Identity crisis?

[Guest84]

Not sure if it's been talked about but what if Finch was caught off guard by the trade and was/is upset about it??

[TimberKat]

Cavs ranking 1st or 2nd in just about every offensive category. They have a Center that doesn't shot 3s. Their best player is the same style as Ant. I don't see them run five outs all the time. I think we need to fix the following to be a good team.

1. We don't have effective post up plays. Naz is the only one effective there. Randle is surprisingly ineffective. That is a large area of the court that we aren't effective which translates to wasting space and teams don't have to defend there. Randle got to play more and better down the block.
2. We don't have a Garland to counter balance Ant. Mitchell passes the ball out of doubt teams much better (and passing in general). Also, mid range is more efficient. When Conley/Dilly plays well, we look a lot better. Ant's got to pass the ball in the 4th qtr.

[minimus]

I really enjoyed ball movement in last game, some thoughts:

Naz actually did pass twice to Rob for easy layups. Reid had 4 assists, could have been more, if Rob could finish those layups

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Love Gobert-McDaniels chemistry. Gobert had 5 assists

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One thing about Jaden new found offensive game is that he using his combination of mobility and size. It unlocks his passing, slashing and midrange game

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There is one thing though. Randle is his 5 last game made 3 out of 22 three-point attempts. With McDaniels basically playing like rim-runner, cutting forward, Randle role is often reduced to catch and shoot threes. What makes it worse, is that there were mostly WIDE OPEN threes. It is only matter of time before opponents will completely ignore Randle behind 3pt line and adjust their defensive tactics. Another downward dynamic is Minott recent bad play, as we have zero wing depth behind McDaniels. DDV is out so NAW is playing more as guard than a wing.

I can see TC bringing here a big wing shooter, trying to completely unleash McDaniels slashing game. Did I say Cam Johnson???

[winforlose]

I really enjoyed ball movement in last game, some thoughts:

Naz actually did pass twice to Rob for easy layups. Reid had 4 assists, could have been more, if Rob could finish those layups

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Love Gobert-McDaniels chemistry. Gobert had 5 assists

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One thing about Jaden new found offensive game is that he using his combination of mobility and size. It unlocks his passing, slashing and midrange game

Read on Twitter

There is one thing though. Randle is his 5 last game made 3 out of 22 three-point attempts. With McDaniels basically playing like rim-runner, cutting forward, Randle role is often reduced to catch and shoot threes. What makes it worse, is that there were mostly WIDE OPEN threes. It is only matter of time before opponents will completely ignore Randle behind 3pt line and adjust their defensive tactics. Another downward dynamic is Minott recent bad play, as we have zero wing depth behind McDaniels. DDV is out so NAW is playing more as guard than a wing.

I can see TC bringing here a big wing shooter, trying to completely unleash McDaniels slashing game. Did I say Cam Johnson???

Minott wasn’t bad recently, he was just rusty after being benched so long. Against Denver he missed a 3 badly, and a contested 2. He made up for it by earning a clear path foul on a nice steal and hitting the free throws. You want wing depth, give Minott the minutes he needs.

[minimus]

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This is something I have been thinking about recently. I wonder if replacing Randle with high energy, long comboforward will continue transformation of MIN defense: in other words, be faster. McDaniels steals are very encouraging sign that Jaden can play well in such defense, there is also NAW who is very long and active. In some sense Gobert mobility is underrated. I wish Minott is not slow in defensive rotations, last game he looked completely lost in offense, after missing easy shots at rim, but in defense he has been bad. Otherwise he would fit nicely as active long wing.

[frankenwolf]

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This is something I have been thinking about recently. I wonder if replacing Randle with high energy, long comboforward will continue transformation of MIN defense: in other words, be faster. McDaniels steals are very encouraging sign that Jaden can play well in such defense, there is also NAW who is very long and active. In some sense Gobert mobility is underrated. I wish Minott is not slow in defensive rotations, last game he looked completely lost in offense, after missing easy shots at rim, but in defense he has been bad. Otherwise he would fit nicely as active long wing.

I preface this by saying that I did not watch the video.

If replacing Randle with a long comboforward transforms the defense, why don't we just move Jaden to the 4 and put NAW in as the 3?

[TimberKat]

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This is something I have been thinking about recently. I wonder if replacing Randle with high energy, long comboforward will continue transformation of MIN defense: in other words, be faster. McDaniels steals are very encouraging sign that Jaden can play well in such defense, there is also NAW who is very long and active. In some sense Gobert mobility is underrated. I wish Minott is not slow in defensive rotations, last game he looked completely lost in offense, after missing easy shots at rim, but in defense he has been bad. Otherwise he would fit nicely as active long wing.

I preface this by saying that I did not watch the video.

If replacing Randle with a long comboforward transforms the defense, why don't we just move Jaden to the 4 and put NAW in as the 3?

Two words - Naz Reid

[FrenchMinnyFan]

We are only 3 points behind OKC this year in defense rating despite having a huge handicap Randle. We are one piece away to be number one again in defense. Just trade Randle for a guy who play defense ( at PG will be better as even Mike is a very smart defender, his size limitations are real) and play NAZ, who is not good in defense but much better than Randle.

[Klomp]

Did we just get our identity back?

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[winforlose]

Did we just get our identity back?

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After 10 minutes? Also Clark is a one way player. He needs to show offense before you get this excited.

[minimus]

Did we just get our identity back?

After 10 minutes? Also Clark is a one way player. He needs to show offense before you get this excited.

Sure, he is a one way player. But you need at least one skill to build on top of it. Clark has potential as defender, in comparison Minott does not have same defensive awareness, despite having excellent physical tools. But I believe that it is also development process that matters. I remember times when Derrick White could not shoot consistently, Jalen Brown could not dribble and Jason Tatum was approaching to all time record in turnovers in playoffs. I am not saying that McDaniels, Clark, NAW has same level of talent in offense, but they can improve. And Edwards for sure has enough talent and physical tools to be a two way player.

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P.S. I would still add Lonzo Ball to this mix!

OKC: Holmgren/Hartenstein-JW-Dort-SGA-Wallace/Caruso

BOS: KP/Horford-Tatum-JB-White-Holiday

MINL: Gobert-McDaniels-Clark-NAW-Ball

[minimus]

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What I find here interesting is amount of time Jaden spent as roamer, low man, weakside helper, because NAW and Clark are defending PoA.

[Klomp]

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What I find here interesting is amount of time Jaden spent as roamer, low man, weakside helper, because NAW and Clark are defending PoA.

I think the Naz injury probably forced some of this last night specifically, but now the coaches have it on film where it was successful against one of the league's most difficult teams to guard.

[minimus]

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I wonder if chemistry between Reid and Dilly is as much important as chemistry between Dilly and Edwards. I mean Reid and Dilly are natural 0.5 sec decisions makers, they can create offensive flow.

[minimus]

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So basically Finch is saying that our identity is defense, based on consistent effort and discipline and basketball awareness. Lets call it competitiveness level. Finch's recent criticised Edwards effort level, Gobert usually has self awareness to admit when he does not play at this level. But I can clearly see that separation line in level of competitiveness in rotation and non rotation players. I mean what separate Miller and Minott from Clark and Dillingham. There is no reason why Miller or Minott cant attack for offensive glass or execute timely backdoor cuts like Clark and earn that easy two points. Or the way Dillingham trying in defense. I can see it even when Randle is trying in defense.

I can clearly see it when McDaniels is aggressively attacking closeouts, and fights for rebounds
I can clearly see it when DDV is playing. He has energy, effort, although his on ball defense is not elite as McDaniels
I can clearly see it when NAW is playing. He has energy, effort, although his offense is one-dimensional

etc.

I kind of expect that our wins will be hard fought wins like recent wins against DEN and PHO, where whole team gives 100% effort and our losses will be like our recent losses against SAC, CLE and MEM.

I just hope that TC finds more players that fit this identity. If I think of guys who are playing at these level of identity I like Deni Avdija and Lonzo Ball game a lot.

P.S. My birthday is no Friday, I am always expecting a gift from our FO When MIN got Conley and NAW I was so happy, because I have been NAW fan from his draft days. If TC trades him it will break my heart... Unless TC brings Lonzo Ball

[FrenchMinnyFan]

I agree with Finch point. Our identity is a defensive and this is what make us WCF last year. This year, ANT decide at pre-season that he will turn into Steph2.0 and shoot tons of 3 ! As the result of that, we loose part of our identity, some starters loose interest or get cold never seeing the ball... on top of that, we got Randle who need 10 seconds to release the ball at best.... no need to be POP to identity where the problem come from.

If we want to make a run, we have to get back to our identity. We got the players for. Jaden ,Rudy, NAW, Clark... are good defenders, ANT can do some job, Mike is smart, DDV have full of energy, even ROB try hard....

.... and if we want to become Boston2, then it will be the right time at the off season to trade Rudy, Mike, Jaden and get shooters.... we will have a bad defense but a much better offense.

For me, i'm in the camp of Dallas GM. You win championship with defense.... i remember well the Bucks scoring 125 pts each game for 2 or 3 years but did not win anything, Then they play better defense and got a ring....

[minimus]

While MIN is missing right now Randle playmaking and creativity with the ball, and Reid was looking good as starting PF, I really like Gobert-McDaniels connection as frontcourt duo. These two make all correct passes: kick-off, dump off, alley oops.

[TimberKat]

P.S. My birthday is no Friday, I am always expecting a gift from our FO When MIN got Conley and NAW I was so happy, because I have been NAW fan from his draft days. If TC trades him it will break my heart... Unless TC brings Lonzo Ball

I think your Birthday gift came early this year but you did get DDV as a bonus.

[Guest84]

As fans, what are our "realistic" expectations for this franchise going forward?

Are we ok with a perennial playoff team that just doesn't get over the hump? Or do we expect a championship in the future?

It just seems like this is going to be the team for the foreseeable future and they're going to be stuck as a middling team. Which is the worst place to be.

Ant might not like it but I think this team just needs a complete overhaul. They're not going anywhere with Julius, Rudy, Naz, etc and I like Naz.

[Klomp]

As fans, what are our "realistic" expectations for this franchise going forward?

Are we ok with a perennial playoff team that just doesn't get over the hump? Or do we expect a championship in the future?

It just seems like this is going to be the team for the foreseeable future and they're going to be stuck as a middling team. Which is the worst place to be.

Ant might not like it but I think this team just needs a complete overhaul. They're not going anywhere with Julius, Rudy, Naz, etc and I like Naz.

My read on the situation is that yes, this has been a transition, but they are trying to instill the defensive identity mindset up and down the roster - especially in the young guys.

I do think we've seen growth as the season moves along. In terms of simple points allowed, the team allowed 115+ points in 9 of the first 18 games, but in only 9 of the 33 games since. As a result, after starting 8-10, they are 20-13 since. No, I'm not saying we need to start planning the parade, but it is growth and development within the roster. Right now, our biggest struggles are coming more offensively....which should be understandable without two of your 4 best offensive players.

Are there things that could be improved? Have there been coaching errors or gameplan mistakes? Of course. But that doesn't mean an immediate significant personnel change is the only route forward.

Like I said, this is a transition year. This is in part due to the second apron and in part due to the ownership dispute. I don't think that not trading Randle today has to mean without a doubt he is going to stay here for the rest of his career and I don't think Naz Reid is going to revolt and and leave in free agency as a result.