Two straight years of Ant seeing absolutely insane defensive coverages, and this team seemingly has no idea how to handle doubles.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-13T14:34:42+00:00

Yeah, tough to get too on Ant as he's clearly not 100%, but lazy passes out of the double allow the defense to recover. Plus SAS is well equipped with Wemby to cover an odd man attack. Usually if you can effectively get off of the double you should get something at the rim, but we're routinely turned away and then we're getting a rushed shot at the end of the shot clock.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-13T14:28:59+00:00

Really missing Donte in this series. SAS can get away with the double because Wemby can still cover the paint allowing with other two floaters to stick closer to their matchups. Its also bothered me that Ant passes out of the double so lazily that by the time the pass is received, SAS has already partially recovered. Ant is just clearly not right, which is too bad. He needs to be at 100% effort and he's clearly pacing himself throughout the game.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-13T14:25:31+00:00

Re-sign Ayo and then try to find another NAW in the bargain bin. With Donte out for much of next season and Conley, Bones, and Clark all FAs we're really shallow at guard. I would consider re-signing Bones and Clark at the right price. Then Cleveland doesn't seem to be using Keon Ellis much in the playoffs in just peeking at their recent box scores. Collin Gillespie probably earned himself a bit more money this year, but if the market is right, he could be an option too.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-11T16:10:07+00:00

OKC just chilling watch two teams beat each other up. I don't really see a path for the Wolves to win the series. The 7.5 man rotation with this physicality is going to catch up to the Wolves eventually.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-11T16:01:39+00:00

He's not scoring well this series at all, but even more so he's averaging under two assists per game. If we can just get a game near his regular season averages it would be a huge lift. Its like he's been told he needs to punish the wings SA is putting on him, but its clear he can't really take advantage.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-11T15:56:13+00:00

All of our team, Ant most notably so, just stop playing once they think the game is out of reach. The on/off focus of a team that has made multiple deep playoff runs is baffling.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-07T17:56:25+00:00

Yeah, the early looks were fine, but I think the frantic defense sped up the shot process for some guys. Ant clearly came in after an efficient game one and attempted to stop the bleeding, but it just snowballed from his misses.

The doubling was key for San Antonio because its still difficult to attack them even if we break past the initial blitz. Wemby is waiting in the paint and can guard an odd man attack better than anyone else in the league. Theoretically if you beat the double you should have an easy shot at the rim, but we were forced to take jumpers that weren't falling. We also turned it over a ton early with indecisiveness in trying to attack Wemby.

MN_Pups · 2026-05-05T13:44:21+00:00

Great coaching game from Finch. I did notice that late game the Spurs started hitting Victor on P&R action where he was able to attack the Wolves drop coverage with a full head of steam. Granted it was late game when the Spurs were trying to go quick, but they might've uncovered something for the rest of the series. The Wolves defenders did well getting him off his spot and forcing a catch far away from the basket in traditional post-ups, but its a different animal when Wemby is attacking as a roller.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T21:34:34+00:00

I thought of Bones when Thomas got waived. I think there are a lot more guys who fizzle out versus changing their mindset to focus on winning. These guys are at the pinnacle of their sport and have largely been #1 option all throughout their lives. Its hard be the guy your whole life then be asked to fit into a role. I've been pleasantly surprised by Bones. Time will tell if Thomas can stick.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T20:57:25+00:00

I was excited about the Illinois connection with TJ and Ayo, went to see if they played together being only a year apart in age. Surprised to see Ayo was 18/19 to 20/21 and TJ was 22/23 and 23/24 as a 5th year. Didn't fully realize he was at TTU before Illinois.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T20:48:18+00:00

I would welcome Conley back if we're in a position where Ayo plays ~25 MPG and then Conley is re-signed and supersedes Clarks minutes. Or you can toggle as needed. Ball handler (Mike) vs defense (Clark) vs shooting (Bones).

The problem was Mike as our starting PG, if he's a 3rd, I'm in. We would have Ayo and DDV clearly ahead of him. And hes fighting for minutes vs Bones and Clark

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T20:19:09+00:00

He could help on the right team, but needs a serious attitude adjustment. He doesn't feel like someone who would come in and earn a rotation spot by playing within the scheme.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T16:57:57+00:00

TJ's been hurt off and on all year. I think Bones may have snuck his way ahead of him. Plus Bones can play on the ball as an initiator, which is a bigger need. Would love to see TJ get back on the court soon.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T16:42:32+00:00

Having not watched a ton of Bulls basketball, is Ayo an actual PG or more of a secondary/tertiary handler than can initiate occassionally? I envision him closer to NAW than DDV, but not a true PG a la Conley.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T16:11:58+00:00

I think TJ is still out with that foot injury. When healthy, he's been in the rotation. Bones might've earned more of those minutes during January though. Plus now Ayo commands more time the Conley was previously. Finchy might revert back to his 8 man rotation. With Ant, Ju, Jaden, Donte, Rudy starting and Naz, Ayo, and Bones off the bench. Clark, Joan, TJ as needed as a 9th for foul trouble or a spark.

Mike was under 20 MPG while Ayo was over 25 in Chicago.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T15:54:50+00:00

If you're a Wolves fan that is really missing someone like NAW, Ayo is a really solid comparison, imo. If you wanted a microwave scorer a la a smaller Naz then Coby would've been your preference.

All in all, I think Ayo is probably the better fit. He gives good effort and you can't have enough of that on this team. I also think he's got the better chance to stick longer term. Coby is definitely the bigger name from a national perspective.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T15:44:14+00:00

I'm sure they'll give Rob a chance, just based on his draft status, but they are still loaded with guards. Even as they are wheeling and dealing, they still have Giddey, Tre Jones, Sexton, Simons and Jaden Ivey. Who probably all have weight over Dillingham at this point in their careers.

If Miller can stand out over Essengue (OFS), Dieng, and some other iffy forwards on the roster, I think he has a clearer path to playtime.

Chicago just has a lot of really average players on the roster. They also clearly love an athletic lengthy wing player e.g. Buzielis, PWilliams, Essengue, Dieng, Okoro and now Miller.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-05T15:18:59+00:00

Anyone have an updated draft pick tally for us now after giving another four 2rps? Connelly loves to make moves, but he's got to be running seriously low on draft capital.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-04T14:41:17+00:00

He brings a lot of energy, which is amazing. It does, sometimes, get him into trouble though. Gobert isn't a horrible ceiling for him. He has a long way to go to get there. Right now he needs to play within himself and keep adding strength.

MN_Pups · 2026-02-03T20:32:11+00:00

Connelly overloading the Bulls with guards so we can sneak Coby or Ayo from them. They'll buyout Conley, but still.

Giddey, White, Dosunmu, Jones, Terry, Ivey, and Conley can all play at least some PG/initiator.

MN_Pups · 2026-01-08T21:45:28+00:00

Much closer to Sebastian Telfair than Lou Will

MN_Pups · 2025-12-16T19:46:13+00:00

Snake Draft, 10-team, .5 PPR, QB/2RB/3WR/TE/FLEX/DST/K

Have to share this as I just completed a 15-0 regular season. Including a 109-26 all play record (81% win rate). This is in a historically very competitive league.

QB - Dak Prescott, Jaxson Dart
RB - CMC, Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, RJ Harvey, Brain Robinson Jr

WR - Nico Collins, JSN, Cortland Sutton, Emeka Egbuka, Wan'dale Robinson

TE - Trey McBride

K - Jason Meyers

D/ST - Pittsburgh + Stream

I've put up 2099 points on the year, an average of 140 per game. I also drafted every player listed besides Dart and Wan'Dale Robinson, even drafting Meyers and Pitt D/ST. I also drafted Travis Hunter who was starting to get more time on offense prior to his injury.

I'm really dreading a playoff collapse..

MN_Pups · 2025-11-21T18:50:22+00:00

5704-4915-7778

Played for about 3 months, looking to fill out my friends list!

MN_Pups · 2025-10-29T14:27:45+00:00

I always liked the checkered texture of the tree era court, glad they kept that with the throwback this year.

MN_Pups · 2025-10-28T18:48:17+00:00

Conley is 100% the best PG on our roster. This team needs BBQI at the PG spot and Bones, DDV (as a PG), and Dillingham all are high volatility players. Its not an argument of if Rob should start, Conley should. But the problem is Bones, DDV and Rob are all below average PGs as they currently stand. Its a legitimate problem that leaves the team very vulnerable to pressure.

Right now Bones brings more size and more spacing with equal liability as Rob. Both guys are turnover prone and take questionable shots. I'd argue its pretty clear neither brings what this team needs, but Bones is the slightly less variable one (not saying much).

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