Thoughts on KAT reintegration

[Wolvesfan21]

Word is he is close to playing.

I would consider starting the three "bigs". Take KAT off first after about 5 minutes for Conley and then KAT subs in for Rudy as the backup center and then sits again for NAZ. He gets shorter bursts on the floor so he doesn't get too winded.

We should have strong offense and defense with the big 3 MEGA size lineup. Ant / Jaden / NAZ / KAT / Rudy

I just like what I've seen from NAZ so I think I prefer sitting Conley initially over NAZ. Versus KAT coming in off the bench. Unless KAT says he is fine with that but I don't want to ruffle feathers either. Does it really matter all that much when your minutes come? Sure a bit matchup wise. But with our size I just see leaning into that and defense. With Ant Kat and Naz you got great scoring punch.

Your thoughts? KAT off the bench initially?

[Q-is-here]

That's an interesting idea Wolvesfan21, but I think Finch will try to get KAT back in the starting lineup as soon as possible, if not the first game he's back. He was out far longer last season and started for us once he was cleared to play.

I think SloMo's minutes take a hit. As valuable as he's been lately, the reality is our offense is still sub-par when he's on the floor. Now that we have multiple capable point guards that Finch can deploy, Kyle's ball handling and play making isn't needed quite as much on offense. I think he's still needed for defense against matchups like Zion, LeBron, Durant, Luka, etc. - the bigger scoring wings and PFs that Jaden is probably too skinny to handle all game. But I could see him going back to 18-20 MPG versus the 25 MPG he's been playing since the all-star break.

[DNatagal]

The Unicorn lineup with Ant and Jaden/NAW as the 1 and 2, KAT, Naz and Rudy on the front court would be a great change of pace to the 3 point guard group of Conley, JMac, and Morris. TC did a great job of building a flexible roster. I would like to see KAT get some run as a post playing 5 as well. His inside game has been dormant to long.

[Wolvesfan21]

That's an interesting idea Wolvesfan21, but I think Finch will try to get KAT back in the starting lineup as soon as possible, if not the first game he's back. He was out far longer last season and started for us once he was cleared to play.

I think SloMo's minutes take a hit. As valuable as he's been lately, the reality is our offense is still sub-par when he's on the floor. Now that we have multiple capable point guards that Finch can deploy, Kyle's ball handling and play making isn't needed quite as much on offense. I think he's still needed for defense against matchups like Zion, LeBron, Durant, Luka, etc. - the bigger scoring wings and PFs that Jaden is probably too skinny to handle all game. But I could see him going back to 18-20 MPG versus the 25 MPG he's been playing since the all-star break.

Not sure if you understood correct or not. Yes I would start KAT but consider keeping NAZ in the lineup as well and going very big. Conley gets in off the bench for KAT after 5 minutes or so. KAT would get three stints per half keeping him fresh. Like a 5/5/5 halftime then 5/5/5 for around 30 minutes. My idea would be starting-

Ant / Jaden / Naz / KAT / Rudy

I think you can get by without a "true" PG in the starting line and the Naz / Conley defense is a wash I think. Naz has just been so good I hate to see him get minutes cut so I think moving Conley to the bench to start games won't "hurt his ego" like it could KAT. You can always play with minutes of course based on play. If Naz or KAT are off offensively then you can simply go smaller with more PG play.

I would consider the first couple games of KAT off the bench if he is OK with it (just for a couple games). But like you said. He came back and played well last year after a long time off also so my preference would be to see him start.

[Wolvesfan21]

The Unicorn lineup with Ant and Jaden/NAW as the 1 and 2, KAT, Naz and Rudy on the front court would be a great change of pace to the 3 point guard group of Conley, JMac, and Morris. TC did a great job of building a flexible roster. I would like to see KAT get some run as a post playing 5 as well. His inside game has been dormant to long.

We do have a very good roster that can matchup with anyone by going smaller when needed. We can also force size and suffocating D on teams also which is what this team has been built on as it's strength. Not really any other team could go with four 6-9 or taller guys in a starting lineup and be effective like we can.

[rapsuperstar31]

We've been playing some of our better ball when we've had two point guards out there. I think playing Naz, Kat, and Rudy at the same time has some advantages and should have some time together, but I don't think I would start with that. It's much easier to have at least one of them out there at all times if we don't start with them. I think an Ant, Jaden, Naz, Kat Rudy lineup would have a lot of turnovers.

[Q-is-here]

That's an interesting idea Wolvesfan21, but I think Finch will try to get KAT back in the starting lineup as soon as possible, if not the first game he's back. He was out far longer last season and started for us once he was cleared to play.

I think SloMo's minutes take a hit. As valuable as he's been lately, the reality is our offense is still sub-par when he's on the floor. Now that we have multiple capable point guards that Finch can deploy, Kyle's ball handling and play making isn't needed quite as much on offense. I think he's still needed for defense against matchups like Zion, LeBron, Durant, Luka, etc. - the bigger scoring wings and PFs that Jaden is probably too skinny to handle all game. But I could see him going back to 18-20 MPG versus the 25 MPG he's been playing since the all-star break.

Not sure if you understood correct or not. Yes I would start KAT but consider keeping NAZ in the lineup as well and going very big. Conley gets in off the bench for KAT after 5 minutes or so. KAT would get three stints per half keeping him fresh. Like a 5/5/5 halftime then 5/5/5 for around 30 minutes. My idea would be starting-

Ant / Jaden / Naz / KAT / Rudy

I think you can get by without a "true" PG in the starting line and the Naz / Conley defense is a wash I think. Naz has just been so good I hate to see him get minutes cut so I think moving Conley to the bench to start games won't "hurt his ego" like it could KAT. You can always play with minutes of course based on play. If Naz or KAT are off offensively then you can simply go smaller with more PG play.

I would consider the first couple games of KAT off the bench if he is OK with it (just for a couple games). But like you said. He came back and played well last year after a long time off also so my preference would be to see him start.

My mistake WolvesFan, I did not see that you indeed had KAT starting. Still, I'd go back to the conventional starting lineup we had all year with Conley starting at PG and Naz coming off the bench.

[Q-is-here]

We've been playing some of our better ball when we've had two point guards out there. I think playing Naz, Kat, and Rudy at the same time has some advantages and should have some time together, but I don't think I would start with that. It's much easier to have at least one of them out there at all times if we don't start with them. I think an Ant, Jaden, Naz, Kat Rudy lineup would have a lot of turnovers.

Yup. The reality is we simply aren't a great offense (in fact, we're a slightly below average offense as a team), whether KAT is playing or not. So we have to really lean into our defense and part of that means don't turn the ball over on offense and don't chase offensive boards. The more teams have to play against our set half court defense, the better.

[Wolvesfan21]

That's an interesting idea Wolvesfan21, but I think Finch will try to get KAT back in the starting lineup as soon as possible, if not the first game he's back. He was out far longer last season and started for us once he was cleared to play.

I think SloMo's minutes take a hit. As valuable as he's been lately, the reality is our offense is still sub-par when he's on the floor. Now that we have multiple capable point guards that Finch can deploy, Kyle's ball handling and play making isn't needed quite as much on offense. I think he's still needed for defense against matchups like Zion, LeBron, Durant, Luka, etc. - the bigger scoring wings and PFs that Jaden is probably too skinny to handle all game. But I could see him going back to 18-20 MPG versus the 25 MPG he's been playing since the all-star break.

Not sure if you understood correct or not. Yes I would start KAT but consider keeping NAZ in the lineup as well and going very big. Conley gets in off the bench for KAT after 5 minutes or so. KAT would get three stints per half keeping him fresh. Like a 5/5/5 halftime then 5/5/5 for around 30 minutes. My idea would be starting-

Ant / Jaden / Naz / KAT / Rudy

I think you can get by without a "true" PG in the starting line and the Naz / Conley defense is a wash I think. Naz has just been so good I hate to see him get minutes cut so I think moving Conley to the bench to start games won't "hurt his ego" like it could KAT. You can always play with minutes of course based on play. If Naz or KAT are off offensively then you can simply go smaller with more PG play.

I would consider the first couple games of KAT off the bench if he is OK with it (just for a couple games). But like you said. He came back and played well last year after a long time off also so my preference would be to see him start.

My mistake WolvesFan, I did not see that you indeed had KAT starting. Still, I'd go back to the conventional starting lineup we had all year with Conley starting at PG and Naz coming off the bench.

That's fair. I was trying to keep Naz in the starting rotation. I just like his growth and overall game he's got going. You guys are right, I would be concerned with higher turnovers which could in turn, ruin our size advantage if teams get running. Size only works if you are back on D. It could end up being a slight net negative (Naz versus Conley).

[FNG]

You guys have probably seen Shams' post that KAT actually participated in practice Sunday. I saw him putting up shots, but Shams' post seems to indicate he did more than that. It is starting to sound more and more likely that we may see KAT before the playoffs (maybe Friday against Atlanta?).

With that, I am solidly on board with keeping the starting lineup the way it has been all season when we have been healthy. Yes, Naz has been terrific in KAT's absence, but he can still be maddening on defense. I think his best role is as a 6th man...providing firepower off the bench without having to defend an opponent's starters as much. KAT's return not only restores our elite defensive starting five, but also gives us a bench that I don't think any other team in the playoffs can match.