Playing Small? - Wolves at Rockets GDT

[AussieWolf3]

I will be interested to see how often Finch will abandon the status quo in the playoffs when the teams hits a wall. Will he throw in TJ, Joan, Mike or JC if Donte, Rudy, Julius or Naz play poorly? Mike would obviously get a nod but would Finch go to them before the team is down 3 games to 1? The best teams and coaches pull those levers to get ahead of the game before desperation sets in. That group of players has shown enough juice to be in consideration.

Thats funny I just wrote the same thing, TJ might be the guy we need in the playoffs considering how bad our offense has been since the All Star break. I think you give the front 8 a chance, but be ready to pull the TJ trigger QUICK if the offense stagnates at all. If Naz, DDV, Ju or Ayo struggle flip that switch and give TJ a shot. Don't be afraid to play 9-10 guys. WHoever is playing best should get the most PT.

All season the counter punch for when offense stagnates is to pull Rudy and run Naz and Randle. Last night showed us that the counter punch could and maybe should be different.

I was very curious what would happen when Ant and Shannon shared the floor at the 4 minute mark 4th qt. It was eventful really, but both shared the ball and Shannon wasn't completely dysfunctional or confused about what to do, which has been the case in the past.... So... Progress

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's "Wondering if this game matters or not" DVR Review:

- #6 seed is set. But guys are coming back from injury. But several key guys are sitting. Can we learn stuff from this game anyway?

- "Durant is a machine." (Jim Peterson) That sorta describes him though. He's just a bucket getter unlike any we've ever seen. A special player, even if one who's not very accessible.

- Durant hit a couple of buckets over McDaniels during the Rockets hot start. Fun to see McDaniels very consciously go right back at Durant on the other end.

- Meanwhile, Edwards dunks on Jabari Smith... then Smith kept coming back at Edwards hitting a couple of buckets. It's fun to watch the game-wihin-the-game sometimes.

- Reed Sheppard is... fine? I guess. I just haven't been too impressed. I know the numbers show that he's turning into a really solid player. 14 points. 40% on threes. Maybe it's a few meh games vs. Minnesota. Maybe it's too small of a sample size. Maybe it's just me... but it looks like very little comes easily for him which obviously shows his limitations. He's also very young.

- McDaniels has seemed extra aggressive looking for his shot in his first two games back. I'm guessing that's part of the plan. He's taken 32 shots in his first 40 minutes back on the court.

- Edwards easing into this one. He was a bit out of sorts early. Out of rhythm. Not terribly, but he seemed hesitant. There was one play early in the 2nd quarter where he was under the hoop and passed up his shot to pass to Beringer.

- Beringer with an efficient 14 points. 0 misses. Again, he just short of fills a boxsheet out there.

- Rockets had 86 paint points in this one. Maybe Gobert does help defensively?

- As Q mentioned... Ayo's right hand dominance vs. Shannon's left hand dominance. Would be interesting to see charts on this, but it seems obvious now.

- Did Wolves player play well offensively? Only McDaniels shot below 50%. And the minutes and scoring were so balanced:

Shannon - 23 points/27 minutes
Edwards - 22/27
DiVincenzo - 18/29
Anderson - 17/32
McDaniels - 16/34
Dosunmu - 15/26
Beringer - 14/25
Conley - 9/24 (it didn't seem like he played this much. Great to see his shot back.)

- Solid win. Fun watch. I'd expect everyone back vs. the Pelicans. Get a bit of momentum, build a lead and then sit people more and more as the game progresses?

[kekgeek]

Abe's "Wondering if this game matters or not" DVR Review:

- #6 seed is set. But guys are coming back from injury. But several key guys are sitting. Can we learn stuff from this game anyway?

- "Durant is a machine." (Jim Peterson) That sorta describes him though. He's just a bucket getter unlike any we've ever seen. A special player, even if one who's not very accessible.

- Durant hit a couple of buckets over McDaniels during the Rockets hot start. Fun to see McDaniels very consciously go right back at Durant on the other end.

- Meanwhile, Edwards dunks on Jabari Smith... then Smith kept coming back at Edwards hitting a couple of buckets. It's fun to watch the game-wihin-the-game sometimes.

- Reed Sheppard is... fine? I guess. I just haven't been too impressed. I know the numbers show that he's turning into a really solid player. 14 points. 40% on threes. Maybe it's a few meh games vs. Minnesota. Maybe it's too small of a sample size. Maybe it's just me... but it looks like very little comes easily for him which obviously shows his limitations. He's also very young.

- McDaniels has seemed extra aggressive looking for his shot in his first two games back. I'm guessing that's part of the plan. He's taken 32 shots in his first 40 minutes back on the court.

- Edwards easing into this one. He was a bit out of sorts early. Out of rhythm. Not terribly, but he seemed hesitant. There was one play early in the 2nd quarter where he was under the hoop and passed up his shot to pass to Beringer.

- Beringer with an efficient 14 points. 0 misses. Again, he just short of fills a boxsheet out there.

- Rockets had 86 paint points in this one. Maybe Gobert does help defensively?

- As Q mentioned... Ayo's right hand dominance vs. Shannon's left hand dominance. Would be interesting to see charts on this, but it seems obvious now.

- Did Wolves player play well offensively? Only McDaniels shot below 50%. And the minutes and scoring were so balanced:

Shannon - 23 points/27 minutes
Edwards - 22/27
DiVincenzo - 18/29
Anderson - 17/32
McDaniels - 16/34
Dosunmu - 15/26
Beringer - 14/25
Conley - 9/24 (it didn't seem like he played this much. Great to see his shot back.)

- Solid win. Fun watch. I'd expect everyone back vs. the Pelicans. Get a bit of momentum, build a lead and then sit people more and more as the game progresses?

I think everyone plays with the one question mark being Rudy. Do you risk a random hand to the face and then Rudy is suspended 2 playoff games? Not sure

[kekgeek]

Wolves sitting pretty much everyone tomorrow