what about Finch's rotation?

[nolian]

I expected to see some minutes for Dillingham and Minott, perhaps for Garza too
Expecially in the last game vs Toronto, however no one have minutes, neither in the garbage

I'm surprised because coach spent some good words for Minott, and because Dillingham is a big GM's investment ,also because of Garza makes progress in the summer and now he can be in some nba rotation

Some analist tell that we have one of the most depth roster, but for the moment Finch used a very short rotation of just 8 people and a few minutes per Ingles

what do you think about that argument?

[minimus]

Last game Ingles had 4 assist in like 5 minutes, including Gobert and Randle dunks

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Finch played 9 man rotation and Ingles is the weakest link there. And I am fine with it. He has 170 ORtg and 117 DRtg.

[Colbinii]

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

[frankenwolf]

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

Absolutely! You need to see what you have in your core group ( the group that is going to play the most in the playoffs) and then work the young guys in for rest/replacement as the season wears on. Did I expect to see some of Minott, TSJ & Dilly by now? Yes, but I also didn't think we would lose to the Lakers. Finch is fine, he's not turning into Tom Troll.

[Colbinii]

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

Absolutely! You need to see what you have in your core group ( the group that is going to play the most in the playoffs) and then work the young guys in for rest/replacement as the season wears on. Did I expect to see some of Minott, TSJ & Dilly by now? Yes, but I also didn't think we would lose to the Lakers. Finch is fine, he's not turning into Tom Troll.

I doubt TSJ or DIlly would have helped is win against the Lakers. They have operated as a well-oiled machine thus far.

Minott, maybe, maybe not. I don't see evidence that Minott would have taken over the game or allowed us to play so much better than we Beat LA.

My hope, like all the fans here, is that young players crack the rotation. Why? Because it means the young players we have invested time and resources into have grown and evolved to a point where they are NBA caliber players. The probability is extremely low that low-end 1st round picks or 2nd round picks ever become rotation players. Having our teams young guys, picked in that area [Late 1st or 2nd] become role players is an exceptional feeling. It happened with Jaden McDaniels and it happened with NAW and Reid. I trust Finchy to be able to develop all 3 of Minott, TSJ and Dilly but I don't necessarily expect it all to happen this year aside from Minott.

I'm rooting for the young guys, especially Minott who has the clearest path to play-time and the clearest path to cracking the rotation, but it doesn't mean playing Ingles at the moment is the wrong move. I'll grow scepticism if Minott continues to rack up DNP's through November but I am not going to emotionally overreact to our coach after 3 games.

[BlacJacMac]

I'm 100% fine with the current rotation. And I don't think it'll be the same rotation at the end of thes eason - or even the end of November.

Randle and Donte are still figuring things out - both are thinking more than they're reacting. Surrounding them with young guys that have played no meaningful minutes isn't going to help that. They need chemistry with the other starters, NAZ and NAW.

Ingles is new to the team, but he has 2 things the kids don't. A ton of NBA experience as a very smart player, and a history playing with Gobert and Conley.

I think once everyone is on the same page, we'll start to see the kids mixed in. Especially Minott.

[dschroeder01]

Ingles has played 6 minutes a game. I could make the case that if it's only 6 minutes, it might be easier for a veteran to be the one getting so little time. Still, if those 6 were going to Minott, I still think people would be asking about the rotation. So...

Who should have their minutes cut? Ant playing 40 is too much, but we've kind of needed Ant having played from behind so much. He's still going to be a 36 mpg guy so that's 4 more minutes. Naz and NAW are playing less than 25 already so hard to cut their minutes.

Rudy and Randle are at around 35-36 which is probably a tick high, but hard to make a case any of those minutes shouldn't go to Naz.

Conley at 24-25 mpg seems about right if Mike is the same player as last year. That's yet to be determined. If we're 10 games in and Mike is still struggling, then yes, his minutes would need to be reassessed.

I guess what I'm wondering if if you want a player to get PT, make the case for who shouldn't be playing. As the team is obviously still gelling, I'm fine with the vet getting the token 9th man minutes now especially after seeing the passing Ingles showed vs. Toronto.

Once identity is established, I'd love Minott to get the 10 minutes that are going to Ingles (6) and Ant (4) right now, but for now I'm fine as is. Otherwise, make a case for someone else?

[minimus]

Forgot to mention, NAW is averaging 9/14 from filed, including 7/10 from 3pt. Hard to ask more from a 3&D guy from the bench.

[Danimals]

Last season we had 3 players average over 30 minutes a game, 5 in the 20s, and 5 averaged between 10-15. I think we will see something similar this year.

Ant, Gobert, and Randle over 30.
McDaniels, DDV, Naz, Mike, and NAW all in the 20s.
Then some combo of Ingles, Dillingham, Minott, Garza, etc. in the 10-15 range.

Hopefully someone (not Mike) from the 20s group plays so well they need to be over 30 a game. And hopefully someone (not Ingles) from the 10-15 group forces their way over 20.

[Klomp]

I expected to see some minutes for Dillingham and Minott, perhaps for Garza too
Expecially in the last game vs Toronto, however no one have minutes, neither in the garbage

I'm surprised because coach spent some good words for Minott, and because Dillingham is a big GM's investment ,also because of Garza makes progress in the summer and now he can be in some nba rotation

Some analist tell that we have one of the most depth roster, but for the moment Finch used a very short rotation of just 8 people and a few minutes per Ingles

what do you think about that argument?

When analysts talk about a team having the best depth in the league, they are rarely if ever referring to the 10th or 11th man in the rotation. It's because the guys at the top of the bench unit are pseudo-starters. By extending the bench rotation, you are either cutting the minutes of your 6th or 7th man or cutting the minutes of your star players. Neither option is very appealing, especially not in favor of young guys who are extremely green.

[Colbinii]

I expected to see some minutes for Dillingham and Minott, perhaps for Garza too
Expecially in the last game vs Toronto, however no one have minutes, neither in the garbage

I'm surprised because coach spent some good words for Minott, and because Dillingham is a big GM's investment ,also because of Garza makes progress in the summer and now he can be in some nba rotation

Some analist tell that we have one of the most depth roster, but for the moment Finch used a very short rotation of just 8 people and a few minutes per Ingles

what do you think about that argument?

When analysts talk about a team having the best depth in the league, they are rarely if ever referring to the 10th or 11th man in the rotation. It's because the guys at the top of the bench unit are pseudo-starters. By extending the bench rotation, you are either cutting the minutes of your 6th or 7th man or cutting the minutes of your star players. Neither option is very appealing, especially not in favor of young guys who are extremely green.

Golden State is an interesting team this year in terms of depth and assessing depth.

On one hand, they have guys like Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II and Moses Moody in their 10-12 rotation slots. That's really deep in the sense of "Holy ****, Kyle Anderson is your 12th best player? He was the 8th best player on the 2024 Timberwolves!"

But, look at their depth 2-8 compared to ours.

We have Randle and Gobert as two pseudo-stars in terms of impact.
Warriors have Andrew Wiggins and Brandin Podziemski.

We have Jaden, Conley and Reid.
Warriors have Draymond, Buddy Hield and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

We have NAW and Ingles.
Warriors have De'Anthony Melton and Kevon Looney.

The point is that our Top 8 is the cream of the crop. Creme de la creme.

Where Finch and Co should [and I venture to say will enhance the rotation is finding the line-ups on our end where Minott or TSJ or even Dilly can be positive impact guys. The coaching staff will also need to identity what types of opposing line-ups allow Minott, TSJ and Dilly to be effective.

I agree with people who are less-than-thrilled about our current rotation and it's lack of young talent. We [and the coaching staff] isn't going to learn or identify where exactly the young guys [Minott, TSJ and Dilly] will be best utilized until they start utilizing them.

For example, Minott could be an interesting Luka defender, which we could test out tomorrow night.

[Klomp]

I expected to see some minutes for Dillingham and Minott, perhaps for Garza too
Expecially in the last game vs Toronto, however no one have minutes, neither in the garbage

I'm surprised because coach spent some good words for Minott, and because Dillingham is a big GM's investment ,also because of Garza makes progress in the summer and now he can be in some nba rotation

Some analist tell that we have one of the most depth roster, but for the moment Finch used a very short rotation of just 8 people and a few minutes per Ingles

what do you think about that argument?

When analysts talk about a team having the best depth in the league, they are rarely if ever referring to the 10th or 11th man in the rotation. It's because the guys at the top of the bench unit are pseudo-starters. By extending the bench rotation, you are either cutting the minutes of your 6th or 7th man or cutting the minutes of your star players. Neither option is very appealing, especially not in favor of young guys who are extremely green.

Golden State is an interesting team this year in terms of depth and assessing depth.

On one hand, they have guys like Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II and Moses Moody in their 10-12 rotation slots. That's really deep in the sense of "Holy ****, Kyle Anderson is your 12th best player? He was the 8th best player on the 2024 Timberwolves!"

But, look at their depth 2-8 compared to ours.

We have Randle and Gobert as two pseudo-stars in terms of impact.
Warriors have Andrew Wiggins and Brandin Podziemski.

We have Jaden, Conley and Reid.
Warriors have Draymond, Buddy Hield and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

We have NAW and Ingles.
Warriors have De'Anthony Melton and Kevon Looney.

The point is that our Top 8 is the cream of the crop. Creme de la creme.

Well said. I think the reason why Golden State can have so much success from 2 through 12 is because of who is at 1. Steph Curry is what makes that work. Without him, it will be an interesting case study to see where they stand.

To your last point, which I cut out, I think that will only come on a regular basis once Finch feels the top 8.5 are in a solid place. In the meantime, I think it will be reserved for those rest nights.

[younggunsmn]

Other than Gobert playing 39 minutes last night, I'm fine with Finch's rotation so far.
Oh and that brief stint with Ingles at PG and primary ballhandler. Not a fan of that.

We have 3 new guys to integrate into our 9 man rotation, along with Naz having to be a part time backup center this year, which is something we didn't ask of him last year.
It's super important to get those core guys time together to develop chemistry and repetition within the offensive and defensive schemes.

I know we're all excited to see more of Dillingham, Shannon, and an improved Minott, but that's 3 additional guys we would be trying to fit in the mix. Better to start getting the core guys rolling and add in from there when there is opportunity.
The days when mediocre rooks like Corey Brewer and Randy Foye we handed big minutes out of the gate are gone, hopefully for a long time.

You can make the argument they should play over Ingles, but the 9 guys Finch has chosen as part of his rotation have all proven to be net positive players on the court. There are no off nights. The talent level in the league is incredible.
Dillingham isn't ready to guard Grady Dick let alone DeAaron Fox or Malik Monk. The learning curve is just that steep.

Last year the early and mid 2nd quarter was a part of the game we really struggled with, particularly offensively.
I can see why Finch has targeted that time to get Ingles his minutes. His value there goes well beyond the stat sheet.
Simple things like a quick ball reversal from weakside to strongside can be the difference between getting a good shot or a poor shot out of a possession. His agility is really poor and he's going to end up fouling a lot because of it, but he has value out there on that unit playing against backups.

A few things I've noticed so far:
Little bit shorter stints from FInch this year, guys not playing full quarters.
A few more micro substitutions where guys sit for only 3 or 4 minutes and only play 3 or 4 more minutes then sit.
A few more matchup based subs too.
Sat Jaden for about a full quarter in the 2nd half against Sacramento when he had been blown by by Fox twice and then threw the ball away on consecutive possessions. Good to see that.

The Randle/Naz defensive combo has been the most vulnerable part of our rotation so far.
Don't know how you get around that.

[wolves_89]

The way I see the current rotation is if Mike is out Dillingham gets minutes, if Rudy is out Garza plays, and if anybody else is out Minott fills most the minutes. I would like to see those three start to get occasional spot minutes just so they can be better prepared for when they inevitably have to play.

[shrink]

Forgot to mention, NAW is averaging 9/14 from filed, including 7/10 from 3pt. Hard to ask more from a 3&D guy from the bench.

And he and Gobert are the only two that are playing defense at last year’s level.

[minimus]

Forgot to mention, NAW is averaging 9/14 from filed, including 7/10 from 3pt. Hard to ask more from a 3&D guy from the bench.

And he and Gobert are the only two that are playing defense at last year’s level.

Yeah, if we speak about consistency NAW and Gobert give 100% effort. Conley also play exceptional in defense, but shows age in offense, DDV has had some lapses, MCD has had foul trobles and seatbelt moments

[FrenchMinnyFan]

We play well considering we have to make new players comfortable with our system, our défense identity… once it, s done , I’m sure Finchy will put some of the young guys depending on the situation amd game. We have 2 B2B coming soon, let’s see how we manage them. We should at least reduce Mike, Rudy or even Ant min and see a bit of Luka,RD,Josh.

[TimberKat]

We play well considering we have to make new players comfortable with our system, our défense identity… once it, s done , I’m sure Finchy will put some of the young guys depending on the situation amd game. We have 2 B2B coming soon, let’s see how we manage them. We should at least reduce Mike, Rudy or even Ant min and see a bit of Luka,RD,Josh.

Agree, It's a long season. Use last year as an example, there is over 1,600 mins remaining after the top 9 players. Those other guys will have a chance to play and show why the aren't the top 9

[frankenwolf]

The days when mediocre rooks like Corey Brewer and Randy Foye were handed big minutes out of the gate are gone, hopefully for a long time.

This is what we need to become used to as the new Timberwolves era is starting. We do not need to play the new rookies right away because we have a GREAT team. I know they are learning from practice rather than having their mistakes possibly cost us a game. In Finch I trust.

[nolian]

ok guys.

i agree tooabout Joe Ingles skills
My doubts are expecially for the garbage time vs Raptors
However I have read and understand your arguments.

Thanks to everyone for the comparison