Game Report - Wolves v. Warriors

[Lipoli390]

That's two really fun games in row with playoff atmospheres at Target Center. The Wolves played better against the Clippers, but we played well enough last night to get a win over the West's top team.

It was a huge crowd, but I'll bet 20% of them were Warriors fans. Nevertheless, that didn't take away from the great feeling in the arena last night. It was

I read Cool's 2+1 and agree completely with everything he wrote. So I'll just add a few observations and thoughts of my own.

I think Belly should get some love for the way he played last night. He still missed shots he should make and passed up shots he should have taken -- decision-making that drives me nuts. But he really played hard on both ends and showed again that he's a terrific rebounder, pulling down 11 boards. You can tell Thibs has a lot of confidence in Belly based on the way Belly plays - how he battles, defends and rebounds.

Watching KAT and then Wiggins each miss 2 free throws late in the 4th was infuriating. But credit Wiggins for coming right back and hitting those two free throws that sealed the game for us. We can't expect these guys not to screw up from time to time. The test is how they respond and you can see the mental toughness in our guys as they bounce right back from mistakes and hold off other teams making runs. My wife and I were talking last night about how Wiggins, in the past, would probably missed his next two free throws or perhaps not even attacked the basket to get to the line after missing the previous two. KAT had a bad second half and missed his two free throws late in the 4th, but he kept playing hard on both ends getting key rebounds and defending.

As Cool mentioned, Ricky was the key for us last night. He is such a competitors. That's nothing new. He's the spark on this team - running the offense, defending, rebounding, attacking, getting loose balls and getting to the line. He's always been that way, but he's taken it up slightly another notch since the all-star break. And he sets the tone. As he attacks and goes after loose balls, the other players are starting to do the same more and more. I thought the key to the game last night was that late 4th quarter loose ball that Ricky and other Wolves dove to the floor to get around center court. That's a Wolves team we haven't seen in a long time if ever.

Finally, I always enjoy the games more when KAT's dad sits near us as he did last night. He comes to most home games and usually sits either two rows directly behind us or one row back just across the isle right next to Gorgui's mom who comes to every single game. KAT's dad is a very vocal fan to say the least. Several times when KAT had the ball one on one, his dad would yell, "take him, take him!!" At one point he was yelling at the players to go after a loose ball, shouting, "hit the floor, hit the floor!" He almost never smiles and is really intense throughout the game. I like having him around. He's still on crutches although he seems to be moving better. Someone asked him a couple games ago how he's feeling as he walked by us down the stairs. He response: "I hate mascots."

Gorgui's mom never says a word or shows any expression, but she's really intense throughout the game. We've stopped to talk to her a couple times. Very nice lady. She sits with Gorgui's sister or Gorgui's wife/girlfriend -- we're not sure. Whoever she is, she translates for us when we talk to Gorgui's mom.

Anyway, great game. The road ahead is tough and I still have a hard time seeing how we make the playoffs this season given our current position and our schedule relative to the schedules of the teams immediately ahead of us in the standings. But we're definitely playing like a playoff team and it's fun to see. It also bodes well for next season.

[Coolbreeze44]

Cool insights Lip. Thanks for posting this. The funny thing about Belly last night was I alternated being happy and frustrated with him. As JPete said he just can't knock down those big 3 point shots consistently enough. But then he gets a key putback basket and comes up with some rebounds you don't think he's going to get. Thibs seems to have a lot of trust in him now, so hopefully he keeps making plays.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

See THAT's what I love Lip's game reports for! On top of the great analysis, it's really the local color I love. The little details you don't see or hear or learn from watching TV. It's cool to learn about the players' families--except when they're getting mauled by mascots.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

See THAT's what I love Lip's game reports for! On top of the great analysis, it's really the local color I love. The little details you don't see or hear or learn from watching TV. It's cool to learn about the players' families--except when they're getting mauled by mascots.

Yup, great to have Lip back in the fold.

[TAFKASP]

Awesome, thanks for the report and good to have you and the report back!

[Crazysauce]

Lip, is the whole towns dad thing with the mascot and his knee no big deal like jon k says? Have the low down on that?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Getting stops papered over the offensive ineptitude we saw in the 4th quarter (KAT's terrible play, the missed FTs, the Rubio turnover). This is exactly what wasn't happening in the first half of the season. Our offense would stall and then our defense would tank at the same time and a cascade of big runs by the other team would result. Not anymore. Huge corner turned on that front.

[Lipoli390]

Lip, is the whole towns dad thing with the mascot and his knee no big deal like jon k says? Have the low down on that?

I don't have any special insights or inside information on that, CS. When KAT's dad said he hates mascots in response a fan next to me, he had a smile on his face. And he's still coming to games. I always trust Jon K to have and give us accurate information. So I'd be surprised if there's anything to worry about.

[Lipoli390]

Getting stops papered over the offensive ineptitude we saw in the 4th quarter (KAT's terrible play, the missed FTs, the Rubio turnover). This is exactly what wasn't happening in the first half of the season. Our offense would stall and then our defense would tank at the same time and a cascade of big runs by the other team would result. Not anymore. Huge corner turned on that front.

That's exactly right, Q. And that gets back to Cool's point that Thibs deserves a lot of credit. You know things are working between coach and players when the players start to believe in themselves and when you see them taking on their head coach's personality. The same players many of us have criticized for their poor defense and lack of toughness are turning into tenacious, effective defenders and tough-minded players.

[TXviking [enjin:6602528]]

Being down in Texas, I don't get to see very many of the games, but I did notice this maybe 4 games ago. Kat was scoreboard watching.

When was the last time we had a player that openly admitted to watching the scores come in and knowing here we fit in? Times, they are a changing.