Minnesota Sports Forum

Cool, I don't think Thad's defense is very good one-on-one, but that's mostly because he's playing against bigger, stronger players. I actually think he can be pretty good when playing against PFs closer to his size, which is why coming off the bench would be a much better fit for him.

I think the biggest problem with Thad's defense is his rebounding, but again, he just doesn't have the physical size or strength to mix it up on the inside against starting C/PFs. So whenever Gorgui goes up to block a shot, there is no one there to clear out space under the basket and carom the missed shot or blocked shot. It usually ends up in the hands of an opponent, who proceeds with an easy putback. That's why I pine for Adrien to start next to Gorgui, but it looks like his tenure is short-lived at this point.

I am not so sure that Adrien is nearing his end. We signed him on an injury exception for his roster spot, so why can't we maintain the 16 player roster until Ricky, Pek or Martin return.

My problem is I am actually growing fonder of Hummel, but he is really the one we should let go.

I've seen smaller PF's go by Thad like he's a pylon. Reminds me of old-timer Paul Mokeski. Remember his nickname? It was speed bump. He couldn't stop you but he could slow you down. Actually it would be refreshing if Thad could slow someone down.

I could probably live with Thad's D if he could actually learn to box out, and stop giving up offensive boards that turn into layups. It absolutely kills our team. His offense is no where close to what I expected. He has such a limited skill set, that it is too easy for teams to force him into that long jumper.

Am I the only one that fears that Wiggins will start shooting that slow fadeaway that both Young and Gorgi use!

sjm34 wrote:I am not so sure that Adrien is nearing his end. We signed him on an injury exception for his roster spot, so why can't we maintain the 16 player roster until Ricky, Pek or Martin return.

My problem is I am actually growing fonder of Hummel, but he is really the one we should let go.

Heh, coming around to my man Hummel are you now? It's amazing how a guy with bad knees and no real position can totally outplay a physically gifted and highly skilled talent like Anthony Bennett. But he did and Flip has been forced to go to him instead of AB lately. It's actually not a good sign. If Hummel isn't playing, it means our young guys are improving.

I am not convinced he is outplaying Bennett, but I would rather watch him than Thad to be honest. I am not saying Hummel is better than either, but his hustling is entertaining.

sjm34 wrote:I could probably live with Thad's D if he could actually learn to box out, and stop giving up offensive boards that turn into layups. It absolutely kills our team. His offense is no where close to what I expected. He has such a limited skill set, that it is too easy for teams to force him into that long jumper.

Am I the only one that fears that Wiggins will start shooting that slow fadeaway that both Young and Gorgi use!

Young has been taking those shots for years. And he's actually pretty skilled. He makes a lot of nifty floaters and tough bank shots around the rim. And that mid-range fading 2 is a staple for him. The problem is he never gets any easy looks. All his shots are contested because he's trying to manufacture offense on his own. He's one of Flip's only options right now.

We've seen how inefficient Wiggins and LaVine can be when they are forced to shoot a lot. Now even Shabazz is struggling a bit since being thrust into the starting lineup. Pick your poision. Kevin Martin is the one guy on our roster that is capable of carrying a heavy load while maintaining good efficiency. Even Pek needs quite a bit of help, as Flip's efforts to force-feed him one on one in the post did not go well early this year. He feeds off of others in the pick and roll game or on the offensive glass.

I would say that offensively, Kevin Martin might be the guy we miss as much as Rubio.

sjm34 wrote:Bennett has the same defensive rtg as Young at 111, and a higher offensive rtg of 98 compared to Young's 96. Bennett's win shares/48 is higher as well.

Using the eye test Bennett is a much more effective defender, and twice the rebounder Thad is. My only complaint with Bennett is his inconsistent motor, but that seems like a much bigger issue on the offensive end.

Q,it dawned on me that several of the circumstances you used for Young were applicable when you and Abe were making comparisons for Wiggins

Bennett doesn't have same defensive rating than Young. Bennett has defensive rating of 112.9 and Young has it 108 which is actually third best in Wolves team after Rubio and Adrien. (Hummel and Mo have about same than Young). We need to also remember that Young has got his rating while playing against starters and Bennett his while playing mostly against opponent bench players.

Check this from NBA.com:

http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/advanced/?sort=TEAM_ABBREVIATION&dir=1&CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*MINYour text to link here...

Bennett has same defensive rating than Young only in basketball reference stats that is really really bad measurement since it doesn't take account how team really plays while someone is on the floor. It just uses team average defensive rating weighted with individual defensive stats (steals, blocks and defensive rebounds). For example Rubio had terrific defensive rating in basketball reference at the time he was injured (less than 100) but his rating has been dropping even though he has not played a single game after that since Wolves team defensive rating has been dropping. Currently Rubio has defensive rating of 112 in Basketball reference when team has in reality allowed only 98.7 points per 100 possessions while Rubio has been on floor. (stat from nba.com)

I really hope this is the last time anybody uses defensive or offensive rating from basketball reference in this board because those stats are complete joke. :)

No. This thread sucks.

The Wolves are on pace for 14 wins because Thad Young sucks balls. He's terrible. The guys around him aren't nearly as bad. They can play!

If Thad has trade value then we should dump him is my take. Go with Adrian as the starter.

I was in supporter of the pick for Young, but this all went south with the injuries and it was a mistake. Even looking back we could have found a FA rental like Adrian to give a shot. We just needed a lunch pail type that journeyman that would run through a brickwall to be just be in the league.