be good enough to run a second team off the bench in the nba.
go bison!
I wouldn’t include Kevin Loge for the rebuild, but I would include Love with Jefferson and Flynn if we can find a way to put these pieces together right.
If we could get Grant Hill in here for any amount of time, how would we all feel about that? Veteran Presence, he signed Vet Minimum in previous year. Try getting him around here though :/
I should say there though, cuz I’m in AZ now
“If you had to choose, would you rather build around… Rubio/Love or Flynn/Jefferson?”
I’d ignore your parameters and say Rubio/Jefferson. 
Sam says: “If you had to choose, would you rather build around… Rubio/Love or Flynn/Jefferson?”
I’m probably in the majority here, but I’d say Rubio/Love even though I really like Flynn (that’s assuming Rubio will play here long-term).
The reason is, as an asset, the Wolves could get more for Al Jefferson that they could for Kevin Love. And the offensive loss from Jefferson to Love can be made up by others. But rebounding, defense, effort and intangibles, I’d take Love over Jefferson, especially after Love has another year or so under his belt.
Plus by the time the Wolves get all the pieces together to be a playoff team, the wear and tear on Jefferson will be much more than that on Love.
But mostly I think both Rubio and Love have a special feel for the game and have unique talents, passing and the transition game, that could be unrivaled.
A true No. 1 scoring option at the 2 or 3 and a good defensive center would be needed to go with Rubio and Love, but between their future drafts and any money available from expiring contracts to go after free agents those needs could be filled.
I meant to say I’m probably in the minority in choosing Rubio/Love over Jefferson/Flynn, not the majority.
Jerry,
I apologize in advance for this but, Charley Walters is reporting that Rubio and his father were in town today to discuss his contract and buyout options. Is there any truth to this or has another little birdie gone astray?
when ricky says that he’ll only play in europe if his club doesn’t want him, he means he’ll only play “elsewhere” in europe if his club doesn’t want him. Being Spanish, he doesn’t consider Spain “Europe”, he considers it Spain and Europe refers to everywhere else.
I was hoping the Woofies would give Bennie Woodchuck a chance.
“Jerry,
I apologize in advance for this but, Charley Walters is reporting that Rubio and his father were in town today to discuss his contract and buyout options. Is there any truth to this or has another little birdie gone astray?”
This would be outstanding news if true. Of course who knows what crazy strain of avian flu is coursing through the brains of Walters’ little birdies?
God I hope this news is true! It would definately go along with the Spanish article posted above. Im curious to here what Jerry has to say about this one, and the article above…
To “Woodside will not play in the NBA”…I find it ironic that someone who probably has never been outside MN thinks I am some nut from the woods. I HAVE lived in Europe (Germany) and watch European hockey and basketball. The military does have some great advantages. I have been involved in sports my whole life and you are missing something if you discount this guy (Woodside) Have you ever heard of a “sleeper” candidate? I do not have time to debate this on a blog site. I only know what I have seen and if you did not watch the Kansas game VS NDSU maybe you better find a copy somewhere! Shame on you for your BS about what you do no not know or understand. I have spent over 20 years outside this state and have been to more sporting events than you will ever see. You need to sit back and see what happens this summer BEFORE you make your judgments. That’s why they have a summer league! Call a truce until after the summer league and then let’s put the gloves back on. I’m glad your not calling the shots for the wolves!
OH! by the way….”Woodside Won’t Play in the NBA”. I went to UCONN as in Connecticut. Cliff Robinson was my fooseball partner for two years there. Sorry to disappoint you! I was a 1987 grad from there in the middle of my military time. Maybe you better watch who you write uneducated blogs to. NDSU is one of the better AG schools in the US. I have NO connection to them. Just got the chance to see some of their home and road games. They darn near beat those little rodents you have in the “Twin cities” and they did beat a couple of D one teams when they were in transition. Get your facts straight BEFORE you write!
WOW jerry cant believe you didn’t write about the Rubio coming to town….Step it up Jerry!
A theory on the Rubio situation. What if Kahn and Rubio’s agent are working together to get the buyout lowered. Think about it. Who stands to really lose if Rubio goes back and plays for Joventut? I think the big loser is the owner of that team as he loses 6 million clams. He can not afford to lose 6 million that is unbelievable money for a euro team.
So what do you do if you are Rubio and the Wolfies, Rubio says maybe I can’t afford to leave so I will go back to Spain for 1 or 2 years. The Timberwolves say you know we understand and we will be patient (When was a sports team ever patient). That Joventut owner is all of sudden in jeopardy of losing 6 million and thinking long and hard about settling for 3.
You know I never heard Rubio say he does not want to play here. In fact I heard the exact opposite. He just wants minutes. I read it. But I never read a actual quote from his camp. I also think it is very weird how the Rubio camp has gone dead quiet and our approach has an air of confidence in it. No defensive posturing on either side. The more i think through this the more I suspect the goat in this situation is Joventut. If true we have a very intelligent G.M. in our midsts who is orchastrating a delicate situation masterfully.
Excellent post BlueOxen. I think you’re on to something here. Joventut really doesn’t want Rubio there, so the best approach for Rubio would be to act like you are coming back.
If he had a big fancy press conference, they’d know they had him where he wants them. And for the Wolves to sound fine with him staying in Europe is pretty brilliant too.
I hope you’re right.
BlueOxen I agree. I have said before that at a moment like this I’m happy our GM is a lawyer and not and ex player. He got to where he is because he is smart, not because he was a hall of fame player. Which is different than a lot of GMs in this league.
Sorry Jerry for posting this, but I think it will make others feel a bit better.
Sunday, 28 June 2009 04:34
From Charley Walters/Pioneer Press:
A little birdie said Ricky Rubio and his father were to fly to Minneapolis on Saturday to quietly meet with Timberwolves President David Kahn, who was to welcome the team’s top draft pick to Minnesota and chat about beginning his NBA future here.
The Wolves don’t plan to exert any pressure on Rubio, the draft’s No. 5 overall pick, to sign with them. But they will do what they can to accommodate the flashy point guard from Spain without interfering with his current contract status…
Regardless, it’s expected to be about a month before his buyout issue can be resolved.
By the way, the reason Rubio and his father were to sneak into Minneapolis on Saturday, and not on Friday when the Wolves’ other top draft picks — Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington — were publicly introduced was that they didn’t want the attention with the contract issue unresolved.
There have been more words written about Woodside on this page than will be written about him in the totality of his NBA career.
(Which will be like two more months for those of you playing along at home).
Ben Woodside, Bobby Brown, Kevin Ollie, Rodney Carney… Who cares? None of these guys will ever impact a win or a loss at The NBA level.
All nice kids though. I don’t have an opinion on which ones are most-deserving of player 5 minutes 35 times per year as the injury fill-in/mop-up time minutes-logger.
Yawn…
Typical Bryan, he prefers losers like Bobby Brown and Carney over decent players. No wonder that idiot Bryan kept talking about them like they were his personal heros on blog after blog entry. How can one idiot have so much time on his hands to talk about losers. Well because he is one.
No one left to read this, whichh is when I typically post anyway. Woodside is definitely a favorite and very talented. He’s the type of player who could possibly contribute offensively. But defensively he’d give up points every time down the court.
While he had a big game against Kansas, Collins had a big one against him. In fact, anybody Woodside was guarding was so sure they could score at will against him that it actually took KU out of its offense when they went one on one against BW. Self had to tell them to get back to the offense. In the NBA, that is the offense, and it’s run by guys who will score or dish for points every time.
Go to Europe and work your ass off on stopping guards there. Maybe it will translate one day to a cup of coffee in the NBA.
Best of luck, Ben Woodside…I wish you’d been a Gopher.
Jerry,
Confirmation of Rubio in town or not in town?
Walters has posted some bizarre statements in the past, but this seems worth follow-up.
I’m about to head downtown to the parade. I’ll let’ y’all know if I spot Ricky.
SID sure ripped Kahn this morning…He was against the Rubio pick and upset we didn’t take Psycho-T…..if Miami is willing to trade Beasley and Chalmers for Rubio, I think I’d do that trade…
C- Jefferson, Thomas, 7ft scrub
PF- Love, Songalia
F- Beasley, Brewer,
SG- Ellington. Carney
PG- Telflair, Flynn, Chalmers
Not to bad a line-up…..
espn just showed that Rubio is going to meet w/ Kahn, the report came from the Pioneer post. then quickly is said that Rubio’s agent has received offers from a couple euro countries…i have no clue what that means. sometimes you think these agents go too far in representing their clients
I saw that too WOW… The Pioneer Press scoops the Strib AGAIN. How do you like Charlie Walters now??
He’s getting traded. But it could be months or even next year at the draft. If Rubio has a killer season overseas - the commodity known as Ricky Rubio goes through the roof!
Rubio for Beasley and Chalmers is the first reasonable trade proposed here. But isn’t Beasley more of a power forward?
We should keep Rubio anyway, especially if the family is here with today’s weather. Offers from other European countries would trigger the buyout, too. NY has nothing to offer. Sacramento and an LA team had cracks at him already and passed.
Do we have anything Portland would want to get Rudy Fernandez? Maybe Rhino and the Utah pick? He’s Spanish, of course, but he sounds interesting on his own.
And heaven forbid Ollie comes back. We saw how far Bassy came under his tutelage.
I usually try not to rip Sid, before the internet his column was the best way to keep up with UofM recruiting, but it was obvious this morning that he had no clue what he was talking about when it comes to the Rubio situation.
Work your weird, persuasive magic on Rubio, Kahn. We need you to come through on this!
If ESPN is just parroting Walters report then I’m not going to get too excited yet. We all know how horrifically unreliable he is.
Whether we’re applying active leverage or not, all the time pressure here is on Joventut as BlueOxen said above. The team’s in the red financially, and a buyout of any amount is more than they’re going to collect in two years’ time.
Aside from the strange urgency of the 24-hour news cycle, which can’t stand not to force things to a resolution in time for the next deadline, there’s no pressure on the Wolves here. As a tradeable asset, the kid’s only going to accrue value barring major injury. This is a case for sitting tight.
WE WANT RICKY! WE WANT RICKY! WE WANT RICKY! GIT R DONE KAHN!
Poor Foy first traded for Roy then same thing again traded for what turned into Rubio. Guy can’t catch a break.
Well said Kestrel, hopefully the team stays the course on this one.
I didn’t see Rubio at all, but I did see a minivan with a Timberwolves logo on it in the Loring Park vicinity around 11:30 am. Hopefully, they would do better than a minivan for Ricky.
“I didn’t see Rubio at all, but I did see a minivan with a Timberwolves logo on it in the Loring Park vicinity around 11:30 am. Hopefully, they would do better than a minivan for Ricky.”
Good work. Maybe their looking at living quarters. Where’s CJ when you really need her? This seems like a case for her.
Walters just writes speculations, hearsay, rumors, etc.
ESPN breaks that “the Pioneer Press reports” whatever Walters just made up. The do not differienate reporting from gossip (ESPN can then just say they passed on the story and weren’t responsible for its content if it’s wrong).
Suddenly all other media outlets assume that ESPN has confirmed the story even though they are just passing on the same made-up BS and everyone else repeats it.
Next thing you know the figment of Charlie Walters imagination is believed as fact across the world.
Journalist have got lazy in the internet world.
But hey, a broken clock is right twice a dat so maybe Walters may have guessed right on this one.
True, bgman. Of course, how do you think all the “Rubio out of Minnesota” talk got started?!?
Maybe Kahn fed that story to Charley just to quell all the other stuff!
Out of curiosity, where can I find a list of who is on our Summer League team, and who is on other team’s summer league teams?
As for Rubio, and waiting. I’m not adverse to waiting him out. We own his rights for the rest of his life, and I would hold him to it.
I’m starting to lean towards not having him this year, don’t trade him but let him stay over there and then if Flynn turns out to be amazing, then Rubio can be traded in a year with no good Pg’s in the draft. If he would stay here for more than 3 years I would want him but he is not staying here after his rookie contract
C-Note:
That’s the upside of this situation. We’re in a position where we don’t NEED Rubio over here this year. We have Flynn, who will win over the hearts of a lot of Wolves fans, I think. We can let Rubio play in Europe for a while.
On the flip side, it would be really nice to begin to get an idea this year of how well these two fit in the same backcourt.
“If he would stay here for more than 3 years I would want him but he is not staying here after his rookie contract”
There’s really nothing to base that assumption on.
“If he would stay here for more than 3 years I would want him but he is not staying here after his rookie contract”
“There’s really nothing to base that assumption on.”
And also, the Wolves can keep him for a minimum of 5 years, actually. Even if he won’t sign an extension. 2 years guaranteed. 2 years of team options. A 5th year where he’s an RFA, and the Wolves can match any offer, or if he wants out, he can just sign the qualifying offer for year 5.
I just don’t see him here after his contract, and if he does want to stay then we will have to pay a max contract and if we don’t somebody else would. That would leave us out of money with Rubio and Jefferson making a lot of money even though Al is quite maxed. But then we will have to resign Love and if he keeps getting better than he will need a lot of money(Not to mention if Flynn turns out great)
In 3 years we might have to decide which 2 to keep out of this 4:
Jefferson
Love
Flynn
Rubio
and we might lose 1 or 2 to free agency
I meant to say Al is NOT quite maxed above
“I just don’t see him here after his contract, and if he does want to stay then we will have to pay a max contract and if we don’t somebody else would. That would leave us out of money with Rubio and Jefferson making a lot of money even though Al is quite maxed. But then we will have to resign Love and if he keeps getting better than he will need a lot of money(Not to mention if Flynn turns out great)”
C-Note, this argument just leads to nullity. I HOPE he’s good enough to justify the max. If you want to have great players, you have to pay them eventually. How can you become great without great players? I mean, what’s the alternative? Trade him for role players that won’t ask for too much in salary?
We might end up with Flynn, Love, Jefferson, and Rubio all wanting a lot of money and no money for other players. Thats a lot of money going into 2 positions, isn’t it?
Well, there’s no way both Flynn and Rubio wind up getting paid by the Wolves; or at least very little way that I can see. One of them will emerge, and one of them will get traded. Hopefully both emerge and one gets traded.
Worrying about both Flynn and Rubio and Love needing contracts 3-4 years down the road is just paralyzing. Get talent.
I know its a ways off but that could be a big problem that our 4 best players would play the same 2 positions
If we’re in a position that four players are good enough that they need max or near max contracts to retain them then that’s a pretty damn good problem to have.
You cross that bridge when you come to it and utilize those assets as best you can either on the court or in the trade market when you get there.
its not going to be a problem. Love has a good head on his shoulders and won’t even ask for something ridiculous. I see Love maxing out at 3-4M/yr, perhaps back loaded to 5-6M/yr at the absolute max. Jefferson, as long as the team progresses and starts winning won’t demand massive money either–from his current contract he’ll have already amassed a nice fortune. Flynn–doesn’t seem like the greedy, gonna get mine, type player either. Rubio–will want big money–perhaps b/c he’s basically going to be playing 4yrs and getting paid for 3 really under his rookie contract. I see Rubio wanting 12-15M/yr average in his 2nd contract. If he becomes what he is capable of, namely improves TO’s and his shot…i’d take him for that $.
Interesting Peter Vescey column today, questioning just what Donnie Walsh has accomplished during his stay with the Knicks. I cannot understand why they did not attempt to pick up the Wolves 6th pick once Rubio was gone - Walshi is getting a free pass on that one. I think I also read earlier that Fegan will not get any fees if Rubio signs with another European team, as has been suggested. Lots of intrigue, and while I wasn’t crazy about the Kahn hire, I do have faith that if Rubio never suits up here that he will be able to turn the pick into something else of value.
Yeah I hope we have that problem too, but even if they don’t want max deals, just big deals, there won’t be any money for any good free agents at the 2, 3 or 5
Oh, I think Love will command a lot more than $5-6 million in free agency. If Udonis Haslem and Al Harrington make $7-8 mil on the open market, you better believe Love will make more…in two or three years? Definitely more.
I’d expect Love to start out at $9 mil…same as David West, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he pushes in to the Ekema Okafor range of $10-12 million.
I think a lot will depend on what kind of offers LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Glen Davis get. But no way does Love sign for $6mil/year.
That’s why Jerry is so sure Kahn will move either Love or Jefferson. They’re very very expensive long term as a duo, given their games overlap about 85-90%.
I agree that we will need to move someone eventually either now or 3-4 years from the four of:
Love
Jefferson
Rubio
Flynn
But as some have said, thats not a bad problem to have
Bryan: just b/c Harrington and Haslem got someone to pay them far more than they are worth doesn’t mean Love will ask/demand the same thing. I think he’d be quite happy making 4-6M/yr. I don’t see him a a greedy SOB kind of player. Could he make more, sure? Will he stay for less, especially if we make progress? i think so. AJ did. Emeka Okafur is ridiculously overpaid.
Claiming they are to expensive long term is pointless at this time. Again, i don’t see love as a greedy SOB who will take the best offer simply b/c its the most money on the table.
I see us keeping all 4 of them. I see Telfair, Gomes, Smith leaving or being traded.
Arenal, there isn’t anyway he signs for 4-6 million. His 5th year salary on his rookie deal is 6 million.
I don’t think he’s greedy either, but that’s not how it works. He won’t, and shouldn’t, take less than his market value. Why should Glen Taylor get to pocket that money?
My guess, assuming he stays healthy, is that his next contract starts at around 9 million.
Al Jefferson signed for $11 million. Did he ask for less than he could have? Yes. But that’s still a hell of a lot more than $6 million.
and that means what exactly? he’ll already have made 10M+ from his rookie contract. i don’t see him asking for more than 5-6M/yr for an additional 2-4yr contract. he’s still going to be early 20’s when he gets his next contract. I think he’ll take team needs into consideration like Al did.
Ah who says GT will pocket that money? who says he won’t use it to get/keep other players? hmm….
Unless he hits from 50% at that point he’s not worth 9M/yr. i don’t think he’ll ask for it either. Is AJ at this point, a helluva lot better than Love? yes.
alphatwolf, how do you know what Rubio is thinking ? Are you a mindreader or do you have an inside source?
I don’t think we should trade Rubio (and I don’t think anyone will offer anything for Flynn) but if we did…….
What about a four team deal where the Wolves end up with Biedrins, Belinelli, Wilson Chandler, and possibly Stephen Jackson. The Knicks, Suns, and Warriors pick among Nash, Curry and Rubio, and the Warriors land Amare Stoudamire.
The Knicks would probably take Nash, who has an expiring contract (for Chandler and a contract). Phoenix would be in salary dump mode so they would be thrilled to dump the contracts and pick up Stephen Curry. Golden State would land Stoudamire and Rubio, but would potentially need to take Eddy Curry’s contract from the Knicks to balance it out. Phoenix and New York would take back some of our expiring contracts. We would potentially need to take another contract from GS (maybe a disposible but valuable veteran like Stephen Jackson). Wolves would get three young but productive players, and one vet for one unproven but potential all-time great.
I haven’t checked the math on this four team swap, but it seems like they are all trading partners that have pieces the others want.
Ya, what Al did was ask for $5 million less than what he could have. Which put him at $11 million a year. When you talk about Love, you’re talking about a contract offer two years out from now. If Emeka Okafor gets $10 million a year for putting up 13-10, what do you really think Love will get? He practically puts up 13-10 RIGHT NOW.
Look, if you think Love is only going to ask for $6 million a year, you’re out of your mind. That equates him with Brendan Haywood. Love is going to get offers starting in the $9 mil range, and if he gets $9-10 mil and a promise to start, you better believe he’ll take it.
It’s possible that the next contracts for Love and a lot of other players will be lower than now, even in the $4-5 Million range. Unless this economy picks up quick, the NBA is not going to survive under the current salary rates. But the point is if Kevin Love is playing well enough to merit a second contract (and not get traded like Foye), it is going to be north of the salary a run of the mill center like Haywood or Pryzbilla earns, but probably less than all-star talent like Jefferson, West, or Boozer. Funny thing is that Jefferson + Love’s contracts will probably be less than Garnett’s contracts were for a long time still.
Whoa! Are we worried about Love’s 2nd contract? I like him. He’s fine. But he is not nor will he ever be a star. You let him go. Lord, some minds are warped…you actually make fun of McHale?
Sam, it’s obvious that Kahn’s “magic” is just a sham. What has he done RIGHT so far? And didn’t he leave some shady deals behind in the D-league where he owed money or something? A tiger doesn’t change it’s stripes. I’m leary of the guy.
