Towns Predictions

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

On the C/PF closer issue, I'm already assuming Pek doesn't really play next year. I'm not sure why one would assume otherwise. And even if he can play, I have a feeling he will only be a shell of what he once was, at his peak a couple years ago.

I highly doubt Flip is going to make his decision of who closes out games at PF or C based on FT %. The differences among the various options aren't large enough to make this a meaningful decision criteria, unless we are trying to protect a lead and the other team has gone purely into foul mode. Then yes, I can see getting your 5 best free-throw shooters on the floor purely for offense and getting fouled.

The reason I think KG and Bjelica will close out tight games together is because I feel like they will be our best two bigs next season. Bjelica also offers another option that can breakdown teams off the dribble. None of our other bigs has that skill-set. The more of those you have at the end of games, the more options your offense has to exploit mismatches. And defensively, KG will be our best option, especially at the end of games where refs are less likely to call stuff on him than on Towns or Dieng.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think Towns is too easy as a foul drawing target to keep in at the end of games. We saw Wiggins even get taken advantage of at least against the Bulls. Right now I would bet KG and Dieng will be the closers as reliable free throw shooters, rim defenders without fouling and floor spacers to the elbow.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I'm not really too focused on Karl's numbers this year. I expect some growing pains, but I think he'll be a stud by year 3, possibly next year.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think Towns is too easy as a foul drawing target to keep in at the end of games. We saw Wiggins even get taken advantage of at least against the Bulls. Right now I would bet KG and Dieng will be the closers as reliable free throw shooters, rim defenders without fouling and floor spacers to the elbow.

Perhaps, but I think that lineup limits the offense too much, in that KG is now purely a jump shooter and Dieng is also limited in what he can do. Bjelica gives you another ball handler and playmaker on the floor. We simply have no other PFs that can run a pick and roll as the ball handler. He can actually do this. In fact, our SFs can't even do this (Shabazz definitely can't and Wiggins was never asked to do this).

Of course perhaps Bjelica ends up being a total flop like Shved and we end up ruing the day we signed him. But I feel pretty confident that Flip is going to end up leaning on him pretty heavily.

[mjs34]

I think Towns is too easy as a foul drawing target to keep in at the end of games. We saw Wiggins even get taken advantage of at least against the Bulls. Right now I would bet KG and Dieng will be the closers as reliable free throw shooters, rim defenders without fouling and floor spacers to the elbow.

Perhaps, but I think that lineup limits the offense too much, in that KG is now purely a jump shooter and Dieng is also limited in what he can do. Bjelica gives you another ball handler and playmaker on the floor. We simply have no other PFs that can run a pick and roll as the ball handler. He can actually do this. In fact, our SFs can't even do this (Shabazz definitely can't and Wiggins was never asked to do this).

Of course perhaps Bjelica ends up being a total flop like Shved and we end up ruing the day we signed him. But I feel pretty confident that Flip is going to end up leaning on him pretty heavily.

Q, who are the PF's that currently run the PnR as a ball handler in this league? I don't see that as a criteria for our PF.

Also not sure what you have seen to think Belly will be any better at that than Wiggins or Bazz. I am not going to get overly excited about what Belly did in a lower tier league.

I would guess Flip will work Towns in slowly, but do expect him to get his chances throughout the season, fouls permitting.

I alson think KG and Dieng have more than enough offensive skill to handle the duties down the stretch.

[Coolbreeze44]

I think this board is going to end up very thankful we have Bjelica. I think he's going to play a ton and be a key contributor right from the start.

[mjs34]

I think this board is going to end up very thankful we have Bjelica. I think he's going to play a ton and be a key contributor right from the start.

My big concern is that we are giving up D for another jump shooter in Flips offense. Hoping he can provide more than that, but it always scares me with Flip (Adelman) because they seem to only focus on the shooting percentage.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think Towns is too easy as a foul drawing target to keep in at the end of games. We saw Wiggins even get taken advantage of at least against the Bulls. Right now I would bet KG and Dieng will be the closers as reliable free throw shooters, rim defenders without fouling and floor spacers to the elbow.

Perhaps, but I think that lineup limits the offense too much, in that KG is now purely a jump shooter and Dieng is also limited in what he can do. Bjelica gives you another ball handler and playmaker on the floor. We simply have no other PFs that can run a pick and roll as the ball handler. He can actually do this. In fact, our SFs can't even do this (Shabazz definitely can't and Wiggins was never asked to do this).

Of course perhaps Bjelica ends up being a total flop like Shved and we end up ruing the day we signed him. But I feel pretty confident that Flip is going to end up leaning on him pretty heavily.

I don't think we need offensive help with Ricky, Martin and Wiggins in the game. We need defenders and rebounders and that's what Dieng and KG provide best on the team right now at the big position. I don't think a PnR ball handling 4 is high on the list of things we need to close out games. Dieng and KG both know how to work out of the high post and are good passers when guys like Wiggins and Martin make the right cuts. If we really need a second PnR ball handler, Lavine is more likely the answer than Bjelica. At the end of the day, there was way more hype for Mirotic than Bjelica is getting and Mirotic had 1 really good month while being just ok for the rest of the year. I don't expect Bjelica to be a huge factor for us this year. I think he'll have moments, but I think Dieng going into his 3rd year is going to be a better option.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think Towns is too easy as a foul drawing target to keep in at the end of games. We saw Wiggins even get taken advantage of at least against the Bulls. Right now I would bet KG and Dieng will be the closers as reliable free throw shooters, rim defenders without fouling and floor spacers to the elbow.

Perhaps, but I think that lineup limits the offense too much, in that KG is now purely a jump shooter and Dieng is also limited in what he can do. Bjelica gives you another ball handler and playmaker on the floor. We simply have no other PFs that can run a pick and roll as the ball handler. He can actually do this. In fact, our SFs can't even do this (Shabazz definitely can't and Wiggins was never asked to do this).

Of course perhaps Bjelica ends up being a total flop like Shved and we end up ruing the day we signed him. But I feel pretty confident that Flip is going to end up leaning on him pretty heavily.

Q, who are the PF's that currently run the PnR as a ball handler in this league? I don't see that as a criteria for our PF.

Also not sure what you have seen to think Belly will be any better at that than Wiggins or Bazz. I am not going to get overly excited about what Belly did in a lower tier league.

I would guess Flip will work Towns in slowly, but do expect him to get his chances throughout the season, fouls permitting.

I alson think KG and Dieng have more than enough offensive skill to handle the duties down the stretch.

SJM, That's the whole point. There aren't any PFs on our roster or many other rosters that can handle the ball and make plays like Bjelica. Don't take my word for it. Listen to Flip in his opening remarks of Bjelica's press conference a couple weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGpIgLj3o7M

[mjs34]

SJM, That's the whole point. There aren't any PFs on our roster or many other rosters that can handle the ball and make plays like Bjelica. Don't take my word for it. Listen to Flip in his opening remarks of Bjelica's press conference a couple weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGpIgLj3o7M

Guess I have a hard time getting too excited about a guy that didn't make it to the NBA until now. If his passing, ball handling are so good, what was holding him back? Is he going to be a complete sieve on D?

Flip talks a really good game, but it doesn't seem to show up on the court. He says he is looking for two way players, but doesn't seem to realize that one or two poor defenders can implode your D. Or not telling guys to shoot long two's, but specifically told guys at the start of last season not to shoot three's. What is left?