AbeVigodaLive wrote:DVR Summary (as I'm yawning at work this morning...)
- I understand that blips happen. And Butler is out. And we should all remain ecstatic that the Wolves are gonna make the playoffs. I'm very cool with all that. But it's becoming obvious in games vs. Houston and GSW this season just how far the Wolves are to the ultimate goal. I'm not sure how to get there. It's tough. Obviously. So I'll enjoy a playoff berth and not worry about any of that for now.
I don't think it's as far as you. When we were pushing the pace in the 2nd half and making the Warriors work on defense, they started to finally miss some shots. I think the key to playing with these teams is to force them to work on both ends of the floor. Push the ball right back at them. Not all teams are capable of it, but we are. And then we need another shooter who can help spread the floor and we need to defend the perimeter better. We've shown glimpses we can hang with the Warriors without Butler. I want to see what we look like with him. Obviously as currently constructed we are not going to win 4 of 7 games vs either the Warriors or the Rockets, but I think we can win a couple games.
AbeVigodaLive wrote:DVR Summary (as I'm yawning at work this morning...)
- I understand that blips happen. And Butler is out. And we should all remain ecstatic that the Wolves are gonna make the playoffs. I'm very cool with all that. But it's becoming obvious in games vs. Houston and GSW this season just how far the Wolves are to the ultimate goal. I'm not sure how to get there. It's tough. Obviously. So I'll enjoy a playoff berth and not worry about any of that for now.
I don't think it's as far as you. When we were pushing the pace in the 2nd half and making the Warriors work on defense, they started to finally miss some shots. I think the key to playing with these teams is to force them to work on both ends of the floor. Push the ball right back at them. Not all teams are capable of it, but we are. And then we need another shooter who can help spread the floor and we need to defend the perimeter better. We've shown glimpses we can hang with the Warriors without Butler. I want to see what we look like with him. Obviously as currently constructed we are not going to win 4 of 7 games vs either the Warriors or the Rockets, but I think we can win a couple games.
Every NBA game has runs, mini-runs, momentum shifts and everything else...
All I know is that the Wolves have lost to GSW by 24 and 13 points... and Houston by 18 points. And it didn't feel like they had a legit chance to win either game.
More season is left. More improvement can happen. But I think it's clear as day that the Wolves are a significant distance away from either of those teams.... and that's not even taking into consideration playoff basketball.
They noted it last night on the telecast. Webber may have been a bit too harsh on the Wolves offense considering where it's ranked... but he is right in that it's not exactly dynamic and a bit predictable. When a seasoned playoff team with a ton of experience has time to prepare for it and make adjustments over a two-week window... I think the gap will widen even more.
And remember, very very few young players come out firing and playing their best ball in their first playoff test.
I would just like to see a bit more transitional pushes, no not all game, but I'm sure after a long board when we can get a 5 on 4 we should be pushing. Every team does it seems against us which leads to easy layups or wide open 3's.
The grind it out style isn't great to watch no, but it's effective with the guys we have. Low turnovers, low passing equals tougher shots, but it works. I'd like to see Towns get even more touches down low though. His skill set, he should be avg 25 a game even with Butler and other scorers. He's just that good. Ge's that efficient from down low and 3P.
In a playoff series against a Rockets or Warriors, it's going to have to be Towns taking over and crippling the other team down low. Avg 30-35 for a series to beat a Rockets or Warriors. That's the only way and it's a long shot.
I often hear Thibs bellowing, "Go! Go! Go!" off rebounds, but we just don't have the numbers a lot of time. I think last year's squad was far more equipped to run than this year's team.
First of all I had to mute the broadcast. It added nothing positive to watching the game.
Yes we are past the feel good losses or whatever but this was a game that never got out of hand despite the Wolves playing without their best player.
Belly didn't look that out of place starting against one of the best players in the world. He hit 3-5 from 3 and probably should have got up more. He has been pretty impressive playing minutes at the 3.
Teague can really cause problems for other teams he was really good early on. He had some really nice defensive possessions as well. Meanwhile Tyus other than that one foul he drew and some decent minutes in the 2nd half where he didn't screw anything up and had a hustle play was not good.
Towns was pretty good in this game
Crawford good and bad helped keep them in this game. Between him and Teague the Warriors has trouble guarding those guys. They haven't been a very good defensive team that past few games. There were a lot of easy baskets the Wolves just missed. On the other end there were good defensive possessions where the warriors got the rebound and then cashed in. Honestly it was kind of an encouraging game. Damn the Warriors have shooters. We need another guy that can let it fly off the bench at least.
monsterpile wrote:Just finished watching this one.
First of all I had to mute the broadcast. It added nothing positive to watching the game.
Yes we are past the feel good losses or whatever but this was a game that never got out of hand despite the Wolves playing without their best player.
Belly didn't look that out of place starting against one of the best players in the world. He hit 3-5 from 3 and probably should have got up more. He has been pretty impressive playing minutes at the 3.
Teague can really cause problems for other teams he was really good early on. He had some really nice defensive possessions as well. Meanwhile Tyus other than that one foul he drew and some decent minutes in the 2nd half where he didn't screw anything up and had a hustle play was not good.
Towns was pretty good in this game
Crawford good and bad helped keep them in this game. Between him and Teague the Warriors has trouble guarding those guys. They haven't been a very good defensive team that past few games. There were a lot of easy baskets the Wolves just missed. On the other end there were good defensive possessions where the warriors got the rebound and then cashed in. Honestly it was kind of an encouraging game. Damn the Warriors have shooters. We need another guy that can let it fly off the bench at least.
Yes, another 3-point shooter off the bench would help. If only we had a couple extra million in cap space last summer to sign CJ Miles. We are really lacking in 3-point shooting compared to teams with better records. The Warriors have 3 starters shooting over 40% from behind the arc on high volumes. The Celtics and Rockets both have three starters hitting between 37-40% of their threes. The Spurs have three rotation players hitting over 37% of their threes (Green, Mills and Anderson).
In contrast, the Wolves have only one starter hitting 36% of more of his threes -- KAT at 40.5%. Unfortunately, bringing KAT out to the 3-point line takes our best rebounder overall and best offensive rebounder away from the basket. Wiggins is under 33% while Teague and Butler are only slightly over 35%. Our gunner off the bench, Crawford, is at around 35%. Belly is our only rotation bench player above 36%. The Wolves put up points, but it's hard to break through to championship level in today's NBA without better three-point shooting that the Wolves currently have. And even another gunner off the bench would leave our starting lineup devoid of the kind of 3-point shooting you see on the Warriors, Rockets and Celtics.
monsterpile wrote:Just finished watching this one.
First of all I had to mute the broadcast. It added nothing positive to watching the game.
Yes we are past the feel good losses or whatever but this was a game that never got out of hand despite the Wolves playing without their best player.
Belly didn't look that out of place starting against one of the best players in the world. He hit 3-5 from 3 and probably should have got up more. He has been pretty impressive playing minutes at the 3.
Teague can really cause problems for other teams he was really good early on. He had some really nice defensive possessions as well. Meanwhile Tyus other than that one foul he drew and some decent minutes in the 2nd half where he didn't screw anything up and had a hustle play was not good.
Towns was pretty good in this game
Crawford good and bad helped keep them in this game. Between him and Teague the Warriors has trouble guarding those guys. They haven't been a very good defensive team that past few games. There were a lot of easy baskets the Wolves just missed. On the other end there were good defensive possessions where the warriors got the rebound and then cashed in. Honestly it was kind of an encouraging game. Damn the Warriors have shooters. We need another guy that can let it fly off the bench at least.
Yes, another 3-point shooter off the bench would help. If only we had a couple extra million in cap space last summer to sign CJ Miles. We are really lacking in 3-point shooting compared to teams with better records. The Warriors have 3 starters shooting over 40% from behind the arc on high volumes. The Celtics and Rockets both have three starters hitting between 37-40% of their threes. The Spurs have three rotation players hitting over 37% of their threes (Green, Mills and Anderson).
In contrast, the Wolves have only one starter hitting 36% of more of his threes -- KAT at 40.5%. Unfortunately, bringing KAT out to the 3-point line takes our best rebounder overall and best offensive rebounder away from the basket. Wiggins is under 33% while Teague and Butler are only slightly over 35%. Our gunner off the bench, Crawford, is at around 35%. Belly is our only rotation bench player above 36%. The Wolves put up points, but it's hard to break through to championship level in today's NBA without better three-point shooting that the Wolves currently have. And even another gunner off the bench would leave our starting lineup devoid of the kind of 3-point shooting you see on the Warriors, Rockets and Celtics.
It's also tough also because we are still in year 2 of a new coach GM taking over and therefore a new system and culture. The last few weeks we have seen some very positive signs of real growth. Good play in general and this team not falling apart without Butler and even Crawford. Teague hasn't looked as comfortable shooting the 3 coming back from injury doesn't help. He isn't the best spot up guy partly because he isn't as good at relocating himself. Tyus I think is better at that but he isn't there yet as a 3 point threat.
Let's see if this franchise can develop some 3 point shooting from the bottom of the roster and get some more out of guys like Wiggins as well. We don't have to compete with GS and Houston as 3 point shooters but we have to as Thibs would say close the gap. Belly could be part of the answer. They need one more player and Wiggins to be more of a threat. We don't have to find the next Curry or Klay etc but a Wayne Ellington or Miles would be a nice step in the right direction. Maybe Anthony Brown is part of the solution. Because of some of the success we have had recently I feel a bit more optimism.
monsterpile wrote:Just finished watching this one.
First of all I had to mute the broadcast. It added nothing positive to watching the game.
Yes we are past the feel good losses or whatever but this was a game that never got out of hand despite the Wolves playing without their best player.
Belly didn't look that out of place starting against one of the best players in the world. He hit 3-5 from 3 and probably should have got up more. He has been pretty impressive playing minutes at the 3.
Teague can really cause problems for other teams he was really good early on. He had some really nice defensive possessions as well. Meanwhile Tyus other than that one foul he drew and some decent minutes in the 2nd half where he didn't screw anything up and had a hustle play was not good.
Towns was pretty good in this game
Crawford good and bad helped keep them in this game. Between him and Teague the Warriors has trouble guarding those guys. They haven't been a very good defensive team that past few games. There were a lot of easy baskets the Wolves just missed. On the other end there were good defensive possessions where the warriors got the rebound and then cashed in. Honestly it was kind of an encouraging game. Damn the Warriors have shooters. We need another guy that can let it fly off the bench at least.
Yes, another 3-point shooter off the bench would help. If only we had a couple extra million in cap space last summer to sign CJ Miles. We are really lacking in 3-point shooting compared to teams with better records. The Warriors have 3 starters shooting over 40% from behind the arc on high volumes. The Celtics and Rockets both have three starters hitting between 37-40% of their threes. The Spurs have three rotation players hitting over 37% of their threes (Green, Mills and Anderson).
In contrast, the Wolves have only one starter hitting 36% of more of his threes -- KAT at 40.5%. Unfortunately, bringing KAT out to the 3-point line takes our best rebounder overall and best offensive rebounder away from the basket. Wiggins is under 33% while Teague and Butler are only slightly over 35%. Our gunner off the bench, Crawford, is at around 35%. Belly is our only rotation bench player above 36%. The Wolves put up points, but it's hard to break through to championship level in today's NBA without better three-point shooting that the Wolves currently have. And even another gunner off the bench would leave our starting lineup devoid of the kind of 3-point shooting you see on the Warriors, Rockets and Celtics.
It's also tough also because we are still in year 2 of a new coach GM taking over and therefore a new system and culture. The last few weeks we have seen some very positive signs of real growth. Good play in general and this team not falling apart without Butler and even Crawford. Teague hasn't looked as comfortable shooting the 3 coming back from injury doesn't help. He isn't the best spot up guy partly because he isn't as good at relocating himself. Tyus I think is better at that but he isn't there yet as a 3 point threat.
Let's see if this franchise can develop some 3 point shooting from the bottom of the roster and get some more out of guys like Wiggins as well. We don't have to compete with GS and Houston as 3 point shooters but we have to as Thibs would say close the gap. Belly could be part of the answer. They need one more player and Wiggins to be more of a threat. We don't have to find the next Curry or Klay etc but a Wayne Ellington or Miles would be a nice step in the right direction. Maybe Anthony Brown is part of the solution. Because of some of the success we have had recently I feel a bit more optimism.
I agree with all you points, Monster. As for three-point shooting, the key is "closing the gap," as you pointed out quoting Thibs. I already see Belly as part of the answer, assuming we can re-sign him next summer. But that's obviously not enough even if we could count on him. I've really been hoping that Anthony Brown pans out as an eventual rotation player for the NBA Wolves. Thibs did the right thing pursuing CJ Miles, but he just ran out of cap space and I still believe he did the right thing refusing to give up our OKC pick we received for Rubio. So we'll just have to hope the Wolves organization finds and/or develops the added three-point firepower we need to take the next step. Right now, however, my main concern is Jimmy Butler's health.
monsterpile wrote:Just finished watching this one.
First of all I had to mute the broadcast. It added nothing positive to watching the game.
Yes we are past the feel good losses or whatever but this was a game that never got out of hand despite the Wolves playing without their best player.
Belly didn't look that out of place starting against one of the best players in the world. He hit 3-5 from 3 and probably should have got up more. He has been pretty impressive playing minutes at the 3.
Teague can really cause problems for other teams he was really good early on. He had some really nice defensive possessions as well. Meanwhile Tyus other than that one foul he drew and some decent minutes in the 2nd half where he didn't screw anything up and had a hustle play was not good.
Towns was pretty good in this game
Crawford good and bad helped keep them in this game. Between him and Teague the Warriors has trouble guarding those guys. They haven't been a very good defensive team that past few games. There were a lot of easy baskets the Wolves just missed. On the other end there were good defensive possessions where the warriors got the rebound and then cashed in. Honestly it was kind of an encouraging game. Damn the Warriors have shooters. We need another guy that can let it fly off the bench at least.
Yes, another 3-point shooter off the bench would help. If only we had a couple extra million in cap space last summer to sign CJ Miles. We are really lacking in 3-point shooting compared to teams with better records. The Warriors have 3 starters shooting over 40% from behind the arc on high volumes. The Celtics and Rockets both have three starters hitting between 37-40% of their threes. The Spurs have three rotation players hitting over 37% of their threes (Green, Mills and Anderson).
In contrast, the Wolves have only one starter hitting 36% of more of his threes -- KAT at 40.5%. Unfortunately, bringing KAT out to the 3-point line takes our best rebounder overall and best offensive rebounder away from the basket. Wiggins is under 33% while Teague and Butler are only slightly over 35%. Our gunner off the bench, Crawford, is at around 35%. Belly is our only rotation bench player above 36%. The Wolves put up points, but it's hard to break through to championship level in today's NBA without better three-point shooting that the Wolves currently have. And even another gunner off the bench would leave our starting lineup devoid of the kind of 3-point shooting you see on the Warriors, Rockets and Celtics.
It's also tough also because we are still in year 2 of a new coach GM taking over and therefore a new system and culture. The last few weeks we have seen some very positive signs of real growth. Good play in general and this team not falling apart without Butler and even Crawford. Teague hasn't looked as comfortable shooting the 3 coming back from injury doesn't help. He isn't the best spot up guy partly because he isn't as good at relocating himself. Tyus I think is better at that but he isn't there yet as a 3 point threat.
Let's see if this franchise can develop some 3 point shooting from the bottom of the roster and get some more out of guys like Wiggins as well. We don't have to compete with GS and Houston as 3 point shooters but we have to as Thibs would say close the gap. Belly could be part of the answer. They need one more player and Wiggins to be more of a threat. We don't have to find the next Curry or Klay etc but a Wayne Ellington or Miles would be a nice step in the right direction. Maybe Anthony Brown is part of the solution. Because of some of the success we have had recently I feel a bit more optimism.
I agree with all you points, Monster. As for three-point shooting, the key is "closing the gap," as you pointed out quoting Thibs. I already see Belly as part of the answer, assuming we can re-sign him next summer. But that's obviously not enough even if we could count on him. I've really been hoping that Anthony Brown pans out as an eventual rotation player for the NBA Wolves. Thibs did the right thing pursuing CJ Miles, but he just ran out of cap space and I still believe he did the right thing refusing to give up our OKC pick we received for Rubio. So we'll just have to hope the Wolves organization finds and/or develops the added three-point firepower we need to take the next step. Right now, however, my main concern is Jimmy Butler's health.
I'm actually not that worried about Jimmy right now. He has missed 4 games this year because of injury (every report I hear is it's minor) and the Wolves are tied with the Spurs for playing the most games of any team so far this season with 51. He could miss 5 more games in the next 31 being hurt this year and it still wouldn't be that bad. With 2 other games being sick he would have still played 71 games which I would have taken at the beginning of the year considering his past injury history (which is why there is reason for concern). Personally I am happy the guy has sat the last few games instead of just pushing through and playing.
