Karl Towns, Wiggins flourish as T'Wolves beat the Bulls on the road.

[Son_Of_Saul]

Karl looked really good.

17 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 assists, and a steal.

Wiggins took 27 shots and went for 31 points. Those two are going to be quite the tandem going forward.


http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400827972

 

[bigbluelou]

I see KAT as an all-star by next year, third year at the latest. Wiggins coming along if he can stay focused.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Bright future in Minnesota. Those two could be a scary tandem come 2017-2018 (if not by next year).

 

[bradscats]

Wish Wiggins had come to Kentucky. We would have been really good with him here and he would have likely looked better as a college player but more just because he is hard not to like as player. And I agree. Those two make a real strong duo. If they could be just bad enough this year to get a guard who can score like Murray, they will be a team to really watch out for the next several years.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

If they could be just bad enough this year to get a guard who can score like Murray, they will be a team to really watch out for the next several years.

That's my feeling, too. The key is getting rid of any other solid pieces around Towns and Wiggins in order to intentionally tank. Continuing to play Tayshaun Prince meaningful minutes is a great way toward them being horrible this year.

 

[1991greywildcat]

KAT will end up being the best player on that team in a few years...

 

[brianpoe]

But but Okafor had that one game with better stats in their loss... 9 in a row counting preseason.

 

[Orange Soda King]

Towns and Wiggins will be good duo.

 

[JPScott]

But but Okafor had that one game with better stats in their loss... 9 in a row counting preseason.

Okafor will score a lot of points. He has an array of inside moves there's no denying it.

But overall he doesn't do a whole lot else. He's a poor defender, not a good or very willing passer, not terribly good rebounder and tends to be a ball hog once he receives it in the post.

Obviously it's early but I think that as time goes it will become more clear that the Timberwolves made the right choice in Towns, even if Okafor wins Rookie MVP which he might just based on his scoring stats.

 

[bigbluelou]

Okafor will score a lot of points. He has an array of inside moves there's no denying it.

But overall he doesn't do a whole lot else. He's a poor defender, not a good or very willing passer, not terribly good rebounder and tends to be a ball hog once he receives it in the post.

Obviously it's early but I think that as time goes it will become more clear that the Timberwolves made the right choice in Towns, even if Okafor wins Rookie MVP which he might just based on his scoring stats.

And don't forget free throws...oh lord, those free throws.

 

[JPScott]

Just to give a little backing to my claims, I pulled the stats for these players off NBA.com

Jahlil Okafor (PIE 10%) (PIE = Player Impact Estimate) He has the following +/- stats to date:

Boston -9
Utah - 35
Cleveland -15
Milwaukee -4
Cleveland -13
Orlando -5

Total +/- (-81)​

In other words Okafor hasn't had a +Impact in any game to date this season.

In comparison below is Karl-Anthony Towns (PIE 20.1%)

LA Lakers +6
Denver +15
Portland -5
Miami -21
Chicago +15

Total +/- (+10)​

Now granted the Sixers are still a terrible team while the Timberwolves are looking a whole lot better than last year. So maybe there's a more fair comparison for Okafor? Probably is, let's look at Nerlens Noel, who also plays for the Sixers and in fact plays much of his time WITH Okafor.

Nerlens Noel (PIE 12.0%)

Boston -2
Utah -20
Cleveland -13
Milwaukee +9
Cleveland -7
Orlando -4

Total +/- (-37)​

So while Nerlens also has all negative games (besides Milwaukee) which isn't great, in every single game his +/- rating has been better than Okafor, and in most cases significantly so.

 

[brianpoe]

Okafor will score a lot of points. He has an array of inside moves there's no denying it.

But overall he doesn't do a whole lot else. He's a poor defender, not a good or very willing passer, not terribly good rebounder and tends to be a ball hog once he receives it in the post.

Obviously it's early but I think that as time goes it will become more clear that the Timberwolves made the right choice in Towns, even if Okafor wins Rookie MVP which he might just based on his scoring stats.

My post was for the Duke fan that came over bragging last week. Great PIE stats.

 

[WildMoon]

Not a fan of Wiggins.

I have him on fantasy, and he has had some back issue so i'll hold off on completely bashing him.

but he has one stat you can rely on (only today he was able to score). Everything else sucks....

I don't think Self did a very good job developing him to build a foundation.

 

[Montana81]

Wiggins could be unstoppable but his demeanor is not that of a typical pro athlete.

His teammates at Huntington said he was lazy so maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe he just doesn't understand when it's time to take over and when it's time to defer.

I've always thought there was something different about him and not in a good way.

Hopefully Towns rubs off on him and not the other way around.

 

[Galbpt02]

I agree - you compare the players Cal has put in the league and he has numerous all around stars - Cousins, Davis, Towns, Bledsoe, Wall, Knight. IN addition he has 20+ starters/role players. No team can compare to that. UK's players are translating to the NBA.

I like Wiggins but he isn't a superstar compared to the top 6 I listed of UK.

 

[UK-chulo]

Wiggins could be unstoppable but his demeanor is not that of a typical pro athlete.

His teammates at Huntington said he was lazy so maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe he just doesn't understand when it's time to take over and when it's time to defer.

I've always thought there was something different about him and not in a good way.

Hopefully Towns rubs off on him and not the other way around.

Hoping KG rubs off on both Towns and Wiggins.

 

[Rolf Russman]

Hoping KG rubs off on both Towns and Wiggins.

What he said! Hard to imagine any teammate of KG's being allowed to be lazy... not without consequences.