The Ayo Era Begins - Pelicans at Wolves GDT

[60WinTim]

The piss-poor defense would have produced a loss in Toronto as well except for ANT heroics at the end of the game. No ANT heroics to save their ass last night.

I was disappointed Finch stuck with Randle in clutch time. But maybe he knew NAZ would fare no better?

[FNG]

Just watched the opening possession of the 3rd quarter, and it foreshadows the collapse that is about to happen. Finchy moves Ant on to Murphy who I frankly didn't notice much in the first half. Ant shows no interest in closing out on him, and of course he drains a 3-pointer. I go to the box score to see that Ant was by far the worst +/- guy with -12 in a 5-point loss despite a brilliant offensive game. I can tell the rest of this game is going to be predictable, and I'm already pissed off.

[rapsuperstar31]

Just watched the opening possession of the 3rd quarter, and it foreshadows the collapse that is about to happen. Finchy moves Ant on to Murphy who I frankly didn't notice much in the first half. Ant shows no interest in closing out on him, and of course he drains a 3-pointer. I go to the box score to see that Ant was by far the worst +/- guy with -12 in a 5-point loss despite a brilliant offensive game. I can tell the rest of this game is going to be predictable, and I'm already pissed off.

End of the third quarter is a doozy, really poor body language by Ant in the final 90 seconds or so as Trey hits a few threes to close it out.

[FNG]

Rudy and Clark get confused about who is supposed to take Murphy, and he drains an open 3 to drop the lead to 10. I'm not angry because shit happens and it wasn't because of lack of effort. But my whipping boy tonight Ant makes an exasperated WTF gesture toward them. Really? The Pelicans are targeting you all night by getting the ball to Bey or Murphy depending on who you are "guarding", and you're calling out two teammates for a mental mistake?! Out of character for Ant because I usually think he is an exceptional supportive teammate. But I totally understand Rudy's post game comments, and there are still almost 20 minutes left of this disaster.

[FNG]

Just watched the opening possession of the 3rd quarter, and it foreshadows the collapse that is about to happen. Finchy moves Ant on to Murphy who I frankly didn't notice much in the first half. Ant shows no interest in closing out on him, and of course he drains a 3-pointer. I go to the box score to see that Ant was by far the worst +/- guy with -12 in a 5-point loss despite a brilliant offensive game. I can tell the rest of this game is going to be predictable, and I'm already pissed off.

End of the third quarter is a doozy, really poor body language by Ant in the final 90 seconds or so as Trey hits a few threes to close it out.

Just watched, and you're right. I've been ripping Ant in this game, so I'll point out that only 1 of those 3 treys by Murphy was Ant's fault. And before that he actually played some focused tough defense when matched up on Zion. Ant is strong, so a guy like Zion is a better matchup for him...especially on nights like this when he has zero interest in defending the perimeter.

[FNG]

I'm venting here, but I know you guys can just ignore my posts if not interested! Ant goes to the bench to start the 4th quarter, and the Wolves completely shut off the 3-point line. In fact, the Pels don't even get a bucket until a scrambling possession after an offensive rebound gives Bey an open look almost 4 minutes into the quarter! Rudy knows what's going on...

[FNG]

Ant comes back in with 7:07 left in the game...the Pels got ONE basket in the 5 minutes he was on the bench (they did have a few free throws). In Ant's first defensive possession, he and Naz both leave their men wide open beyond the arc, and Bey hits the open three. Rudy looks disgusted on the bench and begins preparing his postgame remarks.

[FNG]

I'm in Finchy's head with 5 minutes left: "Ah, I need late-game offense from Ant to win this game so I can't take him out, but how can I hide him on defense? Ant, Ant, Ant...career 5 PPG per game scorer Bryce McGowen is out there. You take him!".

I'll let you guys guess who hits the next three to give the Pels a 3-point lead. I throw the remote off the wall.

And on the next possession. future HOFer McGowens finally gets Ant to try to guard the perimeter, but he pump fakes him and gets to the hoop for a layup to put the Pels up 5. Anybody sense a pattern here?

[Phenom]

The double-edged sword is wondering how the offense fared during that time.

[FNG]

The double-edged sword is wondering how the offense fared during that time.

You're right. phenom...not nearly as good with Ant out as he's having a brilliant offensive night. But the delta is not nearly as dramatic as what we're seeing on the defensive end.