This Year's Defense

[SameOldNudityDrew]

If you're right about the strategic shift away from switching, Q, that's kind of interesting, because after Finch arrived last year, I noticed we were actually doing more switching, although it did seem mostly to be "situational switching," with defenders kind of handing off their guy to a teammate if there was a mismatch, rather than switching on the pick-n-roll. It's not always easy to tell which switch is which. Still, a switch away from switching would be a switch from last year's switch to switching.

If Finch wore a pointy black cap and his name had a "t" instead of an "n," we could legitimately write, "the witch Fitch itched to pitch to switch the switch as long as guys remembered which switch was which."

Seriously, as long as Towns, Russell, and Edwards actually try on defense, I'll be a happy son-of-a- . . . ugh, how's that go again?

EDIT: Oh yeah! A happy son-of-a-gun.

[Monster]

Great thread. I agree with Q that the goal at this point should be upgrading from the second-worst defensive team in the League to mediocre. That goal is both necessary to this team's chances of making the playoffs and reasonable. I think it's a reasonable goal for all the reasons discussed so far. I think it's the cumulative impact of all those things:

1. Defensive accountability. Q's right that there's been a lack of defensive accountability that has fostered a poor defensive culture for many years. So far, it looks like Finch is all about accountability and doesn't shy away from holding players, even elite players, accountable. I expect that to continue.

2. Defensive scheme. I get Abe's view that scheme is irrelevant, but I think it matters as an important but not decisive factor in defensive improvement. In retrospect, it was this scheme change that likely drove Blair to make a surprise lateral move to the Wizards. Blair was all about switching and that's clearly not the direction Finch wanted to go. In contrast, Turner has always minimized switching in his coaching. I agree that the scheme Q described will be a better fit for the Wolves personnel, especially KAT. I still remember one of the best games the Wolves have played during the KAT era was against the Warriors near the end of Sam Mitchell's season. You might recall that Sam did not have KAT in drop coverage, but had him stay out on Steph Curry. He really frustrated Curry, which is hard to do.

3. More rotation defenders. The Wolves have added an elite defender to the rotation with the acquisition of Beverley. In basketball, one player can make a major difference. Vanderbilt wasn't in the regular rotation until late in the season and it's likely he'll be in the rotation and potentially a starter from the beginning of this next season. Adding a healthy Prince to the rotation should help as well. Even though isn't a top defender, he's pretty good if healthy and he's apparently healthy again after his ankle surgery a few months ago.

4. Maturation of young players. McDaniels already showed some nice defensive chops as a rookie. He's apparently grown taller and gained weight. Those physical changes plus a full season and off-season of experience should make him a very good defender in the Wolves starting lineup - hopefully at the SF position. Edwards has the physical gifts to be a great defender. He also seems highly competitive and intelligent. I think he'll work hard and be a lot smarter on the defensive end. If Finch holds him accountable, as I think he will, I see Edwards improving significantly on the defensive end. I would expect other very young players like Naz Reid, J-Mac and Nowell to improve defensively as well.

5. Offensive improvement. I'm not going to scoff at Cam's point and I don't think anyone else will either. I think he's absolutely right that improved offense will synergistically improve the team's defense.

How much of an impact any one factor will have on the Wolves defense is hard to gauge. But again, it's not any one factor, but instead the cumulative impact of all these factors that should significantly improve the Wolves defense next season.

I would assume Okogie doesn't play more than 20mpg this year but I think if he makes more progress as a defender especially as a team defender I think his impact on that end of the floor could be impactful in the minutes he plays. I thought last year he made progress in doing more of the right things instead of just being an aggressive man defender. Having a guy like Beverly around him might elevate his game.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

If you're right about the strategic shift away from switching, Q, that's kind of interesting, because after Finch arrived last year, I noticed we were actually doing more switching, although it did seem mostly to be "situational switching," with defenders kind of handing off their guy to a teammate if there was a mismatch, rather than switching on the pick-n-roll. It's not always easy to tell which switch is which. Still, a switch away from switching would be a switch from last year's switch to switching.

If Finch wore a pointy black cap and his name had a "t" instead of an "n," we could legitimately write, "the witch Fitch itched to pitch to switch the switch as long as guys remembered which switch was which."

Seriously, as long as Towns, Russell, and Edwards actually try on defense, I'll be a happy son-of-a- . . . shit, it's on the tip of my tongue, what's that f'ing word . . .

EDIT: Oh yeah! A happy son-of-a-gun.

Well, looks like the weekend has started for Drew. Good stuff.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

If you're right about the strategic shift away from switching, Q, that's kind of interesting, because after Finch arrived last year, I noticed we were actually doing more switching, although it did seem mostly to be "situational switching," with defenders kind of handing off their guy to a teammate if there was a mismatch, rather than switching on the pick-n-roll. It's not always easy to tell which switch is which. Still, a switch away from switching would be a switch from last year's switch to switching.

If Finch wore a pointy black cap and his name had a "t" instead of an "n," we could legitimately write, "the witch Fitch itched to pitch to switch the switch as long as guys remembered which switch was which."

Seriously, as long as Towns, Russell, and Edwards actually try on defense, I'll be a happy son-of-a- . . . shit, it's on the tip of my tongue, what's that f'ing word . . .

EDIT: Oh yeah! A happy son-of-a-gun.

Well, looks like the weekend has started for Drew. Good stuff.

You caught the dirty version just before I cleaned it up for the kids!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Jace Frederick:

Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards: "Ant's defense has been outstanding, really. His defense on and off the ball. Particularly off the ball, he's been really good in the gaps, help situations. He's been great, real aggressive. He's been more aggressive defensively than offensively"

[worldK]

Jace Frederick:

Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards: "Ant's defense has been outstanding, really. His defense on and off the ball. Particularly off the ball, he's been really good in the gaps, help situations. He's been great, real aggressive. He's been more aggressive defensively than offensively"

Great to hear. Ant is very gifted and I would say he has generational talent. Its all
about the drive and mental aspect for him. From what we can see, he seems to have that lock down.

[thedoper]

Jace Frederick:

Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards: "Ant's defense has been outstanding, really. His defense on and off the ball. Particularly off the ball, he's been really good in the gaps, help situations. He's been great, real aggressive. He's been more aggressive defensively than offensively"

It's not a surprise that all world athletic talent can make for great defense. That seems to be a common thread amongst the top stars that win regularly. I hope he stays locked in. I was high on drafting him, but I have been even more impressed at what I saw from him last year. His improvement is the biggest factor on this team moving forward. If we make no moves and start winning with our current roster we are set up nice for many years to come.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Jace Frederick:

Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards: "Ant's defense has been outstanding, really. His defense on and off the ball. Particularly off the ball, he's been really good in the gaps, help situations. He's been great, real aggressive. He's been more aggressive defensively than offensively"

It's not a surprise that all world athletic talent can make for great defense. That seems to be a common thread amongst the top stars that win regularly. I hope he stays locked in. I was high on drafting him, but I have been even more impressed at what I saw from him last year. His improvement is the biggest factor on this team moving forward. If we make no moves and start winning with our current roster we are set up nice for many years to come.

It's great to hear, but this is the time of year when coaches are regularly talking guys up quite a bit. The proof will be in the pudding. God, I hope it's true.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It is good to hear that about Ant, but I also take it with a grain of salt. We'll see how attentive he is to that side of the ball in game 20 and beyond. The one thing about Ant that I am confident in is he won't be the type of player teams try to target with switches. I think mano-a-mano he can lock in and stop people with his combination of size and athleticism. It's his overall awareness, making the right rotations, getting back, etc. that I worry about.

[Lipoli390]

It is good to hear that about Ant, but I also take it with a grain of salt. We'll see how attentive he is to that side of the ball in game 20 and beyond. The one thing about Ant that I am confident in is he won't be the type of player teams try to target with switches. I think mano-a-mano he can lock in and stop people with his combination of size and athleticism. It's his overall awareness, making the right rotations, getting back, etc. that I worry about.

Q - I agree that those are the right things to worry about with Edwards on the defensive end. But those things are all easily correctable with good coaching and experience. Physical talent and desire/heart/effort are the things you can't teach and that don't typically improve much over time. Ant has the potential to be a great, not just good, defender. If Ant becomes a force defensively, that changes this team dramatically. Then you have Edwards, McDaniels, Beverley and Vando as four good to excellent defenders in a 10-man rotation. Suddenly 40% of your 10-player rotation is very good defensively. If you add Okogie to that rotation, it's even better. That's a big deal. Moreover, Towns has already shown improvement defensively so I can see him becoming a decent defender. I think DLO will remain the weakest link defensively in the Wolves rotation. I'm still not sure about Beasley. He definitely gives a lot of effort on the defensive side of the ball, which is why I still hold out hope for him becoming a half-way decent defender.