Minnesota Sports Forum

khans2k5 wrote:I don't think we can try to be a running team given the minutes guys play. Even if Thibs brings in depth that's not gonna drop everyone down a bunch. They're still gonna play big minutes. We're a very good grind it out offense. We just need the defense to match.

Kahns -- I think your take is a pretty realistic and sensible take. As long as Thibs is coaching, we're going to have a grind-it-out, iso offense. And as you said, that means we need the defense to match. I just wonder if we have the personnel for that kind of defense. I'm with Q in believing that we do, but I'm not sure. KAT strikes me as a James Harden type -- a superstar who does multiple things (in KAT's case, score, rebound and pass), but who will never be a good defender. Teague and Crawford have never been known for their defense. We'll have to see how things play out next to season.

lipoli390 wrote:It would be great to see Indiana win this game and this series. Boy, I wish we had Oladipo on our team.

If that happens Lip, I could see Philly making the finals.

lipoli390 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:I don't think we can try to be a running team given the minutes guys play. Even if Thibs brings in depth that's not gonna drop everyone down a bunch. They're still gonna play big minutes. We're a very good grind it out offense. We just need the defense to match.

Kahns -- I think your take is a pretty realistic and sensible take. As long as Thibs is coaching, we're going to have a grind-it-out, iso offense. And as you said, that means we need the defense to match. I just wonder if we have the personnel for that kind of defense. I'm with Q in believing that we do, but I'm not sure. KAT strikes me as a James Harden type -- a superstar who does multiple things (in KAT's case, score, rebound and pass), but who will never be a good defender. Teague and Crawford have never been known for their defense. We'll have to see how things play out next to season.

Yes, Kahns point makes sense but i still don't think that's what's best for our intermediate and long term success. Wish we still had Rubio and a coach who could take advantage of our talent.

Can't say enough about the Indiana Pacers. They're about to take the first game from the Cavs in Cleveland by a 15 point+ margin. Yet, a lot of pundits and observers didn't think the Pacers would even make the playoffs after dealing Paul George.

The Pacers are among the most impressive NBA teams this season, along with the Jazz, Sixers and Celtics. The Clippers were also pretty impressive when you consider the loss of Chris Paul and all the injuries they suffered.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

khans2k5 wrote:I don't think we can try to be a running team given the minutes guys play. Even if Thibs brings in depth that's not gonna drop everyone down a bunch. They're still gonna play big minutes. We're a very good grind it out offense. We just need the defense to match.

Kahns -- I think your take is a pretty realistic and sensible take. As long as Thibs is coaching, we're going to have a grind-it-out, iso offense. And as you said, that means we need the defense to match. I just wonder if we have the personnel for that kind of defense. I'm with Q in believing that we do, but I'm not sure. KAT strikes me as a James Harden type -- a superstar who does multiple things (in KAT's case, score, rebound and pass), but who will never be a good defender. Teague and Crawford have never been known for their defense. We'll have to see how things play out next to season.

Yes, Kahns point makes sense but i still don't think that's what's best for our intermediate and long term success. Wish we still had Rubio and a coach who could take advantage of our talent.

I agree with you, Cool. Kahns' take is realistic given that Thibodeau is likely to remain our head coach. But I never thought that Thibs style was a good fit for our personnel or for the NBA the way it is today. Thibs inherited a team built to score but not built to defend a grind-it-out half court game. He then added even more scorers in Teague and Crawford.

I love the way the Jazz move the ball. And that Mitchell Kidd? Wow!

lipoli390 wrote:I love the way the Jazz move the ball. And that Mitchell Kidd? Wow!

I like Mitchell's aggressiveness, but.....

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1_hint=Andrew+Wiggins&player_id1_select=Andrew+Wiggins&y1=2018&player_id1=wiggian01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Andrew+Wiggins&player_id2_select=Andrew+Wiggins&y2=2017&player_id2=wiggian01&idx=players&player_id3_hint=Donovan+Mitchell&player_id3_select=Donovan+Mitchell&y3=2018&player_id3=mitchdo01&idx=players

Both guys approximately the same age.

Rubio is lighting it up!!!!

WolvesFan21 wrote:Rubio is lighting it up!!!!

an absolute flame thrower, 1-7 and only getting hotter!!!!

Westbrook is good. Utah's lack of athleticism has been a problem this game.