Post All-Star Starting Five

[Carlos Danger]

I just looked up what our starting 5 guys are averaging since the All-Star Break and thought I'd share:
[table]
[tr]
[th]Player[/th]
[th]Minutes[/th]
[th]Points[/th]
[th]Rebounds[/th]
[th]Assists[/th]
[th]PER[/th]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Towns[/td]
[td]35.7[/td]
[td]20.2[/td]
[td]10.8[/td]
[td]2.9[/td]
[td]21.7[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Wiggins[/td]
[td]34.3[/td]
[td]20.1[/td]
[td]3.4[/td]
[td]2.5[/td]
[td]17.1[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]LaVine[/td]
[td]35.9[/td]
[td]18.2[/td]
[td]3.2[/td]
[td]2.4[/td]
[td]14.9[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Dieng[/td]
[td]32.1[/td]
[td]12.0[/td]
[td]7.5[/td]
[td]2.1[/td]
[td]17.8[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Rubio[/td]
[td]32.0[/td]
[td]11.5[/td]
[td]4.1[/td]
[td]9.6[/td]
[td]18.8[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We've shown previously how this squad has been an NBA top 5 offense over the past 6 weeks or so. Of course, we've been a bottom 5 defense at the same time (actually even worse). But I guess all good teams need to start out doing something well. And for us, it's running a high-powered offense. Now we need to go out and find some defenders and rebounders to add into the mix.

[Coolbreeze44]

I wonder how much we can expect Towns to improve as a rebounder. Can he get to 15 some year? Or is rebounding something that doesn't tend to improve that much?

[Carlos Danger]

We've shown previously how this squad has been an NBA top 5 offense over the past 6 weeks or so. Of course, we've been a bottom 5 defense at the same time (actually even worse). But I guess all good teams need to start out doing something well. And for us, it's running a high-powered offense. Now we need to go out and find some defenders and rebounders to add into the mix.

It's a start. I like the even distribution of scoring among our "Big 3". They each are taking about 14 or 15 shots a game. That works with Rubio/Dieng as those two guys don't need a lot of shots and seem happy to contribute in other ways. As many have said - it's fun to watch now.

And yes, the defense remains problematic. The rebounding has dropped. For the season they are tied for 12th in the NBA in Team Rebounding %. But using games since All-Star, they drop to 27th. Maybe our guys are wearing down as some have suggested. Or maybe we just lack bulk as others suggest. Either way, I don't think we can stand pat and cross our fingers everyone will get better. I think we all agree they need to add some good defenders into the mix. I think the only disagreement seems to be whether those defenders should replace current roster guys or be depth in addition to what we have. I remain in favor of keeping our starting five in tact and adding a couple defensive specialist that can be subbed into the starting five as match ups dictate. We'll see how it all shakes out this off-season I guess.

[TAFKASP]

Carlos, any idea what percentages Rubio is shooting over that period?

[Monster]

I feel like captain obvious here but this team need to add more talent and depth. This franchise has a top draft pick and to add talent and depth doesn't have to give up anything to do that. They can add some solid players in FA even if they don't get a starting level player. They should be able to upgrade from Payne and roster spot to be filled at the very least. That's part of the issue with rebounding as well.

[Carlos Danger]

Carlos, any idea what percentages Rubio is shooting over that period?

SP - It's a bit of a pain to post tables and as it's getting late, I'll take the easy way out and just post a link. Rubio's percentages are up across the board (FG%, 3 pt FG % and FT%). I think this link should take you right to the data:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01/splits/2016/

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Carlos, any idea what percentages Rubio is shooting over that period?

SP - It's a bit of a pain to post tables and as it's getting late, I'll take the easy way out and just post a link. Rubio's percentages are up across the board (FG%, 3 pt FG % and FT%). I think this link should take you right to the data:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01/splits/2016/

39.2 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 90.4 FT%

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I wonder how much we can expect Towns to improve as a rebounder. Can he get to 15 some year? Or is rebounding something that doesn't tend to improve that much?

He will probably improve a bit as he gets stronger, but typically rebounding is one of the things that doesn't change much over a career. The other issue with KAT is that he is going to exert a lot of effort on offense and play more on the perimeter as his 3-point shot comes around, so I don't see him being the type of guy that can just go all-out on the glass and put up huge numbers.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Carlos, any idea what percentages Rubio is shooting over that period?

SP - It's a bit of a pain to post tables and as it's getting late, I'll take the easy way out and just post a link. Rubio's percentages are up across the board (FG%, 3 pt FG % and FT%). I think this link should take you right to the data:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01/splits/2016/

39.2 FG%, 38.5 3P%, 90.4 FT%

I'll take that out of Ricky. That's the threshold we need him to play at.

I think this starting 5 has earned the right to go into next season as the starting 5. They are developing nice chemistry. I think the offseason goal is to build the bench. While I think Dieng is better served as the bench big, I think he has done well since the all star break.