Hicks123 wrote:Man, the Okogie love is getting crazy! You would think this guy is posted regular 20-10 stats the way he is discussed around here. I get the optimism, as he has shown some hustle and energy, but the guy is shooting 37% and averaging just over 2 rpg the past 5 games.
I guess the thing that gets me most with this guy is everybody getting on Thibs for not utilizing him more at the end of a couple games. While his calling card is defense in the future, my guess is that he (like other rookies) is fairly undisciplined at times, and Thibs probably trusts other guys with a longer track records in specific situations. I think Okogie has a chance to be that guy closing games as a defender, but that may not be deserved just yet.
Actually, Okogie is averaging 2.8 rebounds per game in his last five games. That's not "just over three." :) That's essentially 3 per game. That's 5 boards per game on a 35-minute per game basis. Not bad. His shooting remains a work in progress. His percentage would be much higher if his perimeter shots were limited primarily to catch-and-shoot jumpers.
I agree Okogie shouldn't necessarily be closing games as a general matter. But I thought he should have stayed on the floor the other night against the Pelicans because of how well he was playing that game and how well the team performed when he was on the floor. That doesn't necessarily mean he should be out there to close games all the time. Thibodeau's inflexibility and failure to adapt to the situation was my beef regarding the use of Okogie in that game. It's a common problem with Thibodeau's coaching - not limited to Okogie.
I do think Thibodeau should make sure Okogie is a major part of the rotation and I think his minutes should be in the 20-25 minute range, going up from there if his shooting improves. My thinking is two-fold. First, Okogie makes the team better when he's on the floor. You have to watch him play game in and game out to see that impact, which stems from his hustle, disruptive defense, constant movement, high energy and really good instincts. He makes amazingly good decisions for a rookie and never stalls the ball. He makes quick decisions and has a great nose for the ball. He's already our best player at getting to loose balls. Second, he needs more PT to further his development. A lot of fans on this board criticize the Wolves for poor player development. The key to player development is time on the court. There's no escaping that fact. If we want to see player development on this team, then talented rookies like Okogie need more playing time than they would otherwise get based on their current stats if they were seasoned vets. We can't have it both ways, complaining about the lack of player development but not wanting to live with the growing pains that rookies exhibit on the court.
I love Derrick Rose and I can see playing Teague and Rose together. But neither one is the future of this team. And it's all about the future. I'd like to see the Wolves make the playoffs this season, but that's a tall order given the strength of the West and the Wolves' slow start. In any event, making the playoffs this season would mean a 7th or 8th seed and quick first-round exit. I'm not suggesting the Wolves tank the season. But while attempting to win every game, the Wolves have to keep one eye fixed towards the future. In my view, that means more playing time for Okogie and Saric than might otherwise be warranted. It means running the offense more through KAT. It means learning how to use Wiggins more effectively given his terrible ball-handling skills. It means more playing time for Tyus so he can play through and hopefully get out of his current funk and pick up where he left off late last season. It even means more minutes for Gorgui to see how much value we can get out of his fairly big still long-term contract.
Three years from now, Teague, Rose and Gibson will be gone. The Wolves organization, top to bottom, including the head coach, needs to keep that in mind as we move forward this season.
