Minnesota Sports Forum

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:I went back and watched the last few twolf games, and i think andrew is hurting.

If you watch him go up, he isnt bending his knees to get that 2 foot explosion hes known for. Hes now barely getting any lift. I think its also impacting his shot mechanics.

1 or 2 times, i saw him massaging his quad while walking back to the bench, especially after missing something at the rim.

Im wondering if you've seen anything that we might not catch.

Or i could be totally wrong, but there is something going on there.

CC - I haven't noticed any visible signs of a lingering leg or quad problem. Doesn't mean there isn't a problem. I just haven't seen anything. I'll look for it next game and let you know if I see anything. He actually seems to be moving well on defense. I thought his defense last night was terrific.

I think it is amazing that we are winning at a consistent rate when Wiggins is going through his yearly slump offensively.

Think there is 2 reasons for this. 1) it feels like Wiggins has been engaged on defense this year outside of the bulls game (I couldn't watch that game but I'll take your word). 2) Derrick Rose is playing like an all star. When is the last time if ever we got this much production off of a bench player, he is also on a min contract. I think Rose is changing this team culture, he is a leader now.

I love this team.

I think you hit the nail on the head with Rose. He's that 2nd star and shot-creator that's essential to success in the NBA. I've expressed my concern before that we're too dependent on him given his injury history. If he got hurt, I think this team would be in a world of hurt. That's how important he is to this team. But to be fair, one of the best things about this team since the Butler trade is that it's very much a TEAM. We're getting lots of important contributions from an array of players. And as important as Rose has been to the team's recent success, it's impossible to ignore the critical and perhaps transformative impact of RoCo - defensively, behind the arc, and in the locker room. Add Saric to the equation. The addition of those two guys, plus the ongoing leadership and play of Rose have lifted the play of KAT. He's now playing the best two-way basketball of his career in my view.

I'm loving this team too.

Thanks for the report Lip. That 2nd quarter was an absolute masterpiece. The Wolves were either stealing the ball or forcing a tough shot nearly every single possession. I had to rub my eyes a couple of times because I just could not remember seeing a Wolves team so locked in like that. The Spurs were clearly rattled and simply don't have the one on one virtuosos to overcome such smothering defense. DeRozan and Aldridge were both made to look pedestrian at best. It was a clinic.

lipoli390 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

crazy-canuck wrote:I went back and watched the last few twolf games, and i think andrew is hurting.

If you watch him go up, he isnt bending his knees to get that 2 foot explosion hes known for. Hes now barely getting any lift. I think its also impacting his shot mechanics.

1 or 2 times, i saw him massaging his quad while walking back to the bench, especially after missing something at the rim.

Im wondering if you've seen anything that we might not catch.

Or i could be totally wrong, but there is something going on there.

CC - I haven't noticed any visible signs of a lingering leg or quad problem. Doesn't mean there isn't a problem. I just haven't seen anything. I'll look for it next game and let you know if I see anything. He actually seems to be moving well on defense. I thought his defense last night was terrific.

I think it is amazing that we are winning at a consistent rate when Wiggins is going through his yearly slump offensively.

Think there is 2 reasons for this. 1) it feels like Wiggins has been engaged on defense this year outside of the bulls game (I couldn't watch that game but I'll take your word). 2) Derrick Rose is playing like an all star. When is the last time if ever we got this much production off of a bench player, he is also on a min contract. I think Rose is changing this team culture, he is a leader now.

I love this team.

I think you hit the nail on the head with Rose. He's that 2nd star and shot-creator that's essential to success in the NBA. I've expressed my concern before that we're too dependent on him given his injury history. If he got hurt, I think this team would be in a world of hurt. That's how important he is to this team. But to be fair, one of the best things about this team since the Butler trade is that it's very much a TEAM. We're getting lots of important contributions from an array of players. And as important as Rose has been to the team's recent success, it's impossible to ignore the critical and perhaps transformative impact of RoCo - defensively, behind the arc, and in the locker room. Add Saric to the equation. The addition of those two guys, plus the ongoing leadership and play of Rose have lifted the play of KAT. He's now playing the best two-way basketball of his career in my view.

I'm loving this team too.

Agreed with what you said. If i'm thibs i'm not trading tolliver this year assuming we're competitive. I feel like we have 11 legit NBA rotation players. It's a luxury don't ruin it.

I agree with your Kat take also. I will also give thibs credit, it seems like early in games we're making an effort getting the ball to Kat in the post. I think that is huge to keep Kat engaged on both ends. He's not getting freezed out like with Jimmy. I also didn't know RoCo and Kat are offseason work out buddies. I like the trade even more because of it.

Q12543 wrote:Thanks for the report Lip. That 2nd quarter was an absolute masterpiece. The Wolves were either stealing the ball or forcing a tough shot nearly every single possession. I had to rub my eyes a couple of times because I just could not remember seeing a Wolves team so locked in like that. The Spurs were clearly rattled and simply don't have the one on one virtuosos to overcome such smothering defense. DeRozan and Aldridge were both made to look pedestrian at best. It was a clinic.

Small sample size but:

Jones-Rose-Covington-Saric-Dieng over last 7:
ORtg: 116.1
DRtg: 80.5
Net: +35.6

Jonny K had a nice article on the effect KG and Rose are having on KAT. You need a subscription to the Athletic to read it.

https://theathletic.com/679625/2018/11/28/karl-anthony-towns-leader-kevin-garnett-derrick-rose-minnesota-timberwolves/With KG and Rose in his ear, Karl-Anthony Towns grabs hold of Wolves locker room

Excellent report Lip. And let's make no mistake, Roco is a better defender than Butler. Is it possible Covington's talents were somewhat hidden by the shadow cast by Embiid and Simmons. He's a terrific player, even if he has the occasional clunker on offense.

Speaking of Butler, I'd like to hear from the crowd who said we shouldn't trade Butler because our playoff window would be closed for the next 5 years. Right..........

One thing I really like now, with Rose leading the charge we can go to our 2nd unit and believe we will at least hold serve if not improve our position. Been a long time since we could say that. Great point by Abe about the beginning of the season being torpedoed by Thibs, Butler, and Glen. They are definitely to blame if this group doesn't make the top 8.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Excellent report Lip. And let's make no mistake, Roco is a better defender than Butler. Is it possible Covington's talents were somewhat hidden by the shadow cast by Embiid and Simmons. He's a terrific player, even if he has the occasional clunker on offense.

Speaking of Butler, I'd like to hear from the crowd who said we shouldn't trade Butler because our playoff window would be closed for the next 5 years. Right..........

One thing I really like now, with Rose leading the charge we can go to our 2nd unit and believe we will at least hold serve if not improve our position. Been a long time since we could say that. Great point by Abe about the beginning of the season being torpedoed by Thibs, Butler, and Glen. They are definitely to blame if this group doesn't make the top 8.

Not taking the blame off them but reports were that the 76ers added saric because we waited. I'm happy we have both for the long run. Yes it might cause us not to make the playoffs but the patience might of helped us over the long run and we still have a legit chance at the playoffs this year

kekgeek1 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Excellent report Lip. And let's make no mistake, Roco is a better defender than Butler. Is it possible Covington's talents were somewhat hidden by the shadow cast by Embiid and Simmons. He's a terrific player, even if he has the occasional clunker on offense.

Speaking of Butler, I'd like to hear from the crowd who said we shouldn't trade Butler because our playoff window would be closed for the next 5 years. Right..........

One thing I really like now, with Rose leading the charge we can go to our 2nd unit and believe we will at least hold serve if not improve our position. Been a long time since we could say that. Great point by Abe about the beginning of the season being torpedoed by Thibs, Butler, and Glen. They are definitely to blame if this group doesn't make the top 8.

Not taking the blame off them but reports were that the 76ers added saric because we waited. I'm happy we have both for the long run. Yes it might cause us not to make the playoffs but the patience might of helped us over the long run and we still have a legit chance at the playoffs this year

That might be true. I dunno. Whose camp leaked that?

After all, it could be PR spin... it wouldn't be the first time.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Excellent report Lip. And let's make no mistake, Roco is a better defender than Butler. Is it possible Covington's talents were somewhat hidden by the shadow cast by Embiid and Simmons. He's a terrific player, even if he has the occasional clunker on offense.

Speaking of Butler, I'd like to hear from the crowd who said we shouldn't trade Butler because our playoff window would be closed for the next 5 years. Right..........

One thing I really like now, with Rose leading the charge we can go to our 2nd unit and believe we will at least hold serve if not improve our position. Been a long time since we could say that. Great point by Abe about the beginning of the season being torpedoed by Thibs, Butler, and Glen. They are definitely to blame if this group doesn't make the top 8.

Not taking the blame off them but reports were that the 76ers added saric because we waited. I'm happy we have both for the long run. Yes it might cause us not to make the playoffs but the patience might of helped us over the long run and we still have a legit chance at the playoffs this year

That might be true. I dunno. Whose camp leaked that?

After all, it could be PR spin... it wouldn't be the first time.

Yeah I don't like speculating about potential scenarios as fact. I think what is true is that after waiting a while they were still able to get a good return for Jimmy. I said at the time of the trade with the supposed rhetoric that was out there, I wasn't expecting both Saric and Covington. In all it's been making some good from a bad situation, which is very un-Timberwolves. I've really been enjoying these last 9 games.

thedoper wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Excellent report Lip. And let's make no mistake, Roco is a better defender than Butler. Is it possible Covington's talents were somewhat hidden by the shadow cast by Embiid and Simmons. He's a terrific player, even if he has the occasional clunker on offense.

Speaking of Butler, I'd like to hear from the crowd who said we shouldn't trade Butler because our playoff window would be closed for the next 5 years. Right..........

One thing I really like now, with Rose leading the charge we can go to our 2nd unit and believe we will at least hold serve if not improve our position. Been a long time since we could say that. Great point by Abe about the beginning of the season being torpedoed by Thibs, Butler, and Glen. They are definitely to blame if this group doesn't make the top 8.

Not taking the blame off them but reports were that the 76ers added saric because we waited. I'm happy we have both for the long run. Yes it might cause us not to make the playoffs but the patience might of helped us over the long run and we still have a legit chance at the playoffs this year

That might be true. I dunno. Whose camp leaked that?

After all, it could be PR spin... it wouldn't be the first time.

Yeah I don't like speculating about potential scenarios as fact. I think what is true is that after waiting a while they were still able to get a good return for Jimmy. I said at the time of the trade with the supposed rhetoric that was out there, I wasn't expecting both Saric and Covington. In all it's been making some good from a bad situation, which is very un-Timberwolves. I've really been enjoying these last 9 games.

According to the Wolves reporters the Wolves don't play that game of leaking stuff the reports. Of the Sixers upping their offer was from national guys. It also makes some sense. It had been widely reported the Sixers were struggling. Plus you look back that the possible Miami deal that was reported at VERY close to being done by basically EVERYONE and all things considered I think of this Sixer offer was available much earlier it may have gotten done pretty quickly. Regardless it's looking like a good deal and of it keeps treading this way we can be pretty thankful it got done.

If the Wolves dug themselves such a bad hole with this Butler situation (it's rarely mentioned how many injuries they also had during gtbhat time) boy those Rockets and Utah teams are really screwing things up with their teams and they can't blame it on a Butler type situation. Houston 2 games under .500? Wow