Game Report - The Begnning of the End

[Lipoli390]

Well, it was fun while it lasted. I'm glad those of us at Target Center Saturday night were able to feel some of the old magic of 14 years ago. But I feel bad for the fans who were there tonight but not on Saturday. What we saw tonight was the Wolves team we've seen way too often, at least in the second half. It was bad Teague tonight the entire game -- like the Teague who shot 1-12 when we lost at home to the Suns. It was the stagnant Wolves offense, especially in the second half with players other than Jimmy Butler seemingly afraid to shoot and Jimmy shooting when he shouldn't. It was Teague repeatedly missing moments early in the half-court when Towns was open and matched up one-on-one preferring to dribble purposelessly as he looked for his own shot while his teammates stood and watched.

We defended pretty well in the first half, but it was a bit misleading because we gave the Rockets a lot of wide open looks behind the arc and they continued to miss. But the second half was a different story. We started the 3rd quarter incredibly tentative with nearly everyone afraid to shoot. Moments later we went from a 1 point deficit to a 10 point deficit. Thibs should have called a timeout and take Teague out of the game in favor or Rose or Tyus, but he didn't. Then moments later we were down 20 points. We ended up losing by 19 points, but this was really a 30-point loss. The Rockets just toyed with us through most of the 4th quarter.

Other than Teague, I can't say that any one player was particularly bad tonight. Butler and Wiggins obviously didn't shoot well. But both played hard. I thought Wiggins played with a lot of heart tonight, but his shooting was off and his poor handle limited him a bit. Rose was terrific, but as Brendon Haywood said earlier today on NBA Radio, the Wolves are in trouble if they're relying on Derrick Rose as their main offensive weapon. Towns played his heart out tonight with 22 hard-fought points on 60% shooting and 15 rebounds. I though Gorgui played well. But none of that matters, because the team as a whole played horribly in the second half as our defense stagnated in typical Thibs-ball fashion and as Houston started to hit those open threes we've been giving them all series.

We were all saying our goodbyes as we left the arena with farewells to those we've gotten to know seated near us, to arena staff and Wolves staff. A bunch of us shook Papa Towns' hand as we exited. He was obviously down, but very gracious and appreciative of all the well wishes. He stayed till the end and didn't leave until everyone who wanted to say a word or two to him had the opportunity. He's a great fan and very good guy.

As for the team, I like most of the guys on our team -- as people and players. I watched the interaction among our players tonight as they were getting their asses kicked in the second half. They weren't bickering at each other. Instead, you could see them talking to one another and being generally supportive. As Wiggins sat out for a long chunk of the miserable 4th quarter, he wasn't smiling or joking. He looked angry and dejected -- a look that fit the moment. I really like what we've seen from Wiggins in this series.

Yes, there are some roster issues. We need a true two-way wing off the bench and we need at least one three-point marksman other than Towns on this roster. And Teague simply isn't a good fit for this roster. Towns and Wiggins (and even Jimmy) need a true PG with PG instincts who takes full advantage of their scoring talents. Otherwise, I like this roster, which is very talented.

So I'll end where I began back in November. This team needs a different head coach and PBO - especially head coach. Otherwise, we will continue to waste the talent on this team. I know others disagree and that's fine. Look at what the Jazz did this season with their roster and in spite of losing Gobert for more games than we went without Butler. Look at what the Spurs did without Leonard. Look at what the Celtics did without Hayward, losing Irving for more games than we were without Butler and relying on a 2nd year player and rookie as two of their three top players. Maybe Thibs isn't a bad coach, although I think he is a bad coach for this roster. But even if he's not a bad coach, being better than bad can't be the standard for a franchise that has championship aspirations. Top be a top team, you have to have a top front office and a top-flight head coach. We have neither right now. We should expect more.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Our starters gave up 50 in a quarter. It's simply unacceptable to say Teague is the only guy who played poorly tonight just because some guys were playing hard. 50! That's on everyone.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

The rockets just left taj alone that entire 3rd. Then the paint just got congested for kat, butler, and wiggins.

Trague is great, but i agree with the fit. I hope we can snag Beverley in the off season. The voters might look to win now to keep dj happy and if they can get one of the big fa's.

Hopefully the boys give you a game 6.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's Daily DVR Rerun Report:

(Shortest one of the season...)

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Lip, Sorry you had to witness that drubbing. Man, that 3rd quarter was just a tsunami of 3's and buckets at the rim.

I really hope Rose isn't back. I truly believe this is a flash in the pan. You can see his lift and shot are really shaky. He's definitely been a boost to the team in these playoffs, but I just don't see this level of play from him as sustainable.

When will Teague and Butler figure out that a Capela switch onto them is not that much of a mismatch? The dude can move his feet. Find KAT! They have done a better job of it and KAT missed a couple inside hoops he needs to make, but that should be the strategy every single damn time.

Defensively what really killed us was the two fouls KAT picked up early. He became very passive at the rim from that point forward and he was continually scored on in the paint. Then the 3's started falling....

[AbeVigodaLive]

So this series has been a challenge. Do I catch a bit of a national vibe about the Wolves or stick to the more nuanced, inside look into the Wolves with Benz and Peterson. I've done a bit of both. Here's what I learned:

- Shaq really doesn't like KAT. I know he hasn't played particularly well in this series. But damn... he is ripped in EVERY comment from Shaq, even made buckets.

- I get it guys... both Barkley and Shaq are HOFers mostly for inside play. And there's justification in having Towns on the block in mismatches. But neither guy seems to have a clue that the NBA changed defensive rules since they last played. Zones are allowed. The defensive 3-second rule is different. Spacing is different. Hand-checking has changed things.

Why won't they point it out? It takes next-level analysis... and they're about entertainment, cashing checks and protecting their own legacies.

Acknowledging today's centers have it tougher in some ways insinuates that the old generation had it easier. And they're not willing to do that. Obviously. Ever.

- Remember that game early this season when Barkley went on and on and on about Towns shooting 3 pointers and how dumb it was because he missed them that ONE game?

KAT shot 42.1% on 3.5 attempts per game.
In 1997, Barkley shot 28.3%... on 3.9 attempts per game.

- I'm glad Peterson and Benz are not completely unabashed homers like a lot of other local broadcasting crews... I'll take them over the national guys.

[Lipoli390]

Lip, Sorry you had to witness that drubbing. Man, that 3rd quarter was just a tsunami of 3's and buckets at the rim.

I really hope Rose isn't back. I truly believe this is a flash in the pan. You can see his lift and shot are really shaky. He's definitely been a boost to the team in these playoffs, but I just don't see this level of play from him as sustainable.

When will Teague and Butler figure out that a Capela switch onto them is not that much of a mismatch? The dude can move his feet. Find KAT! They have done a better job of it and KAT missed a couple inside hoops he needs to make, but that should be the strategy every single damn time.

Defensively what really killed us was the two fouls KAT picked up early. He became very passive at the rim from that point forward and he was continually scored on in the paint. Then the 3's started falling....

Those two early fouls on KAT hurt a bit (the second one was a horrible call). But he came back in the 2nd quarter after sitting and things didn't implode. So that was a very minor factor. The real issue last night was our stagnant, stationary offense after half-time. It was brutal. Our iso style became even more iso in the second half and our players seemed really tentative. Then there was our failure to make them at least a little uncomfortable getting their feet set on threes. I'm not sure I've ever seen a worse defender than Jamaal Crawford, although last night Teague was right there with him. I thought Wiggins was our best defender last night. He was the only one who did a decent jo stopping dribble penetration. The others, including Butler, were bad.

Actually, I'd like to have Rose back. He doesn't have the legs he had when he was as star. But he was one of our two best players again last night along with KAT. But we can't depend on him as our go-to guy, which is what Thibs was doing the last two games. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Thibodeau is the main problem. We underachieved or first season when he failed to get more out of the team than Sam Mitchell and I believe we underachieved against this season relative to our talent.

[Lipoli390]

So this series has been a challenge. Do I catch a bit of a national vibe about the Wolves or stick to the more nuanced, inside look into the Wolves with Benz and Peterson. I've done a bit of both. Here's what I learned:

- Shaq really doesn't like KAT. I know he hasn't played particularly well in this series. But damn... he is ripped in EVERY comment from Shaq, even made buckets.

- I get it guys... both Barkley and Shaq are HOFers mostly for inside play. And there's justification in having Towns on the block in mismatches. But neither guy seems to have a clue that the NBA changed defensive rules since they last played. Zones are allowed. The defensive 3-second rule is different. Spacing is different. Hand-checking has changed things.

Why won't they point it out? It takes next-level analysis... and they're about entertainment, cashing checks and protecting their own legacies.

Acknowledging today's centers have it tougher in some ways insinuates that the old generation had it easier. And they're not willing to do that. Obviously. Ever.

- Remember that game early this season when Barkley went on and on and on about Towns shooting 3 pointers and how dumb it was because he missed them that ONE game?

KAT shot 42.1% on 3.5 attempts per game.
In 1997, Barkley shot 28.3%... on 3.9 attempts per game.

- I'm glad Peterson and Benz are not completely unabashed homers like a lot of other local broadcasting crews... I'll take them over the national guys.

Good take on Shaq and Barkley's commentary. I'll take Jim Peterson any day as my go-to analyst on the Wolves or basketball generally any day. Some of the themes I've noticed in Jim Pete's criticism of the Wolves this season have been (1) poor spacing, (2) overdribbling, and (3) poor perimeter defense -- failure to guard 3s and failure to contain dribble penetration.

[Duke13]

It's insane to me anybody could be happy with Wig's game last night. This is the problem, we are happy when he gives effort. As far as I'm concerned his lack of skill/talent or whatever you wanna call it and his motor are both below average. 4/15 night is all too common.

[AbeVigodaLive]

It's insane to me anybody could be happy with Wig's game last night. This is the problem, we are happy when he gives effort. As far as I'm concerned his lack of skill/talent or whatever you wanna call it and his motor are both below average. 4/15 night is all too common.

The effort was noticeable at the beginning of the game.

And to your point... as many of us have pointed out repeatedly all season... the fact that his level of intensity in a particular game can be that noticeable, that quickly... is probably more of a criticism than a compliment.