Klomp wrote: But at the same time, he has a point. A PF is such a loose term in today's game. When you're saying "legitimate PF" you're clearly talking about like a Charles Oakley or Horace Grant mold. That's why Larry Nance Jr was such a popular name this offseason. But PFs come in different shapes and sizes. You probably wouldn't call Jae Crowder a legitimate PF, but he was the starting PF on an NBA Finals team this past season.
I know that you get it, Klomp.
I posted a portion of an article and link last week (and again below), but the game has evolved dramatically over the last decade and continuing to think otherwise isn't supported by the data (or in this case, an actual NBA head coach who has been around the league a long time). So either the "fans" are correct or the data and league are correct regarding PFs.
"72% of the league is under 6’9’’ tall (most over the past 40 seasons)" - on a 14 man roster that would mean four players 6'9" or taller (Towns, Reid, Vando, McDaniels) so the Wolves are right at league average on roster construction by height.
"40% of the power forwards’ FG attempts are 3-pointers (first time in NBA history) 2.45 times more than in the 2009-10 season, and 124% more than in the 2014-15 season. During the same period, centers 3PA share jumped 5 times.- really think about that stat."
40% of all FG attempts by "PFs" last year were from beyond the arc. That's a staggering percentage, especially for forwards.
Additional information in the story was that defensive rebounding and how it has declined in front court players.
"This is understandable as defensive rebounding requires more team effort and cooperation.
Especially in today’s game, where 4 or 5 guys on the court are playing beyond the arc, defensive rebounds are the most evenly distributed between positions since this stat has started recording."
Long shots typically equate to long rebounds - this is where the Wolves were terrible last year. Finding guys on the perimeter and getting a body on them as the long rebound sailed over the heads of the bigs who were camped too close to the basket. Further, some guys are simply better rebounders. Kevin Love is undersized and not overly athletic, and yet one of the best on the glass the last decade. Not because he was a huge bruiser in the paint, but because he tracks the flight of the shot better and gets into position better than most. That was not Juancho. Or even Wiggins over his tenure. But by height, both should have been better rebounders.
The Crowder example is a great one - hopefully the Wolves get Crowder-lite out of Prince. Which based on their respective career stats isn't that much of a stretch (pun intended).
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=2075231
