Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:The problem with just trying to outscore our opponents with a turbo-charged offense is that even we have cold stretches where either the shots aren't falling or we don't execute properly. It happens to every team (even Golden State goes cold every once in a while). And when this happens, it feels like it immediately translates to our defense too. So we end up with these epic collapses where we lose quarters by 10, 15, or 20 points.

The bottom line is that when the other team ups its defensive intensity - usually in 3rd quarters - we have got to match them defensively. We need to lose the quarters where we go cold offensively by only 6 or 7 points instead of double-digits.

I think at the end of this season, Thibs is going to have to make a change which entails either getting in a much more rugged, defensive-minded Center that can play next to KAT and/or a SF with a similar makeup. That obviously has a domino effect on people like Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine.

That's a real good post Q. I agree with everything you say here. Unless G or KAT can become a much greater force defensively, Thibs might be backed into a corner and forced to make a structural change to get us to the next level.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:The problem with just trying to outscore our opponents with a turbo-charged offense is that even we have cold stretches where either the shots aren't falling or we don't execute properly. It happens to every team (even Golden State goes cold every once in a while). And when this happens, it feels like it immediately translates to our defense too. So we end up with these epic collapses where we lose quarters by 10, 15, or 20 points.

The bottom line is that when the other team ups its defensive intensity - usually in 3rd quarters - we have got to match them defensively. We need to lose the quarters where we go cold offensively by only 6 or 7 points instead of double-digits.

I think at the end of this season, Thibs is going to have to make a change which entails either getting in a much more rugged, defensive-minded Center that can play next to KAT and/or a SF with a similar makeup. That obviously has a domino effect on people like Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine.

That's a real good post Q. I agree with everything you say here. Unless G or KAT can become a much greater force defensively, Thibs might be backed into a corner and forced to make a structural change to get us to the next level.

Ironically the guy that would be a great fit as a 3rd big is already on the roster but won't play a single game this season or potentially ever again in the NBA - Pek. Just imagine a healthy (2013) Pek paired with either KAT or Dieng. What we are missing is a big body to clog the lane and guard the paint defensively, and a low post bruiser offensively. I thought Aldrich would offset these glaring weaknesses somewhat but he has his limitations and really gets pushed around a lot more than I was expecting.

Offensively Deing seems to be playing in the high post most plays, setting picks, passing or taking wide open long two jump shots. With Dieng IQ and passing skills this has been really effective. But to make this even more effective KAT needs to focus more on his low post game as opposed to this floating out top of the key and playing ISO ball against his defender. Last season KAT played the low post well, but this season he's spending too much time playing on the perimeter. I have no doubt that he can be one of the best perimeter scoring bigs in the league, but when paired with Dieng would like to see him be more active down low.

Cole and Belly sucking so bad is painful. KATs a 5, but G's footwork makes KAT a 4. Our bigs are kind of a mess right now.

I think Belly would flourish if given the chance to play with the starters. Make the other teams adjust and play small. That would be our best defense against getting beaten up down low. Look at the lineups belly has been paired with the last year.

Can't help imagining CJ McCollum next to Ricky. We took Burke what, 9th, traded for Bazz and Gorgiu. Would you trade them both for CJ? Imagine Ricky and CJ in the back court. I think Lip wanted CJ. Flip should have listened.

papalrep wrote:Can't help imagining CJ McCollum next to Ricky. We took Burke what, 9th, traded for Bazz and Gorgiu. Would you trade them both for CJ? Imagine Ricky and CJ in the back court. I think Lip wanted CJ. Flip should have listened.

Personally I'd prefer to imagine the Greek Freak. Small ball lineup of Ricky, LaVine, Wiggins, Freak and KAT. :thumb:

khans2k5 wrote:Answers

Dunn
D Wade
CJ McCullom
Avery Bradley
Zach Lavine

You're just too focused on the offensive side of the ball to see he has the size and athleticism to play the 2. He's not an ideal 2 because he's not a great shooter, but plenty of guards/wings have cash in the bank because of their defensive prowess. Don't let an inch and a jump shot be the decider of where he can play. You play what you can guard and he has all the tools to guard 1 and 2. He'll put on more weight in the next two summers to solidify this fact as well.

I figured one of those physical measurements was Ricky.

papalrep wrote:Can't help imagining CJ McCollum next to Ricky. We took Burke what, 9th, traded for Bazz and Gorgiu. Would you trade them both for CJ? Imagine Ricky and CJ in the back court. I think Lip wanted CJ. Flip should have listened.

Well Flip picked 2 functional basketball players in that draft in Bazz and Dieng I'll take that. In addition he did pick that Zach Lavine guy who looks pretty good shooting the ball himself. It's a few games but their stats aren't pretty similar right now. Dieng I think could be a very important piece for this team going forward as he allows Towns to play wherever is best for him. I'm pretty happy with where we are at right now although having Gobert would be fun next to Towns. :)

Lavine > McCollum

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:The problem with just trying to outscore our opponents with a turbo-charged offense is that even we have cold stretches where either the shots aren't falling or we don't execute properly. It happens to every team (even Golden State goes cold every once in a while). And when this happens, it feels like it immediately translates to our defense too. So we end up with these epic collapses where we lose quarters by 10, 15, or 20 points.

The bottom line is that when the other team ups its defensive intensity - usually in 3rd quarters - we have got to match them defensively. We need to lose the quarters where we go cold offensively by only 6 or 7 points instead of double-digits.

I think at the end of this season, Thibs is going to have to make a change which entails either getting in a much more rugged, defensive-minded Center that can play next to KAT and/or a SF with a similar makeup. That obviously has a domino effect on people like Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine.

That's a real good post Q. I agree with everything you say here. Unless G or KAT can become a much greater force defensively, Thibs might be backed into a corner and forced to make a structural change to get us to the next level.

Thibs has been taking about playing both ends of the ball like a team. Clearly this team is more ahead in the offensive side of the ball. Dieng is so effective there. Now defensively there is some good physical and individual skills but they don't get it and yes they also get pushed around. I think eventually they pick up enough of the concepts make the right rotations and they make some real improvements. I don't see the reason to hurt the offense too much just keep working on getting those defensive concepts and play as a team. It's going to take some time. They don't have a big that's arrived as a defensive anchor or a top level wing defender to rely on. Ricky was probably the closest thing they would have had and he isn't playing. I think it will come together to some extent.