Klomp wrote:What's the targeted statistic to improve this offseason? I think it might be rebounding at this point. We were middle of the pack at best, and probably in the lower half of the playoff teams in rebounding this season. The team took a sharp step back, and Gobert is only getting older.
I think this comes down to a combination of a few things:
- Size at the C | PF | SF positions — including backups
- Defensive and offensive schemes
- Commitment — team culture around effort, boxouts, 50/50 balls, hard fouls
MIN is not an undersized team. But the roster has some rough edges, and those flaws show up in mediocre rebounding numbers.
- Edwards, Reid, and Randle are not the most disciplined rebounders — they rarely box out and often lose their man
- There’s no real backup center
- Gobert doesn’t have great hands and lacks the quickness to fight for 50/50 balls
- McDaniels weighs under 200 lbs, which is less than ideal for a wing — especially when guys like LeBron and Doncic are 40–45 lbs heavier
Since this is a draft thread, let’s say TC lands two rookies who’ve already shown strong rebounding instincts, toughness, some playmaking and shooting, and the maturity to contribute:
- Nique Clifford
- Yaxel Lendeborg
Would these two improve MIN’s rebounding?
That’s a tricky question — but adding two high-motor, high-effort players should at least raise the team’s competitive level. Watching this series against LAL, here’s how I see it:
Would Clifford get minutes?
Yes — if he can replicate his college 38% from three in the NBA and play high-effort, mistake-free basketball. He could slot in as a physical 2/3 wing, something this team lacks off the bench.
Would Lendeborg get minutes?
Yes — if he can stay in front of LeBron, switch effectively, and crash the boards against LAL’s small-ball lineups. His versatility and rebounding could earn him a role even without much scoring.
If MIN wants to improve its rebounding and physicality without sacrificing spacing and defensive switching, guys like Clifford and Lendeborg make a ton of sense. They may not be lottery picks, but they bring skills that fill actual needs, not just upside bets.
