Minnesota Sports Forum

I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. I'm also assuming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

With the amount of money Thibs spent on the starters I'm impressed with the bench he put together. He's done a masterful job this offseason.

Q12543 wrote:I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. I'm also assuming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

Even if all 4 of those guys were on the floor together I have a lot more faith in them being somewhat successful than last year's group. Crawford adds a guy that can get his shot and Dieng has some decent offensive game. Defensively? Yeah they will suck but other than Dunn I don't think the difference is too large.

Q12543 wrote:I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. I'm also assuming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

Q, I'm disappointed in you. We have always been in the same boat that our bench has always look good on paper but it never preforms when it matters. Don't leave me now Q

kekgeek1 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. I'm also assuming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

Q, I'm disappointed in you. We have always been in the same boat that our bench has always look good on paper but it never preforms when it matters. Don't leave me now Q

Take comfort in the fact that some Q is better than no Q at all.

kekgeek1 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. I'm also assuming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

Q, I'm disappointed in you. We have always been in the same boat that our bench has always look good on paper but it never preforms when it matters. Don't leave me now Q

Not leaving you at all my man! My main point is that the bench should be "adequate" for what we need them to do, assuming our starters actually get the job done this year. Last year our starters were terrific offensively but absolute dog shit on defense.

I think in years past we've seen others pump up our bench and our depth as a pretty big deal and, to your point, it never comes to fruition. I am not trying to make our bench out to be anything other than adequate.

The key is how well the starters play, especially on defense. If they are clicking on all cylinders, I feel like our rookie-less (thank God) bench is good 'nuff to hold serve.

Q12543 wrote:I think the bench will be better. Here are the PERs and WS/48 numbers for our 6-10 guys last season in terms of minutes played:

2016-17 Bench:
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Dunn - 8.1/.004
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Rush - 6.6/.019
Jones - 13.8/.096

2017-18 Bench
Bazz - 14.9/.086
Crawford - 12.0/.043
Bjelly - 11.0/.059
Dieng - 14.2/.103
Jones - 13.8/.096


I'm assuming here that Gibson starts, but yields a lot of minutes to Bjelly and Dieng off the bench. asI'm also suming, unlike LST, that Jones is our primary backup PG, which he deserves based on what we saw last year.

The bottom line is the bench is improved from last year, but I certainly don't consider it an "X-Factor" for us. It seems like an adequate group of players IF our starters play up to their potential. And keep in mind, rarely will all five of these bench players be on the court at the same time. In fact, I don't even think we'll see four of them on the court at the same time very often. It's critical that Thibs staggers KAT, Wiggins, and Butler such that one of them is ALWAYS on the court.

Just for the record, Q, I'm also assuming that Jones will be our primary backup PG...it's the only logical move. But Thibs did a lot of things last season that made me scratch my head, and playing Dunn ahead of Jones most of the season was one of them. Signing Brooks gives Thibs the opportunity to make a bad decision, and that's why I don't like the signing. I also don't like that Jon K said yesterday that Brooks came here to play, not sit. Jon is usually quite accurate in his observations, and this one makes it sound like Brooks was given some guarantees about playing time. I hope not.

Update on the Jones vs. Brooks battle for the backup PG spot after the 3rd day of practice. Zgoda asked Thibs if Brooks would be the backup PG, and he wouldn't say no. He said, "I don't know how it's going to play out. They'll tell me"...w/ their play.

longstrangetrip wrote:Update on the Jones vs. Brooks battle for the backup PG spot after the 3rd day of practice. Zgoda asked Thibs if Brooks would be the backup PG, and he wouldn't say no. He said, "I don't know how it's going to play out. They'll tell me"...w/ their play.

Good answer from Thibs. Inter team competition is always a good thing. I think playing Jones behind Teague is best for this team but It's nice knowing Brooks is capable if one of the other two goes down with injury.

KiwiMatt wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:Update on the Jones vs. Brooks battle for the backup PG spot after the 3rd day of practice. Zgoda asked Thibs if Brooks would be the backup PG, and he wouldn't say no. He said, "I don't know how it's going to play out. They'll tell me"...w/ their play.

Good answer from Thibs. Inter team competition is always a good thing. I think playing Jones behind Teague is best for this team but It's nice knowing Brooks is capable if one of the other two goes down with injury.

I can't remember what recent spot it was but someone asked about Brooks and Thibs said something about wanting to create depth.

Jon K. Said in his last podcast he thinks Thibs brought in Brooks because he wanted a vet he could lean on and thinks early it could be Brooks and then Tyus could overtake him. Jon has more insider knowledge than me but to some extent as much as I respect Jon I am still a bit skeptical. Regardless I think Brooks can play and I could see him playing a similar role to another small combo guard in JJ Barea as a guy that plays off the ball even at times or even having Butler run the offense while he waits at the 3 point line.

One thing about this team that while it has a bunch of new faces many of these guys have played together. Teague Played with Crawford years ago. Brooks was teague's backup last year and played for Thibs and played with Butler and Taj. The only significant rotation players that haven't played for Thibs are Teague and Crawford. There is still some familiarity amongst a roster with new players which could help to some extent.