Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Nov 12, 2025 9:25 pm
Watching some of LAL and OKC....OKC basically has at least three Jaylen Clark-level or better wing defenders: Caruso, Dort (who isn't even playing in this game), and Cason Wallace. And then they have a whole bunch of others that are basically in the next category down of defenders, meaning really good but not elite. They are once again by far the best defense in the NBA and I really don't think they can be beaten in a half-court style game.
Sobering analyses my friend.
I'm certainly concerned that one of the things that is driving the teams offensive success (besides their 3pt shooting) is that Ant, Julius and even McDaniels to some degree are showing significant improvement at playing from the middle of the floor and scoring or play making from that spot.
This is a critical development for Ant, and Julius is playing much faster out of this position- very little crab dribbling or back to basket plays- but it's concerning that this is exactly what OKC baits you into doing and then turns you over.
I'm no Xs and Os expert (not by a long shot), but I think the solution is three fold: transition offense, corner 3s and effective backside attacks off the middle of the floor actions. Ant being able to sustain his high level pull up 3s will also help I think.
Yeah, ball handling and turnovers are always going to be a problem against OkC when they are healthy enough to run out multiple aggressive plus defenders. But I agree with Aussi that it seems like Ant, Ju and Jaden seem to be more capable of handling pressure than they were last season. In fact it shows up in the team stats...we had the 4th most turnovers per game last season, and we have improved to 16th this season. It will be interesting to see how we handle OkC's pressure on Thanksgiving Eve.
I think it remains to be seen if they can handle ball pressure well because they haven't really been tested that much, but I do think we're going to see some continued improvement from Ant as a playmaker.
He's only played 5 healthy games and his shooting has been so ridiculous that this hasn't been paid that much attention to, but his off-season development on his patience and footwork in the middle of the floor is almost as impressive as the 3 point shooting improvement last season. We'll have to see how it sustains but there was a play in either the Kings game or the 2nd Jazz game, I can't remember, where Ant hit Jaden on a back side cut and I've just never seen Edwards make that kinda play before. He drew four defenders to him, didn't rush, didn't pick up his dribble and from the top of key made a perfect pass for Jaden to score at the rim.
If he keeps doing that then he'll be in the running for MVP this year, I'm certain of it
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Nov 12, 2025 9:25 pm
Watching some of LAL and OKC....OKC basically has at least three Jaylen Clark-level or better wing defenders: Caruso, Dort (who isn't even playing in this game), and Cason Wallace. And then they have a whole bunch of others that are basically in the next category down of defenders, meaning really good but not elite. They are once again by far the best defense in the NBA and I really don't think they can be beaten in a half-court style game.
If Sacramento does go into fire sale mode, I would keep an eye on grabbing Keon Ellis. He's on a cheap min expiring contract and barely playing. Fan favorite that actually plays defense unlike the rest of the team. He is similar to Clark defensively but has more point guard skills. With him being an unrestricted free agent this summer, I wonder if they would trade him for a couple of 2nd to get something before he leaves them in the summer.
Sobering analyses my friend.
I'm certainly concerned that one of the things that is driving the teams offensive success (besides their 3pt shooting) is that Ant, Julius and even McDaniels to some degree are showing significant improvement at playing from the middle of the floor and scoring or play making from that spot.
This is a critical development for Ant, and Julius is playing much faster out of this position- very little crab dribbling or back to basket plays- but it's concerning that this is exactly what OKC baits you into doing and then turns you over.
I'm no Xs and Os expert (not by a long shot), but I think the solution is three fold: transition offense, corner 3s and effective backside attacks off the middle of the floor actions. Ant being able to sustain his high level pull up 3s will also help I think.
Yeah, ball handling and turnovers are always going to be a problem against OkC when they are healthy enough to run out multiple aggressive plus defenders. But I agree with Aussi that it seems like Ant, Ju and Jaden seem to be more capable of handling pressure than they were last season. In fact it shows up in the team stats...we had the 4th most turnovers per game last season, and we have improved to 16th this season. It will be interesting to see how we handle OkC's pressure on Thanksgiving Eve.
I think it remains to be seen if they can handle ball pressure well because they haven't really been tested that much, but I do think we're going to see some continued improvement from Ant as a playmaker.
He's only played 5 healthy games and his shooting has been so ridiculous that this hasn't been paid that much attention to, but his off-season development on his patience and footwork in the middle of the floor is almost as impressive as the 3 point shooting improvement last season. We'll have to see how it sustains but there was a play in either the Kings game or the 2nd Jazz game, I can't remember, where Ant hit Jaden on a back side cut and I've just never seen Edwards make that kinda play before. He drew four defenders to him, didn't rush, didn't pick up his dribble and from the top of key made a perfect pass for Jaden to score at the rim.
If he keeps doing that then he'll be in the running for MVP this year, I'm certain of it
Very true that we haven't been pressured much this season. We were in the opener against Portland, and we were not very good...19 TOs led by 10 from Ant and Donte. But we reduced that to 14 against the Pacers, another full court pressure team. I think the adjustment was turning DiVo into strictly a catch and shoot player and not letting him handle the ball much. He has averaged less than 1 turnover per game since his disaster in Portland.
Yeah, ball handling and turnovers are always going to be a problem against OkC when they are healthy enough to run out multiple aggressive plus defenders. But I agree with Aussi that it seems like Ant, Ju and Jaden seem to be more capable of handling pressure than they were last season. In fact it shows up in the team stats...we had the 4th most turnovers per game last season, and we have improved to 16th this season. It will be interesting to see how we handle OkC's pressure on Thanksgiving Eve.
I think it remains to be seen if they can handle ball pressure well because they haven't really been tested that much, but I do think we're going to see some continued improvement from Ant as a playmaker.
He's only played 5 healthy games and his shooting has been so ridiculous that this hasn't been paid that much attention to, but his off-season development on his patience and footwork in the middle of the floor is almost as impressive as the 3 point shooting improvement last season. We'll have to see how it sustains but there was a play in either the Kings game or the 2nd Jazz game, I can't remember, where Ant hit Jaden on a back side cut and I've just never seen Edwards make that kinda play before. He drew four defenders to him, didn't rush, didn't pick up his dribble and from the top of key made a perfect pass for Jaden to score at the rim.
If he keeps doing that then he'll be in the running for MVP this year, I'm certain of it
Very true that we haven't been pressured much this season. We were in the opener against Portland, and we were not very good...19 TOs led by 10 from Ant and Donte. But we reduced that to 14 against the Pacers, another full court pressure team. I think the adjustment was turning DiVo into strictly a catch and shoot player and not letting him handle the ball much. He has averaged less than 1 turnover per game since his disaster in Portland.
In that first game it felt like we were sticking to our fast break let Mike or Donte bring the ball up and everyone else run up the court and push the pace. Only problem was while everyone was running up the court, Portland was doubling our guards bringing the ball up.
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Nov 12, 2025 8:15 pm
Well, it looks like the honeymoon for Josh Minott has ended. No longer starting and minutes declining rapidly!
Looking at the West, it does look like a weaker bottom half of the conference this year. I'm shocked to see Utah would be in the play-in tournament if the regular season ended today! The top of the Conference still looks really good though.
Sometimes you have to tip your cap. Everyone besides the Lakers and Knicks wants to build a team the way OKC has done it. They have put on a master class on small market team development. They're great, they're young, and they have a plethora of draft picks still to come that will cover for the inevitable roster attrition. They have also proved capable of weathering key injuries - Chet last year, and Williams so far this season. Indiana gave everyone a blueprint for how to compete with them, but OKC has championship experience now and that has just made them more dominant. It will take a special player like Wemby or hopefully Ant, surrounded by a complete roster to eventually take them out. Unfortunately once Lebron retires and they have that salary to use, the Lakers will have the best path forward building around Luka and whatever the league does to help them. Trust me, the NBA does not want their flagship franchise to be in OKC for too long. It will eventually get figured out.
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Nov 12, 2025 9:25 pm
Watching some of LAL and OKC....OKC basically has at least three Jaylen Clark-level or better wing defenders: Caruso, Dort (who isn't even playing in this game), and Cason Wallace. And then they have a whole bunch of others that are basically in the next category down of defenders, meaning really good but not elite. They are once again by far the best defense in the NBA and I really don't think they can be beaten in a half-court style game.
Sobering analyses my friend.
I'm certainly concerned that one of the things that is driving the teams offensive success (besides their 3pt shooting) is that Ant, Julius and even McDaniels to some degree are showing significant improvement at playing from the middle of the floor and scoring or play making from that spot.
This is a critical development for Ant, and Julius is playing much faster out of this position- very little crab dribbling or back to basket plays- but it's concerning that this is exactly what OKC baits you into doing and then turns you over.
I'm no Xs and Os expert (not by a long shot), but I think the solution is three fold: transition offense, corner 3s and effective backside attacks off the middle of the floor actions. Ant being able to sustain his high level pull up 3s will also help I think.
I think there are two potential ways to solve OKC: One is to field an absolutely giant and skilled squad that can neutralize the turnover differential that gives OKC a bunch more possessions per game with a rebounding differential that gives the opponent more possessions. Houston is set up perfectly for this plus with Durant they have an elite shot maker that can just rise above the likes of Caruso, Wallace, and Dort to get his shot off.
The other way is to fight fire with fire by using the Indiana method of fielding a deep rotation and trying to stay out of a half court game. We saw how much success Shannon had as a big, athletic wing that can run and just power through OKC's clutching, swiping, and grabbing.
I really like the Keon Ellis idea that Rapsuperstar brought up, even though he is somewhat redundant with Jaylen. But I think you need multple of those types if you pick the "fight fire with fire" strategy.
Fortunately, we have two chances over the next two months to evaluate how our new look Wolves stack up against OKC. There's the starting lineup change, there are the tighter handles and more effective offense from ANT, Julius and Jaden. There's the Clark defense replacing NAW. And whatever else gets thrown in from the new guys.
Brunson was already out with a ankle sprain, and OG came up lame with hamstring strain in the 1st 2 minutes tonight. KAT has been picking up the slack against the Heat, but I think he will need a 50-piece for the Knicks to have a chance against the Heat.
You are an elite NBA fan if you know much about all of the five starters for the Pistons last night...Robinson, Reed, Holland II, Green and Jenkins. Three were undrafted out of college, and only Holland was a first round pick. They had 6 rotation players out including their top 4 scorers, and still beat Philly by 9 to go to 11-2. My goodness...
