Minnesota Sports Forum

Its so much fun when the team brings it on the defensive edge. As frustrating as wiggins can be his defense has been very good as of late. I feel hes also been more aggressive taking it to the hoop. Just feels like the corner has finally been turned and the switch flipped and the button pushed and the sp aroused. Really happy witb what is happening here. Towns also really has improved on defensive edge. Teams sharing ball. Im getting teary eyed.

Camden wrote:Seventh consecutive game holding their opponents under 100-points. That's, uhh, pretty good, I'd say.

I know, it has me almost overflowing with optimism which is a very unfamiliar feeling!

crazysauce wrote: ...and the sp aroused.

I'm going to have to wear loose fitting jeans if Lindsey keeps on taking it to the hole with great penetration!

I know we were all blown away by Cleveland game, but I kind of felt like this was a more complete win that required, and received, great effort from everyone.

That's great to see.

Q12543 wrote:Another great win led by another great defensive effort. Hats off to Thibs and his players - these guys really are starting to do what many of us hoped would happen much earlier in Thibs' tenure - actually get teams to miss shots!.

Also, and I've mentioned this before, it feels like teams were making a ton of well contested jumpers against us earlier in the season. So while I think most of the defensive improvement is due to legitimately better defense, it's also a little regression to the mean. We were getting KILLED by guys hitting well defended jumpers early on.....those aren't going in as often of late.

I agree with that for the most point but it really does seem like the switching and close outs on the wings have been noticeably quicker. Jimmy has set the tone in directing the perimeter guys to the right spots and switches. Our first line of D is really impressive lately. Coupled with Towns improvements we have almost looked elite at points.

Tom Thibodeau can't adjust to the modern NBA. He definitely can't coach to the strengths and weaknesses of his rosters. His reputation of being an elite coach and defensive mind is overstated. We need to move on from this atrocity and find new management immediately.

*wink, wink*

Camden0916 wrote:Tom Thibodeau can't adjust to the modern NBA. He definitely can't coach to the strengths and weaknesses of his rosters. His reputation of being an elite coach and defensive mind is overstated. We need to move on from this atrocity and find new management immediately.

*wink, wink*

Haha, I'm guilty of that assertion. But where is LST? Is he still seething because thibs is winning?

I have been also missing LST. I was expecting him to show after tremendous victory against Cleveland since his all time favorite player Kevin Love had a stinker game but maybe the joy from that was overshadowed by Thibs current success.:)

Mikkeman wrote:I have been also missing LST. I was expecting him to show after tremendous victory against Cleveland since his all time favorite player Kevin Love had a stinker game but maybe the joy from that was overshadowed by Thibs current success.:)

I believe he was/is traveling overseas for a few weeks. Didn't he type out a post from Nazareth!? My guess is once you get out of your own world for a while, you stop paying as much attention to the frivolities of local sports teams back home. He'll be back....

DVR Summary:

- I alluded to it a couple of days ago... the Cleveland game felt like a season-defining game. I did so hesitantly with one eye on this game. Whew. The Wolves won this game comfortably (as NBA games go).

- Good energy. As noted, Wiggins was noticeably active and engaged. Again. It's been noticeable in something like 5 of the last 7 games or something. Granted, it's still pretty sad and pathetic when it's that obvious... but still. If Wiggins plays defense like that... the Wolves are in business.

- Westbrook was awesome. He got to his spots with relative ease. He finished great. But most of all... that effort getting on the floor for loose balls. I heard that he and George lead the league in getting loose balls. I believe it after watching Westbrook... I don't get the same vibe from George though. Meanwhile, Teague was obviously rusty. And the Wolves still won by 16. Nice.

- The defense makes me smile. One weird unrelated nugget though... there was a play where KAT clearly blocked Carmelo Anthony at the rim. It wasn't a debate and the tv crew discussed the play. But it's not listed in the boxscore. It got me wondering... how in today's game where we value stats and analytics and prop them up even above Wins and Losses it seems at times... how much influence the statistician has while documenting some of those stats.

- I think that this game felt so business-like after the huge game on Monday is telling. I think they're getting it. I think they're for real. I'm optimistic.* I'm all in. Let's enjoy the ride.



* Playoff berth is gonna happen. I'd be satisfied with a Round 2 appearance.