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Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 6:25 am
by Wolvesfan21
Word is he is focusing on that this past summer and it's a fine skill to have. However, I think a dead nuts floater and simple pull up from the FT line would be much more effective and useful / used WAY more often.
The post up game died because it's not effective enough for 99% of players, not only that guys turn it over just trying to pass it to the post or turn it over before getting a shot off. And even then getting the shot off it's still maybe eFg 40-50%. Like OK.
The other thing is why not try and up that 3P percentage even more? That's the meat and potatoes of scoring. You lead the league in makes at a high percentage, fucking awesome for sure. Will that now drop some because we're not working on it or will the volume drop for post up 2's? I'm scared and bit here. Someone talk me off the ledge.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 8:09 am
by 60WinTim
I thought a common theme after the OKC series was ANT needed to beef up his post/mid-range game, something that made SGA so effective. Not only could he score and draw fouls more readily down there, but assist opportunities would become more prevalent. I like the change in emphasis and should make his game more well-rounded.
Here is Sham's commenting on ANT's focus this offseason.
https://x.com/ohnohedidnt24/status/1970574883265618049
Studying MJ and Kobe. I'm onboard! And Finch commented in his Britt interview that operating down low could give ANT a solid go-to-move in crunch time.
Here is the 4-part series of the Britt-Finch interview. There's some interesting stuff in there. (Joan may not get minutes every game, but they plan on being intentional about getting him minutes)
https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2025/09 ... ris-finch/
https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2025/09 ... d-minutes/
https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2025/09 ... y-edwards/
https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2025/09 ... it-simple/
And one last article for those struggling to embrace another season or two of Randle...
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/664203 ... ed_article
(I think this one requires an subscription to The Athletic)
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:31 pm
by Wolvesfan21
Yep, Nice links, yes I've watched, read a lot of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to add to your game even when it's a nearly dead NBA skill. My only concerns are, will it be efficient enough and does it take away from the 3P volume. The main thing needs to be the main thing.
Do you really want to rely on tough twos which Ant did two years ago. Now if you get a great matchup or the team is really taking away lots of the 3's and layups, then sure. I still think a pull up short open mid or floater is a better and more useful skill. It's just more readily there on nearly every play.
IDK, back to the basket stuff, I'm not sure it's as needed as simply hitting an open short J or floater. Call me crazy. But maybe just working on that post up game develops those pull up shorter ones too. Ant is also like 6-4. Isn't SGA, Kobe and MJ 6-6? Might be harder to get a shot off against a 6-6 guard when you're 6-4??? IDK.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:45 pm
by Wolvesfan21
Even thinking about it more, Ant should have a stop and pop FT middy anytime he wants. Once a team runs him off the 3P line, guess what, he blows by and that is WFO every time, if not a dish to either corner 3 or at the very least lob dunk.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:22 pm
by Monster
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:31 pm
Yep, Nice links, yes I've watched, read a lot of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to add to your game even when it's a nearly dead NBA skill. My only concerns are, will it be efficient enough and does it take away from the 3P volume. The main thing needs to be the main thing.
Do you really want to rely on tough twos which Ant did two years ago. Now if you get a great matchup or the team is really taking away lots of the 3's and layups, then sure. I still think a pull up short open mid or floater is a better and more useful skill. It's just more readily there on nearly every play.
IDK, back to the basket stuff, I'm not sure it's as needed as simply hitting an open short J or floater. Call me crazy. But maybe just working on that post up game develops those pull up shorter ones too. Ant is also like 6-4. Isn't SGA, Kobe and MJ 6-6? Might be harder to get a shot off against a 6-6 guard when you're 6-4??? IDK.
Edwards is also very strong. As I kinda talked about in another thread Edwards in the post might be a way for him to have the offense run through him and he gets those assists we all want him to get. Also let's say a taller player is on him. Will they be able to keep him from simply going around him? Alot of doing well in the post is about skill footwork etc. If Edward's makes anywhere near the kind of progress he did last year as a 3 point shooter...well that could make things interesting.
Also...its interesting how the Wolves espcilaly Finch talks about playing with pace and Edward's is spending time working on his post game. I mean that's kinda funny. It also doesn't mean you can't play with pace but yeah. Lol
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:46 pm
by Wolvesfan21
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:22 pm
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:31 pm
Yep, Nice links, yes I've watched, read a lot of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to add to your game even when it's a nearly dead NBA skill. My only concerns are, will it be efficient enough and does it take away from the 3P volume. The main thing needs to be the main thing.
Do you really want to rely on tough twos which Ant did two years ago. Now if you get a great matchup or the team is really taking away lots of the 3's and layups, then sure. I still think a pull up short open mid or floater is a better and more useful skill. It's just more readily there on nearly every play.
IDK, back to the basket stuff, I'm not sure it's as needed as simply hitting an open short J or floater. Call me crazy. But maybe just working on that post up game develops those pull up shorter ones too. Ant is also like 6-4. Isn't SGA, Kobe and MJ 6-6? Might be harder to get a shot off against a 6-6 guard when you're 6-4??? IDK.
Edwards is also very strong. As I kinda talked about in another thread Edwards in the post might be a way for him to have the offense run through him and he gets those assists we all want him to get. Also let's say a taller player is on him. Will they be able to keep him from simply going around him? Alot of doing well in the post is about skill footwork etc. If Edward's makes anywhere near the kind of progress he did last year as a 3 point shooter...well that could make things interesting.
Also...its interesting how the Wolves espcilaly Finch talks about playing with pace and Edward's is spending time working on his post game. I mean that's kinda funny. It also doesn't mean you can't play with pace but yeah. Lol
That's what I am thinking too. Bread and butter are 3's and layups, that's priority numero uno. After that the next best option would be a wide open short mid (still a great shot if you're good at it and open), not post up contested mid. That's what he doesn't have, option B. He has option A for the most part, finishing in traffic could be better for sure. But still where does post game fall? Option C? I'm not sure I get his thinking to be honest. Maybe he'll prove me wrong?
If I were him I'd nail down the easier shit and be a fucking monster at that. Then work on option C.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:58 pm
by Phenom
If a post up game is something that can become a weapon in the crucial, need-a- bucket moments, like end of games, it will be invaluable. This team just doesn't get quality looks when the clock is running short.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:34 pm
by Monster
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:46 pm
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:22 pm
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:31 pm
Yep, Nice links, yes I've watched, read a lot of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to add to your game even when it's a nearly dead NBA skill. My only concerns are, will it be efficient enough and does it take away from the 3P volume. The main thing needs to be the main thing.
Do you really want to rely on tough twos which Ant did two years ago. Now if you get a great matchup or the team is really taking away lots of the 3's and layups, then sure. I still think a pull up short open mid or floater is a better and more useful skill. It's just more readily there on nearly every play.
IDK, back to the basket stuff, I'm not sure it's as needed as simply hitting an open short J or floater. Call me crazy. But maybe just working on that post up game develops those pull up shorter ones too. Ant is also like 6-4. Isn't SGA, Kobe and MJ 6-6? Might be harder to get a shot off against a 6-6 guard when you're 6-4??? IDK.
Edwards is also very strong. As I kinda talked about in another thread Edwards in the post might be a way for him to have the offense run through him and he gets those assists we all want him to get. Also let's say a taller player is on him. Will they be able to keep him from simply going around him? Alot of doing well in the post is about skill footwork etc. If Edward's makes anywhere near the kind of progress he did last year as a 3 point shooter...well that could make things interesting.
Also...its interesting how the Wolves espcilaly Finch talks about playing with pace and Edward's is spending time working on his post game. I mean that's kinda funny. It also doesn't mean you can't play with pace but yeah. Lol
That's what I am thinking too. Bread and butter are 3's and layups, that's priority numero uno. After that the next best option would be a wide open short mid (still a great shot if you're good at it and open), not post up contested mid. That's what he doesn't have, option B. He has option A for the most part, finishing in traffic could be better for sure. But still where does post game fall? Option C? I'm not sure I get his thinking to be honest. Maybe he'll prove me wrong?
If I were him I'd nail down the easier shit and be a fucking monster at that. Then work on option C.
3's and layups are nice but against the best teams you aren't gonna be allowed to play that way or if your 3's aren't going down you gotta he able to do something else. Again it's not just about scoring but also being able to create for others. Meanwhile how tall was Charles Barkley and he did plenty of scoring in the post.
Let's go back to comparing MJ and Edwards size. At the time of the draft I'm pretty sure Edward's was just under 6'4" barefoot. It seems reasonably possible he is grown at least a little since then. I looked back to see what Jordan was at barefoot and there was one place that said he was measured at just under 6'5" during one of the Olympics. Jordan did have at least a 6'11' wingspan compared to Edwards. Still I'm not sure that's a massive difference between the 2 guys I'd guess the pure athletic ability might be a bigger gap which is something to say when you are talking about Ant. Compare that size to Jimmy Butler who is 6'6" without shoes but only has a 6'7.5" wingspan and he plays pretty big all over the court.
Ultimately I'm not sure I'm a total believer of the post up game being THE thing he should be working on but I'd also guess it helps his finishing bearer the basket which is what everyone would like to see. One of the things that's been talked about is he needs to find more ways to get to the free throw line. I could see this being something to work on to improve that skill too. Let's see what happens. I don't think many of us saw his 3 point shooting happen like it did last year. That was the regular season tho. In the playoffs he had taken a high volume and hit them at a good percentage before. So that might be some data that says he needs to add something different to his game
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:41 pm
by Wolvesfan21
Phenom wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:58 pm
If a post up game is something that can become a weapon in the crucial, need-a- bucket moments, like end of games, it will be invaluable. This team just doesn't get quality looks when the clock is running short.
Agree with that. Last second shot type.
I was also thinking, passing out of the post for a guard is pretty hard too, if you're 7 feet like Joker and have the elite court vision, makes 100% sense. Double Ant once he gets the ball then what? Turnover? In theory it seems reasonable. In action IDK. I heard it from former pro's too that said he should become a post up guy last spring! I didn't like it. I just can't imagine not having a 2-3 year learning curve, even for him to become very good at it.
Re: Ants post up game?
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:49 pm
by Wolvesfan21
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 3:34 pm
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:46 pm
Monster wrote: ↑Sat Sep 27, 2025 1:22 pm
Edwards is also very strong. As I kinda talked about in another thread Edwards in the post might be a way for him to have the offense run through him and he gets those assists we all want him to get. Also let's say a taller player is on him. Will they be able to keep him from simply going around him? Alot of doing well in the post is about skill footwork etc. If Edward's makes anywhere near the kind of progress he did last year as a 3 point shooter...well that could make things interesting.
Also...its interesting how the Wolves espcilaly Finch talks about playing with pace and Edward's is spending time working on his post game. I mean that's kinda funny. It also doesn't mean you can't play with pace but yeah. Lol
That's what I am thinking too. Bread and butter are 3's and layups, that's priority numero uno. After that the next best option would be a wide open short mid (still a great shot if you're good at it and open), not post up contested mid. That's what he doesn't have, option B. He has option A for the most part, finishing in traffic could be better for sure. But still where does post game fall? Option C? I'm not sure I get his thinking to be honest. Maybe he'll prove me wrong?
If I were him I'd nail down the easier shit and be a fucking monster at that. Then work on option C.
3's and layups are nice but against the best teams you aren't gonna be allowed to play that way or if your 3's aren't going down you gotta he able to do something else. Again it's not just about scoring but also being able to create for others. Meanwhile how tall was Charles Barkley and he did plenty of scoring in the post.
Let's go back to comparing MJ and Edwards size. At the time of the draft I'm pretty sure Edward's was just under 6'4" barefoot. It seems reasonably possible he is grown at least a little since then. I looked back to see what Jordan was at barefoot and there was one place that said he was measured at just under 6'5" during one of the Olympics. Jordan did have at least a 6'11' wingspan compared to Edwards. Still I'm not sure that's a massive difference between the 2 guys I'd guess the pure athletic ability might be a bigger gap which is something to say when you are talking about Ant. Compare that size to Jimmy Butler who is 6'6" without shoes but only has a 6'7.5" wingspan and he plays pretty big all over the court.
Ultimately I'm not sure I'm a total believer of the post up game being THE thing he should be working on but I'd also guess it helps his finishing bearer the basket which is what everyone would like to see. One of the things that's been talked about is he needs to find more ways to get to the free throw line. I could see this being something to work on to improve that skill too. Let's see what happens. I don't think many of us saw his 3 point shooting happen like it did last year. That was the regular season tho. In the playoffs he had taken a high volume and hit them at a good percentage before. So that might be some data that says he needs to add something different to his game
100% the Thunder did a great job. But post them up? Seems worse to be honest to me, like you going to post up, Dort?
If you can find the space for the short J after they run you off the 3P then that's probably a good shot against them. The avg guy is bigger, faster and stronger.
I think the thing to remember too is, there is a reason the post game is nearly extinct. It's not good for 99% of players. Joker sure. Couple others maybe.
Lastly Jordan did play against many subpar athletes, we don't have too many easy matchups now a days.