Game Report - Wolves v. Nuggets

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

A word about Kris Dunn.....so far he and Rubio are more alike than different. I love the way he has a nose for the ball defensively - both in getting steals and with coming up with defensive rebounds. There were a couple of times last night where our big had to challenge a shot at the rim and Dunn was right there to collect the missed shot.

Offensively, he's more than willing to defer to others, however he just doesn't have the same vision or timing on his passes that Rubio does. As a result, he's often a beat late and he gets picked off or he just flat out misses someone.

He has the potential to be a monster defensively, but PGs can only do so much to impact a game on defense. He's going to have to improve on the offensive side of the ball to eventually displace Rubio.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I agree with your assessment that so far Dunn and Rubio are more alike than different, Q...their strengths and weaknesses are quite similar. I would add that both are more effective when they think pass-first...there is so much fire power next to them that their below average shooting doesn't have to be a huge negative.

I would also add that the effectiveness order of our PGs is quite clear also...Rubio, then Dunn, then Tyus. But I think the gap is narrower than I would have thought coming into this season, and that's a very good thing. Here's what I think is the ideal scenario for this club. Ricky comes back healthy and continues to do the things he does to make those around him better. Meanwhile, Dunn thrives in a backup role, and continues to progress as a competent PG so that Thibs can envision him becoming the starter. If those two things happen, I would likely be on board with considering dealing Ricky mid-season. Rubio is a guy who always seems to be in demand, and a solid half season will only increase his value. I trust Thibs' judgement, and by mid-season he will have a better idea if Dunn/Jones can be our PG tandem going forward, and also what this team needs that Ricky can bring back in trade. If it doesn't happen, we'll be fine...what a luxury to have a backup PG like Dunn who can also play some SG.

[Coolbreeze44]

I don't do this often, but a little stat checking from the last couple games that were competitive in the 4th quarter (games 2 & 4):

Last 5 minutes vs Denver

Wiggins 2-3
Rest of team 0-5 (including 0-2 from last night's star (Belly)
Wiggins 4 points
Rest of team 2 points

Last 5:15 at Sacramento

Wiggins 3-4
Rest of team 2-6
Wiggins 9 points
Rest of team 4 points


Conclusion: I don't think Wig is our problem at the end of games. Nor has he been for his entire career.

[Monster]

LST I find it strange that you seemingly give a pass to the young players but Thibs is the one with the more legit resume of nearly 30 years of NBA coaching and it's his fault. The reason they are losing is the are not playing defense which is a big part of what builds those leads which Peterson pointed out a couple times. 2nd people mention it over and over the lak of ball movement. That's something young teams do all the time and Wiggins Lavine Towns and even Dieng have ability to get theirs at times so it's understandable they want to make plays. It's not like those guys are just shooters and should just pass they have the skill and it gets them in trouble. Teams typically come out in the 3rd quarter with a different intensity. The Wolves started out the 3rd quarter with that for the first minute or 2 in the Nuggets game and then it fell apart.

[thedoper]

https://soundcloud.com/wolves-radio/post16_thibs_1103

Thibs postgame. I think he's a great coach. These guys need a steady hand. Gorgui single handed f-d us out of that game. They need to be taught how to be a team. They've shown glimpses and that's exciting. It will be rocky at first but I am still confident.

[kekgeek]

I don't do this often, but a little stat checking from the last couple games that were competitive in the 4th quarter (games 2 & 4):

Last 5 minutes vs Denver

Wiggins 2-3
Rest of team 0-5 (including 0-2 from last night's star (Belly)
Wiggins 4 points
Rest of team 2 points

Last 5:15 at Sacramento

Wiggins 3-4
Rest of team 2-6
Wiggins 9 points
Rest of team 4 points


Conclusion: I don't think Wig is our problem at the end of games. Nor has he been for his entire career.

I agree cool. Wigg has been great this year. If you look at that air ball possession we looked so lost on what we were running but wiggins has to do better on that and I think you would agree but overall that was a super ugly possession.

On your bench point I agree belly played alright some good some bad but that is the wolves problem again this year we NEED belly to play well off the bench because he is the only one who can create/score in the flow of the offense off the bench.

One last thing I would love the wolves to go Wilson chandler. Don't know what it would take but I have always has a crush on his game he is so solid at everything and would make the bench so much better

[bleedspeed]

How did Dunn look compared to Mudiay?

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

Kevin Lynch took a break from disparaging Rubio in the post game last night and made a good point: do we really need to carry 4 point guards when we could use a big body to bang down low? I think Tyus is more than proven he can be the 3rd point guard and be the backup when Rubio or Dunn are out, so maybe it's time to punt Lucas and work on finding a guy who can give us 10 to 15 minutes of banging. I don't know who that guy would be but you would think we could come up someone. Could even play Pek for 10 minutes--just have him stand on the defensive end under the hoop for half a quarter and flex his tattoo.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Kevin Lynch took a break from disparaging Rubio in the post game last night and made a good point: do we really need to carry 4 point guards when we could use a big body to bang down low? I think Tyus is more than proven he can be the 3rd point guard and be the backup when Rubio or Dunn are out, so maybe it's time to punt Lucas and work on finding a guy who can give us 10 to 15 minutes of banging. I don't know who that guy would be but you would think we could come up someone. Could even play Pek for 10 minutes--just have him stand on the defensive end under the hoop for half a quarter and flex his tattoo.

Couldn't Lucas be hired as a consultant or something? Isn't that why he's on the team?

[Porckchop]

The offseason acquisitions everyone was so fond have been uninspiring. No surprise there.