Dunking With Wolves
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Improving on Average with D’Angelo Russell

By Tim Parochka

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The Wolves are looking to improve in a major way this off-season by using the upcoming 2015 NBA draft to select a player who has the capability of being a star.

The ongoing discussion has been, of course, will Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor end up being the number-one overall pick, or will it be someone else? Although it’s projected that Towns and Okafor will be good NBA players, we should also consider another player that could change a franchise quickly in D’Angelo Russell.

Most people would agree that adding a big man in the draft would help resolve our biggest issue, and I agree with that prognosis. The point guard spot, however, is currently the most important position in the NBA and has been inconsistent in Minnesota for many, many years.

Since the Wolves’ last playoff berth in 2003-04, their point guards have been: an injured and aging Sam Cassell, Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson, Sebastian Telfair, Randy Foye, Kevin Ollie, Jonny Flippin’ Flynn, and Luke Ridnour; Ricky Rubio joined the team in 2011-12 and he has been manning the spot since then. Reading that list and watching the past four seasons brings up this question: is it time for another change at the point guard position?

My first point of emphasis: staying healthy is a huge part of playing at any professional level, so if you can’t stay healthy and on the court, that can be (and will be) used as a negative against you. The second point point of emphasis: if you are a player that’s only good at one thing, you’re replaceable.

Mar 19, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) dribbles against Virginia Commonwealth Rams guard/forward Treveon Graham (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Rubio has been the point guard for the past four seasons, and he has only played the full schedule once, including the lockout year that was also his rookie season. While the argument of “when Rubio’s healthy, we’re so much better.” is true in nature, it’s a problem. Especially given how much he’s been injured.

Ricky Rubio has one elite offensive skill: passing. Ricky does a great job giving his teammates great looks at the basket, but what if I told you that the Wolves could get a guard who can also shoot.

Ricky is, in many ways, an average NBA player. One statistic defends that notion is Rubio’s career 15.4 Player Efficiency Rating; the league average is 15. There’s nothing wrong with being average, but damn, you better look to improve average, especially when a majority of NBA playoff teams have All-Star-level guards.

There is a player in the draft who can shoot, and pass very well in D’Angelo Russell. He’s not the most athletic player, but his skills are unbelievable. Russell has a great feel for the game, and I really don’t understand why he isn’t being talked about more as a potential number-one overall pick.

The NBA is full of elite guards, and if you were to have a checklist of needs for any team, an elite guard would be at the top of the list. Personally, Rubio is one of my favorite players in the NBA, but he’s a poor shooter and he’s often injured. Those are significant issues.

D’Angelo Russell is going to be the player that we look back on in 3-4 years and think, “SON OF A …HOW DID WE NOT SELECT HIM?

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