Minnesota Sports Forum

A few thoughts:

1. This loss was another example of my theme that the Wolves aren't going to win many games scoring around 100 points. The Wolves talent is primarily on the offensive end. We need to score at least 108 to win in all but rare instances.

2. We lost by 5 and missed 9 of 21 free throw attempts. And one of our top three players didn't even get to the line. Enough said on this point.

3. We had 20 assists compared to Toronto's 28. Another game putting the Wolves iso ball and lack of modern-day ball movement on display.

4. We took 12 threes compared to Toronto's 29. That would have been fine 10 years ago, but not now.

Yes, the Wolves sure a playoff team barring an extended injury to Jimmy or KAT. But although I still believe we have the talent to finish 3rd in the West, I don't see us finishing higher than 5th without some significant changes in the way we play -- more ball movement, faster pace and more threes.

Karl Anthony Towns needs more touches and shots. Ibaka defended him well tonight but no way that towns should take less than 13-15 shots a game. teague needs to stop dribbling too much.

Most of us expected a loss but those two things needs to be corrected.

worldK wrote:Karl Anthony Towns needs more touches and shots. Ibaka defended him well tonight but no way that towns should take less than 13-15 shots a game. teague needs to stop dribbling too much.

Most of us expected a loss but those two things needs to be corrected.

Kat also passed up a lot of shots. What is his fault

I'll mildly point out that this is another game where a legitimate scoring option off the bench could have made a difference -- or been the difference, actually. I know Dieng scored 14 in this one, but that's not what we expect from him. Even a Jordan Clarkson could have filled it up, provided another punch.

It's all the things we've discussed already plus having that safety net of "one of our guys doesn't have it going, good thing we have ____." Most good teams have that from what I can see. We don't. Sorry, Jamal Crawford.

Camden wrote:I'll mildly point out that this is another game where a legitimate scoring option off the bench could have made a difference -- or been the difference, actually. I know Dieng scored 14 in this one, but that's not what we expect from him. Even a Jordan Clarkson could have filled it up, provided another punch.

It's all the things we've discussed already plus having that safety net of "one of our guys doesn't have it going, good thing we have ____." Most good teams have that from what I can see. We don't. Sorry, Jamal Crawford.

I agree, Cam. We can't continue to depend soley on Crawford as our one scorer off the bench. A Bazemore or Clarkson definitely would have made a material difference tonight.

kekgeek1 wrote:

worldK wrote:Karl Anthony Towns needs more touches and shots. Ibaka defended him well tonight but no way that towns should take less than 13-15 shots a game. teague needs to stop dribbling too much.

Most of us expected a loss but those two things needs to be corrected.

Kat also passed up a lot of shots. What is his fault

It partly KAT's fault, but the offensive (and specifically our starting PG) doesn't generate enough touches and shots for KAT. I forgot to include it on my list of things that have to change.

lipoli390 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

worldK wrote:Karl Anthony Towns needs more touches and shots. Ibaka defended him well tonight but no way that towns should take less than 13-15 shots a game. teague needs to stop dribbling too much.

Most of us expected a loss but those two things needs to be corrected.

Kat also passed up a lot of shots. What is his fault

It partly KAT's fault, but the offensive (and specifically our starting PG) doesn't generate enough touches and shots for KAT. I forgot to include it on my list of things that have to change.

I agree 100%. Just talking about tonight Kat was super passive. Also in the 2nd or 3rd quarter taj bitched out Kat because of a poor defensive rotation. Just don't want this team to start crumbling

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

worldK wrote:Karl Anthony Towns needs more touches and shots. Ibaka defended him well tonight but no way that towns should take less than 13-15 shots a game. teague needs to stop dribbling too much.

Most of us expected a loss but those two things needs to be corrected.

Kat also passed up a lot of shots. What is his fault

It partly KAT's fault, but the offensive (and specifically our starting PG) doesn't generate enough touches and shots for KAT. I forgot to include it on my list of things that have to change.

I agree 100%. Just talking about tonight Kat was super passive. Also in the 2nd or 3rd quarter taj bitched out Kat because of a poor defensive rotation. Just don't want this team to start crumbling

I share your concern.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:I'll mildly point out that this is another game where a legitimate scoring option off the bench could have made a difference -- or been the difference, actually. I know Dieng scored 14 in this one, but that's not what we expect from him. Even a Jordan Clarkson could have filled it up, provided another punch.

It's all the things we've discussed already plus having that safety net of "one of our guys doesn't have it going, good thing we have ____." Most good teams have that from what I can see. We don't. Sorry, Jamal Crawford.

I agree, Cam. We can't continue to depend soley on Crawford as our one scorer off the bench. A Bazemore or Clarkson definitely would have made a material difference tonight.

Saying is just masking the larger problem like Lip pointed out. I'll make a prediction, Jim Pete will be looking for a new job next year. He's becoming more and more out spoken with criticism of players, style of play and even coaching decision. I personally appreciate his candidness, some homers may not, it might be because I agree with everything he is saying.

I mentioned this last game against Toronto, but his praise of the changes the Raptors made to a more modern style, developing an identify for the bench, etc. seem almost like a backhanded shot at Tibs and the wolves. Tibs will have him fired is my prediction.

Teague can't play late in these games anymore.