Match-ups with Wiggins at the 2

[ahughes53 [enjin:6639223]]

It's something that I've wondered since the decision was made and the Wolves' announcers actually brought it up briefly today during the game. With Wiggins at the 2 you assume 2 on 2 and 3 on 3 because of the size disadvantages but as they pointed out, Miami put Deng on Wiggins and let Wade guard Prince because quite honestly, Prince isn't going to do enough offensively at this stage in his career to really warrant us playing the mismatch in size.

Going forward, even though with tonights game Bjelica playing very well at the 4, shouldn't we start looking at the possibility of not Shabazz or LaVine moving into the starting lineup, but Bjelica? Wouldn't that go towards making the mismatches we're trying to create? I understand the thought process on it, but if Prince isn't a threat to go over these smaller guys when they want their bigger/better defending wing on Wiggins, doesn't that nullify playing Prince in the starting lineup a bit?

I mean, we're playing great (for us, relatively, of course!) and right now I have no complaints, I'm just thinking long term, even if it's not his best position wouldn't Bjelica starting at the 3 be a better alternative then Prince? Maybe once Pek comes back?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think the concern is Bjelica may not be able to match up with most starting wings defensively.

[60WinTim]

Yeah, Miami had the option of matching up Deng on Wiggins instead of Wade. But consider the alternative: Zach or Kmart trying to slow down Deng or Wade? Yuck! We may not have gained a big advantage with Wiggins at the 2, but we didn't wind up with a disadvantage, either.

[Lipoli390]

Yeah, Miami had the option of matching up Deng on Wiggins instead of Wade. But consider the alternative: Zach or Kmart trying to slow down Deng or Wade? Yuck! We may not have gained a big advantage with Wiggins at the 2, but we didn't wind up with a disadvantage, either.

Kevin Martin will never be able to guard a player of Wade's caliber. Martin has established himself over many years as a very poor defender. And that's not surprising since he's unathletic and lacking in lateral quickness.

LaVine on the other hand has excellent potential as a defender. He's über athletic with great lateral quickness. Flip told me that it was LaVine's defensive potential that excited him the most about LaVine. Flip pointed to stats showing that LaVine was very effective defensively in college. LaVine has already shown flashes of very effective on-ball defense. He actually defended McCollum pretty well the other night. The key is to give LaVine the playing time he needs to develop and enough latitude to fail. And he needs to get that experience at his natural SG position.

[60WinTim]

I like Zach's potential to guard both PGs and smaller SGs. It's the bigger SGs that present a problem for Zach. For better or worse, it was our early preseason matchups against taller wing tandems that helped convince Sam he needed be bigger at the wings.

[60WinTim]

I am watching the Rockets vs Clippers right now. The Rockets have decided to start small after their first 2 games - Lawson, Thornton and Harden. I like how we match up against that with Rubio, Wiggins and Prince.

[Lipoli390]

I like Zach's potential to guard both PGs and smaller SGs. It's the bigger SGs that present a problem for Zach. For better or worse, it was our early preseason matchups against taller wing tandems that helped convince Sam he needed be bigger at the wings.

Good point. For example, Butler would have been a tough matchup for Zach because of his size. But Wade's size was a good matchup for Zach at SG. And none of Denver's SGs had the sort of size and skills that would physically overwhelm Zach.

Importantly, it's ultimately about talent. You put your best talent against the best your opponent has to offer. Size doesn't necessarily trump a combination of speed, quickness and athleticism. The Mavs won a lot of games and excelled defensively with Monte Ellis as their main SG and he's significantly smaller than LaVine. So at some point soon, Sam needs to go with Zach as our starting SG and see how he performs and develops over the course of the season. With Ricky, Wiggins, Towns and KG, Zach will be surrounded with excellent defenders. In addition, I'm convinced that Zach can flourish offensively with that group at his natural SG position.

[ahughes53 [enjin:6639223]]

I like Zach's potential to guard both PGs and smaller SGs. It's the bigger SGs that present a problem for Zach. For better or worse, it was our early preseason matchups against taller wing tandems that helped convince Sam he needed be bigger at the wings.

Good point. For example, Butler would have been a tough matchup for Zach because of his size. But Wade's size was a good matchup for Zach at SG. And none of Denver's SGs had the sort of size and skills that would physically overwhelm Zach.

Importantly, it's ultimately about talent. You put your best talent against the best your opponent has to offer. Size doesn't necessarily trump a combination of speed, quickness and athleticism. The Mavs won a lot of games and excelled defensively with Monte Ellis as their main SG and he's significantly smaller than LaVine. So at some point soon, Sam needs to go with Zach as our starting SG and see how he performs and develops over the course of the season. With Ricky, Wiggins, Towns and KG, Zach will be surrounded with excellent defenders. In addition, I'm convinced that Zach can flourish offensively with that group at his natural SG position.

Zach had one of his better games against Portland, I think. He defended rather well and they had him attacking the basket of the pick and roll. Even if he's not the best ball handler, he's still above average and his elite speed can allow him to get to the basket when he has the go ahead. I think as a PG he's tentative to attack off the PnR, and his decision making gets him in trouble.

I think a bigger issue is how much more aggressive looked Wiggins looked with Martin out. If Martin is one of the reasons Wiggins has been passive, efficient scoring or not, he needs to go.

[Monster]

I like Zach's potential to guard both PGs and smaller SGs. It's the bigger SGs that present a problem for Zach. For better or worse, it was our early preseason matchups against taller wing tandems that helped convince Sam he needed be bigger at the wings.

Good point. For example, Butler would have been a tough matchup for Zach because of his size. But Wade's size was a good matchup for Zach at SG. And none of Denver's SGs had the sort of size and skills that would physically overwhelm Zach.

Importantly, it's ultimately about talent. You put your best talent against the best your opponent has to offer. Size doesn't necessarily trump a combination of speed, quickness and athleticism. The Mavs won a lot of games and excelled defensively with Monte Ellis as their main SG and he's significantly smaller than LaVine. So at some point soon, Sam needs to go with Zach as our starting SG and see how he performs and develops over the course of the season. With Ricky, Wiggins, Towns and KG, Zach will be surrounded with excellent defenders. In addition, I'm convinced that Zach can flourish offensively with that group at his natural SG position.

Zach had one of his better games against Portland, I think. He defended rather well and they had him attacking the basket of the pick and roll. Even if he's not the best ball handler, he's still above average and his elite speed can allow him to get to the basket when he has the go ahead. I think as a PG he's tentative to attack off the PnR, and his decision making gets him in trouble.

I think a bigger issue is how much more aggressive looked Wiggins looked with Martin out. If Martin is one of the reasons Wiggins has been passive, efficient scoring or not, he needs to go.

Wiggins has put up plenty of shots this year he just wasn't making them. Imho it's that simple.

There will be some SG matchups that wouldn't be good for Zach (including Wade) but the real key right now is Prince is a better defender as a starter and won't make mistakes. I do think at some point it would make more sense to have that type out there with the 2nd group. Someone has to take that spot though with the team playing relatively well the way it is. 3-2 at this point is pretty damn impressive even with the 3 first games against teams that are less than elite. Having said that I don't think Sam is gonna stick with something just to stick with it if he thinks a guy is ready for a different role.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Never understood the Wiggins at 2 being good for creating mismatches stuff.

NBA positions aren't set offensively. It's by who you can guard defensively.