Identity crisis?

[minimus]

You need shooters who are elite (KD, Steph, Klay,) and you need a scheme to allow you to play with pace, and space, and off ball movement.

I believe that MIN have enough high level shooters in Reid, Edwards, DDV and hopefully Dillingham. And as team MIN are already in top5 in both 3PT made and 3PT%. My hope is that our FO can find a bigman who can be a defensive minded Padawan for jedi Rudy Gobert, just like Andrew Bogut was for young Draymond Green. I think that it starts in practices, where level of physicality and defensive attention should be on top.

We don’t have the coach. We don’t have offensive scheme. We don’t have the defensive scheme. We don’t gang rebound. We don’t play with the pace of a small ball team.

Well, if I use starter/bench filter I can see that MIN starters are top4 in REB and the best(!!!) in OREB, in comparison bench unit is the worst(!!!) in OREB, 27th in REB. So rather than blaming everything and everyone, I prefer to identify issues so that these issues can be defined as realistic goals. So rather than saying MIN are bad at rebounding:

1) MIN dont have backup bigman who can rebound and protect the rim
2) right now MIN best bench players are guards: NAW, Dillingham, Clark and TJ. It means that bench unit often plays three guard lineup (read undersized lineup)

Can MIN improve this? Sure, but this is task for FO. Miller and Minott are not ready. Wait for draft night, FA market. Bring size at С and wings, these are doable goals.

[winforlose]

I believe that MIN have enough high level shooters in Reid, Edwards, DDV and hopefully Dillingham. And as team MIN are already in top5 in both 3PT made and 3PT%. My hope is that our FO can find a bigman who can be a defensive minded Padawan for jedi Rudy Gobert, just like Andrew Bogut was for young Draymond Green. I think that it starts in practices, where level of physicality and defensive attention should be on top.

We don’t have the coach. We don’t have offensive scheme. We don’t have the defensive scheme. We don’t gang rebound. We don’t play with the pace of a small ball team.

Well, if I use starter/bench filter I can see that MIN starters are top4 in REB and the best(!!!) in OREB, in comparison bench unit is the worst(!!!) in OREB, 27th in REB. So rather than blaming everything and everyone, I prefer to identify issues so that these issues can be defined as realistic goals. So rather than saying MIN are bad at rebounding:

1) MIN dont have backup bigman who can rebound and protect the rim
2) right now MIN best bench players are guards: NAW, Dillingham, Clark and TJ. It means that bench unit often plays three guard lineup (read undersized lineup)

Can MIN improve this? Sure, but this is task for FO. Miller and Minott are not ready. Wait for draft night, FA market. Bring size at С and wings, these are doable goals.

You were asking about small ball. That doesn’t involve a lot of bigs, it usually involves guys like Naz or Draymond playing C. I was also pointing out that our coach and system don’t easily allow for many facets of small ball. If we started boxing out 1-5, if we started running to likely long rebound spots, if we contained better so Rudy wasn’t going 2 on 1 and therefore being stuck out of position, ect…., then of course it would improve. You are talking about a transition of identity and that takes time, that takes coaching, and that takes commitment. But this conversation started with you asking if something is possible. My answer is yes it is and it has been done before. The problem is most teams cannot do it, and most attempts at it fail. The reason for this is that playing small ball at a championship level is EXTREMELY HARD, and leave little margin for error.

[minimus]

You were asking about small ball.

Yes, I really, really appreciate it. When I read fact-based, accurate answers with thoughtful insights.

[minimus]

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This is how you run in transition when your team is one of the worst NBA team in transition

[minimus]

I would love to find data about how much time MIN have spent using zone defense when Gobert is on the floor and how effective it is. Versus how much time our small ball unit plays zone and how effective it is.

[minimus]

I think TJ and Clark are two who benefited from playing in five-out offense around Reid and McDaniels as bigs. First, both are physical enough to battle with bigger opponent. It allows them to fight for rebounds, 50/50 balls. Second, both can slash without dealing with second line defender being in drop position. Finally, both can run in transition.

Surprisingly, I feel like guys such as Edwards, Conley and DDV might lose some efficiency without Gobert screens.

[Norseman79]

Small ball for stretches, ok. Small ball because there is no other choice sucks.

There are other choices

[minimus]

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Interesting trend to keep eye on: Naz has been shooting more threes from corners this season. This was a big question when Towns played next to Gobert, it looks like either Naz is more willing to fill corners, or our coaching staff has adjusted actions in offense

[Klomp]

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Interesting trend to keep eye on: Naz has been shooting more threes from corners this season. This was a big question when Towns played next to Gobert, it looks like either Naz is more willing to fill corners, or our coaching staff has adjusted actions in offense

The numbers actually don't bare that out. His percentage of 3-pointers coming from out of the corners is roughly what he usually averages at 22% of his volume, and even lower than the 28% from last year. But to the Towns point, you're correct. KAT's career-high from the corners is 20% of his volume, but in his time with Finch, the highest he ever got to was 10%.

[BlacJacMac]

And he’s at 6% this year.

I think KAT hates the corner 3. Maybe he’s worried about his giant feet stepping out of bounds. Or maybe he’s way more comfortable always being above the break. I think he loves having the option to drive - and he’s not at all a baseline driver.

[minimus]

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As I said many times before: Rudy and McDaniels can play together

[frankenwolf]

And he’s at 6% this year.

I think KAT hates the corner 3. Maybe he’s worried about his giant feet stepping out of bounds. Or maybe he’s way more comfortable always being above the break. I think he loves having the option to drive - and he’s not at all a baseline driver.

I know this may sound weird to some people, but maybe he doesn't see the rim as well from the corners. It seems easier the further up the arc you go. That's my problem. Corner shots gave me no depth. Seeing even a bit of the backboard behind the rim made the shot easier for me.

No idea if that is really the problem, but just an idea

[TimberKat]

And he’s at 6% this year.

I think KAT hates the corner 3. Maybe he’s worried about his giant feet stepping out of bounds. Or maybe he’s way more comfortable always being above the break. I think he loves having the option to drive - and he’s not at all a baseline driver.

I know this may sound weird to some people, but maybe he doesn't see the rim as well from the corners. It seems easier the further up the arc you go. That's my problem. Corner shots gave me no depth. Seeing even a bit of the backboard behind the rim made the shot easier for me.

No idea if that is really the problem, but just an idea

Yes, definitely can relate, even the corner is shorter. In addition, if you have big feet, you have to worry about not stepping out of bound, so you may not be as comfortable in the corner.

[minimus]

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Note how DDV is playing as bigman, rotates and protects the rim. Looks very "Boston like"

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One of the keys to playing smallball lineups is the guards' ability to rebound (including 50/50 balls) and protect the rim, as your big is often on the perimeter. MIN was pretty mediocre in these areas, but DDV's willingness to do the dirty work is impressive.

P.S. Sorry for daring to quote myself

[Klomp]

And he’s at 6% this year.

I think KAT hates the corner 3. Maybe he’s worried about his giant feet stepping out of bounds. Or maybe he’s way more comfortable always being above the break. I think he loves having the option to drive - and he’s not at all a baseline driver.

I don't have links for receipts, but I remember bringing this up on many occasions over especially the last few years. And since the trade, I have pointed to this as a reason the trade could benefit us this year. We have slowly seen an uptick in corner 3s every year under Finch, even despite KAT's unwillingness.

[minimus]

And he’s at 6% this year.

I think KAT hates the corner 3. Maybe he’s worried about his giant feet stepping out of bounds. Or maybe he’s way more comfortable always being above the break. I think he loves having the option to drive - and he’s not at all a baseline driver.

I don't have links for receipts, but I remember bringing this up on many occasions over especially the last few years. And since the trade, I have pointed to this as a reason the trade could benefit us this year. We have slowly seen an uptick in corner 3s every year under Finch, even despite KAT's unwillingness.

During this 8:0 winning streak MIN are #1 in threes made, #1 in made corner threes, and #1 in ATB made

[minimus]

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Whats a root cause here?

[frankenwolf]

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Whats a root cause here?

I believe that Ant said "Boxing out" and he said they even run box out drills in practice. Why not do it consistently? Is that on Finch or the players? If they are practicing it, they need to be doing it in games. Film review and fine those who aren't.

[Guest84]

In prior eras, a lot of players used to value rebounding and study angles, etc. Rodman, K. Love to name a few. Nowadays, I think most players just rely on their athleticism. Wolves don't have a single player that attacks the opposition to gain an advantage position-wise when it comes to rebounding. Rudy might, but he rebounds well mostly cause he's tall.

This team has an overall lack of fundamentals. A big problem is that our "star" player also lacks fundamentals. Typically, the rest follow the stars' lead. They're a competitive bunch but their lack of IQ and fundamentals puts them at a disadvantage every single night. Which is why they have so many letdowns against teams they should be blowing out.

[minimus]

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Really hope TC will add a quality backup big who can protect the rim and rebound