Q-was-here wrote:Just really disappointing to see how badly they are getting smacked around by these teams - Phoenix, Boston, and now Toronto. We are clearly not ready to play with the big boys yet.
Pretty much. I couldn't sit through all of it... turned it off midway through the 3rd. It was obvious where it was going. Just a bad showing.
Even so... while it's obvious the Timberwolves are not good enough to compete with the best teams, the season has shown that they can beat up on the bad teams. THAT'S PROGRESS! You can be a borderline playoff team simply by doing that.
But should the Wolves make it into the playoffs, it will very likely be a quick series.
[Note: Something else to watch in the playoffs? Towns on the bench. In a 5-game stretch vs. depleted GSW, OKC x 2, POR x2... Towns didn't have more than 2 fouls in any game. As soon as the better (smarter) teams came back on the schedule, the offensive fouls have returned.]
Q-was-here wrote:Just really disappointing to see how badly they are getting smacked around by these teams - Phoenix, Boston, and now Toronto. We are clearly not ready to play with the big boys yet.
That is what is disappointing. I think they competed against Phoenix though.
They really miss mcdaniels. Vando has had a good season but don't think he is the long term solution at PF
Agree. I love Vando and think he has really helped us become an average NBA defense. But just too many issues with fumbled passes, bobbled shots near the rim, getting stripped, tumbling to the floor, etc. He needs the NBA version of finishing school if something like that existed because he brings a lot of other important stuff to the table. I think he and Naz could be a really nice combo as our two bench bigs next season.
We need a legit starting big next to KAT. Someone that sets wide screens, carves out space in the paint, puts some pressure on the rim, and absorbs a few fouls that KAT would otherwise get.
Wolves should still look to add another good player to the front court (maybe even 2 guys) but we should also remember this is basically Vanderbilt's 2nd year playing basketball in the NBA. He turns 23 in a few days. What he is or isn't may not have been written yet. Regardless he is easily outplaying his current contract which is big and if the Wolves can get an upgrade or a good player that compliments him this offseason that would be fantastic.
Q-was-here wrote:Just really disappointing to see how badly they are getting smacked around by these teams - Phoenix, Boston, and now Toronto. We are clearly not ready to play with the big boys yet.
That is what is disappointing. I think they competed against Phoenix though.
They really miss mcdaniels. Vando has had a good season but don't think he is the long term solution at PF
Agree. I love Vando and think he has really helped us become an average NBA defense. But just too many issues with fumbled passes, bobbled shots near the rim, getting stripped, tumbling to the floor, etc. He needs the NBA version of finishing school if something like that existed because he brings a lot of other important stuff to the table. I think he and Naz could be a really nice combo as our two bench bigs next season.
We need a legit starting big next to KAT. Someone that sets wide screens, carves out space in the paint, puts some pressure on the rim, and absorbs a few fouls that KAT would otherwise get.
Wolves should still look to add another good player to the front court (maybe even 2 guys) but we should also remember this is basically Vanderbilt's 2nd year playing basketball in the NBA. He turns 23 in a few days. What he is or isn't may not have been written yet. Regardless he is easily outplaying his current contract which is big and if the Wolves can get an upgrade or a good player that compliments him this offseason that would be fantastic.
I don't know Monster.......some of these issues have been dogging Vando since he was in the G-League. It's just that he was so clearly dominant as a rebounder/defender/do-shit guy that the TOs and fumbly hands were a minor blemish. But when the stakes get really and the Wolves are playing against good-to-great teams, they just can't afford all the fumbles, strips, and missed bunnies around the rim. If he isn't able to shoot beyond 3-feet than he's got to be able to catch and finish. I just don't see the growth there.
Again, Vando's my guy - he's a big reason we've gone from bad to decent. He can be a great energy big off the bench.
We're learning some things about this team down the stretch. Yes, it hurts to lose McDaniels. But getting crushed in each of the last two games against Boston and Toronto while giving up a lead in the 4th quarter and losing to Phoenix last week tells a wider tale. What it tells us is that this team, which has had a terrific season, doesn't have the roster it needs to take the next step to becoming a contender. Yes, Edwards should improve a lot over the next couple seasons given his age. And perhaps McDaniels will improve a lot, although that's uncertain. But Vanderbilt is a high-energy backup who can't be considered a starting PF on a championship contender. That's something that has to be fixed. I see it as the top priority - getting a good starting PF who can rebound, defend and add some toughness to the roster. I still want to see Vanderbilt as part of the rotation, but I don't think it makes sense to move forward counting on him to be this team's starting PF. Not sure what other roster changes need to happen. The team doesn't need a major overhaul by any stretch. But it needs one or two significant tweaks.
Sagacious Magnanimous wrote:I wish someone else on the team was consistently good like Kat. Ant is not there yet. DLo always has cold patches. It's gotta be frustrating for Kat. It'll be interesting how Kat responds during the playoffs or play-ins this year. The Houston playoff series was like his only bad stretch.
Well, it's ultimately gotta be Ant. He's still so damn young though and we just don't know if he'll hit his ceiling. But his ceiling is better than KAT and that is still very exciting.
Q-was-here wrote:Just really disappointing to see how badly they are getting smacked around by these teams - Phoenix, Boston, and now Toronto. We are clearly not ready to play with the big boys yet.
That is what is disappointing. I think they competed against Phoenix though.
They really miss mcdaniels. Vando has had a good season but don't think he is the long term solution at PF
Agree. I love Vando and think he has really helped us become an average NBA defense. But just too many issues with fumbled passes, bobbled shots near the rim, getting stripped, tumbling to the floor, etc. He needs the NBA version of finishing school if something like that existed because he brings a lot of other important stuff to the table. I think he and Naz could be a really nice combo as our two bench bigs next season.
We need a legit starting big next to KAT. Someone that sets wide screens, carves out space in the paint, puts some pressure on the rim, and absorbs a few fouls that KAT would otherwise get.
Wolves should still look to add another good player to the front court (maybe even 2 guys) but we should also remember this is basically Vanderbilt's 2nd year playing basketball in the NBA. He turns 23 in a few days. What he is or isn't may not have been written yet. Regardless he is easily outplaying his current contract which is big and if the Wolves can get an upgrade or a good player that compliments him this offseason that would be fantastic.
I don't know Monster.......some of these issues have been dogging Vando since he was in the G-League. It's just that he was so clearly dominant as a rebounder/defender/do-shit guy that the TOs and fumbly hands were a minor blemish. But when the stakes get really and the Wolves are playing against good-to-great teams, they just can't afford all the fumbles, strips, and missed bunnies around the rim. If he isn't able to shoot beyond 3-feet than he's got to be able to catch and finish. I just don't see the growth there.
Again, Vando's my guy - he's a big reason we've gone from bad to decent. He can be a great energy big off the bench.
I'm very aware of all his flaws from the G-league and what people in Denver said about him when we acquired him. Still he has made some impressive strides some in areas that he theoretically should be good at but wasn't as a young player but again he had hardly played high level banks all for years. Vanderbilt is already a good defensive player but what if he makes another leap and becomes a DPOY type defender? I think that potential could be there if that's the case how much better would have to get with his hands and finishing on offense to be a starting level player? Again I'm not saying I'm banking on Vanderbilt being a starting level player with his flaws but I also think it's too early in his career to say he can't take more steps forward. I've always been very high on Vanderbilt while also being realistic about where he was at the time of his development. There still COULD be more room to grow.
Sagacious Magnanimous wrote:I wish someone else on the team was consistently good like Kat. Ant is not there yet. DLo always has cold patches. It's gotta be frustrating for Kat. It'll be interesting how Kat responds during the playoffs or play-ins this year. The Houston playoff series was like his only bad stretch.
Well, it's ultimately gotta be Ant. He's still so damn young though and we just don't know if he'll hit his ceiling. But his ceiling is better than KAT and that is still very exciting.
What excites me about Edwards is that it seems like this season he has become a guy that gives you something most nights at least on the defensive end. That growth is huge. It seems pretty likely he is going to be a really good offensive player but showing he can be more of an all around guy is a special development.
Q-was-here wrote:Just really disappointing to see how badly they are getting smacked around by these teams - Phoenix, Boston, and now Toronto. We are clearly not ready to play with the big boys yet.
That is what is disappointing. I think they competed against Phoenix though.
They really miss mcdaniels. Vando has had a good season but don't think he is the long term solution at PF
Agree. I love Vando and think he has really helped us become an average NBA defense. But just too many issues with fumbled passes, bobbled shots near the rim, getting stripped, tumbling to the floor, etc. He needs the NBA version of finishing school if something like that existed because he brings a lot of other important stuff to the table. I think he and Naz could be a really nice combo as our two bench bigs next season.
We need a legit starting big next to KAT. Someone that sets wide screens, carves out space in the paint, puts some pressure on the rim, and absorbs a few fouls that KAT would otherwise get.
Wolves should still look to add another good player to the front court (maybe even 2 guys) but we should also remember this is basically Vanderbilt's 2nd year playing basketball in the NBA. He turns 23 in a few days. What he is or isn't may not have been written yet. Regardless he is easily outplaying his current contract which is big and if the Wolves can get an upgrade or a good player that compliments him this offseason that would be fantastic.
I don't know Monster.......some of these issues have been dogging Vando since he was in the G-League. It's just that he was so clearly dominant as a rebounder/defender/do-shit guy that the TOs and fumbly hands were a minor blemish. But when the stakes get really and the Wolves are playing against good-to-great teams, they just can't afford all the fumbles, strips, and missed bunnies around the rim. If he isn't able to shoot beyond 3-feet than he's got to be able to catch and finish. I just don't see the growth there.
Again, Vando's my guy - he's a big reason we've gone from bad to decent. He can be a great energy big off the bench.
I'm very aware of all his flaws from the G-league and what people in Denver said about him when we acquired him. Still he has made some impressive strides some in areas that he theoretically should be good at but wasn't as a young player but again he had hardly played high level banks all for years. Vanderbilt is already a good defensive player but what if he makes another leap and becomes a DPOY type defender? I think that potential could be there if that's the case how much better would have to get with his hands and finishing on offense to be a starting level player? Again I'm not saying I'm banking on Vanderbilt being a starting level player with his flaws but I also think it's too early in his career to say he can't take more steps forward. I've always been very high on Vanderbilt while also being realistic about where he was at the time of his development. There still COULD be more room to grow.
That's a HUGE leap. And "better hands" isn't necessarily a skilled learned with age and experience. It's probably not a great bet on happening.
Meanwhile, every other team in the league is also hoping it's youngish players suddenly make a huge leap. And many of those guys have demonstrated those skills and just haven't quite put it together yet. Vanderbilt has not even shown flashes of those skills yet.
I like him. I like him on the team. And he's getting better at some things like his free throws. But I'm not counting on him being anything more than an energy and defense guy off the bench. If he becomes something more... cool. But the smart bet is to assume it won't happen.
