TheZachAttack wrote:Warren is a JAG and not worth a roster spot.
I watched a few martial arts tournaments, where fighters can challenge anyone from crowd. One fight was particularly interesting because an ordinary street fighter challenged a professional kickboxer. The biggest difference was not talent as I thought, the biggest difference was ability of professional player to:
- identify opponent weaknesses
- explore opponent weaknesses
- implement fight tactic based on his own strengths and opponent weaknesses. When I say implement means professional was able to win in 3rd round by throwing consistently low kicks, because opponent was disregarding defense in this area.
I remembered this because TJ Warren from very first minute played as professional, and it is hard to expect same level of awareness/confidence from rookie. Right now, I guess he kind of hit the wall in terms of stamina, because he has not played much last two years. But if he can stay healthy, it is hard for me to find a better fit in terms of skills and price (for 10day contract and hopefully vetmin). Also when I look at our g-league roster I dont see a big wing who can shoot the ball like Warren does.
TheZachAttack wrote:I have concerns about Minott if he hasn't been able to see the floor even with injuries to 3 bigs and Kyle in foul trouble. Miller is young enough where he may still have time to develop.
Minott cant hit open three right now, but I think he is young enough to improve. He needs to spend his 3rd full offseason working on his shooting and passing. I find the most disappointing the fact that he said before SL league last summer that he wants to focus on his defense, but he has been mediocre defender even for g-league standards. I really hope that Minott and Miller can be developed as comboforwards who can hit open threes, rebound and provide help defense. Last games without Towns and Gobert MIN play smallball and using very aggressive perimeter defense when our players help helpers. If we play similar lineups we need a solid helper at PF. Look this stat below, it shows how valuable Anderson is in such scenarios.
Before last draft I liked Taylor Hendricks as mobile stretch four with shotblocking skills. But I would be more than happy if Leonard Miller or/and Minott, can give 100% effort, stays out of foul trouble, dont turn ball over, run in transition, fight for position/rebounds, and hit open threes with league average accuracy. It would an immense help for our roster moving into that 2nd apron zone.
TheZachAttack wrote:Naw/Naz are above average 6th and 7th men, but I would love one more player of their caliber. Monte and McLaughlin are fine 9 and 10 guys. Monte can still be better then that if he can regain some his previous form.
I guess based on our roster construction MIN wont have a luxury to sign above average players to play from bench. First loss will be Anderson who is clearly above average player when he comes from bench. The alternative for bench unit could be going for better fit players, rather than more talented (read more expensive players). Some examples:
TBJ => TJ Warren
DLo => Conley, Morris
Beasley => NAW
Milton => McLaughlin
