Minnesota Sports Forum

WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:35 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 8:33 am

FNG wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:59 am

I agree...terrific takes by Q. And I think it's a positive that Ant was walking much better when he came out of the locker room than when he hobbled off the court.

Did anyone think we were going to win this game when Ant left the game down 4 points? I didn't. OkC is really good, KAT was begin defended well, Bite Bite was uncharacteristically off with his shot, and we were sloppy with the ball (especially KAT and Slomo). But Rudy and TBJ were outstanding, and we came out with a great win against a healthy, really good team despite being down two starters.

So Bite Bite shot poorly, but he was a team-leading +17 because of his 8 assists with no TOs and great close-out defense. And he said he wasn't even tired after the game despite playing 37 minutes. Such an asset for this team.

So we're now a game and a half ahead of Denver with 4 very winnable games coming up...even if Ant can't go. I would love to see us 17-4 in a week!

I feel like we're playing with fire a bit with Conley. Age is going to catch up with him some point in the form of tired legs (which affects his shooting and defense) or injury. We desperately need Little Mac to get healthy and/or go make a move to get another ball handler. We need to start thinking about strategic rest days with Conley, as he is carrying too much of a load too early in the season for this to be sustainable.

The other thing about Conley and his shooting is that they are trying to remake him into more of a volume 3-point shooter. Did you guys notice that they had him playing off ball with NAW doing most of the early initiation? While Conley has always been a fairly accurate 3-point shooter, he's never been a volume guy. I'm not sure he can make the transition without his accuracy taking a big hit even though I know they want him to carry a higher usage, especially if Ant misses games.

Ant has a bruised hip. Give him a week and use that time to give Minott an end of the bench role.

Conley is the one who is asking for more of a role, but it's good to have him in this role at the playing time he gets. Conley is the prototype for what we want alongside Ant, so Connelly's goal is to find a younger version of this.

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:41 pm

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:28 pm Huge win.

Game ball goes to Troy Brown Jr. What a solid player he is. His best trait is his rebounding, something we've lacked from our wings in recent memory. Rudy Gobert a very close second, he was huge tonight. And the bench in general was very good tonight. Naz was great. Just wish Kyle Anderson would shoot the open jumpers like he did last year. Defenders are leaving him open knowing he'll pass or dribble drive. Getting too predictable and when paired with Gobert there's no spacing. Shake will come around and may get more game time with a few injuries in the ranks now. More minutes will do him a world of good I believe.

Lets hope that Ants injury isn't too bad and just a bruise from his fall. I just wish the officials would protect him more by giving him fair call. Opposition teams know they can hammer KAT and ANT if they dribble drive and get away with it more often than not.

Matt - I agree with all your takes except the notion that Shake will come around. He’s had enough minutes to show what he can do for this team and giving him more minutes will only hurt the team. I mentioned in another thread that Troy Brown Jr should get Shake’s minutes and will be a key to this team’s success going forward. He adds a level of speed and athleticism this team needs, especially now with Ant out. He was terrific tonight. I also love the way Rudy stepped up tonight.

I share your wish that officials would start protecting Ant and KAT more. Shortly before Ant’s injury he was clearly fouled twice on his way to the basket but got not call other than a technical against him for complaining. I attribute his injury to trying to do too much out of frustration with the officiating. I’m sick of it. And you’re right that KAT gets repeatedly beat up with no calls and they he gets called for little things.

Phenom wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:44 am Bingo. Jonny K reports that the Wolves will get San Antonio and Memphis as the 2 fill in opponents. Wolves catch a break there.

AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 4:11 pm

Phenom wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:44 am Bingo. Jonny K reports that the Wolves will get San Antonio and Memphis as the 2 fill in opponents. Wolves catch a break there.

I guess.

If you actually think the NBA title is >>> the really cool and exciting (and irrelevant) inaugural in-season tournament!

60WinTim wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:23 pm It's worth noting that TBJ was a PG for much of his life. That is a pretty clear theme in Connelly's pursuit of players -- playing making abilities are essential!

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2023 9:17 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:23 pm It's worth noting that TBJ was a PG for much of his life. That is a pretty clear theme in Connelly's pursuit of players -- playing making abilities are essential!

https://youtu.be/-UgC9Ub-AlQ?si=AOTdkXa5HaFKm-C3

I thought I’d provide some video evidence to support Tim’s point. Watching this video should leave no doubt that TBJ is a PG. I’ve been impressed by his energy, defense, rebounding and basketball IQ even when his shot hasn’t been falling before last night’s game. We saw last night what he can be if his shot is falling and I think that’s just the tip of iceberg when it comes to what he can be.

I have a hunch that TBJ is going to emerge as as the steal of free 2023 free agency. He reminds me a bit of Chauncey Billups when he was here. I remember Billups had bounced around a bit before coming to Minnesota while still young. It became apparent at some point after his arrival that he was starting to emerge as the player he was expected to be when drafted high in the first round. I see the same thing in TBJ who last year with the Lakers and this season with the Wolves looks like he’s becoming the player he was expected to be as the 15th pick in the first round or even better. I’m as excited about him as I am about Miller and Minott.