The Madness continues Blazers @ Wolves GDT

[Coolbreeze44]

Donte 3 of 12 behind the arc

[AussieWolf3]

Hmmmm maybe that Ant guy is actually good

[Coolbreeze44]

Hmmmm maybe that Ant guy is actually good

Yeah, we never lose when he plays

[Mnwild1128]

Randle has sucked since coming back into the game. Momentum went out the window

He's so matchup dependant

He has sucked 90% of the games since he found out he was part of the Giannis trade rumors. Same with Jaden.

[AussieWolf3]

Hmmmm maybe that Ant guy is actually good

Yeah, we never lose when he plays

Just being cheeky . This was a game where they needed him as a closer, but who's to say if he would have helped enough on defense to make it close.

I'm really just ready to watch playoff games- the season is too long

[Coolbreeze44]

Hmmmm maybe that Ant guy is actually good

Yeah, we never lose when he plays

Just being cheeky . This was a game where they needed him as a closer, but who's to say if he would have helped enough on defense to make it close.

I'm really just ready to watch playoff games- the season is too long

I think the summer is too long, especially if we go out early in the postseason. But I know what you're saying. I still think it's important we land in the top 4.

[Q-is-here]

Shannon with his typical take one-step forward (last game), two-steps back (this game) routine. He was AWFUL in this game. Got burned by Scoot on multiple possessions, missed two very make-able shots, and was a -13 in only 11 minutes. Those occasional flourishes of excellence against OKC (of all teams!) appear to be illusory. He might just suck at NBA basketball.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Abe's "I started watching midway through the 3rd quarter and have a sneaky suspicion the 1st half was very different" DVR Review:

- Vs. the Suns... the Wolves sans Ant gave up 39 points in the 1st quarter and only 65 over the final 3 quarters. Vs. the Blazers... 68 points at halftime and only 40 in the 2nd half.

- Remember I did not see the 1st half... BUT...

- I can't remember the Wolves trying THIS hard in quite awhile. Nearly everyone! (more on this later)

- McDaniels is the greatest defender I've ever seen. Divincenzo is the hardest working guy I've ever seen. Gobert is the best rim protector I've ever seen.

- There's only slight hyperbole above. Those Wolves are putting in work in this one on the defensive end. Pretty damn impressive. I'd guess that they really really want to win this game.

- The BIG thing lingering over this squad: No Anthony Edwards. He's not even in the building for these games, right? This is a different team. But not a better one. It's a team playing like they have something to prove to the crowd, opponent, coaching staff, each other (?). If they can somehow combine this energy with Edwards' talent (and bring him along), we're on to something.

- Tough one for Randle on both ends. But at one point, after a layup and foul in the 4th, he's shown screaming "It's my time." Telling statement. Every team has a pecking order. Randle surely thinks he's #2. I'm not 100% sure he should be.

- Kinda felt like Portland's plan late in this one was less about giving the ball to their best player... and more about going after Minnesota's worst defender on the court... Randle.

- Tough loss. Frustrating loss. But meh. I'm thinking a #6 seed for this team. It's all about matchups in the playoffs, so I don't know if seeding matters as much.

[rapsuperstar31]

Abe's "I started watching midway through the 3rd quarter and have a sneaky suspicion the 1st half was very different" DVR Review:

- Vs. the Suns... the Wolves sans Ant gave up 39 points in the 1st quarter and only 65 over the final 3 quarters. Vs. the Blazers... 68 points at halftime and only 40 in the 2nd half.

- Remember I did not see the 1st half... BUT...

- I can't remember the Wolves trying THIS hard in quite awhile. Nearly everyone! (more on this later)

- McDaniels is the greatest defender I've ever seen. Divincenzo is the hardest working guy I've ever seen. Gobert is the best rim protector I've ever seen.

- There's only slight hyperbole above. Those Wolves are putting in work in this one on the defensive end. Pretty damn impressive. I'd guess that they really really want to win this game.

- The BIG thing lingering over this squad: No Anthony Edwards. He's not even in the building for these games, right? This is a different team. But not a better one. It's a team playing like they have something to prove to the crowd, opponent, coaching staff, each other (?). If they can somehow combine this energy with Edwards' talent (and bring him along), we're on to something.

- Tough one for Randle on both ends. But at one point, after a layup and foul in the 4th, he's shown screaming "It's my time." Telling statement. Every team has a pecking order. Randle surely thinks he's #2. I'm not 100% sure he should be.

- Kinda felt like Portland's plan late in this one was less about giving the ball to their best player... and more about going after Minnesota's worst defender on the court... Randle.

- Tough loss. Frustrating loss. But meh. I'm thinking a #6 seed for this team. It's all about matchups in the playoffs, so I don't know if seeding matters as much.

Jaden in the first half was a bottom 10% defender, Jaden in the 2nd half was an elite top 5 defender. Finch clearly got on his ass at half time. We are going to need Jaden playing the way he did in the 2nd half in every playoff game.

[Wolvesfan21]

Shannon with his typical take one-step forward (last game), two-steps back (this game) routine. He was AWFUL in this game. Got burned by Scoot on multiple possessions, missed two very make-able shots, and was a -13 in only 11 minutes. Those occasional flourishes of excellence against OKC (of all teams!) appear to be illusory. He might just suck at NBA basketball.

I've never been more wrong about a player (up to this point at least). How he somehow just got way worse in year two is mind boggling. I was betting on a step forward and a nice one. Thought oh, he can learn to play some defense, rebound a bit, oh he can up his 3P%. Nope, nope, nope.

I do think it's fair to point to his injuries and then lack of confidence probably from said injuries (played poorly while slightly hobbled). Shit happens I guess.