Wolves Offseason Forward Options

[Q-is-here]

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

I think Jaden will still be a POA defender at times, but him doing that role full-time is holding him back from being the all-around player that we actually need him to be (see prior stat-line I posted). Time to share more of the load with POA defense.

[Q-is-here]

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Edit: Who is the Nets center anyway?

I just heard Dane throw Ju out as an example of a challenge on a pod, but there are several big PFs who would dominate Ayo. I see it as our biggest roster issue.

You keep saying Ayo, as if he's the ONLY other alternative to guard bigger PFs (??). Ant, Shannon, Jaden, Rudy, Joan....Some will work better than others, but the idea that the ONLY choice to guard Zion or Julius is Jaden or Ayo is a disingenious argument.

Take Julius....May be Jaden guards Brooklyn's Center and Rudy guards Julius. Or may be Ant guards him and Rudy provides a bunch of backside help. Who did the Spurs have guard Julius?

[FNG]

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Edit: Who is the Nets center anyway?

I just heard Dane throw Ju out as an example of a challenge on a pod, but there are several big PFs who would dominate Ayo. I see it as our biggest roster issue.

Since this is such an issue I'd like to see the list of front courts that will give Jaden problems.

Monster, I don't think the issue is with Jaden on defense, it's with our wings if Jaden guards their best player. Take OkC for instance. If Jaden is on Shae, who is big enough to defend Chet. I know some here will say let's get Jaden off their best scorer, but I think he will always be our best option.

[BeenLurkin]

I just heard Dane throw Ju out as an example of a challenge on a pod, but there are several big PFs who would dominate Ayo. I see it as our biggest roster issue.

Since this is such an issue I'd like to see the list of front courts that will give Jaden problems.

Monster, I don't think the issue is with Jaden on defense, it's with our wings if Jaden guards their best player. Take OkC for instance. If Jaden is on Shae, who is big enough to defend Chet. I know some here will say let's get Jaden off their best scorer, but I think he will always be our best option.

Having Jaden guard the best foul baiter of this generation is a fools errand to begin with.

Rotate Ayo/Jalen Clark/ Josh green on Shai and see who hasn’t fouled out by clutch time.

[rapsuperstar31]

If we have someone that handle the POA defense Clark, Green, Ayo, maybe even Ant if he can focus more on defense with less offensive pressure. I have no issue with Jaden getting more time at off ball at PF. Jaden shutting down Porter Jr a few years ago in the Denver series while still being able to come over and put Murray in a straight jacket was quite effective.

[FNG]

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Edit: Who is the Nets center anyway?

I just heard Dane throw Ju out as an example of a challenge on a pod, but there are several big PFs who would dominate Ayo. I see it as our biggest roster issue.

You keep saying Ayo, as if he's the ONLY other alternative to guard bigger PFs (??). Ant, Shannon, Jaden, Rudy, Joan....Some will work better than others, but the idea that the ONLY choice to guard Zion or Julius is Jaden or Ayo is a disingenious argument.

Take Julius....May be Jaden guards Brooklyn's Center and Rudy guards Julius. Or may be Ant guards him and Rudy provides a bunch of backside help. Who did the Spurs have guard Julius?

Q, I'm saying Ayo because the consensus here is he moves into the starting lineup if Jaden becomes our 4. but I hear your point. I still think TC has a plan to keep Jaden at the 3, but if not, Finchy will have to be a lot more creative in determining matchups than he was when we had a more conventional PF in the starting lineup.

I think I'm hearing there is not too much concern here about Jaden playing a lot of 4 and going smaller with the rest of the lineup...I hope you guys are right if TC can't land another option at PF.

[Lipoli390]

Since this is such an issue I'd like to see the list of front courts that will give Jaden problems.

Monster, I don't think the issue is with Jaden on defense, it's with our wings if Jaden guards their best player. Take OkC for instance. If Jaden is on Shae, who is big enough to defend Chet. I know some here will say let's get Jaden off their best scorer, but I think he will always be our best option.

Having Jaden guard the best foul baiter of this generation is a fools errand to begin with.

Rotate Ayo/Jalen Clark/ Josh green on Shai and see who hasn’t fouled out by clutch time.

I agree. I'll add that Clark can probably guard anyone in the League. There's a reason the Wolves signed him to a 3-year contract and they did it right away. TSJ has work to do developing his defensive game, but he's physically very strong and aggressive. Green is strong and athletic. He can guard multiple positions and top players.

[BeenLurkin]

Monster, I don't think the issue is with Jaden on defense, it's with our wings if Jaden guards their best player. Take OkC for instance. If Jaden is on Shae, who is big enough to defend Chet. I know some here will say let's get Jaden off their best scorer, but I think he will always be our best option.

Having Jaden guard the best foul baiter of this generation is a fools errand to begin with.

Rotate Ayo/Jalen Clark/ Josh green on Shai and see who hasn’t fouled out by clutch time.

I agree. I'll add that Clark can probably guard anyone in the League. There's a reason the Wolves signed him to a 3-year contract and they did it right away. TSJ has work to do developing his defensive game, but he's physically very strong and aggressive. Green is strong and athletic. He can guard multiple positions and top players.

Some people need the “have to” for the skill to show itself. TJ got punched in the mouth on defense but when the Had To was there he was more than adequate in his playoff minutes this year. Sometimes the brain doesn’t know it can do something till it does it…

[Coolbreeze44]

Jaden will be fine no matter what position or who he guards. The problem comes with relying on someone else to be the POA defender. There are too many teams with star players at the wing positions that a starting lineup of Melo, Ant, and Ayo won't be able to handle. I think Jaden almost has to start at the 3 and continue in his defensive role (unfortunately).

[AussieWolf3]

1) Jaden is over qualified at the POA at this point, he has also gotten worse every year.
2) Jaden is pushing 7' with a ridiculous wingspan
3) PF matchups and defense generally in the NBA isn't football lineman playing the hamburger drill, you can defend in other ways then just squaring up.
4) the most concerning PF matchups are Giannis and Zion.... There isn't a single defender who can just one and one iso these guys.
5) paint protecting 4s are more impactful defenders then elite POA ones