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!
I think the coaches are managing expectations and being conservative, as they should. I'd do the same if I were talking to one of these guys off the record. Plus I think it's absolutely true that he will not be in the opening day rotation.
But no coach is going to rigidly cling to such statements in the face of evidence that suggests the contrary. And I believe we will eventually see him play meaningful minutes next season. When that occurs and how often is TBD, but he isn't going to be given the Lenny Miller treatment, that's for sure.
Randle only stands in the way of Jaden reaching his potential if Randle is playing well and Jaden hasn’t done eniugh to earn his minutes. Best case scenario they both play well enough they see time on the floor together. Both players can see time at different positions on the floor depending on matchups. Not much gets said about Randles passing abilities, but I think he’s an adept passer. Something this team will need more of with Conley seeing less court time. Having a big that can pass,has an above league avg PER and makes fts at 80% is a good problem to have.
Randle also played well in the playoffs,
Porckchop wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 8:54 pm
Randle only stands in the way of Jaden reaching his potential if Randle is playing well and Jaden hasn’t done eniugh to earn his minutes. Best case scenario they both play well enough they see time on the floor together. Both players can see time at different positions on the floor depending on matchups. Not much gets said about Randles passing abilities, but I think he’s an adept passer. Something this team will need more of with Conley seeing less court time. Having a big that can pass,has an above league avg PER and makes fts at 80% is a good problem to have.
Randle also played well in the playoffs,
Porckchop wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 8:54 pm
Randle only stands in the way of Jaden reaching his potential if Randle is playing well and Jaden hasn’t done eniugh to earn his minutes. Best case scenario they both play well enough they see time on the floor together. Both players can see time at different positions on the floor depending on matchups. Not much gets said about Randles passing abilities, but I think he’s an adept passer. Something this team will need more of with Conley seeing less court time. Having a big that can pass,has an above league avg PER and makes fts at 80% is a good problem to have.
Randle also played well in the playoffs,
Randle quit in the conference finals
All the Wolves quite in the conference finals, all of Nuggets including Joker quit in the Semi finals game 7 taking only 9 shots.
The one way to see the court under Finch is to play defense and not screw up on offense. Joan has that ability to do what the coaches ask. I bet he sees the court this season as injuries happen (which the Wolves have been lucky with the last few years). Beringer has a great chance to do exactly what he needs to do for playing time. He is above Miller in my opinion and is only a major injury from major time. The Ant 2.0 might come sooner than we all expected if one of the bigs gets hurt.
Victor Oladipo is looking to get back in the league and reportedly had an impressive workout for some teams. Any interest in lining him up next to Ant?
Phenom wrote: ↑Tue Jul 15, 2025 3:49 pm
Victor Oladipo is looking to get back in the league and reportedly had an impressive workout for some teams. Any interest in lining him up next to Ant?
Loved Victor coming out of college. Can you think of any examples where a career revival for someone in his situation has actually worked out? And I mean not just make a roster, but do what you suggest, which is be good enough to potentially play next to Ant in the regular rotation. I'm skeptical.
