FNG wrote:Good topic, q. I'm going to assume you mean what can Ryan do with KAT and Okogie unavailable.
1) Rosas has not given him any attractive options at PF, but he needs to start one next to Naz. If Vanderbilt hasn't shown the coaching staff that he deserves anything other than garbage minutes (and I hope that's not true), then my choice next to Naz would be Juancho. He's been terrible so far this season and likely showed up out of shape, but he showed some signs remindful of last season last night. He also appears to have some chemistry with his countryman Rubio. Let's not forget that he started 14 games next to Naz last year, and averaged 16/9 per 36 on efficient shooting...and that was without a true PG with him most of the time. Juancho is slow, but he is a decent rebounder and above average 3-point shooter. Don't play Culver at PF anymore.
2) Play Rubio 35 minutes at PG with the other 13 going to J-Mac. D-Lo starts at SG and should never be on the court without a PG next to him.
3) Make Edwards and D-Lo accountable. I liked the short leash ryan had around his max player's neck last night, although it admittedly didn't help much. But if D-Lo "hero balls" possessions or is lazy on defense, Ryan needs to yank him out like he did twice last night. Similarly Ant needs to learn he is no longer the man, and that Ryan will bench him if he doesn't attack the basket or if he forces threes. Ryan is a player's coach, but he showed me last night he isn't going to tolerate lack of effort or hero ball.
4) Start Edwards at SF, but be ready for benching teaching moments. You aren't going to kill this kid's confidence, and he needs to earn his regular minutes. Recognize that Culver is not a PF, but can be quite effective off the bench at either wing position. I also want Beasley coming off the bench. If Ryan has D-Lo on the short leash I'm asking for, Malik will get plenty of minutes. The way they're playing right now, Beasley deserves as many minutes at the 2 as D-Lo.
5) Recognize we aren't going to win many games with KAT out. If we're down 20 at half time, a miracle win is not going to happen. In those situations, Ryan needs to play whoever is hustling the most. Even McDaniels or Vando. If you're not going to win, at least get some development minutes in.
Love all of this, but I'd change one thing... I'd tell Edwards that he is absolutely the man with towns out and I'm good with 20+ shots a night as along as a good portion are from drives and most of the 3's are off of ball movement. Totally totally agree on having Rubio or Jmac on the floor at all times!
Pushing a rookie (known for poor shot selection and habits in college) to take as many shots as possible his rookie season for a bad team is generally a bad idea.
Promising rookies don't realize their potential very often by learning how to be high-volume scorers.
They realize their potential when they learn how to be better players. As Wolves fans, we should know this more than most.
I'm a homer but have become more jaded and skeptical over the years.
Watching this group of guys I feel like there is real talent on the roster. It's missing it's best player in Towns and it's lacking in a couple areas plus Okogie being out does hurt some. I still need to see a few more games but I have started to wonder more about what we would look like with a better coach. One thing that is encouraging is the Wolves are scoring in the paint. There have been some bright spots in the offense that make me see how things could work if things clicked.
It would be really nice to see what would happen with a healthy roster for a few games though. As the Blazers announcers were mentioning the Wolves are playing without the guy you would theoretically be playing around. Nobody is basing their offense around Naz Reid, Ed Davis and Vanderbilt.
The other question is whether or not the Wolves are doing a good job of developing young players. Vanderbilt is showing maybe they were right in acquiring him and have some hype about him coming into the season. I'm a HUGE McDaniels Fan. Edwards is plenty intriguing. Nowell needs to stay healthy and get some run especially if there are more blowout games like we have been seeing. Can we build this roster from some of this young talent? I feel a little bit good about that aspect the problem is idk if or when it's going to actually come together.
thedoper wrote:I think the first realistic change that will happen is to eventually start Edwards. I dont think it will effect winning, but there is no reason to not give the kid more run when there are so many less talented basketball players ahead of him. No coach in the world could sell a number one pick on a bench role when the team is consistently losing by 20 +. The bench also needs to be shortened to 9. I think its safe to say Rubio and Dlo are awful together defensively. I know many here may single-handled place that on DLo but neither can compliment eachother on the perimeter. Because of the lack of a true PF on the roster, Ryan really has been dealt an unfair hand. Theres not a single PF option I like on this team beyond going with youth development (Vanderbilt/McDaniels), which means there is really no way to even consider winning realistically with Towns out.
Starters
Naz
Culver (Though he doesnt deserve it based on play)
Edwards
Beasley
DLo
Bench
Rubio
Juancho
Layman
Occasionally Vando
The rub for me is Rubio. We all know his flaws. And he's not playing great right now.
But we also all realize he knows how to play. He's proven that at 3 different stops. And he's being paid $17M. To have him sit for 25+ minutes per game seems like a bad idea on a team that is woefully undermanned in EVERY game with guys who know how to play NBA basketball. To have the team's best ball mover sit on a team with so many sticky finger guys who can't create for others will make it a tough go.
And even someone who we all think is a "nice guy" isn't going to be cool sitting more than he sits on such a bad team with so many flawed players. Like everybody else, he has pride. And I'm pretty sure he's gonna want another contract. Sitting on the bench of a moribund team isn't going to do much for his next deal. He knows it. His agent knows it.
He and Russell must figure out how to play together. That's the only option for this team.
The worst part of this roster construction is that it's not a one-year deal. This is the team for next year, too... sans trades. But are there more than two players (Towns/Edwards) on the roster who would garner much of anything back in a trade right now?
[Note: And if we're supposed to read into the Wolves not finding enough viable reasons to trade down during the draft... Edwards' value might not be as high as we might hope.]
Maybe he's on his third team in 4 years for a reason. There are plenty of guys in the league that make multiple stops. Is that a compliment now? Or just becuz it's Ricky?
Unfortunately, both Rubio AND DLO are playing some of the worst basketball of their careers. That's not good when BOTH of your point guards and $45 million or so of payroll is under-producing.
We have zero chance of turning this season around if we don't start getting better play from both of these guys.
