Minnesota Sports Forum

Dropped one we had to have. 1-1 in this critical 9 game stretch. Going to be nearly impossible to get the 7-2 mark now.

TheSP wrote:

thedoper wrote:
I don't know if I call it unlucky. They are just really bad in pressure situations. Their game changes for the worst still due to inexperience and lack of focus. "Normal luck" never applies to Minnesota sports teams. I do think there's a lot to be excited about, but the winning mindset is the final step. I think the team still expects things to go wrong much of the time when the pressure gets ramped up.

I agree with Doper, luck hasn't been their problem!

If luck wouldn't have any role in close game record, you would expect that there would be pretty strong correlation in each team close game records between different seasons. But it seems that if there is, it is so small that clearly luck is the most visible factor.

For example Charlotte had last year pretty good record in close games with 12-7, this year they have one of the worst records with 2-8. Golden state had best close game record last year with 13-3 but they have been pretty mediocre this season with 2-3 record. Also Clippers had a really good close game record last season with 15-6 record but this season they are 4-6. And none of these teams have had that major roster or coaching changes except maybe Golden State but I think nobody blames Durant about their worse close game record this season. I think that I have read some time ago some article that pointed that there really won't be more clutch teams based on record in close games. I think that hypothesis was based on lack of correlation between different seasons or season halves.

Mikkeman wrote:

TheSP wrote:

thedoper wrote:
I don't know if I call it unlucky. They are just really bad in pressure situations. Their game changes for the worst still due to inexperience and lack of focus. "Normal luck" never applies to Minnesota sports teams. I do think there's a lot to be excited about, but the winning mindset is the final step. I think the team still expects things to go wrong much of the time when the pressure gets ramped up.

I agree with Doper, luck hasn't been their problem!

If luck wouldn't have any role in close game record, you would expect that there would be pretty strong correlation in each team close game records between different seasons. But it seems that if there is, it is so small that clearly luck is the most visible factor.

For example Charlotte had last year pretty good record in close games with 12-7, this year they have one of the worst records with 2-8. Golden state had best close game record last year with 13-3 but they have been pretty mediocre this season with 2-3 record. Also Clippers had a really good close game record last season with 15-6 record but this season they are 4-6. And none of these teams have had that major roster or coaching changes except maybe Golden State but I think nobody blames Durant about their worse close game record this season. I think that I have read some time ago some article that pointed that there really won't be more clutch teams based on record in close games. I think that hypothesis was based on lack of correlation between different seasons or season halves.

The Wolves must have the worst luck ever. Consider... they were/are 0 - 10 in games decided by 4 points or less this season.

And it was only 2014 when the team started 0 - 11 in such games.

Mikkeman wrote:

TheSP wrote:

thedoper wrote:
I don't know if I call it unlucky. They are just really bad in pressure situations. Their game changes for the worst still due to inexperience and lack of focus. "Normal luck" never applies to Minnesota sports teams. I do think there's a lot to be excited about, but the winning mindset is the final step. I think the team still expects things to go wrong much of the time when the pressure gets ramped up.

I agree with Doper, luck hasn't been their problem!

If luck wouldn't have any role in close game record, you would expect that there would be pretty strong correlation in each team close game records between different seasons. But it seems that if there is, it is so small that clearly luck is the most visible factor.

For example Charlotte had last year pretty good record in close games with 12-7, this year they have one of the worst records with 2-8. Golden state had best close game record last year with 13-3 but they have been pretty mediocre this season with 2-3 record. Also Clippers had a really good close game record last season with 15-6 record but this season they are 4-6. And none of these teams have had that major roster or coaching changes except maybe Golden State but I think nobody blames Durant about their worse close game record this season. I think that I have read some time ago some article that pointed that there really won't be more clutch teams based on record in close games. I think that hypothesis was based on lack of correlation between different seasons or season halves.

You are absolutely right in your analysis and logic except for one thing. This is Minnesota sports. You are entering into a supernatural realm that defies all physical laws and logic. Think Murphy's law. We are the weak link in the chain that will always break. We need your voice to keep reminding us that it is just a statistical anomaly though. That is why we keep coming back for the punishment.

Mikkeman wrote:

TheSP wrote:

thedoper wrote:
I don't know if I call it unlucky. They are just really bad in pressure situations. Their game changes for the worst still due to inexperience and lack of focus. "Normal luck" never applies to Minnesota sports teams. I do think there's a lot to be excited about, but the winning mindset is the final step. I think the team still expects things to go wrong much of the time when the pressure gets ramped up.

I agree with Doper, luck hasn't been their problem!

If luck wouldn't have any role in close game record, you would expect that there would be pretty strong correlation in each team close game records between different seasons. But it seems that if there is, it is so small that clearly luck is the most visible factor.

For example Charlotte had last year pretty good record in close games with 12-7, this year they have one of the worst records with 2-8. Golden state had best close game record last year with 13-3 but they have been pretty mediocre this season with 2-3 record. Also Clippers had a really good close game record last season with 15-6 record but this season they are 4-6. And none of these teams have had that major roster or coaching changes except maybe Golden State but I think nobody blames Durant about their worse close game record this season. I think that I have read some time ago some article that pointed that there really won't be more clutch teams based on record in close games. I think that hypothesis was based on lack of correlation between different seasons or season halves.

I simply disagree that it's bad luck that Minnesota, or Charlotte this year, are unlucky in close games rather than simply bad at closing out close games. It's bad luck when the other team hits half court shots, luck has nothing to do with the Wolves hairbrained play late in games. If missing shots late is simply bad luck then I guess hitting shots earlier in the game was not talent, but rather a run of good luck. Just my opinion.

We got the win back. Now 2-2 in this critical 9 game stretch. Time to go on a winning streak.

I think we're going to do it. I think we're going to put together a 6 game winning streak and be firmly in the race for the 8th spot.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I think we're going to do it. I think we're going to put together a 6 game winning streak and be firmly in the race for the 8th spot.

The next 6 games we see if playoffs are actually a reality, As a wolves fan we probably go 2-4 but I do have hope

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I think we're going to do it. I think we're going to put together a 6 game winning streak and be firmly in the race for the 8th spot.

This team is still way to inconsistent to run off six wins IMO. If they can match the 4-2 record of their past 6 games I'll be very pleased!

TheSP wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I think we're going to do it. I think we're going to put together a 6 game winning streak and be firmly in the race for the 8th spot.

This team is still way to inconsistent to run off six wins IMO. If they can match the 4-2 record of their past 6 games I'll be very pleased!

Yup, the good news is that they steadied the ship over the past 20 games and seem to be back to a win rate they were on in the second half of last season. The bad news is that they dug a huge hole for themselves early and continue to have too many "let down" games.