Rotation for 21-22

[Klomp]

KAT is a fairly minor part of the overall issue. My main concern is that Vanderbilt, McDaniels, Prince, and Layman are all under 220 lbs. The team just doesn't have many good matchup options when going against teams who play very large guys at both PF and C. One of the things I wanted the team to do this off-season was to add at least one really big player (in both height and weight) to come off the bench. Adding a larger starting PF would also have helped.

Do those teams have good matchup options for us?

[Rookie-Mistake]

We need a big body. Even just to put in there against the guerillas that KAT struggles against.
Would love Isiah Stewart on this team.. but fleet squad it is..

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In terms of weight, I would guess the Wolves have the smallest team in the NBA by a good margin.

Sent from my SM-G991B using RealGM mobile app

[winforlose]

Vando just sprained his ankle, JMAC is dealing with a hamstring issue and Okogie has either a sore foot or ankle depending on the source you read. I believe it is an ankle but I wanted to be clear I have read both. With Vando and JO presumably out the 10 man rotation is likely Dlo, Beasley, Ant, MCD, KAT, and Beverly, Nowell, Bolmaro, Prince, and Reid. If JO is healthy I can see him taking Bolmaro’s spot and Bolarmo going to Iowa until he is needed.

[TaylorTag]

I’m beginning to think our finishing lineup is going to be

D’Lo, Ant, McDaniels, Prince, KAT

[winforlose]

Hoopshype has it that Beasley will be coming off the bench and playing with the second unit more often than not this season.

[KGdaBom]

Hoopshype has it that Beasley will be coming off the bench and playing with the second unit more often than not this season.

And they're just guessing.

[winforlose]

Hoopshype has it that Beasley will be coming off the bench and playing with the second unit more often than not this season.

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

[KGdaBom]

Hoopshype has it that Beasley will be coming off the bench and playing with the second unit more often than not this season.

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

If Finch said it than why didn't you just say that in the first place. Instead you attributed it to HoopsHype. If Finch actually did say that then I of course give it more credence.

[winforlose]

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

If Finch said it than why didn't you just say that in the first place. Instead you attributed it to HoopsHype. If Finch actually did say that then I of course give it more credence.

I will apologize for not being more clear. For future reference Hoopshype is a collection spot for multiple stories. In this instance Dane Moore was quoting Finch about Beasley. When I reference hoopshype it is usually a nod to go there and a summary of what I found rather than a detailed explanation. Still, I see your point and will say “My Bad.”

[Nick K]

Hoopshype has it that Beasley will be coming off the bench and playing with the second unit more often than not this season.

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

My guess is Beasley comes off the bench as a light it up shooter which the 2nd unit needs.

Ant needs to play the 2. He can play the 3 in a pinch but he's a much stronger matchup at the 2 and Finch knows it.

I'm a huge Finch fan.

[winforlose]

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

My guess is Beasley comes off the bench as a light it up shooter which the 2nd unit needs.

Ant needs to play the 2. He can play the 3 in a pinch but he's a much stronger matchup at the 2 and Finch knows it.

I'm a huge Finch fan.

I am too, but Finch still has two tasks to perform to cement his legacy. The first is getting the guys to box out. It is essential. It will stop the other team hitting broken floor 3s and easy put backs (not to mention getting us a few of those on the other end,) and it will allow us to better control the pace of the game by possessing the ball more.

Second, he needs to unlock Ant. Ant is a fraction of what he can and should be. He is an excellent slasher with finishing skills well above his experience level. That said, his shot selection is problematic, his accuracy from deep is frightening, and his rebounding instincts are off. I want the kid to succeed, and I look to Finch to get him there. In a lot of ways this reminds me of Wiggins back in the early days. I still believe we got Standrew instead of Maple Jordan because his coaches never pushed him and never unlocked him. I don’t want Ant to suffer a similar fate.

[winforlose]

This is for everyone but I want to shout out to @KGdaBom. Some other things Finch said that are relevant to the rotation and available on hoopshype.

1. JO was a full participant at practice yesterday.

2. JMAC was a partial participant but is expected to be full participant for today’s practice (today being Monday the 18th,)

3. Finch pretty much said that the fifth spot will not be permanently assigned. My guess (not related to Finch or hoopshype,) some mix of JO, V8, or bev depending on matchup and need.

[minimus]

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

If Finch said it than why didn't you just say that in the first place. Instead you attributed it to HoopsHype. If Finch actually did say that then I of course give it more credence.

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?s=20

[Klomp]

And they're just guessing.

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

If Finch said it than why didn't you just say that in the first place. Instead you attributed it to HoopsHype. If Finch actually did say that then I of course give it more credence.

I'm shocked this is coming from you, KGdaBom....

I'm having a proud parent moment right now!

[KGdaBom]

They are quoting Finch. Take a look at the Timberwolves rumor page.

If Finch said it than why didn't you just say that in the first place. Instead you attributed it to HoopsHype. If Finch actually did say that then I of course give it more credence.

I will apologize for not being more clear. For future reference Hoopshype is a collection spot for multiple stories. In this instance Dane Moore was quoting Finch about Beasley. When I reference hoopshype it is usually a nod to go there and a summary of what I found rather than a detailed explanation. Still, I see your point and will say “My Bad.”

No problem.

[TaylorTag]

48 minutes each for the 1-5 position. This is how we think we start the year.

5: KAT (34 minutes), Naz (14 minutes)
4: Vando (28 minutes), McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (5 minutes minutes)
3: McDaniels (19 minutes), Prince (19 minutes) Ant (10 minutes)
2: Ant (26 minutes), Beasley (22 minutes)
1: D’Lo (32 minutes), Beverley (16 minutes)

9 player lineup. Turn to the remaining bench based on play, foul situation, development opportunities.

Starting lineup features our most balanced look: Russell, Ant, McDaniels, Vando, KAT (as predicted by Zach Lowe today). That starting group plays for first 7 minutes or so. Then Beasley comes in for Vanderbilt and Beverley comes in for Russell, so we go small with Beverley, Beasley, Ant, McDaniels, KAT, hoping that Beverley’s perimeter defense can make up for Beasely’s shortcomings. When we aren’t running the floor, think Ant and KAT can develop a lethal pick n roll game.

Then Prince comes in for McDaniels in around the 10 minute mark. Naz Reid replaces KAT and Vanderbilt replaces Ant around Q1’s end, so it’s Russell, Beasley, Prince, Vanderbilt, Naz as our second unit, with us hoping that Vando can provide enough D to make for the rest of the unit’s shortcomings on that end. (I thought our second unit featuring Naz, Vando, Hernangomez, Russell and McLaughlin did not look that bad defensively.)

Few thoughts: Think we will play more than 9 guys. And also think we find a way to play Beverley and Russell together, but I think that Finch will want to go back to Russell playing a lot with the second unit, which means he will have to make some sacrifices to get the rotation to work.

Edit: 9 guys not 8

So I feel pretty good about my guess when I made this thread about a month ago. Was listening to Dane's most recent podcast with Brit forecasting the Bigs this upcoming season for their 3-part series and they talked about the rotation and whether they would have D'Lo or Ant run time with the second unit.

Brit said he preferred Ant to run with the second unit, which I have toyed with a lot and see the benefits. But ultimately I think Dane is right that Russell will likely be the first sub out at like the sixth-minute mar, a prediction made a month too late I might add consider he ripped my idea plus a minute (we know you read realgm Dane), as I think Finch has more trust in Russell to run a unit.

Given what we've seen this preseason, I have a slightly updated prediction. Not sure what the health status of everyone will be, but think our starting lineup and rotation will look like this:

5: KAT (34 minutes), Naz (14 minutes)
4: Vando (22 minutes), McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (5 minutes minutes)
3: McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (19 minutes), Okogie (12 minutes), Ant (10 minutes)
2: Ant (24 minutes), Beasley (16 minutes), D'Lo (8 minutes)
1: D’Lo (26 minutes), Beverley (16 minutes), McLaughlin (6 minutes)

I think the starting lineup to begin the season more of then not (and what I would bet on opening night) is D'Lo, Ant, Okogie, McDaniels and KAT.

Around 6 or 7 minute mark (again I see you Dane), Beverley and Beasely come in for D'Lo and Okogie. That way we we sub plus defender for plus defender with Okogie and Beverley and we maintain our shooting with Beasely in for D'Lo.. Beverley gives Ant a ball handler in the backcourt on the offensive end and a pest on-ball defender that will allow Ant to eat in the passing lanes on the defensive end. Prince later comes in for McDaniels, so you go Beverley, Beasely, Ant, Prince, KAT for a bit. Then you bring in Vando for Ant, sliding Prince to the three, before quickly getting to our second unit around Q1, which is D'Lo, Beasely, Prince, Vando, Reid. Think Beasely spends 4-5 minutes max with that unit before getting McLaughlin some minutes at the 1 with D'Lo at the 2, so it is McLaughlin, D'Lo, Prince, Vando and Reid. McLaughlin and Reid can get their pick and roll game going while D'Lo can do his mid-game stuff and Prince spreads the floor to make up for Vando's lack of range.

Then I think you bring Ant in for Prince, Beverley in for McLaughlin, KAT in for Reid and it will be Beverley, D'Lo, Ant, Vando and KAT. Then we sub in McDaniels for Beverley and Prince for Vando to get to our finishing lineup which will be D'Lo, Ant, McDaniels, Prince and KAT.

[Dewey]

DLo, Beverly, McL… Wright to DLeague
Ant, Beasley, Okogie, Nowell, Bolmaro
McD, Prince, Layman
Vanderbilt, Knight
KAT, Reid

Bolmaro is intriguing… current roster could give Knight some opportunity via injury/foul trouble to Kat and Reid … McD, Prince, Vanderbilt will have their chances at F. We need ball pressure with this roster as it stands. Finch will need to discover the best 10 basketball players over 10-20 games and roll with it.

[Klomp]

Listening to Moore and Robson, I think it's interesting hearing them group Okogie with the bigs. And then on top of that saying only one of Okogie and Vanderbilt may find themselves in the regular rotation some nights. I don't totally disagree.

One luxury (if you could call it that) of having both is the fact that foul trouble to one means you just insert the other in. Yeah the play styles aren't identical, but I'd argue they are best used in this offense in similar ways.

[Merc_Porto]

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Good to hear about this.
They are pretty aware of the tremendous usage guys that we have on the roster which means that in a scenario where we add Ben Simmons, we have to "dump" one of them. DLO of course...

[Nick K]

48 minutes each for the 1-5 position. This is how we think we start the year.

5: KAT (34 minutes), Naz (14 minutes)
4: Vando (28 minutes), McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (5 minutes minutes)
3: McDaniels (19 minutes), Prince (19 minutes) Ant (10 minutes)
2: Ant (26 minutes), Beasley (22 minutes)
1: D’Lo (32 minutes), Beverley (16 minutes)

9 player lineup. Turn to the remaining bench based on play, foul situation, development opportunities.

Starting lineup features our most balanced look: Russell, Ant, McDaniels, Vando, KAT (as predicted by Zach Lowe today). That starting group plays for first 7 minutes or so. Then Beasley comes in for Vanderbilt and Beverley comes in for Russell, so we go small with Beverley, Beasley, Ant, McDaniels, KAT, hoping that Beverley’s perimeter defense can make up for Beasely’s shortcomings. When we aren’t running the floor, think Ant and KAT can develop a lethal pick n roll game.

Then Prince comes in for McDaniels in around the 10 minute mark. Naz Reid replaces KAT and Vanderbilt replaces Ant around Q1’s end, so it’s Russell, Beasley, Prince, Vanderbilt, Naz as our second unit, with us hoping that Vando can provide enough D to make for the rest of the unit’s shortcomings on that end. (I thought our second unit featuring Naz, Vando, Hernangomez, Russell and McLaughlin did not look that bad defensively.)

Few thoughts: Think we will play more than 9 guys. And also think we find a way to play Beverley and Russell together, but I think that Finch will want to go back to Russell playing a lot with the second unit, which means he will have to make some sacrifices to get the rotation to work.

Edit: 9 guys not 8

So I feel pretty good about my guess when I made this thread about a month ago. Was listening to Dane's most recent podcast with Brit forecasting the Bigs this upcoming season for their 3-part series and they talked about the rotation and whether they would have D'Lo or Ant run time with the second unit.

Brit said he preferred Ant to run with the second unit, which I have toyed with a lot and see the benefits. But ultimately I think Dane is right that Russell will likely be the first sub out at like the sixth-minute mar, a prediction made a month too late I might add consider he ripped my idea plus a minute (we know you read realgm Dane), as I think Finch has more trust in Russell to run a unit.

Given what we've seen this preseason, I have a slightly updated prediction. Not sure what the health status of everyone will be, but think our starting lineup and rotation will look like this:

5: KAT (34 minutes), Naz (14 minutes)
4: Vando (22 minutes), McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (5 minutes minutes)
3: McDaniels (15 minutes), Prince (19 minutes), Okogie (12 minutes), Ant (10 minutes)
2: Ant (24 minutes), Beasley (16 minutes), D'Lo (8 minutes)
1: D’Lo (26 minutes), Beverley (16 minutes), McLaughlin (6 minutes)

I think the starting lineup to begin the season more of then not (and what I would bet on opening night) is D'Lo, Ant, Okogie, McDaniels and KAT.

Around 6 or 7 minute mark (again I see you Dane), Beverley and Beasely come in for D'Lo and Okogie. That way we we sub plus defender for plus defender with Okogie and Beverley and we maintain our shooting with Beasely in for D'Lo.. Beverley gives Ant a ball handler in the backcourt on the offensive end and a pest on-ball defender that will allow Ant to eat in the passing lanes on the defensive end. Prince later comes in for McDaniels, so you go Beverley, Beasely, Ant, Prince, KAT for a bit. Then you bring in Vando for Ant, sliding Prince to the three, before quickly getting to our second unit around Q1, which is D'Lo, Beasely, Prince, Vando, Reid. Think Beasely spends 4-5 minutes max with that unit before getting McLaughlin some minutes at the 1 with D'Lo at the 2, so it is McLaughlin, D'Lo, Prince, Vando and Reid. McLaughlin and Reid can get their pick and roll game going while D'Lo can do his mid-game stuff and Prince spreads the floor to make up for Vando's lack of range.

Then I think you bring Ant in for Prince, Beverley in for McLaughlin, KAT in for Reid and it will be Beverley, D'Lo, Ant, Vando and KAT. Then we sub in McDaniels for Beverley and Prince for Vando to get to our finishing lineup which will be D'Lo, Ant, McDaniels, Prince and KAT.

Ant coming in with the 2nd unit at 24 minutes a night??

I think Britt is losing his bleeping mind if that is what he's saying.