Wolves traded Kat

[AbeVigodaLive]

LOL!! I just heard this question posed on Flagrant Howls right now:

Would you trade Randle, DDV and Detroit pick for KAT?

I couldn't help but chuckle, because the answer is a complete 180 from how many felt a few months ago!

It's pretty amusing how winning changes things.

Many of us (me included) railed on and on about how "boring/unfun" the Timberwolves were for at least 1/2 the season. There was a dour vibe over the entire squad/franchise. Many of us mentioned how little fun there seemed to be in watching this team.

Fast forward... the energy is unmistakable. You can feel it even watching on tv. The way the players interact, especially when on the bench. it's dare I say... FUN.

[Q-is-here]

LOL!! I just heard this question posed on Flagrant Howls right now:

Would you trade Randle, DDV and Detroit pick for KAT?

I couldn't help but chuckle, because the answer is a complete 180 from how many felt a few months ago!

It's pretty amusing how winning changes things.

Many of us (me included) railed on and on about how "boring/unfun" the Timberwolves were for at least 1/2 the season. There was a dour vibe over the entire squad/franchise. Many of us mentioned how little fun there seemed to be in watching this team.

Fast forward... the energy is unmistakable. You can feel it even watching on tv. The way the players interact, especially when on the bench. it's dare I say... FUN.

If you look at the general consensus on the Wins Prediction thread (of which you or an outlier ), what we are seeing now is what many of us expected. I was thinking of giving Finch a whole bunch of credit for the dramatic turnaround, but then I thought - wait a second! - we were supposed to be really good. I had us at 53 wins and an NBA Finals appearance! And I was somewhere in the middle of what everyone else predicted!

Is it fair to say that Finch and the players underachieved for ~ 40-50 games and now they are just doing what they should have been doing all along?

And why is it the Wolves always need so much time to integrate new players? I get the logic, but I look at Golden State and they had NO problem integrating Jimmy Butler instantly! And he's not like some seamless role player. He likes the ball in his hands a bit and can't really shoot. Isn't that kind of like Randle??? How did Dallas so quickly integrate their two late season acquisitions last season to make a Finals run??? Doncic seems to have integrated just fine with the Lakers and they would have continued to keep rolling if not for the LeBron injury.

So Finch deserves kudos for turning things around, but on balance, he's kind of gone from underachieving to meeting expectations IMO.

[Coolbreeze44]

LOL!! I just heard this question posed on Flagrant Howls right now:

Would you trade Randle, DDV and Detroit pick for KAT?

I couldn't help but chuckle, because the answer is a complete 180 from how many felt a few months ago!

It's pretty amusing how winning changes things.

Many of us (me included) railed on and on about how "boring/unfun" the Timberwolves were for at least 1/2 the season. There was a dour vibe over the entire squad/franchise. Many of us mentioned how little fun there seemed to be in watching this team.

Fast forward... the energy is unmistakable. You can feel it even watching on tv. The way the players interact, especially when on the bench. it's dare I say... FUN.

I was one who came out and said it wasn't any fun following the team this year. I've completely flipped and look forward to every game now. As long as we don't draw the Lakers, I can see us right back to where we were last year or even beyond. Let's hope Denver gets the Lakers and knocks them out.

[Wolvesfan21]

LOL!! I just heard this question posed on Flagrant Howls right now:

Would you trade Randle, DDV and Detroit pick for KAT?

I couldn't help but chuckle, because the answer is a complete 180 from how many felt a few months ago!

It's pretty amusing how winning changes things.

Many of us (me included) railed on and on about how "boring/unfun" the Timberwolves were for at least 1/2 the season. There was a dour vibe over the entire squad/franchise. Many of us mentioned how little fun there seemed to be in watching this team.

Fast forward... the energy is unmistakable. You can feel it even watching on tv. The way the players interact, especially when on the bench. it's dare I say... FUN.

If you look at the general consensus on the Wins Prediction thread (of which you or an outlier ), what we are seeing now is what many of us expected. I was thinking of giving Finch a whole bunch of credit for the dramatic turnaround, but then I thought - wait a second! - we were supposed to be really good. I had us at 53 wins and an NBA Finals appearance! And I was somewhere in the middle of what everyone else predicted!

Is it fair to say that Finch and the players underachieved for ~ 40-50 games and now they are just doing what they should have been doing all along?

And why is it the Wolves always need so much time to integrate new players? I get the logic, but I look at Golden State and they had NO problem integrating Jimmy Butler instantly! And he's not like some seamless role player. He likes the ball in his hands a bit and can't really shoot. Isn't that kind of like Randle??? How did Dallas so quickly integrate their two late season acquisitions last season to make a Finals run??? Doncic seems to have integrated just fine with the Lakers and they would have continued to keep rolling if not for the LeBron injury.

So Finch deserves kudos for turning things around, but on balance, he's kind of gone from underachieving to meeting expectations IMO.

I think with Rudy he's a bit of a tough player to adjust to on offense. Ant also wanted to play too much ISO during the start of the year and of course so did Randle. He's finally coming around after 5? seasons with Finch and his .5 mentality. Shoot, Drive or Pass. Don't just sit there and burn the clock.

I think what has happened on offense is that finally, everyone has bought in to the Finch system and it works. We've seen it work at times in the past, but more often then not things go back to ISO ball and turnovers. Ant has really lowered his turnovers also. Which is what I thought would happen simply with time. He wasn't at all a polished passer or shooter coming into the league. It just takes experience. Dealing with double teams was another hurdle he seems to be conquering.

I actually think we will be a dangerous team in the playoffs, assuming we stay healthy for the most part.

As far as Jimmy, he's an old dog, he can play well obviously and quickly pick up any offense due to his age and ability. He's been there done that. Lots of our guys are still learning.

[Q-is-here]

It's pretty amusing how winning changes things.

Many of us (me included) railed on and on about how "boring/unfun" the Timberwolves were for at least 1/2 the season. There was a dour vibe over the entire squad/franchise. Many of us mentioned how little fun there seemed to be in watching this team.

Fast forward... the energy is unmistakable. You can feel it even watching on tv. The way the players interact, especially when on the bench. it's dare I say... FUN.

If you look at the general consensus on the Wins Prediction thread (of which you or an outlier ), what we are seeing now is what many of us expected. I was thinking of giving Finch a whole bunch of credit for the dramatic turnaround, but then I thought - wait a second! - we were supposed to be really good. I had us at 53 wins and an NBA Finals appearance! And I was somewhere in the middle of what everyone else predicted!

Is it fair to say that Finch and the players underachieved for ~ 40-50 games and now they are just doing what they should have been doing all along?

And why is it the Wolves always need so much time to integrate new players? I get the logic, but I look at Golden State and they had NO problem integrating Jimmy Butler instantly! And he's not like some seamless role player. He likes the ball in his hands a bit and can't really shoot. Isn't that kind of like Randle??? How did Dallas so quickly integrate their two late season acquisitions last season to make a Finals run??? Doncic seems to have integrated just fine with the Lakers and they would have continued to keep rolling if not for the LeBron injury.

So Finch deserves kudos for turning things around, but on balance, he's kind of gone from underachieving to meeting expectations IMO.

I think with Rudy he's a bit of a tough player to adjust to on offense. Ant also wanted to play too much ISO during the start of the year and of course so did Randle. He's finally coming around after 5? seasons with Finch and his .5 mentality. Shoot, Drive or Pass. Don't just sit there and burn the clock.

I think what has happened on offense is that finally, everyone has bought in to the Finch system and it works. We've seen it work at times in the past, but more often then not things go back to ISO ball and turnovers. Ant has really lowered his turnovers also. Which is what I thought would happen simply with time. He wasn't at all a polished passer or shooter coming into the league. It just takes experience. Dealing with double teams was another hurdle he seems to be conquering.

I actually think we will be a dangerous team in the playoffs, assuming we stay healthy for the most part.

As far as Jimmy, he's an old dog, he can play well obviously and quickly pick up any offense due to his age and ability. He's been there done that. Lots of our guys are still learning.

I think you might have hit on part of the answer, which is Finch's "flow" offense. Since it's unstructured and relies on player empowerment, it probably really does take time for guys to figure each other out and develop trust. A highly structured offense like high pick and roll with stationary shooters in each corner doesn't require as much movement or "flow". Even the dribble drive motion offense like Boston's where you have five guys out is easier to adapt to.

[Wolvesfan21]

If you look at the general consensus on the Wins Prediction thread (of which you or an outlier ), what we are seeing now is what many of us expected. I was thinking of giving Finch a whole bunch of credit for the dramatic turnaround, but then I thought - wait a second! - we were supposed to be really good. I had us at 53 wins and an NBA Finals appearance! And I was somewhere in the middle of what everyone else predicted!

Is it fair to say that Finch and the players underachieved for ~ 40-50 games and now they are just doing what they should have been doing all along?

And why is it the Wolves always need so much time to integrate new players? I get the logic, but I look at Golden State and they had NO problem integrating Jimmy Butler instantly! And he's not like some seamless role player. He likes the ball in his hands a bit and can't really shoot. Isn't that kind of like Randle??? How did Dallas so quickly integrate their two late season acquisitions last season to make a Finals run??? Doncic seems to have integrated just fine with the Lakers and they would have continued to keep rolling if not for the LeBron injury.

So Finch deserves kudos for turning things around, but on balance, he's kind of gone from underachieving to meeting expectations IMO.

I think with Rudy he's a bit of a tough player to adjust to on offense. Ant also wanted to play too much ISO during the start of the year and of course so did Randle. He's finally coming around after 5? seasons with Finch and his .5 mentality. Shoot, Drive or Pass. Don't just sit there and burn the clock.

I think what has happened on offense is that finally, everyone has bought in to the Finch system and it works. We've seen it work at times in the past, but more often then not things go back to ISO ball and turnovers. Ant has really lowered his turnovers also. Which is what I thought would happen simply with time. He wasn't at all a polished passer or shooter coming into the league. It just takes experience. Dealing with double teams was another hurdle he seems to be conquering.

I actually think we will be a dangerous team in the playoffs, assuming we stay healthy for the most part.

As far as Jimmy, he's an old dog, he can play well obviously and quickly pick up any offense due to his age and ability. He's been there done that. Lots of our guys are still learning.

I think you might have hit on part of the answer, which is Finch's "flow" offense. Since it's unstructured and relies on player empowerment, it probably really does take time for guys to figure each other out and develop trust. A highly structured offense like high pick and roll with stationary shooters in each corner doesn't require as much movement or "flow". Even the dribble drive motion offense like Boston's where you have five guys out is easier to adapt to.

Right, the empowerment can be a detriment when guys simply want to get theirs. It works best when winning is of utmost importance. Trust in your teammates to make shots and plays.