Final Game Report

[Lipoli390]

Fun game last night, but not as fun as game 4. It wasn't just the fact that we lost. I didn't feel the same excitement or vibe in the arena that I felt in game 4. Maybe it was just me, but I got the sense the crowd came to the game already a big deflated and that it would have been a better atmosphere if we had won game 5 in which case we would have been playing to win the series last night. Don't get wrong, it was still a good, loud environment. But something was missing.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the Wolves' regular season. But I'm not thrilled with it. I predicted 46 wins based on the team's talent and they lived up to my expectation. I'll take it as a great step forward for this franchise.

As for last night's game, I'd call it a disappointing end to an otherwise largely successful season. I suppose we shouldn't be too disappointed losing in six to the 2nd seed in the West. But two things stick in my craw. First, the Wolves lost in spite of having comparable talent. Watching these two teams this past six games confirmed what was already apparent on paper - i.e., there isn't a significant talent differential between these two teams and, arguably, the Wolves are more talented. Second, the Wolves lost three games because of 4th-quarter collapses. I can accept one, and maybe even two, but not three with two of those collapses happening at home in front of a packed house.

Overall, I'd attribute last night's loss, especially the 4th quarter collapse, to a lack of ball movement, poor rebounding and dumb play. Maybe we can attribute the lack of ball movement to the dumb factor. Drilling a little deeper, our key players performed last night like the players we thought they were (to paraphrase Mike Ditka). Our best player, KAT, is mentally weak. Our most talented player, Edwards, is very young and learning. Our starting PG just isn't reliable enough to depend on in that role if this team is serious about being a contender. Our best 3-point shooter off the bench, Beasley, seems unable to recapture his 3-point shooting prowess since he was released from prison. I'm not quite sure what to make of our head coach. I still like him a lot and I'm glad he received an extension, but at some point he has to be held accountable for the poor ball movement, hero-ball and overall dumb play we saw last night and throughout this playoff series. I'm not there yet, but put a placeholder in for further thought and discussion on Finchy.

Now I'll get into a little more detail about some of our players' individual performance last night.

Let's start with KAT. When your best player and all-star center makes only 6 of his 19 field goal attempts and none of his 3 three-point shots, you have to press the pause button and wonder. Watching KAT's body language live in the arena last night worried me from the start. He seemed overwhelmed and lacking in confidence. He wasn't moving aggressively without the ball or demanding the ball. He was tentative on shots and passed up good looks for improbably drives to the basket. His performance last night ended up matching the body language that my wife and I noticed early in the game. Nothing new here I guess and I'm not going to rehash all the back-and-forth on KAT from other threads. My view of KAT remains the same. I'm open to trading him, but I'm not advocating for it. He's a great player and without him this team wouldn't have even been in the playoffs. But last night's game was simply a reminder that KAT can't be our main guy, although I still believe he can be our #2 if our #3 and the rest of the team are mentally tough, smart and good enough. Maybe KAT will eventually change his bad habits and get smarter, but we can't count on it. Instead, the front office needs to focus on building a team around KAT that can compensate for his deficiencies.

As for DLO, I don't want to dwell on him too much. He was terrible last night with 4 turnovers and only 7 points and 1 rebound in 27 minutes. He was so bad that Finchy had to replace him with JMac in the 4th quarter. Having said that, I've come to really like him after watching him in person at Target Center this season and in the playoffs. He really seems to be a great teammate. He's always engaged with and talking to his teammates - not joking around, but talking seriously about the game as he motions or points to different parts of the court or players. He does that when he's in the game and when he's on the bench. At one point, after KAT hesitated on a wide open look and then took a dumb shot that missed, DLO walked up to him and was essentially telling him with hand motions to just shoot the ball. What did I KAT do? KAT argued and eventually DLO put his hands together and bowed to Towns. It was a funny, but telling moment that showed DLO to be a mature, smart player trying to help a teammate while showing KAT to be a petulant child unwilling to take advice from a teammate who also happens to be his friend. DLO seems like a student of the game who loves basketball and takes his crafts seriously. Last night he came out early after half-time and worked relentlessly on his 3-point shot. I can't excuse his poor play and we all know his play doesn't match his max salary. But I do appreciate his effort and his serious approach to the game. I still think we should look to trade DLO this summer, but I wouldn't give him away and I'd be inclined to wait until the deadline. We just can't think of DLO as one of our core three going forward.

I can't say enough good things about JMac's play last night. If not for JMac, the Wolves wouldn't have lost the game in the 4th quarter because they would have already lost the game in the 1st three. We've seen enough of JMac to know he's the real deal -- a very good #2 PG who could potentially be a starter with the right players around him. Pat Beverley did his thing last night defensively. He hit a couple big threes, but wasn't particularly productive on the offensive end. Last night's game was a reminder that his highest and best use is as a 6th or 7th man off the bench, not a starter.

If you're looking to see the Wolves future in last night's game, look at our top two scorers - our two 20-year olds. Edwards had 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Yes, he was guilty of too much iso/hero ball and he made a few dumb plays. But he was tremendously productive on both sides of the ball and he's still only 20 years old. Jaden McDaniels scored 24 points with some impressive, cold-blooded three-point shooting. He took 9 shots, 6 of them from behind the arc, and missed only one. He had 4 rebounds, 1 block, zero turnovers and only 1 foul. Those two are this team's future. Yes, KAT will likely be in important part of that future. JMac too. But our two 20 year olds will ultimately be key to how far this team can go in the next few years.

So now we begin another offseason. The good news is that this off-season is starting later for the Wolves than it usually does. More good news is that this team doesn't have to completely overhaul the roster. We've finally reached a point where we can make more surgical moves in an effort to turn a playoff team into a contender. That's progress! As a generally matter, I think it's pretty clear that thIs team's off-season priorities for the roster should be changes that improve the team's rebounding, overall basketball IQ and mental toughness. From a coaching standpoint, this team needs to introduce more ball movement into the offense.

It's been a fun ride this season and I've enjoyed the discussions on this board along the way. Now we turn our attention to the draft, free agency and possible trades. I look forward to those discussions.

[Monster]

Thanks for the report Lip.

I'm curious what kind of extension for Russell would you be happy to sign him to and therefore not have interest in moving him? Your observations from this game actually make me less likely to want to deal him. I think to some extent the Wolves need a guy like him who is a more even tempered smart player (even if he doesn't play smart all the time) even if it's just for next season.

What were your thoughts on Monroe's minutes?

[KiwiMatt]

Thanks Lip.

And I agree with your comments on DLO. Didn't play well last night, but overall he is developing in to a mature team leader. At 30 mil he's massively over payed for his productivity, but it's expiring after next season. If we can net him for a 4 year 84 mil extension, I'd be happy with that. He's a 3rd or 4th piece on a championship calibre team.

JMac is such a smart player and JVG was very complimentary of him. At the end of the day I'm content with our personal at PG in DLO, PBev and JordyMac.

Jaden McDaniels is only going to get better and last night was just a glimpse of what he'll can be. I would like to see him play more 3 than 4 though. His length and lateral quickness on the perimeter is what makes him a very good defender.

On that note I'm really looking forward to seeing the development of our three J's (Jaden, Jordan and Jaylen)

Evident last night and over the season and 1st round series - a lack of rebounding and 3 point snipers. We missed Taurean against Memphis and his ability to hit open 3's. I'd like to see us resign him on a 3 year 27 mil deal. For all the hussle and rebounding Vandy provides, he is simply not a starting PF in this league. His inability to space the floor with no jump shot and hands like feet is what will always limit him to being a role player in this league. A very good role player at that in certain situations.

Malik Beasley I think has played his last game for the Wolves. I see us moving him with our 19th pick for a big body. He still has value in this league and can bounce back with a proper off season.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Thanks Lip.

And I agree with your comments on DLO. Didn't play well last night, but overall he is developing in to a mature team leader. At 30 mil he's massively over payed for his productivity, but it's expiring after next season. If we can net him for a 4 year 84 mil extension, I'd be happy with that. He's a 3rd or 4th piece on a championship calibre team.

JMac is such a smart player and JVG was very complimentary of him. At the end of the day I'm content with our personal at PG in DLO, PBev and JordyMac.

Jaden McDaniels is only going to get better and last night was just a glimpse of what he'll can be. I would like to see him play more 3 than 4 though. His length and lateral quickness on the perimeter is what makes him a very good defender.

On that note I'm really looking forward to seeing the development of our three J's (Jaden, Jordan and Jaylen)

Evident last night and over the season and 1st round series - a lack of rebounding and 3 point snipers. We missed Taurean against Memphis and his ability to hit open 3's. I'd like to see us resign him on a 3 year 27 mil deal. For all the hussle and rebounding Vandy provides, he is simply not a starting PF in this league. His inability to space the floor with no jump shot and hands like feet is what will always limit him to being a role player in this league. A very good role player at that in certain situations.

Malik Beasley I think has played his last game for the Wolves. I see us moving him with our 19th pick for a big body. He still has value in this league and can bounce back with a proper off season.

You note McDaniels at the 3. That's how the Wolves should be looking at him and just how much they value him.

Because he's an atrocious rebounder, which puts the Wolves at a distinct disadvantage with him as the only other "big" with Towns on the court.

[Monster]

Thanks Lip.

And I agree with your comments on DLO. Didn't play well last night, but overall he is developing in to a mature team leader. At 30 mil he's massively over payed for his productivity, but it's expiring after next season. If we can net him for a 4 year 84 mil extension, I'd be happy with that. He's a 3rd or 4th piece on a championship calibre team.

JMac is such a smart player and JVG was very complimentary of him. At the end of the day I'm content with our personal at PG in DLO, PBev and JordyMac.

Jaden McDaniels is only going to get better and last night was just a glimpse of what he'll can be. I would like to see him play more 3 than 4 though. His length and lateral quickness on the perimeter is what makes him a very good defender.

On that note I'm really looking forward to seeing the development of our three J's (Jaden, Jordan and Jaylen)

Evident last night and over the season and 1st round series - a lack of rebounding and 3 point snipers. We missed Taurean against Memphis and his ability to hit open 3's. I'd like to see us resign him on a 3 year 27 mil deal. For all the hussle and rebounding Vandy provides, he is simply not a starting PF in this league. His inability to space the floor with no jump shot and hands like feet is what will always limit him to being a role player in this league. A very good role player at that in certain situations.

Malik Beasley I think has played his last game for the Wolves. I see us moving him with our 19th pick for a big body. He still has value in this league and can bounce back with a proper off season.

You note McDaniels at the 3. That's how the Wolves should be looking at him and just how much they value him.

Because he's an atrocious rebounder, which puts the Wolves at a distinct disadvantage with him as the only other "big" with Towns on the court.

It was clear to me watching the last game they put McDaniels in there because really they don't have another compelling option. They have to address that this offseason and I feel pretty confident that they will.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks Lip.

And I agree with your comments on DLO. Didn't play well last night, but overall he is developing in to a mature team leader. At 30 mil he's massively over payed for his productivity, but it's expiring after next season. If we can net him for a 4 year 84 mil extension, I'd be happy with that. He's a 3rd or 4th piece on a championship calibre team.

JMac is such a smart player and JVG was very complimentary of him. At the end of the day I'm content with our personal at PG in DLO, PBev and JordyMac.

Jaden McDaniels is only going to get better and last night was just a glimpse of what he'll can be. I would like to see him play more 3 than 4 though. His length and lateral quickness on the perimeter is what makes him a very good defender.

On that note I'm really looking forward to seeing the development of our three J's (Jaden, Jordan and Jaylen)

Evident last night and over the season and 1st round series - a lack of rebounding and 3 point snipers. We missed Taurean against Memphis and his ability to hit open 3's. I'd like to see us resign him on a 3 year 27 mil deal. For all the hussle and rebounding Vandy provides, he is simply not a starting PF in this league. His inability to space the floor with no jump shot and hands like feet is what will always limit him to being a role player in this league. A very good role player at that in certain situations.

Malik Beasley I think has played his last game for the Wolves. I see us moving him with our 19th pick for a big body. He still has value in this league and can bounce back with a proper off season.

You note McDaniels at the 3. That's how the Wolves should be looking at him and just how much they value him.

Because he's an atrocious rebounder, which puts the Wolves at a distinct disadvantage with him as the only other "big" with Towns on the court.

It was clear to me watching the last game they put McDaniels in there because really they don't have another compelling option. They have to address that this offseason and I feel pretty confident that they will.

I agree, Monster. We have to plug that hole at one of the two big positions. And then Jaden can fill his natural slot as a SF. I agree with Abe that McDaniels is a poor rebounder and I'd like to see a better rebounder at that position. But if we can get a quality rebounding big to start alongside KAT, I think it will make a significant positive difference for this team on the boards. Meanwhile, Ant is a good rebounder and I see him getting even better. Just about any PG we get to replace DLO would probably be a better rebounder than him.