Is this better, Sab? Raptors/Wolves GDT

[Q-is-here]

Randle and Ant showing some synergy now. Hard to get the spacing right on pick and roll with both Rudy and Randle in there, but throwing it into Randle in the post and then playing off that seems to work better.

[ItsJustSoSab]

Ant very unclutch again, but glad to see he hit that open corner 3. Still waiting to see how he's evolved his game since last year

[Q-is-here]

Ant very unclutch again, but glad to see he hit that open corner 3. Still waiting to see how he's evolved his game since last year

He did hit that dagger 3 from the corner, but yeah, also fumbled a dribble that turned into a fast break layup shortly before that. It's not an ideal offense for him with Randle and Rudy in there because the driving lanes are mostly shut down so there are bodies everywhere he goes. I liked that dagger 3 because he played off Randle in the post and moved to an open spot without the ball. He's a great catch and shoot 3-point shooter.

[60WinTim]

It's early, but I like Randle's game better than KAT's for this group. More aggressive going to the basket, but in control.

Agreed! Maybe WW and others set the bar so low that most anything from Randle would seem like a bonus. But he is playing great, not over-dribbling, and bringing the playmaking for teammates that always thought KAT should have been better at. Great trade!

[Q-is-here]

It's early, but I like Randle's game better than KAT's for this group. More aggressive going to the basket, but in control.

Agreed! Maybe WW and others set the bar so low that most anything from Randle would seem like a bonus. But he is playing great, not over-dribbling, and bringing the playmaking for teammates that always thought KAT should have been better at. Great trade!

I'm not there yet in terms of Randle > KAT. The floor spacing and backup Center capabilities that KAT provided may ultimately be of more value than some of the positive stuff we are seeing from Randle. We are in the honeymoon phase for sure.

(that doesn't mean I'm against the trade as a whole....I'm just talking about the Randle vs. KAT part of it).

[60WinTim]

It's early, but I like Randle's game better than KAT's for this group. More aggressive going to the basket, but in control.

Agreed! Maybe WW and others set the bar so low that most anything from Randle would seem like a bonus. But he is playing great, not over-dribbling, and bringing the playmaking for teammates that always thought KAT should have been better at. Great trade!

I'm not there yet in terms of Randle > KAT. The floor spacing and backup Center capabilities that KAT provided may ultimately be of more value than some of the positive stuff we are seeing from Randle. We are in the honeymoon phase for sure.

(that doesn't mean I'm against the trade as a whole....I'm just talking about the Randle vs. KAT part of it).

And I agree. The trade is overall is great in my book because Donte exceeds the difference between Randle and KAT...

[FNG]

Randle and Ant showing some synergy now. Hard to get the spacing right on pick and roll with both Rudy and Randle in there, but throwing it into Randle in the post and then playing off that seems to work better.

Q, the spacing issue was my biggest concern when the trade happened. But I'm not convinced now that the Rudy/Randle combo hurts Ant's ability to get to the basket. Yes, Randle is not the threat KAT is beyond the arc. But he's also a lot smarter than KAT on the court. Rudy's superb screens give Ant a head start in going downhill, and then Randle seems smart enough to clear out to give Ant room. It's early, but I'm more confident that this is going to work. Ant's nearly 28 PPG through 3 games is heartening. although admittedly he's doing it with more 3-pointers than drives. But Randle helps here also...his drive and kick aptitude is really going to help our three-point shooters like Ant.

[FNG]

Agreed! Maybe WW and others set the bar so low that most anything from Randle would seem like a bonus. But he is playing great, not over-dribbling, and bringing the playmaking for teammates that always thought KAT should have been better at. Great trade!

I'm not there yet in terms of Randle > KAT. The floor spacing and backup Center capabilities that KAT provided may ultimately be of more value than some of the positive stuff we are seeing from Randle. We are in the honeymoon phase for sure.

(that doesn't mean I'm against the trade as a whole....I'm just talking about the Randle vs. KAT part of it).

And I agree. The trade is overall is great in my book because Donte exceeds the difference between Randle and KAT...

Yeah, no question about it IMO. Donte is only hitting 28% of his threes in his first 3 games, but I don't think anyone expects that to continue. I see a lot of prime Klay in his game...working hard to get open beyond the arc, and then the very quick release. But DiVo is also better than Klay in curling to the basket for layups. He's averaging only 12 PPG so far on bad shooting, but I think he will be closer to 20 soon.

[Q-is-here]

Randle and Ant showing some synergy now. Hard to get the spacing right on pick and roll with both Rudy and Randle in there, but throwing it into Randle in the post and then playing off that seems to work better.

Q, the spacing issue was my biggest concern when the trade happened. But I'm not convinced now that the Rudy/Randle combo hurts Ant's ability to get to the basket. Yes, Randle is not the threat KAT is beyond the arc. But he's also a lot smarter than KAT on the court. Rudy's superb screens give Ant a head start in going downhill, and then Randle seems smart enough to clear out to give Ant room. It's early, but I'm more confident that this is going to work. Ant's nearly 28 PPG through 3 games is heartening. although admittedly he's doing it with more 3-pointers than drives. But Randle helps here also...his drive and kick aptitude is really going to help our three-point shooters like Ant.

I guess I have to watch more carefully, but I just don't see the space. Just because Randle clears out doesn't mean the guy guarding him does! But yeah, Ant playing off Randle may be a better way to get him open looks than iso-Ant hoping the defense doesn't collapse off Rudy and Randle.

[FNG]

Randle and Ant showing some synergy now. Hard to get the spacing right on pick and roll with both Rudy and Randle in there, but throwing it into Randle in the post and then playing off that seems to work better.

Q, the spacing issue was my biggest concern when the trade happened. But I'm not convinced now that the Rudy/Randle combo hurts Ant's ability to get to the basket. Yes, Randle is not the threat KAT is beyond the arc. But he's also a lot smarter than KAT on the court. Rudy's superb screens give Ant a head start in going downhill, and then Randle seems smart enough to clear out to give Ant room. It's early, but I'm more confident that this is going to work. Ant's nearly 28 PPG through 3 games is heartening. although admittedly he's doing it with more 3-pointers than drives. But Randle helps here also...his drive and kick aptitude is really going to help our three-point shooters like Ant.

I guess I have to watch more carefully, but I just don't see the space. Just because Randle clears out doesn't mean the guy guarding him does! But yeah, Ant playing off Randle may be a better way to get him open looks than iso-Ant hoping the defense doesn't collapse off Rudy and Randle.

Q, I guess I haven't specifically noticed Randle clearing out of the lane to give Ant more space either, so I also need to watch more closely next game. I do remember several times when I got frustrated with KAT for not giving Ant the space in the lane he needed, and I do think Randle is a much smarter player than KAT. So my instincts tell me Randle knows how to position himself to give Ant the most space. And I do think Randle's man still has to pay attention to him if he clears out. He's not the 3-point shooter KAT is, but his still a 20+scoring all-star who is always going to attract defensive attentiom.