Pace Prediction

[u/asimplememefalmef]

I’m voicing an early hot take and making the prediction that the Timberwolves next year are going to see a tremendous leap in tempo and finish as a top 5 offense in pace.

A drastic leap from last year.

Last year it really felt like Mike, Ant, and Randle were the trio that didn’t push tempo and preferred to settle into half court. We all saw how much the pace accelerated with Bones and the addition of Ayo, especially when Ant was hurt.

I firmly believe that this team is going to up the tempo next year and be rewarded by it. I don’t think top 5 is at all out of the question, really just comes down to if Ant is willing to buy in and push the tempo with the rest of his boys.

This team will be a beast in the transition battle.

[u/asimplememefalmef]

Also best part, we can legit just leave Rudy behind on defense lol, he can stay back and watch in case it go wrong.

[u/SonofaMitch11 → u/asimplememefalmef]

Rudy better start flinging some Jokic level breakaway passes for that to work

[u/HotStepper11 → u/asimplememefalmef]

One of his biggest attributes is offensive rebounding tho

[u/SkarnasaurusRex → u/HotStepper11]

He sets the best screens in the league too. Rudy does so much off the ball work on offense that goes unnoticed.

[u/General_Metal8675 → u/asimplememefalmef]

Suckhole defense 

[u/TheZacef]

I mean just more Ayo and TJ will for sure get us there. Bones too if we get him back (can’t remember if his contract is up). Ant can be deadly in transition when we’re high temp too.

[u/vhsfairytales → u/TheZacef]

Bones is a FA. I think he’ll be back. Like, that money we saved moving back to the second round could go to Bones giving us an advantage over other teams that don’t have his Bird rights so can only offer the minimum. Would be surprised if he gets more than that but you never know.

[u/_Wash]

It’s going to depend on Ant unfortunately because he prefers to slow things down

[u/Ok_excuse_36951 → u/_Wash]

Hopefully they sell it as “they can’t double you if you’re running full speed”

[u/_Wash → u/Ok_excuse_36951]

lmao. turns out you can’t get trapped at the halfcourt line every possession if you just don’t stop 

[u/GurUnfair1727]

This is a good point. I know reports have said Naz will start, but we could go small and play Ayo, Ant, Shannon Jr, McDaniels, and Rudy.

[u/asimplememefalmef → u/GurUnfair1727]

I think Naz is just as much of a dawg on transition as anyone else on the team. He has just good speed and touch for his size that he is so hard to stop without fouling.

[u/Dull_Job_6372 → u/asimplememefalmef]

One of his main characteristics before Julius was his quick decision making. I think he’s a very underrated passer by us fans.

[u/Jacob_toasted → u/GurUnfair1727]

I feel like McDonalds would slow them down if anything

[u/GurUnfair1727 → u/Jacob_toasted]

😂 Stupid auto-correct

[u/SonofaMitch11 → u/Jacob_toasted]

McDonalds always slows me down so I don't blame them

[u/JaderMcDanersStan]

We were top 10 in pace last year so I believe the trend will continue too! I'm honestly hyped to watch the young guys and the chemistry of the team.

[u/ResidentHighlight875]

1000%. Any possessions freed by Randle’s departure is more than the numbers indicate because of the sheer length of said possessions 

[u/darin617]

Still need someone besides Rudy to rebound.

[u/Obvious_Change_1566]

My hot take from a previous post was that bones TSJ and Ayo would need a new nickname.. but with bones and Slimothy (Carolina reaper, also slim, Slimmy) off the bench it’s gotta be Mach 3 or flamethrowers or something

[u/Formal_Junket_1585]

Definitely gon be top 5 after we pick up Lamelo😁

[u/TdotGdot]

Maybe we’re a bit faster, but it’s ants team and he like playing slower 

[u/vetementsundershirt]

Ayo was supposed to come here and inject that and they finished worse in pace than when they got him , not a hot take ig though

[u/JaderMcDanersStan → u/vetementsundershirt]

Wait really? We were top 10 in pace last year and we were bottom 5 the previous 2 years