Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 9:16 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 8:27 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 7:48 pm

So I take it you haven't received any credible applications there at Midwest Volleyball HQ yet (just ignore the one from PatBev)?

It's very telling that no one suggested a promotion for Ayo. Perhaps he'll post for the job, although I don't like his chances.

We haven't seen enough of Ayo, to say one way or the other. Does anyone know what NAW and Donte's on/off net ratings were before they came to Minnesota? I am curious if Ayo is put into a more NAW specialist role if that helps him. NAW is averaging twice as many points for Atlanta when given the chance to score but we needed him to play the defensive role and he played it well here. I do hear NAW's defense has gone down since focusing more on offense now. Can Ayo if we narrow what we need from him be in that NAW form or even a better version of NAW? Hopefully one that is consistent in the playoffs.

NAW was Ayo-esque his first few seasons, with negative net ratings AND negative net on/off ratings through his first four seasons. It was his first full season with Minnesota in 2023-24 that he had a positive net rating and positive net on/off rating. And you're right, he decided that he would fully dedicate himself to being a point of attack defender and put his offensive game on the backburner. You might be onto something here Rap!

DDV has almost always been a net positive in the regular season, both in terms of net rating (he's played for some really good teams) but also net On/Off rating. However, there is a HUGE caveat. His playoff numbers are absolutely putrid. His career net rating in the playoffs is -6.1 and his career net on/off rating is -16.4. That's in 54 games across four different teams!

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 11:00 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 9:16 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 25, 2026 8:27 pm

We haven't seen enough of Ayo, to say one way or the other. Does anyone know what NAW and Donte's on/off net ratings were before they came to Minnesota? I am curious if Ayo is put into a more NAW specialist role if that helps him. NAW is averaging twice as many points for Atlanta when given the chance to score but we needed him to play the defensive role and he played it well here. I do hear NAW's defense has gone down since focusing more on offense now. Can Ayo if we narrow what we need from him be in that NAW form or even a better version of NAW? Hopefully one that is consistent in the playoffs.

NAW was Ayo-esque his first few seasons, with negative net ratings AND negative net on/off ratings through his first four seasons. It was his first full season with Minnesota in 2023-24 that he had a positive net rating and positive net on/off rating. And you're right, he decided that he would fully dedicate himself to being a point of attack defender and put his offensive game on the backburner. You might be onto something here Rap!

DDV has almost always been a net positive in the regular season, both in terms of net rating (he's played for some really good teams) but also net On/Off rating. However, there is a HUGE caveat. His playoff numbers are absolutely putrid. His career net rating in the playoffs is -6.1 and his career net on/off rating is -16.4. That's in 54 games across four different teams!

Yeah I think when defenses amp up DDV has less space to get his shot off and he doesn't exactly have a dribble drive game. It kind of makes sense. He's not a super defender either, he tries hard but is limited with his size and athleticism. Let's hope that changes though, if he can get hot shooting he could be a net plus still I think.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 1:25 pm I know this topic was started as a bit, but it does ask a good question- that is often asked- which is what this core roster needs to really be unlocked, because most of us agree that right now it's being hindered by ill fitting pieces.

Jake Paynting just did a recent video that hammers home the same perspective I have on Jaden which is that in order to really unlock him as a defensive star- and inadvertently unlock more of his offense- is for him to play primarily off ball ala Evan Mobley or Chet Holmgren.

The hang up of course is the lack of ball contain defenders currently on the team. Paynting's response is that even stepping down from Jadens skill level on ball to Dante or Ayo would balance out better for the team because of how good Jaden is as roam/help defender.

This thread is asking for a unicorn, I think it's worth pointing out that the wolves already have two maybe three unicorns.... Maybe they just needed better suited role players around them to really unlock the ceiling

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 2:03 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 1:25 pm I know this topic was started as a bit, but it does ask a good question- that is often asked- which is what this core roster needs to really be unlocked, because most of us agree that right now it's being hindered by ill fitting pieces.

Jake Paynting just did a recent video that hammers home the same perspective I have on Jaden which is that in order to really unlock him as a defensive star- and inadvertently unlock more of his offense- is for him to play primarily off ball ala Evan Mobley or Chet Holmgren.

The hang up of course is the lack of ball contain defenders currently on the team. Paynting's response is that even stepping down from Jadens skill level on ball to Dante or Ayo would balance out better for the team because of how good Jaden is as roam/help defender.

This thread is asking for a unicorn, I think it's worth pointing out that the wolves already have two maybe three unicorns.... Maybe they just needed better suited role players around them to really unlock the ceiling

Exactly, the bit is that there is no magical player that can fulfill all of our wishes when it comes to what we each individually think ails this team. There are tradeoffs involved and someone that might be a pure PG that facilitates great ball movement and allows Ant to play more off the ball might in turn be a terrible defender.

Or a PG that is a great defender that relieves Jaden of always being the main POA guy might be a poor 3-pt shooter and not a great floor general.

I don't think we have any unicorns. All of our players have flaws, but I do agree the roster is unbalanced in how it's been constructed, partially because we have guys that just haven't panned out. The Clark/Shannon/Dillingham trio (now just a duo) has been massively disappointing.