Camden wrote:Record: 25-25, 8th in NBA Western Conference
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 110.0 (15th of 30)
Net Rating: +1.0 (14th of 30)
October/November: 11-10 record
108.7 ORtg, 107.1 DRtg, +1.6 NetRtg
December: 5-9 record
109.6 ORtg, 114.4 DRtg, -4.8 NetRtg
January: 9-6 record
118.6 ORtg, 113.2 DRtg, +5.4 NetRtg
We're starting to morph into more of the team we thought we'd see in the pre-season - offensively potent and defensively mediocre. I mean, we've totally flipped the script in both those metrics since the beginning of the year. At the end of the day, Net Rating is the metric that matters most (well, second most since Wins matters most), but it is a little disappointing to see the defense fall off this much.
The Timberwolves went 16-12 in those games. As we know, Minnesota is a much better team overall when they get contributions from the bench. Prince's turnaround is starting to feel real and, as I said last night, could factor into the front office's trade deadline plans. This is definitely something to keep an eye on, I think.
If he and McDaniels keep this up, then a deadline trade may not be needed. We'll see.
Camden wrote:Record: 25-25, 8th in NBA Western Conference
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 110.0 (15th of 30)
Net Rating: +1.0 (14th of 30)
October/November: 11-10 record
108.7 ORtg, 107.1 DRtg, +1.6 NetRtg
December: 5-9 record
109.6 ORtg, 114.4 DRtg, -4.8 NetRtg
January: 9-6 record
118.6 ORtg, 113.2 DRtg, +5.4 NetRtg
We're starting to morph into more of the team we thought we'd see in the pre-season - offensively potent and defensively mediocre. I mean, we've totally flipped the script in both those metrics since the beginning of the year. At the end of the day, Net Rating is the metric that matters most (well, second most since Wins matters most), but it is a little disappointing to see the defense fall off this much.
Yeah, the offense has been scorching hot since the beginning of January and second-best in the entire league during that time. Minnesota's starting backcourt and their improved shooting efficiency likely has a lot to do with that. There's no denying that this is the team many of us expected to see before the season. I also think many of us would have been ecstatic to see the Wolves hovering around 15th in defensive rating. That's still a huge improvement from recent years.
Also, keep in mind that Patrick Beverley has missed 13 of Minnesota's 29 games since the start of December. That's not ideal and it's not intended to be used an excuse for the slippage, but it at least points to a possible reason why. The Wolves need to get him healthy and keep him game-ready. The coaching and medical staffs might want to explore giving him scheduled days/games off for rest moving forward if they think it'll help his body recover.
Camden wrote:Record: 25-25, 8th in NBA Western Conference
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 110.0 (15th of 30)
Net Rating: +1.0 (14th of 30)
October/November: 11-10 record
108.7 ORtg, 107.1 DRtg, +1.6 NetRtg
December: 5-9 record
109.6 ORtg, 114.4 DRtg, -4.8 NetRtg
January: 9-6 record
118.6 ORtg, 113.2 DRtg, +5.4 NetRtg
We're starting to morph into more of the team we thought we'd see in the pre-season - offensively potent and defensively mediocre. I mean, we've totally flipped the script in both those metrics since the beginning of the year. At the end of the day, Net Rating is the metric that matters most (well, second most since Wins matters most), but it is a little disappointing to see the defense fall off this much.
Yeah, the offense has been scorching hot since the beginning of January and second-best in the entire league during that time. Minnesota's starting backcourt and their improved shooting efficiency likely has a lot to do with that. There's no denying that this is the team many of us expected to see before the season. I also think many of us would have been ecstatic to see the Wolves hovering around 15th in defensive rating. That's still a huge improvement from recent years.
Also, keep in mind that Patrick Beverley has missed 13 of Minnesota's 29 games since the start of December. That's not ideal and it's not intended to be used an excuse for the slippage, but it at least points to a possible reason why. The Wolves need to get him healthy and keep him game-ready. The coaching and medical staffs might want to explore giving him scheduled days/games off for rest moving forward if they think it'll help his body recover.
Maybe. But the injuries have followed him for years now.
It's part of the deal with him, so there should be no surprises.
[Note: Personally, I still have a notion that the guy remains more bark than bite, including his toughness. Fortunately, there's enough bite in his game for it to work with the young, impressionable Wolves right now.]
Camden wrote: Reckless speculation, but I think Joe Ingles just tore his ACL. Yikes.
Woj:
"ESPN Sources: Utah Jazz F Joe Ingles has suffered a season-ending torn left ACL. Ingles, 34, was found to have no other structural damage in his left knee."
That really sucks for him and for the Jazz. And he's a free agent after this season. Terrible.
Camden wrote: Reckless speculation, but I think Joe Ingles just tore his ACL. Yikes.
Woj:
"ESPN Sources: Utah Jazz F Joe Ingles has suffered a season-ending torn left ACL. Ingles, 34, was found to have no other structural damage in his left knee."
That really sucks for him and for the Jazz. And he's a free agent after this season. Terrible.
This after I just read the story of Aron Baynes. Tough time for Aussie hoopsters.
I'd watch my back right about now if I was Patty Mills.
Camden wrote: Reckless speculation, but I think Joe Ingles just tore his ACL. Yikes.
Woj:
"ESPN Sources: Utah Jazz F Joe Ingles has suffered a season-ending torn left ACL. Ingles, 34, was found to have no other structural damage in his left knee."
That really sucks for him and for the Jazz. And he's a free agent after this season. Terrible.
This after I just read the story of Aron Baynes. Tough time for Aussie hoopsters.
I'd watch my back right about now if I was Patty Mills.
Never question the toughness of the Aussies. They're almost as tough as the Kiwis.
The Timberwolves went 16-12 in those games. As we know, Minnesota is a much better team overall when they get contributions from the bench. Prince's turnaround is starting to feel real and, as I said last night, could factor into the front office's trade deadline plans. This is definitely something to keep an eye on, I think.
He has a track record that says he can at least be decent. His overall FG% won't stay that high but the 3 point percentage might.
This offseason I was as high as anyone on Beasley becoming an even better version of what we have seen of him as a Wolf BUT I also said he wasn't proven to be as good as he has been on this roster and would have been willing to move him for value. Now IMO we are at the point of saying...wait is he really this bad? I say probably not. If Beasley finds himself offensively to some extent that's another boast. He wasn't shooting the ball well for Denver the season we acquired him then he went bonkers for us. I still believe he be an effective scorer for this team. I think the worry I have (and did have this offseason)is that maybe he is a high volume high minutes guy. If he can make the adjustment to playing off the bench for around 25mpg and be effective that's gonna be big. I haven't heard anything about him being upset with his role but I haven't been following that closely. Has their been any rumblings of that?
Great to see a win even against thE Jazz who had a lot of guys out. It looks like McLaughlin played some effective minutes. It seemed like the ball was moving there was a pile of assists including Towns Triple double. I may watch this one. :)
