Minnesota Sports Forum

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:46 am**

The Bulls won in Boston last night, their second consecutive win. After giving up an average of over 113 points per game this season, they have given up only 96 points in their two game winning streak. Anybody want to venture any theories of why their defense has improved?

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:57 am**

FNG wrote:The Bulls won in Boston last night, their second consecutive win. After giving up an average of over 113 points per game this season, they have given up only 96 points in their two game winning streak. Anybody want to venture any theories of why their defense has improved?

LOL, poor Zach. Poster child of the plus-minus debate along with DLO. To his credit, he has actually made strides this year, mostly because his offense is so damn good. Still, he just can't get that net rating into positive territory. Mmmm, I wonder if box score stats just don't seem to capture about 50% of the game.

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:15 am**

Q12543 wrote:
FNG wrote:The Bulls won in Boston last night, their second consecutive win. After giving up an average of over 113 points per game this season, they have given up only 96 points in their two game winning streak. Anybody want to venture any theories of why their defense has improved?

LOL, poor Zach. Poster child of the plus-minus debate along with DLO. To his credit, he has actually made strides this year, mostly because his offense is so damn good. Still, he just can't get that net rating into positive territory. Mmmm, I wonder if box score stats just don't seem to capture about 50% of the game.

I kid Zach, because yeah...he is the poster child...such a terrific offensive talent, but you can't escape the fact that his entire career the Bulls and the Wolves have been better with him on the bench. But there are two sides to the court, and while 95% of basketball fans ignore the defensive side, I'm guilty of not giving enough credit to the offensive side. The Bulls are also scoring 8 fewer points per game with Zach out.

And you're right about Zach, Q...his offense has become so elite that the Bulls can actually overcome his sieve-like defense. He's still not positive in on/off this season, but for the first time in his career he is actually dead even. Baby steps.

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:41 am**

kekgeek1 wrote:
AbeVigodaLive wrote:
lipoli390 wrote:Orlando lost to Houston last night. That's a bummer for my quest to have the Wolves end up in the bottom three. Hard to see how Orlando wins another game this season. I think they'll end up with their current 18 wins and I still see the Wolves winning at least 4 more games. That would mean the Wolves likely finishing with the 4th worst record. The Wolves clearly have the easiest schedule among the League's bottom 5.

Lip... it's like you haven't followed this team before. NOBODY tanks better than the Timberwolves.

Strategic sit-games will become the norm. The Wolves will sign Mark Madsen to a 10-day contract to hoist three pointers. And the Wolves will add 3.6% or whatever it is to their odds to draft yet another tantalizing prospect who they can hope and pray will lead this franchise out of abject crappiness.

Also wolves have the 2nd longest stretch in NBA history without winning 2 games in a row. I think we will be fine

This cracked me up. We will be fine because we can't win. Not sure if it was your intent to be amusing, but it was.

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:45 am**

It was like Clark Griswold telling his family that the dead Aunt would be fine on the roof of the family truckster if it rained.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:20 am**

Knicks have now one 7 straight. What a story! A team of underperforming high picks have finally turned it together

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:28 am**

kekgeek1 wrote:Knicks have now one 7 straight. What a story! A team of underperforming high picks have finally turned it together

Wolves haven't won 7 straight since 2004.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:32 am**

AbeVigodaLive wrote:
kekgeek1 wrote:Knicks have now won 7 straight. What a story! A team of underperforming high picks have finally turned it together

Wolves haven't won 7 straight since 2004.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:46 am**

kekgeek1 wrote:Knicks have now one 7 straight. What a story! A team of underperforming high picks have finally turned it together

Gotta give Thibs props. And credit to the players for manning up and getting on board with the barking ogre. It's another proof-point that he inherited a soft team and weak culture in Minnesota. I doubt he can take the team very far in the playoffs, but Knicks fans are probably delighted at finally not being a laughingstock.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:48 am**

Q12543 wrote:
kekgeek1 wrote:Knicks have now one 7 straight. What a story! A team of underperforming high picks have finally turned it together

Gotta give Thibs props. And credit to the players for manning up and getting on board with the barking ogre. It's another proof-point that he inherited a soft team and weak culture in Minnesota. I doubt he can take the team very far in the playoffs, but Knicks fans are probably delighted at finally not being a laughingstock.

Do you think it has staying power? He got the Bulls to buy in for multiple years. But the NBA player continues to evolve... you think they continue to respond as they have to the barking ogre?

[Note: I'd assume winning is a helluva motivator... right? But you never know for sure.]

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