Minnesota Sports Forum

Hell of a comeback. NAW been playing well on both ends. Still concerned a bit as these games have been anything but things of beauty. Really hope we can improve a lot cause we don't look like a championship team right now.

Interesting stat:

Jaden had a plus/minus tonight of -29

NAW was a +27

This matchup should really be on national television every time

Crazysauce wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:51 pm Also watching teams just constantly jack 3s all game is ruining the game.

You're right from an entertainment point of view for sure. I said years ago they need to widen the court by a few feet and extend the 3P line. It would also open up more short midrange play and just funner more open space for offense. Guys are too big, too good and too fast now a days. In the old days the dimensions were fine. We need more room now and make the 3 ball percentage not so much of an advantage/winning play.

As far as Ant hitting 3's. He should be shooting them because he's awesome at it and it's winning basketball. I'd rather win, then be all about exciting plays.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 6:39 am

Crazysauce wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:51 pm Also watching teams just constantly jack 3s all game is ruining the game.

You're right from an entertainment point of view for sure. I said years ago they need to widen the court by a few feet and extend the 3P line. It would also open up more short midrange play and just funner more open space for offense. Guys are too big, too good and too fast now a days. In the old days the dimensions were fine. We need more room now and make the 3 ball percentage not so much of an advantage/winning play.

As far as Ant hitting 3's. He should be shooting them because he's awesome at it and it's winning basketball. I'd rather win, then be all about exciting plays.

I have been pleased with the number of catch and shoot threes ANT has taken. There is a beauty in ball movement, whether from passing or dribble penetration, that I find appealing. I loved the assist numbers last night!

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2024 11:29 pm Interesting stat:

Jaden had a plus/minus tonight of -29

NAW was a +27

Meets the eye test too, don't you think, Kiwi? NAW has been terrific in all 5 games this season, and Jaden has been a disappointment. Many of us (me included) were concerned about NAW coming into the season and thought he might even be replaced in the rotation. Instead (with apologies to Ant, who is clearly our star), he has arguably been our best player. He has an absurdly good net rating of +29, and the Wolves are 42.6 points better per 100 possessions while he is on the court! Ant is second at 11.5 and Naz third at 7.4, and very other TWolf is negative. Unlike the end of last season, he is playing with confidence at both ends of the court and hitting his threes. His shooting will revert to the mean, but his energy is not going to change. He is such a vital member of our rotation.

The other side of the coin is Jaden. His net rating is -13, and the Wolves are outscored by 29.4 points per 100 possessions when he is out there. Finchie knows how important he is to this team, and that is why he seems to always be featured at the start of games. He looked loose and confident at the beginning of last night's game, and had 8 points in the first 2 minutes. But he only scored 2 points the rest of the game, had no rebounds, and sometimes even looked lost on defense. He has had a terrible start to the season.

Terrific win though. I have to admit I had given up when we were down 10 with 3 minutes left, but NAW, Ant and Rudy were unbelievable down the stretch and willed us to this victory. I still don't know how this season is going to end up, but this team is really fun to watch.

For quite some time I have just assumed we would not be able re-sign NAW after this season, but we would pursue re-signing NAZ, especially after the KAT trade. It's a small sample size, but NAW has been way more valuable to the team than NAZ.

Assuming Conley rests tonight, who gets the start? NAW or DiVo?

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:50 am For quite some time I have just assumed we would not be able re-sign NAW after this season, but we would pursue re-signing NAZ, especially after the KAT trade. It's a small sample size, but NAW has been way more valuable to the team than NAZ.

Assuming Conley rests tonight, who gets the start? NAW or DiVo?

I've been wondering the same thing, Tim, and it's a toss up for me. And while NAW deserves the start, he has been so valuable off the bench, so I would like to see DiVo get most of the minutes at PG with Rob getting his first two 5 minute stints.

By the way, I'm still assuming we won't be able to resign NAW after this season. He's going to be difficult to lose, but we have some combination of Rob, Minott and Shannon ready to absorb his minutes.

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 6:39 am

Crazysauce wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:51 pm Also watching teams just constantly jack 3s all game is ruining the game.

You're right from an entertainment point of view for sure. I said years ago they need to widen the court by a few feet and extend the 3P line. It would also open up more short midrange play and just funner more open space for offense. Guys are too big, too good and too fast now a days. In the old days the dimensions were fine. We need more room now and make the 3 ball percentage not so much of an advantage/winning play.

As far as Ant hitting 3's. He should be shooting them because he's awesome at it and it's winning basketball. I'd rather win, then be all about exciting plays.

What is it that's more entertaining watching someone shoot a midrange jumper then a 3 pointer? I don't really get it

Ant was 7 of 14 from 3. That is winning basketball.