So who's gonna draft Henry????

[real chili 83]

Early on, lots of speculation that he would end up a Woofie.

Today, Grandpa Sports on his radio show poo poo'ed the idea in so many words, saying MN need's a proven three pointer.  That aint Henry...yet.

As annoying as it is to listen to Sid in the morning, he's pretty connected.

For those of you outside MN, Sid Hartman is our 107 year old sports columnist.  He's been a sports writer for about 80 decades.

Soooo, what team is HE most likely to end up on?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Wolves do make a lot of sense. A lineup of

PG: Rubio
SG: LaVine
SF: Wiggins
PF: Ellenson
C: Towns Jr

Should be able to make a lot of damage in a year or two. But it really depends on where they end up in the lottery. If they somehow get the number one pick, they aren't going to spend it on Ellenson.

[4everwarriors]

Would help ta know da draft position of teams, hey?

[real chili 83]

Wolves do make a lot of sense. A lineup of

PG: Rubio
SG: LaVine
SF: Wiggins
PF: Ellenson
C: Towns Jr

Should be able to make a lot of damage in a year or two. But it really depends on where they end up in the lottery. If they somehow get the number one pick, they aren't going to spend it on Ellenson.

I heard today that they were pretty close to being a lock for drafting 5th.

[Pakuni]

I think Denver would be a good fit for him. They're very thin up front and not thrilled with Kenneth Faried.

[GooooMarquette]

Would help ta know da draft position of teams, hey?

So any wild guesses will be just a tiny bit less wild?

[warriorchick]

There is the added bonus of  Henry being the only lottery pick who would be genuinely happy about being drafted by the 'Wolves.

[brandx]

I heard today that they were pretty close to being a lock for drafting 5th.

No team in the lottery is locked yet.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Wolves do make a lot of sense. A lineup of

PG: Rubio
SG: LaVine
SF: Wiggins
PF: Ellenson
C: Towns Jr

Should be able to make a lot of damage in a year or two. But it really depends on where they end up in the lottery. If they somehow get the number one pick, they aren't going to spend it on Ellenson.

Part of me hopes the Wolves get Ellenson, but there's no way he starts over Dieng in year 1.

[esotericmindguy]

Part of me hopes the Wolves get Ellenson, but there's no way he starts over Dieng in year 1.

Even worse, he'd need to start over Towns. Dieng plays center and towns at PF. Then they have Muhammad and foreign guy that fill the role of scorer/terrible defender. He probably wouldn't play much, even on the wolves. Wolves need a shooter, that's what they'll draft. Buddy or Murray.

[oldwarrior81]

The Wolves won't be giving up on Wiggins.  He's currently not a long range shooter but he seems entrenched at either SF/SG

would they be giving up on LaVine?   He's played well the past couple months.  16+ pts game and 44.4% from 3pt after the All-Star Game.  Maybe the Wolves think LaVine can play the point.   

I could see them dumping Rubio and adding Hield, but LaVine, even though he's seeing some time at PG, isn't putting up any type of assist numbers.  Shots outnumber assists about 5 to 1. Towns has more assists than LaVine.

[Jay Bee]

Part of me hopes the Wolves get Ellenson, but there's no way he starts over Dieng in year 1.

Let us smoke some more!

[esotericmindguy]

The Wolves won't be giving up on Wiggins.  He's currently not a long range shooter but he seems entrenched at either SF/SG

would they be giving up on LaVine?   He's played well the past couple months.  16+ pts game and 44.4% from 3pt after the All-Star Game.  Maybe the Wolves think LaVine can play the point.   

I could see them dumping Rubio and adding Hield, but LaVine, even though he's seeing some time at PG, isn't putting up any type of assist numbers.  Shots outnumber assists about 5 to 1. Towns has more assists than LaVine.

Unfortunately I'm a wolves fan. They tried that Levine at PG thing, it didn't go well. However, He's only 21 and led wolves in 3 point %. I think the Wolves will be a fringe playoff team next year with a new coach. Towns may be a dark horse MVP candidate, he's amazing. The rockets, mavs and grizz are at the end of their run. They need a shooter off the bench, their second team is pretty bad outside of Shabaz. Can't see them taking Hank.

[SaveOD238]

Even closer to home, I don't see the Bucks picking Hank.  They already have an offense first power forward in Parker, and they really need help at PG (Buddy would look great in cream and green) or center

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Let us smoke some more!

So you think Henry is ready to start for an NBA team? Hah. Much less the Wolves, who sorely need defense in the post - something Henry will not provide early in his career, if ever.

[MU82]

A few thoughts:

++ Sid hasn't been "connected" for at least three decades. His downward spiral started in 1985 with this memorable call: "Holtz could leave Minnesota for Notre Dame, but I don't think so." There are no more Max Winters, Carl Pohlads or Lou Nannes kowtowing to Sid. I do admire his energy, though. He has more get-up-and-go than I do, and, at 55, I'm a third his age.

++ I have no idea if the Wolves will draft Ellenson, but the notion that he and Towns couldn't play together is dopey. NBA teams no longer define positions as "center," "shooting guard," "power forward," etc. The Warriors, who last I looked were the league's best team, often use nothing even remotely resembling a "center." Dieng would play about 5 minutes a game for them. The Hornets improved when they put Marvin Williams (heretofore a SF) at PF and Zeller (heretofore a PF) at C. Who is Cleveland's center during the 31 mpg when Mozgov isn't on the floor? Etc, etc, etc.

++ Of course Henry isn't "ready" to play in the NBA yet; the vast majority of rookies aren't. Kobe averaged 7.6 ppg as a rookie. But many of the same folks doubting Hankster now were predicting he'd average only 6 and 3 for us and were saying there was no way he'd leave after one year. He has the potential to be a productive NBA player. How hard he works to improve -- and then improves -- is largely up to him.

++ The NBA Draft Lottery is still 6 weeks away. We won't know who is drafting where until then.

[classof70]

I'm not sold that he goes in the top 10, in which case I think he'd have been better off staying at MU.  Hope he does, but I wouldn't be surprised if he drops out of the top 10, not necessarily because there are that many better power forwards but other position players who will go ahead of him.  Still, even if he's #11 it's tough to turn your back on about $10 million!!  I did see one mock draft putting him at #19.  Bad for Henry, good for team that gets him that low and cheap.     

[SaveOD238]

++ The NBA Draft Lottery is still 6 weeks away. We won't know who is drafting where until then.

Yes and no.  Only the top three spots in the lottery are drawn randomly.  The 4th spot is the worst team who didn't draw 1, 2, or 3, and so on.

With the season done, we know that the reverse standings look like this:
1. Sixers
2. Lakers (to Sixers if not in top 3...but it's the NBA so you know the Lakers are winning the lottery)
3. Celtics (from Nets)
4. Suns
5. Timberwolves
6. Pelicans
7. Denver or Toronto (from Knicks)
8. Nuggets
9. Bulls or Kings (holy hell these pick swap scenarios are crazy)
10. Bucks
11. Magic
12. Jazz
13. Suns (from Wizards...probably)
14. Bulls

I think, based on what I have seen in prospect rankings that HE will go between 8 and 12.  Right now, that means that Denver, Sacramento or Chicago, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Utah are in that range.  If teams from the back of the pack win lottery spots, it pushes the Nuggets (probably), Pelicans, and maaaaybe Wolves into HE-range.

So, no, we don't KNOW who is picking where, but we can guess that HE will end up with one of these squads: Nuggets, Bulls, Kings, Bucks, Magic, Jazz, Pelicans.

With my limited NBA knowledge, these are my guesses:
Nuggets: I know nothing about them.
Bulls: Already have similar players in Dougie and Mirotic
Kings: Here's hoping HE doesn't end up in this dumpster fire
Bucks: Similar player in Jabari, other more pressing needs
Magic: I know nothing about them.
Jazz: Don't see HE breaking into the Hayward, Gobert, Favors front-court rotation
Pelicans: Could pair really well with the Brow, and could replace FA Ryan Anderson (but I don't see him getting picked this high)

[MU82]

Yes and no.  Only the top three spots in the lottery are drawn randomly.  The 4th spot is the worst team who didn't draw 1, 2, or 3, and so on.

With the season done, we know that the reverse standings look like this:
1. Sixers
2. Lakers (to Sixers if not in top 3...but it's the NBA so you know the Lakers are winning the lottery)
3. Celtics (from Nets)
4. Suns
5. Timberwolves
6. Pelicans
7. Denver or Toronto (from Knicks)
8. Nuggets
9. Bulls or Kings (holy hell these pick swap scenarios are crazy)
10. Bucks
11. Magic
12. Jazz
13. Suns (from Wizards...probably)
14. Bulls

I think, based on what I have seen in prospect rankings that HE will go between 8 and 12.  Right now, that means that Denver, Sacramento or Chicago, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Utah are in that range.  If teams from the back of the pack win lottery spots, it pushes the Nuggets (probably), Pelicans, and maaaaybe Wolves into HE-range.

So, no, we don't KNOW who is picking where, but we can guess that HE will end up with one of these squads: Nuggets, Bulls, Kings, Bucks, Magic, Jazz, Pelicans.

With my limited NBA knowledge, these are my guesses:
Nuggets: I know nothing about them.
Bulls: Already have similar players in Dougie and Mirotic
Kings: Here's hoping HE doesn't end up in this dumpster fire
Bucks: Similar player in Jabari, other more pressing needs
Magic: I know nothing about them.
Jazz: Don't see HE breaking into the Hayward, Gobert, Favors front-court rotation
Pelicans: Could pair really well with the Brow, and could replace FA Ryan Anderson (but I don't see him getting picked this high)

Draft order: Those are reasonable assumptions, but history is filled with teams making dramatic moves up the board.

Who "needs" or "doesn't need" a player like Henry: Most teams don't think this way, especially teams that are nowhere near being contenders. They want talented players, period. It gives them options, gives them trading chips, lets them survive free-agent departures, etc.

The Hornets didn't "need" Vonleh two years ago, that's for sure. But after letting him hang around the fringes of the roster for one season, they put him in a trade package that delivered Nic Batum, a huge reason they were one of the most improved teams in the league.

Vonleh, the Hornets didn't "need"; Batum, they absolutely needed. Therefore, although Vonleh barely played for them, he ended up being a good draft pick -- a means to an end.

Predicting where Henry might go or how he might be used is fun, it's what a fan board is for. But it's really a fruitless exercise.

[real chili 83]

A few thoughts:

++ Sid hasn't been "connected" for at least three decades. His downward spiral started in 1985 with this memorable call: "Holtz could leave Minnesota for Notre Dame, but I don't think so." There are no more Max Winters, Carl Pohlads or Lou Nannes kowtowing to Sid. I do admire his energy, though. He has more get-up-and-go than I do, and, at 55, I'm a third his age.

Sid's a close, personal friend of Bobby Knight.  Just ask him!  He's connected!!!

Curious, when you worked in the TC as a reporter, how many times did you hear that from Sid?

[Boards]

There is the added bonus of  Henry being the only lottery pick who would be genuinely happy about being drafted by the 'Wolves.

Awful take. Any lottery pick would be thrilled to come to Twolves - exciting young talent, back to back ROYs, fast pace of play, won't be forced to make an impact right away with KAT and Wiggins taking that primary play maker role, brand new facilities right across the street from stadium.

I know this thread is about HE and I hope he does well in the league but I had to defend my Timberpuppies.

As for Henry he'll need a place to develop. Toronto or Orlando wouldn't be bad landing spots for him where he wouldn't have to be a bruiser down low with Jonas Valančiūnas and Nikola Vučević patrolling the paint, respectively. HE needs to put muscle on his frame so he won't get pushed around in the league, don't get me wrong he had a phenomenal year at Marquette but there were times where he got pushed around by smaller guys and didn't hesitate to whine to the refs. All in all I hope he has a 13+ year NBA career but there most certainly will be a learning curve and I hope he lands in a place with people that can help him grow into a legit NBA player.

[Herman Cain]

I am hoping Henry goes to the T Wolves. I think being close to home will be a huge benefit for him as he goes to this next stage. Also, I think the fans there will really support him.

Hopefully he becomes a modern day George Mikan for them.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Awful take. Any lottery pick would be thrilled to come to Twolves - exciting young talent, back to back ROYs, fast pace of play, won't be forced to make an impact right away with KAT and Wiggins taking that primary play maker role, brand new facilities right across the street from stadium.

I know this thread is about HE and I hope he does well in the league but I had to defend my Timberpuppies.

As for Henry he'll need a place to develop. Toronto or Orlando wouldn't be bad landing spots for him where he wouldn't have to be a bruiser down low with Jonas Valančiūnas and Nikola Vučević patrolling the paint, respectively. HE needs to put muscle on his frame so he won't get pushed around in the league, don't get me wrong he had a phenomenal year at Marquette but there were times where he got pushed around by smaller guys and didn't hesitate to whine to the refs. All in all I hope he has a 13+ year NBA career but there most certainly will be a learning curve and I hope he lands in a place with people that can help him grow into a legit NBA player.

Yeah....but you have to live in Minnesota.'

I can say it! I lived there for 6 years!

[Dawson Rental]

Yeah....but you have to live in Minnesota.'

I can say it! I lived there for 6 years!

Yah, hey, sure you do.

[MU82]

Sid's a close, personal friend of Bobby Knight.  Just ask him!  He's connected!!!

Curious, when you worked in the TC as a reporter, how many times did you hear that from Sid?

I mostly heard about his close personal friends when I listened to him on the radio; in person, he didn't talk like that (most of the time).

I miss his radio show. He'd be on with Tom Kelly -- I called it The Worst Hour On Radio -- and some guy would call in pledging his loyalty to the Twins. The caller would ask an innocuous question, Kelly would get pissed off, and Sid would call the caller stupid. It was hilarious. And I still do a pretty good imitation of Sid trying to get Rickey Foggie on the telephone for his show. "Rickey? Rickey, you there? Rickey?"

When I got to Minny, in 1985, I was a young kid determined to be the opposite of a homer. And Sid was the biggest homer of all time, so we got off to a bad start. But after a few years, I grew up enough to stop taking him seriously. I had my sarcasm on full-blast and loved making fun of him ... and he often was too dense to know he was being made fun of.

Make no mistake, at one time Sid was as connected as any newspaper sports person in the country. There was a several year stretch during which he simultaneously was the sports editor/columnist of the Tribune AND de-facto GM of the Minneapolis Lakers -- seriously. For decades, no Minnesota sports team did anything major without first getting Sid's opinion and/or blessing.

By the time I got there, things already had been changing for him. Mike Lynn knew how to play Sid but he sure as hell wasn't going through Sid, and the Twins had just hired Andy MacPhail -- who also certainly wasn't treating Sid like anything special.

Sid LOVED Holtz -- helped bring him to the school -- and he was sure the Notre Dame rumors weren't true. As I said in an earlier post, even the morning Holtz left, Sid was saying he thought Holtz would stay. That's when I knew Sid The Kingmaker was officially over. Sid kissed Holtz's ass for two years, never wrote or said a bad word about him. And yet Holtz lied to Sid for weeks about Notre Dame and, IIRC, the St. Paul paper actually ended up breaking the story while Sid was still saying Holtz was staying. Embarrassing for the paper; soul-crushing for Sid.

As the years went on, the athletes, coaches and GMs needed Sid less and less. You think Denny Green or Bob Gainey or Christian Laettner gave a rat's rump what Sid had to say?

But again, Sid puts in the hours. He's a dinosaur, yes, but an amazing one.