Game Report - Wolves v. CSKA Moscow

[GymRat [enjin:6592663]]

One thing I wanted to add wasn't specifically mentioned above is the Wolves were somewhat proficient at drawing fouls last year, but they rarely finished the and-1 opportunities. In this game, albeit a small sample, it looks like we'll have Love, Martin, Pek, and Williams drawing fouls on a regular basis. The key will be hitting those foul shots to gain a significant advantage and close out games.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Finally saw K-Love's pass to K-Mart... Lol that shit was too nice.

[observerII [enjin:6598557]]

. . . and if Williams keeps going 1-for-4 on last-minute free throws, he will never see the end of a game, no matter how good he looks in the third quarter.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

One thing I wanted to add wasn't specifically mentioned above is the Wolves were somewhat proficient at drawing fouls last year, but they rarely finished the and-1 opportunities. In this game, albeit a small sample, it looks like we'll have Love, Martin, Pek, and Williams drawing fouls on a regular basis. The key will be hitting those foul shots to gain a significant advantage and close out games.

You are absolutely correct. If you were to look in aggregate where this team will have an advantage over most opponents, it's in the following categories:

1. Free throw differential
2. Defensive rebounding
3. Turnover differential
4. Offensive rebounding

What the biggest question mark in my mind will be is the eFG% differential, meaning how well do our opponents convert their 2 and 3-point shots compared to us? Clearly a healthy Kevin Love, Pekovic, and Martin gives us three players that can convert shots at a reasonably high level. But our ability to challenge shots on defense along with Budinger's injury hurts the cause in terms of having a positive eFG% differential. I'd be happy if we were neutral in this area and then won the possession battle based on the strengths listed above.

[KiwiMatt]

Only caught the 4th quarter and overtime where Rick pretty much ran the lineup of Price, Shved, Jeffers, Williams and Turiaf. Out of those 5 only Williams and Price looked like they were NBA caliber players. Shved still looks raw, but it's nice to seem him play solid D and set up others when his shot is not falling. But WE NEED him to make his shots, 2 - 13 or whatever it was isn't gonna win us games.

Agree on the comparison of D Will to Al Harrington and Antwain Jamison, although I think Williams is more athletic than both of them.

Agree with Mstermisty on feeding Pek early. We need his low post presence every game and him and Love should be taking no less that 25 shots (combined) per game. Was good to see Love get 5 dimes.

As for the 4 fighting for the final spot I think Hummel still leads due to Budingers injury, closely followed by Price. But as someone pointed out Price gives us nothing that Barea already does. Looking forward to seeing Brown and Dieng get some burn and Muhammad to be given more minutes.

[foye2smith [enjin:6593248]]

Worried more about Martin than I am Pekovic. Martin absolutely iced Pek and Love in the first quarter, which was more than a third of the minutes the bigs played. I believe Martin had twice as many shots than the two of them combined frankly tossing up trash at times whether he was trying to draw a foul I don't know, but there were 2-3 awkward running/floaters from a step or two inside the three point line.

I'm worried that in being reunited with Adelman, Martin may try to hard to relive their old days where he was Rick's go-to when the Wolves should be running through a heavy dose of Love and Pek pick and rolls with Ricky or post-ups.

[mjs34]

I thought Williams was a little lazy on the rebounding end of things, but other than that he showed that he can carry an offense. To score efficiently with the four slugs on the floor with him, was not an easy task. I think he was unfairly called out on the alley oop, that was clearly thrown behind him. I do agree he should have two handed the the rebound, rather than trying to showboat. Thought he had a very nice game overall.

Love was a lot more active defensively, and actually contested some shots for a change. Good effort, but still not getting into any kind of groove offensively.

Pek was a complete disappointment.

I was disappointed with the standard hockey change ups that have become common place with Adelman. I would like to see him juggling the lineups more (particularly in pre-season), and when our first unit was clearly struggling both offensively and defensively.

Ricky looks much stronger, but I agree with Lip that his shot looks unchanged. Can't believe they haven't employee a shooting coach to change his form. I guess Flip's changes haven't made it to the court yet.

I expect our defense to improve the most with more time together.

[worldK]

Thanks for the report lip.

Williams had a very good game. You do notice the slimmer body, better body control and being quicker. He was used more at pf than sf due to dante being out and the hummel and jeffers being given playing time.

I for one hope williams gets to start in a couple of pre season games at sf alongside the rest of the starters. He is currently being used as the scorer off the bench and while he does have that ability, i dont think he will be effective or consistent once jj comes back.

I would like for us to start williams at sf, make him concentrate on defense. Give him the kawhi leonard role where he concentrates on defense, rebound his position, run the break, spots up in the corner and make cuts. Give him a set role for a while and see if he can be more consistent and also develop other parts of his game other than scoring. I think that would help him develop into a better player long term. Let jj run the 2nd unit with pick and roles with dante and corey brewer providing energy. If bud was healthy, a jj-brewer-bud-dante-turiaf 2nd unit would be a well balance bench.

[Lipoli390]

Kiwi -- Shved did a terrible job setting up teammates last night and was also very poor defensively. His terrible decision to pass to Turiaf on the fast break was one of many examples. He dribbled the ball aimlessly on most possessions and would often end up driving the lane out of control. It was the worst game I've ever seen him play -- and that's saying something.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Gotta agree with your Shved assessment, Lip. He was terrible last night. I have been hoping for some off-season improvement from him, so let's hope that his performance last night was due to nervousness about playing against his old teammates. He really looked like he was pressing.

The look on Turiaf's face when Shved passed to him on a fast break with two men to beat was priceless!