Starting Russell, Beasley, Edwards and Towns

[Dewey]

What do I think will happen? Rosas will feel the heat, and listen to Malik Beasley offers at the deadline. However, with so many changes going on, (changes from Finch, and these four players hardly playing together), trades won’t be considered until this summer.

What do I think should happen? I agree that the team needs time to be assessed together. There is plenty of room for individual growth with all these players, and we could see some over the next few months. Unfortunately, Russell has the least chance to grow defensively, with low athleticism and honestly, little interest in defending. The mistakes Edwards makes could be attributed to youth. The mistakes Towns and Beasley make are from being overly aggressive, Vanterpool is a good coach, but the players can learn to listen.

People like to say, “MIN can’t trade DLo because since he’s KAT’s friend, KAT would demand out.” Maybe that’s true, maybe it’s not — honestly, no one really knows. We know KAT wanted Ryan Saunders to stay as coach. DLo would certainly be the hardest to get rid of, costing more assets. But he is also the easiest to replace, since the NBA’s PG market is overflowing right now.

MIN needs Edwards to improve and become a star. MIN needs KAT to improve defensively. And I think MIN needs Beasley, or Russell, to be a two-way player. I think the first two are possible, but the third might need a trade.

Min cant trade Russell because he is the worst contract in the league.

We are 7-26 ... none of our players have value because right now they are all deeply tied to playing losing basketball. Scapegoat anyone you want, but it says little when the rest are “still losers without him” on the court.

[shrink]

OK, I have a question for you guys with better X’s-and-O’s minds than I have.

I believe MIN will rely on good here point shooting to spread the floor, and maximize KAT. A lot is made of Malik Beasley’s 40% three point shooting, opening up the offense. Suppose he was replaced by a 37% three point shooter. Sure, 40 is better than 37, and might account for an extra three pointer every week, but my question is .. does an opposing team defend any differently?

[Klomp]

I think things are still built around a pick and roll duo, with others spacing out. Edwards works better than Russell with Towns because of the explosion to get by defenders even without a great pick. So in some ways, Russell becomes the secondary creator and/or spot-up guy in this lineup along with Beasley.

To shrink's question, I still prefer better shooters. Maybe could sacrifice some if provided more ability off the bounce, but it's not a negligible difference to me.

[Dewey]

Seems to be a lot of selectivity when gauging If a player is capable of playing winning basketball. For one comment it’s about their amazing potential ... the next one it’s what they are now and apparently have zero chance to improve. So ya, Lots of mixed signals regardless the player.

In a nutshell, it seems DLo is what he is... everyone else will improve

We know Beasley can shoot, but I’d move the rifleman... just don’t trust him

[Klomp]

I think things are still built around a pick and roll/dribble hand-off duo, with others spacing out. Edwards works better than Russell with Towns because of the explosion to get by defenders even without a great pick. So in some ways, Russell becomes the secondary creator and/or spot-up guy in this lineup along with Beasley.

I took a couple of screenshots of different plays from last night:

Spoiler:

1. Pick and pop with Juancho. Rubio the secondary creator on the strong side if the initial drive or kick-out don't result in a shot.

Spoiler:

2. DHO with Okogie, three shooters spacing the floor

Spoiler:

3. Iso with big in dunker's spot and everyone else spaced

Spoiler:

4. Inversed the bigs from No. 3

[Nick K]

I think Beasley is the odd man out. There are only so many basketballs.

I think we will continue to spread em out like we have under Finch but I see Beasley coming in off the bench with Reid, Rubio, Layman/Culver/Nowell. Beasley won't like it but we need the scoring off the bench. He could be our Mr. offense, 6th man guy.
That 6th man role is vital on any winning team.

I like D'lo, Ant, McDaniel, a PF, and Kat. Maybe that PF is Vando, I don't know yet. We need the defense Vando and McDaniel give us. Ant misses defensive assignments but overall he's a decent on the ball defender. i loved the way he locked down Lillard at the end of last game.

I've seen enough of Finch to be pretty certain he's the real deal. i like him. He virtually overnight has transformed the way we play.

Without all the injuries/suspension we wouldn't have been able to see the growth in the young guys like Nowell, McD, Vando etc. Could be a big blessing in disguise.

Wouldn't it be great to have a team we can be proud of again?

[winforlose]

I think Beasley is the odd man out. There are only so many basketballs.

I think we will continue to spread em out like we have under Finch but I see Beasley coming in off the bench with Reid, Rubio, Layman/Culver/Nowell. Beasley won't like it but we need the scoring off the bench. He could be our Mr. offense, 6th man guy.
That 6th man role is vital on any winning team.

I like D'lo, Ant, McDaniel, a PF, and Kat. Maybe that PF is Vando, I don't know yet. We need the defense Vando and McDaniel give us. Ant misses defensive assignments but overall he's a decent on the ball defender. i loved the way he locked down Lillard at the end of last game.

I've seen enough of Finch to be pretty certain he's the real deal. i like him. He virtually overnight has transformed the way we play.

Without all the injuries/suspension we wouldn't have been able to see the growth in the young guys like Nowell, McD, Vando etc. Could be a big blessing in disguise.

Wouldn't it be great to have a team we can be proud of again?

Pairing Ant with KAT will not yield good results long term. Ant is too ball dominant and not consistent enough yet. Ant would be far better off leading the second unit and the first unit would feature KAT surrounded by shooters. Dlo, Beasley, MCD, PF, KAT. You could plug Vando in if he can consistently catch passes, otherwise whoever we acquire will be there. Ant is a project player who on a down year might be worth starting (though I think overall he would be better off coming off the bench,) but in a competitive year he will lose you more games then he wins (he is bad enough that he can single handedly lose games.) If you don’t believe me, look at his shooting percentages and see the inconsistency for yourself. A couple good games does not change the fact that the guy takes too many shots and misses a lot of them.

Ant is this year what Culver was last year. The guy we see play poorly overall but with flashes of brilliance and we immediately expect he will get there this year or next year. Ant will not likely be ready next year and even if he is that doesn’t mean he needs to start and take the ball out of KAT’s hands.

[Klomp]

Ant is this year what Culver was last year.

Wait wait wait, hold up....

[Rookie-Mistake]

Was about to pounce on this as well..

ANT isn't a project player either. Wrong terminology to describe him.. And you don't draft #1 to lead the bench.. come on dude..

Ant is this year what Culver was last year.

Wait wait wait, hold up....

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

[winforlose]

Ant is this year what Culver was last year.

Wait wait wait, hold up....

He looks better and his skills are more developed, but he gets lost on defense, fails to finish at the rim, misses a lot of shots, and has holes in his game. Culver shot 40.4 from the field and 29.9 from 3. Ant is shooting 38.1 and 31.5 respectively. Rebounds and assists are slightly better for Ant at 4.1 RPG and 2.5 APG. Culver was 3.4 RPG and 1.7 APG.

[NebWolvesFan]

Ant is this year what Culver was last year.

Wait wait wait, hold up....

He looks better and his skills are more developed, but he gets lost on defense, fails to finish at the rim, misses a lot of shots, and has holes in his game. Culver shot 40.4 from the field and 29.9 from 3. Ant is shooting 38.1 and 31.5 respectively. Rebounds and assists are slightly better for Ant at 4.1 RPG and 2.5 APG. Culver was 3.4 RPG and 1.7 APG.

Edwards can hit free throws at a solid 80 percent rate which gives me hope that his shooting will continue to improve. Culver shoot free throws at an historically low rate for a wing player, which gives me fears he will never be a decent shooter.

[winforlose]

Was about to pounce on this as well..

ANT isn't a project player either. Wrong terminology to describe him.. And you don't draft #1 to lead the bench.. come on dude..

Ant is this year what Culver was last year.

Wait wait wait, hold up....

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using RealGM mobile app

You also don’t draft number one to turn him into a bad player. He needs to learn to play within himself, contribute to the scheme, and make people better. How many of his shots are taken without a single pass. Two good games and one average game is not a sufficient trend to say he is ready to be an NBA starter.

[winforlose]

Wait wait wait, hold up....

He looks better and his skills are more developed, but he gets lost on defense, fails to finish at the rim, misses a lot of shots, and has holes in his game. Culver shot 40.4 from the field and 29.9 from 3. Ant is shooting 38.1 and 31.5 respectively. Rebounds and assists are slightly better for Ant at 4.1 RPG and 2.5 APG. Culver was 3.4 RPG and 1.7 APG.

Edwards can hit free throws at a solid 80 percent rate which gives me hope that his shooting will continue to improve. Culver shoot free throws at an historically low rate for a wing player, which gives me fears he will never be a decent shooter.

Ant also averages 15.4 FGA per game to Culver’s 9 in his rookie season. I am not saying Ant cannot get better. I am saying Ant is a guy who can single handedly kill an offense and bury a team. His shooting percentage and high volume inefficient games are a real problem. Ant may have a higher ceiling than Culver, but both players started at their floors. Instead of pressuring Edwards to be the next Harden by giving him a starter role and the keys to the kingdom. Let him come off the bench and improve his game against weaker defenders.

Oh, I forgot to add that Culver’s college free throw shooting percentage was much better. Whatever is going on there is likely in his head.

[FinnTheHuman]

He looks better and his skills are more developed, but he gets lost on defense, fails to finish at the rim, misses a lot of shots, and has holes in his game. Culver shot 40.4 from the field and 29.9 from 3. Ant is shooting 38.1 and 31.5 respectively. Rebounds and assists are slightly better for Ant at 4.1 RPG and 2.5 APG. Culver was 3.4 RPG and 1.7 APG.

Edwards can hit free throws at a solid 80 percent rate which gives me hope that his shooting will continue to improve. Culver shoot free throws at an historically low rate for a wing player, which gives me fears he will never be a decent shooter.

Ant also averages 15.4 FGA per game to Culver’s 9 in his rookie season. I am not saying Ant cannot get better. I am saying Ant is a guy who can single handedly kill an offense and bury a team. His shooting percentage and high volume inefficient games are a real problem. Ant may have a higher ceiling than Culver, but both players started at their floors. Instead of pressuring Edwards to be the next Harden by giving him a starter role and the keys to the kingdom. Let him come off the bench and improve his game against weaker defenders.

Oh, I forgot to add that Culver’s college free throw shooting percentage was much better. Whatever is going on there is likely in his head.

Ant is a 19 year old who started the season without training camp and played on an awful lineup with no spacing and overall lack of talent. Culver was 21 in his rookie season. Ant is getting better and what is dropping his percentages is an awful start of the season. Please stop looking at the numbers if you don't know how to put them into context, and please start watching the basketball games and using the eye test that says Ant>>>>>>>>>>Culver. I suspect you're Culver's family, friend or Culver himself, cuz that's the way you sound tbh.

[winforlose]

Edwards can hit free throws at a solid 80 percent rate which gives me hope that his shooting will continue to improve. Culver shoot free throws at an historically low rate for a wing player, which gives me fears he will never be a decent shooter.

Ant also averages 15.4 FGA per game to Culver’s 9 in his rookie season. I am not saying Ant cannot get better. I am saying Ant is a guy who can single handedly kill an offense and bury a team. His shooting percentage and high volume inefficient games are a real problem. Ant may have a higher ceiling than Culver, but both players started at their floors. Instead of pressuring Edwards to be the next Harden by giving him a starter role and the keys to the kingdom. Let him come off the bench and improve his game against weaker defenders.

Oh, I forgot to add that Culver’s college free throw shooting percentage was much better. Whatever is going on there is likely in his head.

Ant is a 19 year old who started the season without training camp and played on an awful lineup with no spacing and overall lack of talent. Culver was 21 in his rookie season. Ant is getting better and what is dropping his percentages is an awful start of the season. Please stop looking at the numbers if you don't know how to put them into context, and please start watching the basketball games and using the eye test that says Ant>>>>>>>>>>Culver. I suspect you're Culver's family, friend or Culver himself, cuz that's the way you sound tbh.

Ant is a better ball handler, better at getting to the rim, and a better free throw shooter. Culver was better at defense, passing, and BBIQ. Neither player was good in their rookie year. That’s my point. Ant has potential, but he isn’t there YET. There is nothing wrong with a rookie coming off the bench until they have learned enough to be ready to start. Ant makes his teammates worse. For further evidence use the eye test and watch the games this season.

[FinnTheHuman]

Ant also averages 15.4 FGA per game to Culver’s 9 in his rookie season. I am not saying Ant cannot get better. I am saying Ant is a guy who can single handedly kill an offense and bury a team. His shooting percentage and high volume inefficient games are a real problem. Ant may have a higher ceiling than Culver, but both players started at their floors. Instead of pressuring Edwards to be the next Harden by giving him a starter role and the keys to the kingdom. Let him come off the bench and improve his game against weaker defenders.

Oh, I forgot to add that Culver’s college free throw shooting percentage was much better. Whatever is going on there is likely in his head.

Ant is a 19 year old who started the season without training camp and played on an awful lineup with no spacing and overall lack of talent. Culver was 21 in his rookie season. Ant is getting better and what is dropping his percentages is an awful start of the season. Please stop looking at the numbers if you don't know how to put them into context, and please start watching the basketball games and using the eye test that says Ant>>>>>>>>>>Culver. I suspect you're Culver's family, friend or Culver himself, cuz that's the way you sound tbh.

Ant is a better ball handler, better at getting to the rim, and a better free throw shooter. Culver was better at defense, passing, and BBIQ. Neither player was good in their rookie year. That’s my point. Ant has potential, but he isn’t there YET. There is nothing wrong with a rookie coming off the bench until they have learned enough to be ready to start. Ant makes his teammates worse. For further evidence use the eye test and watch the games this season.

Culver is not the better passer, he's just worse at creating shots for himself so he has to look for passing opportunities. Ant has better court vision than Culver. Ant has higher bbiq easily. Culver is just inferior in every sense except for defense, which is more about being older and thus more mature in his rookie season, better conditioning, and most importantly, lower usage so less energy expended offensively.

Ultimately, we won 2 out of 3 with Ant taking the most shots in that span, and those were wins against Portland and a blowout win against the Pelicans, while Culver has never led Wolves to any solid wins like that.

Anyway, we don't have a player that deserves to start ahead of Ant, he's already deserving of being the starter, and even if he isn't, he plays better on the starting lineup, he needs spacing to attack the rim, so he's a better fit than the alternatives.

[winforlose]

Ant is a 19 year old who started the season without training camp and played on an awful lineup with no spacing and overall lack of talent. Culver was 21 in his rookie season. Ant is getting better and what is dropping his percentages is an awful start of the season. Please stop looking at the numbers if you don't know how to put them into context, and please start watching the basketball games and using the eye test that says Ant>>>>>>>>>>Culver. I suspect you're Culver's family, friend or Culver himself, cuz that's the way you sound tbh.

Ant is a better ball handler, better at getting to the rim, and a better free throw shooter. Culver was better at defense, passing, and BBIQ. Neither player was good in their rookie year. That’s my point. Ant has potential, but he isn’t there YET. There is nothing wrong with a rookie coming off the bench until they have learned enough to be ready to start. Ant makes his teammates worse. For further evidence use the eye test and watch the games this season.

Culver is not the better passer, he's just worse at creating shots for himself so he has to look for passing opportunities. Ant has better court vision than Culver. Ant has higher bbiq easily. Culver is just inferior in every sense except for defense, which is more about being older and thus more mature in his rookie season, better conditioning, and most importantly, lower usage so less energy expended offensively.

Ultimately, we won 2 out of 3 with Ant taking the most shots in that span, and those were wins against Portland and a blowout win against the Pelicans, while Culver has never led Wolves to any solid wins like that.

Anyway, we don't have a player that deserves to start ahead of Ant, he's already deserving of being the starter, and even if he isn't, he plays better on the starting lineup, he needs spacing to attack the rim, so he's a better fit than the alternatives.

One of those wins was more about the 72 bench points then it was Ant. In fact you could literally remove every Ant point and we still win the Pels game. Ant took enough shots that his game was OK rather than good. The next two looked better, but Portland is not exactly known for their defense.

I think the difference between us is that I can see potential but also be cautious of potential going wrong. Edwards kept chucking 3s last game in the fourth. He says it’s because his hip was sore and he couldn’t drive. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him. But his need to be the hero caused a 14 point lead to shrink to a 2 point win. He doesn’t understand that he can pass the ball. Ant has more potential than Culver, but my point is neither was ready to reach their full potential. Look at how much harm Ant did to Beasley and KAT since KAT got back. Ant plays keep away for entire quarters from Beasley, and with few exceptions KATs lack of shots was hurting his rhythm (the last 2 or 3 are exceptions as he has been shooting plenty and in 2 he was in a funk.)

To conclude, it’s okay to say Ant has a ton of potential but need to learn to play as part of a TEAM.

[Klomp]

I think the difference between us is that I can see potential but also be cautious of potential going wrong. Edwards kept chucking 3s last game in the fourth. He says it’s because his hip was sore and he couldn’t drive. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him. But his need to be the hero caused a 14 point lead to shrink to a 2 point win. He doesn’t understand that he can pass the ball. Ant has more potential than Culver, but my point is neither was ready to reach their full potential. Look at how much harm Ant did to Beasley and KAT since KAT got back. Ant plays keep away for entire quarters from Beasley, and with few exceptions KATs lack of shots was hurting his rhythm (the last 2 or 3 are exceptions as he has been shooting plenty and in 2 he was in a funk.)

To conclude, it’s okay to say Ant has a ton of potential but need to learn to play as part of a TEAM.

For the record, Finch has said he doesn't have a problem with 3-pointers from Edwards. It's the long 2s he's trying to remove from his game.

[winforlose]

I think the difference between us is that I can see potential but also be cautious of potential going wrong. Edwards kept chucking 3s last game in the fourth. He says it’s because his hip was sore and he couldn’t drive. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him. But his need to be the hero caused a 14 point lead to shrink to a 2 point win. He doesn’t understand that he can pass the ball. Ant has more potential than Culver, but my point is neither was ready to reach their full potential. Look at how much harm Ant did to Beasley and KAT since KAT got back. Ant plays keep away for entire quarters from Beasley, and with few exceptions KATs lack of shots was hurting his rhythm (the last 2 or 3 are exceptions as he has been shooting plenty and in 2 he was in a funk.)

To conclude, it’s okay to say Ant has a ton of potential but need to learn to play as part of a TEAM.

For the record, Finch has said he doesn't have a problem with 3-pointers from Edwards. It's the long 2s he's trying to remove from his game.

For the record, the guy shouldn’t be taking 14 3s in a game under any circumstances. What would you say if Rubio took 14 3s in a game. Edwards can certainly get hot from deep, but he lacks the judgment to know when not to shoot them. Case in point, Nowell was 4 of 7 from deep. After about 10 minutes of not touching the ball he missed one 3. Now at 4 of 8 he never shoots again. Tell me honestly if both players are open from their preferred spot on the floor, who do you want shooting 3s? Ant is a double edged sword who is too green to know how to play with a team. Even on his good games he can still start chucking. Finch may be fine with it, but he shouldn’t encourage it.

[_AIJ_]

What is going on?? Jeez