Wolves v Blazers GDT part 2

[FNG]

Ant has been so lazy today

I watched the replay this morning while following along with the GDT...some good comments, guys. Third consecutive entertaining game since the break! Kek's post caught my eye because Ant's game tonight was perhaps the most polarizing game by a Wolves player all year. Much of the game I was close to tearing my hair out over Ant's sometimes lackadaisical and sometimes just plain dumb defense. Meanwhile he was having the best offensive game of his career, and perhaps the best offensive explosion by a T-Wolf all year...hitting threes and getting to the rim like a true All-Star.

So in the midst of this incredible offensive game, I checked the box score during the third quarter and saw that the entire starting lineup had a double digit positive plus/minus...except Ant, who was notably minus. Later in the GDT, I saw that a couple posters also noticed this dichotomy...that Ant finished the game with the second worst +/- on the team in the midst of a career high scoring night. I invite everyone here to see the connection between Kek's post early in the game about Ant's laziness, and his total impact on the game tonight. Basketball is a 2-way game, and Ant was bi-polar tonight...terrific when we had the ball, terrible when Portland did.

Ant currently ranks 90th out of 91 SFs in DRPM. So, why am I still high on Ant and love the fact that we drafted him #1? Two reasons: the enormous offensive potential he showed last night, and the slight improvement he is showing on the defensive end (last night notwithstanding). Kek's "lazy" comment was spot on and I had noticed it too, and it actually seemed out of character to me, because I actually think Ant has generally looked quite engaged on defense this season...I almost wondered if he was tired on the second half of a back to back (he certainly proved that wasn't true in the 4th quarter!). I divide ineffective defenders into two categories...those who just don't care, and those work who hard but just don't get it. Q posted about Beasley once, and how he seems so active on defense with such horrible results. I have Ant in this category too. But I also see him as a sponge when it comes to learning...its fun to watch him tuned in and taking everything in when Finch pulls him aside, when Ricky makes a point of teaching on the court, heck, even when Rob Cunningham takes the time to instruct Ant on how to "cleanse" to avoid a 3-second call (how great was that moment in Saturday's game...you gotta love Roco!). I think this kid is the real deal, and has the potential to become a true 2-way star. How much effort he puts in on defense and how willing he is to learn will determine whether he ends up closer to Zach Lavine or Kawhi Leonard. I think he is going to end up closer to Kawhi than Zach.

[Tactical unit]

I don't think Vandy will ever be a starter type on a contending team. I like him on my team but in a limited role. His lack of shooting, dribbling, and offensive skill in general are concerns.

I'd include him in a Collins package with either Beas or Culver.

He's not a starter caliber player now but let's not forget he is only 21 and was really raw coming out.

V8 is on an expiring deal so yeah he can be included in any deal if you really want him he'll be a FA.

I'd love to have him at a reasonable price, he can defend well and does lots of small things well. With a little development he could increase in value quite a bit. With his current skill set he's productive and can provide defense and energy.

[FNG]

Vanderbilt should have got more playing time. You think they are trying to build up Hernangomez trade value by giving him more playing time? Or just trying things out with the large lineup that had KAT, NAZ, Hernangomez, Josh & Nowell, they did use that lineup more than once tonight.

The reason is Vando is strictly a 4. You cant play him at the 3 because he gives you zero skills on offense as a wing and cant shoot. Both Mcdaniels and Juancho are at least a threat to shoot the 3.

Finch is also playing Towns big minites and playing Naz next to him.

It also depends on matchups as roco isn't a threat on offense for Vanderbilt to focus on. On the flip side, Roco is very good at roaming and help and team defense and having Vando as his matchup allows roco to play to his strength on defense.

I think Flinch is using Vando very well actually.

World nailed this answer. Kudos to Vando for his non-stop energy on the court, but also kudos to Finch for his creative matchups and how he's using Vando. Finch is really starting to impress me.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Ant has been so lazy today

I watched the replay this morning while following along with the GDT...some good comments, guys. Third consecutive entertaining game since the break! Kek's post caught my eye because Ant's game tonight was perhaps the most polarizing game by a Wolves player all year. Much of the game I was close to tearing my hair out over Ant's sometimes lackadaisical and sometimes just plain dumb defense. Meanwhile he was having the best offensive game of his career, and perhaps the best offensive explosion by a T-Wolf all year...hitting threes and getting to the rim like a true All-Star.

So in the midst of this incredible offensive game, I checked the box score during the third quarter and saw that the entire starting lineup had a double digit positive plus/minus...except Ant, who was notably minus. Later in the GDT, I saw that a couple posters also noticed this dichotomy...that Ant finished the game with the second worst +/- on the team in the midst of a career high scoring night. I invite everyone here to see the connection between Kek's post early in the game about Ant's laziness, and his total impact on the game tonight. Basketball is a 2-way game, and Ant was bi-polar tonight...terrific when we had the ball, terrible when Portland did.

Ant currently ranks 90th out of 91 SFs in DRPM. So, why am I still high on Ant and love the fact that we drafted him #1? Two reasons: the enormous offensive potential he showed last night, and the slight improvement he is showing on the defensive end (last night notwithstanding). Kek's "lazy" comment was spot on and I had noticed it too, and it actually seemed out of character to me, because I actually think Ant has generally looked quite engaged on defense this season...I almost wondered if he was tired on the second half of a back to back (he certainly proved that wasn't true in the 4th quarter!). I divide ineffective defenders into two categories...those who just don't care, and those work who hard but just don't get it. Q posted about Beasley once, and how he seems so active on defense with such horrible results. I have Ant in this category too. But I also see him as a sponge when it comes to learning...its fun to watch him tuned in and taking everything in when Finch pulls him aside, when Ricky makes a point of teaching on the court, heck, even when Rob Cunningham takes the time to instruct Ant on how to "cleanse" to avoid a 3-second call (how great was that moment in Saturday's game...you gotta love Roco!). I think this kid is the real deal, and has the potential to become a true 2-way star. How much effort he puts in on defense and how willing he is to learn will determine whether he ends up closer to Zach Lavine or Kawhi Leonard. I think he is going to end up closer to Kawhi than Zach.

Fell asleep during the game, and I was in-and-out while sorta awake... so I can't comment on many specifics about Edwards brilliance or lack of effort.

BUT... IF his defensive effort is really that terrible... haven't we learned that celebrating every great thing about the young prospects... while sugarcoating the negatives... doesn't really move the needle? We've seen it before.

Many of them have had potential. But if the organization doesn't hold them accountable for their shortcomings... why would a young guy in his early 20s being rewarded with $100+M suddenly change his ways?

Every once in a while, you get a guy who just wants to be the very best who will take heed to what he needs to improve on. But should that be expected at this point? These young guys are already WINNING the game of life doing this how they want to do it. It's human nature.

[kekgeek]

Ant has been so lazy today

I watched the replay this morning while following along with the GDT...some good comments, guys. Third consecutive entertaining game since the break! Kek's post caught my eye because Ant's game tonight was perhaps the most polarizing game by a Wolves player all year. Much of the game I was close to tearing my hair out over Ant's sometimes lackadaisical and sometimes just plain dumb defense. Meanwhile he was having the best offensive game of his career, and perhaps the best offensive explosion by a T-Wolf all year...hitting threes and getting to the rim like a true All-Star.

So in the midst of this incredible offensive game, I checked the box score during the third quarter and saw that the entire starting lineup had a double digit positive plus/minus...except Ant, who was notably minus. Later in the GDT, I saw that a couple posters also noticed this dichotomy...that Ant finished the game with the second worst +/- on the team in the midst of a career high scoring night. I invite everyone here to see the connection between Kek's post early in the game about Ant's laziness, and his total impact on the game tonight. Basketball is a 2-way game, and Ant was bi-polar tonight...terrific when we had the ball, terrible when Portland did.

Ant currently ranks 90th out of 91 SFs in DRPM. So, why am I still high on Ant and love the fact that we drafted him #1? Two reasons: the enormous offensive potential he showed last night, and the slight improvement he is showing on the defensive end (last night notwithstanding). Kek's "lazy" comment was spot on and I had noticed it too, and it actually seemed out of character to me, because I actually think Ant has generally looked quite engaged on defense this season...I almost wondered if he was tired on the second half of a back to back (he certainly proved that wasn't true in the 4th quarter!). I divide ineffective defenders into two categories...those who just don't care, and those work who hard but just don't get it. Q posted about Beasley once, and how he seems so active on defense with such horrible results. I have Ant in this category too. But I also see him as a sponge when it comes to learning...its fun to watch him tuned in and taking everything in when Finch pulls him aside, when Ricky makes a point of teaching on the court, heck, even when Rob Cunningham takes the time to instruct Ant on how to "cleanse" to avoid a 3-second call (how great was that moment in Saturday's game...you gotta love Roco!). I think this kid is the real deal, and has the potential to become a true 2-way star. How much effort he puts in on defense and how willing he is to learn will determine whether he ends up closer to Zach Lavine or Kawhi Leonard. I think he is going to end up closer to Kawhi than Zach.

I do want to say I thought his defensive intensity got better as the game went on. He wasn't getting foul call he though he deserved early in the game and he complained to the refs and then he was super lazy on rotations on D. I legit think Vandy was trying to guard his guy and Ant guy in the possession I made the post. Ant did guard Lillard for 2 possessions down the stretch that were successful so he did pick it up. I don't think Ant will ever be a stud on the defensive end but think he can be league average and have elite moments on that end

[FNG]

Ant's post-game discussion with Jace is classic Ant! Jace compliments his shooting, and Ant (looking at the box score) says he can do much better. He doesn't do the math, but he is clearly unhappy with his 6 for 14 on threes. When Jace tells him he was close to 43% tonight, and if he improves on that, he will be better than Steph, Ant replies he'll never be better than Steph.

Anthony Edwards...exciting at basketball, bad at math.

[Tactical unit]

Ant has been so lazy today

I watched the replay this morning while following along with the GDT...some good comments, guys. Third consecutive entertaining game since the break! Kek's post caught my eye because Ant's game tonight was perhaps the most polarizing game by a Wolves player all year. Much of the game I was close to tearing my hair out over Ant's sometimes lackadaisical and sometimes just plain dumb defense. Meanwhile he was having the best offensive game of his career, and perhaps the best offensive explosion by a T-Wolf all year...hitting threes and getting to the rim like a true All-Star.

So in the midst of this incredible offensive game, I checked the box score during the third quarter and saw that the entire starting lineup had a double digit positive plus/minus...except Ant, who was notably minus. Later in the GDT, I saw that a couple posters also noticed this dichotomy...that Ant finished the game with the second worst +/- on the team in the midst of a career high scoring night. I invite everyone here to see the connection between Kek's post early in the game about Ant's laziness, and his total impact on the game tonight. Basketball is a 2-way game, and Ant was bi-polar tonight...terrific when we had the ball, terrible when Portland did.

Ant currently ranks 90th out of 91 SFs in DRPM. So, why am I still high on Ant and love the fact that we drafted him #1? Two reasons: the enormous offensive potential he showed last night, and the slight improvement he is showing on the defensive end (last night notwithstanding). Kek's "lazy" comment was spot on and I had noticed it too, and it actually seemed out of character to me, because I actually think Ant has generally looked quite engaged on defense this season...I almost wondered if he was tired on the second half of a back to back (he certainly proved that wasn't true in the 4th quarter!). I divide ineffective defenders into two categories...those who just don't care, and those work who hard but just don't get it. Q posted about Beasley once, and how he seems so active on defense with such horrible results. I have Ant in this category too. But I also see him as a sponge when it comes to learning...its fun to watch him tuned in and taking everything in when Finch pulls him aside, when Ricky makes a point of teaching on the court, heck, even when Rob Cunningham takes the time to instruct Ant on how to "cleanse" to avoid a 3-second call (how great was that moment in Saturday's game...you gotta love Roco!). I think this kid is the real deal, and has the potential to become a true 2-way star. How much effort he puts in on defense and how willing he is to learn will determine whether he ends up closer to Zach Lavine or Kawhi Leonard. I think he is going to end up closer to Kawhi than Zach.

He had quite a nice steal off Dame near mid court that he then took right into Covington for the finish. He took the challenge to guard Dame at times, I see effort and think he cares for sure. Sometimes he just plays like a rookie on the defensive end, nothing I am too worried about at this point. As far as +/- goes, I am more concerned with impact and ANT had major impact in the game.

[FNG]

Ant has been so lazy today

I watched the replay this morning while following along with the GDT...some good comments, guys. Third consecutive entertaining game since the break! Kek's post caught my eye because Ant's game tonight was perhaps the most polarizing game by a Wolves player all year. Much of the game I was close to tearing my hair out over Ant's sometimes lackadaisical and sometimes just plain dumb defense. Meanwhile he was having the best offensive game of his career, and perhaps the best offensive explosion by a T-Wolf all year...hitting threes and getting to the rim like a true All-Star.

So in the midst of this incredible offensive game, I checked the box score during the third quarter and saw that the entire starting lineup had a double digit positive plus/minus...except Ant, who was notably minus. Later in the GDT, I saw that a couple posters also noticed this dichotomy...that Ant finished the game with the second worst +/- on the team in the midst of a career high scoring night. I invite everyone here to see the connection between Kek's post early in the game about Ant's laziness, and his total impact on the game tonight. Basketball is a 2-way game, and Ant was bi-polar tonight...terrific when we had the ball, terrible when Portland did.

Ant currently ranks 90th out of 91 SFs in DRPM. So, why am I still high on Ant and love the fact that we drafted him #1? Two reasons: the enormous offensive potential he showed last night, and the slight improvement he is showing on the defensive end (last night notwithstanding). Kek's "lazy" comment was spot on and I had noticed it too, and it actually seemed out of character to me, because I actually think Ant has generally looked quite engaged on defense this season...I almost wondered if he was tired on the second half of a back to back (he certainly proved that wasn't true in the 4th quarter!). I divide ineffective defenders into two categories...those who just don't care, and those work who hard but just don't get it. Q posted about Beasley once, and how he seems so active on defense with such horrible results. I have Ant in this category too. But I also see him as a sponge when it comes to learning...its fun to watch him tuned in and taking everything in when Finch pulls him aside, when Ricky makes a point of teaching on the court, heck, even when Rob Cunningham takes the time to instruct Ant on how to "cleanse" to avoid a 3-second call (how great was that moment in Saturday's game...you gotta love Roco!). I think this kid is the real deal, and has the potential to become a true 2-way star. How much effort he puts in on defense and how willing he is to learn will determine whether he ends up closer to Zach Lavine or Kawhi Leonard. I think he is going to end up closer to Kawhi than Zach.

I do want to say I thought his defensive intensity got better as the game went on. He wasn't getting foul call he though he deserved early in the game and he complained to the refs and then he was super lazy on rotations on D. I legit think Vandy was trying to guard his guy and Ant guy in the possession I made the post. Ant did guard Lillard for 2 possessions down the stretch that were successful so he did pick it up. I don't think Ant will ever be a stud on the defensive end but think he can be league average and have elite moments on that end

I agree that his intensity improved as the game went on. It was notable though that we made a nice run when our defense tightened when Ant was on the bench late 3rd quarter and early 4th quarter. And then Ant came in and put the icing on the cake with his 4th quarter scoring. I thought Finch used him exactly right.

I might be a little more optimistic than you on Ant's defensive ceiling, kek. While his rotations are maddening at times and his effort was lacking at times last night, his on-ball defense is already pretty good...yeah, like his D on Lillard late in the game that you noticed. And while he is out of position often, I've also noticed an uptick in steals and deflections due to his athleticism and active hands. If he can become an average defender like you say, he will be an all-star. But even though his defense is abominable right now, he's only 19 and doesn't appear to have been coached very well as a teenager on D. There's a chance he could actually become a very good defender in my perhaps overly-optimistic opinion.

[kekgeek]

Anthony Edwards under Finch

22 pts 6 rebs 2.5 asts on 40/32/81 splits.

Not bad not bad

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think Ant may ultimately be a bit like Wiggins on defense. Sometimes gets a little lost and lazy, but has the strength, size, and athleticism to man up and not be a target of switch hunting offenses always looking for the mismatch.

The real bread and butter for Ant will be his ability to get more efficient on offense. That is by far his #1 key to being a positive player. He still misses too damn much. Last night was the exception.