GDT: Minnesota at Miami (Preseason)

[KiwiMatt]

I don't think I've been this excited about a Wolves roster ever. It's just nice have a legit, complimentary starting 5 and rotation. Our bench is going to be legit with high IQ players like McLaughlin, SloMo and Forbes. And scoring options in Nowell and Prince.

[Lipoli390]

Cam, Not sure if Nowell started because Kyle Anderson was also starting, therefore allowing the Wolves to start a dual-SG lineup with Anderson manning the point on offense. So what if only DLO was out and it was a regular season game? Would little J-Mac get the nod or Nowell?

I'd prefer J-Mac because I feel like we already have enough scoring with KAT and Ant in the starting lineup and J-Mac is an outstanding pocket passer that can deliver the ball to rolling bigs (he delivered another beauty last night to Nate Knight for a thunderous dunk).

Let Nowell help carry the offense when Ant has to sit. One of the things I didn't like last night was when both Ant and Nowell were on the bench. Yes, Prince picked up the slack, but that isn't going to happen on a nightly basis. He can't be expected to be a shot creator. We saw how in last year's playoffs Prince tried to take on a bigger load than usual and he ended up not being very efficient at it.

That's basically the question I'm asking myself and the board. And I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I think Jaylen Nowell would be Chris Finch's preferred option to replace either starter in the backcourt. Part of that is because Nowell's versatile enough to play on and off the ball, but a bigger part might be because he wants to keep Jordan McLaughlin with that second unit, especially considering the lack of a viable third point guard on the roster that can step up. Not to mention, Minnesota has Bryn Forbes on the bench who could reliably slide into the backup shooting guard spot in a pinch so there's probably less shuffling overall going the Nowell route.

I also thought Kyle Anderson did most of his ball-handling in transition whereas it felt like Nowell and Anthony Edwards initiated quite a bit in the halfcourt during their initial stint. I think there's trust that Nowell can handle lead guard duties a little bit. It's not always smooth or pretty, but he appears to get the job done.

Right, but it's for that very reason that Nowell and Kyle Anderson can effectively play the role of PG off the bench while J-Mac rests. It just seems like the combinations work better that way. Nowell/Anderson off the bench as your primary ball handlers and J-Mac with the starters.

Oh well, glad we are speculating on such a minor thing versus who should be fired or traded!

Yep, I'd much rather discuss something minor like this on a potential contender than who Minnesota is going to draft with a top-five pick for the fifth year in a row, or which different coach is going to lead the team for the fourth year in a row.

I think where we disagree is on Kyle Anderson's ability to be a primary ball-handler. For me, that's asking too much of him. He's a complimentary piece that when stretched too far could become less effective. I think he's best-served as a four that can handle the rock a bit versus being your main ball-handler in any particular lineup, which is what it sounds like you'd be relying on him for in that situation.

With Nowell-Edwards-McDaniels-Towns-Gobert, there's likely enough offense in that lineup that they can make due while Russell is hypothetically injured. I think the second unit probably needs much more organization [than the first unit] and legitimate point guard play to thrive -- to get guys good looks in their spots -- and that's where McLaughlin fits best.

An interesting debate. The best part of the debate is that either one of you could be right. If DLO were to go down for any length of time, I'd be comfortable with either Anderson or JMac as his replacement in the starting lineup and the other one as the lead guard for the second unit. I actually think Anderson would be an effective lead guard with either the first or second unit. Over the course of the 82-season grind, I anticipate JMac, Nowell and Anderson all making major contributions to this team.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

Observations:

- "They are who we thought they were!" Or at least Anthony Edwards is who we thought he was. He's a naturally-gifted scorer who can fill it up in bunches. He scored at all three levels tonight. The weight gain was noticeable and hopefully it helps him dish out punishment in the paint. He can get his jumper off wherever he wants, but I maintain that his bread and butter should be attacking the rim. That's where he can reach his superstar ceiling. I didn't see the improved court vision and passing tonight, but that's the next step in his development offensively.

- Jaylen Nowell is a hooper. He looked really comfortable with the basketball tonight -- scoring and passing. I thought it was interesting that Nowell got the start at point with D'Angelo Russell inactive. I wonder if that's how Chris Finch would manage the situation in the regular season, and my guess is that it would be. I hope Minnesota is able to extend him before it's too late or he becomes too expensive to retain. Obviously, we don't know what terms have been discussed, but he should already have a four-year, $40-million offer on the table. He looks primed for a big year in the sixth man role.

- Jaden McDaniels looked longer, smarter, and more confident. I thought he played like he belonged with the first team. The game looked slower to him offensively, especially in his transition opportunities. I'm glad Minnesota didn't trade him this summer.

- The trade that landed Taurean Prince might be Gersson Rosas' most underrated among them all, and I say that having liked the deal when it was reported. Prince was terrific for Minnesota last year [after November] and he looks ready for a repeat performance. He was moving around really well and I liked that he was hunting for his shot quite a bit. It's Nowell and Prince as supplemental scorers off the bench. They need to get their shots up.

- Bryn Forbes looked the most game-ready tonight. I thought he was crisp in all facets. Very pure shooter, as expected. Knows how to make himself a target for ball-handlers. He should be the next-man-up should a current member of the rotation fall out for whatever reason. He's a plug-and-play option next to almost anybody. I think I was most-pleased with his performance.

- Nathan Knight is the third-best big on the roster. He plays a gritty, physical, energetic brand of basketball that reminds me of Jarred Vanderbilt in a way, which isn't surprising considering they rebounded the ball at comparable rates last year, albeit in different sample sizes. Knight attacks the glass on both ends and isn't afraid to put his chest on guys. I hope to not see him play much this year because those minutes should go elsewhere, but Knight is the next big up in my mind after Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. There's no shot he loses his roster spot to one of the camp signings.

- Naz Reid, on the other hand, had a rough night. He looked light and easily-moved off his spots. He's not an imposing physical presence and he's never made much of an impact on the glass. His best skill to date might be a shaky perimeter shot. I don't think that's good enough to warrant meaningful playing time. It's a shame because I genuinely like him, but I think this will be his last year with the Timberwolves.

- Jordan McLaughlin and Kyle Anderson just get it done. Both are very smart, heady players that just make the right play 99-percent of the time. They get it. Their stat lines won't always pop or be pretty, but they make an impact as role players.

- Austin Rivers struggled to score the ball tonight, but I'm willing to wait and see what he does in the following games before expressing any real concerns. He's proven to be a competent professional on a number of playoff teams. I don't expect much from him this season, and I think Forbes should be higher on the depth chart, but I think he's a fine player deep on the bench.

- Eric Paschall looked heavy. He was slow, lumbering, and clunky. And most importantly, it didn't appear that he wanted to be out there tonight. I now understand why there was nonexistent interest in him this summer. I remember reading something about Paschall considering giving up basketball recently. I think his days in the league are numbered. I wish P.J. Dozier was eligible for a two-way deal because I'd gladly roll the dice on him instead.

Nice write up! I've turned the page on the gobert trade and I'm super excited to watch this team have a great year. I think nowell looks great and I personally like his style of play better than Dlo too. I don't Hate Dlo, but I don't think he's on this team next year (would just be too expensive) I think nowell will star as a 6th man this year and then move into the starting lineup next year if no one else emerges or is acquired (I agree that hopefully we're working feverishly to get this guy signed)

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I don't think I've been this excited about a Wolves roster ever. It's just nice have a legit, complimentary starting 5 and rotation. Our bench is going to be legit with high IQ players like McLaughlin, SloMo and Forbes. And scoring options in Nowell and Prince.

Same - I've never been this excited about a wolves roster. There's so much talent, we could actually survive extended injuries from just about anyone. I'm really interested to see what Dlo and gobert do together on the offensive end. This could be a really special team. Mcdaniels looks more confident on offense, ant looks bigger and even a bit taller without losing any quickness, Anderson looks like a great rotational role player, prince looks awesome. I agree with others, naz can go and rivers looks worthless. I was pleasantly surprised at how good Forbes looked. This team is going to be really, really good.

[Monster]

A couple observations I will add.

I did a double take thinking McDaniels was Vanderbilt lol

Rivers was clearly looking for his shot in this game and it's preseason I'm ok with that. He had a lot of moves to get his shot he just didn't finish. There will be games where the team will need his scoring but I don't he is gonna be hunting shots when he gets chances based on the stats from the last couple seasons.

Nowell as a ball handler just looks natural doing it. He is smooth crafty etc. he actually looks more natural in that way than Edwards.

Naz did have a rough night. It is just 1 preseason game though. If any team really was gonna give up a protected first he would have been traded already. I really don't think any team is gonna give up something more than maybe a high 2nd rounder for him.

Anderson looked even better than I was expecting. He can be a primary ball handler but I do agree with Cam that if he had to do it every time down the floor that would take away from some of what he brings. I think he is gonna be a big addition.

It was garbage time but I thought Moore did some good things.

The Wolves really got going there at one point and were creating all kinds of chaos.

I'll echo the positive comments on Prince. I think he is a guy that could actually end up using his volume of shots in general and maybe even his 3's. The fact that the Wolves now can play him an McDaniels at the SF that might be the strongest that position has been for this team in a pretty long time.