Rudy Gobert

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think the biggest thing to worry about with Rudy and KAT is late game matchups against teams that tend to rely a lot more on off-ball motion and 3-point shooting. Think Golden State with Draymond at Center, Wiggins at PF, Klay at SF, Poole at SG, and Curry at PG. Yes, they are small and may get killed on the glass, but I don't think they care if they are able to spring free for good 3-point looks. The fact is there will be times where KAT or Gobert will need to rotate and close out on shooters. They will be a split-second slower in doing so vs. a wing or guard and that could be all the difference between a 30% 3-pt shot and a 40% 3-pt shot.

For me, that's not a real worry. I actually hope teams like Golden State continue to play small-ball against a Towns/Gobert frontcourt. I'll gladly take the big advantage on the offensive and defensive glass, and second chance points. All you can do is try to contest the shooter on those plays you specified, but even still that shooter has to make the shot. It's not a guarantee they will, especially if we're talking about average shooters.

[Q-is-here]

I think the biggest thing to worry about with Rudy and KAT is late game matchups against teams that tend to rely a lot more on off-ball motion and 3-point shooting. Think Golden State with Draymond at Center, Wiggins at PF, Klay at SF, Poole at SG, and Curry at PG. Yes, they are small and may get killed on the glass, but I don't think they care if they are able to spring free for good 3-point looks. The fact is there will be times where KAT or Gobert will need to rotate and close out on shooters. They will be a split-second slower in doing so vs. a wing or guard and that could be all the difference between a 30% 3-pt shot and a 40% 3-pt shot.

For me, that's not a real worry. I actually hope teams like Golden State continue to play small-ball against a Towns/Gobert frontcourt. I'll gladly take the big advantage on the offensive and defensive glass, and second chance points. All you can do is try to contest the shooter on those plays you specified, but even still that shooter has to make the shot. It's not a guarantee they will, especially if we're talking about average shooters.

But I'm not talking about average shooters. I think our overall size and talent will help us win more than our fair share of games. I'm talking about playoff basketball, especially the WC-semis and beyond. Golden State is one team that can spread us the hell out while also still holding their own on the other end. Not sure how much we could play KAT and Rudy together in the 4th quarter of those kinds of games.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think the biggest thing to worry about with Rudy and KAT is late game matchups against teams that tend to rely a lot more on off-ball motion and 3-point shooting. Think Golden State with Draymond at Center, Wiggins at PF, Klay at SF, Poole at SG, and Curry at PG. Yes, they are small and may get killed on the glass, but I don't think they care if they are able to spring free for good 3-point looks. The fact is there will be times where KAT or Gobert will need to rotate and close out on shooters. They will be a split-second slower in doing so vs. a wing or guard and that could be all the difference between a 30% 3-pt shot and a 40% 3-pt shot.

For me, that's not a real worry. I actually hope teams like Golden State continue to play small-ball against a Towns/Gobert frontcourt. I'll gladly take the big advantage on the offensive and defensive glass, and second chance points. All you can do is try to contest the shooter on those plays you specified, but even still that shooter has to make the shot. It's not a guarantee they will, especially if we're talking about average shooters.

But I'm not talking about average shooters. I think our overall size and talent will help us win more than our fair share of games. I'm talking about playoff basketball, especially the WC-semis and beyond. Golden State is one team that can spread us the hell out while also still holding their own on the other end. Not sure how much we could play KAT and Rudy together in the 4th quarter of those kinds of games.

What I said translates to playoff basketball as well. Outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson you shouldn't really be fearful of any shooter on Golden State's roster. Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and the rest of the bunch are average or slightly above average -- as well as streaky. I'll gladly take my chances with their supporting cast launching threes while the Timberwolves add extra possessions in the form of offensive rebounds and second chance points, and a threatening offense of their own.

Not to mention, the Warriors' style of play will remain the same regardless of how the Timberwolves try to counter. That's who they are. It's better that they not try to out-shoot them or even match going small. They need to pound them on the interior and win in other categories. Playing big gives them the better chance at that.

[Q-is-here]

I think the biggest thing to worry about with Rudy and KAT is late game matchups against teams that tend to rely a lot more on off-ball motion and 3-point shooting. Think Golden State with Draymond at Center, Wiggins at PF, Klay at SF, Poole at SG, and Curry at PG. Yes, they are small and may get killed on the glass, but I don't think they care if they are able to spring free for good 3-point looks. The fact is there will be times where KAT or Gobert will need to rotate and close out on shooters. They will be a split-second slower in doing so vs. a wing or guard and that could be all the difference between a 30% 3-pt shot and a 40% 3-pt shot.

For me, that's not a real worry. I actually hope teams like Golden State continue to play small-ball against a Towns/Gobert frontcourt. I'll gladly take the big advantage on the offensive and defensive glass, and second chance points. All you can do is try to contest the shooter on those plays you specified, but even still that shooter has to make the shot. It's not a guarantee they will, especially if we're talking about average shooters.

But I'm not talking about average shooters. I think our overall size and talent will help us win more than our fair share of games. I'm talking about playoff basketball, especially the WC-semis and beyond. Golden State is one team that can spread us the hell out while also still holding their own on the other end. Not sure how much we could play KAT and Rudy together in the 4th quarter of those kinds of games.

What I said translates to playoff basketball as well. Outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson you shouldn't really be fearful of any shooter on Golden State's roster. Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and the rest of the bunch are average or slightly above average -- as well as streaky. I'll gladly take my chances with their supporting cast launching threes while the Timberwolves add extra possessions in the form of offensive rebounds and second chance points, and a threatening offense of their own.

Not to mention, the Warriors' style of play will remain the same regardless of how the Timberwolves try to counter. That's who they are. It's better that they not try to out-shoot them or even match going small. They need to pound them on the interior and win in other categories. Playing big gives them the better chance at that.

I'm fearful of Jordan Poole for sure. He turned himself into one of the best shooters in the NBA over the course of last season. The guy we saw early in the season was not the same guy that was absolutely lethal late in the season and into the playoffs. Wiggins can now make the open 3 more consistently than he ever did with Minnesota (of COURSE!), but yeah, he's not a scare-the-crap out of you shooter. The other three are IMO.

Regardless, let's go out and win 50+ games this season and then we can argue about how we stack up in the playoffs!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'm a fan of Jordan Poole dating back to his college days at Michigan, but I can't see how you would consider him one of the best shooters in the NBA. Outside of March where he went bonkers shooting 44.4-percent over a 16-game stretch, Poole shot 33.6-percent from the perimeter in the other 60 games. That's more in line with the 35.1-percent he shot in 51 games in 2020. He's a decent player, a streaky shooter, but not one that I'd worry about beating me. He's no Desmond Bane!

[Monster]

I'm a fan of Jordan Poole dating back to his college days at Michigan, but I can't see how you would consider him one of the best shooters in the NBA. Outside of March where he went bonkers shooting 44.4-percent over a 16-game stretch, Poole shot 33.6-percent from the perimeter in the other 60 games. That's more in line with the 35.1-percent he shot in 51 games in 2020. He's a decent player, a streaky shooter, but not one that I'd worry about beating me. He's no Desmond Bane!

I would say that Poole (also was a fan of him coming out of Michigan) has continued to trend up over his career so he may be a guy you have to worry about from 3 in the playoffs and it does look like he is heading that way but he hasn't really proven that yet. I'm not sure what has gotten into Q lately he is crowning some guys as awesome after just a few months of good play. Imposter?!? :)

[FNG]

I don't know if this belongs in a Gobert thread or a Russell thread, but I found this thread first.

I just got home after listening to Jonny Athletic on Barreiro's show, and his comments after spending yesterday at media day were as positive as any I have heard. Like much of the local media, Jon has always been luke-warm on DLo , but his comments today really got me excited for the upcoming season. He said he was talking with DLo and Gobert yesterday, and as he was asking "How long do you think it will take to develop chemistry with each other", one or the other of them answered "Today!"...even before Jon could finish his question! Jon got the feeling that these guys have been working out together, and are genuinely excited about teaming up and could really be something special. He said there's no question that Rudy is fired up about being here, and has set some lofty goals for the season.

He went on to talk about how Russell is perceived around the league. He said the general consensus around the league is that he is a "stat guy" who hasn't done a good job of making his teams better...I think a majority of us share that thought. He went on to say "He's not an elite shooter, he's not an elite penetrator...BUT...he is an elite passer". And this is where he starts to get excited about this year's team...and I do too. He thinks DLo is a smart basketball guy, and that he understands his ticket to a big contract extension is not as a scorer, but as a facilitator. I agree, and if DLo buys into that role, he could really make this offense tick. We know KAT and Ant will score, but I also think the Russell/Gobert combination might turn Rudy into an efficient 18-20 point scorer. When I think about how Russell developed last year in getting pocket passes to Naz for easy buckets, the same skill could turn Gobert into a scoring force.

Who knows...maybe it's just media day hype, and rubes like me tend to buy into it. But Jonny Athletic's comments seemed quite a bit more optimistic about this squad than what I have heard from him in the past. If anyone else heard the interview, let me know if you heard it differently.

[Q-is-here]

FNG, I listened to the interview and yeah, Jon K. sounded pretty optimistic about things, but as you said, that is not unusual in the opening week of training camp. Gobert's answer was just fodder for the press. How does he really know yet?

I do agree with Dan B. that an idealized version of DLO is one that focuses primarily on being an orchestrator of the offense, with less focus as a scorer. We have two alpha scorers in KAT and Ant plus an elite rim roller in Gobert. Then you have an emerging scorer in Nowell coming off the bench. DLO does not need to take more than 11 or 12 shots a game on most nights. He needs to become more of a Chris Paul/Mike Conley type PG offensively. He'll help us a lot more setting up others and scoring when the defense gives him space versus taking leaning 19-footers that have a 35% chance of going in.

[FNG]

FNG, I listened to the interview and yeah, Jon K. sounded pretty optimistic about things, but as you said, that is not unusual in the opening week of training camp. Gobert's answer was just fodder for the press. How does he really know yet?

I do agree with Dan B. that an idealized version of DLO is one that focuses primarily on being an orchestrator of the offense, with less focus as a scorer. We have two alpha scorers in KAT and Ant plus an elite rim roller in Gobert. Then you have an emerging scorer in Nowell coming off the bench. DLO does not need to take more than 11 or 12 shots a game on most nights. He needs to become more of a Chris Paul/Mike Conley type PG offensively. He'll help us a lot more setting up others and scoring when the defense gives him space versus taking leaning 19-footers that have a 35% chance of going in.

Q, my sense is that Gobert is a little more straightforward than the usual cliche-spewing NBA player. Apparently they have had a couple practices, and he is practically gushing about working with Russell in the PnR. The quote is today's paper was something like: There were a couple times I didn't think he could even find me, but he delivered the ball.

The pocket pass was a skill I thought DLo really made some strides in last season, and I agree with Jonny Athletic that he is an elite passer...can't wait to see how it works out with Rudy.

And yeah, I totally agree with you on the role that Russell must take this season. I'm guardedly optimistic that he will embrace the facilitator role, and if he doesn't, I'm confident Finch will keep him on a short leash. As others have said, Finchie isn't afraid to hold players accountable.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'm more and more convinced that some here simply didn't watch D'Angelo Russell very much, if at all, before he was traded to Minnesota. He's always been a high-level passer. That's always been in his bag. I'm glad there's been growth in recognizing that, but it's a little late in his career.

I'll also add that the Timberwolves can't afford for Russell to shrink himself into a low usage player. Not only does he need to keep himself in rhythm, but it's his ability to score AND create opportunities for teammates that makes him an affective ball-handler. They need him to take shots and present himself as a scoring threat, which he is. Reducing him to a Tyus Jones or Lonzo Ball on that end is gross mismanagement of his individual skills and would likely have an adverse impact on the team.

By the way, his usage rate was 25.1 last season. The league average for point guards last season was 21.5. He's right where he should be given his responsibilities. Thankfully, the Timberwolves acquired an elite screen-setter and rim-roller in Rudy Gobert that will assuredly open up even more passing lanes for Russell. As long as Russell stays relatively healthy and regresses back to the three-point shooter he's been the last handful of years, especially off the catch, then he should be in line for a really good campaign. All the pieces are in place for him.