2023 summer league

[Nick K]

Really enjoyed Cory Alexander as the color commentator on the broadcast.

[Muskies97]

Feels like Leonard Miller isn't comfortable with his height yet. He looks a bit awkward trying to move around out there on defense.

[Klomp]

Minott refuses to shoot past 10 feet.

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

[Klomp]

Feels like Leonard Miller isn't comfortable with his height yet. He looks a bit awkward trying to move around out there on defense.

He's still only like 5 years removed from being 6'4" guard

[jpatrick]

Minott refuses to shoot past 10 feet.

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

[Nick K]

Minott refuses to shoot past 10 feet.

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

I don't see the passing or the bball IQ of AK but I get your point. I don't see the "overnight" either. I think we're just saying he needs to have more tools than he has today to be all he can be. He's clearly a work in progress.

[Nick K]

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

Nailed it.

[younggunsmn]

Sad to see the game decided on 3 consecutive really weak foul calls and Minott failing to box out on a rebound.

Kobe Bufkin sucks, that was a wasted draft pick.

Miller - good and bad. Plays within the team concept on defense, knows how to use his length well to wall up on that end and get in passing lanes.
Was guarding a perimeter player on a lot of those offensive rebounds we gave up, needs to seal and get back to the paint.
Starting to see some of the criticisms about not being an explosive athlete.
Very smooth player though, fluid mover but not bursty.
The dribbling, vision, and ball skills are better than advertised.
If he can keep working on his shot, his height helps him to create the space to reliably get his 3 point shot off.

Minott - I don't know that he is ever going to be able to guard bigger players/rebound that position against NBA caliber big men.
See him as more of a switchable guy who can guard big 3's and give them problems.
Needs to add a reliable outside shot and be able to pull a quick trigger on it to get NBA minutes.

Lots of guys hesitant to take open shots today.

Brandon Williams - I don't think I'd be willing to offer him the last 2-way, but a guy it would be nice to keep in our system.

Seems like the rest of our roster was filled out mostly not so much with basketball players but toolsy athletes.
Be nice to try to find a knock down shooter to develop.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

I don't see the passing or the bball IQ of AK but I get your point. I don't see the "overnight" either. I think we're just saying he needs to have more tools than he has today to be all he can be. He's clearly a work in progress.

He's been slow on defense at times and missing a bunch of jumpers, but he's still been relatively productive just based on virtue of being 6'8", super athletic, and then just trying really hard.

It's like Vando figured out the recipe: Despite being of no threat to make a jump shot, his size + athleticism combination was top tier, so whatever you do on the court, do it as decisively and urgently as possible and most people won't be able to keep up. Give me a Vando defense/loose-ball-getter package, and then current Minot's offensive package with the wildcard of his potential to improve over the next few years...I'll take that.

[twolves31]

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

The Wolves last game was April 25h, his offseason has been about 2.5 months so far, and there is still 3.5 months before the season starts before his first offseason is completed. Plenty of time to work on his game and progress some skills, hopefully working on his game with Ant, Jaden and others.

[Klomp]

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

Good point. Gerald Wallace might actually be a better development comparison.

[minimus]

Miller - good and bad. Plays within the team concept on defense, knows how to use his length well to wall up on that end and get in passing lanes.
Was guarding a perimeter player on a lot of those offensive rebounds we gave up, needs to seal and get back to the paint.
Starting to see some of the criticisms about not being an explosive athlete.
Very smooth player though, fluid mover but not bursty.
The dribbling, vision, and ball skills are better than advertised.
If he can keep working on his shot, his height helps him to create the space to reliably get his 3 point shot off.

When he is able to set his feet correctly - his shot looks good. His shooting touch is excellent. Also every game he has a very good passes such as alleyoop to Minott, or hit pass to cutter in paint, or drop off pass to Trevion Williams or kickout pass on last shot in last game. These passes were money. But he also had some bonehead turnovers in game against UTA. I hope these passing mistakes are technical issues and cant be corrected with more practice, chemistry and exercises. But the vision and passing instincts are there. He looks much better playing under control with the ball than Vando ever been.

Minott - I don't know that he is ever going to be able to guard bigger players/rebound that position against NBA caliber big men.
See him as more of a switchable guy who can guard big 3's and give them problems.
Needs to add a reliable outside shot and be able to pull a quick trigger on it to get NBA minutes.

I wonder if it is coaching decision to play Minott more as gambler at passing lanes. But he is constantly out of position, he also often does not execute closeout properly I hope he wont develop bad habits, and learns more about positional defense. He has shown some slashing game, but his 3pt shot looks bad. Playing as wing he looks a bit heavy, mechanical. I hope he develops further he showed some promise as passer, I always rooted for athletic forwards like Chase Budinger, Jake Layman. Josh has same talent as cutter, which is undoubtely one of underrated skill if you play next to Reid and Towns. Just move constantly without the ball and shoot open 3s. But I hope he can add some passing game, some on ball defensive skills. I also hope that Minott and Miller can elevate each other, develop chemistry.

Lots of guys hesitant to take open shots today. Seems like the rest of our roster was filled out mostly not so much with basketball players but toolsy athletes. Be nice to try to find a knock down shooter to develop.

I have a feeling that already two games we lost simply because opponent had better shooters. And it looks like a copycat of our main MIN team. I wonder if finding/developing an elite shooter will be next step for Connelly. And no, I dont believe and Towns is enough to make MIN a good offensive team.

Brandon Williams - I don't think I'd be willing to offer him the last 2-way, but a guy it would be nice to keep in our system.

I dont agree that Brandon Williams is just another 24yo with NBA experience who looks good in SL league. I think he is a smart player, who can definetely play in NBA. I also read his history: he had knee surgery in 2019, he played during COVID season in NBA. I'd give him two-way deal, because I like his game, attitude on the floor. He does not shy away from contact, moreover he often initiates contact and finishes play, he also has a few tricks in his arsenal like floater, eurostep etc. He also has had some really good passes, he finishes with both hands. His game is like mix of good things about Jeff Teague and McLaughlin

Watch on YouTube

Doogie reported that MIN is looking to add a veteran: Elfrid Payton, Justin Jackson, Chasson Randle and Ignas Brazdeikis. etc. But I rather give this spot to Brandon Williams

Read on Twitter

[Battletrigger]

Dion Waiters...

[jpatrick]

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

Good point. Gerald Wallace might actually be a better development comparison.

I think his ceiling is Denver Jerami Grant (before he decided he wanted to be a scorer in Detroit l). Both were thin Uber athletes coming out of college. Both highly recruited but not top 10 kind of recruits that barely played their freshman years in college (Grant stayed for his sophomore year). Both were really raw second round picks.

Grant developed enough skills that he was considered a 3/D combo forward by the time he was signed by a young GM named Tim Connelly in Denver. Minott would have a long way to go before he could get there and my fear is it’ll take long enough it’ll be his second team that will reap the benefits, but I still have hope.

[Slim Tubby]

Dion Waiters...

...has been a disease to every locker room he's ever been in. I couldn't think of a worse option to even consider.

[TimberKat]

I know it's still early, but any chance that Minott or Miller could play at JMcD year 1 or year 2 level this coming season?

[KGdaBom]

Minott refuses to shoot past 10 feet.

Yep. He'll always be a limited player until he acquires more skills.

He really needs to add some muscle too. Not easy with his frame.

Almost every player is limited in some way. Josh will be good.

[KGdaBom]

It's amazing how quickly the fan base is starting to change its tune about Minott. Seems like people expected him to become a knockdown shooter overnight. That will never be his game. I will always think of him more in the mold of an AK-47, who was a career 31% 3-point shooter.

AK47 was a different beast. Same athleticism as Minott but bigger and longer and highly skilled. Could handle and was a very good passer. The only thing he couldn’t do was shoot at a high level.

Minott was exciting last year because he was so athletic and had potential. Potential is only good if he makes some progress in skill level. It’s only one offseason, but I don’t see any improvement in any area. No one’s giving up on him but he needs to get better.

Good point. Gerald Wallace might actually be a better development comparison.

I loved Gerald Crash Wallace.

[KGdaBom]

Grady Dick and Asar Thompson were incredible in Detroit game yesterday.

[KGdaBom]

Betting on summer league games is kind of like throwing darts blindfolded so of course I did it. Got $10 on the Wolves tonight. I put $100 on the Vikings to win the division and I'm going to bet on the Wolves win total when I get back there.