The Minnesota Timberwolves Offense Has A "BIG" Problem

[@HalfCourtHoops]

A deeper dive into the Timberwolves X's & O's & Sets: halfcourthoops.substack.com/p/minnesota-timberwolves-offense-breakdown

[@Blorbifink]

The most frustrating part is that Finch and the coaching staff seem to have set up a good blueprint, but players just aren't executing. We had good ball movement against the Rockets (although they're the Rockets, and the sloppy turnovers reared their head), so hopefully the team can build upon that. The biggest issue with this team just seems to be lack of consistent effort, and while players are aware of the issues in their postgame pressers, implementation and resolution doesn't seem to follow.

[@BrainDead235]

Finch is an offensive genius. He knew what he had instantly back when Jokic was a rookie. The best offense Denver has ever had to this day, was a year Finch was our O coordinator and I believe Jokic’ 2nd year. I’ll never forget how fluid that offense was. I was highly disappointed when we didn’t keep him.

[@Blorbifink]

@@BrainDead235 Also had a pretty good offense down in NOLA with Boogie and AD. The issue is execution by the players. A lot of times guys just aren't on the same page when making passes which leads to a lot of turnovers. I don't fault Finch from a tactical perspective, but it is starting to concern me that he can't get the players to put in consistent effort.

[@BrainDead235]

@@Blorbifink I wonder if it’s a Finch thing to want to run an offense with 2 bigs and not so much the GM’s or coaches. When he was here, we ran Jokic and Nurkic, Pelicans ran Boogie and AD, now he’s got another pair in Kat and Gobert. Would make a lot of since, most teams don’t ever run anything near 2 elite starting centers except Finch run teams. Also, Connelly giving up four 1st round picks was huge overpay and unlike his history in Denver. Starting to think Finch NEEDS 2 dominant bigs. Real question about him going forward I suppose would be to see him run any other sort of offense. The scheme is fun but how often will you win when it comes down to the playoffs?

[@ironsharpensiron3215]

Facts these coaches don’t know know how to run two bigs

[@Blorbifink]

@@ironsharpensiron3215 Finch has a good track record with playing two bigs together, but the motivational aspect is something he needs to improve on

[@SK-mw8vd]

A little piece of me dies insides every time I watch Gobert seal off a switch underneath the hoop, and Dlo or Ant just dribble the posession away.

[@Tommie22x]

its sad but gobert has pretty bad hands and tends to bring the ball down often so its an easy strip for the undersized defender. bailing out the defense

[@Pat323232]

As a Jazz fan, I can't agree with you MORE!! Donovan never trusted him when he had that seal. Conley/Clarkson the same. We love Rudy. You've just got to learn how to use him. Yes. He's big and kind of clumsy, but if he has a seal right underneath the hoop??? Feed the big dog!!

[@klasherwan]

its sad that edwards forcing euro step over and over. despite gobert living there and clogging the lane because ant doesnt like calling centers to set screen.

[@futurehofer1564]

When you watch Rudy play and then you watch KAT you can see a big difference in the effort level Rudy is always running the floor, fighting hard for rebounds, trying hard on defense and KAT (and most of the Wolves) most times look sloppy

[@uldish7395]

Yeah, like in this video 0:47 . KAT looks sloopy and lazy overall.

[@Pat323232]

We miss Rudy 😭 if your Wolves can bring his same energy and passion, you'll win games. Remember we were #1 seed last year

[@farmingnodak]

Effort has always been an issue with Towns.... if there's some bad calls or things get sloppy he becomes whiny, tries to do too much, and everything falls apart. He's not only to blame either, effort is lacking with other players too.

[@Ninety2boss]

I am glad you mentioned this because ppl used to get mad at Mitchell for overlooking gobert, but now ppl will understand that it wasn’t him it’s gobert !

[@ochomunna270]

4:03 , WTF was that? It baffles me how a so called NBA star like Gobert getting paid hundreds of millions can't work on having a decent shot or form. It's why I admire Giannis and his improvements every year.

[@nmzhoops]

Great Vid, I think what Will Hardy is doing in Utah definitely would be a cool breakdown to watch

[@everyday_truth]

Kats trying to change his game for Rudy to fit in. Ant and DLO need to be better. It’s easy for them two guards to say that they don’t have space. Ant looks like he’s trying to sabotage this by denying the screen from Rudy and Kat every single time they want to set a pick. when rudy or kat does a successful pick n roll, Ant never dumps it to them. Always wanna drive and miss a difficult layup. Ant been really bad, not looking like an all-star.

[@farmingnodak]

It's always been EFFORT! Ever since the Butler saga, he was right from the start - Towns always had this problem, very noticeable when there's a couple bad calls, sloppy plays, and he starts going downhill FAST. It's not just him either, Ant has the same issues on when he's going to show up, and dlo can be streaky.... this is where Beverly and Vando shined since the effort was always there. I enjoy watching the bench players more since they seem to fight more during the game. Can't put much blame on Gobert, he's giving effort (it shows on defense and court running). I think Finch is a little overrated for the credit he gets... he has the mind for it, but how in nearly every game there's always a big stint where everything falls apart and can't recover from it?!?! It happened a lot last year and it showed it's ugly head against Memphis.

[@elijahcrombie7723]

If they did that offense, the double screen but had Towns pop every time, and Rudy roll, it’d be more spacious and it’d be easier to create open looks

[@IMakeItLOOkCOOL]

So there’s a decent amount of KAT & Gobert screening in horns or double staggers and stuff like that, but do they run a lot with either Gobert directly screening for KAT or vice versa to get a 5 on KAT? Could we see that as a way to space the floor better or give KAT better iso matchups as Finch & the players gel with each other more?

[@lucasisto1744]

You should be doing more 10 mins videos about teams like this!

[@itszaque]

This video does a good job showing there’s a team cohesion issue here, it feels like the wolves have good personnel but it’s a very different group than the Jazz had. The jazz used gobert for good defense and surrounded him with 4 shooters who could all pass. I don’t know what the wolves answer is going to be since their team is not built around the 3 but it will be interesting.

[@marcochen9117]

I like how theres a trend in super sized or twin tower lineups tho, makes matchups more fun rather than just 4 wings and a guard

[@iW34Rglasses00]

4:05 Rudy what were you thinking? 🤔 lol 🤣

[@cooramoor100]

There is one player in Minnesota, that’s been there with multiple team changes/teammates, and they never get better, KAT is the reason they suck, he’s a terrible teammate and sucks the life out of everyone who plays with him, Wiggins, Buttler, Dlo, and now Gobert. Sure KAT puts up good numbers, but the team suffers, never going to win with that dude

[@saeedsenpai5530]

They need an actual pass-first pointguard

[@Eniggma39]

They let Pat bev go but kept Dlow, the fuck

[@l3ull22]

Awesome content my guy!

[@timothywright1318]

Nick Wright always right. The Gobert trade was the most egregious overpay in the history of the NBA.

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

They traded away multiple playmakers when they instead should've tweaked the roster...not a gutting of it.

[@HandsomeHustler]

Facts , could kept everybody and added Dwight Howard , or javale McGee

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

@@HandsomeHustler Exactly! Lol.

[@brysonmedlock927]

@@HandsomeHustler Didn't need either. Kessler, the 1st round pick we traded this year is looking good as a rookie.

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

@@brysonmedlock927 Great point right there! I forgot about that.

[@SSJRome]

Man everybody should’ve seen this coming

[@ChanBoogie310]

They need to play a 4-1 with motion actions or a low post, high post with 3 out add in some off ball screens, cuts. If it’s coaching and chemistry, you have the talent they need to hell, but also the coach need to have proper sets according to the teams personnel.

[@freddyfox5002]

When they do a double pin up top, they gotta use KAT as a screener for Rudy, that can then dive hard to the rim

[@Dilemina]

KAT always gets called for fouls when he does that. And then gets frustrated.

[@freddyfox5002]

@@Dilemina KAT is spineless Looks like he is missing a vertebra, the way he flaps around

[@targalis8772]

New coach is what i see

[@jtwilliams8895]

It was very strange for Minnesota to bring in Gobert, considering his contract and all the picks they gave up. It was basically putting all the chips in for an extremely unconventional lineup/roster.

[@talaf6616]

Honestly i believe that theory that was stated in the beginning would work if Dlo wasnt playing his worst basketball hes played probably ever. Sure Rudy has hands of stone but just tonight in our gane against a Memphis Ant did a better job distributing to Rudy than Dlo has all season. KAT is still getting his and having a career high in assists but i think our PG play is kinda the root to why this theory isnt working. Its the execution thats off. Ant (as proven againsts the Grizzlies) can and is willing to play off ball a bit, the synergy the team has when Slomo or Jordan are at point prove this as well. If we can get a true PG i can see this team’s offense get back to where it should be

[@pesky19]

it's sad to see, the shooting of KAT and the rolling of rudy have such amazing potential

[@naborss]

as a timberwolves fan, I have noticed I have more faith in the bench comared to the starters. I dont know if its synergy or what but that cant be a good sign

[@johnorona99]

At 8:15 I believe that action is a UCLA cut

[@InsaneTrickShots]

KAT is the russell westbrook of big men. somehow hes got you guys convinced hes good but hes the reason timberwolves have struggled last few years

[@klow335]

Kat isn’t the problem and he isn’t anywhere near as garbage as Westbrook he still averaging 20+ and 10+ reb with 50% fg they just should have kept pat beverly and traded dlo cause he so inconsistent and shooting under 40%

[@EyegemYT]

What in the casual

[@devinmartinez7705]

Mannnnn Russ was a dog 2011 to like 2018. Bro had a crazy good finals in 2012

[@TJinoue]

Worst post I’ve ever seen. Rudy Gobert simply hinders every offense he’s in simple

[@josephtamarez2105]

Do you think they'll clean it up & get it to work though? Right now it's sloppy, but with the kinks worked out, can this be a top 5 offense in the league this year? I'm tempted to say yes, personally...

[@jamalwalker04]

Not with the way Dlo's been playing much of Gobert's offense comes from lob threat and rim running which is why he needs to be fed but Dlo is playing like an ass so there offense is suffering

[@futurehofer1564]

KAT and Rudy can work out and be a top offense, imo the problem are the other pieces around them Ant has nearly zero playmaking skills and DLo is inconsistent

[@sodalangstson9438]

Most likely not this year they need a leader and dlo contract is almost up with ant pending contract

[@j19games24]

@@sodalangstson9438 Wolves should start Jordan Mcglaghlin (idk how to spell his last name) and make dlo a 6man. The starters (and almost everyone for that matter) seem to play better with jmac on the floor. He brings more consistency than dlo (albeit that's a low bar) & runs an offense while dlo plays like an allstar once every 5 games and then becomes a liability again.

[@kellyevans3286]

4:05 was rough 😖

[@Yayotay]

The problem with the scheme is that it’s predictable. This team also don’t seem to gel with their personalities and it’s taking a toll.

[@Braylenc123]

i didn’t like the gobert trade for the T wolves in the offseason. i thought the jazz absolutely fleeced them

[@leebutler7353]

Kat standing in the paint beside Gobert is crazy.

[@scoa]

I feel like a lot of these problems you're talking about are exactly what seemed inevitable. The trade never made sense to me. Fixing a previous problem by creating a bunch of new problems.

[@anthonycelestin3559]

How are the Cavs able to succeed with two bigs like Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen?

[@ThaSouthMU]

One things for certain… Finch might be the best offensive mind in the nba not named Carlise… And I feel much of the issues Towns and Gorbert are having playing together will be fixed by Towns attacking right more as oppose to his tendency to go left as well as just staying out and shooting more. Goberts’ down there now.. enjoy it and bomb away. 😂

[@abiv23]

Impressive knowledge of the game, sub'd

[@micoboo7716]

I feel sorry for the Timberwolves because they let go of of Vanderbilt and Beasley 👎👎 they don't need a Center like Gobert. They should've got a decent Center with a offense and defense like Cousins or Valenciunas plus trade their PG for someone like Dinwiddie or Sexton.

[@dall2341]

Called it.

[@barclaypierre740]

Coach who's the best offensive mind in the league?

[@HalfCourtHoops]

I don't know if there is a definitive #1 answer but my favorites for it would be: Kerr, Pop, Spo, Monty, Nurse, & Finch.

[@barclaypierre740]

@@HalfCourtHoops thx

[@keepups1586]

@@HalfCourtHoops kerr for sure. Spo and Nurse are better for defense

[@williamblake7386]

@@HalfCourtHoops Yeah i remember how offensive mind Kerr dealt with box and 1 in 2019 finals. I guess he was a dummy back then and now hes suddenly the best. Also, hows his offense doing without Curry on the floor?

[@SoloPerICommenti]

how would it be they had Jokic instead of Kat making some of those reads?

[@vinny8195]

They should’ve known that. It’s not 1960

[@NoBiasAllBoxing]

I don’t think Ant cares about being Great and that has to be the most frustrating thing

[@dannyortega5277]

Gobert always does Pick & Roll however no one ever passes it to him…

[@Ali-zd4sz]

Do you ever think he can’t do shit once he gets the ball? He has bad hands and isn’t mobile

[@rickyisme1230]

Nice work Wolves offense is terrible to watch those players don't seem to fit together it's early to say but I don't think it will. I'm a Cavs fan wish you can make a video of how Mobley and Allen work together their offense seem to be more fluid. Always appreciate your video🙏

[@pineconebliss]

A deep dive on the Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland dynamics would also be interesting. Cavs are 7-0 without Garland and 1-4 with Garland on the floor.

[@Kyroshi]

Lol my evil me came here to comment some bullshit like "I thought KAT is the best big man shooter in history loooool?!?" But at such a nice piece of content, my comment would have been to trashy :) Such a nice analysis, thank you! Was really entertaining to watch.

[@abrahamgn3614]

Who would've thought...

[@SaylessTv614]

I feel like this team would benefit the most from veteran pass first point guard that can run the offense and put everybody in position . KAT isn't a clear leader yet surrounded by guys that aren't leaders as well. Keeping d-lo was bad move overall I feel too inconsistent and his game doesn't translate well in this o

[@qwynrissell]

I wanna see gobert play with the bench players and Kat with starters it’d be like pure defense when Rudy’s out there and pure offense when kats out there! 😔

[@akephalie]

Too many problems are derived from spacing. Passing is the real issue here...

[@norestwicked6125]

Cant believe the Wolves gave away their play in MVP. Smh

[@leonhardable]

Me watching all this unfold while having predicted it against a ton of flak: Ahhhhh, finally. Gobert exposed. It'll take some time until people fully realize, but this is a good start.

[@maartenvz]

Wow this was painful to watch, this lack of focus and execution. Seeing how poorly Russell is playing i would expect he gets trades eventually (his deal is expiring). For the rest of the key players i just hope they develop some sense of urgency, like Tucker said: wins are not just given to you.

[@messityler4121]

CP3 mindset look for teammate Dlo/Ant mindset look to score they should trade at least one of them

[@glyle2504]

It feels like the team really doesn’t know what to do and how to play with each other.

[@nopemang4356]

Kat and Rudy need to run the pick and roll

[@BasketballSociety_]

This was pretty expected

[@elbobe4127]

If the Cavs can run 2 non shooting bigs, the wolves should be able to play gobert and kat. This is simply a lack of execution, not having the wrong personnel.

[@ironsharpensiron3215]

Why don’t they both set a pick one roll and one fade ?!?? Wtf I KAT doing

[@williamblake7386]

Kneel before mighty Gogurt

[@PropiaPersona]

They need an elite PG

[@r-trippin5078]

This might be what happened to Larry marketing in Chicago and Cleveland

[@Googoogagabanana]

the only way this works is if towns stays on the perimeter while rudy is on the floor

[@mistaknewitall2718]

It's the guards.

[@robertj8451]

the problem is some of these sets are just dumb and that no one on the wolves is a high level play maker. its a team full of play finishers they need to trader for a solid passing point guard

[@paulandersbullecer3152]

I wanna scream at the entire wolves starters. I wanna tell them if they gonna run a double screen action, Kat should be popping, and Gobert should be rolling

[@lotuslife3239]

There isnt 1 actual playmaker on the team that can just go out there and get guys in the right spots to make things happen. DLo gets it to score and pass if he has to, Ant wants to drive and dunk, KAT cant pass like Embiid and cant be a backup playmaker, Gobert is shit at everything involving skill. These guys just go out there and see what happens basically. Lakers could rlly use one of their backup forwards we all know Minnesota never winning nothin. That dude Naz Reid on the Lakers would make their defense so tuff

[@EdwardWindhowl]

Get this kids some vets.

[@Antonius2085]

D-lo and Ant are playing truly atrocious right now with terrible shooting and constant sloppy turnovers. Rudy and Kat are always contributing in various ways but Ant and D-lo have taken an enormous step back from last year. McDaniels also looks totally lost at times. They are probably the sloppiest team in the NBA.

[@j-us-t_be-in-g]

Utah definitely won this trade by a landslide. Rudy literally does nothing on offensive and he, like Ben, for the life of it, won't work on their offensive game. It's not about just focusing on your individual strengths but also providing for the team in as many ways as possible, and working on your total skillset will do so. These type of guys that believe one thing will help them survive in the NBA no longer works as teams are even more versatile in schemes, which requires a skill in whatever position you are or doing within the schemes.

[@badongjunior1261]

What do you expect with Edwards as your point guard? The man doesn't care about the team. He will always just find his shot, feeling like a superstar

[@BRGDIESEL]

Look like they in rec 😂

[@Krook1897]

Minnesota is missing Vanderbilt, imo.

[@alsegvi9574]

Now u see why they didn't need a center like gobert.

[@DOWNBAD_Tay]

Kat has to realize Gobert is the new center and may need to play the wing more that's on him not Gobert

[@RaptorsDot]

Brah 2k whole team rolling to the basketball 😅

[@Veyronp87]

they need a PG. A good PG can set up the action much better than whatever DLo is doing.

[@Monkey_D_Luffy56]

Wolves' GM is gonna trade KAT this all-star break or next season and build around Anthony Edwards and maybe DLo. KAT is hurting the team.

[@CharlesRodman3000]

If CP3 plays PG for the timberwolves..

[@cuzzicfc]

The Real Issue with the Wolves is clearly Jaden McDaniels scoring & D'Angelo Russell's playmaking.... IT'S ALL TOO PREDICTABLE

[@le4-677]

KAT was supposed to be an all-time great. BUST!

[@llydrsn]

This is why the Jazz does not need to tank anymore. They have Minnesotta's unprotected 1st round pick next year - they will do the tanking for Utah instead 😅

[@lebrunjo8884]

And take nash

[@mikeparker2520]

welcome to the stagnant Jazz offensive of last year- Mitchell had the same problem with defenses plugging up the center. We deeply thank the Wolves for taking RG and bad contract off our hands.

[@gbrl433]

Vanderbilt was the glue from last year and they traded him away

[@stephenmoran7855]

Can we call out KAT's awful defense? Even Uncle Cliff Paul lit him up... Is it just effort, or is he really that bad?

[@ry_an.]

Both he has legs of stone and bad motor

[@teddythian3955]

all the problems start with kat

[@BruceWaynesFactory]

A lot start with dlo, all those awful turnovers and on top of that, shooting 4-17 every game

[@nealbaker1718]

DBLo and Towns are sucking the winning life force right out of their teammates. It's hard to watch. You can see it in Edwards mood

[@GM14218]

That double screen and roll play is just stupid. Kat is a really good shooter, how tf does 2 people rolling make sense in any situation? That double screen would be great if they just had kat pop

[@Googoogagabanana]

TRADE TOWNS

[@dodiereynolds386]

Twin towers sounds good but does not work on offense . How to turn a 46 win team into a 36 win team and lose all draft future . Brilliant .

[@joshuaedwards5778]

I knew getting Rudy and trading important players from their success last year was going to be bad for the t wolves. But they look worse than I thought. We need to get rid of D Lo and get a true point guard.

[@saif8355]

not rudy faults tho, he is playing better then every other player

[@DonDeDon445]

KAT is the main problem. He's not adapting to playing the 4 and is AWFUL on defense. Dlo ain't to good either and ANTs attitude is a problem but KAT has to be so so so much better. And for the love of god can they please just act like they wanna play ball. These dudes walk up the court and piss on the $250 million they know the owners are gonna have to pay them

[@hamishsherwood654]

Surely having Vanderbelt (a prolific non shooter) provided a lot of similar issues that timberwolves already had built in coumters for

[@lebrunjo8884]

I think they will fire the coach

[@terencewinters2154]

No point guard . Should have kept Beasley.. KAT IS NO JOKIC OR BIRD. EDWARDS AND RUSSELL ARE NOT DISTRIBUTORS EITHER. BUT THEY WILL GET BETTER. FLOPPY FOR THE KAT, RUSS, EDWARDS . TRIO WOULD BE BETTER . ITS EARLY THEYRE KLUNKY BUT WILL GET BETTER AS THEIR TIMING IMPROVES.

[@ericlietsch994]

Time to call up Luka Garza

[@cavaleermountaineer3839]

Dumbest move I've seen in a while from a GM/HC. It's like they think it's 1985. Unreal. Raw height is NOT the advantage it has been since the inception of basketball. You can thank MJ, Iverson, and most powerfully Steph Curry and Steve Kerr for this. Just look at how barely 6'1'' 180 pound Trae Young DOMINATED the series against the Knicks and the Bucks a couple years ago before he went down. This double big works well maybe 15% of the time on both ends. But what it does to the rest of the players might be even worse.

[@getsomemoney2433]

They need a motion offense but they're too young to run a motion correctly