The Gauntlet: The Train - Wolves at Rockets GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

I think you only take a chance on Durant if you think he's the missing piece to a championship. Doesn't seem like that's where we are.

[Phenom]

Just finished watching the game on DVR. Someone explain to me how the fuck Conley’s walking corpse got 24 minutes of playing time in this game?. Because Finch didn’t like an ill advised 3 Dillingham took?. What an idiot man. I get it most coaches will give vets a longer leash but that shit was horrific. Especially when having the other option on the floor is basically like having 4 players out there.

Ant going cold (he’s gotta do a better job of recognizing the blitz and either get to the rack before the 2nd guy shows up or pass it), Jaden not making wide open 3’s and Naz getting in foul trouble didn’t help and so a winnable game ends up in an L.

The biggest alarm on this team for me is Conley not making an (on court) impact that is positive. The positive instances are too few and far between now. He can't hit shots, the eye test sees more fouling and more bad passes. I'm curious what direction he moves after the season.

I think we have to cut Mike a little slack. Some of the Wolves podcasters were surprised he even played Friday with his bad hand, and it was clear he wasn't comfortable with his shot. But still, he ran the offense well while he was out there, and finished with 5 assists and only 1 turnover. There is a narrative I hear a lot that Mike is having a terrible season, but the stats don't support it. He has the third best net rating on the team (behind Naz and NAW) and after a slow start to the season with his shooting, is back to his career average of 39% on 3's...44% on corner threes. And while he was overmatched Friday on defense against the much bigger Amen Thompson, his defense has been solid all season...opponents average 3.1 fewer points per 100 possessions when he is on the court. You only have to look at our poor record in the games Mike has missed to recognize his value to this team.

All that said, I would rest him tonight against an OkC team hell bent on revenge. Rudy and Ju are out, but there are reports they both might return for the rematch Monday night. Let's rest everyone tonight and let the kids play, and try to steal one tomorrow night.

That would be nice if it's just his hand because he 2pt% is far and away the lowest of his career, a robust 15%less than last year at .333. His efg % is middle of the road for him at .497 but almost 10% less than last year. I don't know if the 2 point shooting is more of his hand or more of having a hard time getting good looks anymore.

I guess either way, if he is hurt or if he is washed, he shouldn't be out there at certain times. Give one of the youngns a baptism in the fire because we ain't winning in the clutch with him.