Why Not JMac?

[Lipoli390]

My question is simple. Why shouldn't JMac be the Wolves starting PG? I think his play over time, especially so far this season, justify making him the team's starting PG. There seems to be this almost reflexive assumption that he can't be more than a good backup. I don't see it that way. Fred VanVleet is a near all-star caliber starting PG. Back from injury tonight, he had 30 points and 11 assists. McLaughlin's college stats were better than VanVleet's across the board and came against tougher competition. They're the same height. Yes, McLaughlin is 15-20 pounds lighter than VanVleet, but that hasn't stopped him from being an effective, pesky defender. Steph Curry's slight frame hasn't stopped him from blazing a path to the basketball hall of fame.

I think it's time to move on from DLO. Some of those who agree have characterized JMac as a bridge to a future starting PG the Wolves would acquire at some point via trade or free agency. That's a fair characterization. But I could see the JMac bridge lasting and successful for a long time.

[WildWolf2813]

because he isn't good enough.

[FNG]

Lip, I think you may have been the first on the JMac train, having developed a fondness for him in Summer League. It took me awhile to get on board, but now I am in one of the front seats. My biggest concern was his size and defense, but as you have mentioned, there are many successful players his size, and I have been pleasantly surprised by his defense. And he has successfully run the offense despite having his shot not falling this season (and because he made over 40% of his threes his final 3 years in college, I'm comfortable he will turn that around).

D'Angelo Russell had the better pedigree coming out of college, but my eye test and certainly advanced statistics have shown that JMac has been the better option at starting PG since last spring...he seems to be getting better as he is given more minutes, while Russell will always be what we know he is. If management truly is in "win now" mode, JMac should be promoted and DLo relegated to a 6th man role...a scoring option on the nights when his shot is falling. With his ball-movement pass-first style, JMac is the ideal facilitator to maximize the offensive talents of KAT and Ant, and to better incorporate Rudy into the offense.

But you started this thread with a question...Why not JMac? And I think the answer is this: management knows they need to move DLo before the deadline, and they are hoping that he can turn his season around to maximize his trade value. But so far, the strategy is not working, as DLo is at the bottom of the roster in many effectiveness stats through the first 10 games. Finchie is in a tough spot here...does he continue to roll DLo out there while we continue to get outscored when he is on the court, or does he make a change in the starting lineup? Unfortunately, I think he will go with the former option. And that has reduced my optimism about this season. But time will tell, I guess.

[Q-is-here]

Yeah, Finch isn't going to make any changes at PG at this stage of the season other than what we discussed before, which is perhaps leaving J-Mac in for longer stretches off the bench.

It all depends on how bad things get and how quickly. If we suddenly lose 7 or 8 out of our next 10, a change may happen sooner. But if we trundle along at around .500--ish ball then I can see Finch rolling with DLO for a while longer in the hopes he eventually turns things around.

[AbeVigodaLive]

He can't shoot.

I think we have a bit of the backup QB situation here. He's good for what he is... extend him beyond that... and his limitations would be more glaring.

[Wolvesfan21]

I'm 100% on board with Jmac and trading DLO. The only thing we need to keep in mind is that DLO and Jmac have been typically playing with and against starters (DLO) and backups (Jmac). The stats do not take this into account.

I still think Jmac is playing better then DLO overall and I would like to see Jmac and or another PG in here longer term.

[Q-is-here]

He can't shoot.

I think we have a bit of the backup QB situation here. He's good for what he is... extend him beyond that... and his limitations would be more glaring.

"He can't shoot"....seems to be a common theme for this squad for, oh, 30+ years now. Did you see that Vando has made 6-11 3's so far this season for Utah? This after going 3-19 in 3,000 minutes played for Minnesota. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS TO US!!!!

[Lipoli390]

He can't shoot.

I think we have a bit of the backup QB situation here. He's good for what he is... extend him beyond that... and his limitations would be more glaring.

He can't shoot.

I think we have a bit of the backup QB situation here. He's good for what he is... extend him beyond that... and his limitations would be more glaring.

I didn't realize he can't shoot, Abe. I was mislead by his 44.3% FG shooting and 34% 3-point shooting so far in his career in limited minutes. I was further confused by his 38% three-point shooting in college. He's obviously a decent shooter. His career FG percentage is better than DLO's career number and his 3-point percentage is only slightly less. The shooting and scoring on this team will have to come primarily from Ant and KAT. At some point, McDaniels will have to become a two-way player who can knock down 3-pointers at a high clip. This team needs a really good facilitator who can get the ball moving on offense and protect the ball. Those are the things JMac does. There's no reason he can't be an effective starting PG this team or a number of other teams.

[Q-is-here]

J-Mac's career per 36 numbers:
Pts - 10.5
Reb - 3.8
Assts - 7.4
TOs - 1.7
Stls - 2.1
Career TS% - 53.6%
Career 3PT % - 34%

- He is Tyus Jones 2.0. Tyus has figured out a way to become more of a scoring threat since going to Memphis, but both these guys are ultimately game managers that protect the ball and prioritize getting others involved.

- When you have high usage scores like KAT, Ant, and Nowell on the roster as well as one of the most efficient rim rollers in history (Gobert), it makes sense to have a PG that prioritizes ball distribution.

- It's just to such an extreme though and his size will come into play in the playoffs (assuming we get there!), where he will be targeted.

- VanVleet and Curry are poor comparisons for different reasons. VanVleet is as strong as an ox. He's similar to Kyle Lowry in that he can use his strong frame to body up guys and make things difficult, even if he can't get up high to contest shots.

- And Curry is not that small. He's 6'3" with shoes and has added quite a bit of strength over the years.

- JMac is both a little short and a little slight. Not a good combination. The hustle and steals are nice, but come playoff time they are going to try to put him on an island.

- All of that being said, we HAVE to make the playoffs. If ultimately he's the guy that helps us win more regular season games, then so be it. But it's still too early to contemplate a change!

[Leado01]

I'm also not down with jmac in starting role. We've got enough congestion as it is without starting a point guard that allows you to go under every pick and sag in zone.

I love the guy with the 2nd unit.