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Identity crisis?

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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#321 » by minimus » Tue Jul 23, 2024 8:51 am

Klomp wrote:
minimus wrote:

Who remember that first regular season game vs TOR? I remember that that kind of tempered my expectation about new season lol. McDaniels did not play, Anderson played 30 min, and Milton played 20 min. And that game quickly turned into ugly low scoring game. MIN got killed in transition and lost the ball many times. I use this game as an example of stylistic contradictions that last season team had:

- a very frountcourt heavy roster, lack of shooter and quality wings and proven ballhandlers. In this particular game without McDaniles, Anderson had protective glasses and problems with eyesight, Milton was backup PG, NAW started as McDaniels replacement in starting five. Having two slowfooted bigs in starting unit meant that any TOR fastbreak would end up as easy points, because TOR had Anunoby, Siakam and Barnes as oversized wings. Plus Achiuwa is very quick for forward/undesized big. NAW is also not very effective in transition.

Entering this regular season we might have a completely different situation:

1) TC not only kept first, lets call it "stay big play slow" identity which has been Gobert-Towns-McDaniels-Conley-NAW group, but also signed Ingles who is literally the best available option on the market who knows how to make an offense around Gobert work

2) TC drafted Shannon, who might by far the best player in transition from this draft. And also he can be the best two way wing and most ready player of 2024 draft. TC drafted Dilly who has shown in SL that he is already a solid playmaker, especially in transition. I also like Clark potential a lot as enforcer from the bench. Jalen in SL has been menace in defence and a very effective player in transition because he is big, strong and athletic enough to finish fastbreaks. I also noticed how in last SL game against ORL, MIN energy, physicality level in defense and offense was significantly lower without TSJ and Clark. These new players might form a completely new (from stylistic point of view) unit: a very dynamic bench unit where all of them can run in transition and shoot. I think that Reid and Edwards fit here right away.

To sum up, right now, MIN might grow as fusion of two basketball styles: "stay big play slow" and "run-n-gun". They finally have needed resources to make it work:

- I love Ingles because of passing and shooting
- I see TSJ potential as two-way big wing
- I see Rob potential as a dynamic playmaker
- I see why Reid and Edwards might thrive in "run-n-gun"
- and I hope that Towns might be mature enough to be a connective tissue for both styles

I think this is a pretty good analysis.

I know the Toronto game isn't a great example of what I'm trying to say, but Minnesota struggled when it had to try to outscore teams. There just weren't enough scoring threats, especially in transition but also in halfcourt sets. When the opponent scored 120 or more points, Minnesota was 2-12.

We had to find more ways to get easy buckets. Transition offense was a major weakness; enter Shannon and Dillingham. Optimizing Gobert on offense was a major weakness; enter Joe Ingles.


We also could not stop other teams in transition. What about three PHO games that MIN lost in regular season? What was the root cause and do you feel better now with addition of Ingles, TSJ, Rob? For me Nix and Clark can be X-factor as well. NAW has been pretty inconsistent as scorer, sometime giving literally zero production from the bench. TSJ, Nix and Clark might offer same level of defensive intensity when NAW is struggling. Also sometimes Nickeil was physically overmatched, I feel like TSJ, Nix and Clark might be a good matchups against big guards/wings.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#322 » by TimberKat » Tue Jul 23, 2024 3:13 pm

I don't think running faster is our issue. We definitely need to score more points but is more on the half court execution or having another player that can create opportunities. If we create 3 more opportunities instead of throw away the ball, we may had won the Dallas series. Our double team defense rotation needs improvement to contain players like Booker, Luka, or Kyrie. However, you need to out score them sometimes. The NBA is setup to be best offense always beats best defense.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#323 » by KGdaBom » Tue Jul 23, 2024 4:55 pm

TimberKat wrote:I don't think running faster is our issue. We definitely need to score more points but is more on the half court execution or having another player that can create opportunities. If we create 3 more opportunities instead of throw away the ball, we may had won the Dallas series. Our double team defense rotation needs improvement to contain players like Booker, Luka, or Kyrie. However, you need to out score them sometimes. The NBA is setup to be best offense always beats best defense.

It's both transition and half court we needed improvement and I believe we got that in Dilly and TJ.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#324 » by minimus » Tue Jul 23, 2024 8:31 pm

TimberKat wrote:I don't think running faster is our issue. We definitely need to score more points but is more on the half court execution or having another player that can create opportunities. If we create 3 more opportunities instead of throw away the ball, we may had won the Dallas series. Our double team defense rotation needs improvement to contain players like Booker, Luka, or Kyrie. However, you need to out score them sometimes. The NBA is setup to be best offense always beats best defense.


MIN were 13 out 16 in fastbreak points in playoffs, and 29 out 30 in regular season. I think we were pretty bad in transition. And I agree about our turnovers, issue, halfcourt execution issue and defense against Luka
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#325 » by minimus » Wed Jul 24, 2024 12:54 pm

McDaniels averaged 3 offensive rebounds in series against PHO, he still shot 27% from 3pt, but his impact in offense was huge


It was a crucial improvement, and I remember that our coaching staff encouraged Jaden to crash offensive glass and be more active. I recently saw this video, which made me wonder how whether we should implement same tactic.



The key here I think is spread pick-n-roll offense around Tray Young AND multiple good rebounders, Capela has been one of league premier rebounders, Collins, Johnson and Bey are strong elite athletes. When MIA doubled Young they left one of wings open to crash offensive board, needless to say that MIA lost rebounding battle despite being NBA best team in boxouts. Plus MIA have been undersized during Bam/Butler era. It reminded me how MIN were beaten in playoffs against MEM three years ago.

However, after TC added TSJ and Rob I think MIN can implement same tactics, at least in second unit. Lets not be fooled by Shannon offensive rebounds numbers in Illinois, where he was first option in offense. I am sure he is pretty capable to crash offensive board. The main question here will be whether Dilly can create and use offensive gravity the way Young does. At least at of backup unit level. This is something that MIN did not benefit from: having great elite ballhandler, offensive threat on perimeter and decision maker who is capable to create an offensive gravity. Whether Rob can manipulate opponent defense at this level remains to be seen. But this his potential at doing this is something that separate him from someone like Monte Morris or Tyus Jones

P.S. I've just read that Clark was good offensive rebounder in students (7.4 OReb%, 1.9 per game). We should definitely crash offensive glass more next season.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#326 » by KGdaBom » Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:02 pm

minimus wrote:McDaniels averaged 3 offensive rebounds in series against PHO, he still shot 27% from 3pt, but his impact in offense was huge


It was a crucial improvement, and I remember that our coaching staff encouraged Jaden to crash offensive glass and be more active. I recently saw this video, which made me wonder how whether we should implement same tactic.



The key here I think is spread pick-n-roll offense around Tray Young AND multiple good rebounders, Capela has been one of league premier rebounders, Collins, Johnson and Bey are strong elite athletes. When MIA doubled Young they left one of wings open to crash offensive board, needless to say that MIA lost rebounding battle despite being NBA best team in boxouts. Plus MIA have been undersized during Bam/Butler era. It reminded me how MIN were beaten in playoffs against MEM three years ago.

However, after TC added TSJ and Rob I think MIN can implement same tactics, at least in second unit. Lets not be fooled by Shannon offensive rebounds numbers in Illinois, where he was first option in offense. I am sure he is pretty capable to crash offensive board. The main question here will be whether Dilly can create and use offensive gravity the way Young does. At least at of backup unit level. This is something that MIN did not benefit from: having great elite ballhandler, offensive threat on perimeter and decision maker who is capable to create an offensive gravity.

Minimus that was really good stuff. I'm impressed.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#327 » by minimus » Wed Jul 24, 2024 2:08 pm

KGdaBom wrote:
minimus wrote:McDaniels averaged 3 offensive rebounds in series against PHO, he still shot 27% from 3pt, but his impact in offense was huge


It was a crucial improvement, and I remember that our coaching staff encouraged Jaden to crash offensive glass and be more active. I recently saw this video, which made me wonder how whether we should implement same tactic.



The key here I think is spread pick-n-roll offense around Tray Young AND multiple good rebounders, Capela has been one of league premier rebounders, Collins, Johnson and Bey are strong elite athletes. When MIA doubled Young they left one of wings open to crash offensive board, needless to say that MIA lost rebounding battle despite being NBA best team in boxouts. Plus MIA have been undersized during Bam/Butler era. It reminded me how MIN were beaten in playoffs against MEM three years ago.

However, after TC added TSJ and Rob I think MIN can implement same tactics, at least in second unit. Lets not be fooled by Shannon offensive rebounds numbers in Illinois, where he was first option in offense. I am sure he is pretty capable to crash offensive board. The main question here will be whether Dilly can create and use offensive gravity the way Young does. At least at of backup unit level. This is something that MIN did not benefit from: having great elite ballhandler, offensive threat on perimeter and decision maker who is capable to create an offensive gravity.

Minimus that was really good stuff. I'm impressed.


Thanks! I struggle at work, maybe even burned out as many IT engineers... You can see it when post something like this lol
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#328 » by minimus » Mon Jul 29, 2024 4:47 pm

minimus wrote:

Who remember that first regular season game vs TOR? I remember that that kind of tempered my expectation about new season lol. McDaniels did not play, Anderson played 30 min, and Milton played 20 min. And that game quickly turned into ugly low scoring game. MIN got killed in transition and lost the ball many times. I use this game as an example of stylistic contradictions that last season team had:

- a very frountcourt heavy roster, lack of shooter and quality wings and proven ballhandlers. In this particular game without McDaniles, Anderson had protective glasses and problems with eyesight, Milton was backup PG, NAW started as McDaniels replacement in starting five. Having two slowfooted bigs in starting unit meant that any TOR fastbreak would end up as easy points, because TOR had Anunoby, Siakam and Barnes as oversized wings. Plus Achiuwa is very quick for forward/undesized big. NAW is also not very effective in transition.

Entering this regular season we might have a completely different situation:

1) TC not only kept first, lets call it "stay big play slow" identity which has been Gobert-Towns-McDaniels-Conley-NAW group, but also signed Ingles who is literally the best available option on the market who knows how to make an offense around Gobert work

2) TC drafted Shannon, who might by far the best player in transition from this draft. And also he can be the best two way wing and most ready player of 2024 draft. TC drafted Dilly who has shown in SL that he is already a solid playmaker, especially in transition. I also like Clark potential a lot as enforcer from the bench. Jalen in SL has been menace in defence and a very effective player in transition because he is big, strong and athletic enough to finish fastbreaks. I also noticed how in last SL game against ORL, MIN energy, physicality level in defense and offense was significantly lower without TSJ and Clark. These new players might form a completely new (from stylistic point of view) unit: a very dynamic bench unit where all of them can run in transition and shoot. I think that Reid and Edwards fit here right away.

To sum up, right now, MIN might grow as fusion of two basketball styles: "stay big play slow" and "run-n-gun". They finally have needed resources to make it work:

- I love Ingles because of passing and shooting
- I see TSJ potential as two-way big wing
- I see Rob potential as a dynamic playmaker
- I see why Reid and Edwards might thrive in "run-n-gun"
- and I hope that Towns might be mature enough to be a connective tissue for both styles

Klomp wrote:Like, this game today was a good example, I thought. To me, France was very clearly a Fournier-Gobert team the last two summers, in that they often ran offense with both bigs at the elbows and got to that Fournier-Gobert pick and roll/DHO often — and the role players, like Yabusele/Batum/De Colo, would often get going playing off that. But now this team looks like a Wemby-Batum team. It’s a more spread floor look, seeking easy buckets or isolation opportunities for Wemby. It makes sense that a high, high-level 3+D guy like Batum would thrive in that. Gobert and Fournier settle more into firmly role player roles — which will be interesting to get a better look at in games where Gobert isn’t in foul trouble.


I think this is pretty much the same idea that I was trying to develop: this team might have two completely different identities, that our coaching staff can finally make work.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#329 » by minimus » Fri Aug 2, 2024 1:07 pm

BlacJacMac wrote:Exactly.

I would bet anything that Finch was a huge proponent for both the Dillingham and TSJ picks. Both guys were virtually designed to play in a Chris Finch offense.


The more I watch videos of Dillingham, TSJ and Ingles, the more I am convinced that this offseason is about improving the offense. What has been the staple of TC management here: take one step at a time, test the "hypothesis", take the next step and improve.

Recently, Ive found really interesting video is this video on "Gap Theory: Creating Mismatches":


It is about a two simple concepts:
- create a mismatch by "making two opponent players guard one" or by setting a ball screen
- attack mismatch

So lets view our players through this lens:

- Edwards: I can show tons of video of Edwards bending defenses in ISO (read "making two opponents guard one"). The question is, how good is Edwards when he uses a ball screen to create an advantage? IMO right now Edwards is B at taking and making such difficult shots by using a ball screen.
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For me, Edwards gets a B for "making two opponents guard one" AND passing the ball, see skip pass:
Read on Twitter


But what really gives me hope is his growth as a decision maker, especially when he is able to recognize a mismatch in a real game situation. He is a C+ at this, but he is improving. Here is an example:
Read on Twitter


- Towns. Towns has improved greatly as a PnR ballhandler next to Gobert. That gives him an instant B+ at creating a mismatch by using a ball screen.
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However, his inability to bend defenses in ISO (read "make two opponents guard one") was evident in the playoffs. He is not a dominant postup player and he is not dynamic enough as a shooter. IMO, he rates like a C in "making two opponents guard one".

- Conley. When it comes to creating a mismatch by setting a ball screen, then Conley is the best MIN player because he is able to recognize mismatches and direct the offense to attack mismatches. Which is A+ in my opinion at Creating and attacking a mismatch by using a ball screen and pass

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Conley is also very good at shooting pull-up threes, which partially compensates for his decline as a slasher. This is A+ - Creating and attacking a mismatch by using a ball screen and shooting a pull-up 3

Read on Twitter
.

To summarize, we have three completely different players who are our first, second, and third options. None of them are perfect at creating and attacking advantages:

- Edwards is improving, but lacks the experience and repetition to create and recognize mismatches.
- Towns lacks natural aggression and the right mindset to attack mismatches
- Conley is our best decision maker, but has limitations due to age.

This summer, TC added Dillingham, TSJ, and Ingles, all of whom offer an intriguing improvement in terms of creating and attacking mismatches.

I doubt Ingles will play big minutes, but he can still be useful as a secondary passer, shooter and DHO operator. Here is a video of Ingles playing that role alongside Gobert at UTA



This will be his first task: to be the connective tissue of the offense by making the right reads, recognizing mismatches, and keeping the defense guessing by balancing between passing and shooting. I also think that with the addition of Ingles (and without Anderson) we will see more elbow touches from Towns, Gobert and Reid. Last season Gobert had 3.4 elbow touches per game, Towns - 2.2, Anderson - 1.7, Reid - 0.9. Before the Gobert trade, Towns had almost 3.6, 3.8 touches per game in 20-21, 21-22 seasons. MIN bigmen share this role, but there is still room for improvement, for reference Sabonis, Embiid and Jokic average more than 8 elbow touches per game. I feel like splitting this role between Gobert, Towns and Reid while providing more shooting around could be beneficial for MIN. I remember Finch saying that he was not a big fan of the heliocentric offense. When I heard his words, I thought it was more related to ball-handler, i.e. Edwards, but it looks like we can use our bigs as an advantage here as well. I hope to see the frequency and quality of these elbow touches increase next season. TSJ's willingness to attack off the catch will be crucial, because it is kind of a wing responsibility, and we often played on wings Anderson, Reid, Towns, NAW or Morris who are not true wings. While TSJ has all the tools to be successful in such a role.

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Regarding Rob and TSJ, I think the first task will be to push the pace and create early crosses. Here is a quote about Finch offense provided by Klomp in another thread (source) https://www.canishoopus.com/2021/3/1/22296781/timberwolves-film-room-chris-finchs-offensive-outlook-nba-2021:

“Both Gentry and Finch loved to play at a breakneck pace and operated under the premise that shots in the first eight seconds of the shot clock tend to be the most efficient. They didn’t hesitate to push off made baskets and always had defenses on tilt, frequently forcing cross matches due to the speed of play. They had many clever actions designed to get either a good look at the rim or an open three early in the clock and gave all players the freedom to take advantage of this."


I see the following steps here: First is to REALLY run the floor and fill the corners. It creates all kinds of natural advantages for MIN when we play two bigs. Use those cross-matches, attack mismatches early, use that spacing. We have seen how dangerous Towns can be as a facilitator, or hitting open threes as a trailing big in semi transition.

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Second, is to increase the frequency of high pick n roll, DHO that involves a ballhandler and our big. I feel like there have been a lot of empty possessions around the key just because, Anderson, Morris, NAW will not take a pullup three. It shouldn't be a problem for Rob, who can shoot off the dribble, especially when NBA caliber big man sets screen/DHO.

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A good example of such offense is SAC offense 2022-23 (I also think that Malik Monk role in SAC offense will a perfect example of what Rob role in his first year in MIN can be):

Transition freq%: 19.5% (5th)
Handoff freq%: 9.4% (1st)
Elbow touches: 13.2 (4th)

I think a lot of factors are coming together now:
- Addition of Dillingham's talent in terms of creating and attacking mismatches
- Addition of TSJ as physical, ready to contribute wing
- Addition of Ingles as veteran, part of ex-UTA group
- Edwards, Towns, McDaniels, Reid, NAW growth
- Gobert, Conley presence
- Overall roster, management and coaching staff continuity

In long term vision I think Dillingham acquisition is an investment because his potential development could give us a perfect secondary ballhandler who can shoot, slash and pass. TSJ also has the potential to develop into the Jimmy Butler of players (read: physical, athletic two-way wing). Both rookies have potential to give MIN offense a second option behind Edwards, I mean another player who can create and attack mismatches. Anderson, Morris, Tyus Jones are all solid players, but they dont move the needle when we talk about mismatch hunting playoff games.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#330 » by KGdaBom » Fri Aug 2, 2024 3:47 pm

Minimus that has to be the longest post in RealGM history including 14 video clips.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#331 » by minimus » Fri Aug 2, 2024 4:13 pm

KGdaBom wrote:Minimus that has to be the longest post in RealGM history including 14 video clips.

Yeah, I wish I had videoediting skills to make such videos. That's why I use videos from different sources
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#332 » by minimus » Fri Aug 2, 2024 5:21 pm

I also wonder if it is impossible to execute a modern transition offense without a movement shooter. Because it is combination of two things: run the floor to apply pressure at rim (rim run) and be able hit those above the break pull up threes. Here is example:



Rob and TSJ are made for this type of basketball, but I also think that it will greatly benefit Towns: because if Rob and TSJ run transition, forcing defense to scramble, then Towns and Reid as a trailing bigman will have more freedom to attack or pass from top of the key. Watching video of high paced IND offense, I see similarities between TSJ and Toppin transition game, Hali and Rob scroing and shiftiness, Reid and Turner three point shooting. Although we dont have Siakam type of comboforward, I think Towns shooting and passing are made for this game, as well as Edwards athleticism.

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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#333 » by Klomp » Fri Aug 2, 2024 5:24 pm

The elbow touches part was an interesting point. I think they defaulted to Kyle in part because of his IQ but also due to his shooting limitations elsewhere. This lineup configuration should put Towns back down there a little bit more, especially when Towns is operating as the center.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#334 » by minimus » Fri Aug 2, 2024 7:29 pm

Klomp wrote:The elbow touches part was an interesting point. I think they defaulted to Kyle in part because of his IQ but also due to his shooting limitations elsewhere. This lineup configuration should put Towns back down there a little bit more, especially when Towns is operating as the center.


Yeah, while Anderson played some PG, he also played a lot like a bigman: setting screens, using DHOs, splits actions to involve teammates. Some of these touches will go to Ingles, but Towns and Reid should really be used more at elbow.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#335 » by minimus » Tue Aug 13, 2024 2:29 pm



I think that increasing numbers of DHO might be the easiest change that Finch can implement to improve our offense. Not only Gobert, Towns and Reid, but also I also expect Ingles, McDaniels act more as secondary DHO operators. Adding a live dribble shooter such as Dillingham will only help, and TSJ can also attack going downhill from DHO. I really see here some similarities between Maxey's and Rob's role.

While I like to think about Jokic-Murray DHO as reference, because how smooth they run this action, I think that the key for MIN might be secondary DHO action, simply because with twin tower lineups MIN can get more of it, especially after with Ingles addition
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#336 » by Klomp » Wed Aug 14, 2024 4:38 am

I'm excited that tempo and pushing transition will be a greater part of our identity. I could easily see a five-man group of Dillingham, Edwards, Shannon, McDaniels, Reid out there to create havoc and push in transition.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#337 » by Colbinii » Wed Aug 14, 2024 7:53 pm

Klomp wrote:I'm excited that tempo and pushing transition will be a greater part of our identity. I could easily see a five-man group of Dillingham, Edwards, Shannon, McDaniels, Reid out there to create havoc and push in transition.


This is a fun line-up but no reason they can't create havoc and push in transition with Gobert/Towns at the 5.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#338 » by Klomp » Wed Aug 14, 2024 8:15 pm

Colbinii wrote:
Klomp wrote:I'm excited that tempo and pushing transition will be a greater part of our identity. I could easily see a five-man group of Dillingham, Edwards, Shannon, McDaniels, Reid out there to create havoc and push in transition.


This is a fun line-up but no reason they can't create havoc and push in transition with Gobert/Towns at the 5.

For sure! But who are you taking off for that? I want to see the two rookies together with Edwards. I think McDaniels or NAW will almost always be on the court for POA defense, and Reid is the best fit for pushing tempo. The biggest issue though for that group is rebounding, so your point of the need for them is absolutely valid.
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#339 » by minimus » Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:19 am

Inspired by our latest conversation about Rob's (point guard, lead ballhandler, playmaker) role in the MIN offense, I have a few thoughts:

I’ll use two examples from the recent playoffs: the DAL offense and the BOS offense.

DAL is a classic example of a heliocentric offense built around an elite playmaker (Luka/Kyrie). As a result, you can run a top NBA offense even with players who are limited offensively, such as Derrick Jones, Josh Green, and Gafford/Lively.

BOS, on the other hand, is an example of motion (or 0.5 second) offense.



BOS had no designated point guard, no natural point guard; they shared this role between multiple players such as Tatum, Brown, Holiday, White, and Horford. Moreover, Brown, as the secondary option, struggled in the playoffs with taking care of the ball. Brown had 62 assists and 51 turnovers. He still had a few impressive assists, such as this one:

https://youtube.com/shorts/DSDAaSGuU-E

But look at how stretched the floor is and how they inverted the DAL defense to give Tatum a size advantage in the paint. This has been a staple of the BOS offense: multiple shooters, multiple ballhandlers, and constant ball movement. For instance, BOS had 8 (!!!) players who made more than 100 threes in the regular season—impressive stats that basically mean everyone in the rotation shoots threes. Moreover, they not only stretch the floor with their bigs (KP/Horford), but they also constantly add little wrinkles to the offense, such as putting Holiday and White in the dunker spot, removing the big from weakside help, and making a guard protect the rim.

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This makes life easier for Tatum and Brown, giving them those 0.5 seconds to make the right decisions. In the playoffs, Tatum and Brown relied on the team offense system, but both showed major flaws such as inefficient shooting and turnovers.

Now, what were MIN’s problems in offense last season? First, MIN couldn’t use a heliocentric offense because our main scorers (Edwards, Towns) were not our best decision-makers (Conley, Anderson). As a mental exercise, try to imagine Edwards running DAL's offense like Doncic did.



Second, we couldn’t play a 0.5-second offense as we lacked shooters and ballhandlers. As a result, our offense never really established any offensive rhythm on a system level—I mean when players can execute naturally. I call our offensive issues "The Three-Body Problem." (The three-body problem is a classic issue in physics and celestial mechanics involving the prediction of the motion of three gravitationally interacting bodies. Unlike the two-body problem, the three-body problem is notoriously difficult and chaotic, lacking a general analytical solution.) Our three main stars—Gobert, Towns, and Edwards—struggled to find a model where they could run the offense smoothly. Gobert had success in UTA playing as part of a "two-body" system with Mitchell (#1 NBA offense in 2021-22), while Towns and Edwards had success in the same 2021-22 season when MIN had the #1 NBA offense in Jan-Feb. An interesting fact: during that season, MIN and UTA were 1st and 2nd in 3PA. Other interesting stats about MIN in the 2021-22 season:

- 3rd in fastbreak points (29th last season)
- 6th in pace (23rd last season)
- 4th in TO% (23rd this season)

In last playoffs MIN did not have a system to rely on, and our stars were not able to carry offense by themselves. So where could a possible solution to "The Three-Body Problem" come from? TC added Ingles, Shannon, and Dillingham this summer, and I love how each of them adds tools to the solution.

- Ingles reunites with ex-UTA players Gobert, Conley, and NAW. He provides more shooting, secondary passing, and veteran presence. Chemistry should only improve.
- TSJ gives us much-needed depth on the wings, instantly adding pace, physicality, and size.
- Dillingham gives us a much-needed injection of talent at the PG position. Whether Dillingham plays as a facilitator or a scoring point guard depends on his role next to our star players. Personally, I want him to play all minutes as the lead ballhandler when Edwards sits.

I don’t expect Ingles, TSJ, and Dillingham to be THE solution to "The Three-Body Problem" (in the case of TSJ and Rob, not this season). However, I hope they provide MIN with secondary actions that complement the core players in order to balance the whole system. This is similar to when Conley came here, and the empty side pick-and-roll with Gobert became a weapon. MIN has Edwards' ISO scoring, and the Towns-Gobert connection is improving.

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As I wrote before in a new season we might finally see how MIN starts to use two different offensive scheme to merge:

- ex UTA: Gobert, Ingles, Conley, and NAW
- ex MIN (before Gobert trade): Towns, Reid, Edwards

For example, MIN have been great at applying pressure at the rim, and if TSJ and Rob can hit 100+ threes next season, it will be one of the indicators of an improving offense, pace, and spacing. I believe that next season MIN can replicate UTA offense (same 0.5 offense)



Another dimension will be five-out bench unit with Towns/Reid, Dilly and TSJ. The main idea might be building top-10 offense, while still keeping high standard top-5 defense. I like to think about BOS progress during last 5 years, because consistently develop Tatum/Brown duo despite their weaknesses as stars.

P.S. For my old friend, KGdaBom, I am trying to keep my post as short as possible :)
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Re: Identity crisis? 

Post#340 » by KGdaBom » Fri Aug 16, 2024 2:04 pm

minimus wrote:P.S. For my old friend, KGdaBom, I am trying to keep my post as short as possible :)

Make them as long as you want. I will skim and read parts that look interesting. :D

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