Game Report - Wolves v Pelicans

[Lipoli390]

This is my final game report of the season since I'll be out of town for the finale. Decent size and pretty quiet crowd. The biggest cheers came on two monster dunks from Wiggins.

The score and shooting stats speak for themselves. The Wolves were outmanned and out-gunned. That's not surprising given the talent disparity between the two teams, especially with all the injuries. Yet, had the Wolves shot the ball better, this game might have gone down to the wire. The Wolves started the game with 8 players suited up to play. When Chase went down with an ankle injury we were down to 7. Apparently Hamilton was hurt also, which left Flip with only 6 guys to lean on in the 4th.

I read something in another thread about the Wolves' players not playing hard or not being competitive. That's not what I saw. I think our young guys competed. What I saw was a pretty gutsy performance from our young Wolves tonight. Zach led the way with 24 points, followed by Chase and Wiggins. Zach and Andrew just weren't hitting their shots tonight.

Zach's shots were generally right on the money but simply rattled out repeatedly. Wiggins shots were often way off tonight. Part of the problem for Wiggins is that he gets hammered on nearly every shot but doesn't always get the foul call. Another problem with Wiggins that showed again tonight is his failure to consistently hit his foul shots. Honestly, he just looks like he has tired legs. And that's to be expected when considering how much he's played this season.

Chase looked terrific again tonight's. It's definitely not a fluke. He seems to have his legs back and we're seeing again what he can do. Robbie was solid. Hamilton showed his nice skill set. Lorenzo Brown is terrible. He was the only T- Wolves player who looked like he didn't belong in the NBA.

And the best news of all? The Knicks lost, leaving us in sole possession of the worst record in the NBA.

[Carlos Danger]

Good report. I think Lo Brown has done "OK", but I doubt they'd depend on him for anything other than being a 3rd PG next year. What will be interesting for next year is what they do with LaVine. Will he be SG? Or will they use him as a combo and primary backup to Rubio? I'm guessing the latter - especially if they keep Martin. That would pretty much keep Lo Brown inactive most nights assume we stay healthy.

[bleedspeed]

Carlos - Great point. You also need to add Shabazz to the mix also. It is a crowded situation at the wing for us when we are healthy. I hope Martin is shopped for a backup PG or PF/C. If the right deal comes up we should take it.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Good report. I think Lo Brown has done "OK", but I doubt they'd depend on him for anything other than being a 3rd PG next year. What will be interesting for next year is what they do with LaVine. Will he be SG? Or will they use him as a combo and primary backup to Rubio? I'm guessing the latter - especially if they keep Martin. That would pretty much keep Lo Brown inactive most nights assume we stay healthy.

- If we draft a big, LaVine will probably be a combo and Rubio's primary backup.

- If we draft Mudiay or Russell, we'll probably try to trade Budinger and/or Martin and LaVine will primarily play the 2, although I suspect he'll still bring the ball up at times and initiate the offense. He and Russell almost seem interchangeable in that regard. Mudiay seems like a guy you'd want on the ball since he can't shoot, so Zach would be more of a "pure" 2 if playing with him or Rubio.

- Regardless of the outcome, I agree that keeping LoBrown as a low-cost 3rd string PG wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I just wish the outside shot he improved upon in the D-League translated to the NBA.

[Lipoli390]

Q - Lorenzo's shortcomings go well beyond his abysmal shooting. He has a hard time handling defensive pressure on the ball and makes a lot of bad decisions. The first time that Flip sat Zach for a rest last night, Lorenzo was overwhelmed by the Pelicans' defensive pressure to the point where Flip needed to call time out and put Zach back in sooner than he wanted to. Lorenzo also does a lot of dribbling without purpose hanging on to the ball far to long and not running plays.

We have to do better for a back up PG -- even a 3rd PG. A lengthy injury to either Ricky or Martin would immediately for our so-called 3rd PG into a major role. I would absolutely not use a roster spot on Lorenzo Brown.

[Carlos Danger]

Q - Lorenzo's shortcomings go well beyond his abysmal shooting. He has a hard time handling defensive pressure on the ball and makes a lot of bad decisions. The first time that Flip sat Zach for a rest last night, Lorenzo was overwhelmed by the Pelicans' defensive pressure to the point where Flip needed to call time out and put Zach back in sooner than he wanted to. Lorenzo also does a lot of dribbling without purpose hanging on to the ball far to long and not running plays.

We have to do better for a back up PG -- even a 3rd PG. A lengthy injury to either Ricky or Martin would immediately for our so-called 3rd PG into a major role. I would absolutely not use a roster spot on Lorenzo Brown.

But didn't they just sign him to a two year deal? Add that to the fact that Flip originally drafted him and I have to believe he's going to be around unless traded. (Flip must like something about him).

Q - as far as drafting a PG, I would put that at a very low percentage chance IMO. They just paid Rubio and his new contract kicks in next year. If anything, I could see another Mo Williams type vet coming in as a secure back up and LaVine being only a SG.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Q - Lorenzo's shortcomings go well beyond his abysmal shooting. He has a hard time handling defensive pressure on the ball and makes a lot of bad decisions. The first time that Flip sat Zach for a rest last night, Lorenzo was overwhelmed by the Pelicans' defensive pressure to the point where Flip needed to call time out and put Zach back in sooner than he wanted to. Lorenzo also does a lot of dribbling without purpose hanging on to the ball far to long and not running plays.

We have to do better for a back up PG -- even a 3rd PG. A lengthy injury to either Ricky or Martin would immediately for our so-called 3rd PG into a major role. I would absolutely not use a roster spot on Lorenzo Brown.

All fair points, although it should be noted that he sports a 3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. Zach's is less than 2, which is pretty terrible by any standard. The other thing is that LaVine plays better when paired with Brown versus Martin. That says a lot about how LaVine is best served playing next to more of a pure set-up guy.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Q - Lorenzo's shortcomings go well beyond his abysmal shooting. He has a hard time handling defensive pressure on the ball and makes a lot of bad decisions. The first time that Flip sat Zach for a rest last night, Lorenzo was overwhelmed by the Pelicans' defensive pressure to the point where Flip needed to call time out and put Zach back in sooner than he wanted to. Lorenzo also does a lot of dribbling without purpose hanging on to the ball far to long and not running plays.

We have to do better for a back up PG -- even a 3rd PG. A lengthy injury to either Ricky or Martin would immediately for our so-called 3rd PG into a major role. I would absolutely not use a roster spot on Lorenzo Brown.

But didn't they just sign him to a two year deal? Add that to the fact that Flip originally drafted him and I have to believe he's going to be around unless traded. (Flip must like something about him).

Q - as far as drafting a PG, I would put that at a very low percentage chance IMO. They just paid Rubio and his new contract kicks in next year. If anything, I could see another Mo Williams type vet coming in as a secure back up and LaVine being only a SG.

Brown's deal next year is not guaranteed, but I kind of think we keep him around since he's become familiar with the offense and he probably is just happy to be in the NBA.

I agree that we probably won't draft a PG like Mudiay, or if we do, it's only to use him to trade into another spot. Russell would be a guy I would want to keep though. He can probably play either the 1 or 2 and it gives Flip another shooter, something we desperately need.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for the report, Lip...I didn't see the game so it's good to get the first hand report.

I completely agree with your analysis of Chase. The guy knows how to play basketball and is Bill Bradley like in his constant motion without the ball (sorry about the archaic reference). I would hate to have to defend him, because he never seems to take a play off on offense...must be tiring to Chase him around all the time, pun intended! Good offensive role model for LaVine and Wiggins...keep working, and you will be rewarded. He'd be scoring even more if Rubio were on the court and finding him on all his cuts to the basket.

I'm not in agreement with your assessment of Lo Brown. Sure, he's never going to be a great PG, but I would be very comfortable with him as a cheap option for our 3rd PG. He will never be a sensational creator and should not be hoisting up 3-pointers, but he protects the ball (.8 turnovers per game in 22 minutes in his past 5), rebounds very well, and despite his lack of athleticism, uses his length to at least compete on defense. Terrific back of bench guy in my estimation.

You were very kind to the AP apologists like yours truly in not singling him out last night. Maybe he looked better in person and that's why you didn't cite him, but his box score was terrible...2 points and 2 rebounds in 20 minutes. I had the radio on for about 5 minutes in the first quarter, and Horton was talking about how tough and effective he was battling Davis. But Davis ultimately put up a really nice line. I'm remaining patient with AP and curious to see what he can do when he actually gets to practice with the Wolves for the first time, but he must have been terrible last night.

Congratulations on surviving a horrible year for season ticket holders...I'm certain you will be rewarded soon for your patience!

[AbeVigodaLive]

What should a team want in a 3rd PG? I guess your take might dictate your thoughts on Lo Brown.

A guy who doesn't do much of anything... a placeholder of sorts who's woefully overmatched against anything other than other bench units?

Or, a more mercurial guy who could actually win a game one night... and look like shite the next? (Think a JJ Barea type)

Personally, I think he's easily replaceable, whether he's cheap or not. A guy like Lo Brown can be picked up at anytime so why even shore up the roster spot so soon?