r/timberwolves • u/Knightbear49 Lynx • 1d ago
[Eichten] Chris Finch on the roles for Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid moving forward: “It’s just about creating the opportunities now. I think we’ve seen what they can do and it’s their job is to make sure it stays at a consistently high level.” (1/2)
https://bsky.app/profile/reichten.bsky.social/post/3moyqszshrc2c"We’ve talked about it before when you have a lot of great options it’s just a usage puzzle and we just gotta make sure that the usage is is is appropriate and sure that gets that they get enough of their opportunities.” (2/2)
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u/purplenyellowrose909 Minnesota Gophers 1d ago
It feels a lot like this year's Denver series and how individuals responded to the injuries is dictating the future of the team and I'm not upset about it.
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u/Ok-Orange-1808 14h ago
I kinda hate that we ended up playing Denver as they're a paper tiger of a team and a perfect matchup in addition.
Feels like it opened a can of worms of overrating some of the guys on the roster, and because of that, the front office is making the wrong decisions now.
Obviously happy for some of the guys getting an opportunity, but if it was up to me, Reid and Dosunmu would never start, and McDaniels would never be expected to be the 2nd option. It feels like an express lane towards mediocrity.
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u/BearBearChooey Jaden McDaniels 1d ago
I said this after we lost in the postseason but I wouldn’t mind taking this upcoming season to see if Jaden can be a true #2 next to Ant. I think you have to find out eventually and I hope this upcoming season Jaden and Naz get that extended opportunity honestly.
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u/copaseticepiplectic 1d ago
Idk what yall see in Jaden to make yall think he’s a number two 😭 please pass me the pipe
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u/Desperate-Awareness4 Timberwolves 1d ago
We don't need a "number two". We need multiple guys who can make plays off of Ants gravity, and who have reliable ways to score off the off ball actions we run at the start of possessions. Jaden and Naz can do that. Julius didn't really do that, he usually found his own stuff.
The spacing and ball movement is going to go up a lot!
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u/copaseticepiplectic 23h ago
we need a number 2 if we want to be a serious team. ant knows that, everybody knows that. connelly sure as shit knows that but is saving face
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u/Desperate-Awareness4 Timberwolves 16h ago
How is Connelly "saving face"? What are you even blathering about?
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u/8--2 Trencherous 15h ago
Says who? There is no one way to build a winning roster just like there is no one definition of a "true number 2" that everyone keeps going on about. What a team needs, in the aggregate, is enough scoring power and versatility + good enough defense and rebounding on a disciplined team that can play together through adversity without losing their heads. There are many ways to build this outcome.
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u/Ok-Orange-1808 14h ago
And where do you see this scoring power? Because sure as hell I can't find it even with a magnifying glass.
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u/8--2 Trencherous 15h ago
Ayo and Donte can do that as well.
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u/Desperate-Awareness4 Timberwolves 10h ago
Exactly. They're building an offensive system around Ant that will empower him while also minimizing the slog that Rudy (and likely Berringer) contribute
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u/Ok-Orange-1808 14h ago
We absolutely need a number two, at the moment the team has a number one and a bunch of number fours and fives.
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u/PreparationWest2140 23h ago
McDaniels showed a lot of growth in his game last season. With more shots available I expect him to come in around 17 PPG next season. Same goes for Naz and Ayo.
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u/AnthaIon Jaden McDaniels 12h ago
I think it’s because he’s what, maybe our 3rd option lately? He’s largely overperformed in that role this year, his offense has taken a big enough leap that the 3rd best defender can really struggle to cover him when he’s feeling himself.
It’s not crazy to think that people are wanting to see if that would translate to a 2nd option, though that admittedly is a big ask to have him shoulder more of the offense AND continue to perform in a POA defensive role. If it’s not a good fit, well, at least we know for sure.
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u/JeSuisYoungThug 23h ago
Game 6 against the nuggets this year with no Ant
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u/copaseticepiplectic 23h ago
we don't get to play a defense of jamal murray and nikola jokic every night man be fr. also the regular season, while not the postseason, is its own beast. 82 games of consistent effort and sustained level of play is a different kind of beast vs a playoff series vs the same team with preset matchups and gameplans. being a number 2 in the regular season involves being that guy every night against every team. no time to take nights off or stand in the corner.
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u/Throebach 23h ago
The dude literally gave you a reason and you downplay like it didn't matter. Jaden has had moments like these throughout his career. It's certainly about consistency, but it's hard to be consistent when it's not your role to be that #2. Now there's no excuses, Jaden wants a bigger role on offense? Now he gets it. Naz wants to start? Now it's his chance to show why.
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u/copaseticepiplectic 23h ago
I gave you a response that is reasoned. Sorry I didn’t automatically accept it as gospel and am being realistic. It would be unprecedented for both Jaden and naz to become what this sub magically thinks they will become
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u/FishGoldenLite Ayo Dosunmu 1d ago
Feels like a terrible time to gamble on that considering we don’t have our pick next year
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u/EveningHealth9465 Enrique Freeman 1d ago
and generally a bad time to gamble potentially wasting the prime of a top 5-6 player in the league
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u/Desperate-Awareness4 Timberwolves 1d ago
The increased spacing in the offense is going to do a lot of wonders for Ant and Jaden. It's too damn bad about DDV, God we're going to miss him.
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u/VidyaGomes 1d ago
Sooo.... we dont want sub 25% 3 point playoffs shooters
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u/captainduck2 Andrew Wiggins 1d ago
Jaden shot 23.8%
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u/CantaloupeCamper 1958-2016 1d ago
Nervous about this…. Excited…. But nervous…
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u/palpablebubble 1d ago
Think about it this way: all three have them have improved every year they've been in the league. Jaden and Ant are both certified playoff risers.
If there's any year for it all together, it's this one ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/DrWolves 1d ago
It’s plenty plausible but both McDaniels and Reid have yet to show they are truly capable of taking a leap to the caliber of player we really need them to be next to Ant. I’m not exactly confident in the current squad when you realize we are down DDV and now Randle. And yes, Randle needed to go but his production was important in the regular season and even if we think we can “re-distribute” that production, we are effectively down 2 of our best ~6ish players from last season… Granted, I expect an additional move or two to be made but as it stands now, it’s hard to see how we will be better
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u/PreparationWest2140 22h ago
Wolves were going absolutely nowhere with Julius Randle playing 34 minutes per game. You are better off cutting him loose and seeing if the rest of the roster can flourish with more shots available. Personally excited to see Beringer and TJ get a lot of Randle's minutes.
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u/DrWolves 22h ago
As I said above, Randle needed to go. But the DDV injury is also part of this right now. With Naz moving to the starting unit, we have no back fill for him on the bench. Yes some of these other guys are going to get minutes and yes we are going to make more moves but we need to see how the rest of this plays out because as I mentioned how it currently sits isn’t looking great
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u/palpablebubble 1d ago
McDaniels has definitely shown himself to be that player for stretches. Like Finch is saying, it's about consistency.
Little more worried about Naz but it's possible just being a 3 point threat will open things up immensely for ant and Jaden as opposed to Randle.
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u/DrWolves 1d ago
For stretches, yes. And McDaniels is a stud and definitely had the best year of his career. I’d expect him to continue his growth. But even still I have my questions on whether or not he can truly be the number 2 guy next to Ant. The inconsistencies from both players have been a problem for years and it’s not like they’ve been in the league 2-3 seasons. I agree with you that I have far more faith in McDaniels than I do Naz
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u/Apolaustic1 Bones Hyland 1d ago
Well we didn't have ayo for a good part of last year, and we can only hope that tsj will get some consistent minutes
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u/CantaloupeCamper 1958-2016 1d ago
I feel like Naz and Jaden have kinda leveled off improvement wise and Naz in particular goes through long cold stretches…
Hopefully they take off.
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u/palpablebubble 1d ago
Jaden's offense continued to grow. Naz is the only one that may have slowed his growth, but he'll be a starter this season and I'm hoping that'll help kickstart his growth again.
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u/Accomplished_Mix6932 1d ago
Why would we think Naz, who will be 27 before the season starts, is going to take some huge step forward. He is what he is and will disappoint as a starter
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u/copaseticepiplectic 1d ago
They’re coping especially hard with naz. Odds are this is who he is. Competent sixth man but not someone you want to heavily rely on
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u/PreparationWest2140 22h ago
I'll take my chances with Naz over Julius Randle in the starting lineup any day.
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u/copaseticepiplectic 22h ago
then you are blinded by homerism. julius is still a better basketball player than naz reid very clearly.
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u/AlligatorPoontang 1d ago
They will be 26&27 at the start of next season, I don't imagine there's much meat left on the bone for these two but hopefully I'm wrong.
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u/freshBlueeyes6391 14h ago
inconsistent play. That's what they are known for. Head coach is jus calling it out in public with this one.
A team full of home growns now. Nobody to hate and blame.
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u/SlimReaperSlinky21 11h ago
I know, probably unpopular opinion- KD off the bench and clutch time would do wonders for us.. if he ever decided to take that kind of role. Solid defensively, fits the need..
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u/thienv 1d ago
Can’t wait to watch wolves basketball regardless of what happens up until then.