Minnesota Timberwolves

yers that have that capability, Randy Foye and Andray Blatche.  Foye was brought over from the Minnesota Timberwolves after a disappointing start to a career for a 4th overall pick.  Even though his scoring averages have improved each season the T-Wolves grew impatient and decided they wanted more of a true point guard.  Last season he averaged 16.3 points per game and showed signs of a budding star.  One thing that the Wizards have working in their favor is the propensity for on-the-brink players to blossom while in Washington.  Ernie Grunfeld seems to have an eye for players that are close to reaching their potential and always seems to get guys to have their best years in D.C. (see Gil Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Larry Hughes, even Jared Jeffries).  This of course could have been a testament to Eddie Jordan but Randy Foye seems to be a perfect candidate for that type of progression. 

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Washington Post and nba.com report that the Minnesota Timberwolves have traded F/C Darius Songaila and G Bobby Brown (not from New Edition) to the New Orleans Hornets for G Antonio Daniels and

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  1. Gilbert Arenas will average over 8 assists per game –            It is quite obvious that with all the new offensive weapons and a healthy roster, Gilbert Arenas’ scoring average is going to go down.  He isn’t going to be able to keep up a 29.3 ppg season like he did in 2005-06.  My guess is that his numbers will drop down to around his career average of 22 ppg.  Maybe even a little bit lower as there are going to be plenty of guys begging for the rock.  Scoring averages aside, with Gilbert Arenas back in the line-up everyone will benefit.  Gil still gets respect for his scoring capabilities, as evidenced in the two games last year in which he tallied 20 assists and no turnovers.  He has the ability to draw the double team and help defense, much like Kobe, Dwyane, and Lebron, giving him opportunities to pass the ball off to the open man.  In the two games he played last year, you could see that Gilbert still has a quick first step but is more cautious with it.  That hesitancy makes opponents play on their heels which allows Gilbert to blow by them on a drive and get the basket or draw the foul.             What is going to happen is Gilbert will come out this season as a type of player we aren’t used to seeing wear number “0.”  His essentially two years away from the game have undoubtedly changed his perspective as a floor general.  What will emerge is a Gilbert Arenas that involves his teammates while still showcasing the killer instinct that makes him the great scorer he is.             Gilbert’s career assist average is 5.5 apg, a great figure for a small forward but not up to par with the best point guards in the league.  Here are his assist averages over a few seasons:

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ngton Post that the Washington Wizards have dealt the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The package includes Etan Thomas, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Darius

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he Washington Post has reported rumors of trades involving the Wizards’ 5th pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers (gag), and the New York Knicks.  While nothing really seems to be of substance, as www.bulletsforever.com has acknowledged, they are impossible to ignore.  Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Javale McGee are some of the notables that many teams, as many as 14, have expressed interest in.  As we approach the draft, the fans’ opinions seem to be forming an almost consensus for Davidson guard Stephen Curry.  The Washington Post conducted a poll that resulted in nearly half the votes garnered by Southern Conference product.  DraftExpress.com now has the Wizards slotted for Jordan Hill with the 5th selection while both SI.com and ESPN.com are predicting James Harden.  What do the Wizards need?  And should they draft for need or get the best player?  Both possibilities, in my opinion, may indeed overlap.  
I believe the most glaring need for the Washington Wizards is at the guard position.  The Wizards have addressed the frontcourt pretty aggressively in recent years with the draft of McGee, Pecherov, and grooming of Andray Blatche.  What appears to have happened is a negligence of the need for a guard, evident in the acceptance of Roger Mason, Jr.’s departure.  Right now as the roster stands the Wizards possess a superstar in Gilbert Arenas but no significant contributor behind him.  Stevenson could very well be done as the only thing he can do these days is talk trash.  Even at his best he would be most effective coming off the bench.  His occasional 3-point hot streak and solid defensive play would be a nice commodity in a reserved role.  Nick Young is on the verge of being a solid 2 guard but an upgrade is certainly possible given the team’s draft situation.  He might be at the point in his career when a little competition wouldn’t hurt.  Mike Jones might not be a Wizard for long but I believe he could give quality minutes in a reserved role.  He is not good enough to be the back-up point guard any more.  I could see his best-case-scenario being reduced to the role of an Anthony Johnson, not the primary back-up but a solid third option for sporadic minutes.  I like Jarvaris Crittenton a lot, he is around 6’5” with good speed and a nice work ethic.  With the overstock of combo guards in this draft the Wizards may be able to pick a player that would still allow Crit room to develop as a role player.  You have to like his prospects with his size and athleticism, he is just a classic case of a player who entered the pro’s too early, only he has a chance to actually make it in the Association.  


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Western Conference.

 And the BIGGEST LOSER of the 2008 NBA DRAFT is:

Kevin McHale and The Minnesota Timberwolves: 

This is more of a Career Achievement Award for McHale- who don't get me wrong, had an okay draft, his best in years. Love is a good player, to me a possible Elton Brand type, which would be a great coup. He also landed sharpshooter Mike Miller, got rid of Marco Jaric's contract and turned this team around a bit. That being said, you have just traded the cornerstone of your franchise in Kevin Garnett. It is time to search for franchise defining replacements and two years in a row you have traded the most polarizing star in each draft. In trading Brandon Roy and OJ Mayo two drafts in a row you have traded potential star power for solid prospects. This is not what the Wolves fans and franchise need. They need a defiant face, name and star!!!

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