Wolves at Suns GDT

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

My reflections on last night's game:

1) We aren't the same team without KG. No comparison between the team I watched against Portland and the last 2 games.
2) I have canceled my series of lessons with Mike Pemberthy.
3) Payne had an odd game. Terrific early in the game...nice to have a guy that big willing and able to put the ball on the ground and drive to the basket. But he looked like a total rookie the rest of the game, which coincidently exactly what he is. I still like the promise.
4) We aren't the same offensively when Martin decides to not work hard to get the ball. If Ricky is taking more shots than Kevin, we are not going to miss many games.
5) I noticed during warm ups at the Portland game how light and quick on his feet new guy Hamilton is. And he showed it on defense last night too, along with a lot of great communication. He also isn't shy about going to the basket, and showed a nice touch from beyond the arc (only 1-4, but his shots were close and his form was impressive). I don't think he will ever be an adequate rebounder, but if he can play defense like he did last night, he may be a keeper.
6) I no longer care about wins in games that KG sits out...I'm more focused on ping pong balls now. The Lakers have a good chance of staying ahead of us in the standings to give us the 3rd seed, and even the Sixers are playing better...they teased last night before losing to the Bulls in OT. GR3 effect! A complete tank by the Wolves and the 2nd seed is remote, but not totally out of the question.

Anybody remember the late-season swoons under Rambis? Those teams knew how to tank.

2010:
1 - 23 to close the season. (2 - 29 if you want to extend it a bit more)

The tanking worked! The Wolves got Wesley Johnson in the draft!!!

2011:
0 - 15 to close the season.

The tanking worked! The Wolves got Derrick Williams in the draft!!!




[note: yes. those records are accurate. it might take you 3x or 4x times before you can look at them without shuddering.]

Still fresh in my memory, unfortunately, and Williams/Johnson are stunning examples of how ping pong balls may not help at all. I'm a probability guy, though, and probability tells me that more ping pong balls has to be a better thing than fewer. Psychologically, that belief helps keep me sane as we stumble toward another season end.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Ha...you and I have different views on the KG/Thad trade, but I have to admit that is funny stuff! :thumb:

All seriousness aside, though, the difference in the Wolves' play when KG is on the court and when he is off is noticeable. Anyone who watched the Portland game, and then the last two debacles, knows this to be true. There was an early KG impact even in games that he didn't play, but that predictably has gone away when he sits. We're simply much better when he plays.

I'm still glad that Thad is gone. For one thing, going to games is so much more fun with KG on the court rather than Young...I've only gone to 2 games since his return, but our long-suffering season ticket holders will back me up on this one. Secondly, Thad's impact on a team as a starter is on display in Brooklyn. He has started four games in a row now, and they have all been losses...and not to very good teams. I thought the Nets finally understood what Philly and Flip didn't...that Thad is, always has been, and always will be NBA reserve material. The Nets were actually playing good ball when Thad was allowed to play his best role...scorer off the bench with no expectations for defense or boards. But the Nets promoted him to starter, and the results are sadly predictable for those who understand his game.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Ha...you and I have different views on the KG/Thad trade, but I have to admit that is funny stuff! :thumb:

All seriousness aside, though, the difference in the Wolves' play when KG is on the court and when he is off is noticeable. Anyone who watched the Portland game, and then the last two debacles, knows this to be true. There was an early KG impact even in games that he didn't play, but that predictably has gone away when he sits. We're simply much better when he plays.

I'm still glad that Thad is gone. For one thing, going to games is so much more fun with KG on the court rather than Young...I've only gone to 2 games since his return, but our long-suffering season ticket holders will back me up on this one. Secondly, Thad's impact on a team as a starter is on display in Brooklyn. He has started four games in a row now, and they have all been losses...and not to very good teams. I thought the Nets finally understood what Philly and Flip didn't...that Thad is, always has been, and always will be NBA reserve material. The Nets were actually playing good ball when Thad was allowed to play his best role...scorer off the bench with no expectations for defense or boards. But the Nets promoted him to starter, and the results are sadly predictable for those who understand his game.

Long, the point isn't that were better with KG on the court then without, I don't think anybody questions that. The problem is it makes no difference how good we are with KG on the court if he's only playing 15 minutes in half the games. We could look like the 96 Bulls in that frame, but there's still 35 minutes left in the games that also matter

[AbeVigodaLive]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Don't have the exact stats. But it's safe to say his MentRating is off the charts when he's off the court vs. when he's on it.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Ha...you and I have different views on the KG/Thad trade, but I have to admit that is funny stuff! :thumb:

All seriousness aside, though, the difference in the Wolves' play when KG is on the court and when he is off is noticeable. Anyone who watched the Portland game, and then the last two debacles, knows this to be true. There was an early KG impact even in games that he didn't play, but that predictably has gone away when he sits. We're simply much better when he plays.

I'm still glad that Thad is gone. For one thing, going to games is so much more fun with KG on the court rather than Young...I've only gone to 2 games since his return, but our long-suffering season ticket holders will back me up on this one. Secondly, Thad's impact on a team as a starter is on display in Brooklyn. He has started four games in a row now, and they have all been losses...and not to very good teams. I thought the Nets finally understood what Philly and Flip didn't...that Thad is, always has been, and always will be NBA reserve material. The Nets were actually playing good ball when Thad was allowed to play his best role...scorer off the bench with no expectations for defense or boards. But the Nets promoted him to starter, and the results are sadly predictable for those who understand his game.

Long, the point isn't that were better with KG on the court then without, I don't think anybody questions that. The problem is it makes no difference how good we are with KG on the court if he's only playing 15 minutes in half the games. We could look like the 96 Bulls in that frame, but there's still 35 minutes left in the games that also matter

The difference in opinion on the Thad/KG trade is this: those of us that support the trade think that 20 minutes of KG in half the games is preferable to a healthy Thad Young, and those that hate the trade don't.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Ha...you and I have different views on the KG/Thad trade, but I have to admit that is funny stuff! :thumb:

All seriousness aside, though, the difference in the Wolves' play when KG is on the court and when he is off is noticeable. Anyone who watched the Portland game, and then the last two debacles, knows this to be true. There was an early KG impact even in games that he didn't play, but that predictably has gone away when he sits. We're simply much better when he plays.

I'm still glad that Thad is gone. For one thing, going to games is so much more fun with KG on the court rather than Young...I've only gone to 2 games since his return, but our long-suffering season ticket holders will back me up on this one. Secondly, Thad's impact on a team as a starter is on display in Brooklyn. He has started four games in a row now, and they have all been losses...and not to very good teams. I thought the Nets finally understood what Philly and Flip didn't...that Thad is, always has been, and always will be NBA reserve material. The Nets were actually playing good ball when Thad was allowed to play his best role...scorer off the bench with no expectations for defense or boards. But the Nets promoted him to starter, and the results are sadly predictable for those who understand his game.

Long, the point isn't that were better with KG on the court then without, I don't think anybody questions that. The problem is it makes no difference how good we are with KG on the court if he's only playing 15 minutes in half the games. We could look like the 96 Bulls in that frame, but there's still 35 minutes left in the games that also matter

The difference in opinion on the Thad/KG trade is this: those of us that support the trade think that 20 minutes of KG in half the games is preferable to a healthy Thad Young, and those that hate the trade don't.

Then hey lets not rip Pek for missing so many games, and in turn be alright with how much KG plays, AND be willing to sign him for TWO MORE YEARS!

[60WinTim]

Flip will not be re-signing KG if he can only play 15 minutes in half the games. If these games meant something, I am sure he would be playing more minutes, more often. Right now, the only games that mean anything are home games -- to entertain our fans.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Does anybody have KG's mentorship +/- for this game? I can't seem to find it

Ha...you and I have different views on the KG/Thad trade, but I have to admit that is funny stuff! :thumb:

All seriousness aside, though, the difference in the Wolves' play when KG is on the court and when he is off is noticeable. Anyone who watched the Portland game, and then the last two debacles, knows this to be true. There was an early KG impact even in games that he didn't play, but that predictably has gone away when he sits. We're simply much better when he plays.

I'm still glad that Thad is gone. For one thing, going to games is so much more fun with KG on the court rather than Young...I've only gone to 2 games since his return, but our long-suffering season ticket holders will back me up on this one. Secondly, Thad's impact on a team as a starter is on display in Brooklyn. He has started four games in a row now, and they have all been losses...and not to very good teams. I thought the Nets finally understood what Philly and Flip didn't...that Thad is, always has been, and always will be NBA reserve material. The Nets were actually playing good ball when Thad was allowed to play his best role...scorer off the bench with no expectations for defense or boards. But the Nets promoted him to starter, and the results are sadly predictable for those who understand his game.

Long, the point isn't that were better with KG on the court then without, I don't think anybody questions that. The problem is it makes no difference how good we are with KG on the court if he's only playing 15 minutes in half the games. We could look like the 96 Bulls in that frame, but there's still 35 minutes left in the games that also matter

The difference in opinion on the Thad/KG trade is this: those of us that support the trade think that 20 minutes of KG in half the games is preferable to a healthy Thad Young, and those that hate the trade don't.

I guess it's good for developing Payne and possible Bennett. The team will find out if they're worth anything faster... maybe. Thad Young was a sacrificial lamb for that. He just wasn't the answer. I think most agree with that. He wasn't terrible... he was improving... but he wasn't the answer and the fans were noticing how awful the team was....... AGAIN.

But for making the team better... no. Garnett playing 15% - 25% of the time with Payne and Bennett getting 75% - 85% of the minutes is not better than Thad Young.