Minnesota Sports Forum

Minnesota won just 23 games last year in a season that was largely decimated by injuries and suboptimal coaching. This year's team has already won 11 games and they're not even in December yet -- currently on pace for a 43-win season. Remember when some here kept stressing that with better health, better coaching, etc. the team would have significantly better results? That the pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell could work? Well, we're seeing that unfold despite the team still finding their rhythm offensively. Yes, there are some issues with roster construction. Yes, there will likely be injuries in the future (but hopefully not). We know that to be true. However, the Wolves haven't even played their best basketball yet. That's exciting!

I hope everyone's far removed from the pessimism that ensued after a head-scratching 3-7 start. Those discussions weren't very fun and the team has responded in a way none of us could have imagined by winning eight of 11 and seven of their last eight.

I say this because the Wolves might actually be really good and instead of enjoying it some might feel compelled to search for why it can't or won't continue. I'd suggest not doing that, especially as we head into a very challenging stretch of games. I'm expecting some highs and lows this month and I'm hoping we don't overreact to a few losses.

If the Wolves go on a slide losing three out of their next four, for example, let's not act like this team will be capped out at 30 wins because of it. They've already shown us that they can bounce back. Let's hang in there and appreciate maybe the second-most entertaining team in franchise history.

Camden wrote:Minnesota won just 23 games last year in a season that was largely decimated by injuries and suboptimal coaching. This year's team has already won 11 games and they're not even in December yet -- currently on pace for a 43-win season. Remember when some here kept stressing that with better health, better coaching, etc. the team would have significantly better results? That the pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell could work? Well, we're seeing that unfold despite the team still finding their rhythm offensively. Yes, there are some issues with roster construction. Yes, there will likely be injuries in the future (but hopefully not). We know that to be true. However, the Wolves haven't even played their best basketball yet. That's exciting!

I hope everyone's far removed from the pessimism that ensued after a head-scratching 3-7 start. Those discussions weren't very fun and the team has responded in a way none of us could have imagined by winning eight of 11 and seven of their last eight.

I say this because the Wolves might actually be really good and instead of enjoying it some might feel compelled to search for why it can't or won't continue. I'd suggest not doing that, especially as we head into a very challenging stretch of games. I'm expecting some highs and lows this month and I'm hoping we don't overreact to a few losses.

If the Wolves go on a slide losing three out of their next four, for example, let's not act like this team will be capped out at 30 wins because of it. They've already shown us that they can bounce back. Let's hang in there and appreciate maybe the second-most entertaining team in franchise history.

Cam, point well taken, but with all due respect, part of the fan message board experience is freaking out at your own team. That may take the form of unbridled optimism (probably more common in places like LA or Boston) or irrational nihilism (Minnesota, Detroit). One can then try to have a rational debate on the merits of said freak-out.

Q12543 wrote:

Camden wrote:Minnesota won just 23 games last year in a season that was largely decimated by injuries and suboptimal coaching. This year's team has already won 11 games and they're not even in December yet -- currently on pace for a 43-win season. Remember when some here kept stressing that with better health, better coaching, etc. the team would have significantly better results? That the pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell could work? Well, we're seeing that unfold despite the team still finding their rhythm offensively. Yes, there are some issues with roster construction. Yes, there will likely be injuries in the future (but hopefully not). We know that to be true. However, the Wolves haven't even played their best basketball yet. That's exciting!

I hope everyone's far removed from the pessimism that ensued after a head-scratching 3-7 start. Those discussions weren't very fun and the team has responded in a way none of us could have imagined by winning eight of 11 and seven of their last eight.

I say this because the Wolves might actually be really good and instead of enjoying it some might feel compelled to search for why it can't or won't continue. I'd suggest not doing that, especially as we head into a very challenging stretch of games. I'm expecting some highs and lows this month and I'm hoping we don't overreact to a few losses.

If the Wolves go on a slide losing three out of their next four, for example, let's not act like this team will be capped out at 30 wins because of it. They've already shown us that they can bounce back. Let's hang in there and appreciate maybe the second-most entertaining team in franchise history.

Cam, point well taken, but with all due respect, part of the fan message board experience is freaking out at your own team. That may take the form of unbridled optimism (probably more common in places like LA or Boston) or irrational nihilism (Minnesota, Detroit). One can then try to have a rational debate on the merits of said freak-out.

That part is understandable. Emotions run high on just about every message board and this one is no different, although this one is usually more composed than others.

I made that post while looking at the schedule for December and I see 14 games against playoff-caliber teams. The Wolves could surprise us all and trample over their competition going 9-5, or they could scratch and claw to a 5-9 or 6-8 record for the month. In either event, I think we should remember what this team just accomplished through the second half of November. The season is far from over and the Wolves have shown that they can go on a win streak of their own. December will be a big test, but there's plenty of ball left no matter the results.

I've been out of town the last week, Watched the Wolves/Pacers game on flight home. Best game of the year in my opinion. Dlo and Ant were great!! I was following the box score during the game. Dlo had the best +/- throughout the game, after watching I understand why. He and Ant didn't shoot great, Ant missed 4 easy layups, but they were great attacks, not him dribbling the air out of the ball going iso. They moved the ball and took good shots. Kat played really well also. Love how they are using his at the free throw line to initiate offense, they is a revelation!! This is how he needs to be used, not trailing every play and lurking at the 3 pt line the whole possession. I hope they start using Ant like this also, getting him the ball in different areas on the court. They all shared the ball and moved. Kat was mostly composed except for a stint on the 4th. His decision making is still a work in progress but it was nice to see him doing something else on offense beside being a trail guy and shooting 8-10 3's, same with Ant about the 3's.

Dlo was decisive and drove and moved the ball great, played with energy and purpose. If he plays like this you live with missed shots.

If those 3 play like this, much easier for other players to contribute also. I'm excited to see McDaniels play with them playing like this, verses the 1st 10 games when I don't think he touched the ball on offense. They played generally smart on defense also. When Ant and Okogie are playing a driver, you don't need to immediately leave your guy to stop the drive, stay with your guy and let them defend. Happened on a number of occasions.

I said before the year, Kat stats in terms of points and rebound meaning nothing to me, can he put up number while playing team, winning basketball, he did that tonight.

Most enjoyable Wolves game I've seen in awhile. Sabonis and Brogdon could easily be #2 and #3 guys on a title contending team in my opinion. Very good players.

Camden wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

Camden wrote:Minnesota won just 23 games last year in a season that was largely decimated by injuries and suboptimal coaching. This year's team has already won 11 games and they're not even in December yet -- currently on pace for a 43-win season. Remember when some here kept stressing that with better health, better coaching, etc. the team would have significantly better results? That the pairing of Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell could work? Well, we're seeing that unfold despite the team still finding their rhythm offensively. Yes, there are some issues with roster construction. Yes, there will likely be injuries in the future (but hopefully not). We know that to be true. However, the Wolves haven't even played their best basketball yet. That's exciting!

I hope everyone's far removed from the pessimism that ensued after a head-scratching 3-7 start. Those discussions weren't very fun and the team has responded in a way none of us could have imagined by winning eight of 11 and seven of their last eight.

I say this because the Wolves might actually be really good and instead of enjoying it some might feel compelled to search for why it can't or won't continue. I'd suggest not doing that, especially as we head into a very challenging stretch of games. I'm expecting some highs and lows this month and I'm hoping we don't overreact to a few losses.

If the Wolves go on a slide losing three out of their next four, for example, let's not act like this team will be capped out at 30 wins because of it. They've already shown us that they can bounce back. Let's hang in there and appreciate maybe the second-most entertaining team in franchise history.

Cam, point well taken, but with all due respect, part of the fan message board experience is freaking out at your own team. That may take the form of unbridled optimism (probably more common in places like LA or Boston) or irrational nihilism (Minnesota, Detroit). One can then try to have a rational debate on the merits of said freak-out.

That part is understandable. Emotions run high on just about every message board and this one is no different, although this one is usually more composed than others.

I made that post while looking at the schedule for December and I see 14 games against playoff-caliber teams. The Wolves could surprise us all and trample over their competition going 9-5, or they could scratch and claw to a 5-9 or 6-8 record for the month. In either event, I think we should remember what this team just accomplished through the second half of November. The season is far from over and the Wolves have shown that they can go on a win streak of their own. December will be a big test, but there's plenty of ball left no matter the results.

Agree, my hope is that we end December no more than two or three games under .500. Like I mentioned earlier, this past set of games where we won 6 out of 7 to put us one game over .500 gives us a bit of margin to absorb a 5-9 stretch without digging a big hole.

Duke13 wrote:I've been out of town the last week, Watched the Wolves/Pacers game on flight home. Best game of the year in my opinion. Dlo and Ant were great!! I was following the box score during the game. Dlo had the best +/- throughout the game, after watching I understand why. He and Ant didn't shoot great, Ant missed 4 easy layups, but they were great attacks, not him dribbling the air out of the ball going iso. They moved the ball and took good shots. Kat played really well also. Love how they are using his at the free throw line to initiate offense, they is a revelation!! This is how he needs to be used, not trailing every play and lurking at the 3 pt line the whole possession. I hope they start using Ant like this also, getting him the ball in different areas on the court. They all shared the ball and moved. Kat was mostly composed except for a stint on the 4th. His decision making is still a work in progress but it was nice to see him doing something else on offense beside being a trail guy and shooting 8-10 3's, same with Ant about the 3's.

Dlo was decisive and drove and moved the ball great, played with energy and purpose. If he plays like this you live with missed shots.

If those 3 play like this, much easier for other players to contribute also. I'm excited to see McDaniels play with them playing like this, verses the 1st 10 games when I don't think he touched the ball on offense. They played generally smart on defense also. When Ant and Okogie are playing a driver, you don't need to immediately leave your guy to stop the drive, stay with your guy and let them defend. Happened on a number of occasions.

I said before the year, Kat stats in terms of points and rebound meaning nothing to me, can he put up number while playing team, winning basketball, he did that tonight.

Most enjoyable Wolves game I've seen in awhile. Sabonis and Brogdon could easily be #2 and #3 guys on a title contending team in my opinion. Very good players.

Wowzers. You better not watch the Memphis replay or you'll die of unbridled optimism!

It was a good win last night and I like your positive take, but man, the offense was frustrating to me at times. The reason KAT got it at the free throw line a bunch is because they were playing zone and he was positioning himself at the fulcrum of our set-up and it meant we pin-balled the ball around a bit more. There were also some real cringe-worthy offensive possessions.

We really do need to see this offense break out and may be some of what you saw will eventually lead to a sustained improvement on that end of the floor.

Dane Moore:

Over the past two weeks the Timberwolves are 7-1. The only other teams in that period of time to win seven games: Golden State, Phoenix, and Milwaukee.

The 7-1 record has been fueled by the Wolves having a top-10 offense (9th) and top-10 defense (3rd) in those eight games.

Q12543 wrote:

Duke13 wrote:I've been out of town the last week, Watched the Wolves/Pacers game on flight home. Best game of the year in my opinion. Dlo and Ant were great!! I was following the box score during the game. Dlo had the best +/- throughout the game, after watching I understand why. He and Ant didn't shoot great, Ant missed 4 easy layups, but they were great attacks, not him dribbling the air out of the ball going iso. They moved the ball and took good shots. Kat played really well also. Love how they are using his at the free throw line to initiate offense, they is a revelation!! This is how he needs to be used, not trailing every play and lurking at the 3 pt line the whole possession. I hope they start using Ant like this also, getting him the ball in different areas on the court. They all shared the ball and moved. Kat was mostly composed except for a stint on the 4th. His decision making is still a work in progress but it was nice to see him doing something else on offense beside being a trail guy and shooting 8-10 3's, same with Ant about the 3's.

Dlo was decisive and drove and moved the ball great, played with energy and purpose. If he plays like this you live with missed shots.

If those 3 play like this, much easier for other players to contribute also. I'm excited to see McDaniels play with them playing like this, verses the 1st 10 games when I don't think he touched the ball on offense. They played generally smart on defense also. When Ant and Okogie are playing a driver, you don't need to immediately leave your guy to stop the drive, stay with your guy and let them defend. Happened on a number of occasions.

I said before the year, Kat stats in terms of points and rebound meaning nothing to me, can he put up number while playing team, winning basketball, he did that tonight.

Most enjoyable Wolves game I've seen in awhile. Sabonis and Brogdon could easily be #2 and #3 guys on a title contending team in my opinion. Very good players.

Wowzers. You better not watch the Memphis replay or you'll die of unbridled optimism!

It was a good win last night and I like your positive take, but man, the offense was frustrating to me at times. The reason KAT got it at the free throw line a bunch is because they were playing zone and he was positioning himself at the fulcrum of our set-up and it meant we pin-balled the ball around a bit more. There were also some real cringe-worthy offensive possessions.

We really do need to see this offense break out and may be some of what you saw will eventually lead to a sustained improvement on that end of the floor.

Saw the Memphis game, not nearly the cohesion on both side of the ball IMO