It still amazes me how much the Wolves got to the FT line.
Yes, Flip deserves credit for encouraging guys, especially Wiggins, to take it strong to the hoop. In fact, we were one of the top teams in the league in FT differential. However, it's frightening how horrific we were in all other aspects of the game given how handily we won the FT battle on most nights.
It still amazes me how much the Wolves got to the FT line.
Yeah, it's one of the strengths of the team, even in a terrible season like last year's. And it should continue. Pek, Muhammad, Wiggins and Martin are all among the league leaders in FTA per minute. Martin is a pro at drawing fouls, even if some don't like his technique. Wiggins ranked 29th in the league in FTA/minute...certainly a remarkable stat for a rookie. As he becomes more of a focal point in the offense, learns more tricks to draw fouls, and begins to get star calls, there's no reason he can't average 10 FTA per game (he was 5.7 last year). And Pek and Muhammad's rugged style and aggressive offensive rebounding will always keep them up with the leaders. The fact that all 4 are pretty good free throwers helps too.
Now, if Flip can just loosen the reins on 3-pointers...
It still amazes me how much the Wolves got to the FT line.
Yeah, it's one of the strengths of the team, even in a terrible season like last year's. And it should continue. Pek, Muhammad, Wiggins and Martin are all among the league leaders in FTA per minute. Martin is a pro at drawing fouls, even if some don't like his technique. Wiggins ranked 29th in the league in FTA/minute...certainly a remarkable stat for a rookie. As he becomes more of a focal point in the offense, learns more tricks to draw fouls, and begins to get star calls, there's no reason he can't average 10 FTA per game (he was 5.7 last year). And Pek and Muhammad's rugged style and aggressive offensive rebounding will always keep them up with the leaders. The fact that all 4 are pretty good free throwers helps too.
Now, if Flip can just loosen the reins on 3-pointers...
What makes the feat even more amazing is everyone you mentioned (plus I will add Rubio draws a decent number of fouls all things considered) except Wiggins played less than half the season. So even when it was Wiggins and the D-league friends they were still drawing fouls at higher than league average rate. Now I will temper this by saying the differential between the top and bottom of the league when it comes to FTs is much smaller than top to bottom 3 pointers but still it's something to be encouraged about especially when the knock on Flip when he was with the Wolves the first time was lack of getting to the line and I looked up a couple years and they were at the very bottom.
Volans19 wrote:Someone find that clip of Joey Crawford yelling shut up at one of the Cavs please. I need to add that to my collection of hilarious Crawford videos
And I stumbled upon this today on accident... Game of Zones. Some pretty funny animated stuff by BR. Episode 1 below jumps right into Love and the Wolves... Darn it!
Volans19 wrote:Someone find that clip of Joey Crawford yelling shut up at one of the Cavs please. I need to add that to my collection of hilarious Crawford videos
And a Vine video too!
https://vine.co/v/eOxIBnzhOxQ
Jesus, Joey Crawford. That's so unprofessional, but the dude's such a veteran at this point, you almost have to accept that it comes with the territory. Still, he should be getting a phone call with a gentle reminder about behaving like a professional.
How Crawford can ref the finals just out of seniority is crazy to me. Ever gambler knows his games get called for one team in a disproportionate amount of times. The guy is just the worst, and it is problematic to have him guiding the younger refs.
Marvelous LeBron has the Cavs hanging in there late in the first half. JR Smith needs to stay hot in the second half to keep this close though.
Interesting to see Blatt bench Mozgov for all but 5 minutes of the half...he's got guts.
I really hope Blatt makes it in the NBA. I think he has a great basketball mind and also has the potential for some great interviews...I think he's holding back because of his rookie status, but I think he has Pop potential as far as humor goes.
TRKO wrote:If the future of the NBA is guys jacking up threes, I don't think I like the future. I miss the inside post stuff of yesteryear.
I hear you, TR, but OTOH it's impossible to dispute the efficiency of the 3-point shot. The Warriors hit 46% of their 26 threes and only a slightly better percentage of their 2's. The Cavs hit 34% of their 35 :shock: 3's and 39% of their 2's. With such a small delta, why would a team be taking 2-point shots? Where I find the beauty in the modern game is the sharp passing that creates those high-percentage 3's.
