Wolves vs. Spurs Second String GDT

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Terrible game, but not too surprising. That Spurs team without Duncan, Parker, and Ginobilli probably still wins ~ 50 games.

This is one game where I thought Rubio was actually terrible and didn't play with the energy and effectiveness needed.

And Dieng was horribly exposed by Aldridge. I know LMA is a very good player to begin with, but he got absolutely whatever he wanted on Dieng. That one play where he took a couple dribbles toward the free throw line from the wing and then tried to clear some space with his arm to go up for a shot (it was by no means a blatant clear-out. I'd call it a "light shove"). Well, Dieng was catapulted back practically to the baseline and left LMA a wide open 15 footer. That one play exemplified what is wrong with Gorgs defensively. He just has crappy lower body strength and balance, making him a pretty easy target when you go right at him and get a shoulder or arm into his chest.

I just don't think this team has it in them to really compete very hard the rest of the way. We may still see a couple of nice wins, but that might be about it....a couple more, may be three. Disappointing.

[WildWolf2813]

It's March and April. Our record is something like 20-90 or something like that. I thought they'd win 23 games, but I would have loved for this team to play better now and in April than before, and it doesn't look like that's gonna happen. Teams with a promising future make March and April their postseason since they're not good enough for May and June yet. This team has just been organizationally inept to where I don't see a payoff for all of this losing.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

What did you guys expect? The team has quit on Sam because he's a jackass for a coach. We know it, they know it, hopefully upper management knows it. He's got to go.

[GymRat [enjin:6592663]]

I was at the game tonight, and what I can say is the wolves had some semblance of flow in the first period on offense. Then all of a sudden it stopped and it was crap high picks that only utilized 3 guys at most and was all run laterally. This offensive set is putrid. There is virtually no off ball or weak side action. And the spurs basically gave everyone wolf cart Blanche to shoot 3s and every time we stepped in for 18 footers. The spurs didn't even care to contest in that numbers game.

[Coolbreeze44]

The coaching issue was on full display tonight. The rest? It's a process, we're going to have nights where it looks like we take a step back. Not a lot of fun, but it's where we are right now.

[TAFKASP]

That one play exemplified what is wrong with Gorgs defensively. He just has crappy lower body strength and balance, making him a pretty easy target when you go right at him and get a shoulder or arm into his chest.

That play may have been a result if the difference in strength between the two, but I don't think strength is at the core of why G winds up on the floor so much. It has to be mental, he doesn't even have to get hit and he goes to the floor, for some reason it's natural to him to do so. Probably the strangest thing about his game, look at him wrong and he falls over.

[Monster]

I finally got around to watching this game except the last few minutes. Some thoughts

Spurs

Aldridge had it going tonight. I've never seen Dieng look so helpless but part of that was Aldridge.

Miller was Punking Rubio dude knows how to play. Classic he leaves the Wolves plays against them and hits a 3. Lol

Rest of the Spurs did their thing.

Wolves

Lavine had some really nice moments in this game. His defense both on ball and team defense has really come along. His play as a legit NBA basketball player has really blossomed. On play in the 1st quite he came down on the wing handed the ball to Rubio and then basically just set a simple screen for Rubio to get an easy corner 3. It's not a play it's just a smart basketball play. Rubio hit the 3.

I felt bad for Smith he clearly was moving gingerly.

Payne actually was not completely terrible. He was just bad and because Smith was hobbled he was probably a better option not that it mattered which is sad

Wiggins has a very special ability to make moves to get to the tim and finish there. He seems to be coming around shooting the ball from 3 that would be a pretty huge development. He deserves that people are hard on him but the guy really does have some very special gifts.

Towns what is there to say?

Tyus

He drew another charge and this time it was against Mills who is a pretty good player. Tyus continues to shoot the ball well from 3 and make plays offensively. I keep hearing he isn't physically good enough for this level and I know I am biased but I don't see a guy out there overwhelmed I see a guy that looks like he is playing the game to me I don't really see a slow small guy just a young PG with some skills well beyound his years out there trying to do his thing as an NBA backup.

[AbeVigodaLive]

What did you guys expect? The team has quit on Sam because he's a jackass for a coach. We know it, they know it, hopefully upper management knows it. He's got to go.

Seems like an annual thing then. WildWolf mentioned something about "20-90" in March and April. I'll re-post a stat I've shared before about the absolutely dreadful, train-wreckian Wolves of recent years. No team in NBA history has tanked at the end of seasons better.

2015: 0 - 12 to close the season. 2 - 19 in final 21 games.
2014: 6 - 10. Club didn't intentionally try to tank! But they did limp to the finish line.
2013: 5 - 6. Club didn't intentionally try to tank! Great finish.
2012: 1 - 13 to close the season.
2011: 0 - 15 to close the season.
2010: 1 - 23 to close the season.
2009: 4 - 12 to close the season.

17 wins. 91 losses. With a horrific 2 - 51 stretch during the Rambis years. When the Wolves want to win... they rarely do. But when they want to lose... it's pretty damn easy.


[Note: There's a reason why teams rest so many players vs. the Wolves. They're an easy mark.]