Iowa Wolves/G League talk

[wolves_89]

Iowa Wolves have Moore, Minott, Ryan, and Garza playing today. It sounds like PJ Dozier is also back with the team. If Forbes isn't used as salary filler by the trade deadline, I'd still be in favor of giving his spot to Dozier.

[shrink]

I’m no expert on two-way player rules, but there is a 50 NBA game limit on two way players before a team would have to give them a real deal. Luka’s at 34.

I also should point out that a team needs to convert a two-way player into a legit contract if they want the player eligible for the playoffs. Since MIN already has the legal roster limit of 15 contracts, someone would need to be waived or traded for that to happen.

I'm curious where you found the number of games a player has been on the active roster? Everything I've looked at only shows the games played (which is 17 for Garza). As far as adding Garza to the active roster, I'm guessing that will depend on what happens at the trade deadline. If the Wolves keep Naz, I don't see Garza getting an NBA contract until the offseason.

Bbref distinguishes between “Inactive” and “DNP-CD’s”

[wolves_89]

I’m no expert on two-way player rules, but there is a 50 NBA game limit on two way players before a team would have to give them a real deal. Luka’s at 34.

I also should point out that a team needs to convert a two-way player into a legit contract if they want the player eligible for the playoffs. Since MIN already has the legal roster limit of 15 contracts, someone would need to be waived or traded for that to happen.

I'm curious where you found the number of games a player has been on the active roster? Everything I've looked at only shows the games played (which is 17 for Garza). As far as adding Garza to the active roster, I'm guessing that will depend on what happens at the trade deadline. If the Wolves keep Naz, I don't see Garza getting an NBA contract until the offseason.

Bbref distinguishes between “Inactive” and “DNP-CD’s”

Is that a stat that's listed somewhere or do you have to go through the game logs and make your own total?

[shrink]

Is that a stat that's listed somewhere or do you have to go through the game logs and make your own total?

Counted. I was curious how close to 50 he was, since we haven’t played many more than 50.

Maybe I miscounted - I just wanted to know if we were forced to do it, since our bigs quickly got into foul trouble last night against Sabonis.

[wolves_89]

Is that a stat that's listed somewhere or do you have to go through the game logs and make your own total?

Counted. I was curious how close to 50 he was, since we haven’t played many more than 50.

Maybe I miscounted - I just wanted to know if we were forced to do it, since our bigs quickly got into foul trouble last night against Sabonis.

It sounds about right. I was just curious because I was interested in the number but didn't know of an easy way to find it (I'm still not sure I wanted to know enough to manually count).

[shrink]

Luka

17 Played
17 DNP-CD
18 Inactive

[wolves_89]

With so many NBA guys playing for the Iowa Wolves this afternoon I ended up watching most of the game. Some thoughts on the players:
- Garza is way too good for the G-League. I am really curious to see how much of his game translates to the NBA.
- Minott is going to be pretty good. I think he could break into the rotation at some point next season.
- Moore is solid, but he needs to be able to make open shots more consistently. His shooting will determine if he makes it or not.
- Ryan can shoot and that's about it.
- Dozier looked like a guy who could be an NBA role player right now. Solid defense (good size/switchability), decent shooting, can be a secondary ballhandler.

[minimus]

With so many NBA guys playing for the Iowa Wolves this afternoon I ended up watching most of the game. Some thoughts on the players:
- Garza is way too good for the G-League. I am really curious to see how much of his game translates to the NBA.
- Minott is going to be pretty good. I think he could break into the rotation at some point next season.
- Moore is solid, but he needs to be able to make open shots more consistently. His shooting will determine if he makes it or not.
- Ryan can shoot and that's about it.
- Dozier looked like a guy who could be an NBA role player right now. Solid defense (good size/switchability), decent shooting, can be a secondary ballhandler.

Watched last Iowa game as well. Agree with everything you said. A few things to add.

- Garza has excellent hands: he catch difficult passes, he deflects opponent passes, he magnets every rebound that in his range (he has pretty limited rebounding range because of his limited jumping ability, but he is a man among boys in terms of hustle, boxing out and positioning). Also Garza is an EXCELLENT passer: he finds open shooters on perimeter, hits backdoor cutters. His postup game AND passing ability is a very good foundation for backup C in NBA. The next step is outlet passing, which in theory meshes well with his rebounding ability. Also he is automatic from 3pt line.
- Moore was running hard in transition. He got a few easy points in fastbreak. He also moved well off the ball, executed perfect backdoor cut and got rewarded but when he was parked in the corner he disappeared. He was good on ball, but off the ball he was not active. To be effective he needs to add something in offensive repertoire, because open 3s and fastbreak are not enough. Unfortunately we dont run much pick-n-roll (just like main team), so he needs to reinvent his game. Maybe mid range game after screens, maybe short jumper/teadrop/one leg shots/runners, maybe postups. Needs to tighten his dribble.
- Minott is a pure energy. His possible fit with Garza (as backup comboforward) is terrific.
- Dozier cant beat anyone with dribble, did all little things though. A plus player.

I can perfectly see how Connelly gives this summer Garza and Rozier Gupta special contracts (8-10mil/4yrs). My question is whether this group of young talent can develop together, elevate each other. Just like Reid, Beasley, Vando, JMac and Nowell helped each other to grow. We need this next wave of Iowa system players: Moore, Minott, Garza and Rozier.

[shrink]

I heard somewhere that Connelly sees Josh Minott as a replacement for this summer’s draft pick, and is happy to keep him stashed until next season.

That makes a little sense, and will make me feel better at this year’s draft when I don’t hear the Wolves called in the first round.

[shrink]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

In his college days, we saw that hard work result in points. On every defensive rebound, every one, Garza would sprint the court towards the opponent’s basket. He’s not athletic, and it never looked great (he has a tendency to drop his head when he runs that looks ridiculous), but sometimes he would beat all other nine players back down the floor. Often, Iowa would zip him the ball for and hit him for 2-4 transition buckets each game. Best of all, opposing centers would be exhausted for the final ten minutes of every game. Simply guarding him was tiring with all his moves and the need to sprint out to challenge him at the three point line, but by sprinting back every play, he never gave opposing bigs a chance to rest. This made the game easier for Garza, and all the Hawkeyes, in crunch time.

I always liked that about Garza. His success comes from heart. If he can become even an adequate NBA center, from where he started as a fat ninth grader, he deserves all the credit in the world because he earned it.

[Neeva]

I wouldn’t rule the wolves out of getting a first round pick in this year’s draft yet, a late one.
I wonder if Connely would like someone like Kris Murray, he’s old but reminds me of his brother.

[wolves_89]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

I do have some hope that Garza can improve his athletic ability. When Naz first signed with the Wolves he was slow with little explosiveness, but a couple of years of hard work turned him into a guy that I'd now call an above average athlete (at least in comparison to other centers). If Garza can get to anything even approaching average physically, he could be a really valuable NBA player. He's already above average in basketball skills, motor, or basketball IQ.

[shrink]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

I do have some hope that Garza can improve his athletic ability. When Naz first signed with the Wolves he was slow with little explosiveness, but a couple of years of hard work turned him into a guy that I'd now call an above average athlete (at least in comparison to other centers). If Garza can get to anything even approaching average physically, he could be a really valuable NBA player. He's already above average in basketball skills, motor, or basketball IQ.

I thought about this too when Naz laid down that great dunk last game. Naz Reid two years ago could never have done this, so there is hope for Garza.

Watch on YouTube

[minimus]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

I do have some hope that Garza can improve his athletic ability. When Naz first signed with the Wolves he was slow with little explosiveness, but a couple of years of hard work turned him into a guy that I'd now call an above average athlete (at least in comparison to other centers). If Garza can get to anything even approaching average physically, he could be a really valuable NBA player. He's already above average in basketball skills, motor, or basketball IQ.

I wouldn't not expect big athletic improvement from Garza. Reid was already athletic, but overweight. Garza is just different type of athlete. He gives you 100% effort, but he won't overrun nor over jump you. But hopefully he can improve basketball IQ, use his quick hands in defense, be great positional defender etc.

[Klomp]

Just be careful looking at Garza. There are many players who have been "too good for the G League," but that won't necessarily mean they deserve an NBA role. Not saying that's Garza, but just want people to be aware.

[Klomp]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

I do have some hope that Garza can improve his athletic ability. When Naz first signed with the Wolves he was slow with little explosiveness, but a couple of years of hard work turned him into a guy that I'd now call an above average athlete (at least in comparison to other centers). If Garza can get to anything even approaching average physically, he could be a really valuable NBA player. He's already above average in basketball skills, motor, or basketball IQ.

I wouldn't not expect big athletic improvement from Garza. Reid was already athletic, but overweight. Garza is just different type of athlete. He gives you 100% effort, but he won't overrun nor over jump you. But hopefully he can improve basketball IQ, use his quick hands in defense, be great positional defender etc.

Yeah, Garza made his body transformation before the draft. He's actually already a lot more nimble than his early college days.

[wolves_89]

One thing I would mention about Garza is that he is terrific worker. He was much heavier in high school, and the first two years of his career at the University of Iowa. Then he went on a ridiculous two-a-day and three-a-day workout regime designed by his dad. He transformed his body a great deal, and I would not bet against him further turning it into an NBA physique. He knows that’s the missing part, because he is highly highly skilled.

I do have some hope that Garza can improve his athletic ability. When Naz first signed with the Wolves he was slow with little explosiveness, but a couple of years of hard work turned him into a guy that I'd now call an above average athlete (at least in comparison to other centers). If Garza can get to anything even approaching average physically, he could be a really valuable NBA player. He's already above average in basketball skills, motor, or basketball IQ.

I thought about this too when Naz laid down that great dunk last game. Naz Reid two years ago could never have done this, so there is hope for Garza.

The more I think about it the less I believe that a Naz development path will work for Garza (see minimus and Klomp posts). A more realistic physical improvement for Garza might be to add muscle mass and strength and try to get to a point where he can be a bruising center in the paint. He seems like his frame could support that and his post game fits well with that style of play.

[minimus]

That Garza's pass to MCD against GSW zone is the reason I believe in Luka's future as rotational big. He battled mainly against Looney, but GSW smallball lineup is a touch matchup for slow footed big such as Garza. I thought he would be destroyed in defense, but he looked ok. He did miss two back to back open threes, but that's happen. I think a very underrated aspect of his game is discipline and hustle/motor. For instance, I always expect some kind of mental mistake from Towns, when Karl is emotionally unstable. It might be moving screen, loose ball foul on offensive rebound, swiping foul on vertical challenge, hooking foul in layup or forced pass/turnover. Basically EVERY basketball action with physical contact comes with risk when Towns is not in zen mode. Garza set screen, box out, run in transition, passes the ball, jumps vertical with hands up, take charge, dives for 50/50 ball. I mean being able to play team basketball as 4th big in rotation is important. I hope he continues to play this mistake free basketball WHILE being high motor guy. He always will need to be supported by playing defensive minded athletic wings such as MCD and Anderson, but on there hand guys around him might benefit from his passing, shooting, screens, rebounding.

P.S. I also noticed that he likes to bump opponents, lock arms, give taste of physicality. A very underrated thing. That screen on DDV was tough.

[yojimbo]

I feel like Garza should study Valanciunas as the kind of player he could become.

[minimus]

I feel like Garza should study Valanciunas as the kind of player he could become.

And Marc Gasol