The Official Jaden McDaniels Thread

minimus · Post #981 » by **minimus** » Thu Mar 6, 2025 8:51 am

Jaden as roll man is another way to weaponize his skillset

winforlose · Post #982 » by **winforlose** » Thu Mar 6, 2025 9:39 am

minimus wrote:
TheZachAttack wrote:
Klomp wrote:I get that people have had doubts and concerns about the Randle/Reid pairing, but I would argue that the pairing helps accentuate some of the best parts of Jaden's game.

I think Randle and Jaden are fine together. It's when you pair them with Gobert that it's a disaster.

I'd put it this way: Jaden with the ball, attacking of the dribble is much better that Jaden sitting in corner and shooting C&S threes. It is easier to play him in this role with Reid and even Randle, but it is difficult to play him with Gobert and Randle. IMO Gobert + McDaniels as C-PF duo have been playing well, both are willing to pass to each other.

P.S. Plus I think a big reason why Jaden thrives is improved 3PT shooting in backcourt.

1. I actually disagree about Rudy. When Jaden is guarded by a small he literally shoots over them. Jim Pete asked Jaden if smalls bother him, his answer was “I don’t even see them.” Jaden’s high release point and shooting package (fadeaway, straight away, up and under, dunk, ect…) make him a tough cover. Rudy for all his flaws is an excellent screen setter and someone who also demands a big. If Jaden is guarded by a big who gives him trouble (happened a week or two ago,) have Rudy force the switch and dive to the basket. Jaden doesn’t need a lot of space and he doesn’t need a lot of dribble to get into scoring range, he just needs to be willing to attack.

2. I think Jaden and Rudy have shown they know how to pass to one another. If anything Rudy takes more boxing out which allows Jaden an easier time offensive rebounding and getting putbacks.

3. This is in response to a different of your posts. Jaden’s biggest weakness is shot selection. Tonight he was 13-21 from the floor for 29 points. Take out the 3s and he was 10 of 12 for 20 points. Jaden should limit himself to 4 3s unless he is on a heater in which case 6 should be the max. If you turn 3 of those 9 into attacks and he hits 2 more (consistent with his percentage,) that is 4 extra points with a chance for free throws.

minimus · Post #983 » by **minimus** » Thu Mar 6, 2025 10:23 am

winforlose wrote:If Jaden is guarded by a big who gives him trouble

Moussa Diabaté is 6'11 with 7'2 wingspan, Mark Williams is 7'0 with 7'6 wingspan, Jusuf Nurkić is 7'0 with 7'2 wingspan.

Read on Twitter

At 6'11 with a 7'0 wingspan Jaden is not undersized in current NBA as comboforward, but he definitely has advantage in quickness and mobility advantage. Sure, in defense the issue with big, physical bigs still exists, but I feel like Jaden is on the right path to find balance when to drive to the basket, cut, shoot a short jumper in the paint or wide open three.

winforlose · Post #984 » by **winforlose** » Thu Mar 6, 2025 11:08 am

minimus wrote:
winforlose wrote:If Jaden is guarded by a big who gives him trouble

Moussa Diabaté is 6'11 with 7'2 wingspan, Mark Williams is 7'0 with 7'6 wingspan, Jusuf Nurkić is 7'0 with 7'2 wingspan.

Read on Twitter

At 6'11 with a 7'0 wingspan Jaden is not undersized in current NBA as comboforward, but he definitely has advantage in quickness and mobility advantage. Sure, in defense the issue with big, physical bigs still exists, but I feel like Jaden is on the right path to find balance when to drive to the basket, cut, shoot a short jumper in the paint or wide open three.

Go back and see how many of the shots Jaden made were against bigs. The putbacks and dunks were not. Of the remaining 5 or 6 I am pretty sure a couple were switched. In any case my point was not that Jaden sucks against bigs, it is that he has a major advantage against smalls. If the situation arises where a shot blocking big is giving Jaden trouble, Rudy can help.

Post #985 » by **Klomp** » Thu Mar 6, 2025 7:46 pm

Watch on YouTube

TheZachAttack · Post #986 » by **TheZachAttack** » Fri Mar 7, 2025 5:19 am

I can't stop thinking about how much our future has changed if Jaden is taking the leap. If Jaden really is a 16-19 ppg - 8 rebound - 3 assist - 3 stocks per game player (depending on how many other scorers are on the floor) on 60% TS% player offensively, how valuable is he? Jaden seemingly is showing that he can win in so many ways offensively. He can attack closeouts, get to the rim, has great touch on mid range and floater shots and is always open with his length, is a great cutter, and can hit some 3 point shots. He can also play as a "big" and be a really huge threat against drop coverage and 2 on the ball on Ant to get to the rim, leverage his mid range and floater touch, and pass out of that. When he's playing closer to the rim in those roles, he's a great offensive rebounder with his length. In addition, he's great in transition. He can get involved with the ball or without the ball and used in a variety of different ways depending on different matchups and who is on the floor with him.

On defense, he might be one of the 5 best defenders in the league at 3 different roles (1) point of attack (2) backline rim protection/help defender (3) free safety. He can just about guard 1-5 and has shown that he's actually a really strong rebounder when he's in the 2nd or 3rd role and not contesting everything. Lastly, partially through this he's been able to cut down on his foul rate.

To me, this puts him right there with (and I would argue better than) Bridges/OG. I'm not sure that I would want McDaniels as my #2 or that he will develop into that, but could he be a good #3? I think it's looking like that. To me, this player is starting to get near max player territory.

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Then you look at our roster and both Naz/Dante (since 1/3) averaging 19-20 points per 36 on 42 and 46% 3 point shooting respectively (and Randle is averaging 19/9/5.3). This all of a sudden positions the Wolves to have a really strong trio of secondary scorers even if they still don't have the #2 at the level of other contenders.

The Wolves have decisions to make in the offseason about Randle, Conley, and Gobert (if it's even possible to move them), but then they have TSJ averaging 17/6/3.3 per 36 and Rob despite this being the stretch he's struggled as jump shooter averaging 16-4-7. Now, I know these point totals will come down because they include stretches with injuries but all of a sudden the Wolves looked stacked offensively for the next 2-3-4 years.

The Wolves have a window where they will have Naz, Dante, Jaden, Shannon, and Rob all locked up for potentially under $70m combined and a massive part of their rotation.

life_saver · Post #987 » by **life_saver** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 3:16 am

Most encouraging aspect of Jaden's offensive numbers so far in 2025 has been consistency..In the last 27 games, he has had only game where he scored in single digits. In every other game, he has scored atleast 10 points. For a guy who has been extremely inconsistent offensively so far in his career, this last 2 month stretch is such a contrast to any other stretch in his career.

For comparison,
In first 39 games: 18 games with atleast 10 points, 21 games with less than 10 points
In next 27 games: 26 games with atleast 10 points, 1 game with less than 10 points

So he had more single digit scoring games than double digit scoring games during first 3 months of season...from that to having just 1 single digit scoring game in next 2 months is such an encouraging change in trend

moretins · Post #988 » by **moretins** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 2:43 pm

life_saver wrote:Most encouraging aspect of Jaden's offensive numbers so far in 2025 has been consistency..In the last 27 games, he has had only game where he scored in single digits. In every other game, he has scored atleast 10 points. For a guy who has been extremely inconsistent offensively so far in his career, this last 2 month stretch is such a contrast to any other stretch in his career.

For comparison,
In first 39 games: 18 games with atleast 10 points, 21 games with less than 10 points
In next 27 games: 26 games with atleast 10 points, 1 game with less than 10 points

So he had more single digit scoring games than double digit scoring games during first 3 months of season...from that to having just 1 single digit scoring game in next 2 months is such an encouraging change in trend

In that range of games, he has also gone from 4.8 to 7.5 rpg. In assists, from 1.5 to 2.9

minimus · Post #989 » by **minimus** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 7:22 am

Read on Twitter

Jaden averages career high blocks and steals this season.

life_saver · Post #990 » by **life_saver** » Mon Mar 17, 2025 3:00 pm

Read on Twitter

Post #991 » by **Klomp** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 6:32 pm

This is sick!

Read on Twitter

Post #992 » by **Klomp** » Fri May 9, 2025 5:44 pm

Read on Twitter

life_saver · Post #993 » by **life_saver** » Thu May 15, 2025 8:54 pm

Jaden has been having very consistent playoffs so far offensively...averaging 15.5 ppg and has scored 10+ pts in 8 out of 10 games. Was in foul trouble in 1 of the other 2 games where he scored less than 10 pts. His efficiency has been elite - 60% EFG% so far.

Loaf_of_bread · Post #994 » by **Loaf_of_bread** » Thu May 15, 2025 11:06 pm

He's incredible. Didn't play that hot to start the year. But, man, that guy is playoff defensive MONSTER.

He will turn into one of the biggest value contracts in the league. We've got him to year 28-29 at under 30 mil until the last year.

Baseline81 · Post #995 » by **Baseline81** » Thu May 15, 2025 11:28 pm

Loaf_of_bread wrote:He's incredible. Didn't play that hot to start the year. But, man, that guy is playoff defensive MONSTER.

He will turn into one of the biggest value contracts in the league. We've got him to year 28-29 at under 30 mil until the last year.

Remember, there were Philly fans who laughed when we stated we wouldn't include him in a deal for Simmons back in the day.

Rookie-Mistake · Post #996 » by **Rookie-Mistake** » Wed May 21, 2025 4:02 am

His fouling reminds me of the kat days.. stop **** fouling!!!

Sent from my SM-G991B using RealGM mobile app

Guest84 · Post #997 » by **Guest84** » Thu May 22, 2025 6:55 pm

What does Jaden have to do to be recognized as a top defender? Seems like he's never really considered for the defensive teams.

BlacJacMac · Post #998 » by **BlacJacMac** » Thu May 22, 2025 7:00 pm

Guest84 wrote:What does Jaden have to do to be recognized as a top defender? Seems like he's never really considered for the defensive teams.

He was NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season.

frankenwolf · Post #999 » by **frankenwolf** » Thu May 22, 2025 7:16 pm

10 points, 2 pts behind the MVP who doesn't truly play defense. SMDH

Guest84 · Post #1000 » by **Guest84** » Thu May 22, 2025 8:48 pm

BlacJacMac wrote:
Guest84 wrote:What does Jaden have to do to be recognized as a top defender? Seems like he's never really considered for the defensive teams.

He was NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season.

I'm aware. I'm speaking more on a consistent basis I guess. It just seems like he gets glanced over and is one of those underappreciated guys. I'm assuming it's due to his stats as opposed to his actual impact during play. Similar to how the "neverminds" aren't counted for Rudy.