Conference Finals

[Monster]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

I don't see the Wolves having a significant advantage in size in perimeter players other than Jaden but Conley is smaller than anyone OKC ever puts on the floor. Jalen Williams isn't a small guard at 6'6" 220. They play him as a forward though so that's not big but the Wolves don't play any wings that are that big other than Jaden.

Shannon is an interesting player. I think in general it's a bad sign if he sees the floor meaning the team isn't playing with energy or someone is in foul trouble. That doesn't mean he or Clark aren't worth of playing minutes that's just the reasons they are likely to be playing. It does seem like the Wolves have some nice depth which happens to be young and rookies and Dillingham isn't even in the conversation for getting minutes. People say depth doesn't matter in the playoffs but it certainly can. Hopefully Donte and NAW can get going. There have been some positive signs.

[Q-is-here]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

I don't see the Wolves having a significant advantage in size in perimeter players other than Jaden but Conley is smaller than anyone OKC ever puts on the floor. Jalen Williams isn't a small guard at 6'6" 220. They play him as a forward though so that's not big but the Wolves don't play any wings that are that big other than Jaden.

Shannon is an interesting player. I think in general it's a bad sign if he sees the floor meaning the team isn't playing with energy or someone is in foul trouble. That doesn't mean he or Clark aren't worth of playing minutes that's just the reasons they are likely to be playing. It does seem like the Wolves have some nice depth which happens to be young and rookies and Dillingham isn't even in the conversation for getting minutes. People say depth doesn't matter in the playoffs but it certainly can. Hopefully Donte and NAW can get going. There have been some positive signs.

We have four guys in our top 8 rotation that are 6'8 or taller: Rudy, Julius, Naz, and Jaden. Three out of four of those guys can create their own shot and take the ball to the hoop. Yes, Conley is pretty small but he's basically a bench player that starts at this point and he's been fine guarding bigger players so far in the playoffs.

OKC has two guys in their top 8 rotation that are of similar size: Hartenstein and Holmgren. The other six regulars are all 6'6 or shorter: SGA, JDub, Dort, Caruso, Wallace, and Wiggins.

We absolutely have a size advantage. My point is that I think if you add Shannon into the mix, who is 6'6 220 lbs. and can be shot out of a cannon, we could actually dominate them physically, especially when Hartenstein is on the bench. And we can do it without Rudy too.

Believe it or not, Shannon is 1 inch taller and 10 lbs. bigger than JDub...and probably just as athletic if not more so.

[Monster]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

I don't see the Wolves having a significant advantage in size in perimeter players other than Jaden but Conley is smaller than anyone OKC ever puts on the floor. Jalen Williams isn't a small guard at 6'6" 220. They play him as a forward though so that's not big but the Wolves don't play any wings that are that big other than Jaden.

Shannon is an interesting player. I think in general it's a bad sign if he sees the floor meaning the team isn't playing with energy or someone is in foul trouble. That doesn't mean he or Clark aren't worth of playing minutes that's just the reasons they are likely to be playing. It does seem like the Wolves have some nice depth which happens to be young and rookies and Dillingham isn't even in the conversation for getting minutes. People say depth doesn't matter in the playoffs but it certainly can. Hopefully Donte and NAW can get going. There have been some positive signs.

We have four guys in our top 8 rotation that are 6'8 or taller: Rudy, Julius, Naz, and Jaden. Three out of four of those guys can create their own shot and take the ball to the hoop. Yes, Conley is pretty small but he's basically a bench player that starts at this point and he's been fine guarding bigger players so far in the playoffs.

OKC has two guys in their top 8 rotation that are of similar size: Hartenstein and Holmgren. The other six regulars are all 6'6 or shorter: SGA, JDub, Dort, Caruso, Wallace, and Wiggins.

We absolutely have a size advantage. My point is that I think if you add Shannon into the mix, who is 6'6 220 lbs. and can be shot out of a cannon, we could actually dominate them physically, especially when Hartenstein is on the bench. And we can do it without Rudy too.

Believe it or not, Shannon is 1 inch taller and 10 lbs. bigger than JDub...and probably just as athletic if not more so.

Apologies I looked at BB reference which has different listings than NBA.com. I will point out that NBA.com has SGA listed at 6'6" though. Lol

Donte is 6'4" Naw is 6'5" 205 he isn't a beast physically although he plays bigger than that but you can say that of a few of the OKC players too as well as Donte. Conley still plays plenty and yes he plays fine against guys that are basically just shooters which OKC has those guys. If Clark plays he is 6'4". Are we going to not talk about how much length Chet has? We just played GS who gave the Wolves some trouble defensively and they had even less size than OKC will have. Post was the only guy that played for GS that was over 6'9'. I don't see TSJ having some sort of significant advantage against OKC that he wouldn't have against any of the teams the Wolves have already faced in the playoffs already and he has played 18 total playoff minutes so far.

Having said that it makes sense to look for possible options to help the Wolves win a possible OKC series. I'm looking much more for Donte, Conley and NAW to make shots than I am TSJ to get minutes. Part of that is I doubt that TSJ will get minutes but I also think it's likely those guys start making 3's at some point because they have a track record of doing so overall in their career. NAW less so but still if he just shot a little better it would help. This is his 2nd postseason in a row struggling from 3 but he shot 40% his first playoffs. Both he and Conley got going in the GS series (NAW only took 11 threes but scored more 2 points baskets than the previous series) hopefully Donte can get going. Its nice to have a guy like Shannon available but I'm not sure he is some sort of guy they need to use to exploit a matchup. We have seen in these playoffs it's good to have guys that are talented and ready.

Like I said a few days ago NAW and Donte offer to some extent more ball handling and playmaking than TSJ which could matter especially against the best defensive team they will have played in the playoffs. A lot of TSJ value is in transition. I trust his finishing in that instance more than the other guys or really any type of drive. Obviously that has value and that's what you are getting at. I also know you aren't a believer in his shooting. Idk how hard teams are working to keep NAW from taking wide open shots right now.

[FNG]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

Man, do I ever remember that game...best of the year! And Shannon was terrific. I think we have to put his performance into a perspective we Wolves fans can understand though...he scored most of his points during that 4th quarter when the Thunder seemed disinterested in playing any defense. And even more than bullying, I thought he was getting to the basket because his 1st step was so much quicker than his indifferent defender. Just like the Wolves when they play an inferior opponent, I don't think OkC ever thought they were going to lose that game. They finally started to look like themselves on defense when we got it down to single digits, and I don't think TJ scored the rest of the 4th and OT...it was Jaden and Naz that carried the load for us. I'm not discounting his ability to provide value in the next round, just trying to put that incredible OkC game in proper perspective.

[Q-is-here]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

Man, do I ever remember that game...best of the year! And Shannon was terrific. I think we have to put his performance into a perspective we Wolves fans can understand though...he scored most of his points during that 4th quarter when the Thunder seemed disinterested in playing any defense. And even more than bullying, I thought he was getting to the basket because his 1st step was so much quicker than his indifferent defender. Just like the Wolves when they play an inferior opponent, I don't think OkC ever thought they were going to lose that game. They finally started to look like themselves on defense when we got it down to single digits, and I don't think TJ scored the rest of the 4th and OT...it was Jaden and Naz that carried the load for us. I'm not discounting his ability to provide value in the next round, just trying to put that incredible OkC game in proper perspective.

Shannon played minutes in three games against OKC, two of which they won. In the other game they won, he had 13 points and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes and he was a team-leading +23, so it wasn't just the comeback game where he was effective. The game he played in that they lost he was pretty meh.

I'm probably being somewhat irrational on Shannon's chances of playing, but having watched those prior regular season wins and more recently the Denver series, I feel like OKC is vulnerable to being pushed around and physically overmatched at times. I think Shannon is an arrow in Finch's quiver that can be used on top of what already is a pretty big and athletic group.

[FNG]

If we end up playing OKC in the WCF, one area they seem vulnerable is that nearly every guy they play other than Hartenstein and Holmgren are mid-sized to smallish guards and wings that are 6'5 or under. Jaylin Williams is the only "big" they bring off the bench and he's mostly been used to guard Jokic. But he himself isn't all that tall and plays more of a stout, strength-based style of defense.

My point is it feels like we could deploy a big "small-ball" lineup that can punish these guys with size, strength, and athleticism: Julius, Naz, Jaden, DDV, and Shannon for example. That group can run, make 3's, and play with pace. And they aren't small by any stretch! Throw NAW in for Julius or Ant in for Jaden and it's still a big, athletic group.

I know Finch dipped his toe into the Shannon pool in the first series against the Lakers and he seemed to do fine in limited minutes. But let's hope Finch remembers this game from the regular season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8WLd_WHNM

I mean, he's just bullying guys around the hoop. Keep in mind that in our two wins against OKC during the regular season, we were missing Rudy, Julius, and DDV.

Man, do I ever remember that game...best of the year! And Shannon was terrific. I think we have to put his performance into a perspective we Wolves fans can understand though...he scored most of his points during that 4th quarter when the Thunder seemed disinterested in playing any defense. And even more than bullying, I thought he was getting to the basket because his 1st step was so much quicker than his indifferent defender. Just like the Wolves when they play an inferior opponent, I don't think OkC ever thought they were going to lose that game. They finally started to look like themselves on defense when we got it down to single digits, and I don't think TJ scored the rest of the 4th and OT...it was Jaden and Naz that carried the load for us. I'm not discounting his ability to provide value in the next round, just trying to put that incredible OkC game in proper perspective.

Shannon played minutes in three games against OKC, two of which they won. In the other game they won, he had 13 points and 6 rebounds in 28 minutes and he was a team-leading +23, so it wasn't just the comeback game where he was effective. The game he played in that they lost he was pretty meh.

I'm probably being somewhat irrational on Shannon's chances of playing, but having watched those prior regular season wins and more recently the Denver series, I feel like OKC is vulnerable to being pushed around and physically overmatched at times. I think Shannon is an arrow in Finch's quiver that can be used on top of what already is a pretty big and athletic group.

Oh. I'm not ruling it out, Q. He has played well when given a chance, and at almost 25, may be a little more prepared both physically and mentally for a conference finals...heck, he's older than 5 guys in their rotation and almost as old as Dort, Joe and SGA! I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him out there.

[60WinTim]

Dang! And to think everything was so positive heading into the Conference Finals...

Rudy and his girl friend have split.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nba-star ... off-series

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Dang! And to think everything was so positive heading into the Conference Finals...

Rudy and his girl friend have split.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nba-star ... off-series

Vraiment?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_SZR_tmxM

Let's hope he takes a brief moment to himself then throws himself into his work with some post-breakup energy!