CoolBreeze's 2 Things I Didn't Like Tonight Plus 1

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think the other thing that deserves mentioning is the way Rubio set the tone in the first quarter. He was absolutely slicing and dicing the Lakers defense to bits, either scoring for himself or setting up others for easy baskets. Then, as is his tendency, he became less aggressive in looking for his shot as the game wore on and let others take over.

We are currently ranked 3rd in Offensive Rating in the NBA. How many points Rubio and Dunn scores is not very relevant people if they are quarterbacking a Top Five offense!

[Wile E Coyote [enjin:17432808]]

Good points Q. I feel like this year we will discuss the offense a lot because
[list=1]
[*] It is easier to understand as a fan
[*] It is more fun to discuss
[/list]

However, I think the team's record this year is going to hinge on their ability to defend. We have enough talented scorers. We need the ability to get stops, especially in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks Cool. Your performance in delivering the 2+1 remains inconsistent this year, but we all appreciate when you show up to play.

I think one of the things we'd all hoped for from Wiggins was improves scoring efficiency, and to date he has certainly delivered that. The 3 point shooting will probably cool off to a degree, but he seems to have made major strides this year.

Perhaps we all need to be more prepared for bumps along the way. Things rarely go in straight lines in terms of development. With KAT this year, and the Wolves record (it was easy to think 500 ball the last 20 games would continue to trend up on a linear fashion) and probably with Wiggins last year. Sometimes our straight line expectations are unrealistic. But that doesn't mean progress isn't being made. Really happy to bank a good win and a great game from Drew.

Great point about it not being realistic to expect straight line development. There will be ups and downs. It's the overall trend line that matters and we need a much bigger sample size this season to get a sense of that.

[AbeVigodaLive]

...

But I'm glad the injuries forced Thibs' hand and led him to what I've been advocating for several months...Wig at the 2. With his improved ball handling and long distance, there's no question in my mind that his position needs to be SG. Not only did he score 47 points tonight, but his length makes him so much more effective on defense...he frustrated Nick Young all night. And his 4 rebounds is just fine for a SG (but would be substandard for a SF).

...

And isn't that a big part of what this season is about? Almost everybody believes the Wolves have a nice foundation to build on. But is it top-heavy? Or skewed a certain way? Are skills/talents redundant?

For example, let's just say for argument's sake that the Wolves are simply a better team with Wiggins at the 2 for the length it gives them and for the defense advantages. Is it as simple as moving LaVine to the bench? Maybe. Maybe not. He's a very promising offensive talent too and not many young guys looking to "get theirs" are willing to make that kind of sacrifice before getting paid. And then if he's the first combo guy off the bench... where does that put prized rookie, Dunn?

Can Bjelica play the 3 consistently? Are there guys out there who can be had for either Dunn or LaVine who would fit "better" with this team?

I think most of us expected personnel changes in one way or another amid the changing NBA landscape and with a new regime in charge. I think most of us are thankful they weren't made in haste. But that doesn't mean they aren't coming... at some point.

It's actually kind of fun to see how things are developing organically at this point.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

...

But I'm glad the injuries forced Thibs' hand and led him to what I've been advocating for several months...Wig at the 2. With his improved ball handling and long distance, there's no question in my mind that his position needs to be SG. Not only did he score 47 points tonight, but his length makes him so much more effective on defense...he frustrated Nick Young all night. And his 4 rebounds is just fine for a SG (but would be substandard for a SF).

...

And isn't that a big part of what this season is about? Almost everybody believes the Wolves have a nice foundation to build on. But is it top-heavy? Or skewed a certain way? Are skills/talents redundant?

For example, let's just say for argument's sake that the Wolves are simply a better team with Wiggins at the 2 for the length it gives them and for the defense advantages. Is it as simple as moving LaVine to the bench? Maybe. Maybe not. He's a very promising offensive talent too and not many young guys looking to "get theirs" are willing to make that kind of sacrifice before getting paid. And then if he's the first combo guy off the bench... where does that put prized rookie, Dunn?

Can Bjelica play the 3 consistently? Are there guys out there who can be had for either Dunn or LaVine who would fit "better" with this team?

I think most of us expected personnel changes in one way or another amid the changing NBA landscape and with a new regime in charge. I think most of us are thankful they weren't made in haste. But that doesn't mean they aren't coming... at some point.

It's actually kind of fun to see how things are developing organically at this point.

Couldn't agree with you more Abe. I think Thibs and Layden are going to have a ton of options this offseason to upgrade the team in one, two, or three key spots.

One guy I'm intrigued by that probably wouldn't cost us much is Robert Covington of the Sixers. He's one of these under-the-radar 3 & D guys that would seem to benefit by playing on a team where his role is much more narrow and focused. I could see him very easily sliding into that SF starting role with Wiggins at the SG.

[AbeVigodaLive]

...

But I'm glad the injuries forced Thibs' hand and led him to what I've been advocating for several months...Wig at the 2. With his improved ball handling and long distance, there's no question in my mind that his position needs to be SG. Not only did he score 47 points tonight, but his length makes him so much more effective on defense...he frustrated Nick Young all night. And his 4 rebounds is just fine for a SG (but would be substandard for a SF).

...

And isn't that a big part of what this season is about? Almost everybody believes the Wolves have a nice foundation to build on. But is it top-heavy? Or skewed a certain way? Are skills/talents redundant?

For example, let's just say for argument's sake that the Wolves are simply a better team with Wiggins at the 2 for the length it gives them and for the defense advantages. Is it as simple as moving LaVine to the bench? Maybe. Maybe not. He's a very promising offensive talent too and not many young guys looking to "get theirs" are willing to make that kind of sacrifice before getting paid. And then if he's the first combo guy off the bench... where does that put prized rookie, Dunn?

Can Bjelica play the 3 consistently? Are there guys out there who can be had for either Dunn or LaVine who would fit "better" with this team?

I think most of us expected personnel changes in one way or another amid the changing NBA landscape and with a new regime in charge. I think most of us are thankful they weren't made in haste. But that doesn't mean they aren't coming... at some point.

It's actually kind of fun to see how things are developing organically at this point.

Couldn't agree with you more Abe. I think Thibs and Layden are going to have a ton of options this offseason to upgrade the team in one, two, or three key spots.

One guy I'm intrigued by that probably wouldn't cost us much is Robert Covington of the Sixers. He's one of these under-the-radar 3 & D guys that would seem to benefit by playing on a team where his role is much more narrow and focused. I could see him very easily sliding into that SF starting role with Wiggins at the SG.

I haven't seen enough of Covington to give much analysis. But I do know I've either picked him up or dropped him from fantasy hoops approximately 219 times over the past three seasons.

Maybe more stability around him would help him be more consistent as well. He shoots a ton of 3s at a slightly above average clip (prior to this season). And he gets a ton of steals. I don't know if that's from excessive and ill-advised gambling though. Tough to gauge guys on such crappy teams sometimes.

[Coolbreeze44]

...

But I'm glad the injuries forced Thibs' hand and led him to what I've been advocating for several months...Wig at the 2. With his improved ball handling and long distance, there's no question in my mind that his position needs to be SG. Not only did he score 47 points tonight, but his length makes him so much more effective on defense...he frustrated Nick Young all night. And his 4 rebounds is just fine for a SG (but would be substandard for a SF).

...

And isn't that a big part of what this season is about? Almost everybody believes the Wolves have a nice foundation to build on. But is it top-heavy? Or skewed a certain way? Are skills/talents redundant?

For example, let's just say for argument's sake that the Wolves are simply a better team with Wiggins at the 2 for the length it gives them and for the defense advantages. Is it as simple as moving LaVine to the bench? Maybe. Maybe not. He's a very promising offensive talent too and not many young guys looking to "get theirs" are willing to make that kind of sacrifice before getting paid. And then if he's the first combo guy off the bench... where does that put prized rookie, Dunn?

Can Bjelica play the 3 consistently? Are there guys out there who can be had for either Dunn or LaVine who would fit "better" with this team?

I think most of us expected personnel changes in one way or another amid the changing NBA landscape and with a new regime in charge. I think most of us are thankful they weren't made in haste. But that doesn't mean they aren't coming... at some point.

It's actually kind of fun to see how things are developing organically at this point.

Good post. The one thing Thibs has is the benefit of time. Flip had it, but Sam of course didn't. So Thibs is able to take his time and do some experimenting to see what will actually work. As fans we've grown attached to the youthful promise on this team. I'm sure a lot of us would have angst over seeing one or more of our youthful core used to make the team better. But I think nothing is off the table. I wouldn't expect KAT or Wig to go anywhere, but there really isn't anybody else who you would deem unmovable. This team as constructed today cannot win a title by merely staying together and maturing. There are some pieces we don't have, and some pieces that aren't perfect fits. The key is Thayden taking their time and making the right moves at the right time. I wish I could tell you what those moves are. But a couple things are clear to me: 1) We need an enforcer - preferably at the 4 or 5. 2) Ricky and Dunn are not long term fits together. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on how these eventually get rectified.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Abe, I haven't seen a ton of Covington, but I think he's just one of these guys that has a nose for sniffing out steals as opposed to excessive gambling. His DRPM was one of the best in the league for small forwards last year (and yes, I know that can be noisy). And throughout his entire career, his team's D-rating has always been better with him on the court versus off.

He also averages a couple more boards per game (when normalized for minutes) as compared to Wiggins. So he sort of checks the box in terms of the kind of player you'd like next to Wiggins in a more traditional starting lineup with Wiggins at the 2.

[Duke13]

Wow, this is moving fast. Lavine scores 37 a couple games again and is playing beautifully. Yea he still has strides to make in defense but now everyone wants him coming off the bench or moved to make room for Wig at the 2. It's one game. Btw, Wig was scoring pretty well prior to last game and efficiently also.

I know I've been quick to make judgements, most recently with Dunn. But cmon, Zach and Wig are a great pairing. Talk about jumping to conclusion on thier ability to play defense together. It's been 6-7 games under a new coach for a pair of 20-21 year olds.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Wow, this is moving fast. Lavine scores 37 a couple games again and is playing beautifully. Yea he still has strides to make in defense but now everyone wants him coming off the bench or moved to make room for Wig at the 2. It's one game. Btw, Wig was scoring pretty well prior to last game and efficiently also.

I know I've been quick to make judgements, most recently with Dunn. But cmon, Zach and Wig are a great pairing. Talk about jumping to conclusion on thier ability to play defense together. It's been 6-7 games under a new coach for a pair of 20-21 year olds.

I think it's more spit balling versus torches and pitchforks demanding a change.

The fact is we suck defensively and are especially vulnerable to teams that are bigger and stronger. We get pushed around easily. It's easy to see why someone might speculate on the notion of moving LaVine to the bench in order to make our starting lineup bigger and stronger.

I doubt Thibs makes any immediate changes, nor should he. I agree it's too early, but speculation is what we do here....