GDT: Wolves vs. Celtics

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Cam, I can't remember the last time I've seen anyone mock somebody as much as you did in this game thread. I get the sense that you think Rubio sucks and people who disagree are wrong, but I haven't really seen anybody here saying he's a savior. At best, I've seen people say he's a solid veteran player who brings intangible positives that make the team better.

Maybe I missed a big Rubio debate in which the pro-Rubio side was making exaggerated claims about his greatness or mocking Rubio skeptics relentlessly, but if not, I don't understand what you were doing in this thread and why you felt the need to fill a GDT with it.

For the record, I don't have a strong view on Rubio either way, but I do like how respectful people generally are to each other on the board, which is why your posts caught my attention.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'm not sure I follow, Drew. Ricky Rubio played a hell of a game and it's only right that we speak glowingly of him in the game thread. He had his fingerprints on everything that happened since the initial tip-off. Shooting, passing, defending, rebounding, coaching, mentoring -- you name it, he did it. Recently, there were accusations that this board wasn't balanced enough and only found Rubio to be a whipping boy. That wasn't going to happen last night on my watch! A great player like Rubio deserves to be appreciated and praised for his contributions, especially when his plus-minus is positive even in a losing team effort! Maybe if Rubio had played more, then Minnesota would have won the game!

[Carlos Danger]

Holy Crap! That's some kind of dedication to SPAM the board for a couple hours last night and get right back up early on a Saturday to continue. We salute you Spamden0916!

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I'm not sure I follow, Drew. Ricky Rubio played a hell of a game and it's only right that we speak glowingly of him in the game thread. He had his fingerprints on everything that happened since the initial tip-off. Shooting, passing, defending, rebounding, coaching, mentoring -- you name it, he did it. Recently, there were accusations that this board wasn't balanced enough and only found Rubio to be a whipping boy. That wasn't going to happen last night on my watch! A great player like Rubio deserves to be appreciated and praised for his contributions, especially when his plus-minus is positive even in a losing team effort! Maybe if Rubio had played more, then Minnesota would have won the game!

I can't believe you're being serious here. He did contribute in a few different ways, but his lack of scoring is a real problem for us. Dude, sarcasm is fine in doses, but if you're sarcastic all the time, how can anybody ever believe anything you say or take you seriously?

I didn't see the accusations that too many people were treating Rubio like a whipping boy, but I'll assume it's true that people made those accusations. If that's the case, however, this relentless sarcasm in response makes me think whoever said that must have a good point. Behavior that is this overboard undercuts your own claims in the eyes of outside observers. I think if you make a direct, honest argument, you'll be much more likely to convince people. If that's not your goal and you're just here to troll, please take it someplace else. That's the antithesis of what makes this board great.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I really dig the GDT after the fact.

But Cam ruined this one. I dig his takes usually, but he's obviously triggered by recent Rubio discussions. LOL.

Hope we haven't gone too far down the pet the peeve to death rabbit hole.

It's been worse than normal lately. And it's not just Cam. He's just the most obvious right now.

[thedoper]

I dont know that the GDT's are an effective tool for analysis of basketball takes after the facts. My behavior on them is to react as a fan in the moment to what is happening on the floor as I would if I were watching the game with friends or family at home. This includes a range of emotions that come with watching the Timberwolves fail in new and imaginative ways. I go from love to hate in an instant watching a game because I am fanatical. I realize not everyone likes the GDT to include this type of emotional fandom in the heat of competition while they're sipping their morning joe, but maybe we could just laugh at it after the fact? No Wolves player is beyond major criticism this year, especially when we're watching another up and down loss.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I really dig the GDT after the fact.

But Cam ruined this one. I dig his takes usually, but he's obviously triggered by recent Rubio discussions. LOL.

Hope we haven't gone too far down the pet the peeve to death rabbit hole.

It's been worse than normal lately. And it's not just Cam. He's just the most obvious right now.

I wondered what it would feel like to be a Rubio stan for a night and acknowledge him as the impact player some believe him to be. A combination of boredom, sarcasm, and pettiness all came together last night in one singular thread.

There was intended humor that may or may not have been apparent. I had fun with it and if others didn't that's okay too. Admittedly, I don't have the energy to maintain this act going forward. Long live the plus-minus king!

[Lipoli390]

I really dig the GDT after the fact.

But Cam ruined this one. I dig his takes usually, but he's obviously triggered by recent Rubio discussions. LOL.

Hope we haven't gone too far down the pet the peeve to death rabbit hole.

It's been worse than normal lately. And it's not just Cam. He's just the most obvious right now.

I wondered what it would feel like to be a Rubio stan for a night and acknowledge him as the impact player some believe him to be. A combination of boredom, sarcasm, and pettiness all came together last night in one singular thread.

There was intended humor that may or may not have been apparent. I had fun with it and if others didn't that's okay too. Admittedly, I don't have the energy to maintain this act going forward. Long live the plus-minus king!

Glad you've worked through it, Cam. I was about to suggest an intervention. :)

[AbeVigodaLive]

I dont know that the GDT's are an effective tool for analysis of basketball takes after the facts. My behavior on them is to react as a fan in the moment to what is happening on the floor as I would if I were watching the game with friends or family at home. This includes a range of emotions that come with watching the Timberwolves fail in new and imaginative ways. I go from love to hate in an instant watching a game because I am fanatical. I realize not everyone likes the GDT to include this type of emotional fandom in the heat of competition while they're sipping their morning joe, but maybe we could just laugh at it after the fact? No Wolves player is beyond major criticism this year, especially when we're watching another up and down loss.

I can't participate in the GDT in real time... I only watch the Wolves on DVR.

Wasting 70 minutes of my time for the worst team in the league is ok. Any more than that... no.

Now... on to Abe's Early Morning "Perfectly objective and not at all bias in any way" DVR Review:

D. Russell.
Good: He's a sneaky good passer. As Jim Pete noted... he passed at least one player open last night. He's made some really pretty reads the past couple of games. I dig.
Bad: He also did that thing where he doesn't play defense so his guy gets past him... and Russell points to the spot or teammate or something to cover his guy.

Towns.
Good: Just a gifted, skilled player. Truly a marvel to watch.
Bad: Did anybody think Towns was NOT going to get called for an offensive foul when Smart was covering him? Again, it's tough to build around a 7-footer who can be guarded by a 6'3" PG.

Rubio.
Good: Everybody runs similar action. Rubio knows this and blew it up a couple times by jumping in the passing lane. He didn't get a steal. But that wasn't the point. It makes the offense go to Plan B. They may still score. But at least it's making them work for it slightly more.
Bad: Everybody knows he can't shoot.

Edwards.
Good: He shot above 50% only twice in the first 47 games. He's shot above 50% 4 times in the past 6 games.
Defense: I'm sure he made several mistakes defensively... but they weren't the "too lazy to try" variety that scared me in other games. So I can live with them.

Okogie.
Good: Best offensive game of the season. Should have been 20 pts if not for those two horrible no-calls early.
Bad: Who cares. If that's the very best he can bring offensively... he's playing for defense. And the three primary perimeter guys for Boston scored 103 combined... with great percentages.

McDaniels.
Good: Looked to attack a couple of times. Are we sure this is a good thing right now?
Bad: Our +/- god was a team-worst -17 immediately after an article praising him came out. But that stat can be misleading. I guess I'd like him to rebound better? 5.8 per 36 min right now.

[Monster]

I decided to watch this game and go back and watch some others later.

This was a pretty fun game. The Celtics are an interesting team and the Wolves start 2 rookies and playing McLaughlin. Okogie is a flawed player but he is useful. Overall lots of good things happened in this game and it's a bit of a shame they couldn't pull off a win.

Tatum was bonkers in this game. Grant Williams looks smaller than PJ Tucker. He looks more like a guard than he does a big.