No bench? Like… what you talking about? We have NAW, Clark, TSJ, Joan Beringer, and Miller, that are all…. competent at the least, and there are flashes of bright spots, in all of these guys. They're all literally young and developing, and as little minutes as they're getting, they're all developing, save perhaps TSJ. What's up with TSJ this year? The bench isn't the problem. The problem is the same problem it's been all season. The PG position. We are a championship contending level team with three PG's that all feel questionable. If this PG problem is resolved, much of the bench's problems are resolved too. The rest of the bench isn't the problem. If we got a real PG in, shipped Rob out, and had Bones and Vincenzo as the backup PG's…. like… the major hole in the team is plugged, and helps both the starters and the bench. Conley wouldn't see the floor really unless people get hurt, or garbage time…
I’m not a Rob guy, but Conley has been so bad you might as well just play him. I do think a trade is necessary that way you don’t have to play Rob or Mike
A proper gm would have traded KAT after Ants rookie season. It was a mistake to trade for Gobert and leverage the future. Should have built around Ant, Jaden and Naz through the draft. It is what it is now
Wow we're suddenly so negative! Yes, I agree that we're looking for more from our bench right now, but those in the comments calling for Finch to fired are nuts! Come on guys these last few seasons is the best the team has ever been, let's not throw away the coach that brought us here. If we really must find something to drastically change then let's try to get a point guard. That's it. We don't need to change anything else.
Hot take.. trade Randle away, he clogs the team up with his on ball dominance. Is he more aggressive than Towns, yes. Does he make the team better than Towns, no. We need to pivot for whatever we can get for Randle. Naz making $25M off the bench, that is bizarre when calling foul for apron problems
Wolves guard rotation build is as criminal as Vikes' QB room this past year outside of Ant. Yep, not Conley's fault. He's ancient and GM Connelly had to let NAW walk. TJ, Dilly, and Juzang aren't any help. Trade is the only way to improve depth scoring.
I honestly think that playing rookies would be better, tsj and dilly are inconsistent but man conley is just bad this should be his last season and he is know longer a nba caliber player idk what finch sees but if he keeps playing him he needs to be fire
I went to the game last night. The bulls have a lot of players that flop. Mike conley is loved and appreciated but his game lately has been piss poor. The timberwolves need to hustle more and be more deliberate with the ball and the plays they make. Naz reid was on a heater last night and they didnt fee the ball to naz enough.
Finch is a garbage talent development coaching. Joan, Rob, even Rocco should be on the roster and PLAYED. Conley should never see the floor, nor Ingles.
These are real problems but why are they showing now? I think it's because there has been a serious lack of intensity and intelligence on defence the last few weeks; lacklustre contests and too little effective positioning. This used to be a staple of this team and I don't understand why they lost it. They still have the highlight plays on defense every now and then, but those should emerge from a solid foundation instead of being the hero plays they now seem to rely on.
At this point a week ago, we were looking good. We were surging fourth seat in the west. Best record of the league since Thanksgiving all that. What the hell happened between last Friday and now to create such bad play on the floor, terrible rotation by Finch, terrible execution in the clutch etc. Like what the hell really happened what do they work on in practice?
If it were my team to coach, I think I would have made the decision to give Bones steady 7th-man minutes when he showed promise earlier this season. Instead, it seems like his minutes have been on a yo-yo, and ever since he scored 23, they have been mysteriously on the decline. I don't think there's room to play both Bones and Mike (and Rob is just not ready). I think you have to pick and give all of their combined minutes to just one of them.
Bones's Per-36 stat line is 17 points, 7 assists (with only 2 turnovers), 3-4 rebounds, and a steal. Among rotation players, his PER rating is sixth best on the team at 14.2 and ahead of Donte (Conley's is 9.3). Among those same players, his WinShares/48 is fifth best on the team, tied with both Donte and Jaden. In Value-Over-Replacement-Player rating, he's 7th. In On-Off +/-, he's second among rotation players, after Donte, and in On-Court +/-, he's actually first.
The advanced stats seem to indicate that he is a top-seven player on the team. If true, his minutes should match that reality. In addition to getting the most out of Bones, 20-30 minutes per game from him would also mean fewer minutes (or none) for less capable players. In my opinion, the rotation bench should be only Naz, Bones, Clark, and Beringer, with Naz and Bones getting the heavy minutes at this point. Based on his play earlier this season, it doesn't look like Shannon should be a rotation player either. The only caveat there would be if he was playing poorly BECAUSE of his foot problem.
Mike aged out, it's that hard. That Rob's not ready is tough, but he bigger deal is paying and promising Naz 30 a night. Hamstrings are bigs, can't play Beringer, or Miller because of, and also left us unable to get a point guard or center for today.
Beringer could be a stud, so fine saving our powder there, but if they are trying to win today, should not have brought back Randle and Reid.
I would grab Ayo or White for this post-season, decision on Randle or Rudy is coming this off-season anyway, the conundrum is have to give something to get, especially starter level two guard. Conley + Dilly + 2nds ain't getting it done.
IMO the White or Ayo deal gives them the option to go all in today, while maintaining flexibility this off-season. Granted they will have to decide on Randle, White/Ayo, Reid, or McD, but that is always going to be the case to add someone.
I know Finch is smart, which is why his rotations have been so confusing. Everyone can see that Conley is a huge minus, but his minutes don’t change. In fact, last night his minutes went up. I’m not a fan of Dilly, but at this point, you might as well see what we got with him. Neither of them are going to have any trade value with the way they’ve been managed lately.
A trade needs to happen, and I hate Finches 4th quarter usage of Ant. We lost to the Rockets and Kings cause Ant sat out half the quarter. If he’s gonna play 35-36 mins a game let it be in the 4th quarter!!!!
In surprised they didnt make a play for westbrook. I know he old but dude can still collapse a defence and kick to our 3 n d guys. Now their options are like schroerder and some other not so great guys
I think we should trade for Colin Sexton and get Kyle Anderson back on a buyout. That will add 2 rotation players without subtracting from the rotation
For the first time I have to disagree. Well yes, bench scoring is a problem, absolutely, but it’s the defense that seems to have faltered the most over the past few games. Chicagos scoring in the 4th was crazy! And we’re often not getting the best looks offensively. Defensive effort is just not consistent.
I called this. They have not done anything to approve the bench. They have been in need of a vet backup Center. Because this coach never ever give the young Wolves any playing time. Wolves need a new Coach.
The probability table screams in neon that Mike's shooting will see an uptick in percentage. The specific jump in numerics (percentage, volume) will matter, as the shooting splits might justify his inclusion over others regardless of any other basketball considerations–there is indeed a threshold that mends such a gap.
I still remain steadfast in my belief that the front office is not going to hot-swap a player from the true rotation in any trade that materializes bench help, nor do I think they will ship Mike out. Right or wrong, realism doesn't support either as likely, even w/ the team's needs. Can you churn out a respectable trade w/ end-of-bench players and hamstrung draft capital?
I'd hope for better Bones' showings in the midst of Mike's shooting woes, but frankly, I'm just out on Rob. I don't trust his size or play-style–a 6'1" guard w/ only a +2 wingspan who can't seem to maintain his "elite" skill(s) when subjected to physicality. I find it absurd to believe that it is more likely for Rob to establish a capacity for helping the team win games than it is for Mike to rediscover his perimeter shooting to a level that overcomes his other deficiencies (in the context of a player off the bench). We can't possibly be looking at Rob as any sort of solution to the current state of affairs.
Edit: As a matter of bookkeeping, when I talk about Mike's shooting, I'm specifically talking about his 3-pt shot. I have no doubt that the paint touch is gone forever.
The Athletic reported that the Kings are looking to acquire a late first for Keon Ellis. Me personally, if the Kings and Keon were to acquiesce, I'd trade Rob for Keon + an early 2nd.
Keon is going to get an obvious and deserved bump this upcoming off-season, but I wonder if he'll be in a similar position (contract-wise) to NAW when he first got to MIN. Maybe you could resign him under 10 mil. per, bring one of Mike/Joe back on a vet minimum, and not resign either Lenny or Bones. I think that'd let them reward DDV and afford the late first + early second contracts (assuming they don't want to really shake up the roster in the summer). Having started to really get into the prospects, it feels like this draft will be flush with talent–they might really like some of the guys in the 20-40 range.
Keon doesn't check all the boxes, particularly when it comes scoring dynamism, but beggars can't be choosers. There's maybe some overlap between him and Clark, and he's not as switchable on defense as you might hope, but his shooting would be a surefire improvement. It's the type of move that seems fairly prudent and certainly realistic.
44 Comments
Donte has to come off the bench 🤷♂️
No bench? Like… what you talking about? We have NAW, Clark, TSJ, Joan Beringer, and Miller, that are all…. competent at the least, and there are flashes of bright spots, in all of these guys. They're all literally young and developing, and as little minutes as they're getting, they're all developing, save perhaps TSJ. What's up with TSJ this year? The bench isn't the problem. The problem is the same problem it's been all season. The PG position. We are a championship contending level team with three PG's that all feel questionable. If this PG problem is resolved, much of the bench's problems are resolved too. The rest of the bench isn't the problem. If we got a real PG in, shipped Rob out, and had Bones and Vincenzo as the backup PG's…. like… the major hole in the team is plugged, and helps both the starters and the bench. Conley wouldn't see the floor really unless people get hurt, or garbage time…
I don’t know why the wolves chose conely over Rob , Rob has an upside
This L streak right here is needed for this team. More urgency to change things up than if they keep winning
I’m not a Rob guy, but Conley has been so bad you might as well just play him. I do think a trade is necessary that way you don’t have to play Rob or Mike
We have no cap space for top quality backups. Conley definitely needs to go.
A proper gm would have traded KAT after Ants rookie season. It was a mistake to trade for Gobert and leverage the future. Should have built around Ant, Jaden and Naz through the draft. It is what it is now
Wow we're suddenly so negative!
Yes, I agree that we're looking for more from our bench right now, but those in the comments calling for Finch to fired are nuts!
Come on guys these last few seasons is the best the team has ever been, let's not throw away the coach that brought us here.
If we really must find something to drastically change then let's try to get a point guard. That's it. We don't need to change anything else.
Hot take.. trade Randle away, he clogs the team up with his on ball dominance. Is he more aggressive than Towns, yes. Does he make the team better than Towns, no. We need to pivot for whatever we can get for Randle. Naz making $25M off the bench, that is bizarre when calling foul for apron problems
We need to trade for dosunmu, even though itd be a rental. Hes shooting 46% from 3.
Wolves guard rotation build is as criminal as Vikes' QB room this past year outside of Ant. Yep, not Conley's fault. He's ancient and GM Connelly had to let NAW walk. TJ, Dilly, and Juzang aren't any help. Trade is the only way to improve depth scoring.
I honestly think that playing rookies would be better, tsj and dilly are inconsistent but man conley is just bad this should be his last season and he is know longer a nba caliber player idk what finch sees but if he keeps playing him he needs to be fire
I went to the game last night. The bulls have a lot of players that flop.
Mike conley is loved and appreciated but his game lately has been piss poor.
The timberwolves need to hustle more and be more deliberate with the ball and the plays they make. Naz reid was on a heater last night and they didnt fee the ball to naz enough.
Finch is a garbage talent development coaching.
Joan, Rob, even Rocco should be on the roster and PLAYED.
Conley should never see the floor, nor Ingles.
Ans the wolves need to crash the boards harder 💯
TC is not a good GM. Massive failures on his part.
These are real problems but why are they showing now? I think it's because there has been a serious lack of intensity and intelligence on defence the last few weeks; lacklustre contests and too little effective positioning. This used to be a staple of this team and I don't understand why they lost it. They still have the highlight plays on defense every now and then, but those should emerge from a solid foundation instead of being the hero plays they now seem to rely on.
At this point a week ago, we were looking good. We were surging fourth seat in the west. Best record of the league since Thanksgiving all that. What the hell happened between last Friday and now to create such bad play on the floor, terrible rotation by Finch, terrible execution in the clutch etc. Like what the hell really happened what do they work on in practice?
If it were my team to coach, I think I would have made the decision to give Bones steady 7th-man minutes when he showed promise earlier this season. Instead, it seems like his minutes have been on a yo-yo, and ever since he scored 23, they have been mysteriously on the decline. I don't think there's room to play both Bones and Mike (and Rob is just not ready). I think you have to pick and give all of their combined minutes to just one of them.
Bones's Per-36 stat line is 17 points, 7 assists (with only 2 turnovers), 3-4 rebounds, and a steal. Among rotation players, his PER rating is sixth best on the team at 14.2 and ahead of Donte (Conley's is 9.3). Among those same players, his WinShares/48 is fifth best on the team, tied with both Donte and Jaden. In Value-Over-Replacement-Player rating, he's 7th. In On-Off +/-, he's second among rotation players, after Donte, and in On-Court +/-, he's actually first.
The advanced stats seem to indicate that he is a top-seven player on the team. If true, his minutes should match that reality. In addition to getting the most out of Bones, 20-30 minutes per game from him would also mean fewer minutes (or none) for less capable players. In my opinion, the rotation bench should be only Naz, Bones, Clark, and Beringer, with Naz and Bones getting the heavy minutes at this point. Based on his play earlier this season, it doesn't look like Shannon should be a rotation player either. The only caveat there would be if he was playing poorly BECAUSE of his foot problem.
Finch needs to be jailed for playing Conley.
finch needs to go man miiny needs change
How? Finch and the crew have failed to bring up Dillingham who is regressing in front of us.
That's how bud.
ALSO TSJ has been injured the whole year… so…
You're so wrong about TSJ…
The kept mike around on some sympathy ish for not getting him a ring last year, mn is a bunch of goofy wonderbread clowns.
Mike aged out, it's that hard. That Rob's not ready is tough, but he bigger deal is paying and promising Naz 30 a night. Hamstrings are bigs, can't play Beringer, or Miller because of, and also left us unable to get a point guard or center for today.
Beringer could be a stud, so fine saving our powder there, but if they are trying to win today, should not have brought back Randle and Reid.
I would grab Ayo or White for this post-season, decision on Randle or Rudy is coming this off-season anyway, the conundrum is have to give something to get, especially starter level two guard. Conley + Dilly + 2nds ain't getting it done.
IMO the White or Ayo deal gives them the option to go all in today, while maintaining flexibility this off-season. Granted they will have to decide on Randle, White/Ayo, Reid, or McD, but that is always going to be the case to add someone.
Or cool just riding it out with Bones and see how it goes. Is there any timeline with TSJ?
I know Finch is smart, which is why his rotations have been so confusing. Everyone can see that Conley is a huge minus, but his minutes don’t change. In fact, last night his minutes went up. I’m not a fan of Dilly, but at this point, you might as well see what we got with him. Neither of them are going to have any trade value with the way they’ve been managed lately.
I told people at the beginning of the year that Dillingham wouldn’t be a Timberwolf next year and I got ripped to shreds
Sorry.. not sorry.. told you so.
A trade needs to happen, and I hate Finches 4th quarter usage of Ant. We lost to the Rockets and Kings cause Ant sat out half the quarter. If he’s gonna play 35-36 mins a game let it be in the 4th quarter!!!!
In surprised they didnt make a play for westbrook. I know he old but dude can still collapse a defence and kick to our 3 n d guys. Now their options are like schroerder and some other not so great guys
Sorry, couldn't watch that train wreck again. So just a comment and a thumbs up… so ugly
I think we should trade for Colin Sexton and get Kyle Anderson back on a buyout. That will add 2 rotation players without subtracting from the rotation
For the first time I have to disagree. Well yes, bench scoring is a problem, absolutely, but it’s the defense that seems to have faltered the most over the past few games. Chicagos scoring in the 4th was crazy! And we’re often not getting the best looks offensively. Defensive effort is just not consistent.
He’s the worst shooter in the nba currently…. Yet people still believe this team can sniff the finals with him getting consistent minutes somehow
Both Minot and Garza are playing more and better for Boston this year than Wolves. That says a lot about Finch.
I called this. They have not done anything to approve the bench. They have been in need of a vet backup Center. Because this coach never ever give the young Wolves any playing time. Wolves need a new Coach.
Who do we pick up? Not much salary cap to play with …
Mike Conley and Chris finch are responsible for this collapse they need to make changes
The probability table screams in neon that Mike's shooting will see an uptick in percentage. The specific jump in numerics (percentage, volume) will matter, as the shooting splits might justify his inclusion over others regardless of any other basketball considerations–there is indeed a threshold that mends such a gap.
I still remain steadfast in my belief that the front office is not going to hot-swap a player from the true rotation in any trade that materializes bench help, nor do I think they will ship Mike out. Right or wrong, realism doesn't support either as likely, even w/ the team's needs. Can you churn out a respectable trade w/ end-of-bench players and hamstrung draft capital?
I'd hope for better Bones' showings in the midst of Mike's shooting woes, but frankly, I'm just out on Rob. I don't trust his size or play-style–a 6'1" guard w/ only a +2 wingspan who can't seem to maintain his "elite" skill(s) when subjected to physicality. I find it absurd to believe that it is more likely for Rob to establish a capacity for helping the team win games than it is for Mike to rediscover his perimeter shooting to a level that overcomes his other deficiencies (in the context of a player off the bench). We can't possibly be looking at Rob as any sort of solution to the current state of affairs.
Edit: As a matter of bookkeeping, when I talk about Mike's shooting, I'm specifically talking about his 3-pt shot. I have no doubt that the paint touch is gone forever.
naji marshall would fit perfectly imo
Watching the bench play has been so frustrating.
We need to trade for at least 1 legitimate pg and probably a legitimate bench wing.
The Athletic reported that the Kings are looking to acquire a late first for Keon Ellis. Me personally, if the Kings and Keon were to acquiesce, I'd trade Rob for Keon + an early 2nd.
Keon is going to get an obvious and deserved bump this upcoming off-season, but I wonder if he'll be in a similar position (contract-wise) to NAW when he first got to MIN. Maybe you could resign him under 10 mil. per, bring one of Mike/Joe back on a vet minimum, and not resign either Lenny or Bones. I think that'd let them reward DDV and afford the late first + early second contracts (assuming they don't want to really shake up the roster in the summer). Having started to really get into the prospects, it feels like this draft will be flush with talent–they might really like some of the guys in the 20-40 range.
Keon doesn't check all the boxes, particularly when it comes scoring dynamism, but beggars can't be choosers. There's maybe some overlap between him and Clark, and he's not as switchable on defense as you might hope, but his shooting would be a surefire improvement. It's the type of move that seems fairly prudent and certainly realistic.
mike conley too old ，he should go to bench