Realistic changes - what would you do if you were Ryan?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Put yourself in Ryan's shoes and be realistic. That means you can't send DLO to the G-League (or even the end of our bench) never to be heard from again - not happening!

What would you do differently in terms of lineup combos and play calling changes, starting Sunday?

Again, this has to be within the general contours of "the system", which means you can't have Ed Davis, Naz Reid, and Jarred Vanderbilt be our starting front line!

Now if someone wants to start another thread that has Rosas getting fired and you are now the new POBO, fine. But I want this to deal within the realities that exist today and tomorrow. No roster trades; no roster changes. You have a game on Sunday to prepare for.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Good question. But I have no idea. I think his hands are sorta tied.

So I guess... and I'm not just saying this for your sake... give Vanderbilt minutes before being down 30. He's going to make mistakes. But he will bring energy. Hope he sets the tone with a dive into the empty seats or something...

I know benching Russell is not an option. But would it be palatable in this Player Entitled league to get the ball out of his hands? Rubio should be the primary facilitator. Find ways to get Russell into the corners where he shoots 40+% for his career.

And beg/implore/plead with Edwards to drive. And drive. And drive. The three point shot will always be there. Do everything to instill an attack 1st/attack 2nd mentality with the kid.

[thedoper]

I think the first realistic change that will happen is to eventually start Edwards. I dont think it will effect winning, but there is no reason to not give the kid more run when there are so many less talented basketball players ahead of him. No coach in the world could sell a number one pick on a bench role when the team is consistently losing by 20 +. The bench also needs to be shortened to 9. I think its safe to say Rubio and Dlo are awful together defensively. I know many here may single-handled place that on DLo but neither can compliment eachother on the perimeter. Because of the lack of a true PF on the roster, Ryan really has been dealt an unfair hand. Theres not a single PF option I like on this team beyond going with youth development (Vanderbilt/McDaniels), which means there is really no way to even consider winning realistically with Towns out.

Starters
Naz
Culver (Though he doesnt deserve it based on play)
Edwards
Beasley
DLo

Bench
Rubio
Juancho
Layman

Occasionally Vando

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think the first realistic change that will happen is to eventually start Edwards. I dont think it will effect winning, but there is no reason to not give the kid more run when there are so many less talented basketball players ahead of him. No coach in the world could sell a number one pick on a bench role when the team is consistently losing by 20 +. The bench also needs to be shortened to 9. I think its safe to say Rubio and Dlo are awful together defensively. I know many here may single-handled place that on DLo but neither can compliment eachother on the perimeter. Because of the lack of a true PF on the roster, Ryan really has been dealt an unfair hand. Theres not a single PF option I like on this team beyond going with youth development (Vanderbilt/McDaniels), which means there is really no way to even consider winning realistically with Towns out.

Starters
Naz
Culver (Though he doesnt deserve it based on play)
Edwards
Beasley
DLo

Bench
Rubio
Juancho
Layman

Occasionally Vando

The rub for me is Rubio. We all know his flaws. And he's not playing great right now.

But we also all realize he knows how to play. He's proven that at 3 different stops. And he's being paid $17M. To have him sit for 25+ minutes per game seems like a bad idea on a team that is woefully undermanned in EVERY game with guys who know how to play NBA basketball. To have the team's best ball mover sit on a team with so many sticky finger guys who can't create for others will make it a tough go.

And even someone who we all think is a "nice guy" isn't going to be cool sitting more than he sits on such a bad team with so many flawed players. Like everybody else, he has pride. And I'm pretty sure he's gonna want another contract. Sitting on the bench of a moribund team isn't going to do much for his next deal. He knows it. His agent knows it.

He and Russell must figure out how to play together. That's the only option for this team.

The worst part of this roster construction is that it's not a one-year deal. This is the team for next year, too... sans trades. But are there more than two players (Towns/Edwards) on the roster who would garner much of anything back in a trade right now?



[Note: And if we're supposed to read into the Wolves not finding enough viable reasons to trade down during the draft... Edwards' value might not be as high as we might hope.]

[thedoper]

I think the first realistic change that will happen is to eventually start Edwards. I dont think it will effect winning, but there is no reason to not give the kid more run when there are so many less talented basketball players ahead of him. No coach in the world could sell a number one pick on a bench role when the team is consistently losing by 20 +. The bench also needs to be shortened to 9. I think its safe to say Rubio and Dlo are awful together defensively. I know many here may single-handled place that on DLo but neither can compliment eachother on the perimeter. Because of the lack of a true PF on the roster, Ryan really has been dealt an unfair hand. Theres not a single PF option I like on this team beyond going with youth development (Vanderbilt/McDaniels), which means there is really no way to even consider winning realistically with Towns out.

Starters
Naz
Culver (Though he doesnt deserve it based on play)
Edwards
Beasley
DLo

Bench
Rubio
Juancho
Layman

Occasionally Vando

The rub for me is Rubio. We all know his flaws. And he's not playing great right now.

But we also all realize he knows how to play. He's proven that at 3 different stops. And he's being paid $17M. To have him sit for 25+ minutes per game seems like a bad idea on a team that is woefully undermanned in EVERY game with guys who know how to play NBA basketball. To have the team's best ball mover sit on a team with so many sticky finger guys who can't create for others will make it a tough go.

And even someone who we all think is a "nice guy" isn't going to be cool sitting more than he sits on such a bad team with so many flawed players. Like everybody else, he has pride. And I'm pretty sure he's gonna want another contract. Sitting on the bench of a moribund team isn't going to do much for his next deal. He knows it. His agent knows it.

He and Russell must figure out how to play together. That's the only option for this team.

The worst part of this roster construction is that it's not a one-year deal. This is the team for next year, too... sans trades. But are there more than two players (Towns/Edwards) on the roster who would garner much of anything back in a trade right now?



[Note: And if we're supposed to read into the Wolves not finding enough viable reasons to trade down during the draft... Edwards' value might not be as high as we might hope.]

Rubio has been playing. He would still play and there would still be some overlap with Russel. But unless he can play PF (maybe that is what Rosas was thinking?) he needs to be a back up PG. Rosas using our only asset to acquire talent in James Johnson on a 17million dollar back up PG was such a horrible mistake.

[FNG]

Good topic, q. I'm going to assume you mean what can Ryan do with KAT and Okogie unavailable.

1) Rosas has not given him any attractive options at PF, but he needs to start one next to Naz. If Vanderbilt hasn't shown the coaching staff that he deserves anything other than garbage minutes (and I hope that's not true), then my choice next to Naz would be Juancho. He's been terrible so far this season and likely showed up out of shape, but he showed some signs remindful of last season last night. He also appears to have some chemistry with his countryman Rubio. Let's not forget that he started 14 games next to Naz last year, and averaged 16/9 per 36 on efficient shooting...and that was without a true PG with him most of the time. Juancho is slow, but he is a decent rebounder and above average 3-point shooter. Don't play Culver at PF anymore.

2) Play Rubio 35 minutes at PG with the other 13 going to J-Mac. D-Lo starts at SG and should never be on the court without a PG next to him.

3) Make Edwards and D-Lo accountable. I liked the short leash ryan had around his max player's neck last night, although it admittedly didn't help much. But if D-Lo "hero balls" possessions or is lazy on defense, Ryan needs to yank him out like he did twice last night. Similarly Ant needs to learn he is no longer the man, and that Ryan will bench him if he doesn't attack the basket or if he forces threes. Ryan is a player's coach, but he showed me last night he isn't going to tolerate lack of effort or hero ball.

4) Start Edwards at SF, but be ready for benching teaching moments. You aren't going to kill this kid's confidence, and he needs to earn his regular minutes. Recognize that Culver is not a PF, but can be quite effective off the bench at either wing position. I also want Beasley coming off the bench. If Ryan has D-Lo on the short leash I'm asking for, Malik will get plenty of minutes. The way they're playing right now, Beasley deserves as many minutes at the 2 as D-Lo.

5) Recognize we aren't going to win many games with KAT out. If we're down 20 at half time, a miracle win is not going to happen. In those situations, Ryan needs to play whoever is hustling the most. Even McDaniels or Vando. If you're not going to win, at least get some development minutes in.

[TheFuture]

If I was Ryan, I would accept that I am not capable of the job and quit.

[worldK]

1. Start edwards. Play him with your starters and get him as much time with Towns and dlo. Il swap beasley with him. Beas is a gamer but his best role will always be a 6th man /energy guy. Play him at his ideal role.

2. Play jmac. That guy can play and deserves to play. He is the best slasher of our 3 pgs and can shoot decently and play pesky and
hard nosed defense.

3. Enough with the stupid 4 guard lineup. Culver is not a pf. Layman is tall and can jump but he cant defend pf and il bet on wiggins over him when it comes to getting a contested rebound. Juancho is doing method
acting where he is acting the part of a basketball player like he was in that film he was shooting in the sumemer. He has no business seeing the court. Q's guy vanderbilt might be our only hope for a pf that can defend other pf and grab a rebound. Might as well start him ober layman and dont play juancho. Resign Hollis-Jefferson as soon as possible. He is twice more playable at pf than the rest of the options.

I dont think we can do much with the roster rosas assembled. It is sonpoorly constructed
where we have a giant hole at the 4 spot that we will always be at a disadvantage from the get go.

[TheFuture]

1. Start edwards. Play him with your starters and get him as much time with Towns and dlo. Il swap beasley with him. Beas is a gamer but his best role will always be a 6th man /energy guy. Play him at his ideal role.

2. Play jmac. That guy can play and deserves to play. He is the best slasher of our 3 pgs and can shoot decently and play pesky and
hard nosed defense.

3. Enough with the stupid 4 guard lineup. Culver is not a pf. Layman is tall and can jump but he cant defend pf and il bet on wiggins over him when it comes to getting a contested rebound. Juancho is doing method
acting where he is acting the part of a basketball player like he was in that film he was shooting in the sumemer. He has no business seeing the court. Q's guy vanderbilt might be our only hope for a pf that can defend other pf and grab a rebound. Might as well start him ober layman and dont play juancho. Resign Hollis-Jefferson as soon as possible. He is twice more playable at pf than the rest of the options.

I dont think we can do much with the roster rosas assembled. It is sonpoorly constructed
where we have a giant hole at the 4 spot that we will always be at a disadvantage from the get go.

Saunders is fucked. He doesn't have the tools to do well, is not actually ready for the job, and his employer expects him to do great to not make himself look terrible for relinquishing a top asset (that draft pick). He is stuck, and this will carry with him to the point that he will only ever get a assistant job forever at best.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

1. Start edwards. Play him with your starters and get him as much time with Towns and dlo. Il swap beasley with him. Beas is a gamer but his best role will always be a 6th man /energy guy. Play him at his ideal role.

2. Play jmac. That guy can play and deserves to play. He is the best slasher of our 3 pgs and can shoot decently and play pesky and
hard nosed defense.

3. Enough with the stupid 4 guard lineup. Culver is not a pf. Layman is tall and can jump but he cant defend pf and il bet on wiggins over him when it comes to getting a contested rebound. Juancho is doing method
acting where he is acting the part of a basketball player like he was in that film he was shooting in the sumemer. He has no business seeing the court. Q's guy vanderbilt might be our only hope for a pf that can defend other pf and grab a rebound. Might as well start him ober layman and dont play juancho. Resign Hollis-Jefferson as soon as possible. He is twice more playable at pf than the rest of the options.

I dont think we can do much with the roster rosas assembled. It is sonpoorly constructed
where we have a giant hole at the 4 spot that we will always be at a disadvantage from the get go.

Saunders is fucked. He doesn't have the tools to do well, is not actually ready for the job, and his employer expects him to do great to not make himself look terrible for relinquishing a top asset (that draft pick). He is stuck, and this will carry with him to the point that he will only ever get a assistant job forever at best.

Lots of successful head coaches flopped in their first stint.

So besides telling us how awful Saunders is (which may be true), it's not realistic for him to resign in the next day. So tell us what you would do in terms of the lineup/gameplan on Sunday?