GDT This one Stings... Wolves vs Hornets

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Didn't see the game, but really nice to see an OT win against a pretty good team in Charlotte. BW is right in the post above...we needed this one to avoid a complete tailspin, because the schedule the next week is not favorable.

I'm happy to see the positive comments about our defense in this thread, but I'd like to see the defense yield better results...Charlotte scored 106 points in regulation on 44% shooting (39% on 36 threes!). A quick look at the box score tells me that the Wolves played their best defense when Charlotte was at the free throw line...we don't get this one to OT if Charlotte does better than 18-26 from the line.

That said, it's nice to see the positive comments about our reserve's defense. Cole Aldrich has been maligned here as a bust pickup, but I have admired his defense all season... I think his D is one of the reasons our reserves have been more successful than our starters in plus/minus this year. I note that Thibs actually gave 4 reserves some good minutes last night and I applaud him for that...maybe he's starting to figure it out. Playing our reserves with their positive plus/minus allows our starters to be a little fresher at end of games, and seems like a no brainer to me.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Crazy win: a lot of stuff went our way in the last minute of regulation. OT was better basketball. Too bad the upcoming games will probably not allow us to string any positive streak. Spurs own us, we never win in Toronto, back to back with Pistons, Warriors are Warriors.

Agree 100%. We wasted a lot of good opportunities in the first 20 games. As much as last night's win feels good, I don't think it moves the needle much on our trajectory for the season. Our starters looked horrible again for the most part until an incredible series of things finally went right late in the game.

It's similar to Suns win. It allowed us to avoid an embarrassing losing streak but we're still not good and will lose much more than we win. But we can feel good till next loss.

[Coolbreeze44]

Crazy win: a lot of stuff went our way in the last minute of regulation. OT was better basketball. Too bad the upcoming games will probably not allow us to string any positive streak. Spurs own us, we never win in Toronto, back to back with Pistons, Warriors are Warriors.

Agree 100%. We wasted a lot of good opportunities in the first 20 games. As much as last night's win feels good, I don't think it moves the needle much on our trajectory for the season. Our starters looked horrible again for the most part until an incredible series of things finally went right late in the game.

It's similar to Suns win. It allowed us to avoid an embarrassing losing streak but we're still not good and will lose much more than we win. But we can feel good till next loss.

Or, we can just go out, protect our home court and beat the Spurs. How might we feel if we can accomplish that? We should be able to play with anyone on our home court.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Crazy win: a lot of stuff went our way in the last minute of regulation. OT was better basketball. Too bad the upcoming games will probably not allow us to string any positive streak. Spurs own us, we never win in Toronto, back to back with Pistons, Warriors are Warriors.

Agree 100%. We wasted a lot of good opportunities in the first 20 games. As much as last night's win feels good, I don't think it moves the needle much on our trajectory for the season. Our starters looked horrible again for the most part until an incredible series of things finally went right late in the game.

It's similar to Suns win. It allowed us to avoid an embarrassing losing streak but we're still not good and will lose much more than we win. But we can feel good till next loss.

Or, we can just go out, protect our home court and beat the Spurs. How might we feel if we can accomplish that? We should be able to play with anyone on our home court.

It doesn't seem likely, but it is possible. We just need our Big Three to rise to the occasion in the same game. And for the bench to keep up their recent level of play. We don't lack the talent or coaching, IMO. We lack the experience and veteran know-how.

[Lipoli390]

Crazy win: a lot of stuff went our way in the last minute of regulation. OT was better basketball. Too bad the upcoming games will probably not allow us to string any positive streak. Spurs own us, we never win in Toronto, back to back with Pistons, Warriors are Warriors.

Agree 100%. We wasted a lot of good opportunities in the first 20 games. As much as last night's win feels good, I don't think it moves the needle much on our trajectory for the season. Our starters looked horrible again for the most part until an incredible series of things finally went right late in the game.

It's similar to Suns win. It allowed us to avoid an embarrassing losing streak but we're still not good and will lose much more than we win. But we can feel good till next loss.

We beat Golden State and Portland on the road late last season - GS was competing hard to finish with the best record and Portland was competing hard for playoff position. So there's no doubt we have the talent to beat anyone (except perhaps GS) with Durant there now. Based on the way we've been playing so far this season it would seem that we're highly likely to lose against the Spurs, Raptors and Pistons as well as the Warriors. But the last three games give me hope.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Thibs is a checkers player compared to Pop. Kawhi will take Wiggins to school, Green can limit Zach. They will come in here, talk about how good our young talent is, then proceed to give us a lesson of real basketball. Spurs is the last team we could beat. Our chances vs Warriors are much greater. What in the last 3 games gave you so much hope. A miracle win over Hornets? I don't see much improvement. Going down to mediocre NYK team twice in a row was shocking.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Thibs is a checkers player compared to Pop. Kawhi will take Wiggins to school, Green can limit Zach. They will come in here, talk about how good our young talent is, then proceed to give us a lesson of real basketball. Spurs is the last team we could beat. Our chances vs Warriors are much greater. What in the last 3 games gave you so much hope. A miracle win over Hornets? I don't see much improvement. Going down to mediocre NYK team twice in a row was shocking.

You're not wrong for saying any of this. The Spurs are a different beast. They're led by arguably the best coach in NBA history. Do we have the talent to beat them in a regular season game in December at home? I'd argue yes, but it won't be easy. We've also seen Wiggins decide to show up when the individual matchup is worthy of his energy. I don't think LaVine will have any trouble scoring on Green, though. And Towns is more than likely going to get his. But can they play team-oriented basketball on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes? Can the bench continue this mini spurt of productivity? That will decide if we have a chance to win or if we're embarrassed on our own floor before the fourth quarter even starts.

[Lipoli390]

Thibs is a checkers player compared to Pop. Kawhi will take Wiggins to school, Green can limit Zach. They will come in here, talk about how good our young talent is, then proceed to give us a lesson of real basketball. Spurs is the last team we could beat. Our chances vs Warriors are much greater. What in the last 3 games gave you so much hope. A miracle win over Hornets? I don't see much improvement. Going down to mediocre NYK team twice in a row was shocking.

You're not wrong for saying any of this. The Spurs are a different beast. They're led by arguably the best coach in NBA history. Do we have the talent to beat them in a regular season game in December at home? I'd argue yes, but it won't be easy. We've also seen Wiggins decide to show up when the individual matchup is worthy of his energy. I don't think LaVine will have any trouble scoring on Green, though. And Towns is more than likely going to get his. But can they play team-oriented basketball on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes? Can the bench continue this mini spurt of productivity? That will decide if we have a chance to win or if we're embarrassed on our own floor before the fourth quarter even starts.

Cam got it right. I wouldn't put money on the Wolves beating the Spurs, but playing at home the Wolves definitely have a chance. Brooklyn - I'm not sure when Green became a defensive stopper. By the way, if Thibs is a checkers caliber head coach compared to Pop then Glen Taylor really did screw up big time hiring him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Thibs is a checkers player compared to Pop. Kawhi will take Wiggins to school, Green can limit Zach. They will come in here, talk about how good our young talent is, then proceed to give us a lesson of real basketball. Spurs is the last team we could beat. Our chances vs Warriors are much greater. What in the last 3 games gave you so much hope. A miracle win over Hornets? I don't see much improvement. Going down to mediocre NYK team twice in a row was shocking.

You're not wrong for saying any of this. The Spurs are a different beast. They're led by arguably the best coach in NBA history. Do we have the talent to beat them in a regular season game in December at home? I'd argue yes, but it won't be easy. We've also seen Wiggins decide to show up when the individual matchup is worthy of his energy. I don't think LaVine will have any trouble scoring on Green, though. And Towns is more than likely going to get his. But can they play team-oriented basketball on both ends of the floor for 48 minutes? Can the bench continue this mini spurt of productivity? That will decide if we have a chance to win or if we're embarrassed on our own floor before the fourth quarter even starts.

Cam got it right. I wouldn't put money on the Wolves beating the Spurs, but playing at home the Wolves definitely have a chance. Brooklyn - I'm not sure when Green became a defensive stopper. By the way, if Thibs is a checkers caliber head coach compared to Pop then Glen Taylor really did screw up big time hiring him.

Lip, I can't change your mind on the Thibodeau topic, but I know you have a high level of respect for Popovich. Here's Popovich post-game after the Thibs-led Bulls routed the Spurs 104-81 on January 22, 2015 after they had lost six of their last eight games. Media speculation was that Thibs had lost the team. I'd post the quote from Pop, but I think you get more from it by watching the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il1a0I7npTg

[Mstermisty [enjin:6864008]]

Wow that was a helluva win, I actually expected to wake up this morning and find out it was just a dream.

The Wolves have dug themselves a deep hole at 6-14 with a brutal schedule coming up, but if they keep getting what they have gotten from the bench the last 2 games, and the starters can start playing more as a team and less as individuals, there is still a chance for a turnaround.

My favorite moment of last night's game was Wiggins going to the line in O.T. up 3 and swishing 2 free throws. Nothing but net on both. Then Towns stepped up and made 2. They both just made them like it was supposed to happen, no fear, no panic. Maybe this is the start of a corner being turned for all these young guys, including Dunn who is getting some swagger back (loved when he made that 3 and did the kiss walking back).

That said, Spurs by 20. Lol.