Minnesota Timberwolves: An Origin Story

daulten6 · July 24, 2017

Jeez, I thought you would be bad this year but not that bad

Hopefully you'll get the number 1 pick. In my 80s Bulls games, Wooldridge was insane for me. I tried tanking for MJ but he was averaging close to 40 ppg and wouldn't let me lmao

Dawn · July 24, 2017

Good lord, I didn't think that Cap would allow this team to tank, but sheesh, Payton is truly your best option going forward, you should shut down your best players for the second half.

Granite Armadillo · July 24, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="tg01" data-cite="tg01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Wow that is a harsh start to the season......let's get Glove!! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="daulten6" data-cite="daulten6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Jeez, I thought you would be bad this year but not <strong>that</strong> bad <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Hopefully you'll get the number 1 pick. In my 80s Bulls games, Wooldridge was insane for me. I tried tanking for MJ but he was averaging close to 40 ppg and wouldn't let me lmao</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Smasher1311" data-cite="Smasher1311" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Good lord, I didn't think that Cap would allow this team to tank, but sheesh, Payton is truly your best option going forward, you should shut down your best players for the second half.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah, the injury bug destroyed the T-Wolves. I definitely shifted my focus on the second half of the season on scouting the players on my roster, and tanking. Gary Payton is the prize, and I am going to do everything I can to try and snag him.</p><p> </p><p> As for Orlando, he did prove to be an impressive player. I won't spoil anything, but he definitely was a bright spot for us (it helped that he managed to stay healthy).</p>

Granite Armadillo · July 24, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The Second-Half of the 1989 Season...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36102144976_523ee0b709_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4300/36102144976_523ee0b709_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36102145106_852c25f69c_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/36102145106_852c25f69c_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

We always knew this first season was going to be rough. Heading into the All-Star Break at 5-44, the roster riddled with injuries, I just hoped our guys would use the second half of the season to showcase why we should keep them around. The Timberwolves did not fare much better after the All-Star Break. But we did see signs of progress—winning three of our last eight.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Orlando Woolridge was a revelation, though. From day one, Woolridge showed he could carry the load offensively when called upon. After Glen went down for a month, Orlando shined even more as the primary scorer—carrying the team throughout the second half of the season. This was a pleasant surprise, but I was disappointed that Haywoode wasn’t asserting himself. So I told him so, demanding that he push himself while Glen was out injured.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Glen Rice proved to be the star of the Timberwolves, but his rookie season was not without its issues. He only suited up in 55 games, yet in those games he averaged 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and shot 44.6 percent from the field and 46.1 percent from beyond the arc. Despite his limited action, the man who came to be known as G Money led Minnesota in points per game and rebounds per game.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Haywoode Workman, our other first round selection, was one of the only players from our squad to play all 82 games. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, led the team with 4.7 assists, and shot 40.0 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc. He showed flashes of tremendous potential, and I had high hopes for Haywoode as a fixture of our roster. In light of the fact that Gary Payton, the consensus number one pick in the upcoming draft, happened to play the same position could put a fork in that plan—a concern I welcomed.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">NBA Regular Season Awards</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36102145386_bf6c9dac37_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4320/36102145386_bf6c9dac37_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36102145306_16d66f5261_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/36102145306_16d66f5261_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36102145166_bf68f8a95f_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/36102145166_bf68f8a95f_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Playoff Preview</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="35302227794_569b15e148_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4301/35302227794_569b15e148_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Karl Malone and the Phoenix Suns were dominate in the regular season. Malone averaged 30.8 points and 9.4 rebounds, leading a roster which averaged the third most points per game in the NBA: 113.99. The Suns were only rivaled by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls—who were on a bloodlust after failing to claim the title last season. Jordan averaged a league high 36.95 points per game, while the Bulls’ stingy defense yielded only 96.26 points a game. A Bulls-Suns Finals seemed evident at this point; though, the 76ers won’t go down without a fight.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: 1989 NBA Playoffs...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

Dawn · July 25, 2017

The Magic gave you a run for your money, thankfully you were able to out-tank them.

Jordan was a damn monster - nearly 40 points per game? Good lord.

daulten6 · July 25, 2017

Hakeem robbed Robinson of DPOY

Granite Armadillo · July 27, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The 1989 Playoffs...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="35352274994_062b24a26e_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35352274994_062b24a26e_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="color:#FF8C00;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>The 1990 NBA Champion Phoenix Suns</strong></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="35797918020_8eec55ae32_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35797918020_8eec55ae32_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Karl Malone and the Phoenix Suns got redemption for their early exit in the 1988-89 season, defeating Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games. Both teams arrived in the Finals largely unscathed: Phoenix swept two of its first three matchups, while battling to a game seven against Seattle in the second round; and Chicago swept its first two rounds before battling the 62-20 Philadelphia 76ers to a game seven. While MJ wanted blood for his defeat at the hands of the Utah Jazz—averaging 36.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 8.3 assists throughout the playoffs—a year earlier, Karl Malone (29.4/10.3/3.1) and point guard Kevin Johnson (20.6/4.0/10.5) proved to be too much for the former North Carolina star. This was Phoenix’s firsts NBA championship. </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The earlier rounds were largely drama free, with half of the series resulting in sweeps. Yet two big upsets did occur when the two-seeded Houston Rockets and the three-seeded Utah Jazz both lost in five games in the first round. Injuries played a major role in those series. For Houston, star forward Larry Bird was out through much of the series—costing the Rockets their big scoring threat. For Utah, Vinny Del Negro, Jeff Hornacek, and Mike Brown all were sidelined as a limping Jazz squad managed to push Terry Porter and the Trail Blazers to five. The San Antonio Spurs were also without a major weapon, as young power forward Willie Anderson continued to struggle with injuries, as he was sidelined this time with a broken foot.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Season Review</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

As the playoff teams battled away, my team and I were hidden away in Minneapolis. After an abysmal first season which saw our “star” rookie go down with major injuries twice, I felt like we had only two bright spots: we had the best chance at the number one pick, and complete cap flexibility. Most of our roster heading into the offseason was destined for free agency, with only Rice, Workman, Meents, and our two draft picks being the only contracts we’d have on our books going into free agency.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

This offseason I hoped to snag some solid defensive players; particularly players who could strengthen our post defense and rebounding. We averaged 37.8 rebounds a game, while our opponents averaged 45.7. I also wanted to begin building the foundation of our quicker-paced offense, which placed an emphasis on ball movement and athleticism. After averaging only 17.0 assist a game last year, I felt like the roster was playing too selfishly at times in an effort to put up good numbers.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

From our current squad, we had a few guys we hoped to bring back if the price was right. Orlando Woolridge, for instance, was a player who we envisioned on a better version of our squad coming off the bench and lighting up second units with his scoring. Our starting shooting guard, Clint Wheeler, was a solid back-up two in my eyes who could provide some much needed defense while leaving the scoring to others. Bernard Thompson, finally, was another young player who I began to admire for his ability to score and his good-but-not-great defensive efforts—on a second unit, he could be the perfect scoring option.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Outside of those three, and a couple others I was on the fence about, my hope was to purge the roster and start anew with new faces. Our drafting strategy, of course, was to pick the best player available. As for our free agency strategy, we sought to fill needs with players who fit best within the system we were trying to develop. Naturally we’d make big swings at a guy like Hat players like Hakeem, but players along the lines of shooting guard Byron Scott or power forward Dennis Rodman were more along the lines of the tier of player we were after.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;">Author's Note</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

An update on my prediction contest. tg01 was closest to the number of total wins, having guessed ten and was closest to the points per game for the leading scorer with 19 ppg. Therefore, despite daulten6 picking the correct leading scorer, I’m going to give the crown for the 1989-90 NBA Picks Champion to tg01. If you could led me know which NBA franchise you’d like a “Scouting Report” on, I’ll get to work on that and will post that before the preseason begins.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: The 1990 NBA Draft Lottery...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

tg01 · July 27, 2017

<p>Payton! Payton! Payton!!</p><p> </p><p>

As for the team....I'm most interested in the LA Lakers.....how a team that was the best in real life that season ended up being one of the worst this season intrigues me! (And they had better not finish ahead of you in the lottery and get Payton.....grrrrr!)</p>

Granite Armadillo · July 31, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="tg01" data-cite="tg01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Payton! Payton! Payton!!<p> </p><p> As for the team....I'm most interested in the LA Lakers.....how a team that was the best in real life that season ended up being one of the worst this season intrigues me! (And they had better not finish ahead of you in the lottery and get Payton.....grrrrr!)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Awesome. I'll do a Lakers write-up just before the season! I am excited to write this up, too; a lot has happened between 1988 and now with L.A., and I think you'd all enjoy reading about it.</p>

Granite Armadillo · July 31, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The 1990 NBA Draft Lottery...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

It was clear to me who the prize of the 1990 NBA Draft was. A six-feet, four-inch point guard out of Oregon State, Gary Payton was a tantalizing prospect. He can score. He can pass. He can play defense. For the Beavers in 1989, Payton scored 20.4 points per game, averaged 5.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. If the ping pong balls somehow bounced in our favor, he was the perfect Batman to Glen Rice's Robin.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

We weren't being too optimistic, though. Despite having the best odds at the number one pick in the 1990 Draft, the Draft Lottery can often be cruel and unforgiving.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Derrick Coleman, at six-feet, ten-inches and 250-plus pounds, was another offensive force who my staff worried wasn't quick enough to fit with the fast-paced offensive style we aimed to play. However, the Syracuse-product was a solid rebounder who would replace our weak front court.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Kendall Gill, another big point guard who played for Illinois, was another option we liked. Unlike Hayewoode Workman, he could score. However, unlike Workman, he was only an average passer. We really liked Workman, so if we were somehow in a position to pick between Gill and him... well, the choice was clear to us. We'd trade down.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Finally, Elden Campbell was the other big we were looking at in a worst case scenario. Like Coleman, we had concerns about his quickness. But he could rebound and play defense, adding much needed depth to our frontcourt.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Based on what our Plan B, C, and D were, my staff and I had our fingers crossed, our rabbits feet, and our four-leaf clovers in the war room. They worked.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Pre-Lottery Odds</strong></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36143227321_ec5766497e_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4294/36143227321_ec5766497e_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Lottery Results and Preview</strong></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36275504405_78b240a5f5_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4299/36275504405_78b240a5f5_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: The 1990 NBA Draft...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

tg01 · July 31, 2017

<p>You got him!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Gary Payton for President!! Or at least NBA Commissioner!! haha Totally psyched for next week!! </p><p> </p><p>

On a sidenote, how did the Bar Exam go??</p>

daulten6 · July 31, 2017

Payton and Rice will be an awesome duo together, and if you could somehow get Mutumbo in next year's draft, that Payton/Dikembe defense will be unstoppable!

Granite Armadillo · August 4, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="tg01" data-cite="tg01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You got him!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Gary Payton for President!! Or at least NBA Commissioner!! haha Totally psyched for next week!! <p> </p><p> On a sidenote, how did the Bar Exam go??</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks for asking! I think it went alright; only time will tell. I haven't had too much time to dwell on it, though. My fiance and I have been busy getting ready to move this Saturday.</p><p> </p><p> Back to the diary! The NBA Draft post will be up tonight, and the free agency post will be up either Saturday or Sunday evening. I've already simulated past the draft through free agency, and I am excited to see the reaction to some of the team's moves.</p>

Granite Armadillo · August 4, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The 1990 NBA Draft...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Draft Results</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36359634355_0bc12da76d_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/36359634355_0bc12da76d_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36359634325_9d271f09ba_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/36359634325_9d271f09ba_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Minnesota's Selections</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;">With the 1st pick in the 1990 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="35524057374_c5108c5059_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/35524057374_c5108c5059_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:12px;">With the 28th pick in the 1990 NBA draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="35524057284_ff28190fd1_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/35524057284_ff28190fd1_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Our front office did not have too much to fret over in the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft. With the number one pick already locked up, there was no doubt in our minds who we wanted to be our new point guard. Picking Gary Payton would diminish Haywoode Workman’s role on the roster, as he lacks the shooting ability to be a true off-the-ball force. But Payton, in our mind, has the potential to be a Hall of Famer—a once in a generation superstar that we’d be stupid to pass up on in favor of what we need.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The tougher choice—the one we spent weeks agonizing over—was who we’d pick in the second round. When the pick came up, it was me who made the final call. Matt Bullard, the six-ten forward of my alma mater was an unconventional selection to many in my front office. At 235 pounds, Bullard was a small-ish big who wasn’t known for his rebounding in college or his post play. He was a shooter; the rare big who could hit a jump shot and shoot 3’s. But he was also the antithesis of what we wanted to do defensively. Because he was small, Bullard was only an average defensive player down low who did not have the reputation as a shot blocker.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

With Bullard, we had a guy who could be a critical second team offensive force or a big who could spread the floor. In the end, it was this combination—coupled, admittedly, with his Iowa connections—which caused me to put my foot down, and select my fellow Hawkeye to join us in Minneapolis.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Picking Bullard did not leave us with much front court depth. Heading into free agency, I knew we needed to find players who could block shots, rebound, and fend off the league’s giants. Hakeem Olajuwon, Dennis Rodman, and Brad Daugherty were all up for grabs, and were all targets for my staff as we headed into free agency flush with cash.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: The 1990 NBA Free Agency Period...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

tg01 · August 4, 2017

Could it be....The Dream and The Glove on one team??! Really looking forward to your free agency!!

michgcs · August 6, 2017

<p>First of all, thanks for the shout-out <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

Second, I like how you've slowly built the team with in-depth reasoning for your moves. Too bad about Kareem not working out, but it made no sense to keep paying a guy who could barely play.</p><p> </p><p>

Third, Glen Rice and Gary Payton? That's a solid foundation for years to come. Hopefully you can add another piece to make for a truly formidable team. Maybe that chump Michael Jordan can join them in Minny seeing as how he can't win a ring. </p><p> </p><p>

I know you had some qualms about Workman prior to the draft, but what's stopping you from making him Payton's back-up?</p><p> </p><p>

Excited to see how far you take this! I hope the move went fine, glad to hear that the Bar Exam didn't give you too many problems. Now it's time to get back to more important things: this game!</p>

Granite Armadillo · August 17, 2017

<p>I wanted to let you know that this is far from dead. I moved recently, and it took us a while to get assimilated/Internet than I expected. My intent is to have a post on here tomorrow!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>First of all, thanks for the shout-out <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> Second, I like how you've slowly built the team with in-depth reasoning for your moves. Too bad about Kareem not working out, but it made no sense to keep paying a guy who could barely play.</p><p> </p><p> Third, Glen Rice and Gary Payton? That's a solid foundation for years to come. Hopefully you can add another piece to make for a truly formidable team. Maybe that chump Michael Jordan can join them in Minny seeing as how he can't win a ring. </p><p> </p><p> I know you had some qualms about Workman prior to the draft, but what's stopping you from making him Payton's back-up?</p><p> </p><p> Excited to see how far you take this! I hope the move went fine, glad to hear that the Bar Exam didn't give you too many problems. Now it's time to get back to more important things: this game!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> My hope is that Workman can develop into the leader of the second team. Thankfully we have him locked up on a good contract for three more years, so it's not like I have to make a decision with him right away. Based off of what I saw in his rookie season, though, I just know that (unless he becomes a better shooter) Workman will likely not be starting alongside Payton.</p><p> </p><p> And, as a little spoiler, based off of what happens to Chicago this free agency period... I don't expect MJ to be leaving the Bulls anytime soon.</p>

Granite Armadillo · August 18, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The 1990 NBA Free Agency Period...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The Dream was the true prize of the 1990 free agency class. Houston was desperate to get him back, and the rest of the NBA was salivating over the prospect of stealing him away. As soon as the Draft concluded, my staff was hard at work sculpting Minnesota’s pitch to Hakeem. And we put in a max offer: five years for a total of $22,312,500. Though, for a player who was receiving max offers from anybody with the cap space, I wasn’t optimistic about our chances that money would mean much.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Once you looked away from the cream of the crop, the Timberwolves’ biggest need was front court depth. As we headed into free agency, only Glen Rice, Haywoode Workman, Scott Meents, Gary Payton, and Matt Bullard were on the roster. There were needs throughout the depth chart, but the front court was where we had red flags. So I targeted a personal favorite: rebounding specialist Dennis Rodman, offering him $12,005,280 for five years. I was skeptical the money would be right, but it was the most I was willing to offer to a player who couldn’t score (at all, really). Rodman ended up scorning Minnesota; he stayed in Golden State on a six-year deal worth $21,819,953.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

With our two big front court options signing elsewhere, my staff looked elsewhere. We reached out to John Salley, offering what was essentially a two-year deal with a team option for a third at a total price of $3,542,022. When he signed with the Bucks for five years, $9,792,185, we moved to Ralph Sampson. Yet he opted to join Washington at four years for $3,560,616. By the time free agency wrapped up, my staff would find that we’d missed out on all of our front court targets. What we were left with was resigning Brian Rowsom and Orlando Woolridge on one-year deals—stopgap measures which left us with huge holes in the post.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Despite our struggles recruiting talent for the frontcourt, I had much better luck with backcourt talent. Heading into free agency, I had two targets in mind: long-time Laker shooting guard Byron Scott, and Sonics guard Nate McMillian. </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Scott, at 29 going on 30, was a perfect fit to improve our team in the short-term and provide leadership in the locker room for Payton and Rice to emulate. A great shooter, one of the appeals of Scott was that he could also defend and generate steals on the perimeter. Because of his age, and a desire not to clog our cap, I offered Scott’s camp a three-year deal worth $3,074,864 (with the third year being a team option). It was a cheap deal for us, but for a first offer we thought it was a good starting point for discussions. The market never heated up. Scott signed for our first offer.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

McMillian, on the other hand, was who we truly wanted. At 26 years old, he was about to enter into his prime; which didn’t quite mesh up woth the timetable our staff had for our youngsters. But he was young enough where we thought he could be the perfect third piece on a playoff contender. While not as crisp of a shooter as Scott, McMillian was a tremendous defensive player who could rebound, block shots, steal balls, and handle the ball. He was our do-it-all man who could complement Payton and Rice. Unlike Scott, though, we needed to offer him a max six year offer worth $22,312,500. We didn’t think we had a chance in hell of signing him when we made the offer. He signed.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The additions of Scott and McMillian left us a little heavy on backcourt talent. Whether all of our stars could coexist worried my coaching staff and I. But I thought we could make it work. And if we couldn’t? Hell, that’s what trades are for. To me, it was a good problem to have. To fill out the rest of the roster, we resigned Clinton Wheeler, Anthony Jones, and Bernard Thompson on one-year deals, and added defensive studs in Michael Anderson and former Iowa Hawkeye Ed Horton. Our roster, heading into the season, was far from finished… but I thought we had a solid foundation to make moves from during the season.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Minnesota's Acquisitions</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36501926781_e2314f8fde_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36501926781_e2314f8fde_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36501926761_8b818f4653_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/36501926761_8b818f4653_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36501926741_28b80f42e8_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36501926741_28b80f42e8_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36501926721_ea86f2e959_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36501926721_ea86f2e959_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Minnesota's Resignings</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36501926701_0a8e46ce65_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4399/36501926701_0a8e46ce65_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36639717365_10916b6124_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4440/36639717365_10916b6124_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36639717335_75d4317e59_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4331/36639717335_75d4317e59_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36639717295_5dd8bbaf4d_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4404/36639717295_5dd8bbaf4d_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36470851242_1ff3c4e0bf_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36470851242_1ff3c4e0bf_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Free Agency Summary</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36501926811_6e9f79cfd5_b.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4350/36501926811_6e9f79cfd5_b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: The 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers Scouting Report...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

michgcs · August 20, 2017

<p>Oh, you were right when you said MJ wouldn't want to leave Chi-Town. Damn, Jordan and Olajuwon should be devastating as a duo! </p><p> </p><p>

(Sort of like a pre-2000 Shaq and Kobe? How long until MJ demands for Hakeem to be traded? <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />)</p><p> </p><p>

Lack of frontcourt help aside, you didn't do too badly, yourself. Maybe it's time to trade Workman for a serviceable big!</p>

Granite Armadillo · August 21, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43847" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Oh, you were right when you said MJ wouldn't want to leave Chi-Town. Damn, Jordan and Olajuwon should be devastating as a duo! <p> </p><p> (Sort of like a pre-2000 Shaq and Kobe? How long until MJ demands for Hakeem to be traded? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />)</p><p> </p><p> Lack of frontcourt help aside, you didn't do too badly, yourself. Maybe it's time to trade Workman for a serviceable big!</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I definitely feel like some shopping is in order. I (somewhat stupidly, in hindsight) didn't think I would get McMillan, which is why I offered Byron Scott right away. To come away with both of them was a huge shock to me. How Payton, Rice, Workman, McMillan, and Scott do with our mediocre front court should be interesting.</p><p> </p><p> As for the Bulls, I could only imagine real life MJ responding to The Dream on his team (haha). Either way, in the game, I'm going to be shocked if Michael and company cannot, finally, get the NBA title which they've come so close to twice already.</p>

tg01 · August 21, 2017

Definitely thinking it should be an interesting season for you, definitely looking forward to see how everything "clicks."

Granite Armadillo · August 24, 2017

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:36px;">The 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers...</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Lakers History</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

This once storied franchise fell on hard times during the 1989-90 NBA season. After a solid 51-31 1988-89 season which Magic Johnson and the Lakers were shocked in the first round of the playoffs in four games. It was the surging Utah Jazz who beat them; leaving some within the organization optimistic about the future despite the setback.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Unfortunately, nobody expected what would happen during Los Angeles’s offseason. After leading L.A. to five championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, Erwin “Magic” Johnson fled from the team only a season removed from glory in order to join Charles Barkley and Hersey Hawkins—two NBA All-Leaguers—in Philadelphia.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

It was a move which would lead to the demise of the Lakers.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

With Magic gone, many of the other Lakers available for free agency opted to leave. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a long-time Laker legend and arguably the greatest NBA player of all time, fled to the expansion Timberwolves franchise. The team’s leading rebounder in 1988, A.C. Green, left for Indiana after three years with the team. All L.A. was left with were James Worthy and Byron Scott, two players who never spent their careers as first or second fiddles.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Although the team would add center Sam Bowie in free agency, the resulting season was a train wreck. 11-71. Worthy led the team with 22.98 points per game. Scott followed up with 21.35.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Yet despite their efforts (and the return of Kareem via a trade), the team took a substantial step back. After averaging 107.85 points per game in 1988, the team could only muster 95.40 in 1989. After only allowing 100.96 points per game, the team gave up 107.51. In order to try and keep the team competitive, Scott and Worthy stopped moving the ball in an effort to score.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Heading into the 1989-90 season, the Los Angeles Lakers try to be optimistic; though they know they have a long way to go. Only Worthy remains of their superstars, as Abdul-Jabbar continues his tremendous decline and Scott left for Minneapolis in free agency. The squad added 76ers power forward Mike Gminski to its lineup, but otherwise was unable to make a tremendous splash.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Luck, too, was not on their side; L.A. fell from the number one pick in the 1990 draft to the number three slot. That pick was used on Kendall Gill, who would later be shipped for the number four overall pick, Cedric Ceballos, to Washington.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Los Angeles is going to be bad. When Minnesota meets them during the regular season, I hope our squad uses it as a chance to get in some good practice. A loss to them is an embarrassment. Their core—Bowie, Worthy, and Gminski, are all nearing the end of their primes at 29, 29, and 31, respectively. The Lakers biggest prospect is Ceballos, who will likely come off the bench until he becomes a little more seasoned.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Simultaneously, they’re the Lakers. One cannot help but think that soon, they’ll bounce back.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Lakers Roster</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="36370056210_997b0c72ee_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/36370056210_997b0c72ee_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370056140_3cebca68a9_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36370056140_3cebca68a9_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370056090_5787093500_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4429/36370056090_5787093500_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370056060_75308fcb25_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4374/36370056060_75308fcb25_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370056020_d4fccb9af4_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/36370056020_d4fccb9af4_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055990_5a1c977f66_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4333/36370055990_5a1c977f66_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055890_4c2500ef94_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4366/36370055890_4c2500ef94_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055830_4079c6ab59_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/36370055830_4079c6ab59_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055750_97d2f0efb7_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4357/36370055750_97d2f0efb7_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055730_3111bfa4f6_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4367/36370055730_3111bfa4f6_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055660_a86312e344_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/36370055660_a86312e344_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055630_0065e2e99c_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4345/36370055630_0065e2e99c_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055560_4b4c2a3ea6_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4365/36370055560_4b4c2a3ea6_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055540_718973f2ce_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36370055540_718973f2ce_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="36370055490_d0ce3e91d3_z.jpg" data-src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4342/36370055490_d0ce3e91d3_z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:right;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:8px;"><strong>NEXT: The 1990 NBA Preseason...</strong></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

tg01 · October 3, 2017

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Minnesota Timberwolves: An Origin Story

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