Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 6:54 pm
The biggest problem I see is one I have been consistent on. As some of us have said, Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. But now he also blocks Beringer's path to the court. I don't understand why Julius is back and it sticks out even more with the addition of Joan. This team needs ball handling so bad, and I really hope they use Randle to go get someone that can help with that.
Cool, expand on your take that Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. We traded for Ju last year, and Jaden ended up having his best offensive season, so I'm trying to understand why Ju hurts him offensively. Jaden had career best averages in FGA, PPG, RPG and APG, despite the Wolves having two 20+ PPG scorers. Ju's ability to get into the paint and then find the open man in the corner for a trey is exactly what Jaden needs to increase his scoring. The only thing that held Jaden back last season was his inability to hit the open trey...he shot only 33% on 3's last season and only 33.5% on corner threes...both well under league average. Jaden is a hard worker and is improving every season, so I suspect he is taking thousands of corner threes this summer. Ant developed as a facilitator during the season (remember how many times he found Jaden wide open in the corner in the last game of the season against OkC, but Jaden missed the shot?), so he, Ju and Mike are going to continue to find Jaden open in the corner. If Jaden can just get up to league average on his corner threes, he easily becomes a 16PPG scorer, and that would be really good for a 3rd option on a team that already has two guys averaging over 20. And if defenses have to respect his 3-point shooting (like OkC didn't) he will have much more success getting to the rim like we saw him do during the season. Ju was a much more efficient scorer than Jaden last season (59.3 TS% compared to Jaden's 56.2), so I don't think the coaches want Jaden taking away shots from Ant and Ju. But Jaden will continue to get good looks as a 3rd option out there...he just needs to make the shots, and he'll continue to develop.
I'm sure Cool has his own reasons which he will expound upon, but I will answer this question from my perspective.
I disagree with your view that what Julius brings as a paint penetrator and kickout artist is exactly what Jaden needs. He actually requires the same space as Julius to maximize his scoring effectiveness, as Jaden has developed into a deadly mid-range 2 point shooter, hitting 54% of his 10-16 foot shots last year. Guess who else likes that shot but is less accurate at it?
Jaden averaged nearly 19 PPG and 9 rebounds in the month of March when Julius was out. Every other month he either averaged single digits or low teens. Julius CLEARLY takes shots away from Jaden.
Now perhaps in the very short term, folks might be OK with that. After all, we've made two consecutive trips to the WCF with Jaden starting at SF next to a scoring PF and he's performed well in those playoffs. But if we look forward, are we really making full use of Jaden's talents if he continues to be primarily a POA defender and floor spacer? I think he's outgrowing that role, both literally and figuratively.
If Randle gets moved, it allows us to open up more space for Ant AND Jaden since presumably Reid would then get promoted to starting PF. He prefers shots from beyond the arc or around the rim. I mean, he almost NEVER takes shots between 10 feet and the 3-point line.
The other thing this does is allow Jaden to spend more time at the 4 and therefore it opens up even more minutes for Shannon to spend at the 3. Things just fit better and it's also a more modern-day lineup in terms of space and pace.
Lots of good stuff here. A couple things to consider.
Last season Randle took 13.6 shots a game the lowest amount of shot attempts in years. 4.6 of those were 3's so over a third of his shots and nearly 80% of those 3's were not corner 3's. Randle already has changed his game in the regular season to help fit around others. Could there be another level to that?
What was the Wolves record when Randle was out and Jaden putting up those stats playing more PF? What did the defensive numbers look like? I know the win loss record (and to be fair that's without a good player playing for the team regardless of position) but I don't know the other numbers. I also watched less of those games than most here. I also have said going back to much earlier in his career that eventually McDaniels may end up moving to the PF position so I'm definitely not against that happening at some point.
Cool, expand on your take that Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. We traded for Ju last year, and Jaden ended up having his best offensive season, so I'm trying to understand why Ju hurts him offensively. Jaden had career best averages in FGA, PPG, RPG and APG, despite the Wolves having two 20+ PPG scorers. Ju's ability to get into the paint and then find the open man in the corner for a trey is exactly what Jaden needs to increase his scoring. The only thing that held Jaden back last season was his inability to hit the open trey...he shot only 33% on 3's last season and only 33.5% on corner threes...both well under league average. Jaden is a hard worker and is improving every season, so I suspect he is taking thousands of corner threes this summer. Ant developed as a facilitator during the season (remember how many times he found Jaden wide open in the corner in the last game of the season against OkC, but Jaden missed the shot?), so he, Ju and Mike are going to continue to find Jaden open in the corner. If Jaden can just get up to league average on his corner threes, he easily becomes a 16PPG scorer, and that would be really good for a 3rd option on a team that already has two guys averaging over 20. And if defenses have to respect his 3-point shooting (like OkC didn't) he will have much more success getting to the rim like we saw him do during the season. Ju was a much more efficient scorer than Jaden last season (59.3 TS% compared to Jaden's 56.2), so I don't think the coaches want Jaden taking away shots from Ant and Ju. But Jaden will continue to get good looks as a 3rd option out there...he just needs to make the shots, and he'll continue to develop.
I'm sure Cool has his own reasons which he will expound upon, but I will answer this question from my perspective.
I disagree with your view that what Julius brings as a paint penetrator and kickout artist is exactly what Jaden needs. He actually requires the same space as Julius to maximize his scoring effectiveness, as Jaden has developed into a deadly mid-range 2 point shooter, hitting 54% of his 10-16 foot shots last year. Guess who else likes that shot but is less accurate at it?
Jaden averaged nearly 19 PPG and 9 rebounds in the month of March when Julius was out. Every other month he either averaged single digits or low teens. Julius CLEARLY takes shots away from Jaden.
Now perhaps in the very short term, folks might be OK with that. After all, we've made two consecutive trips to the WCF with Jaden starting at SF next to a scoring PF and he's performed well in those playoffs. But if we look forward, are we really making full use of Jaden's talents if he continues to be primarily a POA defender and floor spacer? I think he's outgrowing that role, both literally and figuratively.
If Randle gets moved, it allows us to open up more space for Ant AND Jaden since presumably Reid would then get promoted to starting PF. He prefers shots from beyond the arc or around the rim. I mean, he almost NEVER takes shots between 10 feet and the 3-point line.
The other thing this does is allow Jaden to spend more time at the 4 and therefore it opens up even more minutes for Shannon to spend at the 3. Things just fit better and it's also a more modern-day lineup in terms of space and pace.
Lots of good stuff here. A couple things to consider.
Last season Randle took 13.6 shots a game the lowest amount of shot attempts in years. 4.6 of those were 3's so over a third of his shots and nearly 80% of those 3's were not corner 3's. Randle already has changed his game in the regular season to help fit around others. Could there be another level to that?
What was the Wolves record when Randle was out and Jaden putting up those stats playing more PF? What did the defensive numbers look like? I know the win loss record (and to be fair that's without a good player playing for the team regardless of position) but I don't know the other numbers. I also watched less of those games than most here. I also have said going back to much earlier in his career that eventually McDaniels may end up moving to the PF position so I'm definitely not against that happening at some point.
When Randle was out, our record was 5-8 and our defensive rating was 113.2, which was 13th in the NBA that month. Keep in mind that DDV missed most of the month of February and Rudy was also out for half the month of February, so that didn't help.
You are right that Finch worked his magic and probably did as good of a job integrating Randle into the offense as possible, which paid dividends in the stretch run of the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs. No question Randle was a net positive and he certainly disproved a lot of us doubters, including me.
That being said, I believe our team ceiling is ultimately higher without Julius Randle, but I have no hard evidence to back that up and it may take some time to get there.
I'm sure Cool has his own reasons which he will expound upon, but I will answer this question from my perspective.
I disagree with your view that what Julius brings as a paint penetrator and kickout artist is exactly what Jaden needs. He actually requires the same space as Julius to maximize his scoring effectiveness, as Jaden has developed into a deadly mid-range 2 point shooter, hitting 54% of his 10-16 foot shots last year. Guess who else likes that shot but is less accurate at it?
Jaden averaged nearly 19 PPG and 9 rebounds in the month of March when Julius was out. Every other month he either averaged single digits or low teens. Julius CLEARLY takes shots away from Jaden.
Now perhaps in the very short term, folks might be OK with that. After all, we've made two consecutive trips to the WCF with Jaden starting at SF next to a scoring PF and he's performed well in those playoffs. But if we look forward, are we really making full use of Jaden's talents if he continues to be primarily a POA defender and floor spacer? I think he's outgrowing that role, both literally and figuratively.
If Randle gets moved, it allows us to open up more space for Ant AND Jaden since presumably Reid would then get promoted to starting PF. He prefers shots from beyond the arc or around the rim. I mean, he almost NEVER takes shots between 10 feet and the 3-point line.
The other thing this does is allow Jaden to spend more time at the 4 and therefore it opens up even more minutes for Shannon to spend at the 3. Things just fit better and it's also a more modern-day lineup in terms of space and pace.
Lots of good stuff here. A couple things to consider.
Last season Randle took 13.6 shots a game the lowest amount of shot attempts in years. 4.6 of those were 3's so over a third of his shots and nearly 80% of those 3's were not corner 3's. Randle already has changed his game in the regular season to help fit around others. Could there be another level to that?
What was the Wolves record when Randle was out and Jaden putting up those stats playing more PF? What did the defensive numbers look like? I know the win loss record (and to be fair that's without a good player playing for the team regardless of position) but I don't know the other numbers. I also watched less of those games than most here. I also have said going back to much earlier in his career that eventually McDaniels may end up moving to the PF position so I'm definitely not against that happening at some point.
When Randle was out, our record was 5-8 and our defensive rating was 113.2, which was 13th in the NBA that month. Keep in mind that DDV missed most of the month of February and Rudy was also out for half the month of February, so that didn't help.
You are right that Finch worked his magic and probably did as good of a job integrating Randle into the offense as possible, which paid dividends in the stretch run of the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs. No question Randle was a net positive and he certainly disproved a lot of us doubters, including me.
That being said, I believe our team ceiling is ultimately higher without Julius Randle, but I have no hard evidence to back that up and it may take some time to get there.
Thanks for the response and some numbers and context. I was thinking some other injuries were during that time too. It can be hard to get that full assessment for all the reasons you mentioned. In addition the Wolves did have an easier schedule down the stretch last season and while that shouldn't discredit their success completely it is worth considering. They may have had a couple favorable match ups in the playoffs although the Lakers had been got and I think they were playing a much harder schedule down the stretch and the Wolves took care of business and Randle was fantastic. Reeves wasn't fully healthy so take that for what you will. GS was clearly not as good without Curry but they were good defensively and Randle took it to whoever they tried on him including Draymond. That's still kinda impressive.
I think the key at this point is whether or not we trust Connelly pulling the trigger if he doesn't think something is gonna work. He has done that a couple times already so it seems like if Randle is not the answer they could move on. I think Randle having that player option in year 3 means a trade could be on the table and Randle while he might want to stick around for all 3 years understands that ultimately Naz might be the starter at PF and someone else will be ready to fill in and he could be moved.
Of course maybe Randle ends up being a fit with everyone there is good reasons to be skeptical about that. Ultimately when it comes to Randle I trust in 2 things. Randle is a good basketball player both for the Wolves and if the Wolves decide to move him and Tim Connelly being willing and able to move him if that's the lever that needs to be pulled. Honestly I think Randle's value around the league might be higher now than when the Wolves acquired him as a more useful guy that can fit in. He changed his game from being a volume guy in the regular season and had real success in the playoffs even with some struggles it was way better than anything he had done in the postseason before. So now I think teams might see him as more than guy that drives regular season success and someone that can come in and help do more than put up numbers and then help in the playoffs. He has been a big part of a number of playoff teams so that's something.
The other issue is that Donte couple be a big part of whatever interation the Wolves go at least for the next couple years but I don't think he ever really hit his stride. What if he stays mostly healthy and becomes even more valuable piece than last year? Maybe he is the guy that doesn't fit and he gets moved? We don't know how Dillingham will fit either or TSJ. I think we need more data in games played and all that to see where this goes. Everyone wants the best version possible of the Wolves and to some extent we have the pieces to je pretty good but there is quite a few relative unknowns or questions that could be problems or catapult the roster to new heights. Adding Beringer definitely gives us a legitimately possible way forward after Gobert so that's significant.
Lots of good stuff here. A couple things to consider.
Last season Randle took 13.6 shots a game the lowest amount of shot attempts in years. 4.6 of those were 3's so over a third of his shots and nearly 80% of those 3's were not corner 3's. Randle already has changed his game in the regular season to help fit around others. Could there be another level to that?
What was the Wolves record when Randle was out and Jaden putting up those stats playing more PF? What did the defensive numbers look like? I know the win loss record (and to be fair that's without a good player playing for the team regardless of position) but I don't know the other numbers. I also watched less of those games than most here. I also have said going back to much earlier in his career that eventually McDaniels may end up moving to the PF position so I'm definitely not against that happening at some point.
When Randle was out, our record was 5-8 and our defensive rating was 113.2, which was 13th in the NBA that month. Keep in mind that DDV missed most of the month of February and Rudy was also out for half the month of February, so that didn't help.
You are right that Finch worked his magic and probably did as good of a job integrating Randle into the offense as possible, which paid dividends in the stretch run of the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs. No question Randle was a net positive and he certainly disproved a lot of us doubters, including me.
That being said, I believe our team ceiling is ultimately higher without Julius Randle, but I have no hard evidence to back that up and it may take some time to get there.
Thanks for the response and some numbers and context. I was thinking some other injuries were during that time too. It can be hard to get that full assessment for all the reasons you mentioned. In addition the Wolves did have an easier schedule down the stretch last season and while that shouldn't discredit their success completely it is worth considering. They may have had a couple favorable match ups in the playoffs although the Lakers had been got and I think they were playing a much harder schedule down the stretch and the Wolves took care of business and Randle was fantastic. Reeves wasn't fully healthy so take that for what you will. GS was clearly not as good without Curry but they were good defensively and Randle took it to whoever they tried on him including Draymond. That's still kinda impressive.
I think the key at this point is whether or not we trust Connelly pulling the trigger if he doesn't think something is gonna work. He has done that a couple times already so it seems like if Randle is not the answer they could move on. I think Randle having that player option in year 3 means a trade could be on the table and Randle while he might want to stick around for all 3 years understands that ultimately Naz might be the starter at PF and someone else will be ready to fill in and he could be moved.
Of course maybe Randle ends up being a fit with everyone there is good reasons to be skeptical about that. Ultimately when it comes to Randle I trust in 2 things. Randle is a good basketball player both for the Wolves and if the Wolves decide to move him and Tim Connelly being willing and able to move him if that's the lever that needs to be pulled. Honestly I think Randle's value around the league might be higher now than when the Wolves acquired him as a more useful guy that can fit in. He changed his game from being a volume guy in the regular season and had real success in the playoffs even with some struggles it was way better than anything he had done in the postseason before. So now I think teams might see him as more than guy that drives regular season success and someone that can come in and help do more than put up numbers and then help in the playoffs. He has been a big part of a number of playoff teams so that's something.
The other issue is that Donte couple be a big part of whatever interation the Wolves go at least for the next couple years but I don't think he ever really hit his stride. What if he stays mostly healthy and becomes even more valuable piece than last year? Maybe he is the guy that doesn't fit and he gets moved? We don't know how Dillingham will fit either or TSJ. I think we need more data in games played and all that to see where this goes. Everyone wants the best version possible of the Wolves and to some extent we have the pieces to je pretty good but there is quite a few relative unknowns or questions that could be problems or catapult the roster to new heights. Adding Beringer definitely gives us a legitimately possible way forward after Gobert so that's significant.
Yeah, I don't think Connelly and especially Finch feel Randle is somehow an impediment to success. But I do think they are being patient and ultimately the PG position is more important than the PF position, especially with Naz and Jaden under contract. So if the right opportunity comes up and depending on Rob's development, I think Connelly will move Randle (and potentially DDV) for a starting-caliber PG. But I think they want to see things play out longer before pulling the trigger, plus it depends on the right kind of player being available.
Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 6:54 pm
The biggest problem I see is one I have been consistent on. As some of us have said, Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. But now he also blocks Beringer's path to the court. I don't understand why Julius is back and it sticks out even more with the addition of Joan. This team needs ball handling so bad, and I really hope they use Randle to go get someone that can help with that.
Cool, expand on your take that Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. We traded for Ju last year, and Jaden ended up having his best offensive season, so I'm trying to understand why Ju hurts him offensively. Jaden had career best averages in FGA, PPG, RPG and APG, despite the Wolves having two 20+ PPG scorers. Ju's ability to get into the paint and then find the open man in the corner for a trey is exactly what Jaden needs to increase his scoring. The only thing that held Jaden back last season was his inability to hit the open trey...he shot only 33% on 3's last season and only 33.5% on corner threes...both well under league average. Jaden is a hard worker and is improving every season, so I suspect he is taking thousands of corner threes this summer. Ant developed as a facilitator during the season (remember how many times he found Jaden wide open in the corner in the last game of the season against OkC, but Jaden missed the shot?), so he, Ju and Mike are going to continue to find Jaden open in the corner. If Jaden can just get up to league average on his corner threes, he easily becomes a 16PPG scorer, and that would be really good for a 3rd option on a team that already has two guys averaging over 20. And if defenses have to respect his 3-point shooting (like OkC didn't) he will have much more success getting to the rim like we saw him do during the season. Ju was a much more efficient scorer than Jaden last season (59.3 TS% compared to Jaden's 56.2), so I don't think the coaches want Jaden taking away shots from Ant and Ju. But Jaden will continue to get good looks as a 3rd option out there...he just needs to make the shots, and he'll continue to develop.
Jaden still has little to no offense run through him. That needs to change in my opinion. Him relying on kickouts from Ant and Randle is a disservice to Jaden's talent and potential. We know he can be a #3 on a championship team, we need to see if he can be a #2. He deserves that chance. Too often the game devolves into Ant and Randle taking turns from the top of the key, and Jaden and others forced to scramble for the remaining scraps.
Something needs to change. We weren't good enough the last two years and we're not going to be good enough this year. And now with Beringer's arrival, Randle actually becomes an opportunity for the improvement we need. Another ball handler is needed and it doesn't necessarily have to be a pure point guard. We are just woefully thin on guys who can handle the OKC pressure, in fact without NAW we're worse than last year.
I'm enjoying the dialogue between monster and Q, and hearing some good points. I agree with Q that Ju takes shots away from Jaden, but I disagree that Ju's presence limits Jaden's 10-16 foot game...where he has proven to be very accurate. Actually Jaden took more 10-16 foot shots after we acquired Ju than ever before in his career...both in total and as a percentage of his shots. Perhaps because he wasn't having much success with his treys, Jaden took by far the lowest percentage of 3's in his career, and replaced them with mid-range shots and drives to the basket. Now, if Jaden can get back to league average on his treys, his offensive potential goes up even more now that he has developed his mid-range game.
But I guess I have a different vision for Jaden's role than some here. I think he will continue to be one of our most valuable players, but I don't want him ever to have to be our second option behind Ant. Yes, Ju and Ant both are going to take a lot of shots and that results in Jaden getting fewer, but they both are also much more efficient scorers than Jaden, so I don't see it as a problem. As long as Mike and Rudy are in the starting lineup, I see Jaden as an effective third option, while also providing value as an elite defender. And if Rob proves to be a dynamic scorer and replaces Mike, I'd be happy with Jaden being our 4th offensive option. And a potential 15-point scorer who is our 4th option while also being a terrific defender sounds like the makings of a potential championship team. That's my vision for Jaden.
Just finished up listening to Ben Beecken's pod with a guy I don't know who is on the ground in Vegas watching the games. For the most part, their takes echoed what I heard on Dane's recent pod:
-Shannon is great and ready to replace NAW
-Rob has been up and down, but is probably ready for some minutes backing up Mike
-They are both sky high on Joan...athleticism, instinct, strength, potential all through the roof. But they also agreed there is little chance he gets many minutes this year...far too raw. Ben said he'd be surprised if he got in for 10 games in mop up minutes
-both Miller and Clark have not been good enough to earn steady rotation minutes, but Clark's defense will get him some minutes.
But the most interesting part was what he said about CJ Fulton. Even though he has not seen any SL action, he has been terrific in practices and has been raved about by both players and coaches. He expects him to get a lot of minutes in the next 2 games, and even said he has a chance to be added to the roster. Can't wait to see what this Irishman can do!
FNG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 1:29 pm
Just finished up listening to Ben Beecken's pod with a guy I don't know who is on the ground in Vegas watching the games. For the most part, their takes echoed what I heard on Dane's recent pod:
-Shannon is great and ready to replace NAW
-Rob has been up and down, but is probably ready for some minutes backing up Mike
-They are both sky high on Joan...athleticism, instinct, strength, potential all through the roof. But they also agreed there is little chance he gets many minutes this year...far too raw. Ben said he'd be surprised if he got in for 10 games in mop up minutes
-both Miller and Clark have not been good enough to earn steady rotation minutes, but Clark's defense will get him some minutes.
But the most interesting part was what he said about CJ Fulton. Even though he has not seen any SL action, he has been terrific in practices and has been raved about by both players and coaches. He expects him to get a lot of minutes in the next 2 games, and even said he has a chance to be added to the roster. Can't wait to see what this Irishman can do!
I think the local pundits are wrong (whether it's Kyle Thiege or this other guy you mention above). They just can't believe someone his age and with his lack of basketball experience would be ready to play as a rookie, yet what does any of that matter if what they see on the floor is someone being competent and effective!? Who gives a damn at that point how old he is?
It also seems like folks are overlooking the fact he played professionally for a year for a well-respected club and coaching staff. While it isn't the NBA, it certainly wouldn't be the first time a young player from Europe came over and looked very polished and well coached.
Like I said above, I by no means expect him to be in the regular rotation from the start, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he gets the Jaylen Clark treatment in Year 1 and ends up playing some meaningful minutes beyond garbage time.
Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 13, 2025 6:54 pm
The biggest problem I see is one I have been consistent on. As some of us have said, Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. But now he also blocks Beringer's path to the court. I don't understand why Julius is back and it sticks out even more with the addition of Joan. This team needs ball handling so bad, and I really hope they use Randle to go get someone that can help with that.
Cool, expand on your take that Randle blocks Jaden's development as an offensive player. We traded for Ju last year, and Jaden ended up having his best offensive season, so I'm trying to understand why Ju hurts him offensively. Jaden had career best averages in FGA, PPG, RPG and APG, despite the Wolves having two 20+ PPG scorers. Ju's ability to get into the paint and then find the open man in the corner for a trey is exactly what Jaden needs to increase his scoring. The only thing that held Jaden back last season was his inability to hit the open trey...he shot only 33% on 3's last season and only 33.5% on corner threes...both well under league average. Jaden is a hard worker and is improving every season, so I suspect he is taking thousands of corner threes this summer. Ant developed as a facilitator during the season (remember how many times he found Jaden wide open in the corner in the last game of the season against OkC, but Jaden missed the shot?), so he, Ju and Mike are going to continue to find Jaden open in the corner. If Jaden can just get up to league average on his corner threes, he easily becomes a 16PPG scorer, and that would be really good for a 3rd option on a team that already has two guys averaging over 20. And if defenses have to respect his 3-point shooting (like OkC didn't) he will have much more success getting to the rim like we saw him do during the season. Ju was a much more efficient scorer than Jaden last season (59.3 TS% compared to Jaden's 56.2), so I don't think the coaches want Jaden taking away shots from Ant and Ju. But Jaden will continue to get good looks as a 3rd option out there...he just needs to make the shots, and he'll continue to develop.
Jaden still has little to no offense run through him. That needs to change in my opinion. Him relying on kickouts from Ant and Randle is a disservice to Jaden's talent and potential. We know he can be a #3 on a championship team, we need to see if he can be a #2. He deserves that chance. Too often the game devolves into Ant and Randle taking turns from the top of the key, and Jaden and others forced to scramble for the remaining scraps.
Something needs to change. We weren't good enough the last two years and we're not going to be good enough this year. And now with Beringer's arrival, Randle actually becomes an opportunity for the improvement we need. Another ball handler is needed and it doesn't necessarily have to be a pure point guard. We are just woefully thin on guys who can handle the OKC pressure, in fact without NAW we're worse than last year.
My first reaction to your idea of McDaniels as a #2 on a championship team seems like a lot but I'll ponder it.
Coaching needs to help resolve the issue of not moving the ball around and continuity could help. The idea Finch has in his brain hasn't really ever completely played out but some of that is the roster that's put together. I know you were ready to move on from Towns well before it happened and moving Towns has been a smart move which I was in favor of after the trade happened. If you and others are right about needing to move Randle it would not surprise me if Connelly makes it happen. Let's see more of what some of the young guys like Dillingham and TSJ can do with more minutes and that might give a better direction of what to move Randle for if that's the level to pull. To me TSJ is the player that needs to show he is a starting level player because he offers the toughness attacking defenses that Randle brings and the team otherwise lacks besides Edwards.
Is there a reasonably available guard you would be interested in even if it's not now but maybe in a few months? I was looking recently and there are some teams out there that could potentially use a worthwhile PF like Randle.
FNG wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 1:29 pm
Just finished up listening to Ben Beecken's pod with a guy I don't know who is on the ground in Vegas watching the games. For the most part, their takes echoed what I heard on Dane's recent pod:
-Shannon is great and ready to replace NAW
-Rob has been up and down, but is probably ready for some minutes backing up Mike
-They are both sky high on Joan...athleticism, instinct, strength, potential all through the roof. But they also agreed there is little chance he gets many minutes this year...far too raw. Ben said he'd be surprised if he got in for 10 games in mop up minutes
-both Miller and Clark have not been good enough to earn steady rotation minutes, but Clark's defense will get him some minutes.
But the most interesting part was what he said about CJ Fulton. Even though he has not seen any SL action, he has been terrific in practices and has been raved about by both players and coaches. He expects him to get a lot of minutes in the next 2 games, and even said he has a chance to be added to the roster. Can't wait to see what this Irishman can do!
I think the local pundits are wrong (whether it's Kyle Thiege or this other guy you mention above). They just can't believe someone his age and with his lack of basketball experience would be ready to play as a rookie, yet what does any of that matter if what they see on the floor is someone being competent and effective!? Who gives a damn at that point how old he is?
It also seems like folks are overlooking the fact he played professionally for a year for a well-respected club and coaching staff. While it isn't the NBA, it certainly wouldn't be the first time a young player from Europe came over and looked very polished and well coached.
Like I said above, I by no means expect him to be in the regular rotation from the start, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he gets the Jaylen Clark treatment in Year 1 and ends up playing some meaningful minutes beyond garbage time.
Could be, Q, and it sure would be a bonus if Joan saw some effective minutes this season. But keep in mind, these guys are in Vegas spending time with the coaches. Summer League is very informal...that's the beauty of it. You get up close and personal access to coaches and players. Heck, Lip shared a limo from the airport last summer with Dillingham! So they are reporting what they are hearing from the coaches more than what they are seeing (they are raving about what they are seeing actually). Not only is Joan only 18 (soon to be 19), he's also only played basketball for 4 years. And complicating everything is that the pod guy said his English is not very good yet...he basically picked up what he could from some Croatians last season. So it's very difficult to get him to understand some basic concepts the coaches are trying to get across. Now, maybe the coaches end up being wrong, and Joan surprises them all...that would be terrific. But the podcast guys on the ground in Vegas couldn't be any more definitive about what they are hearing. I like Joan's potential too, but I'm trying to keep some of the guys here from going out on the ledge or tar and feathering Finchy when he doesn't see the court in October!
