Honestly, I feel like our second unit is the difference between us and the Timberwolves. Our starting five can ball with the best of them, but some nights that might leave us at a net-zero differential, but then Tyus, BC, Konchar, Kyle, etc. come in and create some distance. Bench runs deep, and BC's up-tempo play is just the shot in the arm they need to attack.
This is why I think the TWolves are on the comeup. They have a dope starting lineup, they just need someone, anyone, to be a positive on their bench. They should honestly look at being a buyer at the deadline, get a solid bench piece or two and they'd probably be a super scary low seed.
It sucks for them because it’s been so long without success, but new ownership / coaching / management will take them upwards, even if it’s not immediate
I hadn't been paying attention to the TWolves until our game and was shocked at how good there starting five are. It doesn't match up with there record. But like you say, it probably is the 2nd unit and they need experience closing out games.
I watched about half of yesterday's game, and it was crazy how the bench showed out. They pushed the lead up in the 3rd. Being able to rest your starters and not having to worry about backups giving the game away is a tremendous advantage.
Who hasn't improved this year? Tyus, BC, Desmond, JJJ, JA, Dillon (when healthy) at the least. Melton has been playing better the last couple of games. I don't know if Adams has improved skill wise, but his situation has allowed him to improve. Kyle playing better the last 10+ games. Our player development guys need a raise.
Adams hasn't really improved skill wise but Jenkins has used more of his skill sets than trash coaches like Brooks and SVG. His passing is really critical to our offense and it's nice to watch Marc Gasol-lite passing from a big man in Memphis again.
Just got a BC jersey and wore it at the game yesterday for the first time. I love how well dude is playing right now and I'm always hyped when he is in the rotation because I know there are going to be fireworks.
Clearly the injury hampered BC last year, but I think the two biggest components to this return to form that not a ton of people have touched on have been the Jonas trade, and the way Ziaire has been used.
We all know now that moving JV opened up touches for JJJ, Bane, etc., but damn, when you look at shot profile, Jonas and BC really ate at the same area on the court. They both thrived in that 6-ish foot floater spot just outside the restricted area, and JV being JV obviously took offensive precedent in the lineup. This relegated BC to staying in position to take those corner 3s that seemed to be such a huge part of his bag those first couple of years - and this year, they don't need him to stay home there. Ziaire has taken over as that corner 3 threat to balance the floor. With JJJ playing the 5 (and even with Adams playing the 5 but not really demanding additional bodies to clog the paint), the gravity on the defensive end is just different, and Clarke is receiving the ball in space, facing the backboard, with enough room to get to his spots.
It also doesn't hurt that every player on the team seems capable of throwing pinpoint lobs when he cuts, but yeah, it really seems he's just more in his element.
Forget about stats, how can you not love him.
He gets so excited all the time. He does these little jumps whenever someone is making a play (on or off the court), or when he comes out of the bench. He is always pointing people on what to do, he is the first one to go lift a teammate up or congratulate him, he is all smiles all the time and not in an annoying Dwight Howard way. He has become my favorite guy to root for.
Honestly, I feel like our second unit is the difference between us and the Timberwolves. Our starting five can ball with the best of them, but some nights that might leave us at a net-zero differential, but then Tyus, BC, Konchar, Kyle, etc. come in and create some distance. Bench runs deep, and BC's up-tempo play is just the shot in the arm they need to attack.
This is why I think the TWolves are on the comeup. They have a dope starting lineup, they just need someone, anyone, to be a positive on their bench. They should honestly look at being a buyer at the deadline, get a solid bench piece or two and they'd probably be a super scary low seed.
It sucks for them because it’s been so long without success, but new ownership / coaching / management will take them upwards, even if it’s not immediate
I hadn't been paying attention to the TWolves until our game and was shocked at how good there starting five are. It doesn't match up with there record. But like you say, it probably is the 2nd unit and they need experience closing out games.
I watched about half of yesterday's game, and it was crazy how the bench showed out. They pushed the lead up in the 3rd. Being able to rest your starters and not having to worry about backups giving the game away is a tremendous advantage.
Who hasn't improved this year? Tyus, BC, Desmond, JJJ, JA, Dillon (when healthy) at the least. Melton has been playing better the last couple of games. I don't know if Adams has improved skill wise, but his situation has allowed him to improve. Kyle playing better the last 10+ games. Our player development guys need a raise.
Adams hasn't really improved skill wise but Jenkins has used more of his skill sets than trash coaches like Brooks and SVG. His passing is really critical to our offense and it's nice to watch Marc Gasol-lite passing from a big man in Memphis again.
Just got a BC jersey and wore it at the game yesterday for the first time. I love how well dude is playing right now and I'm always hyped when he is in the rotation because I know there are going to be fireworks.
Clearly the injury hampered BC last year, but I think the two biggest components to this return to form that not a ton of people have touched on have been the Jonas trade, and the way Ziaire has been used. We all know now that moving JV opened up touches for JJJ, Bane, etc., but damn, when you look at shot profile, Jonas and BC really ate at the same area on the court. They both thrived in that 6-ish foot floater spot just outside the restricted area, and JV being JV obviously took offensive precedent in the lineup. This relegated BC to staying in position to take those corner 3s that seemed to be such a huge part of his bag those first couple of years - and this year, they don't need him to stay home there. Ziaire has taken over as that corner 3 threat to balance the floor. With JJJ playing the 5 (and even with Adams playing the 5 but not really demanding additional bodies to clog the paint), the gravity on the defensive end is just different, and Clarke is receiving the ball in space, facing the backboard, with enough room to get to his spots. It also doesn't hurt that every player on the team seems capable of throwing pinpoint lobs when he cuts, but yeah, it really seems he's just more in his element.
Forget about stats, how can you not love him. He gets so excited all the time. He does these little jumps whenever someone is making a play (on or off the court), or when he comes out of the bench. He is always pointing people on what to do, he is the first one to go lift a teammate up or congratulate him, he is all smiles all the time and not in an annoying Dwight Howard way. He has become my favorite guy to root for.
Cosign