Timberwolves @ Suns game thread 12-23-17

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

When I see Len’s development I can’t help but to think about jermaine O’Neal. Not because I think Len will reach that level as a performer, but because he was a great example of it taking a young big time to develop.

It’s the reason that while I’m losing some hope with chriss and bender (in a similar manner I lost some hope in Len), I maintain some small level of hope for development with time.

Just keep saying to yourself “jermaine O’Neal, jermaine O’Neal, jermaine O’Neal”

 

[Cheesebeef]

When I see Len’s development I can’t help but to think about jermaine O’Neal. Not because I think Len will reach that level as a performer, but because he was a great example of it taking a young big time to develop.

It’s the reason that while I’m losing some hope with chriss and bender (in a similar manner I lost some hope in Len), I maintain some small level of hope for development with time.

Just keep saying to yourself “jermaine O’Neal, jermaine O’Neal, jermaine O’Neal”

Or is this a guy just playing hard for a contract?

 

[SirStefan32]

Or is this a guy just playing hard for a contract?

Oh I am sure that's a factor. It has to be humiliating to become a restricted free agents and not get a single offer. I am sure he thought he was going to get a Mozgov-type contract.

That said, when I watch him, I see that he's simplified his game, that he is aggressive, and he is playing with a good attitude. I don't think he is just playing for the contract. Last year, he looked like he didn't know how. I never got the same "lazy, bad attitude, spoilet brat" vibe from him that I get from the likes of Chriss.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Oh I am sure that's a factor. It has to be humiliating to become a restricted free agents and not get a single offer. I am sure he thought he was going to get a Mozgov-type contract.

That said, when I watch him, I see that he's simplified his game, that he is aggressive, and he is playing with a good attitude. I don't think he is just playing for the contract. Last year, he looked like he didn't know how. I never got the same "lazy, bad attitude, spoilet brat" vibe from him that I get from the likes of Chriss.

Remember though... this is a guy who could have a great three week stretch and then disappear for two months before another great three week stretch.

Just saying... he’s playing well but buyer beware.

 

[SirStefan32]

Fair point!

 

[Mainstreet]

Oh I am sure that's a factor. It has to be humiliating to become a restricted free agents and not get a single offer. I am sure he thought he was going to get a Mozgov-type contract.

That said, when I watch him, I see that he's simplified his game, that he is aggressive, and he is playing with a good attitude. I don't think he is just playing for the contract. Last year, he looked like he didn't know how. I never got the same "lazy, bad attitude, spoilet brat" vibe from him that I get from the likes of Chriss.

Correct. Last year Len didn't know how to put the pieces together. This year he is playing solid.

I don't think attitude will be a problem after he gets paid either.

 

[BC867]

Correct. Last year Len didn't know how to put the pieces together. This year he is playing solid.

I don't think attitude will be a problem after he gets paid either.

So far, the major change has been Len's attitude when going for a rebound. He has been giving it his all.

I hope you are right that he has reached a new plateau from which he will not decline once he gets a new contract.

Nobody in the world, let alone on this board, knows what is in his mind. We can't discount that the term "contract year" has been around for a reason.

He makes it look so dramatic. My personal guess is that he will stop pushing himself that hard again next season. We'll see.

 

[Mainstreet]

So far, the major change has been Len's attitude when going for a rebound. He has been giving it his all.

I hope you are right that he has reached a new plateau from which he will not decline once he gets a new contract.

Nobody in the world, let alone on this board, knows what is in his mind. We can't discount that the term "contract year" has been around for a reason.

He makes it look so dramatic. My personal guess is that he will stop pushing himself that hard again next season. We'll see.

As I view it, Len has been on a journey, coordinating mind and body along the way, to get to this plateau. I don't remember posters complaining he didn't try, rather that he just didn't get it... how to play the game.

As previously mentioned, Len started basketball late. His attitude has always been good from what I can tell. Len may never be better than he is today but he has solidified his role as an NBA center.

Merry Christmas BC.

 

[Errntknght]

Last year was a contract year for Len... I suppose he might have been playing for a contract then, too, but he clearly had no good ideas about how to go about it.

 

[Hoop Head]

Last year was a contract year for Len... I suppose he might have been playing for a contract then, too, but he clearly had no good ideas about how to go about it.

That reduces my fear he'll regress if he gets paid this next summer, some. I hadn't looked at it like that before but it is a valid point. Len was playing for a contract last year also, perhaps without the urgency he is this year but he approached the offseason in a good way regardless as far as going back to Maryland and working on his fundamentals. I can't recall when he went there but I do remember reading a report on it. Who knows when that was planned, if it was at a point when he realized he wasn't getting any offers or not.