Terrence Shannon in Lakers Series

[Leado01]

7 game Series
Another thick defender that stays in front of his match up and can wear the Lakers down in transition. He's proven he can score on this team and can absorb the blows of Luka.
I'd really like to see him get time...he's good with the ball in his hands and can knock down a threatening level of 3's
Really want to see Finch give him 15/game

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm fully anticipating an 8-man rotation... unless something goes very poorly.

At most... maybe a shift or two for Clark if there's foul trouble. With all the days off, I expect only 8 Lakers to play, too... with the big three all hovering around 40 mpg.

[rapsuperstar31]

I'm fully anticipating an 8-man rotation... unless something goes very poorly.

At most... maybe a shift or two for Clark if there's foul trouble. With all the days off, I expect only 8 Lakers to play, too... with the big three all hovering around 40 mpg.

Depending on how games 1 and 2 go, you could argue Clark should replace Mike as that 8th player if Mike can't defend the players the Lakers have out there.

[FNG]

I'm also expecting mostly an 8-man rotation, barring foul issues or injury, but we're more likely to see Clark as 9th man than Shannon. I like Shannon's potential and he very well may get a lot of NAW's minutes next year if he leaves, but if Finchie didn't trust him in the final games of the season (after his return from injury), I doubt he'll trust him in a playoff game. Clark on the other hand has proven to be a reliable player at both ends of the court, and might see some spot minutes. I don't like him on Luka though...Luka is far too cagey for an aggressive rookie like Clark.

[Q-is-here]

Yeah, part of me feels like now is the time that we need a more creative and risk-taking head coach. The reality is that the Lakers big 3 of Doncic-LeBron-Reaves is better than our big 3 of Ant-Rudy-Randle. Usually the team with the best top-end talent wins.

But once you get past those guys, we have a huge advantage. And even when you look at the Lakers' big three, LeBron is old and can get hobbled easily. Doncic is not fast and tries to find ways to conserve energy. And Reaves isn't the most athletic guy in the world. The bottom line is that these guys are vulnerable to a more aggressive style of defense and transition offense in my opinion.

So why not pick them up full court from the tip and look to run at every opportunity? We have the bodies and athletes to do it. Is adding Clark and Shannon into the rotation really that risky over the course of a 7-game series?

(but I agree with Abe and FNG....Finch won't do it)

[AbeVigodaLive]

Yeah, part of me feels like now is the time that we need a more creative and risk-taking head coach. The reality is that the Lakers big 3 of Doncic-LeBron-Reaves is better than our big 3 of Ant-Rudy-Randle. Usually the team with the best top-end talent wins.

But once you get past those guys, we have a huge advantage. And even when you look at the Lakers' big three, LeBron is old and can get hobbled easily. Doncic is not fast and tries to find ways to conserve energy. And Reaves isn't the most athletic guy in the world. The bottom line is that these guys are vulnerable to a more aggressive style of defense and transition offense in my opinion.

So why not pick them up full court from the tip and look to run at every opportunity? We have the bodies and athletes to do it. Is adding Clark and Shannon into the rotation really that risky over the course of a 7-game series?

(but I agree with Abe and FNG....Finch won't do it)

Remember a few weeks ago when the Wolves were starting to play well and just pushed the pace after EVERY possession? It was over a two or three game stretch and it was an obvious point of emphasis. I remember writing where 5 Wolves touched the ball in a 4 seconds to get it up the court after an opponent bucket.

I think that approach works in this series, too. The Lakers are 21st in pace. (to be fair, the Wolves are 24th)

James is a machine, but it's a 40-year-old machine. Doncic has been exposed defensively in the past. So why not take advantage of the bench by playing at a blistering fast pace where benches actually matter? Push the ball at every chance.

Because if this is a halfcourt contest with the best players vs. the best players... and the Lakers possibly/probably getting more of the 50/50 calls by reputation... I don't see things working out for the Timberwolves.

[Leado01]

I think 8 is a mistake. We have the guys that can outrun the Lakers. We spent our off-season trying to put pace in our line-up and we're not leveraging that pace against a slower crew in the Lakers.

5 on 5 half court may be a competitive game, but one that we will lose against the Lakers. Change the pace

[Q-is-here]

I think 8 is a mistake. We have the guys that can outrun the Lakers. We spent our off-season trying to put pace in our line-up and we're not leveraging that pace against a slower crew in the Lakers.

5 on 5 half court may be a competitive game, but one that we will lose against the Lakers. Change the pace

Well, as Abe mentioned, it's not like being fast-paced is part of our identity to begin with. But we have proven that we can run if we have the right personnel out there and the right mindset. For all of his athleticism, Ant only runs if he has a guy like Shannon leading the way and practically dragging him along.

But I think a lot of us agree with you overall. We just don't think Finch does!

[Monster]

I think Shannon is a guy you bring in if you need someone to play with energy on both ends. That probably means something is going wrong though.

I haven't watched enough games to get a good handle on how much pace this team is capable of. Sometimes playing face leads to a bunch of turnovers. I like the idea of getting out and getting easy baskets but really the biggest driver of that is defense.

I'll add one thing about Jaylen Clark. His individual man point of attack defense is worthwhile but his team defense and ability to make plays getting steals, defelections causing general havoc is what really increases his value on that end. Meanwhile on offense he is basically a near perfect complimentary player. Spot up from 3, cut to the basket oh and if you don't guard him he has just enough game to go to the paint and score. Basically he is a rookie defensive player that doesn't hurt you on either end. Ok sure maybe he gets a foul here or there you might wish he didnt but you can live with that. Maybe Shannon has done enough on both ends to warrent getting minutes but Clark has been a very pleasant surprise even to me and I was one of his biggest fans going into the season. It's nice to have both of those guys on the roster and available. Remember when this franchise could barely find one good wing?

[Leado01]

Plus minus are meaningless in single games, but Shannon was a plus 7 in 7 minutes....he bodied up on LeBron and Luka and when he got switched at the 3 pt line as the shot was going up he got back and got high for the rebound.

We have players that can change our energy when our energy isn't there. Shannon can do that