Start Taj or Saric?

[kilkenny]

Just curious what the fans think.

I'd be afraid of a Towns/Saric frontcourt on defense, but on offense Saric would open the middle more for Towns. Right now guys are crowding the paint on Towns. Taj is a good player but he doesn't fit with KAT on either end. He's not a big shot blocker that we need and he is a close to the basket offensive player. I cringe when he's getting a pass on the perimeter.

What think you?

[mlhouse]

Saric.

I think Taj is a good player and might be a better defender overall than Saric, but Saric is possibly a better defender against a lot of 4's in this league than Gibson. I also think that Gibson can play a better role as the guy setting screens on the "2nd team" offense than being the lane clogger he is with the starters.

I would not be adverse to Thibs also playing some matchups and playing the appropriate defender. Saric plays against the more perimeter orientated 4s and Gibson otherwise, even if that means swapping out who starts.

[Stork311]

Saric.

I think Taj is a good player and might be a better defender overall than Saric, but Saric is possibly a better defender against a lot of 4's in this league than Gibson. I also think that Gibson can play a better role as the guy setting screens on the "2nd team" offense than being the lane clogger he is with the starters.

I would not be adverse to Thibs also playing some matchups and playing the appropriate defender. Saric plays against the more perimeter orientated 4s and Gibson otherwise, even if that means swapping out who starts.

the matchup comment is spot on, in my opinion....but that would require flexibility by our beloved coach. And that ain't his strong suit.

[RubeTube]

Shoukd be matchup dependent but like others have said, thibs is a slob so that probably won't happen.

I would start Taj. Saric isn't very good.

[HeHateMe]

Saric. He's on the clock now for a new deal. You have to know what you have with him. Taj won't be here beyond this season and probably should be trade bait if they're not going to get into the playoffs.

[Philo Beddoe]

Saric... I am convinced defense will never be a priority for these knuckleheads. Let them score 150 and hope the other team only scores 149

[Corre Ricky Corre]

Saric 100%. I actually think Saric is a good fit for where this team is at. Taj is a superior defender but worse offensively. We lost a creator in Jimmy and Saric is surprisingly good with the ball in his hands. I hope because he is such a willing passer and shooter that the kids on the team will learn to cut. I feel like we rarely have cutters and avoid easy buckets at all times.

[t_wrex]

I say we alternate starters based on the match-up.

Against Memphis I'd start saric and go after whoever Marc Gasol isn't guarding.

Against Detroit I'd start Taj try to shut down the elite griffin/drummon duo and let towns kick drummonds ass on offense.

Either way, our bench will feature teague/rose along with taj/saric and those 2 will be going HAM on suckers.

[memyworld]

I'd give it a try with Saric. If the team's fully healthy, that lets Taj and Rose run the second unit.

[whiskerbiscuit]

It's obviously Saric but you know Thibs will go with Taj.

[Joboo]

I'd give it a try with Saric. If the team's fully healthy, that lets Taj and Rose run the second unit.

THIS

[mlhouse]

Saric.

I think Taj is a good player and might be a better defender overall than Saric, but Saric is possibly a better defender against a lot of 4's in this league than Gibson. I also think that Gibson can play a better role as the guy setting screens on the "2nd team" offense than being the lane clogger he is with the starters.

I would not be adverse to Thibs also playing some matchups and playing the appropriate defender. Saric plays against the more perimeter orientated 4s and Gibson otherwise, even if that means swapping out who starts.

the matchup comment is spot on, in my opinion....but that would require flexibility by our beloved coach. And that ain't his strong suit.

He almost refuses to matchup or to FORCE matchup problems on the other team. He follows a time schedule rotation that is basically the same every game. I thik that hurt us in the Rockets series. I think it hurts us in the 2nd half.

Minnesota should have been able to make many of hte teams in the NBA struggle to match up with them with Butler. But we never really did.

[Corre Ricky Corre]

I am hoping that Saric can be a more creative Danilo Gallinari.

[UnFadeable21]

Taj

He hasn’t done anything to warrant getting benched and he’s been our most consistent defender.

[irishman89]

Saric by a mile. I love Taj, but he averages about as many assists as Bazz. We need ball movement, tempo, and shooting/spacing with the starters.

Oh, plus this is a rebuild at this point. Trade Taj, and see what we have with the kids going forward.

[RubeTube]

If you think you are going to keep playing for a playoff spot, Taj. If you are going full out fuck it mode, Saric.

[kilkenny]

If you think you are going to keep playing for a playoff spot, Taj. If you are going full out fuck it mode, Saric.

GP GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OR DR REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
10 10 32.9 5.9-14.0 .421 2.0-5.2 .385 3.4-4.0 .850 3.2 4.1 7.3 3.5 0.4 1.0 2.8 1.5 17.2
5 5 24.6 2.8-4.4 .636 0.0-0.0 .000 0.6-0.6 1.000 1.4 2.6 4.0 0.4 0.4 0.2 1.6 0.8 6.2

I know, hard to read, but come on.... Saric had a way better postseason than Taj last year.

So what was that you were saying?

[RubeTube]

If you think you are going to keep playing for a playoff spot, Taj. If you are going full out fuck it mode, Saric.

GP GS MIN FGM-A FG% 3PM-A 3P% FTM-A FT% OR DR REB AST BLK STL PF TO PTS
10 10 32.9 5.9-14.0 .421 2.0-5.2 .385 3.4-4.0 .850 3.2 4.1 7.3 3.5 0.4 1.0 2.8 1.5 17.2
5 5 24.6 2.8-4.4 .636 0.0-0.0 .000 0.6-0.6 1.000 1.4 2.6 4.0 0.4 0.4 0.2 1.6 0.8 6.2

I know, hard to read, but come on.... Saric had a way better postseason than Taj last year.

So what was that you were saying?

Saric isn't on the same team though.. Towns/Saric combo will be brutal defensively. Embiid can play D.

[Keith_Morrison]

Saric.

Gotsta see what you got.

[Ask Not]

Saric.

I think Taj is a good player and might be a better defender overall than Saric, but Saric is possibly a better defender against a lot of 4's in this league than Gibson. I also think that Gibson can play a better role as the guy setting screens on the "2nd team" offense than being the lane clogger he is with the starters.

I would not be adverse to Thibs also playing some matchups and playing the appropriate defender. Saric plays against the more perimeter orientated 4s and Gibson otherwise, even if that means swapping out who starts.

the matchup comment is spot on, in my opinion....but that would require flexibility by our beloved coach. And that ain't his strong suit.

I'm a little surprised NBA execs don't use more match-up analytics a la MLB. I get the Wolves should to to KAT no matter what and they can get match ups by running particular sets, but line ups should be based more on opponent than they are.

[kilkenny]

Saric.

I think Taj is a good player and might be a better defender overall than Saric, but Saric is possibly a better defender against a lot of 4's in this league than Gibson. I also think that Gibson can play a better role as the guy setting screens on the "2nd team" offense than being the lane clogger he is with the starters.

I would not be adverse to Thibs also playing some matchups and playing the appropriate defender. Saric plays against the more perimeter orientated 4s and Gibson otherwise, even if that means swapping out who starts.

the matchup comment is spot on, in my opinion....but that would require flexibility by our beloved coach. And that ain't his strong suit.

I'm a little surprised NBA execs don't use more match-up analytics a la MLB. I get the Wolves should to to KAT no matter what and they can get match ups by running particular sets, but line ups should be based more on opponent than they are.

So Wiggins would only start against Cleveland? Or is that fire going away with him?

[Ask Not]

I'm a little surprised NBA execs don't use more match-up analytics a la MLB. I get the Wolves should to to KAT no matter what and they can get match ups by running particular sets, but line ups should be based more on opponent than they are.

So Wiggins would only start against Cleveland? Or is that fire going away with him?

Seriously, if the opposing team's best scorer is a SG, then start Okogie and deny or try to get the guy off his game. If Wigs doesn't like it, play more D. If a team has a plodder at the 4 or likes to help on KAT, start Saric. If Tyus was a better defender, I'd be open to PG being opponent-dependent too.

[UnFadeable21]

Saric said he wants to start.

[Stork311]

I'm a little surprised NBA execs don't use more match-up analytics a la MLB. I get the Wolves should to to KAT no matter what and they can get match ups by running particular sets, but line ups should be based more on opponent than they are.

So Wiggins would only start against Cleveland? Or is that fire going away with him?

Seriously, if the opposing team's best scorer is a SG, then start Okogie and deny or try to get the guy off his game. If Wigs doesn't like it, play more D. If a team has a plodder at the 4 or likes to help on KAT, start Saric. If Tyus was a better defender, I'd be open to PG being opponent-dependent too.

I would be intererested to see a breakdown of line ups between Thibs and other coaches. Thibs is so adverse to change it is maddening...but how much do the Boston's/Houstons/Bucks for example work the match ups. Ask Not, I think your on to somethin here....just another pin in the Thibs doll.

[HeHateMe]

I'm a little surprised NBA execs don't use more match-up analytics a la MLB. I get the Wolves should to to KAT no matter what and they can get match ups by running particular sets, but line ups should be based more on opponent than they are.

So Wiggins would only start against Cleveland? Or is that fire going away with him?

Seriously, if the opposing team's best scorer is a SG, then start Okogie and deny or try to get the guy off his game. If Wigs doesn't like it, play more D. If a team has a plodder at the 4 or likes to help on KAT, start Saric. If Tyus was a better defender, I'd be open to PG being opponent-dependent too.

I can live with what Wiggins is doing on defense... I can't live with what he's not doing on offense. Brutal. Coach needs to get him more rest too. Keep those legs fresh... I hope this isn't the start of breaking down.

[kilkenny]

So Wiggins would only start against Cleveland? Or is that fire going away with him?

Seriously, if the opposing team's best scorer is a SG, then start Okogie and deny or try to get the guy off his game. If Wigs doesn't like it, play more D. If a team has a plodder at the 4 or likes to help on KAT, start Saric. If Tyus was a better defender, I'd be open to PG being opponent-dependent too.

I can live with what Wiggins is doing on defense... I can't live with what he's not doing on offense. Brutal. Coach needs to get him more rest too. Keep those legs fresh... I hope this isn't the start of breaking down.

You can live with his lazy ass attempt to defend? Start of the 3rd quarter last night and the dude just sat on the baseline while Towns guy ran past him. Wiggins should have stepped up and gotten in that lane but he just sat there. Jim Peterson was even all over him. It's infuriating! Maddening! Frustrating!

[HeHateMe]

Seriously, if the opposing team's best scorer is a SG, then start Okogie and deny or try to get the guy off his game. If Wigs doesn't like it, play more D. If a team has a plodder at the 4 or likes to help on KAT, start Saric. If Tyus was a better defender, I'd be open to PG being opponent-dependent too.

I can live with what Wiggins is doing on defense... I can't live with what he's not doing on offense. Brutal. Coach needs to get him more rest too. Keep those legs fresh... I hope this isn't the start of breaking down.

You can live with his lazy ass attempt to defend? Start of the 3rd quarter last night and the dude just sat on the baseline while Towns guy ran past him. Wiggins should have stepped up and gotten in that lane but he just sat there. Jim Peterson was even all over him. It's infuriating! Maddening! Frustrating!

I switched over to the Gophers during the 3rd quarter. BOOM.

[Moses Scurry]

Saric should be our present and our future. Taj is a great player for what he is but he's no solution long term, the future is now.

Won't happen but you can hope.

3 pt shooting starting lineup with Saric and Covington. Cheated with Teague and Saric as they have started slow, have to assume they will trend towards their career averages.
Teague 35% career
Wiggins 41% season
Covington 39% season
Saric 35% career
Towns 42% season

Rose
Okogie
Tolliver
Taj
Dieng

On paper, that's a nice bench. Bunch of grinders.

[witljon]

Saric said he wants to start.

We probably don't have any players that don't.

[jodaman01]

Start Saric as we should have started Belly.

To many geniuses here thought Belly could/should never do that including this shitheaded coach. Timberwolves would have been a better team if they had.

Don’t make the same stupid mistake twice.

GO WOLVES!!