Identity crisis?

[minimus]

I think one of the biggest improvement area for this team is to learn how to use zone defense. But I dont think that they have right personnel to do it. I mean I think the best MIN zone defender and zone breaker was Kyle Anderson: long high IQ player. Randle and Reid cant play zone by definition. I can see McDaniels and Clark doing well, and that is it. Beringer has right physical tools, but lacks experience. Rocco has excellent length and feel to be a zone defender.

[Klomp]

I think one of the biggest improvement area for this team is to learn how to use zone defense. But I dont think that they have right personnel to do it. I mean I think the best MIN zone defender and zone breaker was Kyle Anderson: long high IQ player. Randle and Reid cant play zone by definition. I can see McDaniels and Clark doing well, and that is it. Beringer has right physical tools, but lacks experience. Rocco has excellent length and feel to be a zone defender.

I think we have guys who should be good in a zone physically, but mentally most of them don't have the discipline for the scheme to be consistently successful.

[TimberKat]

Yes. we have identity crisis. We missed NAW way more than we should. Our zone or switch or double team defense still sucked - either low IQ players or scheme too complicated.

[BlacJacMac]

Yes. we have identity crisis. We missed NAW way more than we should. Our zone or switch or double team defense still sucked - either low IQ players or scheme too complicated.

I think we missed NAW last game. But Clark has been, by far, our best defender - at least by On/Off and DBPM.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Last game was particular, no ANT, no Clark, B2B. We have probably our best 1st of the season and then we slow down which is understandable. And we face Denver, a contender. We have job to do but it's way too early to worry.

[minimus]

I will copy here younggunsmn's post

Our defense is DESIGNED to funnel perimeter players into him.
It's also the only style he is capable of playing and if we ask him to do anything different he gets all up in his feelings and sucks badly at it.
We had a fringe top 10 defense the year before we traded for Rudy with a totally different scheme, and we had KAT and DeAngelo Russell to carry on that team.

Rudy is our 2nd highest paid player, and if that player is an inconsistent role player who drags your whole offense down, your team has big problems.

and a translation of a post from my friend

Before the season started, Rajaković was beating his chest, insisting that Toronto would “devour everyone on defense and spit them out.”

The Serbian coach clearly got carried away with the Indiana model and decided to build everything around full-court pressure. All summer long, the Raptors were running end to end with their tongues hanging out.

“I don’t see any weaknesses in our defense. We want to dominate through defense — and we will.”

Well, these Canadian dominators are currently second-to-last in opponent points allowed (even lost to Brooklyn in that stat).

They rank 26th in points allowed in the paint. 19th in second-chance points given up.

The Indiana model was apparently taken literally — they’ve ramped up their press to 17% of all defensive possessions. But they’re giving up 1.15 PPP — which is a lot. That’s also the number they allow on opponent drives.

And of course, they foul like maniacs.

Result? A well-deserved 1–4 record.

I find this a very good example of how difficult to develop team identity. You need players who fit your identity, not only skillset, but also mentality, age, experience. And you need coaching staff / management who are able to build that identity. Otherwise it is Kurt Rambis situation in MIN.

[minimus]

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What if Beringer/Zikarsky + Clark are indeed a path forward to a new defensive identity?

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

Gobert/Beringer/Zikarsky - Clingan
Avdija - TJ/DDV
Grant - Edwards/Randle/Reid
McDaniels - Camara
Clark - Holiday

I feel like MIN needs another year of internal development for Beringer/TJ/Clark/Rob. Plus TC need to find another full sized wing (Freeman???) and MIN can lead NBA again in DRtg next year by combining Rudy experience and size with full pressing

Gobert/Beringer/Zikarsky - Clingan
Avdija - TJ/Black
Grant - Edwards/Randle/
McDaniels - Camara
Clark - Holiday

You can call me delusional, but I believe that Clark, Beringer and McDaniels can be exceptional in such basketball.

[minimus]

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It looks like this is a part of our new identity

[minimus]

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These two tweets made me think why Kyle Anderson might be an ideal solution for MIN.

In these Reid-Randle-McDaniels-Clark-Conley lineup McDaniels provides:

- additional rim protection: MIN starters are 2nd in blocks, bench 28th
- secondary PoA option
- rebounding: MIN starters are 11th in Reb, bench 27th

But MIN also needs McDaniesl scoring

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So I can see how Kyle Anderson seamlessly replaces McDaniels. Reid-Randle-Anderson-Clark-Conley/Dillingham

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I also think that Dillingham and Clark might benefit from playing with such high IQ veteran.

[Klomp]

We have joked around here about the “continuity” catchphrase and what not, but let’s actually think about this.

Just 45 days after his hire was announced, Tim Connelly made one of the biggest trades in NBA history to that point. But what has happened since then? He has made a few trades shuffling through point guards (noteworthy) and then the other trade he made was swapping out Towns for Randle and DiVincenzo.

Remember Gersson’s “family” spiel? He traded 90% of the roster just months later (and yes, I understood his rationale). Connelly has made massive trades, but at the heart of the roster are still Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid.

It reminds me a lot of Denver. It took him a while to identify his core. Once he identified the heart of the roster, he kept together Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter.

I have made the comparison before that the Gobert trade was our Paul Millsap culture-setting move. Much different price-points, but the effect remains. Recently, I have come to view Randle as our Aaron Gordon move. I think many in the fan base hope another big move is coming, but I’m not sure it is. I do think the Randle trade sets up the possibility as we progress through the salary cap situation, but I believe the front office wants to depend on internal development. (Note: A more optimistic take could be comparing with the salary dump of Wilson Chandler, if you want to believe it was a move to set up another move.)

I don’t think the offseason contracts were a coincidence. We are set up now at a place where seven of the nine current rotation players are under contract. The only two without a 2026-27 contract are Jaylen Clark (RFA) and Mike Conley. Rob Dillingham was factored into that number, but TJ Shannon and Joan Beringer are not. That’s nine players already under contract, and Leonard Miller’s team option is a 10th.

Looking into 2027-28, player options for Gobert and Randle will be the biggest situations and DiVincenzo will also be unrestricted. The core three “best friends” are locked in, as well as team options for Dillingham, Shannon, Beringer, and whatever rookies we add between now and then.

What does that mean for the PG position, the spot everyone is looking to fill? I don’t know. I would not rule out a “by committee” approach, similar to how Connelly cycled through that fifth spot in Denver. Think about all of the guards the Nuggets used in that spot in Connelly’s last five seasons in Denver – Will Barton, Torrey Craig, Malik Beasley, Monte Morris, PJ Dozier, Facundo Campazzo, Austin Rivers, RJ Hampton, Bones Hyland, Bryn Forbes and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, just to name a few. Many different price points, but the role effectively was the same for all of them – to fit in around the team’s core players.

Personally, I would not be surprised if that’s how Connelly will continue to run this position here. Sure, he will always inquire when a big name becomes available. He did that in Denver too. But I truly believe he values continuity as a whole. Having three to four positions set on a yearly basis allows you to keep a level of continuity while cycling through other players at that fifth spot. It allows the organization to maintain an identity that is defined by its core group. As the core develops and progresses, so to will the identity.

[minimus]

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Watching Ingles passing the ball to Berigner I thought what if playing Anderson in bench unit might unlock Beringer? He was good here at passing to Gobert

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He also played well with Reid

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Berginer-Reid-Anderson-Clark-Conley/Dillingham

[KGdaBom]

Yes. we have identity crisis. We missed NAW way more than we should. Our zone or switch or double team defense still sucked - either low IQ players or scheme too complicated.

I think we missed NAW last game. But Clark has been, by far, our best defender - at least by On/Off and DBPM.

Clark is an amazing defender and IMO has not totally sucked on offense as many seem to think he will. He's a keeper.

[minimus]

I think we're actually starting to see Finch's "flow offense".

Ant, Randle and Jaden are so comfortable looking for each other - and passing the ball early knowing it can come back to them. They're all absolutely thriving. Randle looks so much more comfortable in his role this year. Jaden has a new sense of confidence in his offense and Ant seems to have actually picked up some nuances watching from the bench.

They're now firmly in the argument for "Best Wolves Big 3" ever.

Ant: 27 PPG (50/50/85).
Randle: 25.4 PPG (54/40/88).
Jaden: 18.4 PPG (55/54/84).

And they're combining for 12 Assists, while their turnovers are going down. They had 16 assists vs 4 turnovers last night.

Well, I feel like NBA has been innovating offense every season. Right now 'flow offense' has been evolving in different offenses: wheel offense in MEM, MIA fast offense without true point guard. In MIA case it helps that they have Bam who is DPOY caliber defender, who can pass and now stretch the floor from corners, this way they can play without true PG, and Davion Mitchell is thriving.

Interesting that:

MIN is bottom-10 in PPG in pick-n-rolls (MIA is dead last)
MIN is the best in PPG in ISOs (MIA is 3rd best)
MIN is the 2nd best in EFG in ISOs
MIN is the best in NBA in EFG%
MIN is the 2nd best in 3PT%

MIN is not top-5 in 3PA, but with so many teams trying to outpace everyone, it is understandable. So MIN offense is peaked in right direction: with so many quality ISO scorers (Edwards, Randle, McDaniels), Finch has installed system that fits them. Role players such as DDV, Reid, TJ, Clark are struggling to find rhythm.

Obviously we will sees a real flow offense, when Finch resolves C-PG dilemma:

- in Gobert MIN have a bigman who is not good at catching the ball and passing the ball
- in DDV MIN have a pseudoPG who cant dribble and pass under pressure

But. I dont see any realistic solution for C-PG dilemma. So the obvious low hanging fruit is improving bench defense.

[TimberKat]

I think we're actually starting to see Finch's "flow offense".

Well, I feel like NBA has been innovating offense every season. Right now 'flow offense' has been evolving in different offenses: wheel offense in MEM, MIA fast offense without true point guard. In MIA case it helps that they have Bam who is DPOY caliber defender, who can pass and now stretch the floor from corners, this way they can play without true PG, and Davion Mitchell is thriving.

But. I dont see any realistic solution for C-PG dilemma. So the obvious low hanging fruit is improving bench defense.

But out first guy off the bench is Naz.

We are great with ISO but just needs a little more flow, which translate to more dunks for Gobert and less of a dilemma.

[KGdaBom]

Watch on YouTube

Gobert/Beringer/Zikarsky - Clingan
Avdija - TJ/DDV
Grant - Edwards/Randle/Reid
McDaniels - Camara
Clark - Holiday

I feel like MIN needs another year of internal development for Beringer/TJ/Clark/Rob. Plus TC need to find another full sized wing (Freeman???) and MIN can lead NBA again in DRtg next year by combining Rudy experience and size with full pressing

Gobert/Beringer/Zikarsky - Clingan
Avdija - TJ/Black
Grant - Edwards/Randle/
McDaniels - Camara
Clark - Holiday

You can call me delusional, but I believe that Clark, Beringer and McDaniels can be exceptional in such basketball.

Of course I call you delusional , but it's a fun idea.

[minimus]

I think we're actually starting to see Finch's "flow offense".

Well, I feel like NBA has been innovating offense every season. Right now 'flow offense' has been evolving in different offenses: wheel offense in MEM, MIA fast offense without true point guard. In MIA case it helps that they have Bam who is DPOY caliber defender, who can pass and now stretch the floor from corners, this way they can play without true PG, and Davion Mitchell is thriving.

But. I dont see any realistic solution for C-PG dilemma. So the obvious low hanging fruit is improving bench defense.

But out first guy off the bench is Naz.

We are great with ISO but just needs a little more flow, which translate to more dunks for Gobert and less of a dilemma.

Sure, to have success Dillingham must show how to play with Gobert/Beringer. Moreover, I believe that MIN has done a great job recently to involve Gobert in offense. But it is Rob's primary game.

[KGdaBom]

Well, I feel like NBA has been innovating offense every season. Right now 'flow offense' has been evolving in different offenses: wheel offense in MEM, MIA fast offense without true point guard. In MIA case it helps that they have Bam who is DPOY caliber defender, who can pass and now stretch the floor from corners, this way they can play without true PG, and Davion Mitchell is thriving.

But. I dont see any realistic solution for C-PG dilemma. So the obvious low hanging fruit is improving bench defense.

But out first guy off the bench is Naz.

We are great with ISO but just needs a little more flow, which translate to more dunks for Gobert and less of a dilemma.

Sure, to have success Dillingham must show how to play with Gobert/Beringer. Moreover, I believe that MIN has done a great job recently to involve Gobert in offense. But it is Rob's primary game.

After a slow start IIRC Gobert has been coming on like a runaway freight train.

[minimus]

I don't have numbers, but it looks to me that this team has really gotten better at involving Gobert in offense:

- less Gobert non sense postups, he also moves better
- more pick-n-roll passes from Ant
- even if Conley plays less, McDaniels, Randle are more decisive in offense, which creates room for Rudy

That said, combination of all these things makes me feel better about Beringer slowly finding his role in offense with these guys.

[Klomp]

I’m rewatching the NBA Finals and one thing really caught my eye: McConnell’s ability to drive to the hoop and his willingness to push tempo in transition was just as important for IND as his passing. I always viewed him as a pass-first PG, but I seriously undervalued his insane rim pressure. That’s what allowed IND to survive minutes without Haliburton. He — not Nembhard — was the engine of the offense in non-Hali minutes.

Tempo and rim pressure were the two things that caught my eye as well.

And I do think this is why Connelly has begun to shift the team somewhat in this direction. Dillingham, Shannon, and Beringer are clear pulls in that direction. I think even going from Towns to Randle represented part of the shift even, which is part of the basketball reasons for making the trade.

Yes, that’s exactly my point: tempo and rim pressure, one of the simplest solutions in our situation is to install an offensive system that generates consistent rim pressure. Because in many ways, rim pressure is the easiest form of pace.

Combine MIN’s aggressiveness in launching an avalanche of threes with constant rim pressure, and that might be a winning formula.

Going back to this conversation, I think it's noteworthy that we've seen a very clear uptick in offensive production, and I feel like tempo and rim pressure have played a role. Even just a simplistic breakdown of reaching 120 points in games.....we've scored 120+ six times in 13 games. Last season, we didn't score 120 points for a sixth time until Jan. 13, the 39th game of the season.