Game Report - Wolves v. Kings

[Lipoli390]

There weren't many of us in the arena tonight, but we were treated to some of the best Wolves basketball all season in the first half - from the entire team and especially from the second unit. The start to the second half was some of the worst of the Wolves with little ball-movement and lackluster defense. But thankfully, that bad stretch didn't last long.

I'll keep this short. The first half was fun to watch and that stretch when Okogie was on the floor was electric. All facets of his game were on display - his defense, his athleticism, but also his terrific instincts with one especially nifty dish pass of dribble penetration. The reason I think he'll be great is that he combines a super high motor with what I call a fast brain -- that is, his synapses fire faster than most, which allows him to almost see the game in slow motion. It's what made Larry Bird so great. I'm most projecing Okogie as the next Larry Bird with a 42" vertical. But Josh has the potential to be great.

Tyus was also terrific tonight. Wiggins was also very good on both ends, although Thibs game him an ear-full in the first half when he failed to come over and help on defense.

Tonight's game underscored three points for me:

1. The 2-point guard lineup is a bad one, especially when the two PGs are Teague and Rose.

2. Rose and Tyus are both better PGs than Teague. The ball actually moves when Rose or Tyus is running the point. Rose is definitely a scoring PG and I think he often dribbles too much, but he generally dribbles with a purpose and reacts faster than Teague to passing opportunities for his teammates and makes better decisions with the ball. Tyus makes things happen. Given him consistent significant playing time every game and we'll see him blossom as his shooting gets on track, which it will because it always has for him at every level.

3. Okogie needs to be in the regular rotation. The rookie Shamet has been averaging 21 minutes per game consistently for the Sixers this season. It's ridiculous that Okogie has been averaging around 8 minutes in the last few weeks.

We probably would have scored 150 points if we spaced and moved the ball like the Kings did tonight and last week in California - or at least 142 points like the Kings did last week. We're just far more talented than Sacramento with KAT, Wiggins, Rose, RoCo, Taj, Saric, etc.

Good win. Now let's do the same to Detroit on Wednesday.

[AbeVigodaLive]

All good. But remember... part of the reason the Wolves looked far more talented last night is because they were facing the Kings subs.

- De'Aron Fox... generally regarded as an emerging star and potential superstar played only 6 minutes. Yogi Ferrell and Frank Mason are a huge dropoff.
- Bogdanovich played 10 minutes.
- #2 pick Bagley didn't play at all.
- Buddy Hield scored 21 points... but only played 18 minutes.

I missed most of the first half. UNFORTUNATELY. But, I did see some of it and it was telling what Peterson said to start the 2nd half... "You could sense the energy leave the building when Okogie left the floor." Is he going to be as good as many think he'll be? I dunno. But there seems to be promise. And something there that leaves all of us wanting more.

So I agree... Free Okogie.

[Lipoli390]

Abe - You're right about the subs skewing the talent disparity even more in the Wolves favor. But on paper alone. the Wolves are far more talented than the Kings. As we saw last week, the Kings move the ball beautifully. But even the Kings' second unit last night did a great job spacing the floor and moving the ball, which tells you it's coaching. If the Wolves did the same on the offensive end, they'd have a dominant offense.

Short of a coaching change, the next best thing the Wolves can do is take Teague out of the rotation (trade) and put Okogie in. With Rose, Tyus and Okogie (no Teague) in the rotation, the overall energy goes way up, the offense flows better and the defense improves overall for 48 minutes.

[Wolvesfan21]

Joeger (sp?) is a much better coach then Thibs. He has the balls to let his starters sit for a game. Thibs is all bark and no bite. Annoying as heck and I don't blame the players for not enjoying being around him.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe - You're right about the subs skewing the talent disparity even more in the Wolves favor. But on paper alone. the Wolves are far more talented than the Kings. As we saw last week, the Kings move the ball beautifully. But even the Kings' second unit last night did a great job spacing the floor and moving the ball, which tells you it's coaching. If the Wolves did the same on the offensive end, they'd have a dominant offense.

Short of a coaching change, the next best thing the Wolves can do is take Teague out of the rotation (trade) and put Okogie in. With Rose, Tyus and Okogie (no Teague) in the rotation, the overall energy goes way up, the offense flows better and the defense improves overall for 48 minutes.

Not going to comment on the coaching, considering I'm not a fan of how stagnant the Wolves can be offensively. But it brings up a good point about aesthetics vs. results. Consider...

The Kings are 15th in offensive efficiency.
The Wolves are 13th in offensive efficiency.

The teams are ranked #22 and #24 in three point attempts. Both are in the top half of the league in apg (Kings at #6 and Wolves at #13).

As for talent, I think you're discrediting the Kings a bit. Remember, they have A LOT of high draft picks... and some are finding their NBA footing.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Thanks again for the game report lip!

The "fast brain" thing is definitely true for Okogie.

It's the opposite of Wiggins, whose problem I've described in the past as just being mentally unable to make quick, conscious decisions. It's like he's a little drunk or stoned or like he just woke up or something.

Okogie plays like he just slammed 2 espressos and a Coke. His reaction time to stimuli is super quick. I'm a teacher and some people are able to think quick and some people are not. Combined with Okogie's athleticism and sheer will to make any play he can at any time, I love the joy he plays with. He's just out there pushing himself to just do whatever he can. Dialing it up to max from the get go.

Okogie's honestly right there with Corey Brewer as my favorite two Wolves of all time (Mark Madsen honorable mention!). I'll always love Corey for his effort and will and the joy he played the game with. He totally lacked the athleticism and coordination of Okogie, and maybe I actually admired Corey more for doing everything he could despite not having those talents. Now with Okogie we get to watch somebody else with the same spirit, but with more size, skill, and body control.

Now he just needs to be a little more careful not to hurt himself! That dunk follow-through scared the hell out of me.

[worldK]

Agree drew. That follow tru was scary, he could have crash and landed on his face or twist his knee there. Thank god that didnt happen. Love josh's motor but he should be smarter. He reminds me of gerald "crash" wallace but with guard skills. Smaller but more potential to be a better shooter. Wallace was non stop as well but he crashes too early and regress once he hit 30. Hopefully josh stay healthy and play smarter and has a better and longer peak than wallace.

[thedoper]

I'm personally not ready to sub out Teague for Okogie. I think the more logical move has always been to sub out Tyus for Okogie. Teague is still a superior player as I see it. One nice game from Tyus doesnt really erase how awful he's been so far this year. Now if Teague were traded for talent and Tyus was the primary backup, great.

[Monster]

Agree drew. That follow tru was scary, he could have crash and landed on his face or twist his knee there. Thank god that didnt happen. Love josh's motor but he should be smarter. He reminds me of gerald "crash" wallace but with guard skills. Smaller but more potential to be a better shooter. Wallace was non stop as well but he crashes too early and regress once he hit 30. Hopefully josh stay healthy and play smarter and has a better and longer peak than wallace.

Giles actually tries to help him but getting iOS hand in there on his shoulder sets before being part of the King's that fell away from the force of Okogie...Giles ended up stumbling around a poor camera man on the baseline. Lol speaking of Giles he had some nice moments.

Wiggins I always felt and still feels like he thinks too much. He needs to just go out and play. He seems to be doing something right lately I'm not positive what it is but I hope he keeps it up!

[worldK]

Agree drew. That follow tru was scary, he could have crash and landed on his face or twist his knee there. Thank god that didnt happen. Love josh's motor but he should be smarter. He reminds me of gerald "crash" wallace but with guard skills. Smaller but more potential to be a better shooter. Wallace was non stop as well but he crashes too early and regress once he hit 30. Hopefully josh stay healthy and play smarter and has a better and longer peak than wallace.

Giles actually tries to help him but getting iOS hand in there on his shoulder sets before being part of the King's that fell away from the force of Okogie...Giles ended up stumbling around a poor camera man on the baseline. Lol speaking of Giles he had some nice moments.

Wiggins I always felt and still feels like he thinks too much. He needs to just go out and play. He seems to be doing something right lately I'm not positive what it is but I hope he keeps it up!

Haha. That was what makes the okogie dunk so fun to watch. There were 4 kings there and two of them at first looks like they were getting the hell out of the way of the poster and ended up stumbling over each other.

Then okogie had his thunderous two hand dunk but a scary looking yet safe landing. You see d rose in the background sitting on the floor didn't react much when the dunk happened but almost jump to his feet when okogie was hanging in the air and looks on his way to landing on his face,
But rose sit back when he saw okogie landed safely. As if he thought the worst was coming but got a relief when okogie landed safely that he sit back down. That was just a great sequence that extended to okogie's great block then dime to g for the dunk. One of the highlights if the team for the year.