Wolves vs Hor-, um, Pels

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

KAT and Gibson carried our butts for most of this game, then came crunch time came....ugh!

Some of the shots New Orleans was hitting though....sheesh! Miller couldn't freakin' miss, even with a guy right in his grill. I think it was Payton that hit a line drive straight on bank shot and then there were a few others that hit the rim 10 times before trickling in. I swear this shit happens to us more than other teams!

Missed opportunity for sure, with no AD playing.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Okogie does have a little Brewer in him in the way that he is constantly moving, hustling, on the ground, and yes, a little out of control at times. His drives to the hoop are especially frustrating as it seems like he lacks any sort of touch or craftiness. It's either a dunk or a bad miss. And his outside shot looks OK on release, but the end result just isn't there.

I do like his feel for finding open guys, but he has to start making some shots.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Taj and Tibs still arguing that out of bounds call after it was reviewed. Totally obvious, Tibs says to the ref "Cmon man I saw the replay" is he seriously delusional??

Thibs' whining is not only annoying, it's also counterproductive in that it makes him totally uncredible with the refs. I don't if any of you guys have done much reffing (or umpiring), but there are always several calls each game when you just don't know. I can't speak for everyone, but my experience in those instances was to rule against the coach (or manager) I didn't like...usually the one who rode me or whined the most. I suspect this happens against Thibs a lot, and that doesn't help us at all.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

We really miss Teague and Rose to play off the bench.

Also Okogie is giving me Bazz vibes i'm just going to say it. (He is a lot better defender)

Yeah, our bench just isn't good enough when Teague and Rose are both out. I could almost argue that missing those two (which forces Bayless into the game) hurts us more than the Pels missing Davis (which puts Diallo in the game).
All in all, I'm rather encouraged by last night's game. We were playing the second half of a BTB shorthanded, and understandably faded in the final minutes...what do you expect when 4 of your starters are playing 37+ minutes (by the way, I'm not laying this one on Thibs because the becnh was terrible and thin). Hopefully even a numbskull like Thibs has to see what Tyus can do as a starter...13 points and NO turnovers. along with an efficient 15 points. His assist/TO ratio is becoming almost absurd! If Teague or Rose goes back to starting when they get healthy, it will be the final proof that Thibs has completely lost the ability to coach in the NBA.
The emergence of KAT as a shotblocker and passes is a phenomenon we need to start considering...small sample size, but averaging 6 assists and almost 5 blocks in his last 5 games.

Thibs holds the key to our making the playoffs this season. Remarkably, he seems to have figured out how to recognize when one of his PFs is more effective than the other on a given night...again last night he made the right choice in playing Taj over Saric. On other nights he has done the opposite, but he generally seems to get this one right. Now, he clearly needs to start Tyus...the ball movement with Tyus and KAT whipping the ball around is effective and fun to watch, and Rose's scoring off the bench will really help. He also needs to coach up and selectively use Josh off the bench. There are nights where his out-of-controlness aren't going to be helpful, but other nights he may be a better option at times than Wig...Thibs needs to see this. Games like tonight make me think this team can definitely make the playoffs if they can stay healthy and Thibs can make the right decisions.

[Monster]

There were some good individual performances in this game.

Taj was amazing on both ends. Saric unfortunately did not play well. Taj was nearly the team's best player in this one.

Towns was pretty good. He had some stretches of bad D early but picked it up.

Tyus played well. He keeps making a case for being a legit starting PG.

Wiggins was pretty good I'll take what he gave us tonight.

Dieng was good off the bench.

Team...didn't defend well enough. The Pels hit some whacky shots but the Wolves gave up too many easy looks at times. Some more bizarre calls in this game. Too bad to lose a game like this with Pels without AD.

[Monster]

I don't pick up a single Bazz vibe from Okogie. Totally different players with completely different skill sets and ceilings. Okogie has an excellent feel for the game and is already a good passer. Bazz has no feel for the game and couldn't pass to save his life.

Okogie Was more like Bazz tonight than usual. He honestly wasn't particularly good. Kinda like you aid even when he is bad he still does some things Bazz never really did both guys brought instant energy. On offense Josh either needs to be moving the ball or actually do something with it. He was part of that bench unit sucking on that end even when they were playing with Tyus. Saric was not helping things either.

[Lipoli390]

There were some good individual performances in this game.

Taj was amazing on both ends. Saric unfortunately did not play well. Taj was nearly the team's best player in this one.

Towns was pretty good. He had some stretches of bad D early but picked it up.

Tyus played well. He keeps making a case for being a legit starting PG.

Wiggins was pretty good I'll take what he gave us tonight.

Dieng was good off the bench.

Team...didn't defend well enough. The Pels hit some whacky shots but the Wolves gave up too many easy looks at times. Some more bizarre calls in this game. Too bad to lose a game like this with Pels without AD.

KAT was "pretty good" with "some bad stretches of bad D"? As in "pretty good" like Wiggins? I'd say that 28 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks and 40% shooting from behind the arc adds up to something a bit better than "pretty good." Lol. I'll give Wiggins credit for his 20 points on 38% shooting and 25% shooting from behind the arc. He did have 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Kat played damn good again, I just don't know if your best player can be a post. Kat gets mugged consistently and no call (this goes for every post), while perimeter players get touch calls. It's hard for Kat to work so damn hard to try and get 2 pts

Yes. I've been saying this for some time now.

I know most others will point to the "supporting casts" and "shitty organizations" and even "shitty fans"... but let's be honest -- the modern NBA is catered to superstar movement + perimeter players.

Consider the Hornets have the BEST post player in the game and they're only 17 - 21.

[Monster]

There were some good individual performances in this game.

Taj was amazing on both ends. Saric unfortunately did not play well. Taj was nearly the team's best player in this one.

Towns was pretty good. He had some stretches of bad D early but picked it up.

Tyus played well. He keeps making a case for being a legit starting PG.

Wiggins was pretty good I'll take what he gave us tonight.

Dieng was good off the bench.

Team...didn't defend well enough. The Pels hit some whacky shots but the Wolves gave up too many easy looks at times. Some more bizarre calls in this game. Too bad to lose a game like this with Pels without AD.

KAT was "pretty good" with "some bad stretches of bad D"? As in "pretty good" like Wiggins? I'd say that 28 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks and 40% shooting from behind the arc adds up to something a bit better than "pretty good." Lol. I'll give Wiggins credit for his 20 points on 38% shooting and 25% shooting from behind the arc. He did have 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

Ah the roles are reversed here. :) I'm going with a basic stream of conscienceless and you are zeroing I'm on something. Sure Towns was mostly very good but Randle was blowing past Towns for a stretch. I don't think he did a whole lot in the 2nd half and sole credit for that goes to Towns. There should be some different font color or something when writing about Towns and Wiggins just to remember they aren't limped together with the same expectations.

[kekgeek]

Kat played damn good again, I just don't know if your best player can be a post. Kat gets mugged consistently and no call (this goes for every post), while perimeter players get touch calls. It's hard for Kat to work so damn hard to try and get 2 pts

Yes. I've been saying this for some time now.

I know most others will point to the "supporting casts" and "shitty organizations" and even "shitty fans"... but let's be honest -- the modern NBA is catered to superstar movement + perimeter players.

Consider the Hornets have the BEST post player in the game and they're only 17 - 21.

I am asking what do you think. Do you think the Wolves should try and Trade Kat to try and get a All star Caliber wing or PG based on how the league is going.

In the past I have posted on how teams with dominate offensive centers have really struggled in recent NBA history based on the rule changes.

For example if the Celtics came and offered Tatum and Horford for KAT would you do it. Would you trade Kat for a guy like Donovan Mitchell or Devin Booker and pieces.

Im just curious on your thought process because I have had similar thoughts to you in the past on how the game has changed and how organizations should adapt. (In no way am I saying you think we should trade KAT)