Anthony Bennett

[kekgeek]

Wiggins was one of the beat rebounding sf in college last year

[TAFKASP]

I think those roles better match their skills, and that kind of production will go a long way to replacing Love's great numbers.

You need to make up both Love and Dante's numbers if you're using the starter and backup.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think those roles better match their skills, and that kind of production will go a long way to replacing Love's great numbers.

You need to make up both Love and Dante's numbers if you're using the starter and backup.

True, SP, and I think everyone expects the Wolves' will experience a big offensive drop off this year at PF. I do too, but I've been pleased with Young/Bennett so far, and expect them to replace at least 80% of last year's PF production. And if they can contribute much more on the defensive end than last year's PF tandem, the overall impact might not be as dire as some expect.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Wiggins was one of the beat rebounding sf in college last year

Kek, I would certainly like to believe that, but that hasn't been my perception based on eye test, numbers evaluations, and analysis by others. His rebounds per minute were less than any other forward teammate last year, although Kansas did have a terrific rebounding team which might explain why Drew didn't have great numbers. 3.7 defensive rebounds per game is not adequate for a forward. But more on point, he has looked overmatched rebounding in the pros so far, as he seems to consistently get muscled out of position. I watched almost all of his Summer League minutes, and although I was really excited about his potential in light of the swirling trade rumors, his rebounding was terrible. I just looked up his stats...3.5 RPG, but the majority of them were offensive rebounds. In 120 total minutes, he only had 6 defensive rebounds, but Anthony Bennett made up for this at the other forward position by pulling down 7 defensive rebounds per game. And Wiggins didn't improve his defensive rebounding in the first three preseason games, with only 5 total defensive rebounds in 3 games.

That's my problem with starting Young and Wiggins. Since neither has demonstrated the ability yet to be an average NBA defensive rebounder, and we know we won't get many rebounds at the 2 from Martin or Brewer, that puts a tremendous burden on Pek (and Rubio).

I don't see this as a huge issue, because as I've said before, 2014-5 is not about wins and losses, but rather development of our high ceiling young players. But I think Flip is probably more concerned with winning this year than I am, and that's why I see him starting Bennett at some point if Young/Wiggins can't do the job on the defensive glass early in games.