Iowa Wolves/G League talk

[shangrila]

If anyone saw the Garza games ..

Did all his body work on quickness give him a chance to play PF, or is he just a quicker center?

He's not even a quick C, let alone someone that can play PF.

I know Garza is a fun story but realistically he's not an NBA player.

[KGdaBom]

If anyone saw the Garza games ..

Did all his body work on quickness give him a chance to play PF, or is he just a quicker center?

He's not even a quick C, let alone someone that can play PF.

I know Garza is a fun story but realistically he's not an NBA player.

Than how does he dominate the G League possibly more than any player ever has dominated the G League. Yeah I know it's not as good as the NBA, but Garza is possibly the single most dominant G League player ever.

[Klomp]

If anyone saw the Garza games ..

Did all his body work on quickness give him a chance to play PF, or is he just a quicker center?

He's not even a quick C, let alone someone that can play PF.

I know Garza is a fun story but realistically he's not an NBA player.

Than how does he dominate the G League possibly more than any player ever has dominated the G League. Yeah I know it's not as good as the NBA, but Garza is possibly the single most dominant G League player ever.

G League teams are largely built with smaller 'bigs'. If they are bigger 'bigs', there is a talent gap that keeps them out of the NBA.

Luka Garza has a skill set that allows him to bully smaller bigs. Tacko Fall averaged 14/11 in the G League because of this advantage and is now playing in China.

Most G League to NBA 'success stories' aren't because they put up dominant stats. It's because they have a skill set that is replicable to the NBA game.

[KGdaBom]

He's not even a quick C, let alone someone that can play PF.

I know Garza is a fun story but realistically he's not an NBA player.

Than how does he dominate the G League possibly more than any player ever has dominated the G League. Yeah I know it's not as good as the NBA, but Garza is possibly the single most dominant G League player ever.

G League teams are largely built with smaller 'bigs'. If they are bigger 'bigs', there is a talent gap that keeps them out of the NBA.

Luka Garza has a skill set that allows him to bully smaller bigs. Tacko Fall averaged 14/11 in the G League because of this advantage and is now playing in China.

Most G League to NBA 'success stories' aren't because they put up dominant stats. It's because they have a skill set that is replicable to the NBA game.

Yeah, but there comes a point where when there's smoke there's fire. What if he was averaging 100 points and 50 rebounds a game in the G league. He probably wouldn't do that in the NBA, but he could probably average 30-20. Garza's G League numbers are ridonkulous.
Tacko 14/11 is not in the same realm of Garza's 36 and 13 or so. I'm just kind of guessing.

[Mamba4Goat]

Luka being so slow is kinda outdated. He’s transformed a fair bit and is definitely a guy who you could roll the dice on as your full time backup center. I’d feel more comfortable transitioning to him than going from Beasley to Nowell for example.

[KGdaBom]

Luka being so slow is kinda outdated. He’s transformed a fair bit and is definitely a guy who you could roll the dice on as your full time backup center. I’d feel more comfortable transitioning to him than going from Beasley to Nowell for example.

Thanks.

[wolves_89]

Luka being so slow is kinda outdated. He’s transformed a fair bit and is definitely a guy who you could roll the dice on as your full time backup center. I’d feel more comfortable transitioning to him than going from Beasley to Nowell for example.

I think Garza's slow foot speed is only a small part of his defensive problems. His biggest issue is that he provides absolutely no rim protection when he is in the game. I've watched a couple of Luka's Iowa games and teams pretty much scored at will in the paint. The perimeter defenders consistently got blown by and Garza was unable to do anything to make the layups even slightly difficult.

[shrink]

I haven’t seen him this year, and I wondered if his three-a-day body reshape workouts had any effect?

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

[frankenwolf]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

Based simply what I saw on this highlight reel, a PF. Looks like he had some time at C also, but I am not very familiar with the make-up of the IA Wolves

[KGdaBom]

WENDELL MOORE
1/04/2024 5:52:42 AM
Moore notched 21 points (8-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals over 39 minutes in Wednesday’s 136-132 loss to the Memphis Hustle. Moore put forth a well-rounded game Wednesday, adding a handful of rebounds and assists while recording a team-high-tying steals mark and ending as one of two Wolves with 20 or more points. Moore has averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals over 38.0 minutes in his last four contests.

LEONARD MILLER
1/04/2024 5:48:57 AM
Miller finished with 35 points (14-20 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, six assists and one steal over 34 minutes in Wednesday’s 136-132 loss to the Memphis Hustle. Miller led all players in Wednesday's contest in scoring and rebounds while pacing the Wolves in threes made along with a team-high-tying assist total in an all-around showcase. Miller has averaged 21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals over 28.6 minutes in his last four contests.

[BlacJacMac]

WENDELL MOORE
1/04/2024 5:52:42 AM
Moore notched 21 points (8-19 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals over 39 minutes in Wednesday’s 136-132 loss to the Memphis Hustle. Moore put forth a well-rounded game Wednesday, adding a handful of rebounds and assists while recording a team-high-tying steals mark and ending as one of two Wolves with 20 or more points. Moore has averaged 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals over 38.0 minutes in his last four contests.

And shooting 36/32/71

[shangrila]

Trevor Keels had a solid game as well. 17pts, 4rbs, 6asts to 2TOVs, 2stls on 60-33-50 (2-4 from the line) shooting.

Guy still can't shoot consistently, which is odd given that his shot form looks fine (the Okogie effect) but nice to see him rounding into better form.

And while Minott's shooting has left him he's upped his steals and blocks significantly in 5 less mpg. I still like him long term as an energy big and might prefer him next year to Leonard (who can spend one more season in the G League to make sure those defensive effort concerns aren't real).

[younggunsmn]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

Absolutely a 4, but one that can handle a bit. Julius Randle mold.

They blew a 4 point lead with 40 seconds left? sigh.

The shot looked really good but I really question if a lot of those other paint buckets translate against NBA defenders.
At least he didn't get benched for loafing this time though.

[wolves_89]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

I expect his primary position to be PF with some ability to shift to SF/C in certain situations. In general, I don't think Miller will ever be strong enough to guard traditional sized centers or quick enough to guard the more athletic small forwards.

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

I expect his primary position to be PF with some ability to shift to SF/C in certain situations. In general, I don't think Miller will ever be strong enough to guard traditional sized centers or quick enough to guard the more athletic small forwards.

Yes, I struggle to find any close NBA comparison for him. He was drafted for his motor and rebounding. I definitely don't see him as rebounding specialist in NBA. On other hand it looks like he is developing a serviceable three point shot. But he is not a good rum runner, he has good hands and can finish around the rim, he definitely has touch, but lacks both strength and explosiveness.

[jpatrick]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

I expect his primary position to be PF with some ability to shift to SF/C in certain situations. In general, I don't think Miller will ever be strong enough to guard traditional sized centers or quick enough to guard the more athletic small forwards.

Yes, I struggle to find any close NBA comparison for him. He was drafted for his motor and rebounding. I definitely don't see him as rebounding specialist in NBA. On other hand it looks like he is developing a serviceable three point shot. But he is not a good rum runner, he has good hands and can finish around the rim, he definitely has touch, but lacks both strength and explosiveness.

I always come back to Bobby Portis. Good, not great athlete. Okay shooter although Portis improved a lot. Portis played hard. I think Miller has more ball/passing skills.

[KGdaBom]

Watch on YouTube

Is he PF or SF?

Absolutely a 4, but one that can handle a bit. Julius Randle mold.

They blew a 4 point lead with 40 seconds left? sigh.

The shot looked really good but I really question if a lot of those other paint buckets translate against NBA defenders.
At least he didn't get benched for loafing this time though.

I almost commented on the same thing.

[minimus]

I expect his primary position to be PF with some ability to shift to SF/C in certain situations. In general, I don't think Miller will ever be strong enough to guard traditional sized centers or quick enough to guard the more athletic small forwards.

Yes, I struggle to find any close NBA comparison for him. He was drafted for his motor and rebounding. I definitely don't see him as rebounding specialist in NBA. On other hand it looks like he is developing a serviceable three point shot. But he is not a good rum runner, he has good hands and can finish around the rim, he definitely has touch, but lacks both strength and explosiveness.

I always come back to Bobby Portis. Good, not great athlete. Okay shooter although Portis improved a lot. Portis played hard. I think Miller has more ball/passing skills.

This! Bobby Portis with better self control and more ball/passing skills!

[wolves_89]

With the Wolves finally nearing the end of the extended stretch of playing winning teams, I think it would be worthwhile to give Minott, Miller, and maybe even Garza/Nix/Moore a some occasional rotation minutes to get a feel for where they are at in terms of playability. It would be good to know how close Minott/Miller are to being able to take on some of Anderson's role (the PF minutes primarily) in case they decide to trade Kyle. Letting the young guys get some non-garbage time minutes against the easier teams gives them a chance to earn their way into more minutes (or play themselves back to Iowa).