Camden wrote:I'll mildly point out that this is another game where a legitimate scoring option off the bench could have made a difference -- or been the difference, actually. I know Dieng scored 14 in this one, but that's not what we expect from him. Even a Jordan Clarkson could have filled it up, provided another punch.
It's all the things we've discussed already plus having that safety net of "one of our guys doesn't have it going, good thing we have ____." Most good teams have that from what I can see. We don't. Sorry, Jamal Crawford.
I agree, Cam. We can't continue to depend soley on Crawford as our one scorer off the bench. A Bazemore or Clarkson definitely would have made a material difference tonight.
Saying is just masking the larger problem like Lip pointed out. I'll make a prediction, Jim Pete will be looking for a new job next year. He's becoming more and more out spoken with criticism of players, style of play and even coaching decision. I personally appreciate his candidness, some homers may not, it might be because I agree with everything he is saying.
I mentioned this last game against Toronto, but his praise of the changes the Raptors made to a more modern style, developing an identify for the bench, etc. seem almost like a backhanded shot at Tibs and the wolves. Tibs will have him fired is my prediction.
I'm with you in appreciating Jim Pete. I love his candor and respect his always thoughtful analysis even when I don't agree with him. But in this case, like you, I agree with him completely. He's clearly at his wits end with Thibs approach to the game on the offensive end. Will he be fired? Hmm. I'm not ready to join your prediction on that quite yet.
My prediction was a bit tongue and cheek, forecasting Tibs being insecure and punitive enough to make that move. How about Jim Pete ripping Tibs calling that last timeout and basically saying he's an idiot for not playing Belly more with Kat, especially at the end of the game. I just found it very interesting he was that outspoken, but I've noticed it increasing the last month or so.
I'm glad he's not looking at the record through rose color lenses, in a vacuum it's great but the whole "we haven't made the playoffs in 14 years" narrative is BS to me. This team has nothing to do with the last 14 years. We arguably have 2 top 15 players in the league. We should win 50 games. Our cap is maxed, plenty of resources are put into this roster. That's why I find the season largely disappointing. More so I'm seeing we have an archaic coach and POBO running the show, which is what I find most disappointing.
Duke13 wrote:My prediction was a bit tongue and cheek, forecasting Tibs being insecure and punitive enough to make that move. How about Jim Pete ripping Tibs calling that last timeout and basically saying he's an idiot for not playing Belly more with Kat, especially at the end of the game. I just found it very interesting he was that outspoken, but I've noticed it increasing the last month or so.
I'm glad he's not looking at the record through rose color lenses, in a vacuum it's great but the whole "we haven't made the playoffs in 14 years" narrative is BS to me. This team has nothing to do with the last 14 years. We arguably have 2 top 15 players in the league. We should win 50 games. Our cap is maxed, plenty of resources are put into this roster. That's why I find the season largely disappointing. More so I'm seeing we have an archaic coach and POBO running the show, which is what I find most disappointing.
I missed the tongue and cheek aspect of your post. :). I completely agree with your assessment of the team and I'm with you in rejecting the 14-year playoff drought narrative.
Only saw the final 5 minutes. Still enough time for thoughts...
- For the 2nd straight game, KAT shot the fewest attempts among the starters. 7 shots. Inexcusable.
- The three point stuff. And heck... I saw them take 1/2 their attempts in the final 5 minutes.
- The timeout stuff. We've been discussing this since the first week of the season. Why take your last timeout with 41 seconds left... only to set up a slow developing play that resulted in 22 seconds off the clock. Even if they scored... they were stuck playing the 3-for-2 game with free throws WITHOUT A TIMEOUT!!!!
Every other team/coach knows the advantage of keeping your timeouts for the end of the game with the halfcourt out of bounds.
- I'm not surprised the Wolves slid a bit since they're in a tough 5 games in 7 nights in 5 cities schedule... but there's just some annoying things with this playoff team that can't be overlooked.
Duke13 wrote:My prediction was a bit tongue and cheek, forecasting Tibs being insecure and punitive enough to make that move. How about Jim Pete ripping Tibs calling that last timeout and basically saying he's an idiot for not playing Belly more with Kat, especially at the end of the game. I just found it very interesting he was that outspoken, but I've noticed it increasing the last month or so.
I'm glad he's not looking at the record through rose color lenses, in a vacuum it's great but the whole "we haven't made the playoffs in 14 years" narrative is BS to me. This team has nothing to do with the last 14 years. We arguably have 2 top 15 players in the league. We should win 50 games. Our cap is maxed, plenty of resources are put into this roster. That's why I find the season largely disappointing. More so I'm seeing we have an archaic coach and POBO running the show, which is what I find most disappointing.
I missed the tongue and cheek aspect of your post. :). I completely agree with your assessment of the team and I'm with you in rejecting the 14-year playoff drought narrative.
Drove me nuts earlier when you and LST were critical of Tibs, denial was definitely part of it, mostly scared to think we made the wrong hire. But I'm full agreement. What were those sets the last 4 or 5 possessions??!! Not a functioning NBA team that's for sure.
Teague simply can't get the ball to kat. Pnr? Nope. Pass into the post? Nope. Pass over the top whenthe defender fronts? Nope. The only time teague gets the ball to kat is at the 3 pt line.
Another thing i noticed is thst kat often gets pushed out to the 3 point line qiite often on post ups. And when he does get it deep in the post, he doesnt get the benefit of the whistle.
Taj gets more post opportunties because he knows how to seal his man down low.
Teague simply can't get the ball to kat. Pnr? Nope. Pass into the post? Nope. Pass over the top whenthe defender fronts? Nope. The only time teague gets the ball to kat is at the 3 pt line.
Another thing i noticed is thst kat often gets pushed out to the 3 point line qiite often on post ups. And when he does get it deep in the post, he doesnt get the benefit of the whistle.
Taj gets more post opportunties because he knows how to seal his man down low.
KAT gets good post position a lot, but you can't hold post position for long in the NBA no matter who you are. The problems is that Teague doesn't get KAT the ball early when he has good post position. I'm watching a replay of the 4th quarter now. It's the same thing over and over and over again. Teague brings the ball up, dribbles in one place for a while and then passes the ball laterally to Jimmy Butler. By that time, KAT has long since lost the good post position he may have had early in the possession. The Wolves offense: Dribble, dribble, dribble, pass. Dribble, dribble, dribble shoot. Or it's dribble, dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot.
Camden wrote:I'll mildly point out that this is another game where a legitimate scoring option off the bench could have made a difference -- or been the difference, actually. I know Dieng scored 14 in this one, but that's not what we expect from him. Even a Jordan Clarkson could have filled it up, provided another punch.
It's all the things we've discussed already plus having that safety net of "one of our guys doesn't have it going, good thing we have ____." Most good teams have that from what I can see. We don't. Sorry, Jamal Crawford.
I agree, Cam. We can't continue to depend soley on Crawford as our one scorer off the bench. A Bazemore or Clarkson definitely would have made a material difference tonight.
Saying is just masking the larger problem like Lip pointed out. I'll make a prediction, Jim Pete will be looking for a new job next year. He's becoming more and more out spoken with criticism of players, style of play and even coaching decision. I personally appreciate his candidness, some homers may not, it might be because I agree with everything he is saying.
I mentioned this last game against Toronto, but his praise of the changes the Raptors made to a more modern style, developing an identify for the bench, etc. seem almost like a backhanded shot at Tibs and the wolves. Tibs will have him fired is my prediction.
1. Thibodeau literally has zero power in the broadcasting department.
2. I highly, highly doubt Thibodeau would go out of his way to get someone fired for doing their job, even if it involves criticism of himself. I don't think that's his character.
Teague is a 2 guard in a PG's body. His vision and passing ability are bad, it's mind boggling how poor he is trying to pass to the post. Guys are open for lob dunks many times as well, but Teague can't do that I continue to see open players of course like KAT in the post but others on the 3 point one he misses when he drives and dribbles all over.
Butler is a better passer but he relies on his shot a bit too much. I'd love to see more kicks to the wide open player from him too on his drives.
Toronto just played stronger defense and rebounded more aggressively in the 4th quarter. They wanted to win more then the Wolves.
