Minnesota Sports Forum

Is Okogie even that good on defense? I know he hustles his butt off, but he is not an elite defender. If he were truly elite, he'd be more playable in the playoffs, but right now the poor shooting is too big of a tradeoff.

Q12543 wrote:Is Okogie even that good on defense? I know he hustles his butt off, but he is not an elite defender. If he were truly elite, he'd be more playable in the playoffs, but right now the poor shooting is too big of a tradeoff.

I think he is good and if he gets that latitude I could see him being a guy like Tucker that has physicality to manhandle guys to some extent. Elite? No probably not. I do think his defense may rise if the team around him ever became somewhat competent. I think he does play better in a team concept than he used to. I think he still has defensive potential but I agree with you he isn't that good on that end.

I think the positive I take away is that some teams were taken out early and by young teams. This could create quite a chaos of moves by teams trying to get better. That could mean the Wolves could make some moves espcially since they have a nice stack of expiring contracts...

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Is Okogie even that good on defense? I know he hustles his butt off, but he is not an elite defender. If he were truly elite, he'd be more playable in the playoffs, but right now the poor shooting is too big of a tradeoff.

I think he is good and if he gets that latitude I could see him being a guy like Tucker that has physicality to manhandle guys to some extent. Elite? No probably not. I do think his defense may rise if the team around him ever became somewhat competent. I think he does play better in a team concept than he used to. I think he still has defensive potential but I agree with you he isn't that good on that end.

I agree, Monster. Good analysis.

Is Cam Reddish having some success in the playoffs give you...or maybe some NBA teams hope for Culver? Reddish has struggled statistically in his young career much like Culver but the major difference between them is that Reddish has shot over 80% from the FT in both of his seasons. Culver has a much higher 2 point percentage but Reddish has a higher career 3 point percentage both of them have really struggled in their few games in the regular season this year. Reddish is a pretty big looking dude. Trust me I'm not really getting my hopes up or anything but I will say that coaching matters and if Finch is a worthwhile coach maybe he can get more out of culver than what we have seen...of course the bar isn't too high. Having said that I'd rather see Nowell get a shot than Culver.

monsterpile wrote:Is Cam Reddish having some success in the playoffs give you...or maybe some NBA teams hope for Culver? Reddish has struggled statistically in his young career much like Culver but the major difference between them is that Reddish has shot over 80% from the FT in both of his seasons. Culver has a much higher 2 point percentage but Reddish has a higher career 3 point percentage both of them have really struggled in their few games in the regular season this year. Reddish is a pretty big looking dude. Trust me I'm not really getting my hopes up or anything but I will say that coaching matters and if Finch is a worthwhile coach maybe he can get more out of culver than what we have seen...of course the bar isn't too high. Having said that I'd rather see Nowell get a shot than Culver.

Good point Monster. In fact, anytime you've got an athletic 6"6-ish wing with a good work ethic, you should give that player some extra runway. Having said that, he is past the point of being gifted minutes, so now he has to earn his way into the rotation. There is really no downside to keeping him.

Q12543 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:Is Cam Reddish having some success in the playoffs give you...or maybe some NBA teams hope for Culver? Reddish has struggled statistically in his young career much like Culver but the major difference between them is that Reddish has shot over 80% from the FT in both of his seasons. Culver has a much higher 2 point percentage but Reddish has a higher career 3 point percentage both of them have really struggled in their few games in the regular season this year. Reddish is a pretty big looking dude. Trust me I'm not really getting my hopes up or anything but I will say that coaching matters and if Finch is a worthwhile coach maybe he can get more out of culver than what we have seen...of course the bar isn't too high. Having said that I'd rather see Nowell get a shot than Culver.

Good point Monster. In fact, anytime you've got an athletic 6"6-ish wing with a good work ethic, you should give that player some extra runway. Having said that, he is past the point of being gifted minutes, so now he has to earn his way into the rotation. There is really no downside to keeping him.

I will also mention all the wing depth the Hawks had this year and now Reddish is playing some important minutes in the ECF. To be honest it would likely be a big positive if Culver basically never gets an opportunity next year (if he is on the roster) because that means other guys stayed healthy and probably played reasonably well. Culver did improve his shooting at the rim (went from disaster shooting FTs to just bad) and actually was much better shooting corner 3s...although he was still really bad. I would even say let him get some playing time in the G-league. I think he is a guy that needs to actually play some more games and figure out what kind of player he is...or isn't. Honestly at this point I'm not sure what makes him more appealing than a hard working G-league guy except I think Culver has shown enough I think he can defend at the NBA level but the shooting...

Monster, I'm the first to agree that Culver has had a horrible first two years in the NBA. That said, I would not be stunned if he became a serviceable NBA player, and I actually would not trade him straight up for Reddish. Reddish was a HS star that every college wanted, but he had a remarkably average year at Duke and has looked similarly lackluster in the pros. Both have struggled offensively, but the big difference between the two, both in college and in the NBA, has been on defense...Culver is a much better defender. Reddish has made some big shots in this series, but neither player was a good 3-point shooter on college and we shouldn't expect a turnaround in the pros. But despite his free throw ineptitude, Culver is niftier with the ball around the basket and a far better defender. Both were poor selections in the draft, but I prefer Culver. I think you're correct, monster, that Culver and Nowell will be battling for relevance in the rotation. I've preferred Nowell's much better ability to score so far in their respective careers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Culver takes a big leap this year and provides some value. Being allowed to play, and perhaps star, in summer league would be a nice start.

FNG wrote:Monster, I'm the first to agree that Culver has had a horrible first two years in the NBA. That said, I would not be stunned if he became a serviceable NBA player, and I actually would not trade him straight up for Reddish. Reddish was a HS star that every college wanted, but he had a remarkably average year at Duke and has looked similarly lackluster in the pros. Both have struggled offensively, but the big difference between the two, both in college and in the NBA, has been on defense...Culver is a much better defender. Reddish has made some big shots in this series, but neither player was a good 3-point shooter on college and we shouldn't expect a turnaround in the pros. But despite his free throw ineptitude, Culver is niftier with the ball around the basket and a far better defender. Both were poor selections in the draft, but I prefer Culver. I think you're correct, monster, that Culver and Nowell will be battling for relevance in the rotation. I've preferred Nowell's much better ability to score so far in their respective careers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Culver takes a big leap this year and provides some value. Being allowed to play, and perhaps star, in summer league would be a nice start.

FWIW I've seen some praise for Reddish as a defender in his young career. Obviously I haven't watched enough to confirm it so I am still skeptical but it might be worth considering he isn't a massive negative on that end. I just read Nate McMillen said yesterday that end of the court is his game and praised him so yeah maybe Reddish can defend. If that's the case with his size and length he will have some value going forward.

monsterpile wrote:

FNG wrote:Monster, I'm the first to agree that Culver has had a horrible first two years in the NBA. That said, I would not be stunned if he became a serviceable NBA player, and I actually would not trade him straight up for Reddish. Reddish was a HS star that every college wanted, but he had a remarkably average year at Duke and has looked similarly lackluster in the pros. Both have struggled offensively, but the big difference between the two, both in college and in the NBA, has been on defense...Culver is a much better defender. Reddish has made some big shots in this series, but neither player was a good 3-point shooter on college and we shouldn't expect a turnaround in the pros. But despite his free throw ineptitude, Culver is niftier with the ball around the basket and a far better defender. Both were poor selections in the draft, but I prefer Culver. I think you're correct, monster, that Culver and Nowell will be battling for relevance in the rotation. I've preferred Nowell's much better ability to score so far in their respective careers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Culver takes a big leap this year and provides some value. Being allowed to play, and perhaps star, in summer league would be a nice start.

FWIW I've seen some praise for Reddish as a defender in his young career. Obviously I haven't watched enough to confirm it so I am still skeptical but it might be worth considering he isn't a massive negative on that end. I just read Nate McMillen said yesterday that end of the court is his game and praised him so yeah maybe Reddish can defend. If that's the case with his size and length he will have some value going forward.

Yeah, I've heard the Hawks' FM and McMillan say some positive things about Cam's defense, but the numbers don't seem to back that up. I'll admit I've hardly seen him at all in the pros, but I watched him a lot at Duke and thought his defense was dreadful.