Exactly right. Part of why he’s better is just a superior frame. There are absolutely things about how Gobert uses his body that Wemby can learn from and take him to an even higher level.

Wish more stars had this attitude. Like if I want to learn how to create more turnovers I’m probably watching Dyson Daniels tape. Doesn’t mean he’s a better defender than me but I’m sure there’s lessons to be learned

Yup, last season Wemby was more like a young AD. He’d make clear mistakes, but had enough length/athleticism to recover and get away with it. He looks more disciplined this season.

what needed to be “to be fair”ed in what i said?

Thanks for sharing actual analysis and not hot takes like most of this sub.

Very refreshing

one of the few situations where randle being a bull in a china shop may actually be really effective

I know I wouldn’t want to have to bang with randle for 7 games

This exactly. Additionally Gobert is not an outside threat on offense which should allow Wemby to roam around the paint a lot and shut down drives from the Wolves guards, something Minnesota really took advantage of against Denver.

It’s gonna be an interesting series in a lot of ways.

Randle is a tank so it’s probably our best bet.

He’ll see both I’m sure, but I do think Randle makes more sense. Bigs with those crazy long legs tend to struggle more against strong, stocky defenders than they do against length.

Elite is a stretch.

It will be Randle on Vic most of the series, yeah. He has always defended Wemby well and they will likely want to conserve fouls on Gobert.

That’s a good call, and will also open Gobert to help on Wemby if he’s in the paint and picks up the ball or cover the rim when Harper/Castle slash.

Randle using his mass/strength against Wemby has been the Wolves fans hope for this series and it allows Gobert to play his natural defensive position instead of chasing Wemby around.

Wemby is a good 3pt shooter but I think you just live with it if he starts jacking 3s right? That’s also the best rebounder taking himself out of the play on a miss most of the time too. Or you just hope Randle can alter the shot enough to knock it from a 37% shot to a 32% or something

Same about Jokic who is arguably a better shooter than Wemby. Wolves were okay to let him shoot a 3 with a late contest, and will probably be okay with Wemby shooting the same shot unless he can prove he can make this shot consistently.

Jokic was also guarded at the perimeter as was Luka last year as was KD 2 years ago, it’s like you guys don’t watch game lmao.

If the Twolves are smart, they switch it when Wemby goes on the perimeter. Just try and do the same thing that the Spurs do, keep Gobert in the paint. Against big men, I think he’s elite and protecting the paint, he’s an all time great. Against Wembanyama on the perimeter, his defense and rebounding is wasted. Wembanyama can actually shoot over Gobert and drive past him.

What’s the point of that? Keep your best defender in good situations, and if Wembanyama wants to shoot outside, accept it as a win every possession.

We’ve all seen Gobert look like a deers first steps when he has to guard anybody mobile on the perimeter.

Sure, but this is the playoffs. This isn’t the first night of a back to back, this is 7 games where the Wolves coaching staff gathers all their tools together and figure out how to stop Wemby.

Gobert is also coming off what might be his best single series defensively in his career.

You’re talking about a 5 game sample my dude

Regular season slashing 51/35/82 is fine, but it’s not elite. For reference, Evan Mobley shot 56/37/72 last year, and no one is calling him an elite offensive player. It’s good. Is it good enough in the playoffs once we get past the small sample size? Something we still need to see.

And you mention the past 3 months efficiency hasn’t been an issue when it’s actually gone down slightly post all star break because his three point percentage dropped a lot. But either way, point remains.

He would absolutely say that. I’d be pretty surprised if he hasn’t already said something to that effect publicly. Doing it with an implied “… so there’s nothing I can learn from him” is where this report loses me, I don’t believe that shit for a second.

He might have said it in a funny tone while still listening.

Yeah doesn’t sound like him at all

really? thats like not even top 3 the most egotistical shit he’s said… let’s be real here

Barlow has looked great over there in Philly, he had his best season so far no doubt about that. He wasn’t that good for the Spurs though and was a net negative player during his stint. I’m glad he’s coming into his own for y’all

They played him more as a 4 I think though which is better for him. He’s a little too small and inconsistent rim protector to be a 5

It’s pretty obvious Wemby is at the top of the list of difference makers on the defensive end. We don’t need stats, just watch the games and it’s clear. Stats also tell us Jokic is a top defender but we all have eyes and see the layup line

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/aYi3FJQBj4

I always read those stats as just a way to contextualize how good or bad the number is, because just saying 109 def. rating may not mean much to people.

The better way is to use cleaning the glass lineup / on-off percentile metrics but the former way is fine as long as you understand the caveat you brought up

Holy hell, thank you. I can’t stand it any time I see this shit.

The Wolves were abysmal defensively without Rudy. I want to say worst in the league, but I could be misremembering.

Wolves are legitimately playing Julius Randle and Naz Reid as their backup center.

Yeah no fucking shit, my point is the coach mentioning 25th defense it’s brain dead because Spurs were playing great defense with Wemby on the floor, should have mentioned that to other players not Wemby

Every metric disagrees with you. Rudy was absolutely better than Wemby on defense last year.

Why yes, his post was as dumb as you thought it was.