Game Report - Wolves v. Thunder

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

While last night was a very good win, and most of our players were important in securing that win, I think it's absolutely fair to bring up the one player that I thought was awful. I seem to be one of the only posters that calls him out after a poor showing, which is also head-scratching to me. Most of the time he's neither great nor bad, just solid or completely forgettable. The player I'm talking about is Gorgui Dieng.

4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-10 shooting from the floor and five personal fouls in 33 minutes. He was constantly out of position and made some questionable decisions along the way. I don't question his effort, but I am quick to question how good he is. This is a guy that on most nights I feel like his individual matchup is one where he'll be overmatched. That's not meant to be a knock on Dieng, though. I think he's a terrific bench big. He's just doing what is asked of him and right now there aren't better options to replace him in the starting lineup.

[Lipoli390]

Gorgui certainly looked bad in the box score. But I'd have to go back and watch the game replay to get a better sense of how bad he was overall. I'm generally not too worried about one player's bad game when we win by 10 points. And I'll note that, while I'm not a fan of the plus/minus stat, Gorgui was +11. He was guarding Sabonis and held him to 3-11 shooting. I don't recall the instances where he was out of position, but I trust your observations on that. I'm just not sure he was as bad from a team perspective as the box score suggests.

[Monster]

I don't think Rush will replace Bazz, playing pretty well now. Hopefully Rush can play 15-20 minutes and lessen the minutes on Wig and Zach.

Lip I'm surprised you didn't bring up the heated exchange between Westbrook and Tibs. I was sitting 1st row right behind the wolves bench last night, so I could hear everything pretty well. I think it was in the second quarter, Westbrook was frustrated and Westbrook threw an elbow toward Ricky just after a whistle, the elbow didn't connect. For the next couple possession Tibs and Westbrook exchanged some pleasantries. I believe Tibs called him a fucking bitch, it was the best, Westbrook was jawing back also. I love Tibs competiveness!!

I noticed that exchange, but I was too far back with a big crowd to hear what they were saying. Thanks for filling in the details. Hillarious. I also love Thibs' competitiveness.

Thanks for the report on that play I know exactly the one you are talking about. I was unhappy with that play too it was a good think Westbrook didn't connect on that elbow.

[Monster]

While last night was a very good win, and most of our players were important in securing that win, I think it's absolutely fair to bring up the one player that I thought was awful. I seem to be one of the only posters that calls him out after a poor showing, which is also head-scratching to me. Most of the time he's neither great nor bad, just solid or completely forgettable. The player I'm talking about is Gorgui Dieng.

4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-10 shooting from the floor and five personal fouls in 33 minutes. He was constantly out of position and made some questionable decisions along the way. I don't question his effort, but I am quick to question how good he is. This is a guy that on most nights I feel like his individual matchup is one where he'll be overmatched. That's not meant to be a knock on Dieng, though. I think he's a terrific bench big. He's just doing what is asked of him and right now there aren't better options to replace him in the starting lineup.

You are right he didn't have a good night and I'll add he missed shots he normally makes. Fortunately Thibs went with Belly and then Bazz with a small lineup. I wonder if he will start adjusting his rotations more based on matchups because guys Like Bazz and Belly and now Rush have shown they can do more positive things. I see Dieng as a piece of the puzzle next to Towns. If Belly keeps up his play and even improves we may not have to look for a starter just another pretty good rotation player that compliments all those guys. We will see and obviously I wouldnt mind a big upgrade at that position but you can't always have top level guys everywhere.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Beating Dallas tomorrow afternoon should be for certain. Hope our guys stay focused because an unforeseen loss would put me in a rough spot as a fan even after this three-game stretch.

[Monster]

Beating Dallas tomorrow afternoon should be for certain. Hope our guys stay focused because an unforeseen loss would put me in a rough spot as a fan even after this three-game stretch.

Yeah it would be nice to get wins against Dallas and a few games later the Suns to put some solid distance between them and the Wolves.

[Lipoli390]

Beating Dallas tomorrow afternoon should be for certain. Hope our guys stay focused because an unforeseen loss would put me in a rough spot as a fan even after this three-game stretch.

It's definitely a game we should win based on the talent disparity and the way the Wolves have been playing lately. But as we all know, winning isn't easy in the NBA, especially on the road. So, as you suggest, it will take a very focused effort by the Wolves to come away with a win in Dallas. Losing would really detract from the positive vibe of the last three games and it would put a wrench in the notion that this team has truly turned the corner. Let's hope our guys take care of business tomorrow.

[60WinTim]

It's been 4 years since the Wolves last had a 4-game winning streak...

[Big O [enjin:13874644]]

I'd like to see more Rush and less Belly going forward whenever the matchup allows us to play smaller.

[Duke13]

I agree with that Big O, although I like what Belly has been doing of late.