Iowa Wolves/G League talk

Guest84 · Post #1021 » by **Guest84** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:25 pm

Seems like we have a bunch of young guys too good for g-league but not quite good enough for the league. Granted, they haven't gotten consistent run to even know for sure.

wolves_89 · Post #1022 » by **wolves_89** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:38 pm

minimus wrote:

Read on Twitter

I still cant find right comp for him:

- active, mobile
- can finish with either hand
- good hands, which helps him to get rebounds in traffic
- improved body control when finishing around rim
- improved footwork when finishing around rim and shooting
- not much a defender
- not much an advanced dribbler (by wing standard)

Right now I'd say John Collins is a reasonable comp, though I think if Miller figures out how to defend (and starts giving consistent effort) his ceiling is higher. Luckily Leonard is still only 20 (soon turning 21), so there is a lot of time for him to grow his game and mature into his frame.

cmoss84 · Post #1023 » by **cmoss84** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:49 pm

Klomp wrote:
minimus wrote:

Read on Twitter

I still cant find right comp for him:

- active, mobile
- can finish with either hand
- good hands, which helps him to get rebounds in traffic
- improved body control when finishing around rim
- improved footwork when finishing around rim and shooting
- not much a defender
- not much an advanced dribbler (by wing standard)

I'm around Christian Wood right now

We should trade for him...then have a RH and LH Christian Wood. I wouldn't complain.

cmoss84 · Post #1024 » by **cmoss84** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 9:51 pm

Wait, does he not even play anymore?

BlacJacMac · Post #1025 » by **BlacJacMac** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:01 pm

cmoss84 wrote:Wait, does he not even play anymore?

Wood?

He's been dealing with a knee injury for a while:

He averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 50 games in 2023–24, but was sidelined the last two months with a left knee injury. He had an initial arthroscopic procedure in March 2024. After exercising his $3 million player option to return for another season, Wood had arthroscopic surgery on his knee again in September.

Post #1026 » by **Klomp** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:30 pm

G League makes you stand out if you have a physical advantage, a skill advantage or a mental advantage. It doesn't mean you're ready for NBA minutes, but it shows you are a clear step ahead of most G League guys.

We saw Naz Reid stand out.
We saw Luka Garza stand out.
We saw Josh Minott stand out.
I've seen Daishen Nix stand out.
I've seen TJ Shannon stand out.

I know Leonard Miller fills the stat sheet, but I don't really think he has stood out to where most of these other guys have.

winforlose · Post #1027 » by **winforlose** » Wed Nov 20, 2024 10:40 pm

Klomp wrote:G League makes you stand out if you have a physical advantage, a skill advantage or a mental advantage. It doesn't mean you're ready for NBA minutes, but it shows you are a clear step ahead of most G League guys.

We saw Naz Reid stand out.
We saw Luka Garza stand out.
We saw Josh Minott stand out.
I've seen Daishen Nix stand out.
I've seen TJ Shannon stand out.

I know Leonard Miller fills the stat sheet, but I don't really think he has stood out to where most of these other guys have.

You forgot Clark who is also scoring at a good clip in Iowa. It is nuts to think that he has such a dramatic offensive improvement since Summer league. Yet Clark was working his way back from injury, and that does make a huge difference. I would try to give Miller and Clark some run in late December and early January and see what we have in them. Same with increasing Minotts minutes when possible.

minimus · Post #1028 » by **minimus** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:15 am

In 6 games Jaylen Clark averages 13.3PPG on 48-38-80, 4.2RPG, 2.5APG, 3.5SPG, 1.2 turnovers per game and 4.3 fouls per game.

He gambles a lot and he fouls a lot. He needs to keep 3PT volume higher than current 4.3 attempts per game, cut down unnecessary fouls and turnovers, while keep moving the ball and moving off the ball. Good to see him improving physical shape and playing almost 30MPG.

wolves_89 · Post #1029 » by **wolves_89** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:57 pm

I would love to see Dillingham get a couple game stint with the Iowa Wolves. I think he could really benefit from getting 70-80 minutes of real game action where he is free to explore his full offensive arsenal.

TimberKat · Post #1030 » by **TimberKat** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:18 am

It continues to surprise me that NBA is still so much higher level when G league as it should be the 12th to 15th player on an NBA team. Maybe they need to paid those guys better. I am starting to lose faith that any player could be developed in G league at all.

winforlose · Post #1031 » by **winforlose** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 12:59 am

TimberKat wrote:It continues to surprise me that NBA is still so much higher level when G league as it should be the 12th to 15th player on an NBA team. Maybe they need to paid those guys better. I am starting to lose faith that any player could be developed in G league at all.

Jordan McLaughlin was developed in the G.

Post #1032 » by **Klomp** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 2:09 am

TimberKat wrote:It continues to surprise me that NBA is still so much higher level when G league as it should be the 12th to 15th player on an NBA team. Maybe they need to paid those guys better. I am starting to lose faith that any player could be developed in G league at all.

The very top players might be 12-15 level, but the depth down the roster certainly isn't there. Until the G pays better, guys who are fringe NBA in that 12-15 range will many times opt to make more money overseas.

minimus · Post #1033 » by **minimus** » Sat Nov 23, 2024 3:30 pm

Leoanrd Miller reminds me Anthony Randolph. Although Randolph looked more athletic. Or maybe I am just too old. Or it was Rubio effect

minimus · Post #1034 » by **minimus** » Sat Nov 23, 2024 4:39 pm

Full game:

Watch on YouTube

Jaylen Clark had a few beautiful passes: a full court pass to Miller, a go-ahead pass in transition to Miller, aтв alley-oop pass to big. Added a few rebounds. Plus he hit a few smooth threes, one in transition, one after little stepback. He finished with 5/7 from 3PT.

Post #1035 » by **Klomp** » Mon Nov 25, 2024 3:49 am

minimus wrote:Leoanrd Miller reminds me Anthony Randolph. Although Randolph looked more athletic. Or maybe I am just too old. Or it was Rubio effect

Probably a little too "on the nose" with both being tall skinny lefties, but I kinda see it.

Norseman79 · Post #1036 » by **Norseman79** » Mon Nov 25, 2024 1:05 pm

minimus wrote:Leoanrd Miller reminds me Anthony Randolph. Although Randolph looked more athletic. Or maybe I am just too old. Or it was Rubio effect

I think Miller has a bit more bb IQ, but Randolph better physical traits/ability.

minimus · Post #1037 » by **minimus** » Sun Dec 1, 2024 5:07 pm

Watch on YouTube

I am watching Iowa games (unlike main team, they have winning season). I like that without Nix, Clark has more opportunities to make plays. I like that he routinely throws go-ahead passes in fastbreak. I can see that he tries to shoot floaters, since he lacks explosive first step and vertical jump to finish around rim. I want to see more cuts from him as he often stands in the corner. Till now I dont see in him an elite PoA defender, he is an average NBA individual defender, but I like his effort, his IQ, his hustle. He needs to stay ready and keep working on his 3pt shot.

minimus · Post #1038 » by **minimus** » Tue Dec 10, 2024 12:20 pm

Watch on YouTube

Post #1039 » by **Klomp** » Tue Dec 10, 2024 2:52 pm

Ironically, I kind of think Miller plays like a less bully-ball version of Randle

minimus · Post #1040 » by **minimus** » Tue Dec 10, 2024 7:01 pm

Klomp wrote:Ironically, I kind of think Miller plays like a less bully-ball version of Randle

When I watch Miller highlights I have a feeling that these are 90% not highlights, but rather "simple" shots such as layups in transition or awkward looking open shots. I mean in 90% of situations Miller is bigger or/and faster than his opponent. At this point I can see following his positives:

- he has improved body control when finishing at rim a lot. He doesn't fall awkwardly after every contact, like he used to

- he has showed good touch around rim. It is not NBA level touch yet, I haven't seen things like floaters

- he has improved his footwork when shooting jumpers. Still a bit awkward, but better than last year

- he does run in transition

Still he has a lot a things to polish, just to be able to contribute in NBA game:

- he needs to improve his defensive awareness especially low man rotation

- he needs to learn how to move the ball within team offense