lipoli390 wrote:I went to bed after the first half and plan to watch the second half on DVR sometime soon.
Just one comment on McDaniels. He looked terrific in the first half and his box score looks really good as well. My comment is that this there seems to be an impression that he was bad in both of the Wolves first two preseason games. I re-watched the Denver game over the weekend and I thought McDaniels looked good in that game, especially on the defensive end. His first game was an aberration as he was biting on fakes and uncharacteristically committing fouls. In the Denver game he was back to his old self defensively, displaying great discipline and a high defensive IQ. His shot still wasn't falling that game the way we want it to. But last night, his shooting looked terrific. I liked the one play in the first half when he rebounded the ball, took it to the other end and scored with a floater in the paint. He showed great body control. Of course, his corner three remains the most important part of his offensive arsenal for the Wolves this season and that looked really good last night.
There is a notion that if he doesn't shoot well, he didn't play well. I refute that notion. His value goes well beyond field goal percentages. Defense travels, and so does his energy. Not going to panic if he misses some shots in these meaningless games.
I thought that Giles looked pretty good in the first half last night. I missed the second half but noticed that, in limited minutes, Hartenstein had good numbers. The Clippers only have room on their roster for one of those two. I'm hoping they keep Giles and that the Wolves sign Hartenstein. I like the size, rebounding and rim protection he brings to the table. Paying him the minimum salary would, I think, push the Wolves slightly over the luxury tax threshold, but they can remedy that later in the season.
While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
Camden wrote:While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
I don't think his defense was bad against Denver. That was my main observation. As I see it, he had a really bad game against New Orleans, but improved noticeably against Denver and then improved even more last night. I see a progression. Instead of seeing two bad games and one good one, I see one bad game, one mediocre game and won't really good game. Most importantly, I see progression through three preseason games. His rebounding has always been an area he needs to improve. And he needs to develop a consistent perimeter shot. We should, however, keeping in mind that he turned 21 and is just beginning his second NBA season after a pandemic-shortened rookie season with no training camp and only one season in college. I expect "the real McDaniels" to evolve over time. Meanwhile, the physical tools, skills and IQ are all real.
Camden wrote:While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
Camden wrote:While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
Yeah, who cares?
Obviously you if you felt compelled to respond. A lot of the Wolves potential for success this season falls on the shoulders of their second-year players in Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. A third straight showing of poor basketball from McDaniels would have been disheartening to some level. That's basically all there was to this.
Camden wrote:While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
Yeah, who cares?
Obviously you if you felt compelled to respond. A lot of the Wolves potential for success this season falls on the shoulders of their second-year players in Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. A third straight showing of poor basketball from McDaniels would have been disheartening to some level. That's basically all there was to this.
You're bent about two preseason games, yet last year when DLO sleepwalked through the beginning of the season there wasn't a peep from you. Show some consistency and objectivity.
Camden wrote:While I agree that Jaden McDaniels played well last night and his value should go beyond his shot-making, there's no refuting that he played poorly the first two preseason games. He played 22 minutes against Denver and 13 minutes against New Orleans. He logged a pathetic three rebounds in total and poor defense throughout combined with just two points scored on 1-7 FG, 0-4 3P shooting. Thankfully, it's just a couple of exhibition games, but there was definitely some "will the real McDaniels please stand up" moments for me.
Yeah, who cares?
Obviously you if you felt compelled to respond. A lot of the Wolves potential for success this season falls on the shoulders of their second-year players in Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. A third straight showing of poor basketball from McDaniels would have been disheartening to some level. That's basically all there was to this.
You're bent about two preseason games, yet last year when DLO sleepwalked through the beginning of the season there wasn't a peep from you. Show some consistency and objectivity.
Wah, wah. You're making this bigger than it was with your emotional response, which is at least consistent for you. Moving on...
Watch d this game last night here are some thoughts.
Russell after 2 way off airballs (liked both shots) was absolutely balling on offense. He was really doing well with the balance of scoring end making plays for others and at times he was making defenders look silly. He was at least putting forth effort on D and had a few deflections.
Naz Reid looks terrific. There were a few times where he scored at the rim and none of those times he fell to the floor. I think he is better in that regard which is a nice progression.
Nowell had a nice game. I'm not sure if he is a good defender but he isn't bad either. There were a few times he and Edwards closed out on guys and then did really well keeping their bodies in front of their guy. Earlier when the Clippers young guys were doing good stuff Inwas thinking why can't we see something like this from Nowell then he came in and did some good things.
Vanderbilt can really move his feet but there are times that aggressive S meant he got beat but man he brought rhe energy tonight it was more than the first 2 games. Meanwhile Prince looks quick too and McDaniels had a a nice game as well. The Wolves may lack size but they have some bigger players that move very well for their size. Jake Layman could be included in that as wel and has played well in his time this preseason.
Bolmaro got beat on a couple cuts but had a nice game and foiled a transition possession with a contest and strip.
Beasley Isn't firing on all cylinders yet but I do think ai can see his work on handling the ball. He isn't ever going to be a combo guard but I think I do see that he will be able to do more than he had before once he is up to speed.
Overall this was a pretty good game for this group considering they were playing the game with only one true PG and yes the Clippers weren't at full strength but still a retry nice showing. Idk how Wright forgot how to hit FTs that was horrendous but he did some other good things but yikes.
Giles and Hartenstein both played well. Hartenstein looks more like he is just out there ready to ball. I wish we could have gotten him but this game also showed how a guy like him or Giles won't make a roster and will be available. There is a lot of depth at the end of rosters when it comes to bigs.
