lipoli390 wrote:I agree. Sam was terrific last night in many ways from his pregame drill to relax his players to his rotations. Overall, what I really like about Sam is he's infusing this team with his character. Team's typically reflect the personality of thei head coach. And that's what seems to be happening with the Wolves. As a result, the Wolves are becoming a tough, hard-nose, stubborn team.
Excellent point, lip...and that personality seems to manifest itself most in the 4th quarter. Two years ago we had a talented team that got off to big 1st quarter leads, but seemed to lack heart late in games...and we all remember the heartbreaking losses. Sam's philosophy seems to be the opposite. He likes to start games slowly with a sticky defense and looking to KAT and Wig to supply the scoring, and hope to come out of the first quarter up 22-20. Then at crunch time he turns to whoever he deems best that night to take us home. The end result...in most games we have been better than our opponents in the 4th quarter. What a refreshing change in character for our beloved Wolves!
Personally, I loved seeing Ricky and LaVine on the floor at the same time. I think it allows Zach to look for the 3pt shot off the pass, rather than off the dribble as the PG. I really felt like Ricky, Zach, Wiggins, KG and Towns was the right combo down the stretch. Belly might eventually replace KG, but I do not like the way Martin is playing right now, so Zach and Ricky make a ton of sense. Fun win!
kurrdog53 wrote:Personally, I loved seeing Ricky and LaVine on the floor at the same time. I think it allows Zach to look for the 3pt shot off the pass, rather than off the dribble as the PG. I really felt like Ricky, Zach, Wiggins, KG and Towns was the right combo down the stretch. Belly might eventually replace KG, but I do not like the way Martin is playing right now, so Zach and Ricky make a ton of sense. Fun win!
Yeah, I like that "all-skinny" lineup, being a tall, skinny guy myself! Rubio, Lavine, Wiggy, KG, and Towns, total combined weight over 1000??
kurrdog53 wrote:Personally, I loved seeing Ricky and LaVine on the floor at the same time. I think it allows Zach to look for the 3pt shot off the pass, rather than off the dribble as the PG. I really felt like Ricky, Zach, Wiggins, KG and Towns was the right combo down the stretch. Belly might eventually replace KG, but I do not like the way Martin is playing right now, so Zach and Ricky make a ton of sense. Fun win!
Yeah, I like that "all-skinny" lineup, being a tall, skinny guy myself! Rubio, Lavine, Wiggy, KG, and Towns, total combined weight over 1000??
Unfortunately, me and Oliver Miller have a lot in common!
I really liked the hack-a-game. it took the ball out Miami's hands and forced Miami to play to our strengths. and Sam did it when we were up by 2. Pro-active action, not re-active
longstrangetrip wrote:gets my game ball tonight. Three things:
1) He broke the tension of a 4-game losing streak by holding a "fun" practice this afternoon. Staged a 3-point contest (Rudez, Belly and Rubio won) that kept everyone loose and encouraged the team to take more threes. We didn't make them, but at least we tried 21. It's a start.
2) Perfect rotations: He stayed with the young guys longer than many would have liked, but it left KG and Ricky fresh for the final 4 minutes. He recognized Belly was off, and turned to Payne who was terrific.
3) Hack-a-side: Fouling that prick Whiteside not only forced them into empty possessions, but ultimately forced Spoelstra to take him out...KAT immediately got a big put back basket.
Atta kid, Sam!
A new feature? Coach LST's game ball? Maybe you could sprinkle that into Cool's column?
longstrangetrip wrote:gets my game ball tonight. Three things:
1) He broke the tension of a 4-game losing streak by holding a "fun" practice this afternoon. Staged a 3-point contest (Rudez, Belly and Rubio won) that kept everyone loose and encouraged the team to take more threes. We didn't make them, but at least we tried 21. It's a start.
2) Perfect rotations: He stayed with the young guys longer than many would have liked, but it left KG and Ricky fresh for the final 4 minutes. He recognized Belly was off, and turned to Payne who was terrific.
3) Hack-a-side: Fouling that prick Whiteside not only forced them into empty possessions, but ultimately forced Spoelstra to take him out...KAT immediately got a big put back basket.
Atta kid, Sam!
A new feature? Coach LST's game ball? Maybe you could sprinkle that into Cool's column?
Yeah maybe a Game Ball for guys when they win and the Hanging Albatross award for the guy most responsible for the loss?
There are times when I say to myself "why is staying with the lineup for so long, he is letting the game slip away", but those are usually the first nights of back-to-backs, and he doesn't let get too far out of reach. He has my begrudging respect so far.
