Day 2 Saunders Presser Highlights

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

There were 11 of us on this time, so I think this team is really starting to generate some heat....

- Said Culver is noticeably bigger in his upper body, has worked his butt off on his shot (although he didn't necessarily say his shot was actually better...I guess he can't really know until things get pressure tested in a real game..totally different than taking shots in camp).

- When asked about that other wing position beyond the DLO/Rubio/Beasley guard rotation, Ryan said he made it very clear starting with their first team meeting on Saturday is that defense is what will get you on the floor. I think that is specifically a message intended toward Edwards since this is already a strength for Okogie and Culver.

- Said defensive principles and foundation set last year will largely remain (e.g. drop coverage).

- Said they are emphasizing flexibility, adaptability, and accountability (yes I know, kind of empty words...sounds like something I'd hear someone from Corporate say). I guess his point is that with Covid, there is going to be a lot of crazy stuff thrown at teams this year with guys out of the lineup, games getting cancelled, playing without multiple regular rotation players, etc.

[60WinTim]

I thought he did say Culver worked on his elbow for shooting and that is form his more fluid. We ought to find out pretty quickly -- anything over .500 from the FT line is a plus! :)

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I thought he did say Culver worked on his elbow for shooting and that is form his more fluid. We ought to find out pretty quickly -- anything over .500 from the FT line is a plus! :)

So it looks like it was you, me, Monster, the Wolves PR person, and the beat guys that bore witness to Ryan's masterclass in coaching philosophy.

Yes, he did mention the elbow, but he seemed reluctant to say that he was actually making more shots. Again, I don't trust none of this offseason stuff people work on until it is pressure-tested in a real game. It's very easy for old habits to re-assert themselves when the bright lights go on.

[Monster]

I thought he did say Culver worked on his elbow for shooting and that is form his more fluid. We ought to find out pretty quickly -- anything over .500 from the FT line is a plus! :)

So it looks like it was you, me, Monster, the Wolves PR person, and the beat guys that bore witness to Ryan's masterclass in coaching philosophy.

Yes, he did mention the elbow, but he seemed reluctant to say that he was actually making more shots. Again, I don't trust none of this offseason stuff people work on until it is pressure-tested in a real game. It's very easy for old habits to re-assert themselves when the bright lights go on.

Yeah I think Ryan knows better than to try and hype up a guy like Culver in terms of shooting. Another example was RHJ said on Wolfson's podcast he really reworked his shot and feels better about it. He wasn't saying he is like a good shooter now or anything but nothing wrong with him working on it. I'm fine waiting till I see results for any of these guys. They don't have to be worthwhile shooters to be effective to some extent.

[worldK]

Its been a while since we have multiple strong wing defenders.

We have 2 strong and potentially elite defenders now with culver and okogie.
Rubio is a disruptive defender
Edwards has all the tools to be an elite defender himself.
Malik can certainly improve as he plays hard on both ends.
Dlo strangely can play very good d when it counts.
Then Rondae can match up with the lebron and kawhi of the league.

Perimeter d may actually be a strength this season.

[Monster]

In the video from today's practice Culver did look bigger in the upper body.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Its been a while since we have multiple strong wing defenders.

We have 2 strong and potentially elite defenders now with culver and okogie.
Rubio is a disruptive defender
Edwards has all the tools to be an elite defender himself.
Malik can certainly improve as he plays hard on both ends.
Dlo strangely can play very good d when it counts.
Then Rondae can match up with the lebron and kawhi of the league.

Perimeter d may actually be a strength this season.

It's a weird team of almost extreme one-way players. For example, I think this lineup could be a top 5 NBA defense:

C - Ed Davis
PF - RHJ
SF - Okogie
SG - Culver
PG - Rubio

So you have a point that just the fact we can even field a legit 5-man lineup that can lock a team down is impressive compared to the last number of years. But that same team would probably be even worse offensively.

So how Ryan mixes his shooters/scorers with defenders will be interesting.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I thought Ed Davis was like 6'8" 220 or so. People are saying he can defend centers? Seems small.

[worldK]

Its been a while since we have multiple strong wing defenders.

We have 2 strong and potentially elite defenders now with culver and okogie.
Rubio is a disruptive defender
Edwards has all the tools to be an elite defender himself.
Malik can certainly improve as he plays hard on both ends.
Dlo strangely can play very good d when it counts.
Then Rondae can match up with the lebron and kawhi of the league.

Perimeter d may actually be a strength this season.

It's a weird team of almost extreme one-way players. For example, I think this lineup could be a top 5 NBA defense:

C - Ed Davis
PF - RHJ
SF - Okogie
SG - Culver
PG - Rubio

So you have a point that just the fact we can even field a legit 5-man lineup that can lock a team down is impressive compared to the last number of years. But that same team would probably be even worse offensively.

So how Ryan mixes his shooters/scorers with defenders will be interesting.

1 thing saunders has shown so far is that he is ready to make wholesale offense/defense substitution in end of games situations. I remember him have okogie hound kyrie in the last possesion of last seasons opener and also have vonleh sub in for KAT in these situations. Some coaches just go with the players that are currently in the game and leave it to them. Ryan has shown that he is going to put the best defenders out there in these situations.

That lineup of yours q is literally THE death luneup where we lockdown the opponents but lockdown ourselves as well. Best chance for a basket is iso culver and one of the guys hit a miracle 3.

[Monster]

I thought Ed Davis was like 6'8" 220 or so. People are saying he can defend centers? Seems small.

He actually isn't that small. Ed Davis measured 6'9" 227lbs at the draft combine without shoes. To compare Dieng was 6'9.75". The difference is Dieng had a 3 inch longer wingspan and standing reach. On the other hand Idk how much of it he has left but Davis had one of the best no step verticals in that entire draft and a 36 inch vertical which was the best for any big in that draft. Favors was right there with him in these numbers and has a longer wingspan and weighed 245. These numbers meant Davis no step and max jump height/reach were nearly equal to Hassan Whiteside who has a massive 7'7" wingspan. Davis has put up some pretty high level rebounding numbers over the past few years. His last season with the Nets he played about 18 minutes and pulled down an pretty incredible 8.6 boards a game. Even in a down year with UTAH last year he was still good on the boards. This team could use a guy like that.