Do you think the Wolves going extra big is a good thing?

[Krapinsky]

I guess the first question is how much did we gain or lose switching V8 with KA? Second, how does Nowell perform on defense when given regular minutes? He seemed fine in man coverage but lost in scheme. Third, how much better on defense is Prince when guarding his natural position, (SF,) and can he switch and contain wings? Finally, will Moore be ready at some point to enter the rotation and defend at a high level (assuming he spends at least 3-4 months in Iowa.)

That first question is a great one - moving from V8 to KAT at PF. I think KAT will struggle pretty badly on defense some nights unfortunately, trying to defend a quicker wing/PF. Also, it seems a big wing is the blueprint on how to defend Towns, however, KAT may be more likely to just catch and shoot when we've got GoBear down low. Karl catching and shooting sounds just dandy to me. It seemed KAT's offensive struggles vs. wings came when he tried to put the ball on the floor or just hold it too long. KAT will need to play smart and maximize positioning on defense to overcome his quickness disadvantage. With some good coaching, replacing V8 with KAT at PF should be a net gain.

As for Nowell on defense... yeah that's gonna be ugly. Just need instant offense and mistake-free ball from him, which is very doable, and he'll be ok.

Again, if our perimeter defense can play at a respectable level during our big ball lineups, I think our rebounding and offensive efficiency advantage will lead to a very formidable squad.

To be clear, when I typed KA it was for Kyle Anderson. Many people (myself included) think of Anderson as the V8 replacement. Remember V8 was not an original starter last season, but earned that right after the eventual collapse of Jaden McDaniels. In the early days of last year MCD was picking up fouls every couple of minutes and couldn’t stay on the floor. Add that to his shooting woes and he got demoted. Likewise, Beverly got promoted to starting after other combos failed.

I will grant you that KAT will start at PF, but his defensive credentials away from the basket were established last year. The biggest question is do you have Rudy guard the worst offensive player and just paint protect. If yes, then KAT might still get defensive 5 assignments in the high wall, just with the mother of all support players behind him.

Nowell in man defense was actually surprisingly good last year. He moved his feet and stayed in front. It was on the switching and scheme work that he looked lost. I think it is fixable, especially with regular minutes and maybe a little extra coaching.

Well with Rudy and Towns I assume we’ll be going back to full time drop coverage.

[KGdaBom]

Offensively I expect we'll be very efficient. Our shooters will need to continue to hit as they did last year, but having Gobert plus moving Towns to more of a Dirk-like 4 should result in very efficient scoring.

Defensively I worry a bit about our 1-4's playing tough perimeter defense. We saw what happened to Gobert when the Jazz perimeter guys went lazy. If we can chase down shooters on the perimeter, fight through screens and continue to deflect passes like we did last year, then add in the best defender in the league.... that's a tough team to beat right there.

I guess the first question is how much did we gain or lose switching V8 with KA? Second, how does Nowell perform on defense when given regular minutes? He seemed fine in man coverage but lost in scheme. Third, how much better on defense is Prince when guarding his natural position, (SF,) and can he switch and contain wings? Finally, will Moore be ready at some point to enter the rotation and defend at a high level (assuming he spends at least 3-4 months in Iowa.)

I say let Finch decide how much or how little time Moore plays at Iowa vs Mpls. If he's ready no sense sending him down. If he's not then sure.

[winforlose]

Offensively I expect we'll be very efficient. Our shooters will need to continue to hit as they did last year, but having Gobert plus moving Towns to more of a Dirk-like 4 should result in very efficient scoring.

Defensively I worry a bit about our 1-4's playing tough perimeter defense. We saw what happened to Gobert when the Jazz perimeter guys went lazy. If we can chase down shooters on the perimeter, fight through screens and continue to deflect passes like we did last year, then add in the best defender in the league.... that's a tough team to beat right there.

I guess the first question is how much did we gain or lose switching V8 with KA? Second, how does Nowell perform on defense when given regular minutes? He seemed fine in man coverage but lost in scheme. Third, how much better on defense is Prince when guarding his natural position, (SF,) and can he switch and contain wings? Finally, will Moore be ready at some point to enter the rotation and defend at a high level (assuming he spends at least 3-4 months in Iowa.)

I say let Finch decide how much or how little time Moore plays at Iowa vs Mpls. If he's ready no sense sending him down. If he's not then sure.

Finch will decide everything. We are little more than armchair quarterbacks.

@Krapinsky

I wouldn’t make that assumption. There will be times when we play drop, especially when KAT is on the bench. But the best use of Rudy is to assign him to guard the opposing teams non shooter and then essentially leave him alone. Guard the paint, have KAT guard the big and run high wall again. When the opposing big roles instead of KAT running back or the 3 and 4 collapsing, Rudy handles the roller and the wings guard the perimeter. Rudy makes the high wall not only work, but work beyond anything we have seen before.

[minimus]

Well with Rudy and Towns I assume we’ll be going back to full time drop coverage.

I hope we are not.

[Grubie024]

Will be very interesting to see when we play drop vs high wall. Either way... a blessing to have Rudy haha.

[winforlose]

Will be very interesting to see when we play drop vs high wall. Either way... a blessing to have Rudy haha.

My guess is we put Gobert on opposing non shooters and let him guard the paint. KAT guards the 5 in a high wall concept, and Rudy contains the roller. Also with a healthy dose of zone.