AbeVigodaLive wrote:It's preseason exhibition. So I won't get into much of the details... other than a couple of points...
- It's interesting how you can spot some guys instantly simply by how they're moving. Nowell came out with energy. He was moving with purpose. Maybe a sort of confidence? Even if he wasn't hitting shots, his level of play was noticeable.
- Hey Q... maybe Jeff Adrien can come back for you? It looked like Vanderbilt had never been on a basketball court before. Jumping at the wrong time, running around aimlessly, just... well... looking lost.
[Note: And sometimes in the NBA... it just comes down to luck. Morant was a distant 2nd in the 2019 draft. And... damn... he's so very good. He plays with purpose/energy/conviction/"it"... it's palpable.]
So Vanderbilt had a bit of an off night. I'm calling him tonight, he and I are going through some film together, we're getting him a new emotional support animal, and we'll start with a clean slate. All good!
Hopefully Vando's dobber isn't down after last night, Q. Cheer him up with some stats. He shot 100% from the field, was second on the team in steals, and was an impressive +5 while on the court!
AbeVigodaLive wrote:It's preseason exhibition. So I won't get into much of the details... other than a couple of points...
- It's interesting how you can spot some guys instantly simply by how they're moving. Nowell came out with energy. He was moving with purpose. Maybe a sort of confidence? Even if he wasn't hitting shots, his level of play was noticeable.
- Hey Q... maybe Jeff Adrien can come back for you? It looked like Vanderbilt had never been on a basketball court before. Jumping at the wrong time, running around aimlessly, just... well... looking lost.
[Note: And sometimes in the NBA... it just comes down to luck. Morant was a distant 2nd in the 2019 draft. And... damn... he's so very good. He plays with purpose/energy/conviction/"it"... it's palpable.]
So Vanderbilt had a bit of an off night. I'm calling him tonight, he and I are going through some film together, we're getting him a new emotional support animal, and we'll start with a clean slate. All good!
Hopefully Vando's dobber isn't down after last night, Q. Cheer him up with some stats. He shot 100% from the field, was second on the team in steals, and was an impressive +5 while on the court!
I just noticed the GIF on Hines' twitter showing Edwards first entering the game. interesting that he was put on Morant after neither D-Lo or Beasley had had much success stopping him. Poor rotation decision by Ryan, or evidence that the coaching staff has seen some defensive potential in him?
FNG wrote:I just noticed the GIF on Hines' twitter showing Edwards first entering the game. interesting that he was put on Morant after neither D-Lo or Beasley had had much success stopping him. Poor rotation decision by Ryan, or evidence that the coaching staff has seen some defensive potential in him?
Dunno. The Wolves did the same thing to a young Wiggins.
There was a two-game stretch as a rookie where he guarded Zach Randolph down the stretch one night... and opened the next game vs. Chris Paul.
Both men torched him and the Wolves lost both games, but it was interesting to see them throw him to the fire. I sort of liked it... especially since that was a 60+ loss team either way.
Postgame media availability with Saunders Russell Nowell and Rubio. Know there is dead spots between each one so it's not 28 mins long if you fast forward etc.
Jake Layman was pretty good in this game. He had 2 steals a block and was quite active. One of his transition attacks basically led to a Towns putback. Other guys were pulling down rebounds so I'm not going to worry about that for this game. He just looks like a competent player with actual ability that knows what he is doing. That's pretty valuable if it's the case most nights. For the people that like the stat he led the team with +11. :)
My overall take on the game at a high level was that it reflected a mis-match between the professed style Rosas and Saunders want to play and the characteristics of the rotation players expected to play that style. Rosas continues to stress that the team will play a fast, open court style. Yet, he went out of his way to acquire DLO as his second star and as we all know, DLO doesn't play that style.
DLO is not a full-court run-and-gun player. He's a rather slow methodical half-court player. Even in the half-court, he's not particularly quick to elite at getting to the rim or breaking down defenses. Actually, that's where JMac excels and it's a reason why the Wolves had their best games after the trade deadline last season when JMac played major minutes and had a big role in the offense.
Similarly, KAT is also more of a half-court player. If Rosas wanted a big to play a full-court running game, then Wiseman, who runs the court like a Gazelle, would have been the right pick in this year's draft.
So Rosas has decided to build this team around two players who don't excel at the offensive style he wants the team to play. Even worse, neither of those two players is good defensively. Hard to see how this ends well. But it's early and hope springs eternal, right? :)
lipoli390 wrote:My overall take on the game at a high level was that it reflected a mis-match between the professed style Rosas and Saunders want to play and the characteristics of the rotation players expected to play that style. Rosas continues to stress that the team will play a fast, open court style. Yet, he went out of his way to acquire DLO as his second star and as we all know, DLO doesn't play that style.
DLO is not a full-court run-and-gun player. He's a rather slow methodical half-court player. Even in the half-court, he's not particularly quick to elite at getting to the rim or breaking down defenses. Actually, that's where JMac excels and it's a reason why the Wolves had their best games after the trade deadline last season when JMac played major minutes and had a big role in the offense.
Similarly, KAT is also more of a half-court player. If Rosas wanted a big to play a full-court running game, then Wiseman, who runs the court like a Gazelle, would have been the right pick in this year's draft.
So Rosas has decided to build this team around two players who don't excel at the offensive style he wants the team to play. Even worse, neither of those two players is good defensively. Hard to see how this ends well. But it's early and hope springs eternal, right? :)
Again, we don't want to put too much stock into one play. But there was a moment in the 2nd half where Russell got the outlet pass and Beasley was racing up the sideline just beyond halfcourt... Russell looked him off and deliberately set up the offense. Beasley dropped his hands quickly, took a beat and then ran through the set.
The play actually ended in a three point make by Beasley. BUT... it sure seemed like the best basketball play for a team professing to play fast full-court... an opportunity for a one-on-one toward the hoop... was missed.
Yes. It worked on that play. But also Yes... Russell does not seem to be the ideal ball handler to make that style thrive.
lipoli390 wrote:My overall take on the game at a high level was that it reflected a mis-match between the professed style Rosas and Saunders want to play and the characteristics of the rotation players expected to play that style. Rosas continues to stress that the team will play a fast, open court style. Yet, he went out of his way to acquire DLO as his second star and as we all know, DLO doesn't play that style.
DLO is not a full-court run-and-gun player. He's a rather slow methodical half-court player. Even in the half-court, he's not particularly quick to elite at getting to the rim or breaking down defenses. Actually, that's where JMac excels and it's a reason why the Wolves had their best games after the trade deadline last season when JMac played major minutes and had a big role in the offense.
Similarly, KAT is also more of a half-court player. If Rosas wanted a big to play a full-court running game, then Wiseman, who runs the court like a Gazelle, would have been the right pick in this year's draft.
So Rosas has decided to build this team around two players who don't excel at the offensive style he wants the team to play. Even worse, neither of those two players is good defensively. Hard to see how this ends well. But it's early and hope springs eternal, right? :)
Again, we don't want to put too much stock into one play. But there was a moment in the 2nd half where Russell got the outlet pass and Beasley was racing up the sideline just beyond halfcourt... Russell looked him off and deliberately set up the offense. Beasley dropped his hands quickly, took a beat and then ran through the set.
The play actually ended in a three point make by Beasley. BUT... it sure seemed like the best basketball play for a team professing to play fast full-court... an opportunity for a one-on-one toward the hoop... was missed.
Yes. It worked on that play. But also Yes... Russell does not seem to be the ideal ball handler to make that style thrive.
I remember that player as well. Russell is a half-court PG. That's his natural instinct and, therefore, it wasn't surprising that DLO looked Beasley off and set up the half-court offense in that instance you mentioned. Thibodeau probably would have loved Russell's decision. :) Honestly, I'm not knocking DLO for that decision. It simply illustrates the mismatch between what Rosas purportedly wants and what DLO is naturally suited to deliver.
lipoli390 wrote:My overall take on the game at a high level was that it reflected a mis-match between the professed style Rosas and Saunders want to play and the characteristics of the rotation players expected to play that style. Rosas continues to stress that the team will play a fast, open court style. Yet, he went out of his way to acquire DLO as his second star and as we all know, DLO doesn't play that style.
DLO is not a full-court run-and-gun player. He's a rather slow methodical half-court player. Even in the half-court, he's not particularly quick to elite at getting to the rim or breaking down defenses. Actually, that's where JMac excels and it's a reason why the Wolves had their best games after the trade deadline last season when JMac played major minutes and had a big role in the offense.
Similarly, KAT is also more of a half-court player. If Rosas wanted a big to play a full-court running game, then Wiseman, who runs the court like a Gazelle, would have been the right pick in this year's draft.
So Rosas has decided to build this team around two players who don't excel at the offensive style he wants the team to play. Even worse, neither of those two players is good defensively. Hard to see how this ends well. But it's early and hope springs eternal, right? :)
This is it, we're a supposedly offensive team, but we have a bogged down antiquated approach on the offensive end. Our primary action seems to always breakdown and then the hero ball becomes the 2nd option. I think our biggest deficiency right now is an inexperienced POBO and Coach trying to create a novel system without the history of success. If we wanted to ditch defense we should have just gone after D'antoni when he became available. Whatever Ryan has been trying to do since he took over doesnt look like its working. It really just looks like players doing whatever they want and for the most part neglecting ball movement completely.
