CoolBreeze's 2 Things I Didn't Like Tonight Plus 1

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

LST, On point #1, I very much worry about the defense of this squad actually taking a step back next season, assuming that Tay and KG are no longer playing meaningful minutes. Besides Ricky, Prince, and KG, who else has proven that they are a difference maker on defense? I know that KAT and Wiggins have the potential to be difference makers, but they don't seem to do so well unless they are in there with one or more of the other guys. We might actually be worse next year on defense unless these kids grow up fast.

On Zach, oh the irony of him going into a shooting slump just as Mitchell does what we've all been asking him to do - move him to shooting guard. Again, without pointing a finger at any one person since it seems to transcend players and regimes, this franchise is cursed when it comes to developing shooters.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

LST, On point #1, I very much worry about the defense of this squad actually taking a step back next season, assuming that Tay and KG are no longer playing meaningful minutes. Besides Ricky, Prince, and KG, who else has proven that they are a difference maker on defense? I know that KAT and Wiggins have the potential to be difference makers, but they don't seem to do so well unless they are in there with one or more of the other guys. We might actually be worse next year on defense unless these kids grow up fast.

On Zach, oh the irony of him going into a shooting slump just as Mitchell does what we've all been asking him to do - move him to shooting guard. Again, without pointing a finger at any one person since it seems to transcend players and regimes, this franchise is cursed when it comes to developing shooters.

I have some of the same fears, q. But while I think this is KG's last year, I see Prince playing a couple more in essentially the same role as this year. I agree that our young guys look erratic on defense right now (sandwiched around some moments of brilliance), but guys like Wig, Zach, KAT, Gorgui and AP were considered elite college defenders, and if the coaching staff continues to emphasize defense, you would expect them to improve defensively quite rapidly. 1-2 more years of Prince in a limited role combined with physical and mental growth from the five guys above could be the makings of a pretty good defensive club...especially if we have a healthy Rubio at the point. And all the better if we can find that elusive 3 and D veteran in free agency.

Zach has shot terribly recently and seems to be forcing things, but as I said above, he's playing a position that he only played 5% of the time last year and not much this year (until recently). Combine the unfamiliarity of the position with my impression that Zach isn't the quickest study, and it's logical why he looks so uncomfortable over there right now. I think he's going to be fine regardless of the guard postion he plays, but he needs to play SG if Tyus becomes the guy that Flip thought he could become. We need to be patient with Zach...he'll get there.

[Coolbreeze44]

Again, I thought our defensive intensity was phenomenal last night. And not just the vets, I think everybody brought it. I had never seen Zach man up and get into someone's kitchen like he did last night. Our young guys typically err on the side of giving too much space, that wasn't the case last night. I'm hoping this is a sign of things to come.

[AbeVigodaLive]

How much of the Wolves success can be contributed to the Wolves play and how much to the Spurs?

Obviously, Popovich didn't get tossed because the Spurs were losing many 50/50 calls with the officiating crew.

[Monster]

Bjelica had some good minutes. He looked more confident decisive in his movements off the ball on offense. Hopefully this is a sign he can get back going. It's tough having so many guys that probably need some minutes and to a certain extent have shown they should play. Payne has been a pleasant surprise overall this year.

Tyus is a 19 year old rookie but he has some game. Playing against the Spurs combo of Mills and Parker ain't an easy task. He got burned bad but he was up on guys at least. He looked like he had NBA talent. Think about this the Wolves played the Spurs and were in the game playing 4 guys that were 20 years old or younger. That's kind of amazing.

KG was fantastic.

The Spurs big dude was a guy no healthy guy on the Wolves could really deal with. The Spirs are so good at finding these guys and getting good play out of them. It's amazing. Is he really good? No but he is also playing with a team that knows how to utilize him etc and he looks a lot more skilled than I was expecting coming into the year.

That's about the best the Wolves have played all year. They even looked pretty watchable on offense despite playing the Spurs defense even if they were missing Duncan. The Wolves aside from making young team mistakes and missing FTs were playing like they did that early stretch where it felt like they were going to win. This was the Spurs so I knew it wasn't going to happen but the Wolves kept it interesting.

Wiggins has been mixing it up more the last few games no doubt in my mind and it's been fun to see. It sucked that he didn't go after that ball late that looked to be going out of bounds and Leonard of course tracked it down. That was sort of a big play. Maybe seeing the play at a different angle or maybe the ball ended up with a weird spin that made it hang up a bit but it felt kinda like those times Andrew just doesn't kick it into high gear but he has been working hard the last few games and I think it's noteworthy. It was fun and interesting to see him matched up with Leonard.

It would have been good to see more of Bazz but I think Sam wanted to keep Tay on Leonard and I think that's pretty reasonable. At some point Sam is gonna have to break down and give Bazz more minutes but in this game Prince was playing so well even hitting jumpers it's hard to want to take him out. I think Prince will play in the league past this season I don't know if he will play for the Wolves but next year may be a fun ride as the Wolves might be a legit playoff team he might want to stick around and keep helping. Honestly I don't know where the Wolves would be without Tay I bet they would have a couple less wins and been blown out more. He is limited but he can still defend at a high level. I wish he would take corner 3's but I'll take him pulling the trigger on long two's he can't pass up shots like he has most of the season.

Rubio...dude can play basketball. He gets too amped up and makes a couple plays he shouldn't but it's also good to see him have some flare to his game again.

Wolves missed FT had some dumb mistakes had some calls go the wrong way etc. it wasn't their night to win but they were right there. This was a game I felt good about even though it was a loss. Losing respectably on the way to having another lottery pick doesn't sound too bad right now. If we see more play like that this will be a plenty fun season.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Can we all just take a minute to recognize that what killed us in that game was Jaws, from the old Roger Moore 007 movies? That guy was http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/09/11/article-2751414-214195AD00000578-287_634x419.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2751414/James-Bond-villain-Richard-Kiel-known-playing-Jaws-died-aghuge and unstoppable.


Remember when people used to talk about http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffilmdump.files.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F06%2Fsuperman-ii-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffilmdump.com%2F2013%2F06%2F06%2Fsuperman-season-film-review-no-230-superman-2%2F&h=1080&w=1920&tbnid=lQ33HYglmIFztMthis guy?



The conclusion is obvious. People in the front office should be watching 70s action movies to find bad guys who could play center. Any suggestions?

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Can we all just take a minute to recognize that what killed us in that game was Jaws, from the old Roger Moore 007 movies? That guy was http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/09/11/article-2751414-214195AD00000578-287_634x419.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2751414/James-Bond-villain-Richard-Kiel-known-playing-Jaws-died-aghuge and unstoppable.


Remember when people used to talk about http://images.google.de/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffilmdump.files.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F06%2Fsuperman-ii-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffilmdump.com%2F2013%2F06%2F06%2Fsuperman-season-film-review-no-230-superman-2%2F&h=1080&w=1920&tbnid=lQ33HYglmIFztMthis guy?



The conclusion is obvious. People in the front office should be watching 70s action movies to find bad guys who could play center. Any suggestions?

Ha, I called him the Serbian Lurch, but Jaws is a better call. The guy with me at the Spurs game last week said "Wtf is that?" when he saw him...he towered over Duncan! They have him listed at 7-3, but I wouldn't be surprised if he were actually 7-6. And in addition to unstoppable size, he has the only other two things he needs to score in the NBA...decent hands and touch around the basket. Keep in mind, this guy was the MVP in the Serbian League three years in a row. He looks like a can be a shot blocker too...already getting 3 blocks per 36 minutes. Unfortunately, it looks like Pop has found his Duncan replacement...there just isn't any room for him with Duncan, LMA and West getting all the big man minutes.

Take a look at this...especially focus on the video of his smooth stroke popping threes (yes, he's a stretch 5) and the look on Tyler Hansborough's face when he sees Jaws come into the game!http://mashable.com/2015/12/29/boban-marjanovic-nba/#0k7Z208Pw5qw

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Ugh, my link to Jaws from 007 didn't work, but LST that's a good link for checking out his new NBA equivalent

You're right, what's so crazy is that he's so huge AND so good. Pozingas we heard about, but where did this guy come from?! Holy balls, look at that video, he can shoot threes too?!

I mean he's both tall and freaking wide. Look at his shoulder span and those hands! He's just a full head taller than anybody out there and the ball looks like a freaking grapefruit in his hands. And skilled too? Man, that guy is going to be a beast.