Rookie Play, Highlights & Discussion

[TheZachAttack]

It hasn’t taken long for everyone to figure out what Jaden is capable of doing. The cutting, the defense, the reading of the game; it’s all there for McDaniels. In a season that has been so miserable for the Timberwolves, his development has given fans something to cling to and the team a good building block moving forward. He has emerged from the draft night shadows of Edwards and Rubio to become a vital piece of the Wolves’ future.

While his counting stats of 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 block in 18.8 minutes per game don’t jump off the page, his advanced stats are off the charts. According to BBall-index:

His 35.8 percent block rate for contested shots at the rim is third among power forwards who have played at least 500 minutes, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, and in the 96th percentile of all players dating back to 2013.
His 2.8 blocks per 100 possessions is the highest among non-centers who have played at least 500 minutes.
He is in the 92nd percentile for defensive positional versatility, a metric that calculates the percentage of time on defense he has spent guarding each position.

https://theathletic.com/2399724/2021/03/03/jaden-mcdaniels-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-basketball/

One Timberwolves rookie is a secret analytics darling... while another rookie on the same team is a volume stats monster on poor efficiency and atrocious analytics.

So...

After Rosas brings HIS guy in... the inefficient rookie gets MORE run... and the secretly efficient rookie gets sent to the bottom of the rotation where he gets LESS run.

Any thoughts about why?

Because the Rosas regime messaging has never aligned with the personal decisions at all. Rosas preaches a certain type of system and a certain type of shot selection that prioritizes a certain type of skillset in order to be successful. Rosas also targets and drafts players whose worst skill(s) is/are the things that he says are most important in that system. We then run a system with players who don't have skillsets to play in that system, force them to do things that they don't do well, and don't get any of the benefits of what the system is supposed to do in the things that it prioritizes. We then wonder why the team doesn't play well and every player who comes in regresses.

[AbeVigodaLive]

who tf even is mychal mulder and fanduco campazzo? more like rising g league stars

I think they just needed some international guys. This is likely the last year of Team USA vs Team World. If they actually played this game, Team USA would run them off the floor.

that's not the point, the point is iq has been one of the best rookies from this draft and he got snubbed over a player that's averaging 4 ppg just because they need to fill out the quota.

rookie/sophmore format has to be brought back.

The entire weekend is about marketing and promoting the brand. Nobody cares — nor remembers — who was selected to the Rising Stars games.

So... it's surely been discussed with top strategists that there's still value for the NBA in promoting its young international "stars."

[Ambrose]

About why you hate Edwards so much? No.

I DON'T hate Edwards. I think he's amazingly talented. I think he has a chance to become the best player in his draft. He's able to do some things other players can only dream of. I think he could be a perennial 25+ ppg scorer who can also create for others. His potential is immense.

...

I DO hate how the Timberwolves reward one super prospect after another by giving them too much too soon in the guise of learning... while playing for the very worst team in the league that tries to tank much more often than it tries to win.

...

Draft these super prospects. AND pair them with players who know how to play basketball. Help them learn HOW to win games. Make it easier on them.




[Note: The question wasn't facetious by the way. Since it looks like the Wolves are all-in on developing Edwards, I'm surprised they've scaled back on McDaniels since the new coach arrived.]

If Edwards was 8% better on his 3's and got some love from the refs you'd be looking at Edwards differently. He's doing very well for a 19 yo rookie imo.

IF he could shoot AND get to the line we'd look at him differently? Yeah, no kidding.

[Trey24]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft?

Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game.

He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

There's like a 90% chance at this point that he is going to be a bona-fide legit superstar and top 10 player in the league, and he is still pretty raw from a rounded-out game standpoint. Exciting time to be a Bobcats fan!

[KembaWalker]

He's got a funky shot but it's a quick 1 motion release with a high arc and a ton of backspin. He makes it work. My only concern is that he can probably never add a livingston style post fade with that form which would be a useful playoff tool but he's got a nice floater he uses from 10-15 feet instead

[turnaroundJ]

Ant is playing like crap (his fault but also the team and organization just plain sucks) but goddamn his athleticism just stands out. He gets such pop from either leg without needing to gather much. And it looks like he just floats effortlessly.

[Trey24]

Ant is playing like crap (his fault but also the team and organization just plain sucks) but goddamn his athleticism just stands out. He gets such pop from either leg without needing to gather much. And it looks like he just floats effortlessly.

He can also get a jumper off any time over anyone due to his elevation. The guy is going to be a star.

[GoBobs]

He's got a funky shot but it's a quick 1 motion release with a high arc and a ton of backspin. He makes it work. My only concern is that he can probably never add a livingston style post fade with that form which would be a useful playoff tool but he's got a nice floater he uses from 10-15 feet instead

His form is picture perfect, everyone else has a funky shot.

Low release point is much more balanced than holding the ball over your head. All his power is coming from his legs which is why he is able to effortlessly fire away from five feet behind the line. His release us super fast because he doesnt need to cock the ball back since he isnt throwing it with his arm.

[HotelVitale]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft? Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game. He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

Yes, and hopefully this means more people will please, please stop pretending that 'good GMs' or 'smart scouts' can somehow know how draft prospects will turn out on draft night. We knew what we knew about Ball's shot--that his form was weird and he had shot a bad % but that the shot still seemed fluid and promising--and everything that we've found it since is stuff that just doesn't reveal itself until players have played in the league for a few months. Turns out that everything--shot included--people were worried about with Ball wasn't real, and everything people were excited about was legit. For many players the opposite is true, and for most it's a mix of the two. No one knows until it's happening.

Ball's also managed to learn some new things in an unusually small amount of time. And there's definitely definitely no one who can knows how that stuff works, some players who aren't conventionally smart manage to pick up a thousand new and difficult tricks and adjustments within a few years, and other young players with great attitudes and good heads on their shoulders can't get much past the NBA basics.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft? Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game. He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

Yes, and hopefully this means more people will please, please stop pretending that 'good GMs' or 'smart scouts' can somehow know how draft prospects will turn out on draft night. We knew what we knew about Ball's shot--that his form was weird and he had shot a bad % but that the shot still seemed fluid and promising--and everything that we've found it since is stuff that just doesn't reveal itself until players have played in the league for a few months. Turns out that everything--shot included--people were worried about with Ball wasn't real...

And arguably the best shooter in the draft class was ALSO questioned for an unusual-looking shot.

[LofJ]

Ant is playing like crap (his fault but also the team and organization just plain sucks) but goddamn his athleticism just stands out. He gets such pop from either leg without needing to gather much. And it looks like he just floats effortlessly.

He can also get a jumper off any time over anyone due to his elevation. The guy is going to be a star.

If he gets the right development I can definitely see Edwards becoming an all-star. I don't know if he'll get that in Minnesota, but with the team for sale there's hope with new ownership. I hope it happens, as a Hornets fan I root for other teams that have struggled for a long time because I know what it feels like.

I also love watching uber athletic power guards. With Wade retired and Westbrook on his way the league needs another player in that mold to step up.

[rtiff68]

Ant is playing like crap (his fault but also the team and organization just plain sucks) but goddamn his athleticism just stands out. He gets such pop from either leg without needing to gather much. And it looks like he just floats effortlessly.

He can also get a jumper off any time over anyone due to his elevation. The guy is going to be a star.

If he gets the right development I can definitely see Edwards becoming an all-star. I don't know if he'll get that in Minnesota, but with the team for sale there's hope with new ownership. I hope it happens, as a Hornets fan I root for other teams that have struggled for a long time because I know what it feels like.

I also love watching uber athletic power guards. With Wade retired and Westbrook on his way the league needs another player in that mold to step up.

Owner is the most important position in professional sports.

Check out the Warriors pre and post 2010...

[AbeVigodaLive]

He can also get a jumper off any time over anyone due to his elevation. The guy is going to be a star.

If he gets the right development I can definitely see Edwards becoming an all-star. I don't know if he'll get that in Minnesota, but with the team for sale there's hope with new ownership. I hope it happens, as a Hornets fan I root for other teams that have struggled for a long time because I know what it feels like.

I also love watching uber athletic power guards. With Wade retired and Westbrook on his way the league needs another player in that mold to step up.

Owner is the most important position in professional sports.

Check out the Warriors pre and post 2010...

What are the odds the old ownership keeps Ellis instead of Curry if they were still in charge?

[rtiff68]

If he gets the right development I can definitely see Edwards becoming an all-star. I don't know if he'll get that in Minnesota, but with the team for sale there's hope with new ownership. I hope it happens, as a Hornets fan I root for other teams that have struggled for a long time because I know what it feels like.

I also love watching uber athletic power guards. With Wade retired and Westbrook on his way the league needs another player in that mold to step up.

Owner is the most important position in professional sports.

Check out the Warriors pre and post 2010...

What are the odds the old ownership keeps Ellis instead of Curry if they were still in charge?

High. The fans largely loved Monta back then. I remember loving the Monta/Bogut trade...and then Lacob was booed relentlessly on “Chris Mullin night” immediately afterward.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Owner is the most important position in professional sports.

Check out the Warriors pre and post 2010...

What are the odds the old ownership keeps Ellis instead of Curry if they were still in charge?

High. The fans largely loved Monta back then. I remember loving the Monta/Bogut trade...and then Lacob was booed relentlessly on “Chris Mullin night” immediately afterward.

I remember that moment. Didn't Mullin have to step in and try to calm them down?

Kinda iconic in hindsight, right?

[Goudelock]

Watch on YouTube

[HotelVitale]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft? Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game. He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

Yes, and hopefully this means more people will please, please stop pretending that 'good GMs' or 'smart scouts' can somehow know how draft prospects will turn out on draft night. We knew what we knew about Ball's shot--that his form was weird and he had shot a bad % but that the shot still seemed fluid and promising--and everything that we've found it since is stuff that just doesn't reveal itself until players have played in the league for a few months. Turns out that everything--shot included--people were worried about with Ball wasn't real...

And arguably the best shooter in the draft class was ALSO questioned for an unusual-looking shot.

If you mean Halliburton, I agree: I was with the general pack who thought he was a good pick anywhere after about 4-5 but I also wouldn't have bet big on him being a great shooter right away. It's not just his form but also that he shot sort of flat footed (almost a set shot) in college, which didn't look like a NBA shot. Turns out the shot was a little odd but repeatable and scale-able, but no one knew that at draft time. Lonzo Ball is a good counter-example, since he went from a college player with a weird 3 pt shot that went in a lot (his efficiency was amazing at UCLA) to a terrible efficiency player his first couple LAL years who's 3 ball looked completely unfit for the NBA. Hence if you ignore every player who has weird form and just follow the %s, you're going to be wrong as much as you're right. Just gotta go with your guy...i.e. take a guess.

[LordCovington33]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft?

Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game.

He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

There's like a 90% chance at this point that he is going to be a bona-fide legit superstar and top 10 player in the league, and he is still pretty raw from a rounded-out game standpoint. Exciting time to be a Bobcats fan!

I get that you are excited, but 90%? Let’s see what he does in year 2 onwards before we even start discussing him being a top 20 player, let alone a superstar. It’s good to see him playing well though.

[Goudelock]

Who would have thought Lamelo is actually one of the best shooters in the draft?

Well, he's up to 45% from the field and 38% from 3 on the season at over 5 attempts a game.

He is squaring up to the basket SO much better, and it has shown in the results.

There's like a 90% chance at this point that he is going to be a bona-fide legit superstar and top 10 player in the league, and he is still pretty raw from a rounded-out game standpoint. Exciting time to be a Bobcats fan!

I get that you are excited, but 90%? Let’s see what he does in year 2 onwards before we even start discussing him being a top 20 player, let alone a superstar. It’s good to see him playing well though.

Yeah, I agree with this. I remember that Karl-Anthony Towns was a LOCK to be a top 3 player in the NBA after his rookie season. As was Ben Simmons. Both turned out to be great players, but not superstars (at least not yet).

[zshawn10]

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