Porks first Game thread to 55 wins

[Phenom]

I am quite pleased with what I have seen from Wiggins and it has little to do with scoring. Maybe it is the addition of Jimmy or just his maturation (probably both) but Drew is showing off solid court awareness on both ends. He is reading the court and situations to disrupt passing lanes, give his teammates a good passing outlet, and find timely rebounds. This is really the next progression for Wig and will be what elevates him to the superstar status we and he want him to be at.

[Lipoli390]

I agree, Phenom. I noticed court awareness watching Wiggins live against the Jazz. Wiggins' progression can be seen in the things you noticed, but I'll add that you can also see that progression so far in his numbers, especially in last night's Thunder game.

He had 27 points on 50% shooting, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He got 12 of those 27 points in the 4th quarter when the Wolves really needed them, including a driving layup following Adams game-tying shot and a put-back dunk near the end of the game. Then of course, there was his heroic game-winning shot. And that shot wasn't just a heave, it was a beautiful, controlled shot that came off the dribble from his own baseline. He was in complete control the entire time. And he did all this on the road against one of the top teams in the West. Flip told me he expected Wiggins to one day become a top 10 player in the League. I'm not prepared to predict that Flip will turn out to be right. And no doubt, Wiggins will have off nights and continue to show some growing pains. But what he did last night is what superstars do. And that performance, coming on the heals of two nice games preceding it, can't help but get any Wolves fan excited about Andrew Wiggins and the Wolves.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

My first game thread, No Ricky in end of game situations.
Pretty clear ole Pork is the MVP of this one fellas. I'll give a shout out to Wiggins for doing his part.

Good job!

But I fear we have an LST complaint coming down the road regarding minutes... ;-)

I was worried about that. First game thibs didn't trust his bench. Not like they did anything in the small minutes they got.

Ha, can't help myself! Unlike last game, I didn't think Thibs had a good game. Poor minutes distribution and time out management reminded me too much of last year. But the important thing is that we won the game!

Just finsished watching the replay...man, what a finish! But yeah...playing the starters 39 minutes a game is not a sustainable strategy. Teague had a terrific all-around game, but Thibs did him a disservice by not resting him during the game...he was clealry gassed the last five minutes of the game, and that allowed Russ to completely dominate the game. I agree with Kek that the bench did nothing in the minutes they were in, but they need minutes...and the starters need rest. 23 total minutes for Tyus, Bazz and Belly is a bad strategy.

And yet they won again with another clutch 3 pointer...Crawford last game, Wig this one. And that's what winning teams do...steal games at the end with clutch performances.

I said I wouldn't rip Crawford if he went 1-7 the next game, but I was off a little...he went 1-6! But as I said in the last game thread, that's what Crawford does. He's always going to be up and down, but in the long run he is going to help you win a lot of games.

Someone else mentioned it in the game thread, but I love how Butler is adjusting his game. He knows that he is playing next to some prolific scorers (unlike last year) and is concentrating more on facilitating. I think he would be the happiest guy on the team if he averaged 15 PPG this season, and his team won 50 games. The guy is a winner.

Wig made the big shot, but I most of us are more impressed with his peripherals. He said he was going to concentrate on his rebounding this season, and it is paying off...7 boards tonight. Also nice to see him get 4 assists.

I watched the replay in about an hour, so I don't have many insights...just delighted to start the season 2-1 with road games in OkC and SA. What a promising start to the season!

[kekgeek]

My first game thread, No Ricky in end of game situations.
Pretty clear ole Pork is the MVP of this one fellas. I'll give a shout out to Wiggins for doing his part.

Good job!

But I fear we have an LST complaint coming down the road regarding minutes... ;-)

I was worried about that. First game thibs didn't trust his bench. Not like they did anything in the small minutes they got.

Ha, can't help myself! Unlike last game, I didn't think Thibs had a good game. Poor minutes distribution and time out management reminded me too much of last year. But the important thing is that we won the game!

Just finsished watching the replay...man, what a finish! But yeah...playing the starters 39 minutes a game is not a sustainable strategy. Teague had a terrific all-around game, but Thibs did him a disservice by not resting him during the game...he was clealry gassed the last five minutes of the game, and that allowed Russ to completely dominate the game. I agree with Kek that the bench did nothing in the minutes they were in, but they need minutes...and the starters need rest. 23 total minutes for Tyus, Bazz and Belly is a bad strategy.

And yet they won again with another clutch 3 pointer...Crawford last game, Wig this one. And that's what winning teams do...steal games at the end with clutch performances.

I said I wouldn't rip Crawford if he went 1-7 the next game, but I was off a little...he went 1-6! But as I said in the last game thread, that's what Crawford does. He's always going to be up and down, but in the long run he is going to help you win a lot of games.

Someone else mentioned it in the game thread, but I love how Butler is adjusting his game. He knows that he is playing next to some prolific scorers (unlike last year) and is concentrating more on facilitating. I think he would be the happiest guy on the team if he averaged 15 PPG this season, and his team won 50 games. The guy is a winner.

Wig made the big shot, but I most of us are more impressed with his peripherals. He said he was going to concentrate on his rebounding this season, and it is paying off...7 boards tonight. Also nice to see him get 4 assists.

I watched the replay in about an hour, so I don't have many insights...just delighted to start the season 2-1 with road games in OkC and SA. What a promising start to the season!

With the minute thing, I am fine what Thibs did last night if it is not a regular based thing. A game here and there with big minutes to starters is fine with me, especially last night when the bench had nothing going, big game and the thunder were on the 2nd night of a back to back.

But in general I will probably agree with your point that this year huge minutes and not trusting your bench shouldn't be a regular thing.

One more thing I want mad about the timeout situation. Thibs used his last one to get the Kat go ahead bucket. Have to trust your team to get that last stop. Also I think it is good to practice those no timeout situation (really happy wigg knocked it down)

[Duke13]

The one criticism I'd have, end of the first quarter, most 2nd units were in. Wiggins and Anthony were the only starters for each team. Gorgi ended up guarding Melo, he predictable schooled G, I think Belly tried to guard him as well. He made 4 shots in a short period. OKC was really small at this time, Tibs should of had G out of the game for Bazz. Either Bazz or preferably Wig could of guarded Melo.

I fear with Gibson in the team G is a 10 minutes a game player. I believe Gibson is a superior player. But that's a different topic, Tibs didn't adjust his rotation in that instance in my opinion and it cost us.

[Duke13]

Also, did anyone notice Patrick Patterson could barely walk! Whew, we dodged that bullet!

[TAFKASP]

Teague had a terrific all-around game, but Thibs did him a disservice by not resting him during the game...he was clealry gassed the last five minutes of the game, and that allowed Russ to completely dominate the game

Not to say that Teague being tired late didn't contribute, but I doubt it had as much impact as suggested. Throughout the entire game I kept waiting for Russ to don his cape. His play until about halfway through the fourth quarter to me looked like a guy who was, if not deferring to George and Carmelo, he was more focused on getting them involved and building the chemistry they're going to need to challenge GS. The Westbrook of the last 8 minutes of the 4th was the Westbrook of all of last season, an unstoppable monster. If Teague, Butler, and Wiggins had sat for an additional 5 minutes or so earlier I just don't it makes a difference in terms of slowing down Westbrook at the end.

IMO it was Westbrook that kept Westbrook under control most of the game, not the Wolves.

[Coolbreeze44]

The rematch this week should be a lot of fun. Hopefully the confidence of winning in their house can carry us through.

[60WinTim]

If anyone is to "blame" for Westbrook's late game heroics, it's Kat. Teague was not involved at all -- Butler was picking up Westbrook every time. But they would run a high pick and roll with Adams, and KAT never showed hard, not once.

[60WinTim]

Oh, and Westbrook, Melo and George all played 37 minutes. I don't have any problem with our guys playing 39 this game...