Minnesota Sports Forum

Cam, I don't think it's that simple. I will agree that Crawford is a horrible defender and was a horrible signing. I didn't like it from the beginning. But it's hard for me to believe that one single wing player off the bench is solely responsible for us being a bottom 5 defense. Somehow the Clippers managed to be a top 10 NBA defense for multiple years with Crawford as their sixth man playing a lot of minutes. Yet we completely collapse like a house of cards as a team the second he steps on the floor?

Q12543 wrote:Cam, I don't think it's that simple. I will agree that Crawford is a horrible defender and was a horrible signing. I didn't like it from the beginning. But it's hard for me to believe that one single wing player off the bench is solely responsible for us being a bottom 5 defense. Somehow the Clippers managed to be a top 10 NBA defense for multiple years with Crawford as their sixth man playing a lot of minutes. Yet we completely collapse like a house of cards as a team the second he steps on the floor?

A good defensive center can hide alot of weaknesses and jordan did that for those clipper teams.

crazy-canuck wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Cam, I don't think it's that simple. I will agree that Crawford is a horrible defender and was a horrible signing. I didn't like it from the beginning. But it's hard for me to believe that one single wing player off the bench is solely responsible for us being a bottom 5 defense. Somehow the Clippers managed to be a top 10 NBA defense for multiple years with Crawford as their sixth man playing a lot of minutes. Yet we completely collapse like a house of cards as a team the second he steps on the floor?

A good defensive center can hide alot of weaknesses and jordan did that for those clipper teams.

I wonder if we could bring in Jordan on a cheaper deal, I don't think he will get a lot of offers with how limited teams are in FA with money. But then we already have Taj and Dieng. Fkn Dieng.

It'd be huge to put KAT down at the 4 ust for defensive sake. I don't think the offense would take a step back with Jordan and KAT front line. Taj isn't exactly great. Taj has one year left. IDK the Wolves exact cap situation, we really could use a defensive center. Someone good, not named Dieng.

crazy-canuck wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Cam, I don't think it's that simple. I will agree that Crawford is a horrible defender and was a horrible signing. I didn't like it from the beginning. But it's hard for me to believe that one single wing player off the bench is solely responsible for us being a bottom 5 defense. Somehow the Clippers managed to be a top 10 NBA defense for multiple years with Crawford as their sixth man playing a lot of minutes. Yet we completely collapse like a house of cards as a team the second he steps on the floor?

A good defensive center can hide alot of weaknesses and jordan did that for those clipper teams.

Don't disagree, but these two didn't overlap every minute they played. They had other good defenders on the team as well. I think KAT and Dieng are still major problems along with a coach whose schemes/motivational tactics don't seem to work.

Q12543 wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Cam, I don't think it's that simple. I will agree that Crawford is a horrible defender and was a horrible signing. I didn't like it from the beginning. But it's hard for me to believe that one single wing player off the bench is solely responsible for us being a bottom 5 defense. Somehow the Clippers managed to be a top 10 NBA defense for multiple years with Crawford as their sixth man playing a lot of minutes. Yet we completely collapse like a house of cards as a team the second he steps on the floor?

A good defensive center can hide alot of weaknesses and jordan did that for those clipper teams.

Don't disagree, but these two didn't overlap every minute they played. They had other good defenders on the team as well. I think KAT and Dieng are still major problems along with a coach whose schemes/motivational tactics don't seem to work.

The back up C was also an excellent defender. And he had some gaudy defensive numbers.

Remember who the back up was? Its the same guy that we gave a multi year contract to in free agency and who is now rotting on the bench.

crazy-canuck wrote:https://www.mnspn.com/jon-krawczynski-s-you-betcha-basket

alot of insight into the thibs regime and what actual went on about the thibs and rubio relationship.

got to admit, im liking teague a little bit more.

Summary?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:https://www.mnspn.com/jon-krawczynski-s-you-betcha-basket

alot of insight into the thibs regime and what actual went on about the thibs and rubio relationship.

got to admit, im liking teague a little bit more.

Summary?

Honestly I think it's worth listening to yourself instead of just a summery. Jon has plenty of insights about this and the team etc that are worth considering.

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:https://www.mnspn.com/jon-krawczynski-s-you-betcha-basket

alot of insight into the thibs regime and what actual went on about the thibs and rubio relationship.

got to admit, im liking teague a little bit more.

Summary?

Honestly I think it's worth listening to yourself instead of just a summery. Jon has plenty of insights about this and the team etc that are worth considering.

I don't wanna. I'm lazy.

Give me the fucking summary, monster!

I've heard some talk from people who watch a lot of basketball about Deandre Jordon isn't the same defensive player he once was and in general isn't quite the impact player he once was. Is he still a good player? Sure but there may be concerns about giving a guy like that some legit money when this team really needs help on the wing.

I don't think it's as simple as Crawford being awful defensively. I also think at timhes this team isn't as bad especially te starters as it may seem. Even the good teams have stretches of a game where they don't lock teams down etc. on the other hand there certainly seems to be some flaws that are troubling.

To me this team has 2 needs that are actually pretty similar to what they have needed for a couple years.

1. Wing depth. Some sort of replacement level player that can play 15-20 minutes or even more if there is an injury and not kill you. If Crawford is on the roster this guy needs to be able to be a low usage guy but defend. Shooting would be nice.

2. Another combo/modern PF that can play rotation minutes. Ideally Belly plays most of these minutes but if Taj or Belly are hurt you need someone that can step in and play. Dieng played better as a PF as a starter when teams stayed somewhat bigger. As a bench player it gets worse. There has probably been a few games he is guarding a player that a couple years ago was a SF and now they are playing C. We need at least a Jerebko, Quincy Acy type.

To me even one player COULD help fill some of these holes. One player could push Belly to be depth at one place or another. Another Wing could put Wiggins as an option as a small ball PF.

The legit criticism of Thibs is his lack of playing some bench guys. I mean it's reasonable to question who would sign here when it's possible you may play like 12 minutes a game or maybe sporadically. There was some concern about that this last offseason but this season hasn't helped that narrative. There are some circumstances that have led us to the rotations being what they are but it's a worthwhile concern to bring up especially when Wolves players have mentioned bench guys should play more.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:https://www.mnspn.com/jon-krawczynski-s-you-betcha-basket

alot of insight into the thibs regime and what actual went on about the thibs and rubio relationship.

got to admit, im liking teague a little bit more.

Summary?

Honestly I think it's worth listening to yourself instead of just a summery. Jon has plenty of insights about this and the team etc that are worth considering.

I don't wanna. I'm lazy.

Give me the fucking summary, monster!

That pretty lazy if you don't want to listen to the podcast. It's pretty low effort...I do kinda hate the Apple podcast app though. Anyway it's 39 minute podcast listen to it 1.5x and you can skip ahead the first 15-30 seconds. You're welcome.