The problem is that by the time the Wolves are ready for the playoffs — you’d have to guess it’d be two or three years, maybe longer — Miller will be loooong gone.

Big Al and Love together will sure be fun to watch and will bring ppl to the Target Center. At least a few people, like me. But then again I went and watched them play the Clippers last year and I counted more people in my row of friends and acquaintances drinking from flasks than the rest of the arena.

Love is passing like a fiend so far in Summer League, and having speedy guys like Brewer (who was a superb college player but won’t ever be good in the NBA unless he beefs up and works on his J. Extreme caution is advisable!!! At least he’s working on his shot this off-season and during Summer ball) and McCants, who never gets enough respect or PT, ever! I saw him score 16 on 80% shooting in 15 minutes of clock, and Rodney Carney (who is about to have a career year!) will produce some good transition offense.

But anyways, I care about the Wolves too much. Go Bulls–and let us unburden you and take Hinrich off your hands, we could use a PG pretty badly so Foye can play the 2.

Your observation about what would be perceived as Jefferson’s deficiencies at the four is valid. It seems like the ideal offensive system for Big Al is a slow, methodical half-court game. I agree that playing with another big — be it Collins or Love — will alleviate some of the problems.

Also, I like Gomes. Even if it’s only because he puts up some solid statistics.

Travis:

I think Love’s arc of improvement will depend on his personality. Some players just aren’t ready to play from Day One. Since I haven’t personally met Love nor have I seen him in a full-out game with true NBA teams, I don’t know if they need to start him right away. Play him right away, sure, but start?

I had the same “start him immediately” attitude towards Corey Brewer last year and that hasn’t worked out too well. Some caution can be advisable, no?

The key is that last year, he was almost always our only big on the floor. Having Love out there with him will help him immeasurably. That’s not because Love will be a huge improvement on our previous big man, but rather, we’ll have a second big man. Last year it was Jefferson and Craig Smith, with the height of a shooting guard, and Gomes, a slow small forward. It was practically Jefferson and four guards. That’s a big part of why he was often made to look bad on the defensive end. So he can’t guard Dwight Howard one on one. No one else can either! Now at least Love can come over on the double.

I hope Brewer improves, because right now he is kind of a disaster and should definitely not be starting or even playing sixth-man minutes.

Other possible starting five: Foye, Miller, Gomes, Love, Jefferson.