Is This Year's Roster Better Than Last Year's? Wolves Roster Evaluated.

In this article, I would like to critique this year's roster compared to last year's roster.

I will be comparing the best roster lineup from last year, which was arguably the January saga in which the Wolves went 10-2, to the roster that David Kahn has presented us with as of now.

January's lineup 08-09

PG-Telfair/Foye

SG-Foye/Miller/Carney

SF-Gomes/Miller/Carney

PF-Love/Smith/Cardinal/Gomes

C-Jefferson/Love/Collins

Key Points: Telfair was the starting point guard. While Foye shared minutes at the two guard when Telfair was out of the game, Foye served as primary point guard. When Craig Smith and Love were both out of the game, Gomes logged minutes at the PF spot. Jefferson was a full time center. Carney played both shooting guard and small forward. Miller played both shooting guard and small forward.

Upcoming Timberwolves roster 09-10

PG- Flynn/Sessions/Atkins*/Brown*

SG- Ellington/Brewer/Carney***

SF- Gomes**/Brewer**/Carney***

PF- Love**/Hollins**/Pecherov**/Hollins**/Gomes**

C- Jefferson**/Hollins**/Love**/Pecherov**

*- Most likely Traded Before Training Camp

**- Plays two positions

***- Most likely resigned before training camp

If the January roster went up against the upcoming roster, who would win?

I would have to say the upcoming Wolves Roster

Why?

Point Guard Play- Flynn and Telfair are both the same height. But Flynn is a much better shooter than Telfair, and has much more bulk then Telfair. He would out muscle Telfair very easily, although they both are very quick.

Telfair was a pretty good distributor, but Flynn has him beat. With Flynn's ability to penetrate into a defense, that will open up more shots for our shooting guards.

When you add Ramon Sessions to the mix as a backup, then the upcoming Wolves roster wins by a load.

Shooting Guard Play- Ellington is willing to shoot, and he shoots it well. Although the Summer league is not a justification of that, he hits almost all open three point shots. He finished shooting 53% from three-point range, almost shooting at least five a game.

The January's roster had Rodney Carney, who was the only shooting guard with the right size and willingness to shoot and drive. But the upcoming roster has him as well (he is likely to be resigned).

The January's roster does not have Corey Brewer, who would lock down Miller and Foye easily. Miller is not a good enough ball handler to create his own shots, and Foye was an undersized shooting guard.

Wayne Ellington is 6'6'' and is a true off guard. He comes off screens, run's the fast break, and can create his own shot if given the chance.

Although Foye was in the top 50 in scoring in the NBA, he was no. 50 in field goal percentage. He shot only 40% from the field. Need I say more?

Small Forward Play- Nothing changed whatsoever as of right now, except an improved and newly named co-captain Ryan Gomes. David Kahn has stated that we will be adding one more wing, but with an increased role, Ryan Gomes already has gotton better than he was in January. When Foye and Jefferson was down, the Co-Captain often put up 20+ point performances.

Upcoming Wolves roster wins this one due to Corey Brewer, and another wing.

Power Forward Play- The only loss the upcoming roster took was the loss of Craig Smith. Craig Smith was a points in bunches type of guy, but often was involved in foul trouble because he was too small as a PF to defend other PF's.

Kevin Love is way better than he was in January right now. Brian Cardinal was used as a leader and for three-point shooting. While we still retain Cardinal, we also add Olekisy Pecherov, who can shoot three point shots, but just needs to be in the right play-set.

The Power Forward play gets a boost through the acquisition of Ryan Hollins. He's a defensive presence, but most likely won't get many minutes at the four. It will give Jefferson some time to play the four while Hollins plays the five.

Center Play- Pecherov and Hollins are a major upgrade compared to Jason Collins. Pecherov can spread a defense if Jefferson is at the 4, and Hollins is a defensive presence that can allow Love and Jefferson to focus on offense.

Who Would Win?

I think it's obvious.

Flynn will be way better than Telfair, and Sessions as a backup will ensure we're getting someone better than Telfair. This is a no brainer to the victory of the upcoming Wolves roster concerning point guard play.

Ellington is unproven, but with his willingness to shoot, and his high shooting percentage in summer league, he's an upgrade from Foye and Miller any day. Foye was undersized and Miller would not shoot, both qualities that Ellington is not.

Brewer is back for a defensive presence, mid-range shooting, and fastbreak scoring. The upcoming Wolves roster wins here as well.

The small forward position is virtually the same. The Wolves are also adding one more wing anyways so...no brainer.

Love now get's to play the four full time, which will be great for him.

Jefferson will see some minutes at the four and that can benefit the Wolves greatly.

Olekisy Pecherov can log some minutes at the four and really become a great shooter from midrange and three-point range.. no brainer.

With Ryan Hollins logging around 15 minutes on the floor, possibly even more, the Wolves really have a big advantage over last years roster by being able to put Jefferson at the four. This also enables Gomes to play the three full time... no brainer.

Upcoming Wolves Roster wins by 17 points with a score of 97 to 80 (estimation).

This upcoming Wolves roster can win 35 games with another wing.

Thanks for reading!

P.S- Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington and Corey Brewer had great chemistry during the Summer League