Post Game Thoughts. Raptors.

[Neeva]

We have some talent on this team. Its just a matter of fit now.

KAT, Ant, Beaz, Jaden are the pieces I would focus building around.

Jaden is just impressive, especially for his age and size. I think we really found a gem with this kid. I can't wait to see what he looks like next year. He already understands his role and rarely, if ever, tries to do too much. If he comes back with some size, he will be a massive help on both ends with KAT.

Those 4 plus Cunningham(or Suggs) and we may have something. I would also keep Reid, Vando, Jmac and Nowell as cheap bench pieces.
Trade Rubio, Culver, Okogie, Hernagomez,Layman

[packforfreedom]

So we're better when playing an actual PF at the 4 instead of freakin Okogie? Who could've known?

But for real. It feels like first time this season, our rotations had some perspectives. Of course made shats and in the end won this game by luck (thanks Ryan), but I can see some light now with KAT back in the roster. KAT by the way is rusty as hell which is no surprise, but he's still good enough to be doubled or even tripled everytime he touches the ball. unfortunatly his passing game is off, which caused many turnovers but it was still opening up space for everybody else.
It's also nice too see Edwards develop almost by the game, even if he turns into the drunken dribbler 2.0 in the end of games.
And Nowell is a heck of a scorer, so glad he fought his way into the rotation.

[TRik]

We have some talent on this team. Its just a matter of fit now.

KAT, Ant, Beaz, Jaden are the pieces I would focus building around.

Jaden is just impressive, especially for his age and size. I think we really found a gem with this kid. I can't wait to see what he looks like next year. He already understands his role and rarely, if ever, tries to do too much. If he comes back with some size, he will be a massive help on both ends with KAT.

Agree with KAT, Edwards, and McDaniels. Beasley is sixth man material on almost every other team in the league and not a player to build around. Lock in KAT at the 4/5, Edwards at the 2, McDaniels as a big SF. Everyone else should be considered tradable if it means bringing in a decent 4/5 to pair with KAT and a PG.

[Dewey]

"I've told Ryan (Saunders), we need to get the ball in Ant's hands more often." -Karl-Anthony Towns

Rubio 13 shots, Ant 15, Beasley 13, KAT 11. Am I the only person who sees something wrong with this?

It may be that you don’t understand double teams - I don't know. Here’s the opposite: Remember how Okogies numbers got inflated? He was not double teamed ... nor defended

[Dewey]

So we're better when playing an actual PF at the 4 instead of freakin Okogie? Who could've known?

But for real. It feels like first time this season, our rotations had some perspectives. Of course made shats and in the end won this game by luck (thanks Ryan), but I can see some light now with KAT back in the roster. KAT by the way is rusty as hell which is no surprise, but he's still good enough to be doubled or even tripled everytime he touches the ball. unfortunatly his passing game is off, which caused many turnovers but it was still opening up space for everybody else.
It's also nice too see Edwards develop almost by the game, even if he turns into the drunken dribbler 2.0 in the end of games.
And Nowell is a heck of a scorer, so glad he fought his way into the rotation.

Agree with the exception I’m just not a big Nowell fan ... tried, but just can’t get their yet. I can see his role, but just not a lot of minutes at this point.

Ryan... I swore we did not have a timeout at the end since he hadn’t used them to advance the ball, and when I realized we did I was dumbfounded. I had flashes of “tank mode” thoughts almost instantly. Again, are none of the assistants able to speak up?

We needed the win ... need to find a way to string 2 outa 3 w’s together week by week. DLo and Culver returns will be interesting and placing Layman and Juancho Into roles without disrupting McD and JV equally so. The depth will pay off, but lots of work to do.

[winforlose]

"I've told Ryan (Saunders), we need to get the ball in Ant's hands more often." -Karl-Anthony Towns

Rubio 13 shots, Ant 15, Beasley 13, KAT 11. Am I the only person who sees something wrong with this?

It may be that you don’t understand double teams - I don't know. Here’s the opposite: Remember how Okogies numbers got inflated? He was not double teamed ... nor defended

I believe in feeding the hot hand and so I will give Rubio a quazi pass this game for shooting too much, but check the stats for last few games against his shooting percentage and you will find a problem. Also, Kat was open on the perimeter throughout the game and the passes were either late or never made which took oppertunities away from him. I watched the game and I understand doubles just fine. Inside outside with swing is how you capitalize on the double and KAT did that too. The best players are always doubled, but they take a lot of shots and score a lot of points. Towns is one of the best scoring bigs ever and needs more than 10-15 shots per game.

[Heimdal]

I feel bad for Josh Okogie. DNPs are good for him and for the team.

KAT was double-teamed and triple-teamed. He was harrassed and slapped around, but remained calm. This sure is a new Karl. Fortunately, Beasley and Rubio (10/18 from 3) made them pay.

Jaden McDaniels is so good contesting shots, he wears a Wolves uniform, blocks shots and doesn't get called for fouls. It's just unbelievable. He should be playing with Rubio every minute Ricky plays. Vanderbilt with Russell or JMac. It's not rocket science.

Jim Pete and Benz constantly mentioning "free throw disparity" was their measured way of saying "refs are ****** the Wolves (again)". I'm glad I'm not part of the broadcast or I would be fired after the 1st quarter.

[Dewey]

Rubio 13 shots, Ant 15, Beasley 13, KAT 11. Am I the only person who sees something wrong with this?

It may be that you don’t understand double teams - I don't know. Here’s the opposite: Remember how Okogies numbers got inflated? He was not double teamed ... nor defended

I believe in feeding the hot hand and so I will give Rubio a quazi pass this game for shooting too much, but check the stats for last few games against his shooting percentage and you will find a problem. Also, Kat was open on the perimeter throughout the game and the passes were either late or never made which took oppertunities away from him. I watched the game and I understand doubles just fine. Inside outside with swing is how you capitalize on the double and KAT did that too. The best players are always doubled, but they take a lot of shots and score a lot of points. Towns is one of the best scoring bigs ever and needs more than 10-15 shots per game.

just messin with ya ... sarcasm

My gut says two things ... 1.) KAT is bout 75% at best and has been a little passive taking alot of shots, and his presence alone has already helped. 2.) The others arent used to the "Inside Out" opportunities KAT offers ... he can be a triple double guy with the right players.

If ANT and KAT alone can get some chemistry, that would allow Beasley/DLo on the 3-point line (in theory) and the others filling roles and depth. It would be really interesting to know how KAT perceives each of these players on the roster when it comes to his idea of playing winning basketball.

[Shaka_Zulu]

Oh my, as pisssed as I was with the refs, its super encouraging to see us take it to Raptors at their home. Even we were virtually throwing away the game again (call friggin time out in the stretch...), we got good production from all starters. And Jaden is just awesome defender, Jmac and Nowell reliable off the bench.



We need to keep playing this big line up for the rest of the way. Vando and Jaden allways in PF.

[winforlose]

Oh my, as pisssed as I was with the refs, its super encouraging to see us take it to Raptors at their home. Even we were virtually throwing away the game again (call friggin time out in the stretch...), we got good production from all starters. And Jaden is just awesome defender, Jmac and Nowell reliable off the bench.



We need to keep playing this big line up for the rest of the way. Vando and Jaden allways in PF.

Layman should move to the 3. Okogie should spend some time on DNP and work on his shooting. Vando needs to keep developing his at the rim finishes. Rubio contributing offensively would be nice but he should shoot less either way. I agree 100% that Jaden and Vando should be our PF’s.

[Calinks]

I agree with those wanting us to play big. I am so tired of us going small and getting obliterated. Again, us going small providers with almost no advantages makes little sense to keep doing it. Jaden and Vando will be inconsistent and have some bad games but I'll take that over a guaranteed beating because we have a small guy at the 4 who can't contend with real PF's and C's.

[winforlose]

I agree with those wanting us to play big. I am so tired of us going small and getting obliterated. Again, us going small providers with almost no advantages makes little sense to keep doing it. Jaden and Vando will be inconsistent and have some bad games but I'll take that over a guaranteed beating because we have a small guy at the 4 who can't contend with real PF's and C's.

The whole concept behind small ball is flawed. The extra speed and ball handling it is supposed to provide really doesn’t translate beyond the high school level. By college the size differential is so impactful on the glass that the extra possessions more than dilute the offensive edge, it outright cancels it. Worse still, defensively the mismatches either guarantee a ton of paint scoring (small guys cannot guard big guys in the post,) or open 3s when the defense collapses to prevent the inside scoring. Small ball is not and will never be a winning idea. The core of basketball in the modern NBA is inside outside. Drive and kick to the open 3, throw in to a talented big and kick back out to the open player swinging the ball until a good shooter has a good shot. Force the defense to the permitter creating driving lanes for guys who can finish.

All of this is of course made worse by the fact that we have no true head coach. Ryan is the biggest joke in professional sports. His qualifications begin and end with his last name. He was a nepotism hire in the first place. Our guys are buddy buddy with him which makes it hard to remove him. Yet, his coaching record is a joke and his close game record is even more so. We should have lost last night. With KAT fouled out and Siakam having an uncontested layup to tie it up and send us to overtime. We should be a playoff team, but we keep fu****** up and pissing away our seasons with trash gimmicks and lack of leadership.

[Calinks]

I have to disagree with that last part. I don't think this is a playoff team. I'd say maybe they had a chance of being one if fully healthy (play in team at least) but I don't think this team, healthy is clearly better than 8 other teams in the West.

[winforlose]

I have to disagree with that last part. I don't think this is a playoff team. I'd say maybe they had a chance of being one if fully healthy (play in team at least) but I don't think this team, healthy is clearly better than 8 other teams in the West.

A real coach turns Dlo into a productive PG. I guy who has the shot to both space the floor and compensate for his lack of dribble penetration with pull up jumpers. A better offensive weapon than Teague and a good enough passer to support a dynamic three point shooting offense. Add to that PNR with KAT and Ant and Dlo is a legit starting PG (maybe the best we have had since 03-04.). Beasley might be the best contract in the NBA. KAT is a solid scoring threat with emerging rim protection. That big three is supported by some solid role players. The issue is lack of intensity, defense, and scheme. Watch how much better guys like Naz, Nowell, Culver, and McDaniels get with a proper coach running an actual offense and defense.

[Calinks]

I could see us being better, that's for sure but I think we have way too many young guys, non-shooters, and few bigs to be really competitive. Even with the best coach, I don't think you will get reliable consistency out of most of our youngest players. We don't have enough guys that play big (rebounds, defense, ability to hold their own in the paint), and we have a big-time lack of shooting. Outside of KAT, Beasley, and DLO, everyone else is mediocre at best.

[winforlose]

I could see us being better, that's for sure but I think we have way too many young guys, non-shooters, and few bigs to be really competitive. Even with the best coach, I don't think you will get reliable consistency out of most of our youngest players. We don't have enough guys that play big (rebounds, defense, ability to hold their own in the paint), and we have a big-time lack of shooting. Outside of KAT, Beasley, and DLO, everyone else is mediocre at best.

I agree we are undersized. I disagree about the shooting. What we lack is shot creators, and that is fixed by scheme. Layman, Nowell, Ant, Culver, McDaniels, JMAC, and Naz can all shoot. It’s all about getting them in a position to succeed.

[life_saver]

I am just surprised Layman isn't gettng any playing time now...would rather see him getting atleast 10 mins of playing time instead of giving Okogie any playing time

[TRik]

I could see us being better, that's for sure but I think we have way too many young guys, non-shooters, and few bigs to be really competitive. Even with the best coach, I don't think you will get reliable consistency out of most of our youngest players. We don't have enough guys that play big (rebounds, defense, ability to hold their own in the paint), and we have a big-time lack of shooting. Outside of KAT, Beasley, and DLO, everyone else is mediocre at best.

Agree...but KAT, Beasley, and Russell aren’t setting the league on fire either. KAT, as always though, has a good percentage under the basket.

[life_saver]

I could see us being better, that's for sure but I think we have way too many young guys, non-shooters, and few bigs to be really competitive. Even with the best coach, I don't think you will get reliable consistency out of most of our youngest players. We don't have enough guys that play big (rebounds, defense, ability to hold their own in the paint), and we have a big-time lack of shooting. Outside of KAT, Beasley, and DLO, everyone else is mediocre at best.

Agree...but KAT, Beasley, and Russell aren’t setting the league on fire either. KAT, as always though, has a good percentage under the basket.

Huh? Both KAT and Beasley are near career 40% 3 pt shooters...that too on high volume. DLo though I agree that he is just an ok 3 pt shooter

[Norseman79]

The idea of playing big is great, now start McDaniels at the 3 and Vanderbilt at the 4. While not huge, it's definitely bigger than we have been.

The idea of small ball as I understand is 3pters or layups, the issue is you need 5 good 3pt shooters that can defend 1-5 and rebound. In theory it forces the other teams big players away from the basket and potentially causes foul trouble. The real issue is that teams are now doing this style with big, athletic players.