Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 8:48 pm
KAT has been on a tear. Is it not possible for him and Ant to both play really well in the same game!? Ant underwhelming AGAIN tonight, but came up with some big shots in the 4th.
This is the KAT that led the Wolves to 46 wins without even one other all-star on the roster two seasons ago except that KAT is significantly better defensively this season. We need more consistently from Ant as the season wears on and we could really use another borderline all-star caliber two-way player. This roster is too heavily dependent on KAT and Ant for points.
It was a great win, but keep in mind the Pelicans were without Zion and McCollum. And look out for these Pelicans as this season progresses and into next season and beyond. In addition to their three all-star caliber vets - Ingram, McCollum and Zion, they have two potential young stars in the making in Hawkins and Daniels. They also have the talented 25 year old Herb Jones and a really good center in Jonas. They have more overall talent and better depth than the Wolves in my view, although I’d take our two best (Ant and KAT) over their two best (Ingram and McCollum). Ultimately, the Pelicans two best should be Ingram and Zion, but their biggest issue is whether Zion can stay on the floor. Look out for Hawkins and Daniels as their games develop.
But again, a great win for the Wolves and terrific 4-1 road trip.
KG4Ever wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 8:29 pm
Why is Rudy out there with a minute left? Of course, Pelicans foul him and he misses both. Finch get your head out of your a$$!
He is a walking top 10 defense, but also a walking bottom half offense with all his fumbles, bumbles, and missed free throws. He was overall pretty damn good tonight, but I hold my breath every time they throw it to him in the paint or he goes to the line.
And that’s the story with Rudy. I have the same “hold my breath” reaction every time Rudy gets the ball th paint. Think about it. If we’re holding our breath watching as fans, what’s going on inside the heads of Rudy’s teammates on the floor with him. It has to have a negative psychological impact in addition to the fumbles, missed bunnies and missed free throws themselves. No doubt the Rudy we’re watching this season has been tremendous defensively. But his negative impact on the offense is an issue.
Nevertheless, at 9-3 after and 4-1 road trip, I’m not going to complain or call for the Wolves to shop Rudy. I can’t point to Rudy as the cause of any of our three losses. You take the bad with the good when it comes to Rudy as you do with any other player. So far, so good.
I completely agree with Lip that this Pelicans team is going to be very good if they can get (and stay) healthy. There was one good team on the court tonight, and they were wearing red not white. I loved the way they moved the ball on offense...no stickiness like we showed tonight. And Herb Jones is the kind of player championship teams need. But as others have mentioned, we've flipped the script this year...we're now a team that can stink up the court for 3 1/2 quarters and still end up on top.
I have to admit I almost gave up on this one when we were down 14 with only 8 minutes to go. I started fast forwarding the replay, and didn't really start paying attention until we got within 2. But KAT was not going to let us lose this game, and his game winner was impressive.
I know this isn't the general consensus here, but this is currently not Ant's team...it's KAT's. Ant's game is not sufficiently developed to be our leader yet, and unfortunately, I think we need him to be to really challenge for a championship. But while KAT has excelled recently, Ant is making 28% of his threes in 9 November games and also turning the ball over almost 4 times a game. He needs to get out of his funk if we want to keep winning.
So I have mixed feelings about this win. I don't think anyone can be displeased with a 9-3 start that has us first in the West, but to be outplayed by a depleted Pels team dampens my enthusiasm. We get the Knicks next, and they have only lost at Boston in their past 7 games...so two red-hot teams. I'm expecting a bounce back at home by Ant.
FNG wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:02 am
I completely agree with Lip that this Pelicans team is going to be very good if they can get (and stay) healthy. There was one good team on the court tonight, and they were wearing red not white. I loved the way they moved the ball on offense...no stickiness like we showed tonight. And Herb Jones is the kind of player championship teams need. But as others have mentioned, we've flipped the script this year...we're now a team that can stink up the court for 3 1/2 quarters and still end up on top.
I have to admit I almost gave up on this one when we were down 14 with only 8 minutes to go. I started fast forwarding the replay, and didn't really start paying attention until we got within 2. But KAT was not going to let us lose this game, and his game winner was impressive.
I know this isn't the general consensus here, but this is currently not Ant's team...it's KAT's. Ant's game is not sufficiently developed to be our leader yet, and unfortunately, I think we need him to be to really challenge for a championship. But while KAT has excelled recently, Ant is making 28% of his threes in 9 November games and also turning the ball over almost 4 times a game. He needs to get out of his funk if we want to keep winning.
So I have mixed feelings about this win. I don't think anyone can be displeased with a 9-3 start that has us first in the West, but to be outplayed by a depleted Pels team dampens my enthusiasm. We get the Knicks next, and they have only lost at Boston in their past 7 games...so two red-hot teams. I'm expecting a bounce back at home by Ant.
You make two great points, FNG. First, this is still KAT’s team and it will be unless/until Ant takes his game to another level with far more consistency and better decision-making. Second, Ant needs to step up his game if this team wants to keep winning.
Your point about the need for Ant to step up is part of what I consider a broader point - i.e., sustainability. Your point about Ant and Q’s concerns about Rudy are both part of that broader point. I love that this team is 9-3, but last night’s win was an ugly 1-point win against a depleted Pelicans team. Our prior win was against a Warriors team without their best player, Steph Curry. The Wolves experienced one of their ugliest losses in history when they collapsed in the second half against the Hawks. The Wolves continue to get beat to loose balls and the offense remains somewhat shaky and awkward. I’m not trying to throw cold water on fan enthusiasm or minimize the Wolves success so far this season, but there are some significant cracks in the foundation for this success.
This is a really smart board. The fact you guys can see that all isn't perfect under our roof is impressive. We shouldn't have had to scramble to win that game at the end, with as depleted as the Pels were. And think about the Pels for a minute, they may never get Zion to stay healthy, but look at the roster if they ever do. Zion, CJ, BI, Hawkins, Jones, Jonas - That's a great, not just good roster.
FNG wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:02 am
I completely agree with Lip that this Pelicans team is going to be very good if they can get (and stay) healthy. There was one good team on the court tonight, and they were wearing red not white. I loved the way they moved the ball on offense...no stickiness like we showed tonight. And Herb Jones is the kind of player championship teams need. But as others have mentioned, we've flipped the script this year...we're now a team that can stink up the court for 3 1/2 quarters and still end up on top.
I have to admit I almost gave up on this one when we were down 14 with only 8 minutes to go. I started fast forwarding the replay, and didn't really start paying attention until we got within 2. But KAT was not going to let us lose this game, and his game winner was impressive.
I know this isn't the general consensus here, but this is currently not Ant's team...it's KAT's. Ant's game is not sufficiently developed to be our leader yet, and unfortunately, I think we need him to be to really challenge for a championship. But while KAT has excelled recently, Ant is making 28% of his threes in 9 November games and also turning the ball over almost 4 times a game. He needs to get out of his funk if we want to keep winning.
So I have mixed feelings about this win. I don't think anyone can be displeased with a 9-3 start that has us first in the West, but to be outplayed by a depleted Pels team dampens my enthusiasm. We get the Knicks next, and they have only lost at Boston in their past 7 games...so two red-hot teams. I'm expecting a bounce back at home by Ant.
You make two great points, FNG. First, this is still KAT’s team and it will be unless/until Ant takes his game to another level with far more consistency and better decision-making. Second, Ant needs to step up his game if this team wants to keep winning.
Your point about the need for Ant to step up is part of what I consider a broader point - i.e., sustainability. Your point about Ant and Q’s concerns about Rudy are both part of that broader point. I love that this team is 9-3, but last night’s win was an ugly 1-point win against a depleted Pelicans team. Our prior win was against a Warriors team without their best player, Steph Curry. The Wolves experienced one of their ugliest losses in history when they collapsed in the second half against the Hawks. The Wolves continue to get beat to loose balls and the offense remains somewhat shaky and awkward. I’m not trying to throw cold water on fan enthusiasm or minimize the Wolves success so far this season, but there are some significant cracks in the foundation for this success.
I disagree with you guys. I think it's Ant's team and KAT just happens to have re-gained his form and confidence of late as Ant has struggled. But I don't think for a second that KAT is the at the center of which everything else revolves around. That's Ant, buttressed by the vets - Rudy, SloMo, and Conley. KAT is a major piece of course, but he's not the centerpiece. I think last season, and especially the playoffs, this became Ant's team.
