BAD JUJU - Thunder at Wolves GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

As the objective voice of reason here, let me add some perspective on last night's win. We won because Finch executed his planned exit early in the game, allowing for the Wolves to get a fair whistle the rest of the night. We also won because we played with grit, especially on defense, and hustled for 48 minutes. And finally we won because Ant did what very few players can do in the final minute. But I can't help but feel it was a bit of a one off. If we play OKC 10 times, I think they win 7 or 8. They are by far the more professional unit. They focus on basketball and play with a certain confidence and swagger that comes with winning a championship. They don't yell "HEY!" in the middle of a play trying to get a call. As the commentator said multiple times, the Wolves spend way too much time engaging with the officials. It's a bad look and takes energy from what is most important. I don't think last night proved or changed anything. We're still miles behind the Thunder. And we're not winning the West without a floor general who can lead the offense and help us get easy baskets, which we rarely see. Fun game and terrific win, enjoy it.

[AbeVigodaLive]

To be fair Cool... that's why people are excited.

OKC is clearly better than the Wolves... or any other team.

There's no feasible way for the Wolves to catch them this season. And that's fine. After 36 years of mostly terrible basketball, I'm enjoying following one of the league's top 4... or 10 teams.

Doesn't mean there can't be improvement. Doesn't mean I won't be disappointed when they lose a game or in the playoffs. But being 18 - 10 at this point... and celebrating a hard-nosed intensity-filled win vs. a 25 - 2 team is pretty fun.

[Coolbreeze44]

To be fair Cool... that's why people are excited.

OKC is clearly better than the Wolves... or any other team.

There's no feasible way for the Wolves to catch them this season. And that's fine. After 36 years of mostly terrible basketball, I'm enjoying following one of the league's top 4... or 10 teams.

Doesn't mean there can't be improvement. Doesn't mean I won't be disappointed when they lose a game or in the playoffs. But being 18 - 10 at this point... and celebrating a hard-nosed intensity-filled win vs. a 25 - 2 team is pretty fun.

I get that Abe. I enjoyed the hell out of it too. Maybe I'm delusional but I believe the right trade could vault us into the conversation. I'm anticipating and hoping.

[Q-is-here]

As the objective voice of reason here, let me add some perspective on last night's win.

You mean the rest of us aren't objective or reasonable?

[Coolbreeze44]

As the objective voice of reason here, let me add some perspective on last night's win.

You mean the rest of us aren't objective or reasonable?

Can't lump everyone in the same bucket. There are varying degrees and levels from poster to poster.

[Q-is-here]

As the objective voice of reason here, let me add some perspective on last night's win.

You mean the rest of us aren't objective or reasonable?

Can't lump everyone in the same bucket. There are varying degrees and levels from poster to poster.

Right, but you presumably are the most objective and reasonable! Uh huh.

I would submit that it's highly subjective of you to call yourself objective. In fact, none of us are objective.

[Coolbreeze44]

You mean the rest of us aren't objective or reasonable?

Can't lump everyone in the same bucket. There are varying degrees and levels from poster to poster.

Right, but you presumably are the most objective and reasonable! Uh huh.

I would submit that it's highly subjective of you to call yourself objective. In fact, none of us are objective.

What are you trying to drag me into here? I'm good with everyone on the board.

[Q-is-here]

Can't lump everyone in the same bucket. There are varying degrees and levels from poster to poster.

Right, but you presumably are the most objective and reasonable! Uh huh.

I would submit that it's highly subjective of you to call yourself objective. In fact, none of us are objective.

What are you trying to drag me into here? I'm good with everyone on the board.

I'm not trying to drag you into anything. It's your declaration of being the voice of objectivity and reason that conveys an air of superiority since it implies the rest of us are subjective and unreasonable. Perhaps you didn't mean it that way, but that's how I read it.

[Coolbreeze44]

Right, but you presumably are the most objective and reasonable! Uh huh.

I would submit that it's highly subjective of you to call yourself objective. In fact, none of us are objective.

What are you trying to drag me into here? I'm good with everyone on the board.

I'm not trying to drag you into anything. It's your declaration of being the voice of objectivity and reason that conveys an air of superiority since it implies the rest of us are subjective and unreasonable. Perhaps you didn't mean it that way, but that's how I read it.

I can be more careful.

[AussieWolf3]

As the objective voice of reason here, let me add some perspective on last night's win. We won because Finch executed his planned exit early in the game, allowing for the Wolves to get a fair whistle the rest of the night. We also won because we played with grit, especially on defense, and hustled for 48 minutes. And finally we won because Ant did what very few players can do in the final minute. But I can't help but feel it was a bit of a one off. If we play OKC 10 times, I think they win 7 or 8. They are by far the more professional unit. They focus on basketball and play with a certain confidence and swagger that comes with winning a championship. They don't yell "HEY!" in the middle of a play trying to get a call. As the commentator said multiple times, the Wolves spend way too much time engaging with the officials. It's a bad look and takes energy from what is most important. I don't think last night proved or changed anything. We're still miles behind the Thunder. And we're not winning the West without a floor general who can lead the offense and help us get easy baskets, which we rarely see. Fun game and terrific win, enjoy it.

I would say that to regard any single game, win or loss, that happens in December as evidence of something broader is unreasonable.

Portland best OKC for crying out load.
Last night can provide a blue print tho, as proof of concept for the players as to how they can win at a high level- I think they really need this, especially on defense.

Last night we saw how Rudy can be dominant, absolutely dominant, against elite competition. We also saw how they can play good minutes with him on the bench.
They missed a lot of shots, but they generated a high amount of quality looks against a great defense.

I don't know if they'll ride this win, for all we know they'll blow another 20 point lead against the bucks. But they played high level basketball and they need to learn how to build on that