Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 8:02 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:36 pm

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:08 pm Pathetic team shooting display. Shooting 32% from the field and 21% from 3pt isn’t going to win you many games.

It was pathetic, kiwi, but let's keep it in perspective. We were missing our top three percentage 3-point shooters, all over 40%, and we were playing one of the top two defensive teams in the Association. I thought our defense fell short of what we have seen the past five games, but the our offense was about what we should have expected. Let's get healthy, and we'll be fine.

That's true we were missing key guys and Detroit played some really good defense. But our offense did manage to produce some wide open looks from time to time that guys should have made. DDV was especially frustrating because he'd make these super difficult shots off the move, then brick a wide open 3 where he had all day to line it up and get his feet set. How is that possible!?

I'm getting close to my post-OKC series loss disillusionment at the end of last season as it relates to Julius and Naz. I'm questioning if I want either of these guys back next season. They both have been pretty bad offensively for ~ 20-30 games. They are supposed to be two of our better offensive players and get paid a combined $50M+ per year to get buckets. It's one thing to go into a mid-season lull for a couple weeks. But not two freakin' months!!! At the same time!!!

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2026 1:04 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 8:02 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:36 pm

It was pathetic, kiwi, but let's keep it in perspective. We were missing our top three percentage 3-point shooters, all over 40%, and we were playing one of the top two defensive teams in the Association. I thought our defense fell short of what we have seen the past five games, but the our offense was about what we should have expected. Let's get healthy, and we'll be fine.

That's true we were missing key guys and Detroit played some really good defense. But our offense did manage to produce some wide open looks from time to time that guys should have made. DDV was especially frustrating because he'd make these super difficult shots off the move, then brick a wide open 3 where he had all day to line it up and get his feet set. How is that possible!?

I'm getting close to my post-OKC series loss disillusionment at the end of last season as it relates to Julius and Naz. I'm questioning if I want either of these guys back next season. They both have been pretty bad offensively for ~ 20-30 games. They are supposed to be two of our better offensive players and get paid a combined $50M+ per year to get buckets. It's one thing to go into a mid-season lull for a couple weeks. But not two freakin' months!!! At the same time!!!

Sounds like Naz is shooting 32.2% from three since injuring his shoulder. That shoulder is more than likely the biggest culprit right now, although he certainly has too many of these cold stretches that he can't have now that he's paid a lot more.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 9:05 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 28, 2026 8:56 pm Am I the only guy who doesn't want to play the Lakers? I don't care when we play OKC, but I see a Lakers series as a definite first round exit. They are better than they were last year, and the NBA needs them to have a run. I'd say our chances against the lakers is less than 25%. We would have a much better time against Denver.

I'm in complete agreement.

I sense that there may be some fraudulence with the Lakers but they are clearly deeper and better than the team we faced in playoffs last year, and they'll be hunting for revenge.

I wouldn't tilt the odds against them that much but I'd be very concerned about a LAL matchup.

And personally I would rather play the Thunder round 2 when the team is theoretically more rested and I like our chance against the Spurs in the conference finals.

FNG wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2026 8:59 am Dissatisfying game yesterday...I feel bad for the fans who shelled out money to watch that one. We played like a team that didn't expect to win with its best 3-point shooters out, even though the Pistons were missing Cunningham. The defensive effort didn't match what we have seen in the previous 5 games.

One positive is that we moved the ball quite well. Unfortunately, the ball movement didn't result in many points because of the Pistons' tough defense and too many missed open looks. Naz was fairly ripped in this thread, and I'll pile on...probably his worst game of the season with 0 for 7 on threes, three turnovers and only one assist. Is it the shoulder? I don't know...I didn't see him favoring it yesterday. But if his shoulder is indeed bothering him, I would agree with WF that he should be rested until he's healthy.

Ironic that on/off disaster Shannon was the only Wolf yesterday that wasn't a minus. Unlike most of his teammates, I thought he played hard most of the game and was okay. I also thought Rudy held his own in a tough match up with Duren. I had some hopes for Mike after he made a floater last game, hit a big three in OT, and made his first three in this game. But then he missed his next four 3-pointers, joining his teammates in missing open looks. It was fun to see his 6 assists and no turnovers though.

AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Sun Mar 29, 2026 11:59 am Abe's "I really wanted to stop watching Naz Reid in this game" DVR Review:

- The Naz Reid Game.

- If he's injured... he's injured. Fair enough. And there seems to be some juice to the shoulder and his shooting splits. But yesterday was brutal, even beyond the shooting.

- Not only did he miss almost everything... he missed most of them badly. Usually, pro guys are close even on misses. Half of Reid's misses were bad misses, no chance to go in.

- Not only did he miss almost everything... what was with all the fumbling of the basketball? I noticed this even more than all the wildly off-target shots. I'm shocked he was only given 3 TOs. He fumbled the ball SEVERAL times. It's like his hands were not working properly. He just looked all of sorts.

- At least his defense was normal. Oh wait... that's not a good thing.

- Reid is a solid basketball player. A good story as he battled from obscurity into a legit NBA guy. But he does get the "backup QB" treatment sometimes. That game might have been the worst game any Wolves player has had all season, considering how much he was on the court. It was just terrible.

He's not the feel-good story of a guy making $2M anymore... or even $13M anymore. He's being paid like a big-time player.

How much more heat would he get for that performance if he was a starter? He has quite a few disappearing acts as it is... but yesterday... the Wolves were better if he hadn't played at all.