Mike Conley Era Begins - Wolves @ Mavs GDT

[60WinTim]

I really wanted this GDT! I don't count the last game as the beginning -- it was like throwing a guy off the street into the game. But now they have had a couple practices and they should look a little more connected on the court. Of course, I really don't expect a win tonight against the Mavs with Luka and Kyrie trying to make up for the loss in their first game together.

I will be happy to see evidence of chemistry developing between Conley and the team. I want to see Gobert more inspired. I want to see Jmac continue working his way back. And then we get another couple days of practice to address the shortcomings identified tonight before the last pre-All-Star game against the Wiz (who are playing pretty well right now!).

All these games in the West between teams fighting to make the playoffs is going to be wild. Any team getting a bit hot will knock down other teams and easily rise in the standings, because most everyone else will be playing .500 ball.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Two weeks from now...

"Okay, NOW the REAL Mike Conley Era Begins" ;)

There might be some unfortunate realizations the rest of this season. Get well soon, KAT!

[FNG]

Tim. you're a brave man to tee up the GDT in a game in which we're 7 1 /2 point dogs...thanks for stepping up! I agree with all you takes and expectations. Conley said in the Strib this morning that two practices have really helped him understand the defensive schemes and rotations, so we should see better team defense than we did against Memphis...and better than we have seen this season to date. I also want to see more of the Gobert/Conley connection that was so effective in Utah. And finally I want to see Nowell build on the good play he has shown the last couple weeks at both ends of the court. We need his scoring now with DLo gone, and he might thrive next to Conley and JMac rather than having to be ball-dominant. Let's go Wolves!

[AbeVigodaLive]

I thought Gobert was out tonight.

It would be his 6th missed game out of the past 16. He's also played fewer than 19 minutes in four other games during that span. He hasn't reached 30 minutes since January.

Now, the team is 4 - 1 in those 5 missed games... but I'll let you decide if the new whipping boy's absence is directly responsible for that odd nugget.

[Lipoli390]

I thought Gobert was out tonight.

It would be his 6th missed game out of the past 16. He's also played fewer than 19 minutes in four other games during that span. He hasn't reached 30 minutes since January.

Now, the team is 4 - 1 in those 5 missed games... but I'll let you decide if the new whipping boy's absence is directly responsible for that odd nugget.

The Wolves record overall is better in games Rudy didn't play. So he'd be wise to sit this one out on the road against Dallas. It should help reduce the gap. :)

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I thought Gobert was out tonight.

It would be his 6th missed game out of the past 16. He's also played fewer than 19 minutes in four other games during that span. He hasn't reached 30 minutes since January.

Now, the team is 4 - 1 in those 5 missed games... but I'll let you decide if the new whipping boy's absence is directly responsible for that odd nugget.

The Wolves record overall is better in games Rudy didn't play. So he'd be wise to sit this one out on the road against Dallas. It should help reduce the gap. :)

Not so fast, Lip. That was then, and this is now. Without that bum D'Angelo Russell in the mix, Minnesota will need Rudy Gobert's superb screen-setting and next-level scoring efficiency more than ever to make up the difference. Chris Finch will need to feed the big fella and let him dazzle. And of course, we can finally expect increased pick-and-roll usage with grizzled veteran Mike Conley Jr. on the roster. This is the vision. This is the way. All Eyes North. ;)

[60WinTim]

Gobert is in. No SloMo. Prince starts in his place.

[Edit: I take that back -- SloMo is not listed as "Out". Off the bench? ]

[Double Edit: Now Horton has SloMo back in the starting lineup. Smoke & mirrors to confuse the Mavs?!? ]

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Gobert is in. No SloMo. Prince starts in his place.

[Edit: I take that back -- SloMo is not listed as "Out". Off the bench? ]

Interesting. Looking for a floor spacer in the starting lineup. They're definitely in need.

[60WinTim]

Alan Horton has SloMo starting, so there was just some earlier confusion, I guess, by Timberwolves PR.

[Edit: Now Minnesota Timberwolves has retweeted the Prince starting liineup! Cloak & dagger, baby! ]

[FNG]

The line has come down during the day. Started at 7 1/2, came down to 6 1/2, now at 6. Looks like the gamblers are pouring money in on our new-look Wolves.