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Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 2:06 pm
by FNG
AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 1:43 pm
I should say, I'm not really sure where I would place Ant in the so called top 10. Such debates are fun but often overly arbitrary.
I was just pointing out, albeit pedantically, that it's not a homer take to rank Ant inside the top 10--- it's just general consensus.
All that said, I don't really disagree with anything your have to say FNG. Ant doesn't measure up super well in the stats you've laid out and that frustrating even if those stats are flawed. You are also correct that Ant grades out pretty well in most hyper analytical metrics like DMP, in which he is 6th. I'm hoping to do a "player review" series this off season and I'll be able to touch more on the numbers.
But for what it's worth, I think it's pretty valid to drop Ant a few or several spots because of the inconsistent effort. He's one of the most simultaneously entertaining and frustrating superstars I've ever watched, and I hate the whole "flip a switch" idea. At best it's misguided, at worst it's a loser mindset and in any case it's extremely arrogant.
If Ant want to stake his reputation on what he does in the playoffs, than he better bring it in 2026, cause in all honesty he's let his team down this year
Yeah, we both hate the "flip the switch" thing and hope it happens again this postseason! I like our supporting cast, so if Ant can play like a 2-way top 5 guy in the playoffs, we may surprise again. He has the potential I think.
Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:39 pm
by rapsuperstar31
Obviously growth isn't constant, Ant could have peaked and he might still keep getting better. He just had his best offensive season ever so he is still getting better. Defensively not so much, but I do think when we decide to put a real point guard next to Ant in the future, we will get a more consistent defender from Ant in the regular season just like he was good next to Mike for the two years prior. Wemby is a rare case of a 22 year old already being one of the best players in the league. SGA the MVP didn't make the playoffs at 23 or 24 years old. Luka who has been considered top 3 MVP multiple years, didn't make the playoffs at 24, is 3 years older than Ant and has been to the WCF the same amount of times as Ant, and more than likely won't see the 2nd round for the 3rd time in 4 seasons . Giannis often in the top 5 MVP discussion hasn't sniffed the 2nd round in 4 years. Joker 3 time MVP, hasn't gotten out of the 2nd round two years in a row. Hell what if big bad Wemby loses to either Denver or Ant and the Wolves in the 2nd round this year? Maybe Wemby isn't quite there yet, if that happens. Ant at 24 doesn't need to be this perfect player, but with some of choices we've made like trading for Rudy who is now 33 years old our clock is ticking with this roster as currently constructed.
Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 4:00 pm
by Wolvesfan21
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:39 pm
Obviously growth isn't constant, Ant could have peaked and he might still keep getting better. He just had his best offensive season ever so he is still getting better. Defensively not so much, but I do think when we decide to put a real point guard next to Ant in the future, we will get a more consistent defender from Ant in the regular season just like he was good next to Mike for the two years prior. Wemby is a rare case of a 22 year old already being one of the best players in the league. SGA the MVP didn't make the playoffs at 23 or 24 years old. Luka who has been considered top 3 MVP multiple years, didn't make the playoffs at 24, is 3 years older than Ant and has been to the WCF the same amount of times as Ant, and more than likely won't see the 2nd round for the 3rd time in 4 seasons . Giannis often in the top 5 MVP discussion hasn't sniffed the 2nd round in 4 years. Joker 3 time MVP, hasn't gotten out of the 2nd round two years in a row. Hell what if big bad Wemby loses to either Denver or Ant and the Wolves in the 2nd round this year? Maybe Wemby isn't quite there yet, if that happens. Ant at 24 doesn't need to be this perfect player, but with some of choices we've made like trading for Rudy who is now 33 years old our clock is ticking with this roster as currently constructed.
The MVP trophy is a bit silly to me. Voters get tired of handing it to the same guy and vote someone else, it's always been that way.
To me Joker is the MVP. Sure you can poke at his lack of defense, for sure he's mediocre at best.
But he is 1st in Rebounds per game, 1st in Assists, 8th in PPG and even doing all that shooting 57%. It's not even close to me he is a far better player then SGA and better season. SGA has a better surrounding talent, depth and probably coach. So I excuse the W/L record.
But who moves the needle more? Joker.
Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2026 9:11 pm
by Q-is-here
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:39 pm
Ant at 24 doesn't need to be this perfect player, but with some of choices we've made like trading for Rudy who is now 33 years old our clock is ticking with this roster as currently constructed.
Agree, which is why I think most of us feel like fairly significant changes will take place this offseason.
Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2026 4:23 pm
by TheFuture
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 9:11 pm
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:39 pm
Ant at 24 doesn't need to be this perfect player, but with some of choices we've made like trading for Rudy who is now 33 years old our clock is ticking with this roster as currently constructed.
Agree, which is why I think most of us feel like fairly significant changes will take place this offseason.
I think keeping Rudy is not only very important for the team right now, but also Beringer's development. So I wouldn't want it to be him.
After reading the article posted about how close Ant, Jaden, and Naz are. I wouldn't move Reid and create unnecessary chaos.
It will have to be Randle.
Re: Stake your claim
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2026 4:43 pm
by Q-is-here
TheFuture wrote: ↑Fri Apr 17, 2026 4:23 pm
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 9:11 pm
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 16, 2026 3:39 pm
Ant at 24 doesn't need to be this perfect player, but with some of choices we've made like trading for Rudy who is now 33 years old our clock is ticking with this roster as currently constructed.
Agree, which is why I think most of us feel like fairly significant changes will take place this offseason.
I think keeping Rudy is not only very important for the team right now, but also Beringer's development. So I wouldn't want it to be him.
After reading the article posted about how close Ant, Jaden, and Naz are. I wouldn't move Reid and create unnecessary chaos.
It will have to be Randle.
I definitely think Randle is more likely to be moved than Naz, but these guys have all been around the block long enough to know that the trio could be broken up at the drop of a hat and it isn't personal.
I personally think we need a total re-vamp of the PF position and both should be moved. I like Naz on paper next to a defensive Center like Rudy or Joan, but his game-to-game floor is so low that he becomes almost unplayable at times (recall the OKC series last year). You simply can't have a starting PF making that kind of money that plays himself off the floor due to complete ineptness on both ends of the floor every 4th or 5th game.
[end of Naz rant]