Minnesota Sports Forum

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

WolvesFan21 wrote:I wouldn't call Culvers shot broken as much as just inconsistent. The shot itself mechanically looks good, he just misses wildly at times due to more then likely either a mental block, thinking too much, confidence, or lack of actual reps at game speed. When you practice you should be doing so like you are in a game situation. Running the floor, etc.

I know Anthony Tolliver mentioned this as well who is one of the best 3P shooters. Culver can become one, he needs the proper work put in. Maybe some confidence boost will come too.

Just to show you how far he needs to go with that shot...

Culver's 42.1% ft is the worst in the league for guys shooting more than 1 per game.

Next up are centers, Stephen Adams and Clint Capela, at 46.3% and 46.9%. The closest guard on the list is fellow rookie, RJ Barrett at 53.3%.

Both young players have a long way to go...

I'm not saying it's not concerning. I'm sure he probably can knock down 80% alone in a gym. He just needs to mentally overcome the problems he is having. I don't think it's mechanically off, it's just mental. For now, you just give him a pass and look for improvement over the long term.

I'll be concerned if he doesn't show an increased rate later into the year and into next season. He's young, he has time to improve.

It's somewhat interesting if to compare these guys picked 5,6 and 7 in last year's draft. All of them were considered playmakers in some sense of the word. All of them are averaging about 3 assists a game per 36 mins. Shooting is a problem for Culver but I'd guess his defense is better or projects to be better than at least one of the other guys. White is pulling down the most rebounds per 36 of any of these guys.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Jarrett+Culver&player_id1_select=Jarrett+Culver&player_id1=culveja01&y1=2020&player_id2_hint=Darius+Garland&player_id2_select=Darius+Garland&y2=2020&player_id2=garlada01&idx=players&player_id3_hint=Coby+White&player_id3_select=Coby+White&y3=2020&player_id3=whiteco01&idx=players

WolvesFan21 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

WolvesFan21 wrote:I wouldn't call Culvers shot broken as much as just inconsistent. The shot itself mechanically looks good, he just misses wildly at times due to more then likely either a mental block, thinking too much, confidence, or lack of actual reps at game speed. When you practice you should be doing so like you are in a game situation. Running the floor, etc.

I know Anthony Tolliver mentioned this as well who is one of the best 3P shooters. Culver can become one, he needs the proper work put in. Maybe some confidence boost will come too.

Just to show you how far he needs to go with that shot...

Culver's 42.1% ft is the worst in the league for guys shooting more than 1 per game.

Next up are centers, Stephen Adams and Clint Capela, at 46.3% and 46.9%. The closest guard on the list is fellow rookie, RJ Barrett at 53.3%.

Both young players have a long way to go...

I'm not saying it's not concerning. I'm sure he probably can knock down 80% alone in a gym. He just needs to mentally overcome the problems he is having. I don't think it's mechanically off, it's just mental. For now, you just give him a pass and look for improvement over the long term.

I'll be concerned if he doesn't show an increased rate later into the year and into next season. He's young, he has time to improve.

Alas.

At this point, that mantra should be etched permanently into the sidewalk in front of Target Center.

Not saying it's not what we NEED to do... only that it gets old after many years or even decades of being patient with the Timberwolves.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

WolvesFan21 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

WolvesFan21 wrote:I wouldn't call Culvers shot broken as much as just inconsistent. The shot itself mechanically looks good, he just misses wildly at times due to more then likely either a mental block, thinking too much, confidence, or lack of actual reps at game speed. When you practice you should be doing so like you are in a game situation. Running the floor, etc.

I know Anthony Tolliver mentioned this as well who is one of the best 3P shooters. Culver can become one, he needs the proper work put in. Maybe some confidence boost will come too.

Just to show you how far he needs to go with that shot...

Culver's 42.1% ft is the worst in the league for guys shooting more than 1 per game.

Next up are centers, Stephen Adams and Clint Capela, at 46.3% and 46.9%. The closest guard on the list is fellow rookie, RJ Barrett at 53.3%.

Both young players have a long way to go...

I'm not saying it's not concerning. I'm sure he probably can knock down 80% alone in a gym. He just needs to mentally overcome the problems he is having. I don't think it's mechanically off, it's just mental. For now, you just give him a pass and look for improvement over the long term.

I'll be concerned if he doesn't show an increased rate later into the year and into next season. He's young, he has time to improve.

Alas.

At this point, that mantra should be etched permanently into the sidewalk in front of Target Center.

Not saying it's not what we NEED to do... only that it gets old after many years or even decades of being patient with the Timberwolves.

Of course it would be nice if we could just sign Kawhi or LeBron, but alas, MN is not a destination and I don't blame them. I'd rather live in California, Texas or Florida in the winter myself. We really have no great options after what Thibs left us, so we just go with what we got for now. Hope the guys we got do something unexpected to the upside (which they probably won't.)

I think Culver's shot is mechanically off. His form is super ugly. The only hope is the nice arc he gets on his release. But to take that much time and still look that awful is concerning.

thedoper wrote:I think Culver's shot is mechanically off. His form is super ugly. The only hope is the nice arc he gets on his release. But to take that much time and still look that awful is concerning.

Culver's shot from three should improve as he gets stronger. His form and release was clean from mid-range at Texas Tech and when he had time to set his feet from the three-point line, but the added distance of the NBA line has made him have to muscle shots. You can literally see him doing it as his guide hand will cross over his shooting arm on the follow through. That's the sign of a guy not having proper range yet.

The issues at the free throw line are a whole other concern -- one that I don't have much of an answer for.

If the Wolves had some cap space how much would you be willing to pay Fred VanVleet?

monsterpile wrote:If the Wolves had some cap space how much would you be willing to pay Fred VanVleet?

Four-year, $85-million.

I wish they'd admit that making Covington a PF is a mistake, but I kinda don't see him being here much longer, so they have to try to address all their problems in one offseason... again.

WildWolf2813 wrote:I wish they'd admit that making Covington a PF is a mistake, but I kinda don't see him being here much longer, so they have to try to address all their problems in one offseason... again.

New regime seems adamant about slamming a square peg into a round hole. Trying too hard to follow a trend instead of molding this group of talent into the best version of itself. The team has no real identity -- just a dream and good feelings. Well, good feelings until they're well below .500 and then we'll see what happens -- and who's left on the roster.