khans2k5 wrote:The problem with the Rubio wrinkle. He is still zero threat to the defense off a pick and he doesn't actually create space with a pick. You get a switch for Wiggins 26ft from the basket. That's pretty much all it accomplishes and it leaves an extra defender close by if Ricky doesn't clear out because they won't stick to him. It's not Kyrie setting picks for Lebron. I thought it put Wiggins in a tougher spot putting a quicker defender on him so far from the basket with his handle. A good team generates turnovers in that situation by attacking Wiggins as a ball handler because you can just leave Ricky. Chandler almost turned him over on that second to last possession if his swipe is on target. It worked on a bad team. A good team eats that action alive defensively.
I slightly disagree but I get your point. How they have been using rubio is putting in the corner allowing rubio defender to sag to the block. Now zach is in that corner and even though he is missing shots right now that defender can't sag off
I liked the last play that they got the ball to Rubio first and then he easily got it to Wiggins. That's not going to work every time but it made sense and was likely un expected by the defense because obviously they wanted to get it to Wiggins.
I think its obvious Thibs REALLY wants the young 3 to get all the experience in these close games (or games period) as possible. Late in the game he could have easily gone with Dunn as it was suggested or even Tyus. To Lavine's credit he made some plays late in the game like that couple of dribbles and then pass to a wide open Wiggins. for 3 off that good ball movement. it wasn't a great night for Lavine but he still hit over half his shots had 4 assists and played better in the 2nd half. Hopefully he can get himself going because the Wolves have been playing better even without him doing his thing for a while.
khans2k5 wrote:The problem with the Rubio wrinkle. He is still zero threat to the defense off a pick and he doesn't actually create space with a pick. You get a switch for Wiggins 26ft from the basket. That's pretty much all it accomplishes and it leaves an extra defender close by if Ricky doesn't clear out because they won't stick to him. It's not Kyrie setting picks for Lebron. I thought it put Wiggins in a tougher spot putting a quicker defender on him so far from the basket with his handle. A good team generates turnovers in that situation by attacking Wiggins as a ball handler because you can just leave Ricky. Chandler almost turned him over on that second to last possession if his swipe is on target. It worked on a bad team. A good team eats that action alive defensively.
You can double wiggins off the screen. The right play would be to pass it back to rubio who should attack the lane and that should draw a big to him leaving towns or dieng open from either side and you have lavine in the corner spoting up for 3. That is how I think it should play out if they double wiggins right off the screen.
They aren't going to jump out on Ricky though. They'll cover the passing lane and cut off his drive because they have the luxury of not needing to fully close out. There isn't a way the offense works well with Ricky out there to close games. It will always be handicapped. Luckily we have some guys who can overcome that handicap because of sheer talent and skill, but it will never be as easy as it should be with Ricky out there.
WildWolf2813 wrote:I don't wanna say they're turning the corner, but man I can definitely see this team looking different lately.
So, so good to see
The defense has been better. For example while it wasn't a terrific effort on that end by any stretch the Suns got to the line a bunch and made their FTs but they only shot 44% from the field. That's pretty good. Chandler and Len combined to go 13-14 and the only other Suns player to shoot above 40% was Knight who went 3-7.
thedoper wrote:Can we finally blame wiggins for something?
Not in this game. He willed us to win. I think the last few games pretty much end the debate on who is our best wing player. I love lavine but wiggins is clearly the better of the 2.
Wait a game or two. Opinions seem to change fast around here. Truth is there was never a real argument, just some strong situational evidence that made Zach look pretty amazing for a bit. I hope the argument does keep happening. Because it will only mean that both continue to improve.
I know some here strongly believes lavine is the better of the two and would give him the 5 year deal instead of wiggins. Nothing wrong with having a different opinion as i love both players. But to me at least, it has never been an argument on who is the better of the two.
yeah I don't know why you would call it situational evidence lol, Wiggins was inconsistent the first 25+ games while Zach flirted with 50/40/90 scoring 20+ a game while taking another step forward every year so far, of course there is an argument Wiggins was just better this time
khans2k5 wrote:The problem with the Rubio wrinkle. He is still zero threat to the defense off a pick and he doesn't actually create space with a pick. You get a switch for Wiggins 26ft from the basket. That's pretty much all it accomplishes and it leaves an extra defender close by if Ricky doesn't clear out because they won't stick to him. It's not Kyrie setting picks for Lebron. I thought it put Wiggins in a tougher spot putting a quicker defender on him so far from the basket with his handle. A good team generates turnovers in that situation by attacking Wiggins as a ball handler because you can just leave Ricky. Chandler almost turned him over on that second to last possession if his swipe is on target. It worked on a bad team. A good team eats that action alive defensively.
You can double wiggins off the screen. The right play would be to pass it back to rubio who should attack the lane and that should draw a big to him leaving towns or dieng open from either side and you have lavine in the corner spoting up for 3. That is how I think it should play out if they double wiggins right off the screen.
They aren't going to jump out on Ricky though. They'll cover the passing lane and cut off his drive because they have the luxury of not needing to fully close out. There isn't a way the offense works well with Ricky out there to close games. It will always be handicapped. Luckily we have some guys who can overcome that handicap because of sheer talent and skill, but it will never be as easy as it should be with Ricky out there.
It probably makes more sense for someone else to look to get open and Rubio screening somebody off the double team. We have seen teams double Steph late in games and make him make the right play. Wiggins isn't Steph, but he is gonna have to learn to pass the ball too. His teammates have to present themselves though as well. I'm really not that concerned with with Rubio being able to be a part or closing out playoff games offensively like is being discussed here. One way or another (including not being on the roster) I don't think he will be put in that situation too much as someone else will be on the floor.
khans2k5 wrote:The problem with the Rubio wrinkle. He is still zero threat to the defense off a pick and he doesn't actually create space with a pick. You get a switch for Wiggins 26ft from the basket. That's pretty much all it accomplishes and it leaves an extra defender close by if Ricky doesn't clear out because they won't stick to him. It's not Kyrie setting picks for Lebron. I thought it put Wiggins in a tougher spot putting a quicker defender on him so far from the basket with his handle. A good team generates turnovers in that situation by attacking Wiggins as a ball handler because you can just leave Ricky. Chandler almost turned him over on that second to last possession if his swipe is on target. It worked on a bad team. A good team eats that action alive defensively.
You can double wiggins off the screen. The right play would be to pass it back to rubio who should attack the lane and that should draw a big to him leaving towns or dieng open from either side and you have lavine in the corner spoting up for 3. That is how I think it should play out if they double wiggins right off the screen.
They aren't going to jump out on Ricky though. They'll cover the passing lane and cut off his drive because they have the luxury of not needing to fully close out. There isn't a way the offense works well with Ricky out there to close games. It will always be handicapped. Luckily we have some guys who can overcome that handicap because of sheer talent and skill, but it will never be as easy as it should be with Ricky out there.
They are not going to let rubio go all the way uncontested though. Even a soft close out by the help defenders on rubio give towns or lavine a step over their defeders and both can do damage even just being slightly open for a few seconds. The key in this is for wiggins to make the right pass if he is doubled. That would make the defense scramble for a while and that should be good enough for us. Its better than rubio in the corner and his man playing a zone on us. Only drawback is it limit towns touches as we saw this game.
OMG what a shot. He gets knocked off balance, has to gather himself, and rise up with one dribble to throw in the dagger. Another great 4th quarter for Andrew. Offense, defense, clutch, he did it all. I couldn't be happier.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:No fouls on Tucker in the game. LMAO
Oh wow that nuts.
That reminds me how upset Tucker was about that out of bounds call where the Wolves threw it away but it bounced off the official and therefore wasn't actually out of play yet but Knight thought it was and so he took the ball out of bounds. Kinda hilarious.
