Game Report - Wolves v Blazers

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Awesome to win a game, even though we almost threw it away down the stretch! Yes, we were at home (not that our fans seem to give us much of a boost--more on that later), and yes, the Blazers were missing shots and clearly not taking this game seriously until the 4th quarter, but a win is a win, and I liked how our guys competed tonight.

There were a couple stretches there in the 2nd and 3rd quarter where I think we were playing some of the best basketball out of this team this year. No, that's not saying much, but it was still nice to see. I was particularly impressed with our ball movement during those stretches (with no PG on the floor!), and with our quick rotations for help on defense. Guys were passing the ball quickly and freely and executing simple offensive plays, and defensively, I really loved how they were playing aggressive D and moving to cover the open man quickly, not lazy. There were plenty of boneheaded plays--failed boxouts, dumb passes, questionable shots--but there was also some real honest-to-goodness pretty good basketball out there for stretches. And I love that they were clearly playing with a lot of hustle and heart out there, and Muhammad, Brewer, and Adrien (really like his toughness and effort) really helped set the tone for that effort.

Impressive game for Wiggins in particular. Needs to hit those FTs, but I liked how he ran the floor, and when his mid-range jumper is falling it's great to see--Flip's gotta be happy about that. Nice defense too, especially when he stopped that fast break.

LaVine definitely has his moments of brilliance and moments of . . . well, not brilliance. He's clearly got a knack for scoring, he uses his athleticism well to get up and down the floor, and he can make some really nice passes like that alley-oop to Thad. And seriously, just check out his dribble just before the alley-oop to Thad, he's definitely got some swagger to his game. His close out on Wes at the end there was great, stayed on his feet and avoided the foul. But some of his decision making is just so baffling, and those turnovers almost killed us down the stretch. He's a raw but talented rookie, and watching him play is a little like watching the Wolves play as a team--sometimes I get so giddy and then other times I just groan in pain. Either way, I can't turn away. I hardly watched last season, but I've seen every minute this season.

Two more thoughts on LaVine. I think the significance of that 20 and 10 game against the Spurs is a little overrated when people mention the only 4 teenagers thing. A lot of his points and assists came with the Spurs leading by 20 or more and with their scrubs in. Still good to see, but it would mean a little more if if was in a competitive game against starters. My other thought is that I'm not sure Jim Pete is right about avoiding the bounce pass on the entry. Isn't it sometimes a good thing to bounce pass on an entry? Zach's problem is that he just telegraphs the pass and throws it when the defender is ready to try to break it up too often. But isn't the bounce pass sometimes a good idea on the entry?

Two last thoughts. I've only been to the Target Center a couple times for games, since I don't live near Minnesota. But the crowd there always seems to be about the worst in the NBA. What's up with that? We don't need to be Toronto, but jeez.

Also, I love watching Damien Lillard play. He's just such a smooth, graceful PG.

[bleedspeed]

Two more thoughts on LaVine. I think the significance of that 20 and 10 game against the Spurs is a little overrated when people mention the only 4 teenagers thing. A lot of his points and assists came with the Spurs leading by 20 or more and with their scrubs in. Still good to see, but it would mean a little more if if was in a competitive game against starters. My other thought is that I'm not sure Jim Pete is right about avoiding the bounce pass on the entry. Isn't it sometimes a good thing to bounce pass on an entry? Zach's problem is that he just telegraphs the pass and throws it when the defender is ready to try to break it up too often. But isn't the bounce pass sometimes a good idea on the entry?

I think just as much that Thadcan't post up as much as anything. Looking a the target he gave and not being able to muscle his man enough to hold ground is part of it. The pass I remember wouldn't even be possible without a bounce because of the way the defender was in control. It wasn't a pass that Zach should make. Another thing with Thad is he was not screening very well. Both are things Pek does a decent job at. Hopefully he can come back healthy.

[bleedspeed]

What the hell is wrong with Batum this year?

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

I really like Wiggins. The play he made to stop a 3 on 1 that led to Brewers 3 was fantastic. That's exactly the type of effort that this team needs from it's future star player.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Drew, the usefulness of a bounce pass is that it allows the player with the ball to more easily pass it without the man guarding him tipping it away. If my opponent has his arms up at parallel to the ground or higher, a bounce pass is less likely to get tipped away than one I try to throw over his head or past his chest (recall LaVine's lazy pass he tried to throw over Lillard's head that got stolen). So to me it's not about the recipient's defender, but the passer's defender.

(i.e. I really don't know what the hell JPete is talking about).

[SameOldNudityDrew]

(i.e. I really don't know what the hell JPete is talking about).

I tried a drinking game once where I took a drink every time Jim Pete explained Xs and Os to me. When I got out of the hospital the next day, I was able to watch the last 3 quarters on league pass.

Jim Pete is the anti-Stacey King. I like 'em both for their own reasons but each could use a little of what the other brings.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/stacey-king-soundboard.html