Game Report - Wolves v. Grizzlies

[AbeVigodaLive]

Thanks as usual for the game report, Lip.

To me, everybody deserves blame after that horror show. Taj fought the hardest, but he flubbed those two FTs down the stretch. Wiggins was ok, but I wouldn't praise him for that performance. Towns definitely deserves a good deal of blame. The list goes on.

The problem was clear right away in the first quarter. We were playing lackadaisical right from the start, like we were expecting them to hand us the win. Then when Memphis got up a few points and we couldn't close the gap right away, it was like a switch got flipped for those Memphis players. All of a sudden, a bunch of fringe NBA players who have spent all season losing realized that they could actually win . . . against a probable (possible?) playoff team . . . in front of their home fans. At that point, you could tell they just started playing twice as hard as us.

By the time we tried to match their intensity, it was leading to careless mistakes and that just amplified the frustration and mistakes on our part.

I have to hope this game was an anomaly. We clearly took this game for granted. We can't do that anymore.

Hate to be THAT guy... but considering the Wolves only play 82 games.

And that these players make THAT much money... it's inexcusable. The fans who paid money to watch that game deserved a better effort... knowing how much of a financial sacrifice many of them are making to be there.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks as usual for the game report, Lip.

To me, everybody deserves blame after that horror show. Taj fought the hardest, but he flubbed those two FTs down the stretch. Wiggins was ok, but I wouldn't praise him for that performance. Towns definitely deserves a good deal of blame. The list goes on.

The problem was clear right away in the first quarter. We were playing lackadaisical right from the start, like we were expecting them to hand us the win. Then when Memphis got up a few points and we couldn't close the gap right away, it was like a switch got flipped for those Memphis players. All of a sudden, a bunch of fringe NBA players who have spent all season losing realized that they could actually win . . . against a probable (possible?) playoff team . . . in front of their home fans. At that point, you could tell they just started playing twice as hard as us.

By the time we tried to match their intensity, it was leading to careless mistakes and that just amplified the frustration and mistakes on our part.

I have to hope this game was an anomaly. We clearly took this game for granted. We can't do that anymore.

I agree with your take, Drew. But I did like Wiggins' consistent effort and hustle on the defensive side of the ball.

So what do I expect (not necessarily anticipate) from the Wolves going forward? What would it take in my view for redemption after last night's loss? First, they need to win all their remaining 4 home games, starting with Atlanta tomorrow night and continuing against Utah, Memphis and Denver in the final game of the season. Second, they to win at least 2 of their 3 remaining road games, which consist of games against the Mavs, Lakers and Nuggets.

When you think about it, my price of redemption isn't very high. This team ought to win all four remaining home games. Both the Mavs and the Lakers are teams the Wolves should beat even on the road. But from what I've seen from this team all season and especially the last couple games, I could easily see the Wolves winning only 2 of their remaining games -- beating Atlanta tomorrow night and maybe the Mavs on the road or the Nuggets at home.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Thanks as usual for the game report, Lip.

To me, everybody deserves blame after that horror show. Taj fought the hardest, but he flubbed those two FTs down the stretch. Wiggins was ok, but I wouldn't praise him for that performance. Towns definitely deserves a good deal of blame. The list goes on.

The problem was clear right away in the first quarter. We were playing lackadaisical right from the start, like we were expecting them to hand us the win. Then when Memphis got up a few points and we couldn't close the gap right away, it was like a switch got flipped for those Memphis players. All of a sudden, a bunch of fringe NBA players who have spent all season losing realized that they could actually win . . . against a probable (possible?) playoff team . . . in front of their home fans. At that point, you could tell they just started playing twice as hard as us.

By the time we tried to match their intensity, it was leading to careless mistakes and that just amplified the frustration and mistakes on our part.

I have to hope this game was an anomaly. We clearly took this game for granted. We can't do that anymore.

Hate to be THAT guy... but considering the Wolves only play 82 games.

And that these players make THAT much money... it's inexcusable. The fans who paid money to watch that game deserved a better effort... knowing how much of a financial sacrifice many of them are making to be there.

It is totally inexcusable.

And I didn't single out Thibs, but let me do that now.

I'm not usually one to criticize Thibs a bunch. I think it can be too easy to second guess a coach and to second guess a GM, which means there's a lot of second guessing with this guy! But I gotta say, he really deserves it on some of these issues, especially as a coach, actually.

[list]
[*] The minutes problem is legit. He burns out his starters and starves his bench players so they don't develop as players and the bench doesn't develop as a part of the team. It's just short-sighted.
[*] The defensive weakness at the end of the day is on Thibs. Other than Butler and Taj and maybe Gorgui, our players are not good defenders, so they deserve some blame, but this is really on Thibs for not getting them to play better defense.
[*] The failure of leadership, which was on display last night. Guys have different leadership styles, I get that. Brad Stevens, Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich--they all lead in different ways. But one thing they all do is get their guys to play with pride and confidence. Thibs doesn't really do that, and last night was a glaring example. Even when Popovich yells at his guys, you can tell he is yelling at them because he has high expectations of them, and he shows it in so many other things he does with them. When Thibs yells, he's just yelling. All it does is alienate people. I get that Butler wants a bit of a hard-ass for a coach, but it doesn't have to be like this.

EDIT: Last night, Thibs should have recognized the problem of the guys not taking the game seriously right away and done something about it. If he were a good coach he would have had some kind of tool to motivate them, and he didn't. You can bet Stevens, Kerr, Pop, Casey, and a bunch of other coaches in the league would have.
[/list]

[Lipoli390]

Thanks as usual for the game report, Lip.

To me, everybody deserves blame after that horror show. Taj fought the hardest, but he flubbed those two FTs down the stretch. Wiggins was ok, but I wouldn't praise him for that performance. Towns definitely deserves a good deal of blame. The list goes on.

The problem was clear right away in the first quarter. We were playing lackadaisical right from the start, like we were expecting them to hand us the win. Then when Memphis got up a few points and we couldn't close the gap right away, it was like a switch got flipped for those Memphis players. All of a sudden, a bunch of fringe NBA players who have spent all season losing realized that they could actually win . . . against a probable (possible?) playoff team . . . in front of their home fans. At that point, you could tell they just started playing twice as hard as us.

By the time we tried to match their intensity, it was leading to careless mistakes and that just amplified the frustration and mistakes on our part.

I have to hope this game was an anomaly. We clearly took this game for granted. We can't do that anymore.

Hate to be THAT guy... but considering the Wolves only play 82 games.

And that these players make THAT much money... it's inexcusable. The fans who paid money to watch that game deserved a better effort... knowing how much of a financial sacrifice many of them are making to be there.

Yes. And are ticket prices are going up substantially next season. I had to convince my wife to re-up. I'm glad she was out of town and not with me at last night's game. I would have gotten an ear full from her -- derservedly so. I'm thoroughly disgusted.

Coming into last night's game, the Grizzlies had lost their last 17 road games. I put last night's loss with (1) the home loss to the Suns playing without Booker, (2) the home loss to the Wizards playing without Wall, (3) the home loss to the Sixers playing without Covington, (4) the home trouncing at the hands of the Heat, (5) the prior road loss to Memphis, (6) the recent road loss to Atlanta and (7) the fairly recent road loss to the Nets. Note I'm not even counting the early season home loss to the Pacers. Now I realize it's not fair to expect the Wolves to have won all 7 of those games I just listed. But to lose all 7 is inexcusable given our talent in comparison to the teams we played.

Last night's loss along with the home loss to the Suns and the recent road loss to Atlanta stand out as the worst and most unforgivable. Those are at least 3 more wins this team should have, which would have us sitting at 45 wins and in contention for 3rd place in the West.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Thanks as usual for the game report, Lip.

To me, everybody deserves blame after that horror show. Taj fought the hardest, but he flubbed those two FTs down the stretch. Wiggins was ok, but I wouldn't praise him for that performance. Towns definitely deserves a good deal of blame. The list goes on.

The problem was clear right away in the first quarter. We were playing lackadaisical right from the start, like we were expecting them to hand us the win. Then when Memphis got up a few points and we couldn't close the gap right away, it was like a switch got flipped for those Memphis players. All of a sudden, a bunch of fringe NBA players who have spent all season losing realized that they could actually win . . . against a probable (possible?) playoff team . . . in front of their home fans. At that point, you could tell they just started playing twice as hard as us.

By the time we tried to match their intensity, it was leading to careless mistakes and that just amplified the frustration and mistakes on our part.

I have to hope this game was an anomaly. We clearly took this game for granted. We can't do that anymore.

Hate to be THAT guy... but considering the Wolves only play 82 games.

And that these players make THAT much money... it's inexcusable. The fans who paid money to watch that game deserved a better effort... knowing how much of a financial sacrifice many of them are making to be there.

It is totally inexcusable.

And I didn't single out Thibs, but let me do that now.

I'm not usually one to criticize Thibs a bunch. I think it can be too easy to second guess a coach and to second guess a GM, which means there's a lot of second guessing with this guy! But I gotta say, he really deserves it on some of these issues, especially as a coach, actually.

[list]
[*] The minutes problem is legit. He burns out his starters and starves his bench players so they don't develop as players and the bench doesn't develop as a part of the team. It's just short-sighted.
[*] The defensive weakness at the end of the day is on Thibs. Other than Butler and Taj and maybe Gorgui, our players are not good defenders, so they deserve some blame, but this is really on Thibs for not getting them to play better defense.
[*] The failure of leadership, which was on display last night. Guys have different leadership styles, I get that. Brad Stevens, Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich--they all lead in different ways. But one thing they all do is get their guys to play with pride and confidence. Thibs doesn't really do that, and last night was a glaring example. Even when Popovich yells at his guys, you can tell he is yelling at them because he has high expectations of them, and he shows it in so many other things he does with them. When Thibs yells, he's just yelling. All it does is alienate people. I get that Butler wants a bit of a hard-ass for a coach, but it doesn't have to be like this.

EDIT: Last night, Thibs should have recognized the problem of the guys not taking the game seriously right away and done something about it. If he were a good coach he would have had some kind of tool to motivate them, and he didn't. You can bet Stevens, Kerr, Pop, Casey, and a bunch of other coaches in the league would have.
[/list]

So you're saying that rewarding players who come out of the gate without energy with MORE playing time is not a good idea?

Get the F out of here.

What if he made them promise publicly that they'd start putting in more effort?



[Note: To Lip... because of the stakes (for both teams), I put this loss at #1 with a bullet. An early season loss to a bad team is excusable. It happens. But we know better than any other franchise how easy it is to lose when you're trying to lose. I've posted the stats... the Wolves were something like 2 - 62 to close out tanking campaigns over the past decade. The Grizzlies are that team now. So to lose to them while rested at home is an atrociously bad, embarrassing loss any way we slice it.]

[Monster]

Which team was tanking tonight? An absolutely pathetic effort from a Wolves team that in my view doesn't deserve to make the playoffs.

There's plenty of blame to go around, so I won't waste time singling out every single Wolves player. I'll focus on two: Crawford and Teague.

Crawford was dreadful, hitting only 3 of his 12 shots and playing horrific defense. Once again, Crawford was playing heroball. To say he overdribbled would be a gross understatement. No, Jamaal, you're not Michael Jordan. You're Jamaal Crawford and you're 37 years old. But that's what Jamaal does and Thibs puts him in there knowing that's what he does.

Yes, Teague scored a lot tonight as most of his floaters were falling. But I'll just repeat what a guy sitting next to me at the game said about Teague: "I've never seen a player's stat line so grossly overstate the quality of play." His defense was horrible and his inability to make his teammates better was on full display. One play was emblematic of the problem with Teague. He was dribbling the ball just inside the 3-point arc presumably waiting for a play to develop. Then Wiggins suddenly and brilliantly spun off his defender towards the basket for what should have been an easy pass from Teague and uncontested dunk by Andrew. But alas, Teague didn't see him and instead passed enemically to someone around the perimeter. That sort of thing happens a lot with Teague and it was on full display tonight.

Then there's the coaching. I can't for the life of me understand why our head coach had the Wolves playing a methodical, slow half-court game against the physical half-court Grizzlies. The Wolves were overmatched physically but could have used their speed and athleticism, especially Wiggins, to overwhelm the Grizzlies offensively. Instead, we had to watch Teague walk the ball up the court slowly over and over again as the Grizzlies comfortably took up their defensive positions and then physically dominated the Wolves. I couldn't believe my eyes. As for the Wolves defense. Well, what defense? I still can't understand why the Grizzlies were up into the body of every Wolves player on the defensive end while the Wolves repeatedly gave the Grizzlies players room to maneuver, penetrate and get their feet set comfortably for perimeter shots. But that's pretty much how the Wolves defend for much if not most of every game.

I do want to single out Wiggins for praise. Yes, I'd like our max player to step up with 28 points instead of 18. That's what I expect of him when our other young stud faces perhaps the best center in the game as he did tonight. But nevertheless, Wiggins was terrific defensively and on the boards all night. He played 48 minutes of high-level intense defense. But we can't get 0 points from Belly, zero rebounds in 14 minutes from our backup center (Dieng) and a 3-12 ball-hogging performance from our only wing off the bench. Oh, and it's ridiculous that Crawford is our only NBA-caliber wing off the bench with Butler out given that we've had an open roster spot all season.

I still think the Wolves will make the playoffs, but tonight's game makes an 8th seed the most likely outcome. As for me, I don't think this team deserves to make the playoffs. So I'll be cheering for Denver from this point on.

Seriously what is your infatuation with the Nuggets?

Lol. Infatuation with the Nuggets? I hate the Nuggets and I can't stand Jokic. They just happen to be in 9th place, which means they're in the best position to knock the Wolves out of the playoffs and achieve my goal of getting a lottery pick and pressuring Taylor to fire Thibs.

Ah gotcha I was confused because you had been talking them up all season. It makes sense now my bad.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

If we miss the playoffs this loss is gonna haunt us in such a bad way.

Honestly, with about 2 minutes left when we were struggling to close the gap from 5 or whatever it was, here was an actual internal monologue in my head.

Andy 1: Holy s**t, we're totally gonna lose to the Grizz!
Andy 2: You know, I kind of hope we lose this game.
Andy 1: WHAT?!?!
Andy 2: We don't deserve to win.
Andy 1: Totally agree, but don't you realize this could mean we don't make the playoffs?!?
Andy 2: If we lose to the Grizz, we don't deserve to make the playoffs.
Andy 1: Agree, but F*%& YOU, I wanna make the playoffs!!
Andy 2: Do you honestly think this team is a threat to win a series without Jimmy Butler? Hell, even with him at this rate?
Andy 1: (silence)
Andy 2: Look, if we win this game, we're more likely to make the playoffs, but it's not going to to fix our team. But if we LOSE this game, it could be such a disaster that it might actually prompt these guys to give a shit and play together.

At that point, the game ended and then I turned it off and curled up in the fetal position.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I think this team is simply not very good without Butler. They are 8-12 without him, 34-21 with him. He is our Gobert (Utah had a very similar fate when they play without Gobert). Both teams struggled mightily when their star player went down. While on paper, the Wolves other starters appear better, but they have done nothing in their short careers to show they are in terms of wins and loses.

Without Butler we MIGHT make playoffs, but it will be as an 8 seed and we will certainly lose 4 straight. With Butler, we are capable of winning at least a couple games from anyone (maybe not Houston).

I guess, in the end, I am just not that surprised we lost. We haven't played well lately, and the absence of BY FAR our best player has been evident.

[KiwiMatt]

The main problem with this team is one or both of the following:

*A lack of depth

*A lack of willingness to play our bench, thus burning out our starters and not allowing our bench unit to work their way into a game.


One falls on Thibs the GM, the other on Thibs the HC. I've always been a Thibs supporter but my patience grows thin. You make your own bed and you sleep in it!

[Monster]

The main problem with this team is one or both of the following:

*A lack of depth

*A lack of willingness to play our bench, thus burning out our starters and not allowing our bench unit to work their way into a game.


One falls on Thibs the GM, the other on Thibs the HC. I've always been a Thibs supporter but my patience grows thin. You make your own bed and you sleep in it!

And here is the thing both Thibs the GM and coach can fix this problem this summer by acquiring players that give them depth via draft trade FA more depth and then Thibs the coach can actually play those guys. One of the answers may even be on the roster.