The Lakers Suck Donkey Balls - GDT

[Monster]

Nice win I watched the game this morning. It's just one game and the Wolves shot so well from 3 but that is part of their game so it's not that flukey.

Randle was a mixed bag in this game but I'll take it.

Jaden scored but one of the spots where he helped turn the tide was a stretch against a smaller Lakers lineup he was making them pay by getting dirty inside.

Gobert was a bit of a mixed bag in this game. He had some good moments. The Lakers shot poorly on 2 point shots.

Conley was really good in this game.

Luka got his but Lebron and Reeves didn't have big games. They got almost nothing in terms of scoring from the rest of the team. This is where the Wolves should have an advantage and that was the case in this game.

Hopefully the Wolves can get off to a better start next game and play well overall. I'm expecting the Lakers to be ready and play well in game 2.

[FNG]

None of us were at Wolves' practices this week (I assume), but I can only imagine hours of NAW/Donte/Clark/Shannon doubling Ant high and forcing him to make the right decision and move the ball. Unfortunately, we didn't see much success in the first quarter. But the rest of the game showed us what Ant can become, as he repeatedly made the right choice out of doubles. 9 assists and only one turnover! I just rewatched the play where he draws a Vando/Luka double in the paint, whirls, and finds a wide open Ju for a 3-pointer to put us up 15 with only 10 minutes to go...beautiful! Luka's body language showed he knew there was nothing they could do.

And who thought it would be Lebron and not Ant who would try to force things and play hero ball? Only 3 assists and 4 turnovers for James. In the first quarter, Luka was ball dominant and started almost every offensive set, and the Lakers jumped up 20-12. But then Lebron said "hey Luka...this is my team, not yours", and the game changed. JJ knows this, but I don't know that he is going to be able to get the ball out of Lebron's hands the rest of the series. Let's hope not.

[FNG]

I didn't realize until right now that Luka who averages over 8 assists per game for his career only had ONE last night...one assist and 5 turnovers! The Wolves were successful in employing the "Joker defense" on him by not doubling. Keep it up!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Earlier this season, I called out the best assist of Edwards' career. He was twisting and turning... looking for his shot... and then found someone in the corner for a three.

He did it last night with an even more subtle, but just as effective, pass to Randle above the break for a three. Everyone (the two or three Lakers near him and everyone watching at home or in the arena) thought he was going to take the contested shot.

Nope. Randle hit the three.

[Q-is-here]

Just going through some of the additional post-game comments/pressers....seems like the team is staying very, very subdued about this win and trying to stay under the radar with it. I was surprised by Ant especially.

I think it's an extremely smart strategy. Just let their play do the talking and then if we do win the series (still a big if), then may be let loose a little bit at the absurd fawning over LAL. I know Minnesota fans will be vocal about it, LOL.

[Coolbreeze44]

Just going through some of the additional post-game comments/pressers....seems like the team is staying very, very subdued about this win and trying to stay under the radar with it. I was surprised by Ant especially.

I think it's an extremely smart strategy. Just let their play do the talking and then if we do win the series (still a big if), then may be let loose a little bit at the absurd fawning over LAL. I know Minnesota fans will be vocal about it, LOL.

Ant played the "Lakers are supposed to win card". But there is no way he actually believes that. But yes, it seems they aren't going to provide any bulletin board material.

[DNatagal]

Gotta love the playoff whistle. Gotta love LeBron getting frustrated and pointing at a ref (no tech? Ant would get suspended for that one) and LeBron did get fouled twice down the stretch with no call. If the Wolves can play this level of defense without fouls being called on every play, the Lakers are going to be in trouble.

[Q-is-here]

Gotta love the playoff whistle. Gotta love LeBron getting frustrated and pointing at a ref (no tech? Ant would get suspended for that one) and LeBron did get fouled twice down the stretch with no call. If the Wolves can play this level of defense without fouls being called on every play, the Lakers are going to be in trouble.

Yeah, I thought for the most part the refs allowed us to play pretty physically and perhaps we even got away with a couple. The bigger issue was the lack of foul calls on the Lakers which is the real root cause of the disparity. But then again, they didn't provide much resistance, did they!

That's why I think we'll see Vando more in Game 2 and perhaps less of Gabe Vincent. Then we'll really see how biased the officials are because Vando is going to push the envelope for sure.

[FNG]

Gotta love the playoff whistle. Gotta love LeBron getting frustrated and pointing at a ref (no tech? Ant would get suspended for that one) and LeBron did get fouled twice down the stretch with no call. If the Wolves can play this level of defense without fouls being called on every play, the Lakers are going to be in trouble.

Yeah, I thought for the most part the refs allowed us to play pretty physically and perhaps we even got away with a couple. The bigger issue was the lack of foul calls on the Lakers which is the real root cause of the disparity. But then again, they didn't provide much resistance, did they!

That's why I think we'll see Vando more in Game 2 and perhaps less of Gabe Vincent. Then we'll really see how biased the officials are because Vando is going to push the envelope for sure.

I agree that the refs for the most part let both teams play. There's a huge disparity in physicality between the teams though, so it's natural we're going to get more fouls called. I also agree we may see more Vando next game since he's pretty much the only player on the roster with any toughness. On the other hand, I can't imagine JJ is saying "We only scored 95 points...I think the answer to our lack of offense is more Vando!"

[Monster]

None of us were at Wolves' practices this week (I assume), but I can only imagine hours of NAW/Donte/Clark/Shannon doubling Ant high and forcing him to make the right decision and move the ball. Unfortunately, we didn't see much success in the first quarter. But the rest of the game showed us what Ant can become, as he repeatedly made the right choice out of doubles. 9 assists and only one turnover! I just rewatched the play where he draws a Vando/Luka double in the paint, whirls, and finds a wide open Ju for a 3-pointer to put us up 15 with only 10 minutes to go...beautiful! Luka's body language showed he knew there was nothing they could do.

And who thought it would be Lebron and not Ant who would try to force things and play hero ball? Only 3 assists and 4 turnovers for James. In the first quarter, Luka was ball dominant and started almost every offensive set, and the Lakers jumped up 20-12. But then Lebron said "hey Luka...this is my team, not yours", and the game changed. JJ knows this, but I don't know that he is going to be able to get the ball out of Lebron's hands the rest of the series. Let's hope not.

FNG honestly I thought Lebron looked pretty passive a lot of the game. He took 2 FTs. Some of that is the Wolves D and some of that is the flaws of the Lakers roster but still. I'm guessing we will see a much better Lebron in game 2. I also think Randle matched up on him a decent chunk the time and I think Randle is physically a guy that could provide some real resistance.