Rudy off defense

[Phenom]

With the defense being so bad with Rudy off, Joan should be getting at least one stint when Rudy sits, say in the 1st/2nd quarter and let him build from there. There is no reason not to do this. With Ant and JC out, just play big.

[FNG]

I honestly haven't seen enough of Joan to know if he's ready to be an NBA defender. I know he had a fun first summer league game with several blocks, but I also know that he's a very poor defensive rebounder. But I tend to agree with you...if the Rudy-off defense continues to be so porous, maybe it's time to see what the kid can do. I will say this though...Finchy has a good basketball mind and he watches Joan's defense every practice. If he's watching Rudy dominate him on offense (shudder), that might be enough for him to conclude he's not ready.

[Q-is-here]

Connelly has been using the draft to address long-standing weak spots for this team, specifically the point guard position (Dillingham), the Rudy off defense (Clark, Beringer), and additional shot creation (Shannon, Dillingham).

So far, the results aren't good. That might mean more patience is needed or it might mean he was too reliant on the draft to shore up team weaknesses vs. finding/trading for the right vets.

And I agree with FNG on Beringer. He certainly looks the part of a high-ceiling defender with his length and athleticism, but it felt like in pre-season he was more impactful offensively as a lob target while at times overwhelmed physically on defense.

[Lipoli390]

Connelly has been using the draft to address long-standing weak spots for this team, specifically the point guard position (Dillingham), the Rudy off defense (Clark, Beringer), and additional shot creation (Shannon, Dillingham).

So far, the results aren't good. That might mean more patience is needed or it might mean he was too reliant on the draft to shore up team weaknesses vs. finding/trading for the right vets.

And I agree with FNG on Beringer. He certainly looks the part of a high-ceiling defender with his length and athleticism, but it felt like in pre-season he was more impactful offensively as a lob target while at times overwhelmed physically on defense.

The guys TC drafted haven’t been on the floor nearly enough to judge them or their impact. I’d like to see a lot more of Clark and Shannon. Dilly and Beringer are still really young and inexperienced but I’d like to start seeing more of Dilly this season.

[Q-is-here]

Connelly has been using the draft to address long-standing weak spots for this team, specifically the point guard position (Dillingham), the Rudy off defense (Clark, Beringer), and additional shot creation (Shannon, Dillingham).

So far, the results aren't good. That might mean more patience is needed or it might mean he was too reliant on the draft to shore up team weaknesses vs. finding/trading for the right vets.

And I agree with FNG on Beringer. He certainly looks the part of a high-ceiling defender with his length and athleticism, but it felt like in pre-season he was more impactful offensively as a lob target while at times overwhelmed physically on defense.

The guys TC drafted haven’t been on the floor nearly enough to judge them or their impact. I’d like to see a lot more of Clark and Shannon. Dilly and Beringer are still really young and inexperienced but I’d like to start seeing more of Dilly this season.

That's fair Lip, but the reality is these guys may not work out and that's the risk Connelly took by relying on the draft to shore up the most obvious weaknesses. Clark might be the only one that has truly proven himself to be elite at a certain skillset. The jury is still out on the others. Shannon especially is concerning given his age and the high hopes for him coming into the season.

[rapsuperstar31]

There is no way Joan is a worse defender than when we have Naz/Randle out there together. At one point in the last game we had Donte, Rob, Bones, and Naz all on the court at the same time, come on that team isn't going to stop anyone.

[Wolvesfan21]

There is no way Joan is a worse defender than when we have Naz/Randle out there together. At one point in the last game we had Donte, Rob, Bones, and Naz all on the court at the same time, come on that team isn't going to stop anyone.

Thats a dream for the other team to play against.

Thinking about it more, maybe it makes sense. One good even great defender (unless it's a center maybe) and 4 avg to poor ones won't do squat. Might as well go all 5 offense and just try and outscore them.

[AussieWolf3]

So I've been wondering about this since seeing Randle, Naz and Jaden on the floor together in- I think- the Pacers game, and it actually went ok for a minute or so on defense.
Anyway that parts not really related, but what I've been wondering about is this: the most obvious reason that the on/off defense is SO bad right now is that Naz just can't defend like you need a 5 to defend, and for all of his offensive gifts, they don't offset the difference that much or at all.
One answer is of course to get Naz playing more at the 4, but under the roster's current construction he needs to be the backup center. So if that is the case can the team switch up their defense from playing primarily drop with Naz to running a more high wall blitz?
Finch and Co. We're able to cobble together a decent defense with Kat in the year before Rudy got here (2022?). Like Naz, Kat isn't a great rim protector, but they were able to make it work.

Someone explain to me like I'm 5 why this is a bad idea

[AbeVigodaLive]

So I've been wondering about this since seeing Randle, Naz and Jaden on the floor together in- I think- the Pacers game, and it actually went ok for a minute or so on defense.
Anyway that parts not really related, but what I've been wondering about is this: the most obvious reason that the on/off defense is SO bad right now is that Naz just can't defend like you need a 5 to defend, and for all of his offensive gifts, they don't offset the difference that much or at all.
One answer is of course to get Naz playing more at the 4, but under the roster's current construction he needs to be the backup center. So if that is the case can the team switch up their defense from playing primarily drop with Naz to running a more high wall blitz?
Finch and Co. We're able to cobble together a decent defense with Kat in the year before Rudy got here (2022?). Like Naz, Kat isn't a great rim protector, but they were able to make it work.

Someone explain to me like I'm 5 why this is a bad idea

It seems that Randle is already matching up against some of the centers when Gobert is on the bench.

[DNatagal]

Finch is one of the best, if not the best coach the Wolves have ever hired. But I am not buying he is a great offensive mind. His OOB plays have 4 players standing still with a high lob is tossed in to a posting player or lazy screens and the same off ball screen to a wing that starts and finishes the same way.

Finch is very old school in his playing time for young players. He has never been one for giving a player a chance unless his hand is forced by foul problems or injuries. I wish he would be more flexible, but that old dog just isn't going to change his ways.

I am sure Finch is playing for wins first, second and third, and letting practices stand as "development" time for the kids. But it would be nice to get some run at some point.

Beringer was really raw when I saw them in Philly during the preseason, but his instincts and the pure fact he is a 7' center works to his advantage. He frustrated Embiid with his activity a couple times. Embiid ate him up when on the block, but a lot of NBA starters cannot defend Embiid.