Minnesota Sports Forum

BloopOracle wrote:wow the Bucks are beating down the Raptors 50-20 right now, Lowry and Derozen with another spectacular choke job, looks like our chances at Ibaka or Tucker are going up!

Well the Pacers were up big on the Cavs and now the Cavs are winning so...we will see. Indiana has been doing a terrific impersonation of how the Wolves blew leads this season.

There's definitely a big difference between championship contenders and mere playoff teams. We saw a championship contender put away a playoff team last night when Houston came from behind and defeat the Thunder. We're seeing it tonight as Cleveland has taken the lead back down the stretch. Of course, it's evident in spades watching the Warriors destroy the Blazers even without Durant.

Two take-aways for Wolves fans. First, it tells us how far the Wolves have to go to become real title contenders. Second, and more importantly, it underscores the importance of taking the long view and continuing to build for championship contention rather than focusing excessively on simply making the playoffs. Championship contenders have multiple great players surrounded by solid supporting players along with a coach that coaches to his players' strengths. We have at least two maybe three potentially great players in KAT, Wiggins and possibly Zach. We have solid supporting pieces in Ricky and Gorgui. That's the good news. Yes, we need to improve the bench and fill some needs with solid role players. But the main questions that will decide the fate of this franchise are (1) whether our potentially great players actually become great, and (2) whether we have a head coach who can get the most out of the particular strengths while minimizing the weaknesses of the roster he has.

The Griz have built on their half-time lead early in the 3rd. The Spurs are very good and could still easily win this game, but I don't see the Griz going down like the Thunder last night or the Pacers earlier today. The Griz are talented and tough.

lipoli390 wrote:The Griz have built on their half-time lead early in the 3rd. The Spurs are very good and could still easily win this game, but I don't see the Griz going down like the Thunder last night or the Pacers earlier today. The Griz are talented and tough.

Randolph has been terrific. I hadn't realize Vince Carter had been playing so much and playing so well. I haven't been watching the game closely but it's kinda fun.

Fizdale is becoming a popular guy and if his tea gets a win after all that stuff he said that's gonna add something to the lore.

BloopOracle wrote:wow the Bucks are beating down the Raptors 50-20 right now, Lowry and Derozen with another spectacular choke job, looks like our chances at Ibaka or Tucker are going up!

This DeRozan/Lowry thing is just weird.

They're two of the worst playoff performers (compared to their reg season numbers) in modern NBA history.

We all knew it was going to be CLE vs. GSW... but it's looking super easy in the East for the Cavs. Again.



[Note: Washington looks like the next best team?]

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

BloopOracle wrote:wow the Bucks are beating down the Raptors 50-20 right now, Lowry and Derozen with another spectacular choke job, looks like our chances at Ibaka or Tucker are going up!

This DeRozan/Lowry thing is just weird.

They're two of the worst playoff performers (compared to their reg season numbers) in modern NBA history.

We all knew it was going to be CLE vs. GSW... but it's looking super easy in the East for the Cavs. Again.



[Note: Washington looks like the next best team?]

Yeah, it is looking that Cavs won't need to play against 50 win team until in the finals. I honestly won't remember when was last time that team was able to get to the finals without playing against any team with at least 50 wins.

Ooops, it seems that it hasn't been that rare in east. 2012-13 Heat team didn't play any team with at least 50 wins until in finals.

Mikkeman wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

BloopOracle wrote:wow the Bucks are beating down the Raptors 50-20 right now, Lowry and Derozen with another spectacular choke job, looks like our chances at Ibaka or Tucker are going up!

This DeRozan/Lowry thing is just weird.

They're two of the worst playoff performers (compared to their reg season numbers) in modern NBA history.

We all knew it was going to be CLE vs. GSW... but it's looking super easy in the East for the Cavs. Again.



[Note: Washington looks like the next best team?]

Yeah, it is looking that Cavs won't need to play against 50 win team until in the finals. I honestly won't remember when was last time that team was able to get to the finals without playing against any team with at least 50 wins.

Those early 2000s teams from the East?

And it's not like the East's 50-win teams have been championship worthy. Toronto last season? Atlanta the year before? Indiana (while in a freefall) the year prior? The Knicks were the only other 50-win club in 2013... read that again. (Miami didn't play them by the way... beat the 38-win Bucks, 45-win Bulls (with NATE ROBINSON as the starting PG)... and the 49-win Pacers.

[Edit: The 2002 Nets didn't play a 50-win team. The 2003 Nets played only one... the Pistons, who won exactly 50 games.]

Rondo out indefinitely with an injured thumb. Who would have thought that would be such a huge blow to a team in the playoffs? Maybe MCW can remember how to be sorta good at basketball again.

Lebrons supporting cast just needs to keep games close going in to the 4th quarter. If they do so Lebron will take it from there, he's transforming himself much like Jordan did in his early 30s, he can take over games at will and while Jordan had an array of shots that couldn't be guarded Lebron has learned to use his size to get to the basket more efficiently and with relative ease. He's physically imposing much in the same way Shaq was.
If Korver or Smith get hot in the finals It opens so many easy lanes for Lebron to surgically pick apart the defense. If their making shots the Cavs will take care of business I believe

BloopOracle wrote:wow the Bucks are beating down the Raptors 50-20 right now, Lowry and Derozen with another spectacular choke job, looks like our chances at Ibaka or Tucker are going up!

I'd be happy to take Lowry off their hands if they want to blow it up. Lots of good PG's in this draft and we have a high pick. How about it Masai?