Justin Patton News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/justin-patton/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:45:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Justin Patton News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/justin-patton/ 32 32 Timberwolves Best and Worst Trade Options Available for Andrew Wiggins https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-best-and-worst-trade-options-available-for-andrew-wiggins/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-best-and-worst-trade-options-available-for-andrew-wiggins/#respond Mon, 14 May 2018 15:14:17 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9661

While the NBA’s version of the Final Four battle it out in their respective Conference Finals’ matchup, the Association’s other twenty-six franchises are on to the next one.

In case you forgot, the 2017 offseason was one of the craziest in its history. The plethora of blockbuster trades involving the likes of Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, Jimmy Butler (sup?), Chris Paul and others drastically altered the NBA’s landscape.

With all due respect to the NBA Draft (June 21st) and an immensely talented free agent pool, let’s the save the best for last first. Whether it involves the stock market, fantasy football, professional sports rosters, or another realm you partake in; it’s damn near impossible to out-do the adrenaline rush associated with a good trade.

The euphoria of the Jimmy Buckets acquisition seems extremely difficult to match. For the magnitude of any of this offseason’s fireworks to remotely compare to 2017’s proverbial pyrotechnics, Andrew Wiggins would have to be involved in a MASSIVE deal:

Although the Bill Simmons’ created website wants to see Wiggins dealt, I’m extremely torn on the topic.

First off, it’s important to remember that Maple Jordan is a mere 23 years-old. The man who isn’t even near his prime posted 23.6 PPG (45.2 FG%) during the 2016-17 season. His offensive talents are off the charts.

On the flip side, when breaking down his 2017-18 statistical drop-off, only some of Wiggins decreased numbers make sense. It doesn’t take a basketball guru to comprehend that Jimmy Butler is going to attempt more FGs than the likes of Brandon Rush. While the difference in teammates helps explain the drop in production by 5.9 points per game, it certainly doesn’t justify his decrease in player efficiency rating.

  • 2015-16 PER: 16.5
  • 2016-17 PER: 16.5
  • 2017-18 PER: 13.0

Second of all, my willingness to appreciate an Andrew Wiggins trade, (obviously) depends on who the Timberwolves would receive in return. For example: If a hypothetical transaction involves receiving the likes of Andre Drummond or Hassan Whiteside, I’ll tweak. Spazz City.

To me, a proposed formula that Minnesota improves by trading for one of these two doesn’t equate. If you want to do the New Orleans style dual big man thing, both need the ability to shoot with range. While Drummond and Whiteside are studs defensively, I’m not sure either knows how to perform a jump shot, let alone make one.

via GIPHY

Now that the “ I can’t hit a free-throw crew” has been addressed, here are some other names to keep an eye on:  

Kawhi Leonard:

After a soap opera worthy ’17-’18 campaign with the Spurs, Leonard “wants out” of San Antonio.

While the potential of acquiring the 2x Defensive Player of the Year for a Wiggins package may seem ideal, unless you’re the Lakers, trading for The Klaw puts to many eggs in next season’s basket:

As much as I adore the artist known as The Klaw’s game, parting ways with Wiggins (and more) for the 2019 Free Agent (who is a Los Angeles native) seems extremely shortsighted.

DeMar Derozan:

The 28 year-old DeMar Derozan has spent his entire career in Toronto. After the Raptors once again got Lebron’d out of the playoffs, his name is being aggressively involved in trade rumors. With Wiggins being a native of Canada, the swap (plus a Wolves’ pick or two) comes off to some as ideal:

I’m of the adage that unless it’s basically straight up, you pass on this veteran. In addition to his putrid three-point percentage, the USC product’s defense has been referred to as “porous.” Andrew Wiggins’ ceiling towers over DeRozan’s already-reached peak.

Kyle Lowry:

DeRozan’s backcourt teammate? No, no, no, no. They can keep the 32 year-old. When you parlay Lowry’s age, with his plummeting 2017-18 stats, it’s not pretty.

Honestly, I thought he was about to take up accounting:

Russell Westbrook:

Pipe dream, right? I’m not so sure about that. Check out this quote from ESPN’s Zach Lowe:

Surprisingly, the 2016-17 NBA MVP is already 29 years old. In addition to Westbrook’s age, Paul George is expected to leave OKC to join the Lakers. As the end of Russ’ prime inches closer and closer, the logic behind the Thunder calling for a complete rebuild begins to make more and more sense.

I’m not alone in this mindset:

The Timberwolves have to (at least) make a phone call, right? The Suns probably will, right?

Assuming the Thunder front office laughs at a Wiggins, Jones, and first round pick proposal, the Wolves have more to offer (Dieng, Teague, Patton, other picks, etc.). Mix that shit up. Get passive aggressively aggressive. If it helps, include my soul in the negotiations. Screw it.

We’re talking about Russell f*cken Westbrook.

via GIPHY

When it’s all said and done, I’m certainly not holding my breathe on the 7x All Star making Minnesota his new home. However, if it happened, these two would probably want to ride this Minnesota Timberwolf thing out:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-best-and-worst-trade-options-available-for-andrew-wiggins/feed/ 0 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:45:29 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves Losing in Houston and Iowa: Rookie, Justin Patton, has 2nd Surgery on Foot https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-losing-in-houston-and-iowa-rookie-justin-patton-has-2nd-surgery-on-foot/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-losing-in-houston-and-iowa-rookie-justin-patton-has-2nd-surgery-on-foot/#respond Thu, 19 Apr 2018 21:17:17 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9311

In case you were transfixed by Wednesday’s marathon Twins game, here’s a friendly Minnesota heads-up:

The Timberwolves got their ass kicked.

Dear Target Center: We need your help. Thanks.

The series will return to action on Saturday. In the interim, prepare yourself for plenty of Wolves related ridicule. For those of you about that life, you can find some at the 11 minute mark of the latest NSJS podcast:

As many people panic over Towns, my worries surround a different Minnesota big man:

On 2017’s Fourth of July, Justin Patton underwent surgery to “repair a broken fifth metatarsal on his left foot.” The fifth metatarsal, for the 99%+ of us who aren’t medical professionals, is the “long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.”

Patton, the 16th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, came to Minnesota via the Jimmy Butler trade. Less than two weeks into his Wolves’ career, the one-and-done from Creighton slipped on a court wet spot.

via GIPHY

Why was that demon wet spot not removed?

After a five-month recovery process, the 7’ Center made his G League debut in mid-December. In his first game, Patton’s 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in only 16 minutes of action was so impressive it left Iowa Wolves coach Scott Roth “a little shocked.”

When it was all said and done, the Omaha native played in 38 games (12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG) for Minnesota’s G League affiliate. Despite seeing 23.1 minutes per contest with Iowa, he saw less than four minutes of NBA action.

With hopes that he’ll return for September’s training camp, the Timberwolves elected for a second surgery “to encourage further healing”.  Wolves’ fans around the state are itching to put this issue to sleep.   

In closing, as painful as Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets was, indications are that this team is a couple/few years away (if Jimmy doesn’t leave via 2019 FA) from reaching their peak.

For that peak to reach its full potential, parlaying this man with KAT in the front court seems almost necessary:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-losing-in-houston-and-iowa-rookie-justin-patton-has-2nd-surgery-on-foot/feed/ 0 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:45:34 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves UPDATE: Jimmy Butler Full Participant in Practice; Defends Thibodeau https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/jimmy-butler-full-participant-in-practice-defends-thibodeau/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/jimmy-butler-full-participant-in-practice-defends-thibodeau/#respond Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:38:01 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9090

UPDATE (4/3/18 3:00 PM CST): Jimmy Butler May Play Thursday vs. Nuggets.

I know you’re not supposed to count your chickens before they hatch, but damn. When it comes to Tuesday’s Jimmy Butler developments, it’s hard not to begin picturing the return of the Wolves’ grit-filled superstar.

As for if that means he’ll play Thursday, “don’t ask.”

In many circumstances, that type of response may have rubbed fans the wrong way. However, when it comes from Butler, it’s pure poetry. There’s no doubt in my mind the Marquette alum is dying to get back on the court. When considering how bad (real f*cken bad) I want to see Jimmy Butler return, my desire has to be nothing compared to how bad he’s chomping at the bit.

He was also chomping at the bit to stand up for his coach, who’s been taken throught the ringer on social media of late:

Now that we’ve addressed the breaking Butler news for Tuesday:

Where do the Wolves currently stand in the Western Conference?

Outside of the upcoming Nuggets game, what does the rest of the schedule look like?

All of that information is available (and still relevant) in my original article below.

-Johnny Minnesota

ORIGINAL (4/3/18 11:00 AM CST): What Separates the Timberwolves from the Playoffs and a Top-6 Seed?

If success really is the best revenge, Ricky Rubio might still be recovering from a vengeance-induced hangover. In case you missed it, on Sunday, during Minnesota’s disappointing loss, the ex-Wolf absolutely torched his former employer:

Good thing it isn’t April Fool’s Day any longer because those stats are no joke. The 27 year-old, who is notorious for his shooting woes, legitimately went 5-6 from deep. As if that’s not unpleasant enough, the significant implications the Rubio-lead win had on the Western Conference’s playoff picture made Utah’s beatdown of the Timberwolves that much more painful.

Speaking of painful: It’s important to note that; on top of Butler’s absence, Jeff Teague (sore right knee) and Derrick Rose (sprained right ankle) sat this ass-kicking out. Rose dressed this time, but didn’t play for the sixth consecutive game. Although I appreciated the Justin Patton sighting and Aaron Brooks nostalgia, being short-handed took its toll. With the beloved Tyus Jones drawing the start, Rubio had himself a whale of a time:

*Apparently, Ricky and I have different definitions of fun.

As of early Tuesday morning, Teague and Rose remain uncertain for Thursday’s upcoming contest but Kyle Ratke, who runs the Timberwolves website and covers the team for NBA.com, told our own Eric and Brandon Strack that he expects Rose to hit the floor Thursday, when he appeared on “No Shirts Just Skins” last weekend.

(Chapter 4 – Wolves with Ratke)

To touch on the one optimistic side of the injury arena, Jimmy Butler (right knee) is “this close to playing.” Hopefully (fingers crossed, knock-on-wood), the 4x All-Star will return on Thursday. In the meantime, even though he hasn’t played since February 23rd, Mr. Buckets keeps balling:

Rather than go on an emotional rant about how much I love that move, it’s probably best if we stick to actual basketball.

Western Conference Standings:

With the entire NBA taking Monday off, Tuesday features a jam-packed 13 game slate. In regards to Minnesota, they get a little extended rest:

Timberwolves Remaining Schedule:

Sidebar: That is the “Final Four” everyone has been talking about, correct?

Surprisingly, there is only a three-game difference separating the West’s 4-9 seeds. Clearly, the standings over this final stretch are sure to vary, like Minnesota’s weather this spring.

If the NBA postseason started today, the Nuggets would be the odd man team out. However, with two remaining games against Tom Thibodeau’s squad, Denver controls their own playoff destiny. Upon parlaying that information with the Pelicans and Timberwolves recent struggles, the way I view it, Nikola Jokic and company could easily finish as high as the seven seed.

And the Jazz? They’re rolling more than a pair of dice. Unfortunately for the Wolves, I don’t know why Utah’s upward trend wouldn’t continue, especially after what we saw the other night. But, unlike Utah, Oklahoma City has an aggressive remaining schedule. The Thunder, who still have to play the likes of Golden State, Houston, and Miami, could easily close the regular season with a worse win/loss than Minnesota.

One thing that is extremely important to keep in mind throughout this anxiety-ridden process, is the injury of Stephen Curry. With The Chef set to miss the playoffs’ opening round, Golden State just became beatable. The majority of NBA fans (including myself) want to see a bloodbath series between former teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

In a perfect world, Minnesota finishes no lower than the sixth seed, and we get to witness that heated showdown from the sidelines. While watching all the hatred between last year’s MVP and last year’s Final’s MVP would be euphoric, it’s not even close to euphoric enough, if it means the Wolves finish with the 8th seed, and have to face Houston in the first round. All indications point to the Rockets dusting their first round opponent, even if that opponent has a rocking-and-rolling Jimmy Butler.

To close, while we try to #staywoke on the potential outcomes, the A-1 priority remains: 

Put this beast to bed:

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/jimmy-butler-full-participant-in-practice-defends-thibodeau/feed/ 0 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 15:17:21 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves Justin Patton Returns to Iowa Friday; Thibs, PLEASE Play Him Before Then https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/justin-patton-returns-iowa-friday-thibs-please-play/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/justin-patton-returns-iowa-friday-thibs-please-play/#respond Tue, 26 Dec 2017 19:58:55 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=5738

I sat on this topic in hopes Justin Patton would make his NBA debut on Monday night. Looking back at it now, that was a mistake. He and the also newly recalled, Anthony Brown, were with the Wolves in Los Angeles. However, both were inactive.

Per Tuesday’s StarTribune article, all signs point to Patton returning to Iowa after that team’s holiday break ceases on Friday. Like a QB apologizing to his WR after laying him out to dry across the middle, that’s my bad. This article should have been done on Sunday. That is when Justin Patton was called up from the G-League. As Damian Lillard preaches in the new Addidas commercial, “strike while the iron is hot.”

That star-studded round-table is going to sell that company some apparel. NO DOUBT. In case you’re wondering, Adidas stock opened Tuesday at $100.59 per share. I’m no financial advisor, but I did take a few business classes at a Public University…

I digress. It’s back to basketball. That’s why we’re here in the first place. We’re here to break down the 20 year-old, 7 footer, Justin Patton:

In 2015, coming out of high school, Justin Patton wasn’t even an ESPN Top 100 recruit. He immediately accepted his first Division 1 offer to nearby Creighton University. After red-shirting his first year on campus, Patton earned Big East Freshman of the year honors in 2016-2017. Here are his stats from his one and only season of college basketball:

Do you see what I see?

53.3% from deep! He shot less than one every two games, but still. That shooting potential is more than (maybe already) there. Seeing anyone put up that kind of percentage from three will turn heads. When it’s a 7 footer who’s this young and athletic, scouts end up with whiplash.

Following his short Creighton tenure, the Nebraska product was the 17th overall pick in last spring’s draft. Originally taken by the Chicago Bulls, Justin Patton was sent to Minnesota as a piece of the Jimmy Butler trade.

FYI – That’s a Chicago fans opinion.

The rookie’s NBA debut has been delayed, due to a broken foot he suffered over the summer. Patton has spent the last couple of weeks playing for Minnesota’s G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. In six games with Iowa, the athletic big averaged 9.5 points (48.9% FG), 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over 17.5 minutes.

My excitement/anxiety associated with seeing Patton on the court (hopefully Wednesday) is through the roof. I’m keeping a glass half-full mentality.

Minnesota Basketball fans should recall former Michigan Wolverine, D.J. Wilson:

Wilson was part of a three-headed monster that saw the Wolverines make that amazing 2017 run in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. The Michigan alum was drafted one pick after Justin Patton. He is currently averaging LESS than a point per game with a P.E.R. of 1.78.

You’d imagine our rookie will get some revenge for Richard Pitino. That would be nice. Who knows how much he’ll play, but he should, eventually, crush Wilson’s stats. It would make me feel better if Patton helped put the 6’10” Milwaukee Bucks forward in his place after he helped beat the Maroon and Gold in the Big Ten Tourney Semifinals last year.

Let’s hope our rookie is closer to the Donavon Mitchell side of the spectrum. Mitchell,  who played for Pitino Sr., along with Ben Simmons,  is currently a favorite for Rookie of the Year. The 13th overall pick is out-playing the likes of Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Dennis Smith, and all other NBA freshman.

Even some of the NBA’s biggest stars are starting to recognize the Louisville product and his 18 PPG:

If that’s the case, hopefully he gets some NBA action on Wednesday/Thursday, parlays that into another strong stretch for Iowa, and is back up with MN before we know it.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-timberwolves/justin-patton-returns-iowa-friday-thibs-please-play/feed/ 0 Tue, 26 Dec 2017 14:13:58 +0000 Minnesota Timberwolves