Camden wrote:I've mentioned this in past threads, but the defensive scheme Minnesota plays will likely be tethered to the personnel on the floor. Rather, as a team, I think they'll cycle through drop coverage, hedge-and-recover, and even zone. That's a good thing as it makes them more versatile defensively and gives them more options to throw at opposing teams, especially in the postseason.
For instance, when Rudy Gobert shares the floor with Karl-Anthony Towns, which we expect to be a significant amount especially late in games, I think we'll predominantly see drop coverage and zone. Gobert on the court without Towns will likely be drop coverage heavy with principles that resemble what Milwaukee plays -- protect the paint and the corners. Towns on the court without Gobert should probably be the more aggressive hedge-and-recover or "high wall" concept given that Towns never grasped drop coverage well, isn't a great rim protector, and is overall better when he's asked to play up.
I also think people are fairly expecting Chris Finch to force D'Angelo Russell to play more at the point of the attack because Patrick Beverley is no longer on the team. I don't think it will play out that way. I think Finch will realize early on that he's better off-ball as a roamer/chaser, communicating what he sees, and playing the passing lanes. That's where Russell can be a clearly positive defender. I'm expecting Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to step up and take on the more difficult backcourt assignments. We've already seen that a little bit with both of them -- specifically, Edwards taking on Ja Morant and Devin Booker and McDaniels taking on everyone from Luka Doncic to Chris Paul. Those two will prove to be keys defensively, I feel.
Great analysis, Cam. I think you're right about how things will play out defensively.
Camden wrote:I've mentioned this in past threads, but the defensive scheme Minnesota plays will likely be tethered to the personnel on the floor. Rather, as a team, I think they'll cycle through drop coverage, hedge-and-recover, and even zone. That's a good thing as it makes them more versatile defensively and gives them more options to throw at opposing teams, especially in the postseason.
For instance, when Rudy Gobert shares the floor with Karl-Anthony Towns, which we expect to be a significant amount especially late in games, I think we'll predominantly see drop coverage and zone. Gobert on the court without Towns will likely be drop coverage heavy with principles that resemble what Milwaukee plays -- protect the paint and the corners. Towns on the court without Gobert should probably be the more aggressive hedge-and-recover or "high wall" concept given that Towns never grasped drop coverage well, isn't a great rim protector, and is overall better when he's asked to play up.
I also think people are fairly expecting Chris Finch to force D'Angelo Russell to play more at the point of the attack because Patrick Beverley is no longer on the team. I don't think it will play out that way. I think Finch will realize early on that he's better off-ball as a roamer/chaser, communicating what he sees, and playing the passing lanes. That's where Russell can be a clearly positive defender. I'm expecting Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to step up and take on the more difficult backcourt assignments. We've already seen that a little bit with both of them -- specifically, Edwards taking on Ja Morant and Devin Booker and McDaniels taking on everyone from Luka Doncic to Chris Paul. Those two will prove to be keys defensively, I feel.
Great analysis, Cam. I think you're right about how things will play out defensively.
I think Finch is challenging Russell on D and also there are gonna be times Russell is gonna have to man up and actually defend someone one on one especially in the playoffs. He doesn't need to be a lock down guy but he needs to be able to provide some solid resistance and his length can help him there. There will also be times Russell can maybe play more aggressively in one way or another since Gobert will be in the floor with him.
I often think back to the Pistons who had a backcourt of Billups and RIP Hamilton who were basically considered bad defenders (Rip was REALLY bad) and then they went to Detroit and played with a HOF defensive center in Ben Wallace and a big versatile defensive player in Tayshaun Price. Being coached by Larry Brown probably didn't hurt either.
Anyway I'm certainly not saying Russell will turn into Billups but he MIGHT be more on that end than we may hope for especially if Edwards becomes a legit 2 way player. I think I'd actually compare Russell more to Rip as Rip was so skinny and Russell does struggle on some level with lack of athleticism and playing strong. There have been plenty of guys that became good/worthwhile defenders that had similar deficiencies. It's not something I'm planning on for Russell but in some ways the stage is set for him to do more. Will he? I'm somewhat interested in finding out. It will be a pleasant surprise if something more happens from him on that end. I think like Q has said a few times Russell is guy that I think we can expect some level of competence and production from...I also think he is still an X factor for the team in what he does as a player and how that fits in with the rest of the roster. There is some legit higher level value I think he can bring the Wolves this season.
