RealGM

After watching Anderson and TP highlights I wonder if there is one critical dimension of current I never thought about: wing depth. Let me explain.

We have several big issues:
1) turnovers
2) defensive rebounding, 50/50 balls
3) transition defense
4) 3pt shooting

After recent Ant performances I wonder if we can just rely in Ant as dedicated SCORER in 4th quater, without forcing whole offense play in sync. It is definitely a workaround because in might reduce number of turnovers in the clutch, but also can lead to even worse hero ball. But I have been recently thinking that lack of quality wings in December really made our team look worse. Because I still think we could use a PoA defender, we could use a traditional PG, but what if we lacked our wings more? TP is our best spotup shooter, he is long, active, he takes charges, he runs in fastbreaks, he attacks basket. Anderson has really good at passing the ball and surprisingly hitting those corner 3s. Having both Anderson and TP gives us a lot of flexibility, because we really need MCD to be main perimeter defender. So our wings are connectors between froncourt and backcourt, between halfcourt offense/defense and open court offense/defense. they gives us size to battle for long rebound and 50/50 balls.

I really like KA/TP/MCD/Minott group. But I wonder if we should add another big wing? Someone like Jae Crowder

Trade expiring contracts for the best possible player(s) and picks possible - regardless of position. Minnesota is still a very average team and bad-to-average teams need to keep acquire talent anyway possible.

NebWolvesFan wrote:Trade expiring contracts for the best possible player(s) and picks possible - regardless of position. Minnesota is still a very average team and bad-to-average teams need to keep acquire talent anyway possible.

Well, I think we still have enough talent and potential even if we trade DLo. Gobert-KAT-MCD-Edwards-Anderson-Prince-JMac-Rivers-Moore-Minott-Garza

PG

Who is the point guard version of SloMo? Who plays hard, is smarter than everyone else on the floor, makes everyone better, doesn’t care about anything but winning, and can guard point guards?

Danimals wrote:Who is the point guard version of SloMo? Who plays hard, is smarter than everyone else on the floor, makes everyone better, doesn’t care about anything but winning, and can guard point guards?

Tyus Jones?

The last criteria. “Can guard PGs” probably takes Chris Paul or Rubio off the list.

I’d also mention we have a “lite” version of those criteria with Austin Rivers.

I have no doubt that both Paul and Rubio would provide much better defense than Russell. He just doesn’t have the drive to be a defender.

Alternately, bulldog point of attack defenders who can move the ball and spot up are great fits on this team. (Beverly and Rivers)

I think Tyus would fit like a glove. I don’t see how we get him unless Memphis makes a move for a big upgrade at SF and we get Tyus while shipping out Dlo as an expiring.

Dlo, Naz, Memphis picks to Bulls
Derozan and Dragic to Memphis
Jones and Green to MN

No matter what happens, we need to find another young point guard to start developing for the future.

I like the idea of “SloMo as a PG!” But I think the criteria I would prioritize is

1. Excellent point of attack defender
2. Willing passer
3. Hopefully can make an occasional open 3.
4. Willingness to play a role in MIN.

Note what’s NOT in the list. He doesn’t have to be a scorer. He doesn’t have to be a creator. Heck, he doesn’t even have to be a true PG. If he can do these other things that’s a bonus, but the less of them he does, the lower his price will be.

I will note that MIN recognizes this. Rosas acquired PatBev. Finch started the season with Okogie, but he was TOO lacking in offensive skills. Connely got Austin Rivers to come here for the minimum. We just need someone better.

shrink wrote:I like the idea of “SloMo as a PG!” But I think the criteria I would prioritize is

1. Excellent point of attack defender
2. Willing passer
3. Hopefully can make an occasional open 3.
4. Willingness to play a role in MIN.

Note what’s NOT in the list. He doesn’t have to be a scorer. He doesn’t have to be a creator. Heck, he doesn’t even have to be a true PG. If he can do these other things that’s a bonus, but the less of them he does, the lower his price will be.

I will note that MIN recognizes this. Rosas acquired PatBev. Finch started the season with Okogie, but he was TOO lacking in offensive skills. Connely got Austin Rivers to come here for the minimum. We just need someone better.

Ricky?

shrink wrote:

Danimals wrote:Who is the point guard version of SloMo? Who plays hard, is smarter than everyone else on the floor, makes everyone better, doesn’t care about anything but winning, and can guard point guards?

Tyus Jones?

The last criteria. “Can guard PGs” probably takes Chris Paul or Rubio off the list.

I’d also mention we have a “lite” version of those criteria with Austin Rivers.

I took all of the PG in the league and took their plus / minus per game and multiplied it by 48/MPG to get everyone at the same length of time, and then compared it to the team's average +/-. Here are the tops in differential:

1. Jordan McLaughlin, 2. TyTy Washington, 3. Damian Lillard, 4. Cory Joseph, 5. Jrue Holiday, 6. Dennis Smith Jr., 7. Miles McBride, 8. Jose Alvarado, 9. Alex Caruso, 10. Frank Ntilikina, 11. Tre Mann, 12. Jamal Murray, 13. Daishen Nix, 14. Ja Morant, 15. Goran Dragic, 16. Aaron Wiggins, 17. Monte Morris, 18. Jeff Dowtin Jr., 19. Luka Doncic, 20. Cole Anthony, 21. Delon Wright, 22. Aaron Holiday, 23. Tre Jones, 24. Gabe Vincent, 25. George Hill, 26. Edmond Sumner, 27. Ben Simmons, 28. Fred VanVleet, 29. Tyrese Haliburton, 30. Trae Young, 31. Marcus Smart, 32. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 33. Cameron Payne, 34. Collin Sexton, 35. DeAaron Fox, etc..

Obviously, some of these players benefit from playing against 2nd team players, and some of the numbers are skewed by a small sample size, and some of the numbers are misleading because of how awful the team is with the other PG(s) playing, and there is probably also a little bit of skewing towards the starters that get to play with great players.

minimus wrote:After watching Anderson and TP highlights I wonder if there is one critical dimension of current I never thought about: wing depth. Let me explain.

We have several big issues:
1) turnovers
2) defensive rebounding, 50/50 balls
3) transition defense
4) 3pt shooting

After recent Ant performances I wonder if we can just rely in Ant as dedicated SCORER in 4th quater, without forcing whole offense play in sync. It is definitely a workaround because in might reduce number of turnovers in the clutch, but also can lead to even worse hero ball. But I have been recently thinking that lack of quality wings in December really made our team look worse. Because I still think we could use a PoA defender, we could use a traditional PG, but what if we lacked our wings more? TP is our best spotup shooter, he is long, active, he takes charges, he runs in fastbreaks, he attacks basket. Anderson has really good at passing the ball and surprisingly hitting those corner 3s. Having both Anderson and TP gives us a lot of flexibility, because we really need MCD to be main perimeter defender. So our wings are connectors between froncourt and backcourt, between halfcourt offense/defense and open court offense/defense. they gives us size to battle for long rebound and 50/50 balls.

I really like KA/TP/MCD/Minott group. But I wonder if we should add another big wing? Someone like Jae Crowder

I don't necessarily think the reason he was missed has anything to do with his position, other than the fact that when both he and Anderson missed games and McDaniels had foul trouble, we were out of that player/body type.

I think Finch hit on a few things too last night.

“He was our most consistent player in a lot of ways, in his role, for sure, when he went out,” Finch said. “I knew what I was going to get from him every night, he knows who he is, his game is super well defined and he sticks to his strengths, so definitely pleased to have him back.”

We don't have many guys on the roster we can say that about.

I think depth at PG position is pretty critical...our team plays bit too chaotic and makes lot of undisciplined mistakes/turnovers. I was hoping Nowell could stepup in this department when McLaughlin got injured but he has shown that he just currently isn't a good passer like McLaughlin

I am in agreement with Shrink - we need someone who can defend well, particularly POA, is a willing/effective passer and must at least be respected on the three point shot.

Ant can be the primary ball-handler, but we've seen how well he pairs with KA, largely due to Kyle's passing chops. I'd take a guy with the above criteria over D Lo without hesitation.

So when KAT is back, could we keep SloMo in the starting and closing line up?

Ant-SloMo-McDaniels-KAT-Gobert?

Is that crazy?

shrink wrote:So when KAT is back, could we keep SloMo in the starting and closing line up?

Ant-SloMo-McDaniels-KAT-Gobert?

Is that crazy?

Not really, since McDaniels seems to be most disruptive when he's put on the really ball dominant guards like Luka, Ja, etc

and Kyle can guard most wings effectively

I don’t think we want to ride SloMo for too many minutes.

I think a defensive oriented PG is the biggest team need. Some guys I'll be keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches include:

Lonzo Ball - depending on health
Alex Caruso - would be an ideal fit
Pat Beverley - if bought out
Dennis Smith - surprisingly good defense
Fred VanVleet - might be available due to poor shooting
Kris Dunn - looks healthy and is hitting 3s in g-league

One of the players that generally gave Timberwolves nightmares was Patty Mills. I wonder if he would be available.

Is Kemba worth a roster spot?

cmoss84 wrote:Is Kemba worth a roster spot?

No