Minnesota Sports Forum

60WinTim wrote:Have we been so beaten down over the years that we feel cheated if we don't have a shot in the lottery?!?

We are just 2 games back in the loss column for the 8th spot, and not far behind a few higher seeds. We have managed to stay within striking distance despite our injury problems (a tribute to Kat and our veteran depth). We have a reasonable chance to make a run going into the all-star break, get healthy, and come out firing on all cylinders for the stretch run.

The island wants to see Kat and our young players continue to develop, our young, inexperienced coach to grow, and head into the playoffs in a better position than last year.

Let's leave the lottery years behind us.

I love the OpDOUGism, Tim (or is that backward), but I find myself scanning the sky for the helicopter that may get me off of this island. Three things have sapped some of my positivity. First, the return of LeBron...I don't see us catching them if he's playing...and especially not if they trade for LeBron. Second, Jim Pete's discouraging comment during the Denver game that none of our three wounded Warriors are even close to returning. Finally, I was unhappy to hear that Rose's ankle is bothering him again and he couldn't practice today. No Rose means a lot of Josh and even a little Loose Canaan, and it's a challenge to win with those guys bricking shots. But I'm not waving for that helicopter yet, for some of the reasons you said. This is a good team, even with the injuries...we proved that by taking the West leader down to the wire. And we're a very good team with everyone healthy, and I'm convinced we're much better coached even with a 33 year old at the helm. But we gotta get healthy soon, and time is running out. I'm still holding onto my dream though...to sneak into that 8th spot and have a really entertaining series against the Nuggets.

Love the optimism, but seriously. there is almost zero chance we make the playoffs. I still think we need to play to win and compete, so I don't want to all out tank as that leads to the type of losing mentality that has engulfed this franchise far too long. But realistically......we're not making the playoffs.

Q12543 wrote:Love the optimism, but seriously. there is almost zero chance we make the playoffs. I still think we need to play to win and compete, so I don't want to all out tank as that leads to the type of losing mentality that has engulfed this franchise far too long. But realistically......we're not making the playoffs.

Jim Mora nods his head in approval...

Q12543 wrote:Love the optimism, but seriously. there is almost zero chance we make the playoffs. I still think we need to play to win and compete, so I don't want to all out tank as that leads to the type of losing mentality that has engulfed this franchise far too long. But realistically......we're not making the playoffs.

Come on, Q...zero chance? I'm not going to look it up, but I seem to recall at least once in NBA history a team was able to make up that seemingly insurmountable 2-game deficit in the loss column at the all-star break :) . Was it in 1948...damn, I can't remember. But I'm pretty sure it's happened once before. Maybe lightening can strike twice?

Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

60WinTim wrote:Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

Exactly, Tim. Nice to get some reasonably good news this morning on the injury front. Rose is out tonight so we will have to grimace watching Okogie's brick-laying, but Teague has been upgraded to "doubtful" and may keep us from having to play the Loose Canaan tonight...it would be great if Ryan thinks he's healthy enough to cover the 12 minutes Canaan would otherwtse get. Tyus is still out, but at least he was shooting at practice yesterday. We need RoCo back right after the all star break, and then anything can happen.

longstrangetrip wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

Exactly, Tim. Nice to get some reasonably good news this morning on the injury front. Rose is out tonight so we will have to grimace watching Okogie's brick-laying, but Teague has been upgraded to "doubtful" and may keep us from having to play the Loose Canaan tonight...it would be great if Ryan thinks he's healthy enough to cover the 12 minutes Canaan would otherwtse get. Tyus is still out, but at least he was shooting at practice yesterday. We need RoCo back right after the all star break, and then anything can happen.

You know Canaan's name is pronounced Kay-nin right? I keep wondering what what a loose Israelite promised land has to do with his play. Maybe this is the new Darko is manna from heaven thing? Lol

monsterpile wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

Exactly, Tim. Nice to get some reasonably good news this morning on the injury front. Rose is out tonight so we will have to grimace watching Okogie's brick-laying, but Teague has been upgraded to "doubtful" and may keep us from having to play the Loose Canaan tonight...it would be great if Ryan thinks he's healthy enough to cover the 12 minutes Canaan would otherwtse get. Tyus is still out, but at least he was shooting at practice yesterday. We need RoCo back right after the all star break, and then anything can happen.

You know Canaan's name is pronounced Kay-nin right? I keep wondering what what a loose Israelite promised land has to do with his play. Maybe this is the new Darko is manna from heaven thing? Lol

Close enough...hopefully the next time we hear his name pronounced in any way will be when they announce his release in 4 days. He's been terrible.

longstrangetrip wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

Exactly, Tim. Nice to get some reasonably good news this morning on the injury front. Rose is out tonight so we will have to grimace watching Okogie's brick-laying, but Teague has been upgraded to "doubtful" and may keep us from having to play the Loose Canaan tonight...it would be great if Ryan thinks he's healthy enough to cover the 12 minutes Canaan would otherwtse get. Tyus is still out, but at least he was shooting at practice yesterday. We need RoCo back right after the all star break, and then anything can happen.

I'd keep RoCo and Tyus out the rest of the season just to be sure they're fully healthy next season. As you can see, LST, I'm in full tank mode right now. :). I'd get Teague back in there as soon as possible. I want him to play and play well so he generates interest from other teams who might entice him into opting out and signing longer term deals with them. Teague playing without RoCo and Tyus won't get the Wolves into the playoffs. And that ensures we have some lottery balls this Spring. :)

lipoli390 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:

60WinTim wrote:Of course, the challenge is going to be keeping within 2 games of the 8th spot as we head into the all star break... Could be a challenge with Rose out.

And we absolutely need to get RoCo and a PG back coming out of the break!

Exactly, Tim. Nice to get some reasonably good news this morning on the injury front. Rose is out tonight so we will have to grimace watching Okogie's brick-laying, but Teague has been upgraded to "doubtful" and may keep us from having to play the Loose Canaan tonight...it would be great if Ryan thinks he's healthy enough to cover the 12 minutes Canaan would otherwtse get. Tyus is still out, but at least he was shooting at practice yesterday. We need RoCo back right after the all star break, and then anything can happen.

I'd keep RoCo and Tyus out the rest of the season just to be sure they're fully healthy next season. As you can see, LST, I'm in full tank mode right now. :). I'd get Teague back in there as soon as possible. I want him to play and play well so he generates interest from other teams who might entice him into opting out and signing longer term deals with them. Teague playing without RoCo and Tyus won't get the Wolves into the playoffs. And that ensures we have some lottery balls this Spring. :)

Yeah, I more than anyone understand the long-game strategy, and perhaps you and the other tank advocates are right and tanking the season is the best long-term strategy. Of course I think you guys are a year late...the time for tanking was the final Denver game last year when our team was led by Thibs and Butler...2 guys who are certainly NOT part of our future, thank god. Oh, how nice that 14th pick and an earlier Thibs exit would have been (not to mention the $1000 I'm out watching us flail against Houston)! But now we have the team I want going forward with depth and a good mix of young players and veterans, and a coach who the players work hard for. The main thing holding us back is injuries, not coaching or talent. I don't believe in the whole "loser's mentality" thing...just look how an awful "loser's mentality" franchise like Philly can turn things around on a dime. I just believe in this roster we have now, and really want a playoff series this year. So that's why I'm still on Playoff Island with monster, Tim and Doper.

(It is a little lonely though)