Team Chemistry

[Coolbreeze44]

One thing I know about this team is you neither can count on them, or count them out. When they look like things are coming together they are sure to disappoint. And when you're about ready to give up on them they bounce back and get you excited again. Unlike past years, they seem to be more vulnerable to a collapse. I think the overall chemistry is the biggest problem and I don't know how it gets solved with this collection of parts. The offense is maddening to watch, particularly with the starters. There is constantly talk about improving ball movement and getting Rudy, Jaden, and DDV involved. You can usually see a difference for about 4-6 minutes before things break down and Ant and Randle revert to isolation basketball. Rudy has been vocal on multiple occasions this year about executing the game plan and passing the ball. Once in a while there seems to be a concerted effort to get the ball inside to the Stifle Tower. It lasts until he fumble fucks the ball off a good pass and then he loses the trust of his teammates. Ant always talks a good game about supporting his teammates and spreading the wealth, but his actions typically tell a different story. He has supreme confidence in his own ability, and that ususally carries the day for him. He's so good in the half court that he generally gets a pass. Randle has some talent in creating for others but ironically his selfishness gets the best of him. He doesn't appear to be driven by team goals, rather getting his numbers generally dictates the way he plays. So in the starting lineup you have two alphas that dicate the flow of the offense, and then three others who have their moments but generally are limited in what they can do.

And then you have style of play. I don't know about y'all but I like watching the reserves, especially when they are joined by Jaden and DDV. It's like watching two completely different teams. The starters like to pound away in the half court whereas Ayo, Bones, and NAZ like to get out and run. Generally speaking, I believe we would be better off if the starters played at a faster tempo to match what the reserves bring. But that would mean our best player would have to make a fundamental change and I don't see that happening. So what you have is a bunch of parts that don't mix and ultimately lack any semblance of an identity. You can say that everyone needs to get on the same page, but I'm not sure it's possible with this group. The best ball I've ever seen this group play was two years ago in the playoffs against Phoenix and Denver. Our identity was suffocating defense and great execution on offense led by Mike Conley. Conley is now a spectator, but how would this version of the Wolves look if they had held on to Nickeil and added someone like Garland over the summer? I sure wish that was possible. Instead I see a group that's tired of playing with each other and if they don't fix things quickly the team is going to look a lot different next year.

[TAFKASP]

... if they don't fix things quickly the team is going to look a lot different next year.

We can only hope. I haven't even bothered to watch many games this year, if they don't care enough to try why should I care enough to pirate a stream? LOL

[FNG]

I agree with much of what you are saying, Cool...the Clips were far more fun to watch on offense (and defense for that matter) than we were last night. I saw one glimmer of hope though, and that was when SloMo was in and running the point. If Ant is allowed to bring the ball up, he is going to do it deliberately and allow the defense to set up. But it was gratifying to see Ant deferring to Kyle and playing off ball. SloMo is half the athlete Ant is, but he is much smarter and understands the benefit of getting into the offensive set before the defense sets up. And while Ant is still effective in the half court when he is the primary ball handler, he is much better when he plays off ball. Kyle was only -2 in a 25-point loss. I want to see him get 25 minutes against the Warriors.

[Wolvesfan21]

One thing I know about this team is you neither can count on them, or count them out. When they look like things are coming together they are sure to disappoint. And when you're about ready to give up on them they bounce back and get you excited again. Unlike past years, they seem to be more vulnerable to a collapse. I think the overall chemistry is the biggest problem and I don't know how it gets solved with this collection of parts. The offense is maddening to watch, particularly with the starters. There is constantly talk about improving ball movement and getting Rudy, Jaden, and DDV involved. You can usually see a difference for about 4-6 minutes before things break down and Ant and Randle revert to isolation basketball. Rudy has been vocal on multiple occasions this year about executing the game plan and passing the ball. Once in a while there seems to be a concerted effort to get the ball inside to the Stifle Tower. It lasts until he fumble fucks the ball off a good pass and then he loses the trust of his teammates. Ant always talks a good game about supporting his teammates and spreading the wealth, but his actions typically tell a different story. He has supreme confidence in his own ability, and that ususally carries the day for him. He's so good in the half court that he generally gets a pass. Randle has some talent in creating for others but ironically his selfishness gets the best of him. He doesn't appear to be driven by team goals, rather getting his numbers generally dictates the way he plays. So in the starting lineup you have two alphas that dicate the flow of the offense, and then three others who have their moments but generally are limited in what they can do.

And then you have style of play. I don't know about y'all but I like watching the reserves, especially when they are joined by Jaden and DDV. It's like watching two completely different teams. The starters like to pound away in the half court whereas Ayo, Bones, and NAZ like to get out and run. Generally speaking, I believe we would be better off if the starters played at a faster tempo to match what the reserves bring. But that would mean our best player would have to make a fundamental change and I don't see that happening. So what you have is a bunch of parts that don't mix and ultimately lack any semblance of an identity. You can say that everyone needs to get on the same page, but I'm not sure it's possible with this group. The best ball I've ever seen this group play was two years ago in the playoffs against Phoenix and Denver. Our identity was suffocating defense and great execution on offense led by Mike Conley. Conley is now a spectator, but how would this version of the Wolves look if they had held on to Nickeil and added someone like Garland over the summer? I sure wish that was possible. Instead I see a group that's tired of playing with each other and if they don't fix things quickly the team is going to look a lot different next year.

Ant even admits he doesn't like to run and said when Ayo and Bones play he has to, in order to get the ball.

But man, he's done it on rare occasions. Gotten a rebound and went coast to coast with ease for an easy layup (DON:T LET THE DEFENSE GET SET!!!). He could be even more dominant if he played like prime LeBron/Giannis even Ben Simmons. Pushing the ball most of the time and trying to get easy buckets or open looks for others.

I've been wanting it for years and it never happens so IDK, I give up hope I guess.