Identity crisis?

[shrink]

I try to keep reminding myself that Ant is only 23 and entered the NBA with very poor NBA-level skills. However, until he can actually learn to be a better playmaker, I think he has been at his best when a PG has been running the offense.

Does it worry anyone that the big longterm investment in Dillingham might be because Connelly and Finch think that Ant may never develop good playmaking skills?

You think Ant was better last season without Mike? You think we were better end of game with the ball in Ant’s hands? Even this season, you trust Ant to share the ball end of game. Or to run set plays and read defenses to know who will be open and when to get them the ball? What about the non Ant minutes? We drafted Dilly because we lacked the capital to get a free agent PG, and the Spurs were willing to maximize assets for Wemby’s prime to the detriment of the present. That only happens when you have a POBO/GM willing to lose now because they either have the job security or are too old to care about getting fired in the next few years. We gambled big on Dilly but everyone should have known he would need a year or 2 to develop. 19 year olds with his defensive history and size are not NBA ready.

I think you misread my post.

[Klomp]

I try to keep reminding myself that Ant is only 23 and entered the NBA with very poor NBA-level skills. However, until he can actually learn to be a better playmaker, I think he has been at his best when a PG has been running the offense.

Does it worry anyone that the big longterm investment in Dillingham might be because Connelly and Finch think that Ant may never develop good playmaking skills?

One thing to think about...

Did Dallas trading for Kyrie mean that Dallas believed Luka would never develop those skills?

[winforlose]

I try to keep reminding myself that Ant is only 23 and entered the NBA with very poor NBA-level skills. However, until he can actually learn to be a better playmaker, I think he has been at his best when a PG has been running the offense.

Does it worry anyone that the big longterm investment in Dillingham might be because Connelly and Finch think that Ant may never develop good playmaking skills?

You think Ant was better last season without Mike? You think we were better end of game with the ball in Ant’s hands? Even this season, you trust Ant to share the ball end of game. Or to run set plays and read defenses to know who will be open and when to get them the ball? What about the non Ant minutes? We drafted Dilly because we lacked the capital to get a free agent PG, and the Spurs were willing to maximize assets for Wemby’s prime to the detriment of the present. That only happens when you have a POBO/GM willing to lose now because they either have the job security or are too old to care about getting fired in the next few years. We gambled big on Dilly but everyone should have known he would need a year or 2 to develop. 19 year olds with his defensive history and size are not NBA ready.

I think you misread my post.

I think so too

[shrink]

I try to keep reminding myself that Ant is only 23 and entered the NBA with very poor NBA-level skills. However, until he can actually learn to be a better playmaker, I think he has been at his best when a PG has been running the offense.

Does it worry anyone that the big longterm investment in Dillingham might be because Connelly and Finch think that Ant may never develop good playmaking skills?

One thing to think about...

Did Dallas trading for Kyrie mean that Dallas believed Luka would never develop those skills?

Luka already had those skills. He had been averaging 8 or more assists for the four previous years before they traded for Kyrie. Kyrie was also an immediate contributor, not a plan for the future like Dillingham.

If your plan for the future is Dillingham, (I assume as a starter since we gave up an Unprotected 1st) wouldn’t that mean you don’t trust that Ant’s future isn’t going to make Dillingham less valuable? Take the ball out of his hands? I don’t know …

[minimus]

It looks like Anthony Edwards belongs to the elite group of shooters in terms of accuracy and volume. however, the next step would be to turn his insane shooting ability into a system. I remember Harden's famous words, "I'm not a system player. I'm a system." What can be done to use Edwards' 3pt shooting to elevate the whole team?

First, our coaching staff should design more plays where Edwards can use his strong body to set off ball screens. I remember several articles about Steph Curry's screens.

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Edwards is bigger and stronger than Curry, but he does not have the same non-stop off-ball movement AND it does not make much sense when 3 out of 5 of our starters are either bad shooters or non-shooters. Second, TC should try to pair Edwards with a passing big. Even Gobert has started to use Ant's gravity to pass the ball.

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But a mobile, coordinated big who can pass could thrive next to Edwards. The defense collapses, Ant makes a simple pass to the big who starts the ball movement (Draymond Green short-roll passing). Finally, I think Edwards' development changes the whole development dynamic for this roster in a very big way. I can see TC being busy to find a passing bigman, another full sized wing shooter, pass-first PG. Basically from payroll structure build around three star contracts Gobert-Towns-Edwards, MIN went to Gobert-Ranlde-Edwards for this season, but it is clear as day that MIN will try to break Randle's contract into small pieces. So it will be Gobert-Edwards + two starting caliber players in Reid, McDaniels + three MLE caliber players (NAW, DDV + 2025 FA) + five rookie contracts (Dilly, Clark, Minott, TJ, Miller) + two veterans (Conley, 2025 FA veteran). This means that Edwards will see double teams in every game as the main star. I hope that: a) he improves his decision making and passing along with willingness to move without ball (not just stand around and watch) b) front office and coaching staff will help him and put him in better position to elevate this team.

P.S. I like Day'Ron Sharpe potential both as rim runner (finisher) and passer

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[Guest84]

Generally, what you see other teams do when they have a scorer who puts two on the ball is they get 3+D wings, a short roll/lob threat big, and find a second ball handler/creator who can punish defenses that leave them 1:1. Think about Dallas and Kyrie Irving and what they've done to give Luka answers to beat that type of coverage and what that looked like then when they faced the Wolves.

Luka and Harden of old when faced with this type of coverage would take possessions where they would do what Ant did and stand around the half court line because going 4 on 4 or 4 on 3 should be a huge advantage for the offense. Imagine if in that 4 on 4 scenario where Randle turned it over, instead it was Kyrie attacking 1 on 1 with all of that space. And go watch it back, I get what everyone is saying about Randle against JJ but he had the entire strong side of the floor and space to the weakside with JJ being the only person really even inside of the 3 point line basically.

So as far as 1a/1b I would say someone like Kyrie who will score 30+ if you allow him to attack 1:1 and can drive and kick. Second, I would say a big who can attack the short role, is a good passer, and has a good floater type of game (think Hartenstein). Then, last the more wings can space the floor the better (think Dallas when their wings are hitting versus not hitting shots).

Now think about how far the Wolves are away from this. Dante is pretty solid in this role, but he's not as elite as we need him to be as a ball handler. It's pretty disappointing that Randle isn't better at beating people 1:1. I would have thought from his double team numbers with the Knicks that he was better at this when attacking inside of the 3 point line. Gobert is arguably the worst short roll big in the league and McDaniels is arguably the worst wing in the corner in the league. This is why you see what you see.

This is why I actually think Rob is the "best" answer we have, but the coaching staff doesn't seem to trust him. If this is how teams are going to play Ant, then this is how you have to construct a roster to beat this and look good on offense consistently. I'm not sure as far as 1a/1b, but if the Wolves had

Monk
Dante
Ant
Naz
Hartenstein

They would be crushing this coverage.

I agree that Dillingham is the ideal answer, and I think that's why they aggressively moved up to get him. But he's still 19. Remember Ant at 19? He was not near as good as he is today. So there has to be some sort of realistic understanding that it might take some time.

100% I'm just speaking towards how to solve the problem and what would be the best fit around Ant. My concern is that outside of Dillingham we don't have as many answers to the problems as we need to. In my mind, this is why a trade needs to happen and it needs to work backwards from how do we get short and long term answers to that problem. This team won't work unless we add answers to solve that problem, whether through internal growth or roster changes.

I am actually advocating for patience. I think the idea that we were a contender has misaligned how the team is focusing and what they are prioritizing. I think we need to have a strong defense, but saying that we are worried about say what losing McDaniels would do to the defense is the wrong way to go. Unless, we maximize the team around Ant and help him unlock his potential then we will not win a championship. If we take a step back in defense, but Ant is a fully optimized player... let's see what the team looks like then and make decisions about what else needs to be added or doesn't need to be added.

Rob is def still raw and needs time. However, when Ant was 19, he was able to get the necessary playing time to develop and play through his struggles. Some of that has to do with team expectations now vs then. I also think a lot of it has to do with Rob's size honestly.

While I don't he's the ideal answer (size), I do think he needs time "next" to Ant to see if they're a good pairing. Problem is that there's too many other players ahead of him right now while also dealing with the politics of the league.

I personally would love to see a Fox or Cade type next to Ant. A player with poise, clutch gene (Fox), and an ability to feel the game.

I had high hopes for Jaden but you can't have him, Rudy, and/or Randle out there all at the same time. We're one of the only teams that continue to handicap our own stars due to the makeup of the roster (players that don't fit vs just not panning out).

[Klomp]

I personally would love to see a Fox or Cade type next to Ant. A player with poise, clutch gene (Fox), and an ability to feel the game.

When looking for the most absolute perfect pairing next to him, I think Cade would be it. Unfortunately, I don't see Detroit trading him for anything less than an Ant-like package.

[Klomp]

I had high hopes for Jaden but you can't have him, Rudy, and/or Randle out there all at the same time. We're one of the only teams that continue to handicap our own stars due to the makeup of the roster (players that don't fit vs just not panning out).

I think you can have two of the three, but the third frontcourt guy with any pairing has to be a significant 3-point threat like a Naz Reid or putting NAW or Donte there.

[Klomp]

Rob is def still raw and needs time. However, when Ant was 19, he was able to get the necessary playing time to develop and play through his struggles. Some of that has to do with team expectations now vs then. I also think a lot of it has to do with Rob's size honestly.

While I don't he's the ideal answer (size), I do think he needs time "next" to Ant to see if they're a good pairing. Problem is that there's too many other players ahead of him right now while also dealing with the politics of the league.

I think these are fair discussions to have, but I absolutely think you hit quite a bit on the key reasons why it's different.

[Guest84]

I personally would love to see a Fox or Cade type next to Ant. A player with poise, clutch gene (Fox), and an ability to feel the game.

When looking for the most absolute perfect pairing next to him, I think Cade would be it. Unfortunately, I don't see Detroit trading him for anything less than an Ant-like package.

Especially not with the latest string of performances he's put together this year.

[minimus]

There a few dynamics within this roster, that are crucial for future of this franchise. And they have dependencies with each other. Let me explain:

First, NAWs development as PoA defender, screen navigator. He is already elite at fighting through multiple screens

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NAWs development as PoA defender leads to more opportunities for McDaniels as rim protector, roamer. McDaniels currently averages career high 1.4 steals per game. This also allows McDaniels to play more as PF.

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Finally, I still believe that this roster has a lot of potential. I find CLE example very inspiring: they did not played well in previous seasons, but this year, after years of DM, Garland, Mobley development and excellent coaching they are able to play modern basketball despite having non shooting big in Allen and another non shooter in Mobley. Can this franchise help Dilly to become our version of Garland?

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[Guest84]

Watch on YouTube

;t=29s

[Guest84]

At this point, you have to see what you have with some of the young guys on the roster. Rob and TSJ especially…

Honestly, idk if any of the players on the current roster are true starters aside from Ant. Are we really a championship contender with Naz starting and Naw still filling in at pg/sg?

The more I look at it the more I think this team needs a complete overhaul.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

At this point, you have to see what you have with some of the young guys on the roster. Rob and TSJ especially…

Honestly, idk if any of the players on the current roster are true starters aside from Ant. Are we really a championship contender with Naz starting and Naw still filling in at pg/sg?

The more I look at it the more I think this team needs a complete overhaul.

I agree. Got really annoyed with Finch using 8-9 players. I can understand when we are in the PO but right now, Rob , TSJ, Josh should have some min. I will also try Luka, he can't be as bad as Randle and Naz when it come to rebounds.

[TimberKat]

At this point, you have to see what you have with some of the young guys on the roster. Rob and TSJ especially…

Honestly, idk if any of the players on the current roster are true starters aside from Ant. Are we really a championship contender with Naz starting and Naw still filling in at pg/sg?

The more I look at it the more I think this team needs a complete overhaul.

I agree. Got really annoyed with Finch using 8-9 players. I can understand when we are in the PO but right now, Rob , TSJ, Josh should have some min. I will also try Luka, he can't be as bad as Randle and Naz when it come to rebounds.

We are still struggling to win and incorporate Randle and DDV. The Finch is more confusing than the triangle offense. Is that why our young players are having so much difficulty? Or just simply our young guys aren't very good?

[TimberKat]

Losing to GSW at home twice maybe the second, third worst loss of this year. 1st being the Huston OT loss. We could be looking at outside of play-in by end of day tomorrow with a 21-21 record. I say that is crisis and time to panic.

[Guest84]

At this point, you have to see what you have with some of the young guys on the roster. Rob and TSJ especially…

Honestly, idk if any of the players on the current roster are true starters aside from Ant. Are we really a championship contender with Naz starting and Naw still filling in at pg/sg?

The more I look at it the more I think this team needs a complete overhaul.

I agree. Got really annoyed with Finch using 8-9 players. I can understand when we are in the PO but right now, Rob , TSJ, Josh should have some min. I will also try Luka, he can't be as bad as Randle and Naz when it come to rebounds.

We are still struggling to win and incorporate Randle and DDV. The Finch is more confusing than the triangle offense. Is that why our young players are having so much difficulty? Or just simply our young guys aren't very good?

I think the young guys not playing has more to do with behind the scenes politics. Granted Rob was injured right when he was starting to play and TSJ is currently injured. In terms of Minott and the others, they're prob not good enough.

However, Naw, Naz, and Randle are all in contract years and they need time to show/increase their value. Ant mentioned early on that it seemed like players had different agendas. Could that be referring to the upcoming contracts?

There are a lot of reasons we could point to for our struggles but low ball iq and fit are the ones I think affect the team the most.

[Guest84]

Cam Payne is one of those goofy players who tends to get weirdly hot and seems like a superstar.

[minimus]

Some development dynamics:

First, it looks like Randle is trying to fit as fast break initiator. This has been a big improvement area since Gobert trade. MIN need more this mentality, when players fights for defensive rebounds and then initiate transition offense by pushing pace.

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Second, I believe that McDaniels success in transition might be a part of his success at PF. I mean McDaniels has enough speed and quickness and skills to beat "classic" PFs in transition, as consequence opponents wont have much advantage to put a classic PF in the game.

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Finally, how MIN can improve from here? Low hanging fruit is to grab more defensive rebounds AND run in transition. I dont think that giving McDaniels more minutes at PF will hurt our defensive rebounding, however, TC should really think about NAW future in MIN. After DDV trade NAW basically plays as wing, both replacing McDaniels as PoA AND playing next to other guards such as DDV, Edwards, Conley and Rob. NAW does not have high level ballhandling nor passing skills to play as lead guard, but he has enough skills to play as 3&D wing, although he lacks a bit of size as wing. But TC should really think twice to let NAW go, because he is one of NBA best screen navigators and PoA defenders. They need such guys to play next to Rob. I can see MIN running Edwards+DDV as starting backcourt, and NAW+Rob as backcourt from the bench

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[Folklore]

Some development dynamics:

First, it looks like Randle is trying to fit as fast break initiator. This has been a big improvement area since Gobert trade. MIN need more this mentality, when players fights for defensive rebounds and then initiate transition offense by pushing pace.

Read on Twitter

Second, I believe that McDaniels success in transition might be a part of his success at PF. I mean McDaniels has enough speed and quickness and skills to beat "classic" PFs in transition, as consequence opponents wont have much advantage to put a classic PF in the game.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Finally, how MIN can improve from here? Low hanging fruit is to grab more defensive rebounds AND run in transition. I dont think that giving McDaniels more minutes at PF will hurt our defensive rebounding, however, TC should really think about NAW future in MIN. After DDV trade NAW basically plays as wing, both replacing McDaniels as PoA AND playing next to other guards such as DDV, Edwards, Conley and Rob. NAW does not have high level ballhandling nor passing skills to play as lead guard, but he has enough skills to play as 3&D wing, although he lacks a bit of size as wing. But TC should really think twice to let NAW go, because he is one of NBA best screen navigators and PoA defenders. They need such guys to play next to Rob. I can see MIN running Edwards+DDV as starting backcourt, and NAW+Rob as backcourt from the bench

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Any way to watch those clips on something other than X?