Wolves vs. Wounded Warrior Grizzlies Part 1-Game Day Thread

[Lipoli390]

Quincy Lewis pointed out that the Wolves had 3 assists in the 4th quarter compared to 12 assists for Memphis. Think about it. We had two PGs on the floor in Ricky and DLO, yet we had 3 assists the entire 4th quarter. That's disgraceful.

[KiwiMatt]

If Rosas is the smartest guy in the room he needs to insist on firing Ryan, trade Ricky, or walk away from the job. This was really sad.

Absolutely agree that Ricky should be traded. The Wolves should also be shopping Culver aggressively.

Part of the reason this franchise is so bad is we "Buy High, Sell Low" with our roster moves. We over pay average players then have to add future picks to trade them. We balls up draft picks more often then not and then fail to develop them. Trading Rubio and Culver at this stage would be doing just that - buying high, sell low.

It's just plain embarrassing to be a fan now.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Horrible loss.

- I knew the Grizzlies would be no pushover. These guys play tough. The original grit and grind group are long gone but the culture remains.

- I'm one of the biggest Rubio fans around, but it is painful watching him on offense. I don't know what happened in the months since last season's bubble ended, but he is just not the same player. He had one of the best seasons of his career last year.

- My guy Vando also disappointed. Playing with energy is great, but you can't be fouling people constantly.

- Basically the bench perimeter group of Ricky, Culver, and Edwards are totally under-performing and hurting the team right now.

- Nowell may be our last hope for a perimeter player that can a) make outside shots, and b) not be a disaster on defense. I'm assuming he'll get his chance at some point.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

If Rosas is the smartest guy in the room he needs to insist on firing Ryan, trade Ricky, or walk away from the job. This was really sad.

Absolutely agree that Ricky should be traded. The Wolves should also be shopping Culver aggressively.

Part of the reason this franchise is so bad is we "Buy High, Sell Low" with our roster moves. We over pay average players then have to add future picks to trade them. We balls up draft picks more often then not and then fail to develop them. Trading Rubio and Culver at this stage would be doing just that - buying high, sell low.

It's just plain embarrassing to be a fan now.

Rubio might still be able to fetch something because his salary comes off the books after next year and there may be a coach/GM out there that has faith he will return to form at some point this season.. The other two for sure are virtually worthless at this point. Hopefully all three start playing better soon.

Unfortunately, it becomes a bit of a self-perpetuating problem...the assets that will get you something you really need play poorly. So you keep on losing games while at the same time the options available to you to improve your team dwindles.

[BloopOracle]

Towns feverently defended Ryan in the post game interview putting all the blame on the players, we're not going to see another coach work with towns before he demands a trade are we?

[FloriDuh [enjin:13427829]]

If I could describe this season, it was hyped like a blockbuster movie with multiple A-list actors. But instead this movie turned out to be a B-movie dud. Straight to VCR. Not even good enough for DVD.

[thedoper]

Where is the tank o meter? A we've got at best 60% chance of losing our pick too.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Why can we not experiment with guys? We are by no means world beaters but when rubio is struggling why not play jmac? Also didnt nowell at least earn a chance to play with what he did in preseason. Yet juancho can continually suck but best believe he will get his minutes. Play the best guys, not the ones you paid the most.

That's not really how the NBA works. Almost always... proven vets keep their rotations even in a bad game. Saunders definitely doesn't have the clout with players to just start experimenting in the middle of a game like that.

[TheFuture]

This is what you get when you hire based on nepotism; decades of being shit.

Saunders should have never been promoted and should be gone tomorrow.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's Late Night DVR Review:

- Yes. Rubio is struggling. Mightily. But beyond that... he and Russell don't fit. And that's on Rosas. They're professional basketball guys. They're being paid millions to be able to figure that out BEFORE the trade.

- Yes. Hernangomez is bad. That's all I'm going to say... because that's all there is to say.

- The Timberwolves last three 1st round draft picks, Edwards (#1), Culver (traded up to #6) and Okogie (#20) combined for ... wait for it... 7 points in 54 minutes.

- And since other posters are taking victory laps for "I told you so" moments... F it. This is my moment to play that game... I've never claimed to be a draft guy. But I've pimped for two players in the last two drafts. I wanted the Wolves to draft or trade down for Clarke last year. And the same for Haliburton this season. Why? Because THEY BOTH KNOW HOW TO FUCKING PLAY BASKETBALL!!!!

The two combined for 36 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists on 16 - 25 fg. This was not an anomaly.

- Beasley looked good. Towns was Towns. And Russell is doing better.

_________________

But the Wolves don't deserve this discussion. Memphis does. They're now 31 - 10 vs. the Wolves in the past decade-plus. Sometimes they had the better team and talent. Often... they have not. But they've been tougher in virtually all 41 games.

It's noticeable. It's telling. That organization has built a culture of accountability despite new players, new management and new coaches. Think about this... the Grizzlies were without three starters which forced other bench guys to start. And deep bench guys to move up the rotation. Heck, they needed an NBA exemption (Tim Frazier) just to fill out a full roster.

And the bench made the difference tonight. They destroyed the Wolves bench... which was entirely comprised of players either drafted by Rosas or traded for by Rosas.

Kudos to Memphis. The difference between the two organizations is startling.