lipoli390 wrote:I don't mind Thibs having Zach occasionally run the offense and orchestrate the P&R. Unlike Andrew, Zach has the ballhandling and passing ability to succeed in that role even today but more so in the future. My problem is that Andrew hasn't come close to showing the ballhandling or skill set to succeed in that role yet Thibs is more likely to put Andrew in that role over Ricky or Zach in crunch time. That just doesn't make sense to me if the goal is, as it should be, to win as many games as possible. That role is so far outside Andrew's current skill set that I can't see any reasonable justification for putting Andrew in that position.
Having said all that, the main problem last night was Wiggins generally, not who ran the offense in crunch time. Stuff happens. The problem was Wiggins missing 13 of 19 shots and failing to get a single rebound over 4 quarters and about 40 minutes.
There is a possibility that Thibs sees exactly this and is trying to force Wiggins to build his skills so the coach has more options eventually, no? The long con.
lipoli390 wrote:I don't mind Thibs having Zach occasionally run the offense and orchestrate the P&R. Unlike Andrew, Zach has the ballhandling and passing ability to succeed in that role even today but more so in the future. My problem is that Andrew hasn't come close to showing the ballhandling or skill set to succeed in that role yet Thibs is more likely to put Andrew in that role over Ricky or Zach in crunch time. That just doesn't make sense to me if the goal is, as it should be, to win as many games as possible. That role is so far outside Andrew's current skill set that I can't see any reasonable justification for putting Andrew in that position.
Having said all that, the main problem last night was Wiggins generally, not who ran the offense in crunch time. Stuff happens. The problem was Wiggins missing 13 of 19 shots and failing to get a single rebound over 4 quarters and about 40 minutes.
There is a possibility that Thibs sees exactly this and is trying to force Wiggins to build his skills so the coach has more options eventually, no? The long con.
Future -- I think you're probably right. It's the only logical explanation.
lipoli390 wrote:I don't mind Thibs having Zach occasionally run the offense and orchestrate the P&R. Unlike Andrew, Zach has the ballhandling and passing ability to succeed in that role even today but more so in the future. My problem is that Andrew hasn't come close to showing the ballhandling or skill set to succeed in that role yet Thibs is more likely to put Andrew in that role over Ricky or Zach in crunch time. That just doesn't make sense to me if the goal is, as it should be, to win as many games as possible. That role is so far outside Andrew's current skill set that I can't see any reasonable justification for putting Andrew in that position.
Having said all that, the main problem last night was Wiggins generally, not who ran the offense in crunch time. Stuff happens. The problem was Wiggins missing 13 of 19 shots and failing to get a single rebound over 4 quarters and about 40 minutes.
There is a possibility that Thibs sees exactly this and is trying to force Wiggins to build his skills so the coach has more options eventually, no? The long con.
Future -- I think you're probably right. It's the only logical explanation.
One thing I have always sensed about Wiggins is that offensively he has a much higher BBIQ offensively than his skill set allows. I'm not suggesting he has everything mentally to be terrific handling the ball if he had better handles but from his rookie season he always seemed to be calculating what he was going to do next. He makes some terrific reads on what thendefense is doing and how to beat them and it's not just scoring for himself. I've mentioned it a few times but in some ways it's like Half of Wiggins game is what the older player would do as they age and lose a bit of what they have physically. Wiggins has a lot of that and he is building up some of the stuff you would expect him to have earlier like his ball handling. Both Eiggins and his trainer Drew Hansen have been very calculating and specific working on his skills and it seems a lot of the time what part of his game he focuses on even in games. I just think there is enough ability that Wiggins can someday be a guy when it really matters you give the ball late and he can create for others.
Why doesn't Lavine get these opportunities? Well he has gotten all kinds of work in his career already with the ball in his hands it makes sense to give him works as a complimentary player right now and develop Wiggins abilities with the ball. These guys are less than 2.5 seasons into their careers. Can you imagine what these guys could be like 3 years from now when they will be weeks from turning 25? There is can be a lot of development ahead and Thibs seems to have a plan it will be interesting and I expect fun to see how it plays out.
Interesting points, Monster. To your point, I've never had an issue with Andrew's basketball IQ. My concern is that Andrew's skill deficiency is ballhandling, which is a skill that doesn't tend to develop much when you're already in your 20s. He also seems to have somewhat shaky hands. Then there's the mentality that has his pulling up for 2-point jumpers rather than taking it to strong the hole. We'll see how he develops. And maybe what Thibs is doing with him is necessary in the long run.
Note that the Greek Freak had 39 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals a block and only 1 turnover Friday night. He hit 12 of his 19 shots and go to the line 17 times, making 15 of them. That guys is incredible. And the guy is a ferocious defender and goes all out every minutes he's on the court. Watching him live at Bradley Center over Thanksgiving weekend was a treat. Imagine if we had him as our small forward with KAT and Zach as our core three.
lipoli390 wrote:Interesting points, Monster. To your point, I've never had an issue with Andrew's basketball IQ. My concern is that Andrew's skill deficiency is ballhandling, which is a skill that doesn't tend to develop much when you're already in your 20s. He also seems to have somewhat shaky hands. Then there's the mentality that has his pulling up for 2-point jumpers rather than taking it to strong the hole. We'll see how he develops. And maybe what Thibs is doing with him is necessary in the long run.
Note that the Greek Freak had 39 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals a block and only 1 turnover Friday night. He hit 12 of his 19 shots and go to the line 17 times, making 15 of them. That guys is incredible. And the guy is a ferocious defender and goes all out every minutes he's on the court. Watching him live at Bradley Center over Thanksgiving weekend was a treat. Imagine if we had him as our small forward with KAT and Zach as our core three.
GF is a fun player to watch it seems he is really putting it all together. I remeber it was just over a year ago people were comparing him and Lavine how they would have moments of brilliance and awfulness at any given point. Both of those guys have come so far.
Wiggins has a year less experience (not taking away from what GF is doing) and comparing his game to GF is a bit unfair because to me they play such a different style in their approach. GF is generally obviously easier to like because all the stuff he does. Wiggins has a mentality like he has to thinknthe game to beat you which is sorta bizarre because he is pretty physically gifted. I can't fully explain it but I see something from Andrew that make me think the guy can and will be terrific espcially down the line when it matters. I'm thrilled he is here on the team and I am thrilled there are other young players out there that are on other teams that are terrific. The NBA is gonna be a fun league to watch for the next few years and I think Wiggins will have a part in that. I think his personality and quirks could end up benefiting this team in the long run for a few reasons but we will see.
Also remember Wiggins has gone to the hole plenty in his career he is VERY proficient in getting fouls. I don't like all the long 2's either but he can't just plan to make his living for the next 15 years attacking the basket. I think he is working to expand his game all over the floor. I think he has made some improvements that aren't exactly eye popping but they show up at times. It will be really interesting to see what Wiggins and his teammates can do when they play in one system the 2nd year with all the subtleties of the offense where they should and can go and where teammates will be to attack make passes to etc. That stuff matters.
