Frachise worst defense

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The Wolves defense is on track to set a franchise record for futility. Think about that. This has been a miserable team for the majority of its existence, including 5 years where we won 20 or fewer games. And those teams had its fair share of injuries too.

The most damning stat is Opponent Effective Field Goal Percentage, which is at 54.3% right now, by far the worst mark in the NBA this season. The next worst in franchise history is 52.5%, set in 2009-2010, which was a miserable 15-win season. To be nearly 20-basis points worse than that year is truly pathetic.

So while it's nice to glean some positivity from the improvement of Shabazz from last season and the corner-turning we're witnessing on offense from Wiggins, the fact remains that this team hasn't improved a lick defensively throughout the year. Even Wiggins has taken a step back (perhaps due to all the minutes he's playing + the increased offensive load).

The season isn't over yet, but that's my key stat to look at: Opponent eFG%. It's by far the key driver in the losses piling up.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Thanks, facts, for ruining my new year happiness!

Holy cow, those Rambis years were excruciating to live through. The thought that we could win fewer games than that 15 year season is tough to swallow, even with the injuries. And Rambis followed that up with a 17 win season. It is seriously a form of torture to root for this team.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Thanks, facts, for ruining my new year happiness!

Holy cow, those Rambis years were excruciating to live through. The thought that we could win fewer games than that 15 year season is tough to swallow, even with the injuries. And Rambis followed that up with a 17 win season. It is seriously a form of torture to root for this team.

No other coach in NBA history made it through two full seasons without getting fired along the way than Kurt Rambis' 32 - 132 run.

I was not a fan of Randy Wittman. Sidney Lowe has arguably the worst coaching track record (NCAA and NBA combined) of anybody in history. Yet, I always thought Kurt Rambis was the worst coach in Wolves (and possibly NBA) history.

[mjs34]

This team just doesn't seem capable of stopping anyone. They certainly have limits physically when it comes to size in the front court, but there biggest issues are fundamentals and not playing as a team. I don't see a chance of any improvement when your veteran leaders are lacking in effort with no consequences.

Last night Petersen called out Wiggins for not getting back quick enough and for what he called "following his shot". Wiggins was slow to react, but he didn't follow his shot. If you look at a replay, you will see Mo on the weak side up top watching Wiggins shoot and then slowly jog back down the court even after seeing Mclemore breaking out.

I couldn't help but think while watching that play, what would Flip do if it was Anthony Bennett? He would have pulled him from the game immediately. There was no substitution, no ass chewing, no nothing directed at Mo. That to me, seems to be the problem with this team. Flip is not holding the vets accountable, which to me sends a bad message to the younger guys. Maybe the coaching staff could start watching some tape, and stop giving the guys days off when they clearly have plenty to address on the defensive end.

[AbeVigodaLive]

This team just doesn't seem capable of stopping anyone. They certainly have limits physically when it comes to size in the front court, but there biggest issues are fundamentals and not playing as a team. I don't see a chance of any improvement when your veteran leaders are lacking in effort with no consequences.

Last night Petersen called out Wiggins for not getting back quick enough and for what he called "following his shot". Wiggins was slow to react, but he didn't follow his shot. If you look at a replay, you will see Mo on the weak side up top watching Wiggins shoot and then slowly jog back down the court even after seeing Mclemore breaking out.

I couldn't help but think while watching that play, what would Flip do if it was Anthony Bennett? He would have pulled him from the game immediately. There was no substitution, no ass chewing, no nothing directed at Mo. That to me, seems to be the problem with this team. Flip is not holding the vets accountable, which to me sends a bad message to the younger guys. Maybe the coaching staff could start watching some tape, and stop giving the guys days off when they clearly have plenty to address on the defensive end.

It's a dicey situation. The NBA is still a "player's league." Not every coach can get away with showing up a veteran player without it getting noticed (with scorn) from other veterans around the league.

Especially, on such a bad team without legit guys waiting in the wings. Sure, we'd all like NBA players to be held to more accountability... including journeyman mercenaries like Mo Williams... but that's just not the way the league runs for the most part. Those guys are established and have a certain level of respect, right or wrong.

Saunders was never really known as a strict disciplinarian. He was known as a player's coach. In his first stint here, he was fortunate enough to have the best player also be one of the team's hardest workers. When you have that kind of leadership on the court, it makes coaching a lot easier and sets an example. The Wolves right now simply don't have any leadership on the court with the roster and injuries this season.

At some point, it might make sense for Saunders to treat non-producing vets like non-producing young guys. Is it worth it 31 games in to the season when it could lead to a much more serious issue? I dunno.

[mjs34]

This team just doesn't seem capable of stopping anyone. They certainly have limits physically when it comes to size in the front court, but there biggest issues are fundamentals and not playing as a team. I don't see a chance of any improvement when your veteran leaders are lacking in effort with no consequences.

Last night Petersen called out Wiggins for not getting back quick enough and for what he called "following his shot". Wiggins was slow to react, but he didn't follow his shot. If you look at a replay, you will see Mo on the weak side up top watching Wiggins shoot and then slowly jog back down the court even after seeing Mclemore breaking out.

I couldn't help but think while watching that play, what would Flip do if it was Anthony Bennett? He would have pulled him from the game immediately. There was no substitution, no ass chewing, no nothing directed at Mo. That to me, seems to be the problem with this team. Flip is not holding the vets accountable, which to me sends a bad message to the younger guys. Maybe the coaching staff could start watching some tape, and stop giving the guys days off when they clearly have plenty to address on the defensive end.

It's a dicey situation. The NBA is still a "player's league." Not every coach can get away with showing up a veteran player without it getting noticed (with scorn) from other veterans around the league.

Especially, on such a bad team without legit guys waiting in the wings. Sure, we'd all like NBA players to be held to more accountability... including journeyman mercenaries like Mo Williams... but that's just not the way the league runs for the most part. Those guys are established and have a certain level of respect, right or wrong.

Saunders was never really known as a strict disciplinarian. He was known as a player's coach. In his first stint here, he was fortunate enough to have the best player also be one of the team's hardest workers. When you have that kind of leadership on the court, it makes coaching a lot easier and sets an example. The Wolves right now simply don't have any leadership on the court with the roster and injuries this season.

At some point, it might make sense for Saunders to treat non-producing vets like non-producing young guys. Is it worth it 31 games in to the season when it could lead to a much more serious issue? I dunno.

I'd say F*ck that! I remember Kahn selling the buyouts by saying it would create goodwill with the agents and get us more opportunities down the line. The ONLY reason any of these vets sign with us is because we over pay, or they have no other options.

I don't want the guys that can't handle being called out by their coach for slacking off. Everyone remembers Martin basically admitting he did it last year without being called on it. If you want to know why certain teams don't succeed in the PO's, there it is.

People wonder why teams like Pho, just show up out of the blue. It's coaching, and demanding accountability from the players. Losing culture is more likely to keep players away from Minny.

[AbeVigodaLive]

This team just doesn't seem capable of stopping anyone. They certainly have limits physically when it comes to size in the front court, but there biggest issues are fundamentals and not playing as a team. I don't see a chance of any improvement when your veteran leaders are lacking in effort with no consequences.

Last night Petersen called out Wiggins for not getting back quick enough and for what he called "following his shot". Wiggins was slow to react, but he didn't follow his shot. If you look at a replay, you will see Mo on the weak side up top watching Wiggins shoot and then slowly jog back down the court even after seeing Mclemore breaking out.

I couldn't help but think while watching that play, what would Flip do if it was Anthony Bennett? He would have pulled him from the game immediately. There was no substitution, no ass chewing, no nothing directed at Mo. That to me, seems to be the problem with this team. Flip is not holding the vets accountable, which to me sends a bad message to the younger guys. Maybe the coaching staff could start watching some tape, and stop giving the guys days off when they clearly have plenty to address on the defensive end.

It's a dicey situation. The NBA is still a "player's league." Not every coach can get away with showing up a veteran player without it getting noticed (with scorn) from other veterans around the league.

Especially, on such a bad team without legit guys waiting in the wings. Sure, we'd all like NBA players to be held to more accountability... including journeyman mercenaries like Mo Williams... but that's just not the way the league runs for the most part. Those guys are established and have a certain level of respect, right or wrong.

Saunders was never really known as a strict disciplinarian. He was known as a player's coach. In his first stint here, he was fortunate enough to have the best player also be one of the team's hardest workers. When you have that kind of leadership on the court, it makes coaching a lot easier and sets an example. The Wolves right now simply don't have any leadership on the court with the roster and injuries this season.

At some point, it might make sense for Saunders to treat non-producing vets like non-producing young guys. Is it worth it 31 games in to the season when it could lead to a much more serious issue? I dunno.

I'd say F*ck that! I remember Kahn selling the buyouts by saying it would create goodwill with the agents and get us more opportunities down the line. The ONLY reason any of these vets sign with us is because we over pay, or they have no other options.

I don't want the guys that can't handle being called out by their coach for slacking off. Everyone remembers Martin basically admitting he did it last year without being called on it. If you want to know why certain teams don't succeed in the PO's, there it is.

People wonder why teams like Pho, just show up out of the blue. It's coaching, and demanding accountability from the players. Losing culture is more likely to keep players away from Minny.

As much as I wish it were different... that's just not how the NBA works.

The examples are few and far between. As for Phoenix, I don't know if its rebirth was only attributable to an aura of accountability.... clever schemes that valued spacing, three point shots and attacking from some talented guys seemed to have helped too.

And I agree that the losing culture will keep guys away. That's a given. But vets might think twice about getting treated like an unproven rookie or 2nd year guy only 31 games into a season...

[mjs34]

They wouldn't have to worry about being treated that way as long as they are putting out the effort. The 31 games is more reason to treat them that way. They are vets, so they should have been ready to go from day one, and giving up 31 games into a season, is even more reason to jettison them. I get that Mo was picked up as a back up PG and spark plug, and due to injuries has been forced into a bigger role. That doesn't hold true for Young. The guy makes almost no effort at all to rebound the ball.

[TheGrey08]

If coaches don't want to make a scene with a vet then fine do it behind the scenes, but you can't just let them do w/e they want. Sends a terrible message and I don't buy the "well that's how the NBA is now". BS, big time coaches have no problem calling out their vets and getting more out of them.

Too bad we couldn't flip Thad for KG. He'd kick some ass.

[bleedspeed]

Too bad we couldn't flip Thad for KG. He'd kick some ass.

I would love to do that, some people on this board wouldn't, but I think it is the right thing. The leadership should come from the players at times. KG would push that. I hope Rubio does too. I just don't know why Flip doesn't just put LaVine back in.