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

[Lipoli390]

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.

You nailed it, Abe. Nuff said.
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.

[kekgeek]

Kat went off in the post game press conference. Defended Ryan, took the blame, was pissed off and sounded like a leader.

I think he asks out soon, talk is cheap.

I'm beat down as a fan

[AbeVigodaLive]

Kat went off in the post game press conference. Defended Ryan, took the blame, was pissed off and sounded like a leader.

I think he asks out soon, talk is cheap.

I'm beat down as a fan

Saunders is not a good coach.

But he's not at the top of the list for blame right now. But it's more convenient... and less scary... to think that it could be that easy when it's more likely this organization is in legit trouble for the foreseeable future.

[kekgeek]

Kat went off in the post game press conference. Defended Ryan, took the blame, was pissed off and sounded like a leader.

I think he asks out soon, talk is cheap.

I'm beat down as a fan

Saunders is not a good coach.

But he's not at the top of the list for blame right now. But it's more convenient... and less scary... to think that it could be that easy when it's more likely this organization is in legit trouble for the foreseeable future.

Ya my anger for Ryan is misguided. I still think he sucks and might be the worst coach in the NBA. There are still way to many issues with this team. I'm legit worried the Wolves are going to get moved and it makes me sad and I'm a beat down as a fan.

[Wolvesfan21]

Someone hire Tonya Harding to take out Rubio. The guy is horrendous and has been for pretty much every game of the season. Quit playing the turd Ryan you dumbass. Put in J-Mac. Put in Nowell. Let Edwards sink or swim. Just get Rubio the fuck off the court.

[TheFuture]

Rubio, Beasley, and Juancho take up 40 mil in cap.

We have botched too many drafts while picking high - Culver, Edward's, Patton. Now we almost certainly lose this next draft pick.

Rosas has no clue what he is doing. He bid against himself on both Beasley and Juancho. Then he trades a pick for Rubio, whom I like, knowing that DLO and Rubio do not co-exist and we already had JmAC prove he is fine as a backup. So is this a process Rosa's, like you told us, then why overpay on the vets? Then trades for Ed Davis, who likely would have been cut. Neither does Saunders know what he is doing. Therefore our team has no clue what they are doing.

Glen, make a choice on Saunders or Rosas ASAP. And look into whatever other positions are causing so much dysfunction and no improvement in that facility.

[Wolvesfan21]

Rubio, Beasley, and Juancho take up 40 mil in cap.

We have botched too many drafts while picking high - Culver, Edward's, Patton. Now we almost certainly lose this next draft pick.

Rosas has no clue what he is doing. He bid against himself on both Beasley and Juancho. Then he trades a pick for Rubio, whom I like, knowing that DLO and Rubio do not co-exist and we already had JmAC prove he is fine as a backup. So is this a process Rosa's, like you told us, then why overpay on the vets? Then trades for Ed Davis, who likely would have been cut. Neither does Saunders know what he is doing. Therefore our team has no clue what they are doing.

Glen, make a choice on Saunders or Rosas ASAP. And look into whatever other positions are causing so much dysfunction and no improvement in that facility.

You can't call the Edwards pick "botched" yet. You realistically need 3 years unless it's completely obvious. Ant has had some real highlights and some expected lowlights. Even LeBron struggled as a rookie at times, it's just the way it is. I think the thing to look for is consistent improvement. As long as he trends up over the season and seasons then we know we have something.

Botched is how Rubio is playing and the fact we gave up a first rounder for him and he makes 17 million. He's playing like an old man in a rec league at the YMCA. I liked Rubio when he was here before but he doesn't look right. He's even slower and keeps throwing the ball away and shooting terribly, even worse then before I think.

The Culver pick is looking like a disaster though. We could have stayed pat and took Clarke like I wanted. I'm not going to write off Culver yet, he could get it going like he did at times last season, but he's been so up and down it's baffling. It's got to be a confidence thing. If he can get it going and keep it going he can be a good player (nice Maddenism, duh). ;D

[FNG]

DLO is +11 just saying lol

Yeah it only matters if he's positive. If not, it's a mirage.

Just given yah crap because -11 there be 5 comments about it. 5 TO are way to much. 3 of them he just lost with no pressure.

Since DLO actually did end the game -11, I feel obligated to be one of the 5 comments about it ;) . Just ribbin' ya a little, Jester...it's easy for me this morning being the guy who didn't watch the game until this morning, so I get to criticize all the posts from guys who were actually watching the game!
I gotta admit he was looking pretty good (as were the Wolves) when you made this post. After that...not so good.

[FNG]

Every statistical number shows Dlo is better with Ricky off the court. Dlo said he likes playing with Ricky off the court because they can run PnR more.

Ryan: let's play Ricky and Dlo together. Ricky can keep passing up wide open layups

I have to agree with this take. At the start of the season I really wanted Ricky and DLO as my starting backcourt, but after 11 games I have to admit I was wrong about that, and kekgeek's stats back this up. We seem to play better with DLO and Beas in the starting backcourt, and with Ricky anchoring a high-energy second unit. That second unit (including Ricky) let us down tonight...Rubio's and Naz's -16 and Vando's -14 and Ant's 1-6 shooting are all you need to know to analyze this bad loss tonight. I will say that I like all 4 of those players and the energy they usually bring, and typically our second unit has been productive and fun to watch this season. Not tonight though.

[TheFuture]

Rubio, Beasley, and Juancho take up 40 mil in cap.

We have botched too many drafts while picking high - Culver, Edward's, Patton. Now we almost certainly lose this next draft pick.

Rosas has no clue what he is doing. He bid against himself on both Beasley and Juancho. Then he trades a pick for Rubio, whom I like, knowing that DLO and Rubio do not co-exist and we already had JmAC prove he is fine as a backup. So is this a process Rosa's, like you told us, then why overpay on the vets? Then trades for Ed Davis, who likely would have been cut. Neither does Saunders know what he is doing. Therefore our team has no clue what they are doing.

Glen, make a choice on Saunders or Rosas ASAP. And look into whatever other positions are causing so much dysfunction and no improvement in that facility.

You can't call the Edwards pick "botched" yet. You realistically need 3 years unless it's completely obvious. Ant has had some real highlights and some expected lowlights. Even LeBron struggled as a rookie at times, it's just the way it is. I think the thing to look for is consistent improvement. As long as he trends up over the season and seasons then we know we have something.

Botched is how Rubio is playing and the fact we gave up a first rounder for him and he makes 17 million. He's playing like an old man in a rec league at the YMCA. I liked Rubio when he was here before but he doesn't look right. He's even slower and keeps throwing the ball away and shooting terribly, even worse then before I think.

The Culver pick is looking like a disaster though. We could have stayed pat and took Clarke like I wanted. I'm not going to write off Culver yet, he could get it going like he did at times last season, but he's been so up and down it's baffling. It's got to be a confidence thing. If he can get it going and keep it going he can be a good player (nice Maddenism, duh). ;D

That is fair on Edwards, got to wait and see. Though it still makes little sense to me when we have Dlo, Beasley, Rubio, Jmac, Culver, Okogie, Nowell who all are best suited at the 1 or 2 and need time on the court to catch a rhythm and develop there, and Edwards seems to be best suited there as well. The lack of going after talent at the 3, 4, and 5 is inexcusable to me.