KAT4PREZ wrote:I think drafting a point guard with our pick would be a pretty bad move imo. The Wolves need to be super careful about how they compliment their stars defensively and playing small puts yourself at an inherent disadvantage guarding bigger teams and on the glass. We've seen those Napier-Teague 2 point guard lineups struggle mightily earlier this year.
It very well could be, I was thinking more outside of the box than inside of it. I would be totally fine just taking "the best big" or "best wing" with our top pick, but it wouldn't surprise me if Rosas did something out of the box with the top pick. I agree, we need some size, physicality, defense on the squad, 100%. BUT, there are factors that point to taking a strong PG like Cole Anthony with the top pick and then going after a wing or big in the late lotto, in free agency, or via a trade. Those factors are:
1. DLo has trouble with his foot speed to put up any defensive fight against at least half of the PG's in the NBA (pg's are the quickest players in the league).
2. DLo is solidly built with a 6-10 wingspan. That size would give him a fighting chance against 2 guards (not all of them) and since most 2 guards aren't as cat-quick as PG's, DLo would have a better chance of containing penetration.
3. Best defender guarding the PG - If the scenario played out with Cole Anthony being drafted, we'd have potentially one of our best defenders on the squad guarding the most important position in hoops - the PG.
Looking at live nba starting lineups -
https://www.lineups.com/nba/lineups - it's no wonder that it's hard to defend today's PG's. I'll list a couple of non-PG's from various teams that DLo could start against and defend. Keep in mind again, that CA would be guarding the PG.
ATL - Kevin Huerter / DeAndre Hunter OR Trae Young
*DLo could easily hold his own vs. either of those two.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
BOS - Jaylen Brown or Kemba Walker
*DLo would have a hard time with EITHER of those high end guys, so why wouldn't you want a GOOD defender on the PG?
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? No.
BRK - Joe Harris or Caris LeVert
*He'd be OK guarding Harris, a little less-so with LaVert, but would struggle most with the PG, Dinwiddie.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
CHA - Rozier / Graham
*Who is the 2 guard between Rozier and Graham? Who knows. Put DLo on the weaker of the 2.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
CHI - Satoransky or LaVine vs. Dunn
*The most common starting lineup for the bulls this year has all 3 guys above in it. DLo can check Satoransky just fine while Anthony makes life miserable for Dunn. If they throw Coby White in as a starter and trot out Lavine or either Dunn / Satoransky, we're fine there too.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
CLE - Not even worth discussing, yes, we'd be fine.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
DAL - Seth Curry / Tim Hardaway Jr. vs. Luka.
*DLo would be waaaaaaay better off guarding Curry.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
DEN - Harris / Barton or Murray.
*DLo would do just as good, if not better, guarding Gary Freaking Harris...
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
DET - Bruce Brown or D. Rose
*Easy one....
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
GSW - When healthy (this year would be an easy yes, but) - Klay / Wigs or Curry
*Flat out, DLo would do a better job on our former wolf vs. trying to chase around Curry.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
HOU - Danuel House starts for the Rockets. DLo wouldn't get torched by House at all. Anthony guards Westbrook, Okogie guards Russ.
*Equal if not better to have DLo guarding the non PG? Yes.
I could go on and on with the entire league, and what you're going to find is that every team has 1 and sometimes 2 other players in the starting lineup that you can "hide" one of your weaker defending guards on. And not to mention, have your BEST defensive guard on the opposing PG.
Some more without going deeply into analysis, who could DLo guard instead of the PG and have a chance against defensively?
Avery Bradley (Lakers), Josh Jackson or Dillon Brooks (Griz), Duncan Robinson (Heat), Wes Matthews (Bucks), Jrue Holiday or Lonzo B (Pels), Harkless (Knicks), Terrance Ferguson or Lu Dort (Thunder), Evan Fournier (Magic), McCollum (TBlazers), Bryn Forbes (spurs)
Would work a lot less or not at all:
Indy (Brogdan, Oladipo)
Clips (Paul George, Pat Bev)
Philly (Simmons, Richardson when healthy)
Suns (Rubio, Booker)
Kings (Bogdanovic, Fox)
Raps (VanVleet, Lowry)
Jazz (Mitchell, Conley)
Wash (Ish Smith, Beal)
So against 2/3 of the league, you would be just fine starting DLo AND another tough PG like Anthony. AND you'd have unbelievable offensive firepower. There may some nights where you'd need to start just 1 pg and match up better defensively, but on most nights I think it would be sweet to see those 2 as starters. Especially if you target a defensive wing with the nets pick, or use the 2nd round pick plus the nets pick to move back into the lotto and target the EXACT defensive wing you're trying to nab (Okoro).
Well I've wasted an hour of work and hey, I love it! Fun talkin' hoops...