Minott & Miller

[FNG]

Statistically, Minott and Miller are very similar

1. For starters, their last names both have six letters starting with the letter M. Hmm. Further, they are almost exactly one year apart in age. Miller was born Nov. 26, 2003. Minott was born Nov. 25, 2002. Exactly one year, one day apart. Seems almost cosmic that they’re now together on the same NBA team.

2. Their physical profiles are also very similar. Minott is 6’8, 197 with an 8’11.5 overhead reach and a 6’11,75 wingspan. Miller is 6’9.25, 213 with an 8’10.5 overhead reach and 7’2 wingspan. In other words, they’re both really long. But they’re also different. Miller is slightly taller, but Minott is slightly longer vertically. Miller has a slightly wider frame that carries 213 pounds of muscle already at age 19. Miller has the size to develop into a PF/C while Minott looks more like a SF/PF type. Yet, both have SF/SG skills.

3. They both had very similar G-League stats. They both played about 30 minutes a game last season - Miller slightly more than 30, and Minott slightly less. Here’s how their stats compared last season in the G-League on a 36-minute basis:

Minott: 25.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.9 blocks, 2.2 turnovers, 56.9%FG, 29.2% 3-pt.
Miller: 21.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks, 1.8 turnovers, 55.4%FG, 32.6%3-pt

You can see see the statistical similarity in their on-court production, but you can also see some notable differences. Miller is a better rebounder. Meanwhile Minott is a better ball-thief and shot-blocker. They’re both highly efficient scorers inside the arc, but they struggle a bit outside the arc.

4. They both have super high-octane motors. You can’t help but love the high energy these two guys show on the court. They both appear to be super competitive and, by all accounts, they are both really hard workers and very coachable.

I don’t know whether either one will even make it in the NBA. But I see two players who could both become stars in the NBA. And I’m glad they’re both part of the Wolves organization. TC has stressed patience in his recent interviews. Patience will be key to the development of these two players.

When I was growing up in Chicago the Blackhawk had what we called the MPH line: Pit Martin, Jim Pappin and Dennis Hull. I’m going to refer to Minott and Miller as the “M Brothers” until someone comes up with a better moniker. It should be easy to top that. .

Fast forward to two or three years from now and you might have the triple M brothers: McDaniels, Minott, and Miller.

If Miller adds weight and strength, I think he can play Center. If all three reach their potential (and McDaniels is already really good), you could be looking at an extremely versatile frontcourt.

Don't forget about the big Meow, antMan jMac, sloMo and Money Mike. I'm okay leaving out Moore Jr. and Matt Ryan, but we may have to bring back sam Mitchell.

Mantle and Maris were the M&M Boys, of course.

I loved the Minott highlight video, but wish the he hadn't victimized Miller on so many of his baskets

[Q-is-here]

I added Naz Reid and Jarred Vanderbilt's numbers below for comparison since we know them well and both have been rotation players on winning teams.

I also included the showcase cup games for Minott and Miller to increase the sample size.

Vanderbilt Age 20* (20 games): 19.9 points, 13.5 rebs, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blks, 4.6 turnovers, 51.8%FG, 25.8% 3-pt
Reid Age 20 (16 games): 21.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 2.3 blocks, 3.3 turnovers, 50.5%FG, 38.6% 3-pt
Minott Age 20 (20 games): 21.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blocks, 2.2 turnovers, 54.1%FG, 36.2% 3-pt
Miller Age 19 (38 games): 20.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks, 2.3 turnovers, 53.6%FG, 30.4%3-pt

*This is from Vanderbilt's 2nd year after being drafted. He only played a small number of G-league games as a rookie.

[Q-is-here]

....and just for fun, here are Garza's per 36 scoring and shooting numbers from last season in the G-League

15 games, 30.8 points, 62.9%FG, 47.1%3pt

LOL, the dude was just a monster down in Iowa! It's the defensive side of the ball that will always be his bugaboo, but the dude can score.

[Lipoli390]

....and just for fun, here are Garza's per 36 scoring and shooting numbers from last season in the G-League

15 games, 30.8 points, 62.9%FG, 47.1%3pt

LOL, the dude was just a monster down in Iowa! It's the defensive side of the ball that will always be his bugaboo, but the dude can score.

Glad you posted Garza’s numbers, Q! I really love his game in spite of his defensive limitations. He’s a truly gifted scorer who can score in different ways. He’s also an excellent rebounder so he’s more than a scorer. In my view Garza is part of the case for trading KAT. I’d feel comfortable moving forward with Rudy, Naz and Garza as my main three bigs. Meanwhile, I hope we keep Garza either as a regular roster player or another two-way deal. Keeping Garza is essential in my view if we lose Naz. Even if we keep Naz and retain KAT and Rudy next season, I view Garza and Naz as part of our insurance policy against the possibility that we trade Rudy or KAT next summer. And I continue to believe the second apron will force the Wolves to deal Rudy or KAT.

[FNG]

....and just for fun, here are Garza's per 36 scoring and shooting numbers from last season in the G-League

15 games, 30.8 points, 62.9%FG, 47.1%3pt

LOL, the dude was just a monster down in Iowa! It's the defensive side of the ball that will always be his bugaboo, but the dude can score.

Garza's offensive potential is the reason I'm ready to move on from Naz (if TC decides he can't make the numbers work). Both struggle on defense, but their per 36 numbers are almost identical for points, rebounds and assists. My eye test tells me that the ball is less sticky with Luka than Naz though.

[Lipoli390]

....and just for fun, here are Garza's per 36 scoring and shooting numbers from last season in the G-League

15 games, 30.8 points, 62.9%FG, 47.1%3pt

LOL, the dude was just a monster down in Iowa! It's the defensive side of the ball that will always be his bugaboo, but the dude can score.

Garza's offensive potential is the reason I'm ready to move on from Naz (if TC decides he can't make the numbers work). Both struggle on defense, but their per 36 numbers are almost identical for points, rebounds and assists. My eye test tells me that the ball is less sticky with Luka than Naz though.

That’s a reasonable way to look at it FNG. But Naz and Garza are very different players. Garza is a scorer, but doesn’t have Naz Reid’s mobility or ball skills. Garza is an offensive center. Naz is a scoring, skilled center/forward. Reid’s mobility allows him to do be more than Garza on the offensive end while also giving him defensive potential Garza doesn’t have. In the stretch last season before his injury, Naz was actually defending pretty well. The eye-opener for me is that Naz has been miscast as a center. He gets physically overmatched guarding bigs in the paint, but he can guard effectively in space against PFs because of his mobility and athleticism. Again, I really like Garza, but I don’t see Garza as a substitute for Naz.

[FNG]

Yeah, that’s fair Lip. Offensive comparisons also probably aren’t fair because many of Lukas minutes are in garbage time. Naz is also a better shot blocker.

I admit that I’m trying to rationalize losing Naz, because the $12-15 million he might attract will be impossible for TC to absorb if he wants the core together in 24-25. But we clearly would miss his scoring off the bench.

[60WinTim]

Welp, Mike Conley woke up 11 mil richer as his 13 mil guarantee is now fully guaranteed at 24 mil.

While Conley is not here for the long term, it always catches my attention when Lip fails to include him in our “core”. I think TC values Conley’s presence around the young guys more that Rudy or KAT!

[FNG]

Welp, Mike Conley woke up 11 mil richer as his 13 mil guarantee is now fully guaranteed at 24 mil.

While Conley is not here for the long term, it always catches my attention when Lip fails to include him in our “core”. I think TC values Conley’s presence around the young guys more that Rudy or KAT!

Darnit...I just checked my bank balance, and I didn't wake up $11 million richer .

Yeah, there's no question that Conley is part of the core, and plans to be for a few more years. 35 years old means different things for different people (look at LeBron for instance...29 PPG at age 38!), and I saw no signs of aging with Mike last season. He still pushes the ball up the court on offense and is very active (and effective) on defense. He said in March that he thinks this roster can compete for a championship, and he expects to play until he's 40. And he's one of those guys who seems to be shooting better as he ages...41.2, 40.8 and 38.5 3-point percentage his past three seasons, and a remarkable 63.1 TS% (best of his career) once he joined the Wolves. I guess that's why I'm not as concerned as others here to find Mike's replacement...I think we have a few years to find the next guy.

[Q-is-here]

Welp, Mike Conley woke up 11 mil richer as his 13 mil guarantee is now fully guaranteed at 24 mil.

While Conley is not here for the long term, it always catches my attention when Lip fails to include him in our “core”. I think TC values Conley’s presence around the young guys more that Rudy or KAT!

Darnit...I just checked my bank balance, and I didn't wake up $11 million richer .

Yeah, there's no question that Conley is part of the core, and plans to be for a few more years. 35 years old means different things for different people (look at LeBron for instance...29 PPG at age 38!), and I saw no signs of aging with Mike last season. He still pushes the ball up the court on offense and is very active (and effective) on defense. He said in March that he thinks this roster can compete for a championship, and he expects to play until he's 40. And he's one of those guys who seems to be shooting better as he ages...41.2, 40.8 and 38.5 3-point percentage his past three seasons, and a remarkable 63.1 TS% (best of his career) once he joined the Wolves. I guess that's why I'm not as concerned as others here to find Mike's replacement...I think we have a few years to find the next guy.

The 3-point shooting is huge. He sort of is that perfect blend of game-manager PG and strong outside shooting that we need in the starting lineup. But yeah, just wish he was a bit younger.