Minnesota Sports Forum

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:19 am

Phenom wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:17 am 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.

So now we're back to Finch. What does he want to do with the knucklehead brigade? Evidence suggests he wants to keep doing the same thing over and over and living with it

If Finch is still the head coach in a week I won't be surprised, but I will be very disappointed. Many of us have been calling for his head this season. TC waited to long to make a change, unless he feels a coaching change is the jolt that these Wolves need for the sprint to the playoffs.

Either way, if the Wolves fail this year, TC has to make that change in the off-season. Tom Crean has been sitting in the wings as a broadcaster for a while...maybe he can be the Ant whisperer?

Gotta love Rudy. Yes he was responsible for most of DQs 4 treys (although I get the strategy), but he blocks another attempt that would have put the Pels up 7, setting up yet another offensive rebound by Ju that leads to an almost automatic mid ranger from Ant. Then he picks up DQ full court, steals the ball, and MAKES both free throws to tie the game. At this point, I (and most of the crowd) were feeling pretty confident of a win.

Ju with three big offensive rebounds in crunch time to set up shots that Ant will normally make...he's been terrific in the clutch all year and on offense all game so not going to fault him for these misses.

Okay, guys I'm done...I apologize for my crabbiness and repetitiveness...a little hungover today. Glad I watched this though...focusing on our defense made it crystal clear why we lost this game, and helped me understand Rudy's remarks. Now let's see if it does any good.

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:40 am Ju with three big offensive rebounds in crunch time to set up shots that Ant will normally make...he's been terrific in the clutch all year and on offense all game so not going to fault him for these misses.

Okay, guys I'm done...I apologize for my crabbiness and repetitiveness...a little hungover today. Glad I watched this though...focusing on our defense made it crystal clear why we lost this game, and helped me understand Rudy's remarks. Now let's see if it does any good.

Not one complaint about Ju Fungo?

Phenom wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:21 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:19 am

Phenom wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:17 am 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.

So now we're back to Finch. What does he want to do with the knucklehead brigade? Evidence suggests he wants to keep doing the same thing over and over and living with it

I think with Ant it's more we know he can do better. If he was Luka on defense every game, it would be it is what it is. But we've seen Ant lock in and play the defense that we need from him. Now the offensive load we need from him when Donte can't hit wide open threes, Naz doesn't show up, and Jaden decides he doesn't want to play is going to effect the effort he can give on defense. We can only hope having one more defensive player in Ayo that can also take some of the load off on offense when Naz and other guys don't have it will help.

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:46 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:40 am Ju with three big offensive rebounds in crunch time to set up shots that Ant will normally make...he's been terrific in the clutch all year and on offense all game so not going to fault him for these misses.

Okay, guys I'm done...I apologize for my crabbiness and repetitiveness...a little hungover today. Glad I watched this though...focusing on our defense made it crystal clear why we lost this game, and helped me understand Rudy's remarks. Now let's see if it does any good.

Not one complaint about Ju Fungo?

Cool, I can't speak to his offense (although 24-8-7 with no turnovers is pretty good) because I was mostly fast forwarding our offensive possessions until the end, but I actually thought his defense was passable. And his 3 offensive rebounds in the final minutes of the game gave us a chance. I saw the negative comments about Ju and Jaden in the GDT but I thought both were fine. This loss in on Ant's terrible defense and poor shooting mostly from Donte and Naz.

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 12:03 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:46 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:40 am Ju with three big offensive rebounds in crunch time to set up shots that Ant will normally make...he's been terrific in the clutch all year and on offense all game so not going to fault him for these misses.

Okay, guys I'm done...I apologize for my crabbiness and repetitiveness...a little hungover today. Glad I watched this though...focusing on our defense made it crystal clear why we lost this game, and helped me understand Rudy's remarks. Now let's see if it does any good.

Not one complaint about Ju Fungo?

Cool, I can't speak to his offense (although 24-8-7 with no turnovers is pretty good) because I was mostly fast forwarding our offensive possessions until the end, but I actually thought his defense was passable. And his 3 offensive rebounds in the final minutes of the game gave us a chance. I saw the negative comments about Ju and Jaden in the GDT but I thought both were fine. This loss in on Ant's terrible defense and poor shooting mostly from Donte and Naz.

I agree with Ants defense for most of the season. However again, how much do these games matter? As long as we make the playoffs we can go on a run.

I do think it's fair though to ask, can Ant flip a switch and go from not playing defense for much of the year to playing good or great defense for most games when they really matter in the postseason?

I think ideally he starts ramping it up more and more as we finish the year. He tends to try against teams he cares about beating like OKC. I would like to see more effort night in and out though as we finish the regular season. Start building better habits.

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 12:03 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:46 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Feb 07, 2026 11:40 am Ju with three big offensive rebounds in crunch time to set up shots that Ant will normally make...he's been terrific in the clutch all year and on offense all game so not going to fault him for these misses.

Okay, guys I'm done...I apologize for my crabbiness and repetitiveness...a little hungover today. Glad I watched this though...focusing on our defense made it crystal clear why we lost this game, and helped me understand Rudy's remarks. Now let's see if it does any good.

Not one complaint about Ju Fungo?

Cool, I can't speak to his offense (although 24-8-7 with no turnovers is pretty good) because I was mostly fast forwarding our offensive possessions until the end, but I actually thought his defense was passable. And his 3 offensive rebounds in the final minutes of the game gave us a chance. I saw the negative comments about Ju and Jaden in the GDT but I thought both were fine. This loss in on Ant's terrible defense and poor shooting mostly from Donte and Naz.

He shot a bunch of poor threes that are basically turnovers that lead to long rebounds and fast breaks. Several of those misses his guy streaked down the court for easy layups. He was really poor defending his man driving to the basket, and fouled/bailed out players on their drives.

If this team can get Julius Randle to defend at the level we know he can (like against Wemby) then we are a legit contender.

If he continues not to give a dam that end and fold our defense most possessions then we won’t make it out the first round.

It’s all about effort with him. He needs a mental skills coach (yes it is a thing).