Backcourt Intrigue - Wolves at Nuggets GDT

[Lipoli390]

A few thoughts:

1. Looks like DLO had that break-out game I was predicting for the last Denver game. Or was it the Washington game. I can't remember. But I knew he was going to break out at some point and tonight was the night. While I'm not a DLO fan, I don't think Ryan makes optimal use of DLO's talents.

2. Vanderbilt was a difference-maker tonight with his hustle, size and athleticism. He absolutely should be getting more minutes. After tonight, I think even Q might appreciate Vanderbilt's talent.

3. Edwards wasn't very good tonight. But you could see the talent. His court vision, feel and passing continue to impress me. If he pans out, I see him eventually as a lead guard.

4. Juancho looked like he's finally given up his acting career and re-focused on basketball. Or maybe, he just plays better in thinner air.

Overall, this was certainly a better effort. What Vanderbilt showed tonight confirmed my view that this season will have to be about development and evaluation more than winning - unless KAT comes back within a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I still think KAT will be out until February.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's DVR Late Night Review:

- Amazing what getting to the line can do. It got Russell going a bit. 33 points on 21 shots. And some really nice passes. We all knew he'd play better. Hopefully many more times.

- Hernangomez shot great. Edwards was both pretty damn good and pretty damn terrible. Beasley was meh in this one. Rubio was very bad. Reid was very bad.

- Edwards looks like he'll be a professional scorer. He knows how to pass. He has moments on defense. And he's a terrible rebounder right now. Is it from being out of position? Effort? Small sample size? Something else?

- Can't think of anything or anybody else worth discussing.

[FNG]

A few thoughts:

1. Looks like DLO had that break-out game I was predicting for the last Denver game. Or was it the Washington game. I can't remember. But I knew he was going to break out at some point and tonight was the night. While I'm not a DLO fan, I don't think Ryan makes optimal use of DLO's talents.

2. Vanderbilt was a difference-maker tonight with his hustle, size and athleticism. He absolutely should be getting more minutes. After tonight, I think even Q might appreciate Vanderbilt's talent.

3. Edwards wasn't very good tonight. But you could see the talent. His court vision, feel and passing continue to impress me. If he pans out, I see him eventually as a lead guard.

4. Juancho looked like he's finally given up his acting career and re-focused on basketball. Or maybe, he just plays better in thinner air.

Overall, this was certainly a better effort. What Vanderbilt showed tonight confirmed my view that this season will have to be about development and evaluation more than winning - unless KAT comes back within a couple weeks. Unfortunately, I still think KAT will be out until February.

Ha, we learned a lesson tonight...everybody needs to shut up pre-game about positive D-Lo predictions! I did it against Washington and you did it in the first Denver game, and Russell stunk up the joint both games. We were all silent tonight pre-game and he looked like a true max player. Great to see...keep it up D-Lo!

Gotta admit I thoroughly enjoyed watching this game this morning. Rubio was terrible and Beasley couldn't make a shot, but I'm not worried about either of those guys. Breakout games from Russell, Juancho and Vando made this a fun game to watch.

One game doesn't erase his poor play in the previous 6 games, but Juancho certainly looked like a guy who is shaking off the rust. I've pointed out his very good stats in his 14 games in the starting lineup at the end of last season- 16 and 9 on 42% 3-point shooting. He was clearly out of shape at the start of the season, and he looked much more like the 2020 version tonight. I know this isn't a popular take here, but I would continue to start him at PF.

What more can we say about Vando? He consistently "brought it" tonight at both ends of the court. He shouldn't have to defend Jokic one-on-one and he only had to because KAT is out, but I loved how he wasn't intimidated at all. He's not going to stop Jokic...he's way too strong and skilled...but I loved watching the kid battle. Here are the other things I love about Vando: 1) every missed shot is an opportunity for an offensive rebound. He was only credited with one tonight, but he kept possessions alive a few times and was always around the ball after a missed shot. 2) he knows who he is. He's not a shooter, so why spend any time drifting around outside the lane except to set a pick? He knows that he needs to focus on screens and cutting to the basket...D-Lo, Rubio, Edwards and Beasley will find him for layups if he keeps working.

We still haven't won a game with KAT out this year, but we also haven't lost one with him, and tonight's game confirmed for me that we can battle for a play-in spot if he returns in the next couple weeks and stays healthy. Meanwhile, I'm going to enjoy losses like tonight!

[FNG]

Tonight's plus/minus analysis:

D-Lo +1: I and others here have ripped Russell for his terrible on/off numbers this year and throughout his career, but tonight he was a positive player- even with KAT out. We still have only seen these guys together for 3 games. Can Russell become a positive max player if he doesn't have to be the man every night?

Rubio and Reid -18 and -13: Nuff said...both were terrible tonight. Some of you have commented about a center's base, and I don't necessarily agree that KAT has a problem there. But Naz's weight loss off-season, while he is notably quicker, makes him look way too weak to defend in the post. He needs to get stronger.

Vanderbilt +9: No more analysis needed. When an athlete like Vando plays hard at both ends, good things are likely to happen.

Culver +4: 4-6-1 and missing his only three-point attempt in 22 minutes is underwhelming at best. But why does this kid consistently do well in +/-? The answer is a combination of length, work ethic and smarts. I seldom find myself shaking my head at anything he does. If, and it's a big if, he can improve his shot, he has a chance to be very good.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, two of my favorite players on the team - Rubio and Reid - were awful. Rubio looks like more than anyone he needed a full training camp and pre-season to get into shape. His shot is flat, he can't finish, and he looks a step slow. Let's hope it's just a fitness/rounding-into-form issue with him and not a season-long trend.

But it's even more painful to see a promising young player like Reid make one stupid foul after another and just get totally overwhelmed by Jokic.

Sorry guys, but Edwards hurts us more than he helps us for right now. That is what happens with most 19-year old rookies. He absolutely shows flashes of greatness, but he also misses too damn much and doesn't make enough happen when he's off the ball (rebound, cut, run, etc.).

Juancho and DLO couldn't possibly keep playing as bad as they were. Good to see them break out.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Tonight's plus/minus analysis:

D-Lo +1: I and others here have ripped Russell for his terrible on/off numbers this year and throughout his career, but tonight he was a positive player- even with KAT out. We still have only seen these guys together for 3 games. Can Russell become a positive max player if he doesn't have to be the man every night?

Rubio and Reid -18 and -13: Nuff said...both were terrible tonight. Some of you have commented about a center's base, and I don't necessarily agree that KAT has a problem there. But Naz's weight loss off-season, while he is notably quicker, makes him look way too weak to defend in the post. He needs to get stronger.

Vanderbilt +9: No more analysis needed. When an athlete like Vando plays hard at both ends, good things are likely to happen.

Culver +4: 4-6-1 and missing his only three-point attempt in 22 minutes is underwhelming at best. But why does this kid consistently do well in +/-? The answer is a combination of length, work ethic and smarts. I seldom find myself shaking my head at anything he does. If, and it's a big if, he can improve his shot, he has a chance to be very good.

The problem with this squad - and something I worried about during the preseason and its as true as ever so far - is that it is totally bifurcated between defense/hustle/do shit guys and offense/shooters/don't do much else guys. Then you have guys like Edwards, Reid, and Laymen who don't do either that well.

What that means is Saunders can't field a really good defensive frontline like Davis, Vanderbilt, and Culver because literally none of them can shoot. So now you have to stick a sieve like Juancho at PF or only play Vanderbilt at C. He's constantly having to sacrifice defense to ensure better spacing.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Today I learned Q doesn't read my late night DVR reviews.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Today I learned Q doesn't read my late night DVR reviews.

Sorry Abe, off my game! Missed your quip at the end. And yes, there is still an open seat on the Vando bandwagon if you care to join the party bus. We've pulled an all-nighter and enjoying some Bloody Marys at the moment.

Your comment on Edwards I didn't miss. It's still so early with him, but it's hard not to nit-pick. The dude is an absolute beast of an athlete (literally hit his head on the backboard when he went in for the baseline dunk last night), but does tend to have that Wiggins-esque tendency to drift at times. I know in other ways he doesn't compare at all to Andrew, but the drifting definitely is there and that shows itself in the box score with things like rebounding.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Today I learned Q doesn't read my late night DVR reviews.

Sorry Abe, off my game! Missed your quip at the end. And yes, there is still an open seat on the Vando bandwagon if you care to join the party bus. We've pulled an all-nighter and enjoying some Bloody Marys at the moment.

Your comment on Edwards I didn't miss. It's still so early with him, but it's hard not to nit-pick. The dude is an absolute beast of an athlete (literally hit his head on the backboard when he went in for the baseline dunk last night), but does tend to have that Wiggins-esque tendency to drift at times. I know in other ways he doesn't compare at all to Andrew, but the drifting definitely is there and that shows itself in the box score with things like rebounding.

Because my ego is too large... and I'm bitter of your prized find... I'm staying off the bandwagon.

But damn... that sort of energy is fun to watch. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out. It'll be awesome if Vanderbilt becomes a key player through sheer hustle, energy and game-to-game improvement. It's been missing from this organization for a long time.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Today I learned Q doesn't read my late night DVR reviews.

Sorry Abe, off my game! Missed your quip at the end. And yes, there is still an open seat on the Vando bandwagon if you care to join the party bus. We've pulled an all-nighter and enjoying some Bloody Marys at the moment.

Your comment on Edwards I didn't miss. It's still so early with him, but it's hard not to nit-pick. The dude is an absolute beast of an athlete (literally hit his head on the backboard when he went in for the baseline dunk last night), but does tend to have that Wiggins-esque tendency to drift at times. I know in other ways he doesn't compare at all to Andrew, but the drifting definitely is there and that shows itself in the box score with things like rebounding.

Because my ego is too large... and I'm bitter of your prized find... I'm staying off the bandwagon.

But damn... that sort of energy is fun to watch. I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out. It'll be awesome if Vanderbilt becomes a key player through sheer hustle, energy and game-to-game improvement. It's been missing from this organization for a long time.

Yeah, I'm a realist too. He definitely has flaws and I'm not sure how sustainable his style of play and body type are. But....surrounded by skilled scorers and floor spacers, he's the type of fill-the-gaps kind of guy we need. He's like Okogie on steroids.