Reverting to the Mean - Jazz at Wolves GDT

[Lipoli390]

At least Dillingham tries on defense. The word pesky comes to mind, which usually means weak, but annoying.

Actually, pesky is often very effective. I was considered a pesky defender - a small PG off the bench. (Now you know why I like Rob) . After a game once, the guy I was defending came up to me and said I’m like a mosquito. I drove him nuts and threw him off his game. That’s what good small pesky defenders do. Making ball handlers and shooters uncomfortable is more than half the battle. The best defense against shooters isn’t close-outs with long arms - it’s getting in the shooters space and staying with him so he can’t get his feet set. Rob’s only issue is whether he has just enough strength in combination with his quickness to get through or around screens to stay in the ball-handler’s/shooter’s space. So far this season, he’s been really good at doing that.

[rapsuperstar31]

I have not been a huge fan of Randle, which was probably more on the way Finch was using him, but damn does he look good when he plays defense and realizes he isn't a point guard (trying to ball handle out of sticky situations) and is actually best at drive and kick and hitting open threes. Having the team look to actually team rebound makes a massive difference in the defense as well.

I agree. But he still turned the ball over way too much last night - 7 of them in only 26 minutes.

It felt like he was pretty checked out in the 3rd quarter, when a lot of the turnovers happened. He played really well in the first half.

[Q-is-here]

Quick Beringer observation....While his physical profile is elite, he does look like he is still growing into his body. He's missing some of that old man strength and discretion (when to jump, when not to) that often comes with normal aging and learning the game.

[DNatagal]

I have not been a huge fan of Randle, which was probably more on the way Finch was using him, but damn does he look good when he plays defense and realizes he isn't a point guard (trying to ball handle out of sticky situations) and is actually best at drive and kick and hitting open threes. Having the team look to actually team rebound makes a massive difference in the defense as well.

I agree. But he still turned the ball over way too much last night - 7 of them in only 26 minutes.

It felt like he was pretty checked out in the 3rd quarter, when a lot of the turnovers happened. He played really well in the first half.

The second half was more like a pick up game for the Wolves. There were plenty of passes that were "hopeful" or wishful thinking. Randle has been involved on defense and that goes a long way with me. His bully ball offense is what we wish KAT could have done instead of his stray energy act.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's My Eyes Hurt from That Court Next Day DVR Review:

- Scheduled loss for Utah. And it's a very bad Utah team... at the end of a 5-game, 9-day road trip. Very young, too. This should be a blowout. SHOULD be.

- Energy early from the Timberwolves. Against a bad team?!??! Edwards has a lot more bounce in this game, too. Put them away early.

- Conley and Randle with a couple of easy PnRs in this one. I like the action.

- Julius Randle is playing well... again! He's been remarkably consistent, too. He's shot at least 50% in every game. He's had at least 19 points in every game. Right now his shooting splits are 56/43/86. As I've written previously, he's underrated. And yet, I'd bet he STILL gets the "Randle is doing well... BUT..." commentary. Pointedly, in the couple minutes it was on this morning, ESPN commented on Edwards' game which was awesome, but didn't acknowledge Randle's virtual triple double in the first half.

- Edwards showing that he still can dominate with the three... but they're adding one or two duck-in post-ups for him, too.

- It's obvious Randle wants 20 assists by the looks of early play in the 3rd quarter. A little sloppy...

- Conley has been cooked on straight line drives to the hoop at least three times in this game.

- Rough game for Markaanen. He's really good... but the road trip... and just playing for such a bad team must wear on the guy.

- Ingles and Joan... how long before the PnR?

- THERE IT IS!

- I like how even the subs took the 4th quarter.

- Nice win. Expected win. If nothing else, it gets them above .500 and the alarming stats should be looking much better now. Early blowout wins can do that.