Is Point-Ant the Future?

[shrink]

I don’t like starting new threads, but I think this question spans several current topics, and is perhaps the most critical one we can ask this off-season.

I believe every major move our GM a makes should be to maximize Anthony Edwards. With his athleticism and attitude, he has the chance to be a superstar if we develop him properly. The Wolves will eventually need some guard help, either immediately or when Mike Conley is gone. But the guy we target will need to compliment, and not cannibalize, Ant’s path to the future.

In January, injuries had us ask Edwards to not just score, but take on a more playmaking role for others. Ant wasn’t great at the decision-making, but it was promising, and several teams now try to put the ball in their best scorers hands, particularly during crunch time. Ant said that he liked the experience, and it helped make basketball fun for him. Now though, he seems to be struggling with playmaking even in a smaller role - maybe he’s seeing too many options.

Anyway, if we think this is the pathway, we don’t want a score-first PG, who’ll take opportunities away from Edwards. If he’s truly going to do more ball handling and playmaking, I’d prefer to pick up a defensive-minded back court partner, more in the Alex Caruso role. However, if we expect him to not have a playmaking/scoring role, then bringing in a guy who does that, like Trae Young, makes more sense, creating opportunities for Ant.

Where do you see Ant’s future? What type of guard do you think will pair best with Ant, now and in the future?

[Klomp]

I don’t like starting new threads, but I think this question spans several current topics, and is perhaps the most critical one we can ask this off-season.

I believe every major move our GM a makes should be to maximize Anthony Edwards. With his athleticism and attitude, he has the chance to be a superstar if we develop him properly. The Wolves will eventually need some guard help, either immediately or when Mike Conley is gone. But the guy we target will need to compliment, and not cannibalize, Ant’s path to the future.

In January, injuries had us ask Edwards to not just score, but take on a more playmaking role for others. Ant wasn’t great at the decision-making, but it was promising, and several teams now try to put the ball in their best scorers hands, particularly during crunch time. Ant said that he liked the experience, and it helped make basketball fun for him. Now though, he seems to be struggling with playmaking even in a smaller role - maybe he’s seeing too many options.

Anyway, if we think this is the pathway, we don’t want a score-first PG, who’ll take opportunities away from Edwards. If he’s truly going to do more ball handling and playmaking, I’d prefer to pick up a defensive-minded back court partner, more in the Alex Caruso role. However, if we expect him to not have a playmaking/scoring role, then bringing in a guy who does that, like Trae Young, makes more sense, creating opportunities for Ant.

Where do you see Ant’s future? What type of guard do you think will pair best with Ant, now and in the future?

Whatever point guard we add needs to be someone who can still make plays, but I don't think we want him to take all of the duties away from Ant.

Honestly, I've been believing it since the deadline, but I think NAW could be the perfect guy to take over for Conley whenever that time comes. He has playmaking chops. He has a shot that is coming along. He has the IQ to make off-ball reads and cuts. He has the defensive ability that can take pressure off Ant (and even Jaden at times). You talk about Caruso, but Nickeil is absolutely built in that mold as well.

[Guest84]

It's a no for me. While Ant has some ability to play make, he's not a natural at it like a Harden, Luka, etc. I would prefer him to have more of a D. Wade role. Attack mostly but also have the ability to make plays when necessary or consistently throughout the game if required. I don't think doing it full time would be the best option. He can't even find Rudy on the PnR yet.

In one of the other threads, I mentioned that I think having a D Fox type of PG would work well with Ant cause both could play on/off ball. I don't think NAW is it either though

[Domejandro]

I think enabling Anthony Edwards as the primary ball-handler, while positive in bursts, is largely a detriment to a team trying to play winning basketball.

[Klomp]

Interesting point made by Jon K just now on a Denver podcast. Since the shoulder injury, Ant has been considerably less aggressive going to his left hand which is usually a big weapon for him. He's clearly not 100% right now.

[m2002brian]

Jon K must have read my post (#180 at 12:01am Monday)

But Jon K says it, now it’s a good point.

[Zonarosa]

definitely not the trae young type. i’d have liked to see more of what a beverley-edwards backcourt would’ve looked like though without trying to force russell in there too.

[Klomp]

Jon K must have read my post (#180 at 12:01am Monday)

But Jon K says it, now it’s a good point.

I wasn't in the weeds of the game thread, so I missed your post. Kudos to you as well.

[Note30]

Just because Ant can be a playmaker doesn't mean he should be the only playmaker.

Get a guard/player who is just as aggressive as Ant on the drive and can setup and take care of the ball and we'll be fine.

[shrink]

Yeah, I think I tend to agree with most of the posts so far.

I didn’t even like the term “Point Ant” which I used in the title, but I needed brevity. I’m not trying to say Ant would exclusively be the point guard. I wonder if he will have a major role in the future of directing the team’s offense, like putting the ball in LeBron, KD or even DWade. And I’m curious how people think he’d fit with score-first PG’s like Trae Young or Dame, which are mentioned on the Trade Board occasionally?

If we went exclusively point Ant next year, I think that hurts our record for that season, even as fast as Ant learns. But what about in three years? Regardless of what he becomes, I want him listening to every word out of Mike Conley’s mouth - that can only help.

In the end, I think we have Ant for at least the next five years, and we should plan around five year Ant over next year Ant. I believe Ant has tremendous potential to grow his game in so many areas because of his athleticism and his willingness to learn. I don’t know what we think Ant will be in three years, or what would be best for the team. I do know that we need Connolly to do his best to surround him with the talent that maximizes his potential.

[Guest84]

Yeah, I think I tend to agree with most of the posts so far.

I didn’t even like the term “Point Ant” which I used in the title, but I needed brevity. I’m not trying to say Ant would exclusively be the point guard. I wonder if he will have a major role in the future of directing the team’s offense, like putting the ball in LeBron, KD or even DWade. And I’m curious how people think he’d fit with score-first PG’s like Trae Young or Dame, which are mentioned on the Trade Board occasionally?

If we went exclusively point Ant next year, I think that hurts our record for that season, even as fast as Ant learns. But what about in three years? Regardless of what he becomes, I want him listening to every word out of Mike Conley’s mouth - that can only help.

In the end, I think we have Ant for at least the next five years, and we should plan around five year Ant over next year Ant. I believe Ant has tremendous potential to grow his game in so many areas because of his athleticism and his willingness to learn. I don’t know what we think Ant will be in three years, or what would be best for the team. I do know that we need Connolly to do his best to surround him with the talent that maximizes his potential.

I think he'd be fine with both but not the ideal archetype. With how the game is played today, I think a more all-around, balance PG with size would be ideal.

Honestly, we some more 3-pt specialists on this team to even consider truly unlocking Ant's play-making potential. I think the wolves had a good balance of play-making Ant while Karl was out and it was going well. Have to find a healthy balance.

[MN7725]

you need multiple guards, ball handling wings is the bottom line for playoff success. Wolves were/are at an excellent starting point with ANT, and KAT as a big man that can create, run offense through as a bonus.

that was why the Gobert trade was so absurd, the teams biggest need was without question was upgrading Russell, plus adding another guard/wing that can legit create, that should have been obvious to anyone who has seen what successful playoff teams have on their roster

KA is a nice ball handler, but isn't as much of a scoring threat as you need in the playoffs
Conley is near the end of his time, and was pretty dismal in last season's playoffs (Russell was just as bad), you just need someone better than him

There is hope for McDaniels to develop into one
I had hopes that Nowell could be the "4th" guard/wing that you could count, but he disappointed and then has been injured

But now the Wolves are in a position where they will need something unexpected to occur to get the offensive threats/ball handlers they need. McDaniels blowing up, re-signing NAW and/or Nowell and one of them becomes consistent, some draft pick or cheap FA outperforms.

[shrink]

Can you see Naz in that role, MN7725? Scoring “wing?” At least on offense?

Also, I agree that the NBA is turning away from PG’s always having the ball in crunch time, as bigger and bigger players come up with ball handling and playmaking skills. For many teams, the ball in crunch time goes in the hands of their best player.

[Klomp]

Can you see Naz in that role, MN7725? Scoring “wing?” At least on offense?

Also, I agree that the NBA is turning away from PG’s always having the ball in crunch time, as bigger and bigger players come up with ball handling and playmaking skills. For many teams, the ball in crunch time goes in the hands of their best player.

ie. Ant and Towns

Also worth noting, these are the two most iso-heavy players on the team, which is likely why the offense tends to bog down.

[Klomp]

Yeah, I think I tend to agree with most of the posts so far.

I didn’t even like the term “Point Ant” which I used in the title, but I needed brevity. I’m not trying to say Ant would exclusively be the point guard. I wonder if he will have a major role in the future of directing the team’s offense, like putting the ball in LeBron, KD or even DWade. And I’m curious how people think he’d fit with score-first PG’s like Trae Young or Dame, which are mentioned on the Trade Board occasionally?

If we went exclusively point Ant next year, I think that hurts our record for that season, even as fast as Ant learns. But what about in three years? Regardless of what he becomes, I want him listening to every word out of Mike Conley’s mouth - that can only help.

In the end, I think we have Ant for at least the next five years, and we should plan around five year Ant over next year Ant. I believe Ant has tremendous potential to grow his game in so many areas because of his athleticism and his willingness to learn. I don’t know what we think Ant will be in three years, or what would be best for the team. I do know that we need Connolly to do his best to surround him with the talent that maximizes his potential.

The thing I appreciate here is that you recognize that a decision can be made that may not look great in the short-term, but can be used as a piece of development for a player later in his career.

I remember this was a point of contention all the way back in Zach LaVine's rookie year. People couldn't understand why Flip would put him in that role when he hadn't displayed the skill set to that point. But like LaVine, Ant is a very hard worker. When weaknesses are exposed in the season, I am confident that Edwards will go to work on them in the offseason. Ant now has a number of points for improvement going into the offseason.

[Calinks]

I can see a scenario where we move Towns and Rudy becomes more a role guy. Rudy simply focuses on defense, rebounds, and lobs. Ant attacks the paint a lot more, we get a PF who can defend and run, and stretch the floor. I think most teams are fine with serviceable bigs but you need to have some elite wings. Ant seems to need a lot of space to operate at his best, he struggles with Towsn and Gobert on the floor.

[TimberKat]

At best, Ant would be like Butler. Handle the ball once a while to initiate offense. He still has a lot of work to even get there. He attacks to score, not attack to open opportunities for others, not recognizing double teams, and not making short passes consistently. His one dimensional attack is a big part of why everyone just standing around when we run the five outs.

Although we seems to get into that standing around mode more often that Ant's fault. I haven't go back and re-watch some of the games. Does anyone have specific ideas on how to get people moving when we get into that 5 out standing mode? There is got to be something we could get a cutter moving or some corner guy pick or low post up or something to create unbalance defense so we could attack. Is it just we are tired or we are not in sync with what to run?

I also read on another thread that a bunch of players don't fit Ant's game. Actually, it's the other way around. Ant is great but he needs to play more of a team game and fit in with other players

[Note30]

Yeah, I think I tend to agree with most of the posts so far.

I didn’t even like the term “Point Ant” which I used in the title, but I needed brevity. I’m not trying to say Ant would exclusively be the point guard. I wonder if he will have a major role in the future of directing the team’s offense, like putting the ball in LeBron, KD or even DWade. And I’m curious how people think he’d fit with score-first PG’s like Trae Young or Dame, which are mentioned on the Trade Board occasionally?

If we went exclusively point Ant next year, I think that hurts our record for that season, even as fast as Ant learns. But what about in three years? Regardless of what he becomes, I want him listening to every word out of Mike Conley’s mouth - that can only help.

In the end, I think we have Ant for at least the next five years, and we should plan around five year Ant over next year Ant. I believe Ant has tremendous potential to grow his game in so many areas because of his athleticism and his willingness to learn. I don’t know what we think Ant will be in three years, or what would be best for the team. I do know that we need Connolly to do his best to surround him with the talent that maximizes his potential.

He needs a more athletic more aggressive version of Conley. I don't think there are too many PGs that fit that bill.

Haliburton?
Murray?
Garland?

[minimus]

Well, I dont think he can play that role in near future. Not because of his passing or court vision (he is an ambidextrous player with soft hands, he will become a better passer). The problem is that Edwards is not an efficient, versatile scorer yet. Let me explain. Here are some glaring holes in Ants offensive repertoire:

- does not get enough FTs on drives
- is not efficient mid range shooter
- is not very assertive finisher, could use floater more

See De'Aaron Fox example, who is one of the fastest player in the game, but this year he is elite at shooting mid range and semifloaters. Basically he is the most dangerous where Edwards is inefficient. Watch Fox going downhill after simple DHO with Sabonis, then quick stop right below FT line and making balanced good looking shot. Once Edwards learns how to be a better, more efficient scorer. But he understands it. What happens when Edwards will be a better scorer? It will open more passing opportunities for him, more double-teams on him, more defensive rotations against him, defense will commit more.

Watch on YouTube

[frankenwolf]

Well, I dont think he can play that role in near future. Not because of his passing or court vision (he is an ambidextrous player with soft hands, he will become a better passer). The problem is that Edwards is not an efficient, versatile scorer yet. Let me explain. Here are some glaring holes in Ants offensive repertoire:

- does not get enough FTs on drives
- is not efficient mid range shooter
- is not very assertive finisher, could use floater more

See De'Aaron Fox example, who is one of the fastest player in the game, but this year he is elite at shooting mid range and semifloaters. Basically he is the most dangerous where Edwards is inefficient. Watch Fox going downhill after simple DHO with Sabonis, then quick stop right below FT line and making balanced good looking shot. Once Edwards learns how to be a better, more efficient scorer. But he understands it. What happens when Edwards will be a better scorer? It will open more passing opportunities for him, more double-teams on him, more defensive rotations against him, defense will commit more.

I think he has been working on his mid-range. I've seen it more lately. Free-throws is a ref thing, he's getting the contact, not the calls. I'm sure he will work on a floater this off-season. It's still hard to comprehend that he is only 21.