Wiggins at the 4

[Mr. Brightside [enjin:16464947]]

Harrison Barnes played the PF spot for a good stretch last night against the Cavs which had me thinking about different line-ups the Wolves could have on the floor at a given time. Depending on the match-up, I think the Wolves could play Wiggins at the 4 for some stretches. The 5th pick in the draft this year gives the Wolves a unique opportunity to add a guard that would allow them to play some "small-ball" no matter who they select.

If Dunn is the pick, the perimeter/on-ball defense would be outstanding with Rubio and Dunn out top. Scoring would not be an issue with Lavine, Wiggins, and Towns. The offensive output would be great to watch with a line-up of Rubio, Hield/Murray, Lavine, Wiggins, and Towns. Obviously, this combination would only be used in spurts and would be dependent on the match-ups. However, not only would it give the opposing team a different look, but I also believe Wiggins would be able to exploit a mismatch against a defender like a Tristain Thompson (a la what Barnes did for a stretch).

Basically, my point is there is no reason to fret about the amount of minutes Dunn/Murray/Hield would be able to get as "back-ups." There's no doubt in my mind Thibodeau will be creative with line-up combinations and throw different line-up looks throughout each game and over the course of an entire season.

I wish the draft was tomorrow and the season started the next day.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Can't use Wiggins at PF primarily because of his rebounding woes. The thought has crossed my mind, but it goes away quickly because we'd get killed on the glass.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I remembered a game Wiggins' rookie season when he guarded Zach Randolph down the stretch of a game.

And then started the next game guarding Chris Paul.

Neither went well... but it at least showed that Flip was willing to see just what he had and try to push Wiggins with challenging situations.

[Monster]

I'm not convinced Wiggins is gonna work at the 4 now but I could see it down the road at some point and in certain situations it could work next season for a few minutes. I still say when you draft the Wolves are in a spot of taking BPA and this lays out just another reason why that's not the worst idea ever.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm not convinced Wiggins is gonna work at the 4 now but I could see it down the road at some point and in certain situations it could work next season for a few minutes. I still say when you draft the Wolves are in a spot of taking BPA and this lays out just another reason why that's not the worst idea ever.

Maybe.

But let's not forget we were told that Wiggins was moved to the 2 because he wasn't strong enough to handle the 3 just a few months ago.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Wiggins is 200lbs. Barnes is 225. That's a big difference and it's why Barnes at least doesn't get taken to the woodshed when he guards 4, but he still gets crushed on the boards.

[Mr. Brightside [enjin:16464947]]

Again, this would only be for 3-5 minute stretches and also very match-up driven.

For example, if GS had Curry, Thompson, Iggy, Barnes, and Green on the floor all at once, the Wolves should be very comfortable matching with Rubio, Dunn/Murray/Hield, Lavine, Wiggins, Towns. I'm not advocating Wiggins as the full-time 4.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Again, this would only be for 3-5 minute stretches and also very match-up driven.

For example, if GS had Curry, Thompson, Iggy, Barnes, and Green on the floor all at once, the Wolves should be very comfortable matching with Rubio, Dunn/Murray/Hield, Lavine, Wiggins, Towns. I'm not advocating Wiggins as the full-time 4.

I'd agree with what you're saying if we were adding a 3/4 tweener type, but shifting Wiggins down makes LaVine guard a SF in that scenario too. It's just not a recipe for success, IMO. Would be one of those lineup combinations that gets killed. Shit, we tried similar lineups with Muhammad at the 4 and save for the game against GS late in the season, that unit got punched in the mouth time and time again.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Again, this would only be for 3-5 minute stretches and also very match-up driven.

For example, if GS had Curry, Thompson, Iggy, Barnes, and Green on the floor all at once, the Wolves should be very comfortable matching with Rubio, Dunn/Murray/Hield, Lavine, Wiggins, Towns. I'm not advocating Wiggins as the full-time 4.

I'd agree with what you're saying if we were adding a 3/4 tweener type, but shifting Wiggins down makes LaVine guard a SF in that scenario too. It's just not a recipe for success, IMO. Would be one of those lineup combinations that gets killed. Shit, we tried similar lineups with Muhammad at the 4 and save for the game against GS late in the season, that unit got punched in the mouth time and time again.

Yeah, Iggy is built like a linebacker too. Between him and Barnes, you are talking about 220-230lbs. players (don't know or care what their listed weight says - these guys are well put together). And Green is built like a fire hydrant too, with a big time wingspan to boot.

To me, this would be a defensive nightmare for a team that decides to small-ball us:

PG - Rubio
SG - Wiggins
SF - Deng
PF - KAT
C - Willie Cauley Stein or Nerlens Noel

Under Thib's tutelage, I think that would be our defensive version of the "lineup of death".