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Rotation thread 2024/2025

Moderators: Domejandro, Calinks, Worm Guts

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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#141 » by Klomp » Tue Sep 24, 2024 11:00 pm

Klomp wrote:It sounds like the staff will be patient with Rob in the early going (Finch wants to "manage the runway"). Also, it seems like Finch really likes Joe, but I bet the staff will be cautious with him because Finch has stated there will surely be nights where he can't go. I bet he gets nights off on back-to-backs at minimum.

Makes me wonder if Mike might get the same treatment. Would bake in opportunities to give the young guys a look.

And with the Top 7 being cemented in place, I wonder if giving them extra minutes will be the first option on some nights rather than spreading the minutes thin. (ie. If Joe can't go but it's a more important game, keeping the rotation tighter as opposed to putting in the rookie).

tl;dr. There might be a lot of inconsistency in rotations early on from game to game, simply due to the experience level of guys on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Specific example: Minnesota has a stretch at the start of November where they will play 8 games in 13 nights in 6 cities, including three sets of back-to-backs. That stretch includes games against San Antonio, Charlotte, Chicago, and three games against Portland (one Portland game counts for IST). Many of those will be great opportunities to manage the old guys and see what the youngins have to offer.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#142 » by shrink » Sat Sep 28, 2024 7:10 pm

So let’s think about this now after the trade.

I think we want to maintain positive match ups, like Conley activates Rudy offensively. I prefer McDaniels avoids playing PF because he’s too light. Do we have to start ..

Conley
Ant
McDaniels
Randall
Gobert?

Could we get away with starting Naz, and bringing Randall and DiVincenzo off the bench together? It might help chemistry in the future, but Randall is too much better than Naz, right? And Randall wouldn’t accept coming off the bench in a contract year anyway, right?
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#143 » by younggunsmn » Sat Sep 28, 2024 9:56 pm

Barring injury, I see DDV getting most/all of that backup 1/2 minutes and Naz getting the bulk of the 4/5 minutes.
That leaves Ingles backing up Jaden and not a whole lot for anyone else.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#144 » by wolves_89 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 2:27 am

One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#145 » by minimus » Sun Sep 29, 2024 6:33 am

wolves_89 wrote:One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.


Who was backup C in DEN a year ago? BOS won championship with often injured KP and Horford who has been considered undersized for С position.

We have enough players who can play C
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#146 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 12:58 pm

wolves_89 wrote:One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.


This is a great point and I'm feeling the same way.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#147 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:01 pm

minimus wrote:
wolves_89 wrote:One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.


Who was backup C in DEN a year ago? BOS won championship with often injured KP and Horford who has been considered undersized for С position.

We have enough players who can play C


If Denver had a legit backup center last year they are probably champions. As far as Boston goes, I'm guessing you probably can get away with it considering you have one of the best point guards in the league Holiday, shooting guards in the league Brown, and small forwards in the league Tatum, in addition to arguably One of the most under valued players in the league White.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#148 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:04 pm

Likely realistic rotation to start the year

Conley, DD
Edwards, NAW
McDaniels, Ingles
Randle, Naz
Rudy, Naz

I still would like to add more size to the front line
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#149 » by minimus » Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:56 pm

Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
wolves_89 wrote:One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.


Who was backup C in DEN a year ago? BOS won championship with often injured KP and Horford who has been considered undersized for С position.

We have enough players who can play C


If Denver had a legit backup center last year they are probably champions. As far as Boston goes, I'm guessing you probably can get away with it considering you have one of the best point guards in the league Holiday, shooting guards in the league Brown, and small forwards in the league Tatum, in addition to arguably One of the most under valued players in the league White.


Nope. DEN needed another on ball playmaker. It was not Jokic who failed in that series.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#150 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 3:10 pm

minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
Who was backup C in DEN a year ago? BOS won championship with often injured KP and Horford who has been considered undersized for С position.

We have enough players who can play C


If Denver had a legit backup center last year they are probably champions. As far as Boston goes, I'm guessing you probably can get away with it considering you have one of the best point guards in the league Holiday, shooting guards in the league Brown, and small forwards in the league Tatum, in addition to arguably One of the most under valued players in the league White.


Nope. DEN needed another on ball playmaker. It was not Jokic who failed in that series.


It may not have been Jokic, but how often were they able to rest him? And when they did, how badly were they outscored? Look at the plus minus when he is on versus off the floor. In addition look what other teams do rebounding and scoring in the paint against any other center they have. He may not be a defensive juggernaut, but he is a large person that takes up space and the paint and rebounds.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#151 » by minimus » Sun Sep 29, 2024 3:15 pm

Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
If Denver had a legit backup center last year they are probably champions. As far as Boston goes, I'm guessing you probably can get away with it considering you have one of the best point guards in the league Holiday, shooting guards in the league Brown, and small forwards in the league Tatum, in addition to arguably One of the most under valued players in the league White.


Nope. DEN needed another on ball playmaker. It was not Jokic who failed in that series.


It may not have been Jokic, but how often were they able to rest him? And when they did, how badly were they outscored? Look at the plus minus when he is on versus off the floor. In addition look what other teams do rebounding and scoring in the paint against any other center they have. He may not be a defensive juggernaut, but he is a large person that takes up space and the paint and rebounds.


It is expected if you have MVP caliber player on your roster. We have Gobert(4xDPOY), Reid (6POY), Randle (2xASG, MIP). We will be fine.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#152 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 3:20 pm

minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
Nope. DEN needed another on ball playmaker. It was not Jokic who failed in that series.


It may not have been Jokic, but how often were they able to rest him? And when they did, how badly were they outscored? Look at the plus minus when he is on versus off the floor. In addition look what other teams do rebounding and scoring in the paint against any other center they have. He may not be a defensive juggernaut, but he is a large person that takes up space and the paint and rebounds.


It is expected if you have MVP caliber player on your roster. We have Gobert(4xDPOY), Reid (6POY), Randle (2xASG, MIP). We will be fine.


I don't want to be fine, I want to win a ring. I don't care if they bring in a vet minimum guy who rarely ever sees the floor. I just need more size on the roster in the event that we need it
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#153 » by minimus » Sun Sep 29, 2024 3:27 pm

Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
It may not have been Jokic, but how often were they able to rest him? And when they did, how badly were they outscored? Look at the plus minus when he is on versus off the floor. In addition look what other teams do rebounding and scoring in the paint against any other center they have. He may not be a defensive juggernaut, but he is a large person that takes up space and the paint and rebounds.


It is expected if you have MVP caliber player on your roster. We have Gobert(4xDPOY), Reid (6POY), Randle (2xASG, MIP). We will be fine.


I don't want to be fine, I want to win a ring. I don't care if they bring in a vet minimum guy who rarely ever sees the floor. I just need more size on the roster in the event that we need it


We have such guy. His name is Luka Garza. His is big, his is physical. He knows system, and he is in excellent physical shape. And he plays for vetmin.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#154 » by wolves_89 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:06 pm

minimus wrote:
wolves_89 wrote:One rotation concern I now have is the depth at center. I don't think Randle is even a small-ball center and Naz is undersized at the position. As long as Rudy is healthy the team should be fine, but if Gobert is out for any length of time I'm worried about how the team fills those minutes. Without Rudy the lack of size and rebounding could become a serious problem.


Who was backup C in DEN a year ago? BOS won championship with often injured KP and Horford who has been considered undersized for С position.

We have enough players who can play C


We have some players who can somewhat play center, but beyond Rudy I don't think there is anyone on the roster you really want playing center for extended minutes. Playing against bigger teams when Rudy isn't available is going to be a real problem.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#155 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:55 pm

minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
It is expected if you have MVP caliber player on your roster. We have Gobert(4xDPOY), Reid (6POY), Randle (2xASG, MIP). We will be fine.


I don't want to be fine, I want to win a ring. I don't care if they bring in a vet minimum guy who rarely ever sees the floor. I just need more size on the roster in the event that we need it


We have such guy. His name is Luka Garza. His is big, his is physical. He knows system, and he is in excellent physical shape. And he plays for vetmin.


Luka is not big, he is 6'10 and probably around 240, and his lack of athleticism makes him smaller. He is a siv on defense. Offensively he is solid. Love him at the end of the bench getting minutes when necessary and the game dictates it. Now find his polar opposite to sign to play when the game dictates it as well.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#156 » by minimus » Sun Sep 29, 2024 6:17 pm

Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
I don't want to be fine, I want to win a ring. I don't care if they bring in a vet minimum guy who rarely ever sees the floor. I just need more size on the roster in the event that we need it


We have such guy. His name is Luka Garza. His is big, his is physical. He knows system, and he is in excellent physical shape. And he plays for vetmin.


Luka is not big, he is 6'10 and probably around 240, and his lack of athleticism makes him smaller. He is a siv on defense. Offensively he is solid. Love him at the end of the bench getting minutes when necessary and the game dictates it. Now find his polar opposite to sign to play when the game dictates it as well.


We won this game without Rudy. Against best С in NBA.



And we were close to win this game against former NBA champions. Without Rudy.



But I agree that we need Rudy 100% in playoffs.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#157 » by Norseman79 » Sun Sep 29, 2024 10:10 pm

minimus wrote:
Norseman79 wrote:
minimus wrote:
We have such guy. His name is Luka Garza. His is big, his is physical. He knows system, and he is in excellent physical shape. And he plays for vetmin.


Luka is not big, he is 6'10 and probably around 240, and his lack of athleticism makes him smaller. He is a siv on defense. Offensively he is solid. Love him at the end of the bench getting minutes when necessary and the game dictates it. Now find his polar opposite to sign to play when the game dictates it as well.


We won this game without Rudy. Against best С in NBA.



And we were close to win this game against former NBA champions. Without Rudy.



But I agree that we need Rudy 100% in playoffs.


We won games without Edwards too? It's about having a balanced and well-rounded bench and right now we do not have any other big, banging type of centers other than Rudy. Even he isn't super physical.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#158 » by younggunsmn » Mon Sep 30, 2024 12:25 am

It would be great to have a young rim-protecting big to backup Gobert that we could groom as his successor.
It would help us in not having to change our system if Gobert gets hurt or in foul trouble.
Naz is fine at the 5 against 2nd units, but if Gobert misses games it will hurt us a lot.

Walker Kessler type or even Jericho SIms.

It would be the next piece i would look to add, doesn't have to be a big splash.
Maybe something that would be possible in the draft next summer with that Utah 2nd rounder.
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#159 » by wolves_89 » Mon Sep 30, 2024 1:52 am

One player that could provide some sleeper value is Keita Bates-Diop. Physically he's nearly identical to Kyle Anderson (6'8" height, 7'3" wingspan, 229 lbs). He doesn't provide the same ball handling or playmaking as Kyle, but he is a better shooter (though not a good shooter) and he should be a solid defender. I'll be curious to see how he fits in the depth chart. Will he be ahead of Minott/Miller to fill the first non-rotation forward spot?
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Re: Rotation thread 2024/2025 

Post#160 » by shrink » Mon Sep 30, 2024 2:28 am

The 19 Timberwolves players by their primary position, to demonstrate where they have holes.

Mike Conley Rob Dillingham ((Daishen Nix))
Anthony Edwards Donte DiVincenzo Nickeil Alexander-Walker ((Jaylen Clark))
Jaden McDaniels Joe Ingles (Terrence Shannon Jr.) (Keita Bates-Diop) (Josh Minott)
Julius Randle Naz Reid (Leonard Miller) (PJ Dozier)
Rudy Gobert (Luka Garza) ((Jesse Edwards))

5 Starters, 5 top reserves, (6 deeper bench), ((3 two way))

We need a reliable back up center, and maybe a vet back up PG if Rob struggles, or other options can’t playmake.

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