Minnesota Sports Forum

They have LBJ we don't

I want to say how great lakers defense was in 4th. Man hard to believe they went 8 straight minutes without a foul.

kekgeek1 wrote:They have LBJ we don't

Yes his vision is so good he can read the bottom line of the eye chart.

The only think I'm upset with is the Lakers threw at least 5 full court passes for easy layup

This team needs an injection of talent at the four spot.

Camden0916 wrote:This team needs an injection of talent at the four spot.

Aaron Gordon :)

Close to what I predicted. We didnt fold at the start of the third thanks to Ant's 2 early 3's. But midway into the 3rd, it was looking like a double digit loss.

Lebron is great. It looks like he was playing at 50%level in the first half and decided to play to 63% level in the 2nd half and we never stood a chance. He got a triplle double out of it as well.

Lol, very entertaining GDT as I catch up this morning! I think I will starting using the Eye Chart name for Nowell. Man, how does a guy go from missing the rim on half of his shots to nothing but net? He did have one EC air ball last night, but otherwise he was money all night.

Anybody want to offer a comment on our other PG? Buehler? Anybody? 19-12-2 with 1 TO and 3 steals! And if Towns could get back to what he normally is on open threes, Ricky would have had 15 assists. Robson said he has gotten back to his Phoenix level of play. I would say looking at his last 10 game stats (12.1/7.3/2.5, only 1.8 TO per game, 47.5% shooting, 39.4 on threes), he is exceeding his play of last year. Fun to watch.

Edwards was bi-polar again. Continually improving offensive game (his shot selection under finch is notably better...accountability?), but maddeningly poor rotations on defense in the second half that led to way too many open looks beyond the arc. My eye test tells me he deserved his team-worst -17 just like his 1st half laziness last game again gave him a team-worst +/- . I love this kid, and I know he is going to get better. But with apologies to the plus/minus police (henceforward to be known as the PMPs), with DLO out of commission, Ant is consistently our biggest liability among players getting regular minutes. Sorry guys, the numbers don't lie, and the sample size is no longer small. I still like the kid's potential, and now have him above Ball on my rookie list. But his best days are ahead of him as he learns how to play NBA team defense.

Very entertaining game by a hugely improved Wolves team. We played them even for three quarters, and lost for one primary reason...LeBron James.

FNG wrote:Lol, very entertaining GDT as I catch up this morning! I think I will starting using the Eye Chart name for Nowell. Man, how does a guy go from missing the rim on half of his shots to nothing but net? He did have one EC air ball last night, but otherwise he was money all night.

Anybody want to offer a comment on our other PG? Buehler? Anybody? 19-12-2 with 1 TO and 3 steals! And if Towns could get back to what he normally is on open threes, Ricky would have had 15 assists. Robson said he has gotten back to his Phoenix level of play. I would say looking at his last 10 game stats (12.1/7.3/2.5, only 1.8 TO per game, 47.5% shooting, 39.4 on threes), he is exceeding his play of last year. Fun to watch.

Edwards was bi-polar again. Continually improving offensive game (his shot selection under finch is notably better...accountability?), but maddeningly poor rotations on defense in the second half that led to way too many open looks beyond the arc. My eye test tells me he deserved his team-worst -17 just like his 1st half laziness last game again gave him a team-worst +/- . I love this kid, and I know he is going to get better. But with apologies to the plus/minus police (henceforward to be known as the PMPs), with DLO out of commission, Ant is consistently our biggest liability among players getting regular minutes. Sorry guys, the numbers don't lie, and the sample size is no longer small. I still like the kid's potential, and now have him above Ball on my rookie list. But his best days are ahead of him as he learns how to play NBA team defense.

Very entertaining game by a hugely improved Wolves team. We played them even for three quarters, and lost for one primary reason...LeBron James.

I didn't watch the game. I'll watch the recording tonight. So thanks for the insights.

There were two main concerns with Edwards as a draft prospect. One was his inefficient shooting. The other was laziness or disinterest on the defensive end. Until lately, his play with the Wolves has reflected both concerns. However, since the all-star break his shooting has really turned around. Part of that turn-around has probably been better shot selection, which is probably attributable to Finch. But I also think the game is slowing down for him and, as a result, he's simply more accurate. He's not just hitting perimeter shots more consistently, he's also finishing better at the rim. I really like his shooting progress as well as his tremendous talent. At some point, he has to dial up his defensive intensity, but part of his issue might simply be poor defensive instincts. Thankfully, both issues are fixable with time and effort. As an 18/19-year old rookie playing most of the season under a bad head coach and without an NBA training camp, I can't help but be thrilled with what we've seen so far from Edwards.

As for Ricky, there's no denying that he's improved a lot lately, especially since DLO went down and even more so since Finch arrived. I've been convinced that his poor play most of this season was attributable primarily to his bout with Covid and his uncertain, inconsistent role under Saunders. According to Jon K, "Rubio says he's in better shape now and his game is benefiting from consistent minutes and with a consistent rotation." Rubio said, "I was kind of lost in the beginning but now I've found myself again." I didn't like the deal that brought Ricky here and like most on this board I've been down on him for his play this season. But his recent turn-around is real.

When you consider Ricky's recent play and the mentoring he appears to be providing to Edwards, you can see why Rosas brought him here and it inclines me to want Rosas to move DLO rather than Ricky in any trade-deadline deal. I agree with Cam that it's highly unlikely Rosas moves DLO. But if it were up to me, like you, I'd try to move him for Collins.

Lip, you're going to like jim Pete's comment during the game about Ant, because it's exactly what you said. The game is slowing down for him, and it is reflected most in his finishing. He used to finish too hard anticipating the contesting, resulting in layups that would bounce out. Now he is using his athleticism to hang in the air or adjust his angle, and the result is a softer, less-contested and higher percentage finish.

The other great point that Peterson made is that even when Ant doesn't finish the layup, he collapses the defense and creates an open lane for an easy put back. So true. If his finishing percentage is 60%, his actual success rate is higher because of the easy cleanup he leaves for KAT, vando, et al.

Ant was my choice at #1, and he is now exceeding my expectations on offense...and he's only going to get better...much better. His D is a work in process though, and again with apologies (tongue in cheek) to the PMP, he will continue to have a negative impact until his effort and smarts on D reach an acceptable level.

Meanwhile I'm going to enjoy his offense!