Game Report - Wolves v. Magic

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

The glass if half full for me. Wiggs and Dieng looked good. KMart can still shoot, even if it seems to be on rare occasion. Valiant comeback shows there is no quit in this team. We increase our odds of retaining our draft pick. What's not to like?

[Monster]

that shooting is disturbingly bad to say the least, when it comes to Rubio if you do not count Lakers game (which was fluke) in next 10 games he is 27-91 FG (.297) and 1-18 from 3pt land .. i mean his 3pt with legs set was probably only shot he had decent percentage with, it looks like he struggles there now aswell .. and other guys look like their shooting has worsen too

But he's such a marvelous passer and defender that stuff doesn't matter at all.

I actually think his pull up jumper going left is his best shot. I find myself putting my hands together and begging to whoever is listening whenever Ricky winds up to shoot a three.

that shot is looking best but Ricky came to the league and was shooting .340 from 3pt and his only 82 games season he was .333 still nothing to write home about but usable .. he really needs this so guys cannot ignore him completely, they can already ignore his drives as he is probably the worst finisher in the league, you put a finger on him and layup goes haywire .. if now they can sag of him completely on the perimeter, you will see our offense struggle mightily once this is on scouting report of teams we play

The bad news is Rubio does not look comfortable at all shooting 3's. He used to have that catch and shoot set shot and it was pretty solid.

The good news is that his shot looks different and if he has really changed it then the 3 point range could come back as he gets more comfortable with a different shooting motion.

I also think Rubio looks a little better when he is around the rim. He isn't shooting a better number this year but it feels like he is not falling away shying away as much as he has in the past. He still isn't a good finisher but he looks like he has a better approach in that area but maybe I am wrong it's hard to say because of all the time he has played in his career coming off lower body injuries. Sigh.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think the game was lost in the first half when we didn't match Orlando's energy. Instead, we had to claw back in the 2nd half. When you get into close game situations, you are leaving your fate largely in the hands of the officials and Basketball Gods, as random variability and luck plays a large role on any given play or call. If I shoot 50% from the field, there is a 50% chance on any given shot that I miss. For most of our guys, there is a 55%-60% chance they miss any given shot they take. So being in a situation where you HAVE to get a basket to tie or win....well, the odds are 50/50 at best.

As for Towns, I don't have a real problem with what Mitchell is doing. Gorgui really was playing well last night and I'm hoping this only fuels KAT's desire to get better and earn 4th quarter minutes. A little tough love doesn't hurt and I'd rather him take his lumps now. Let's not forget that Gorgui looked dejected at the beginning of this season. Kudos to Mitchell for rewarding him for recent good play. You can see how he's really stepped up lately.[/quote]

Yeah, I agree Q. If it keeps KAT fresher for the long haul and allows him to adjust to the NBA at a more relaxed pace, all the better. Some here are worried if he might be offended by the reduced minutes, but I think there is no issue with that at all. First, he appears to be a team-oriented high-quality guy who wouldn't be bothered by something like that. But more importantly, I never was aware of him sulking or being offended at Kentucky last year. If he wasn't offended by being limited to 20 minutes behind college players, I doubt he will be offended by being limited to 20-25 behind Pek and G.

I bet the same people were thrilled when Rambis would play Darko over Kevin Love

The difference being, which you fail to mention, is that Towns is still starting as a rookie whereas Love was coming off the bench as a 2nd year player to substitute for inferior players. And no, I don't think anyone here was thrilled about it. Dumb comparison.

[bleedspeed]

I would be interested in Lip and other's observations of some of the assistants. Gates seems to always be involved in some way.

I liked the Gates hire, but it is not easy being the HC and not picking your staff. I am to as concerned with how Sam looks during time outs as much as how the team responds coming out of the time outs. From what I have seen they are doing pretty well compared to the past.

We have had 3 coaches in 3 years. I would say Sam has so far been the best of the 3. Adelman had the health and best team, but couldn't get that team to close out games. It is hard to judge Flip based off last years results, but I would have never called him an A level coach. Even looking at Lip's list alot of his guys are B or C level guys. We are used to having D-F level guys her so Sam could be a C level guy and he looks like a hero.

[Monster]

I would be interested in Lip and other's observations of some of the assistants. Gates seems to always be involved in some way.

I liked the Gates hire, but it is not easy being the HC and not picking your staff. I am to as concerned with how Sam looks during time outs as much as how the team responds coming out of the time outs. From what I have seen they are doing pretty well compared to the past.

We have had 3 coaches in 3 years. I would say Sam has so far been the best of the 3. Adelman had the health and best team, but couldn't get that team to close out games. It is hard to judge Flip based off last years results, but I would have never called him an A level coach. Even looking at Lip's list alot of his guys are B or C level guys. We are used to having D-F level guys her so Sam could be a C level guy and he looks like a hero.

Good post you bring up some good points.

We have a lot of the season left but part of me has no real interest in going out and getting another new coaching staff. Let these young players work in the same system for a couple years for pete's sake especially defensively. It's way early but isn't this team about development? At this point the only player on this team that's been a dissappontment individually has been Martin (Rubio has been but mostly due to injury) and at least Martin has been putting forth effort on D. Everyone else has either done their thing like Bazz or exceeded expectations all things considered. The young guys and Bjelica have done well the only guy not doing anything is Tyus but tough to fault Sam there since Miller has played pretty well himself when called upon. Even Payne and Rudez have looked worthwhile. That's something.

[Monster]

I would be interested in Lip and other's observations of some of the assistants. Gates seems to always be involved in some way.

I liked the Gates hire, but it is not easy being the HC and not picking your staff. I am to as concerned with how Sam looks during time outs as much as how the team responds coming out of the time outs. From what I have seen they are doing pretty well compared to the past.

We have had 3 coaches in 3 years. I would say Sam has so far been the best of the 3. Adelman had the health and best team, but couldn't get that team to close out games. It is hard to judge Flip based off last years results, but I would have never called him an A level coach. Even looking at Lip's list alot of his guys are B or C level guys. We are used to having D-F level guys her so Sam could be a C level guy and he looks like a hero.

Good post you bring up some good points.

We have a lot of the season left but part of me has no real interest in going out and getting another new coaching staff. Let these young players work in the same system for a couple years for pete's sake especially defensively. It's way early but isn't this team about development? At this point the only player on this team that's been a dissappontment individually has been Martin (Rubio has been but mostly due to injury) and at least Martin has been putting forth effort on D. Everyone else has either done their thing like Bazz or exceeded expectations all things considered. The young guys and Bjelica have done well the only guy not doing anything is Tyus but tough to fault Sam there since Miller has played pretty well himself when called upon. Even Payne and Rudez have looked worthwhile. That's something.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I would be interested in Lip and other's observations of some of the assistants. Gates seems to always be involved in some way.

I liked the Gates hire, but it is not easy being the HC and not picking your staff. I am to as concerned with how Sam looks during time outs as much as how the team responds coming out of the time outs. From what I have seen they are doing pretty well compared to the past.

We have had 3 coaches in 3 years. I would say Sam has so far been the best of the 3. Adelman had the health and best team, but couldn't get that team to close out games. It is hard to judge Flip based off last years results, but I would have never called him an A level coach. Even looking at Lip's list alot of his guys are B or C level guys. We are used to having D-F level guys her so Sam could be a C level guy and he looks like a hero.

Good post you bring up some good points.

We have a lot of the season left but part of me has no real interest in going out and getting another new coaching staff. Let these young players work in the same system for a couple years for pete's sake especially defensively. It's way early but isn't this team about development? At this point the only player on this team that's been a dissappontment individually has been Martin (Rubio has been but mostly due to injury) and at least Martin has been putting forth effort on D. Everyone else has either done their thing like Bazz or exceeded expectations all things considered. The young guys and Bjelica have done well the only guy not doing anything is Tyus but tough to fault Sam there since Miller has played pretty well himself when called upon. Even Payne and Rudez have looked worthwhile. That's something.

The sooner we get the right coach in the better, regardless if it's the 4th coach in 4 years. Unless you think Sam is the long-term answer at coach, why should we waste time with him on the bench just to keep coaching continuity for a year or two more just to then get a new coach at that point? I think we have too many good young pieces to have to settle for the temporary coach route like the Magic did with Skiles. We have the talent to attract a top tier coach in the off season and we should do it. The sooner we bring someone in the better because we still have a year or two before this team is ready to do any real damage so the time to adjust to the new coach is there. If you put that off and Sam fails, now you're asking guys to adjust to a new coach in their prime and potentially waste a year that could have been a good one if the coach comes in right away and gets his adjustments in while the guys are still young and developing habits.

[Monster]

I would be interested in Lip and other's observations of some of the assistants. Gates seems to always be involved in some way.

I liked the Gates hire, but it is not easy being the HC and not picking your staff. I am to as concerned with how Sam looks during time outs as much as how the team responds coming out of the time outs. From what I have seen they are doing pretty well compared to the past.

We have had 3 coaches in 3 years. I would say Sam has so far been the best of the 3. Adelman had the health and best team, but couldn't get that team to close out games. It is hard to judge Flip based off last years results, but I would have never called him an A level coach. Even looking at Lip's list alot of his guys are B or C level guys. We are used to having D-F level guys her so Sam could be a C level guy and he looks like a hero.

Good post you bring up some good points.

We have a lot of the season left but part of me has no real interest in going out and getting another new coaching staff. Let these young players work in the same system for a couple years for pete's sake especially defensively. It's way early but isn't this team about development? At this point the only player on this team that's been a dissappontment individually has been Martin (Rubio has been but mostly due to injury) and at least Martin has been putting forth effort on D. Everyone else has either done their thing like Bazz or exceeded expectations all things considered. The young guys and Bjelica have done well the only guy not doing anything is Tyus but tough to fault Sam there since Miller has played pretty well himself when called upon. Even Payne and Rudez have looked worthwhile. That's something.

The sooner we get the right coach in the better, regardless if it's the 4th coach in 4 years. Unless you think Sam is the long-term answer at coach, why should we waste time with him on the bench just to keep coaching continuity for a year or two more just to then get a new coach at that point? I think we have too many good young pieces to have to settle for the temporary coach route like the Magic did with Skiles. We have the talent to attract a top tier coach in the off season and we should do it. The sooner we bring someone in the better because we still have a year or two before this team is ready to do any real damage so the time to adjust to the new coach is there. If you put that off and Sam fails, now you're asking guys to adjust to a new coach in their prime and potentially waste a year that could have been a good one if the coach comes in right away and gets his adjustments in while the guys are still young and developing habits.

Man it took forever for GS to adjust to Kerr. :) So that's an example on both sides of the coin for either keeping Sam or finding another guy. My thought is you don't know who it is you really need yet and personally at this point I don't see a guy I am absolutely sold on being the guy to lead this team to the top. It's not so much I believe so much in Sam but I don't believe so strongly that bringing coach X will be a significant upgrade at this point of the process. Of course the reality is we have plenty of time to let this all play out this season and go from there.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I might be more worried about the decision-maker above Sam Mitchell.

I hated Rambis. A lot. Anybody here (or on ESPN) during his reign of terror probably remembers my diatribes. I truly believe he was the worst coach in NBA history (apologies to Sidney Lowe). But I thought Kahn caused more long-term damage to the organization.

[Papalrep]

Thanks for posting Lip and LST.
Question: Does Ricky appear to be playing hurt, less than 100%? I'm hoping the answer is yes, and he's going to be better than this