FNG -
Glad you pointed out Vando's game last night. Can't believe I forgot to include him in my take-always. His play last night was even better than his impressive stats would suggest. I agree with you that this game is worth watching just to see Vando's play. The Wolves should absolutely re-sign him.
I was so disgusted with DLO's idiotic second technical that I didn't bother to mention how terrible his defense was last night. KAT's defensive issues stem from what appears to be poor defensive technique, some questionable defensive instincts and a tendency to let his emotions undermine his judgment. Yet he still improved defensively this season and that's somewhat encouraging. What drives me nuts about DLO is that his defensive failings seem to stem solely from a lack of effort or intensity. He'll close out on a shooter, but then he'll just stand and wave his arms like a matador as the player goes around him with ease. It happened several times last night.
Thoughts on Last Night’s Miami Game?
Re: Thoughts on Last Night’s Miami Game?
Lip, I have a love/hate relationship with Dlo. I enjoy him as a person and teammate and love his offense...most of the time. He's not an efficient scorer, but he's awfully fun to watch when his shot is on. And despite a tendency to turn the ball over too much, his passing and handle are extraordinary at times. But I would say his defense is terrible 90% of the time, and I mean perhaps league-worst terrible. 10% of the time he teases me with some adequate or even good on ball defense...he's long enough and reasonably athletic, so the physical tools are there. But the other 90% of the time is enough to want to bite your own arm off. There are too many times I am watching him on "defense" and I assume the Wolves have switched to a zone. But then I notice every other defender is matched up with an opponent...but not Dlo. I honestly can't tell if he just doesn't care, or he just doesn't get it. It's maddening. As you mentioned, KAT has shown some improvement on defense this year. I think I might appreciate his defense even more than you, because he has become a very good perimeter defender. So I keep thinking there is still hope for a 25-year-old like Dlo. But if he doesn't drastically improve his defense, or if Rosas isn't able to find a buyer that loves his offensive star power, we are destined to be a .500 team until his contract runs out. .500 might feel good compared to the past two years, but it's not enough for a team anchored by KAT and sporting some exciting young talent. The pieces are there for this franchise...we just need to get much more from the $30 million Rosas is spending on Dlo- either by Dlo doing a 180 and deciding he is going to become an average defender, or by trading him for someone who can provide more consistent 2-way results.
Re: Thoughts on Last Night’s Miami Game?
FNG wrote:Lip, I have a love/hate relationship with Dlo. I enjoy him as a person and teammate and love his offense...most of the time. He's not an efficient scorer, but he's awfully fun to watch when his shot is on. And despite a tendency to turn the ball over too much, his passing and handle are extraordinary at times. But I would say his defense is terrible 90% of the time, and I mean perhaps league-worst terrible. 10% of the time he teases me with some adequate or even good on ball defense...he's long enough and reasonably athletic, so the physical tools are there. But the other 90% of the time is enough to want to bite your own arm off. There are too many times I am watching him on "defense" and I assume the Wolves have switched to a zone. But then I notice every other defender is matched up with an opponent...but not Dlo. I honestly can't tell if he just doesn't care, or he just doesn't get it. It's maddening. As you mentioned, KAT has shown some improvement on defense this year. I think I might appreciate his defense even more than you, because he has become a very good perimeter defender. So I keep thinking there is still hope for a 25-year-old like Dlo. But if he doesn't drastically improve his defense, or if Rosas isn't able to find a buyer that loves his offensive star power, we are destined to be a .500 team until his contract runs out. .500 might feel good compared to the past two years, but it's not enough for a team anchored by KAT and sporting some exciting young talent. The pieces are there for this franchise...we just need to get much more from the $30 million Rosas is spending on Dlo- either by Dlo doing a 180 and deciding he is going to become an average defender, or by trading him for someone who can provide more consistent 2-way results.
Totally agree, FNG.