The Naz Reid Thread

[TimberKat]

Just read an SI article in that Finch said he may play Naz, Towns, Gobert in the same lineup because they are skill enough. The other interesting point is they think he could be a very good defender which is not what I had seen so far.

Not to be negative, but that is a ridiculous.

I am a reporter this time, not sure how to defend that one

[Klomp]

Just read an SI article in that Finch said he may play Naz, Towns, Gobert in the same lineup because they are skill enough.

This may surprise some people, but I agree with Finch that the three of them are skilled enough offensively to make it work.

Let's be real, it won't be recommended to use against all teams, but it can create a unique dynamic with some interesting mismatches to exploit.

[TimberKat]

Just read an SI article in that Finch said he may play Naz, Towns, Gobert in the same lineup because they are skill enough.

This may surprise some people, but I agree with Finch that the three of them are skilled enough offensively to make it work.

Let's be real, it won't be recommended to use against all teams, but it can create a unique dynamic with some interesting mismatches to exploit.

One thing that is starting to sink in for me is we no longer have centers, power forward, sf, sg, pg terms. It's bigs, wings, smalls - A 3 big lineup, a 4 small lineup. Maybe that is what we mean by position less?

[Klomp]

I've just been thinking lately about how Naz and Jaden have spent the last two summers staying in the Twin Cities and working out together.

Not only is it laying the groundwork for the franchise in terms of "culture" but also I think they both have the games that are good for the other one to go against repeatedly to work on their own games. It's good for Jaden to defend against Naz's physicality, and it's great for Naz to go up against a defender like Jaden. On the other end, it's good again for Jaden to be guarded by someone who is bigger, and it's good for Naz to practice perimeter defense against Jaden.

[Klomp]

Just read an SI article in that Finch said he may play Naz, Towns, Gobert in the same lineup because they are skill enough.

This may surprise some people, but I agree with Finch that the three of them are skilled enough offensively to make it work.

Let's be real, it won't be recommended to use against all teams, but it can create a unique dynamic with some interesting mismatches to exploit.

One thing that is starting to sink in for me is we no longer have centers, power forward, sf, sg, pg terms. It's bigs, wings, smalls - A 3 big lineup, a 4 small lineup. Maybe that is what we mean by position less?

All of that doubt is gone now, replaced by an urgency to see how far his came can really go. Finch and Connelly have challenged Reid to become an elite defender and to be a far more consistent rebounder. Finch even said Wednesday that Reid has progressed to such a degree that he could envision a lineup with all three bigs on the floor at the same time. That may be a coach getting a little swept up in the sunshine of a Minnesota summer, but the point is that where once it was hard to see how Reid would find his way on to the floor, it is now hard for Finch to resist some wild ideas to make sure he gets on the floor enough.

“The league, everyone says the league’s trending smaller, but when you have skilled big players, that’s really where the league, I think, is headed,” Finch said. “So he’s a classic example of what a modern big looks like.”

https://theathletic.com/4669086/2023/07/06/naz-reid-minnesota-timberwolves/

[gandlogo]

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[Baseline81]

This may surprise some people, but I agree with Finch that the three of them are skilled enough offensively to make it work.

Let's be real, it won't be recommended to use against all teams, but it can create a unique dynamic with some interesting mismatches to exploit.

No, it doesn't surprise me to hear you say this because, quite frankly, I am not sure I recall a time when you've gone against the organization.

As I previously said, it's a ridiculous statement to make by Finch. Technically, the three of them could be on the court at the same time just as he could put out a lineup of every guard. Does that make it a viable option?

[Isegrim]

I think it's a very interesting idea and I think Finch has a point: If the players are skilled enough, it can work in certain situations. Just look how the whole "Point Forward" thing evolved.

The Nuggets had a really cool (and gigantic) lineup in the 2020 preseason:

Jokic-Grant-Bol-Millsap-Plumlee

https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1083490/nikola-jokic-becomes-point-guard-in-nuggets-gigantic-lineup/

Disclaimer because I don't want to get lynched nor start a civil-war:
No, I'm not comparing any of the above mentioned players to any Timberwolf, especially not Nicola Jokic to KAT or Rudy.

[Battletrigger]

Man, you can wathever you want in preseason, just don't do it when it counts.

[Klomp]

For the people who think Naz absolutely cannot play SF minutes, what separates him physically from someone like James Johnson for example, who no one ever questioned at the position?

And maybe I'm the only one, but Naz is the first and possibly the biggest beneficiary I see when I heard the team hired Corliss Williamson. Add some more big nasty to Big Jelly!

Watch on YouTube

[Domejandro]

For the people who think Naz absolutely cannot play SF minutes, what separates him physically from someone like James Johnson for example, who no one ever questioned at the position?

Lateral and retreating quickness.

I am open to seeing it, but two big lineups with Naz Reid were already brutal statistically. I would be pleasantly surprised if adding another big to the equation fixed that. Maybe against exceptionally bad three-point shooting lineups.

[minimus]

He can play PF with Gobert or Towns only against certain matchups. It should be clear. Yes, it is an option, no, it can't be used every game

[Baseline81]

For the people who think Naz absolutely cannot play SF minutes, what separates him physically from someone like James Johnson for example, who no one ever questioned at the position?

And maybe I'm the only one, but Naz is the first and possibly the biggest beneficiary I see when I heard the team hired Corliss Williamson. Add some more big nasty to Big Jelly!

Watch on YouTube

You and a few other posters wearing blue-tinted glasses.

Honestly, sometimes I wish I was taking whatever it is you are...

[Klomp]

For the people who think Naz absolutely cannot play SF minutes, what separates him physically from someone like James Johnson for example, who no one ever questioned at the position?

And maybe I'm the only one, but Naz is the first and possibly the biggest beneficiary I see when I heard the team hired Corliss Williamson. Add some more big nasty to Big Jelly!

Watch on YouTube

You and a few other posters wearing blue-tinted glasses.

Honestly, sometimes I wish I was taking whatever it is you are...

It's not just me agreeing with the company line here either, by the way (I usually get accused of that). I've actually liked the possibility for a while.

[Klomp]

It's crazy seeing how far he's come physically in just four years...

Watch on YouTube

[Klomp]

Per36 numbers are fascinating, just to see how a bench player's efficiency compares to that of a starter...

Reid: 22.5 ppg (53.7/34.6/65.3), 9.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 bpg, 1.2 spg
JJJ: 23.6 ppg (50.6/35.5/58.5), 8.6 rpg, 1.2 apg, 3.8 bpg, 1.3 spg

[minimus]

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[Jamaaliver]

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[minimus]

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[frankenwolf]

I don't know why some of you are all up in arms about Finch wanting to play Naz, KAT & Rudy. It's not like he said the starting lineup will be those three, Ant & MC or Jaden. He said he could envision it. It would be interesting to watch them, Ant & Slo-Mo for a quarter or so. See what situations pop up and push the envelope. No need to play man to man either. Run a 3-2 or a 1-2-2 zone. We have plenty of length and ability.