WOLVES JAZZ NO LEAP

[Q-is-here]

2-4 without Rudy. Gave up 60 points in the paint to the worst team in the West.

This board likes aesthetically pleasing basketball I enjoy winning and they miss Rudy so bad

These last two games also brought Naz down to earth a bit. 11 for 35 from the field combined and just not big/strong enough to man the middle against a couple teams with some real size.

It's a bit too much for him to be a featured guy I think, plus the lack of defense. If his shot isn't falling then he's not a net positive player in that space and pace role. I still like him in a starting role. He's just not a 5, nor is Garza which hurt us real bad on D. I miss Rude also.

Yeah, the one good thing to come from these injuries and suspensions is it helps Connelly and his front office really know what the rookies can and can't do and what our young vets like Jaden and Naz can and can't do when given expanded roles.

[Wolvesfan21]

These last two games also brought Naz down to earth a bit. 11 for 35 from the field combined and just not big/strong enough to man the middle against a couple teams with some real size.

It's a bit too much for him to be a featured guy I think, plus the lack of defense. If his shot isn't falling then he's not a net positive player in that space and pace role. I still like him in a starting role. He's just not a 5, nor is Garza which hurt us real bad on D. I miss Rude also.

Yeah, the one good thing to come from these injuries and suspensions is it helps Connelly and his front office really know what the rookies can and can't do and what our young vets like Jaden and Naz can and can't do when given expanded roles.

Agreed. I've been hoping for a longer term solid pf/c who can adequately shoot the 3 and defend the rim (3 and D bigman). These guys seem hard to find however!!! The ultimate in floor spacing and rim protection/rebounding.

[FNG]

One more quick thought about last night's game. Isn't it amazing how beautiful both offenses can look when neither team has an effective interior presence? Kessler has some impressive block numbers, but he reminds me a lot of Naz...who also is pretty good on blocks. But both of them are so easy to beat off the dribble. TJ is a rookie, but he consistently got around him like he was an orange traffic cone. Not impressed with Kessler at all.

[KiwiMatt]

We’ve now slipped to 9th in the Western Conference standings.

Even with an ‘easy’ remaining schedule, I’ve learnt that means nothing for this team. They seem to perform better against better teams.

[60WinTim]

We’ve now slipped to 9th in the Western Conference standings.

Even with an ‘easy’ remaining schedule, I’ve learnt that means nothing for this team. They seem to perform better against better teams.

I don't know. I think inuries/suspensions are the prevailing factors...

The KOM still has the Wolves finishing with the 6 seed, one game ahead of the Warriors. Although, now that the Warriors have found some Butler mojo, the Wolves will likely need to earn some anti-klunkers along the way. Their first opportunity is their next game, at the Suns. But if we don't have some guys back, it could be a long night.

[FNG]

We’ve now slipped to 9th in the Western Conference standings.

Even with an ‘easy’ remaining schedule, I’ve learnt that means nothing for this team. They seem to perform better against better teams.

I don't know. I think inuries/suspensions are the prevailing factors...

The KOM still has the Wolves finishing with the 6 seed, one game ahead of the Warriors. Although, now that the Warriors have found some Butler mojo, the Wolves will likely need to earn some anti-klunkers along the way. Their first opportunity is their next game, at the Suns. But if we don't have some guys back, it could be a long night.

Exactly, Tim...tough to beat any NBA team on their court when you're missing your highest scorer and your entire interior presence!

It was good to see Rudy courtside, because (unlike Ju) that tells me he has a chance of suiting up in Phoenix. I'm holding off on doing my wins projection spreadsheet though because I think it's meaningless not knowing when Rudy is coming back. My fear is that these back spasms linger and we end up out of the play-in. But if he comes back Sunday, I'll tee up my spreadsheet and we can compare where we think this team might end up. I suspect I'll have them somewhere in the 5-7 range.

[60WinTim]

We’ve now slipped to 9th in the Western Conference standings.

Even with an ‘easy’ remaining schedule, I’ve learnt that means nothing for this team. They seem to perform better against better teams.

I don't know. I think inuries/suspensions are the prevailing factors...

The KOM still has the Wolves finishing with the 6 seed, one game ahead of the Warriors. Although, now that the Warriors have found some Butler mojo, the Wolves will likely need to earn some anti-klunkers along the way. Their first opportunity is their next game, at the Suns. But if we don't have some guys back, it could be a long night.

Exactly, Tim...tough to beat any NBA team on their court when you're missing your highest scorer and your entire interior presence!

It was good to see Rudy courtside, because (unlike Ju) that tells me he has a chance of suiting up in Phoenix. I'm holding off on doing my wins projection spreadsheet though because I think it's meaningless not knowing when Rudy is coming back. My fear is that these back spasms linger and we end up out of the play-in. But if he comes back Sunday, I'll tee up my spreadsheet and we can compare where we think this team might end up. I suspect I'll have them somewhere in the 5-7 range.

I think you'll find "5" out of the question. The top 5 seeds have a pretty large lead on the blob fighting for the 6th seed.

[FNG]

I don't know. I think inuries/suspensions are the prevailing factors...

The KOM still has the Wolves finishing with the 6 seed, one game ahead of the Warriors. Although, now that the Warriors have found some Butler mojo, the Wolves will likely need to earn some anti-klunkers along the way. Their first opportunity is their next game, at the Suns. But if we don't have some guys back, it could be a long night.

Exactly, Tim...tough to beat any NBA team on their court when you're missing your highest scorer and your entire interior presence!

It was good to see Rudy courtside, because (unlike Ju) that tells me he has a chance of suiting up in Phoenix. I'm holding off on doing my wins projection spreadsheet though because I think it's meaningless not knowing when Rudy is coming back. My fear is that these back spasms linger and we end up out of the play-in. But if he comes back Sunday, I'll tee up my spreadsheet and we can compare where we think this team might end up. I suspect I'll have them somewhere in the 5-7 range.

I think you'll find "5" out of the question. The top 5 seeds have a pretty large lead on the blob fighting for the 6th seed.

Ouch, just looked closer at the standings...there's a 6 game gap between us and 5th place, and all 5 of those teams are very good. You're correct that 6 is probably our ceiling, absent a complete collapse by one of the top 5.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm gonna finally win our Wins Prediction contest, aren't I?