Minnesota Sports Forum

The Minnesota Timberwolve Knee-Jerk reaction board. You guys are funny.

Looking at the box score shooting percentages and rebs, I would have guessed we lost by 40!

Not going to get to worked up over the first game of the Pre Season. Going to take time to get comfortable with the new D. Sounds like Bjelica and Towns looked pretty good out there. :)

Let's be honest here. Both KG and Andre Miller looked bad tonight. Why? They're 39-years old and it's a pre-season game. Richard Jefferson got interviewed tonight before the Cavs game. He mentioned how it's harder for the older guys to get hyped for an exhibition game; one that means nothing in the standings. I think that's one answer for KG and Miller's poor play. You could also argue that they're 39-years old and shouldn't be rotation players at this stage in their careers, but I'll give it a little time before really dropping down the hammer.

On another note, Towns and Bjelica looked great. Go figure.

Miller and KG were the first back on the floor shooting after half

THE GOOD:

I was there tonight. I'll confirm that Towns and Bjelica were the only two T-Wolf players who looked good on both ends of the floor. Dieng looked good on the offensive end, but his defense looked no better than it did last season. Still, I liked his production and effort tonight. Brown's defense was terrific. He was the only T-Wolf who made life difficult foe the guy he guarded. I really see him as a keeper. I thought Rudez looked ok. He's clearly this team's best and not bona fine three-point shooter.

Honestly, based on what I saw tonight, I'd keep both Rudez and Brown. Odd man out? Prince. He adds absolutely nothing at what is probably our deepest position. The signing made no sense in the first place and it's clear he doesn't have any meabningful role on the floor for this team. Add to that the fact that he is completely disengaged on the bench. I sit not too far behind the Wolves bench and paid special attention tonight to the interaction between players. Prince did not say a single word to any of his teammates or join any of the huddles. He just sat sullenly near the end of the bench waiting for the game to end. At least Miller interacts a bit, several times cling out on the floor to give high fives to the young guys as they came to the bench during a time out.

I'm not as down on Miller's play as some in this thread. He took 2 shots and made both while playing pretty hard as I saw it. And I like that he was talking to the young guys and showing some enthusiasm. I wouldn't keep him over Brown, but as I said, I'd cut Prince to ensure roster room for

KG's mentoring on the bench was great. I can tell you he was not taking this game lightly. He was constantly talking to the yo g guys and pumping them up. The two players who appeared to connect especially well with KG were Towns and Payne. They were hanging on KG's every word and interacting with him back and forth. He only played 8

THE BAD:

Tyus Jones definitely isn't ready for prime time. But I'll give him some credit for hanging I there against one of the best and most dynamic PGs in the League. Still, he was prettying add and it wasn't just his 0 for 5 shooting.

After watching LaVine tonight I suspect that Sam has his eraser out and ready to remove LaVine's name from the starting lineup for the opener if LaVine has several more games like this one. My guess is that it was an aberration and Zach will come back strong in the next game.

Shabazz played with great effort and intensity as usual. And he really worked hard on the defensive end. But his shooting was terrible and he didn't do much else to help the team. I still think he'll be good for us this season.

Payne was Payne. Great effort but not much production. I do like his passion and I see him a potential contributor off the bench this season.

I'll add that I liked Sam's passion and animated style on the bench. He and KG are clearly on the same page. The players listened when he talked and he had a lot to say to them tonight.

OKC when healthy challenges for the top seed in the conference. This is a bad game to judge anyone on anything but effort. We aren't anywhere close to their level.

lipoli390 wrote:
Honestly, based on what I saw tonight, I'd keep both Rudez and Brown. Odd man out? Prince.

I agree 100%.

lipoli390 wrote:I'll add that I liked Sam's passion and animated style on the bench. He and KG are clearly on the same page. The players listened when he talked and he had a lot to say to them tonight.

That is a great sign. My mom-ma said there would be days like this.

I liked what I saw in Brown and Prince at the scrimmage. I hope they both make the roster.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:The Minnesota Timberwolve Knee-Jerk reaction board. You guys are funny.

Interesting. If Zach had dropped 35 points last night I wonder how you would have reacted.

People always react right after games. That's what people do.