Minnesota Sports Forum

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:52 pm Not loving our defense, but the ball movement and pace has been fun to watch.

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:09 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:52 pm Not loving our defense, but the ball movement and pace has been fun to watch.

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

Aesthetically pleasing but it’s losing basketball

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:09 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:52 pm Not loving our defense, but the ball movement and pace has been fun to watch.

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

53 points isn't exactly a showcase, but I get your point. The problem is finding a Center or hybrid PF/C that can defend the paint effectively AND space the floor. Chet Holmgren can do it for OKC which is why iHart is only a part-time player even though he starts. Al Horford did it for Boston, allowing them to play a 5-out spread offense on their way to a title. Brook Lopez with Milwaukee when they won the title. They are out there, but pretty rare.

kekgeek wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:19 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:09 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:52 pm Not loving our defense, but the ball movement and pace has been fun to watch.

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

Aesthetically pleasing but it’s losing basketball

Yes with this lineup against a good Orlando team, but guys have had a much clearer path to the rim and have been less hesitant to do so.

At least from the bits I've watched, I'll admit I'm paying super close attention

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:19 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:09 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 6:52 pm Not loving our defense, but the ball movement and pace has been fun to watch.

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

53 points isn't exactly a showcase, but I get your point. The problem is finding a Center or hybrid PF/C that can defend the paint effectively AND space the floor. Chet Holmgren can do it for OKC which is why iHart is only a part-time player even though he starts. Al Horford did it for Boston, allowing them to play a 5-out spread offense on their way to a title. Brook Lopez with Milwaukee when they won the title. They are out there, but pretty rare.

You're absolutely right!
I would still say that several folks around here are doing IHart a bit dirty, but either way that's an entirely separate conversation and I don't mean to hijack this thread

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:22 pm

kekgeek wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:19 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:09 pm

I don't mean this as an indictment of Gobert, but this game is a bit of a showcase of how much better the spacing is on offense.
The rewards are lost on the other end, but there is a bit of a proof of concept.

Also, I know everybody is ready sent Naz on the Artemis II, but I'm still a believer. He can be our starting PF --- assuming other requisite move are made along the roster

Aesthetically pleasing but it’s losing basketball

Yes with this lineup against a good Orlando team, but guys have had a much clearer path to the rim and have been less hesitant to do so.

At least from the bits I've watched, I'll admit I'm paying super close attention

I agree our offense has been much more fun to watch tonight, but I think that has as much to do with Ju and Ant being absent as Rudy. Ju/Ant/Rudy are effective on offense (117.5 rating) but they're not as fun to watch as these guys are tonight.

C'mon Joan, stop leaving your damn feet!

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:30 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:22 pm

kekgeek wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:19 pm

Aesthetically pleasing but it’s losing basketball

Yes with this lineup against a good Orlando team, but guys have had a much clearer path to the rim and have been less hesitant to do so.

At least from the bits I've watched, I'll admit I'm paying super close attention

I agree our offense has been much more fun to watch tonight, but I think that has as much to do with Ju and Ant being absent as Rudy. Ju/Ant/Rudy are effective on offense (117.5 rating) but they're not as fun to watch as these guys are tonight.

It's nothing to do with fun or aesthetic, I'm talking about spacing and guys being able to get into the paint.
Part of that is due to Julius being out as well, but that's not really the point either. When players like Naz and Jaden can move quickly downhill they're more effective offensive players, which we're seeing to some extent tonight.

But please don't take this as an indictment of Rudy, he's worth this cost cause of the defense but it's an interesting observation to me

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 7:40 pm C'mon Joan, stop leaving your damn feet!

Really rough game for him

Tj making some great reads off his drives. Guys just not finishing them, but this looks like the pre-season version.