Butler out against Portland

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We were outrebounded last night 66-38...that is unacceptable and indicates a team not putting in the effort. Our starting wings had 4 combined and Towns had 5. I know people hate Butler and I'm pissed about him skipping games too, but at least our guys don't just go through the motions when he is on the court. This team needs someone other than Butler who will be a warrior every night...otherwise it's going to be a long season.

They ultimately need to replace Taj with a bigger, stronger space eater that can start at Center and play 25-30 MPG. The hard part is finding someone like that who can also hold their own on defensive switches against guards and not be a total zero on offense.

I agree, Q...eventually. But in fairness to Taj, he had 8 rebounds in 25 minutes and was our only hope on the boards last night. I didn't see the game, but the box score is quite depressing...gives the impression of a team that has already packed it in for the season, and that's not what I saw in the 2 impressive home games last week.

The issue with Taj is that he doesn't take up a ton of space. I remember Pekovic not being an elite individual rebounder, but he was so good at sealing people off and moving bodies, that it enabled easier rebounds for others on the team. Our team D-Reb% was always highest when he was on the court.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We're now 29th in the NBA in defensive rating. Anyone shocked or surprised? Thibs, a supposed defensive guru, has done nothing to move the needle on this front.

[Monster]

We were outrebounded last night 66-38...that is unacceptable and indicates a team not putting in the effort. Our starting wings had 4 combined and Towns had 5. I know people hate Butler and I'm pissed about him skipping games too, but at least our guys don't just go through the motions when he is on the court. This team needs someone other than Butler who will be a warrior every night...otherwise it's going to be a long season.

They ultimately need to replace Taj with a bigger, stronger space eater that can start at Center and play 25-30 MPG. The hard part is finding someone like that who can also hold their own on defensive switches against guards and not be a total zero on offense.

I agree, Q...eventually. But in fairness to Taj, he had 8 rebounds in 25 minutes and was our only hope on the boards last night. I didn't see the game, but the box score is quite depressing...gives the impression of a team that has already packed it in for the season, and that's not what I saw in the 2 impressive home games last week.

This team is a bad rebounding team and was last year too. As far as the effort I personally thought it was there. Maybe you were hoping for the effort the team had when Butler was in the floor vs the Bucks the best rebounding team in the NBA

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Wig and KAT continue to demonstrate they can't win without Butler or a heroic effort by some other former Bull (i.e. Rose). Kinda embarrassing for the two former #1 picks on max deals.

Our offense just doesnt create easy looks. Every bucket is a tough bucket.

They were met by 2 or 3 blazers constantly. It also didnt help that everyone else seemed to be bricking everything.

They probably aren't as talented as we hoped, but our schemes are doing them no favors.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

We're now 29th in the NBA in defensive rating. Anyone shocked or surprised? Thibs, a supposed defensive guru, has done nothing to move the needle on this front.

No idea what the issues are. Take lavine out, defense still sucks. Take crawford out, defense sucks. Wiggins gets hurt, defense sucks. Imo, our 3 biggest culprits and not much has changed during thibs tenure.

[Monster]

We were outrebounded last night 66-38...that is unacceptable and indicates a team not putting in the effort. Our starting wings had 4 combined and Towns had 5. I know people hate Butler and I'm pissed about him skipping games too, but at least our guys don't just go through the motions when he is on the court. This team needs someone other than Butler who will be a warrior every night...otherwise it's going to be a long season.

They ultimately need to replace Taj with a bigger, stronger space eater that can start at Center and play 25-30 MPG. The hard part is finding someone like that who can also hold their own on defensive switches against guards and not be a total zero on offense.

I agree, Q...eventually. But in fairness to Taj, he had 8 rebounds in 25 minutes and was our only hope on the boards last night. I didn't see the game, but the box score is quite depressing...gives the impression of a team that has already packed it in for the season, and that's not what I saw in the 2 impressive home games last week.

LST I see where you are coming from just looking at the box score. This team is a bad rebounding team and was last year too. As far as the effort I personally thought it was there especially from Towns. As for Butler...maybe you were hoping for the effort the team had when he was in the floor vs the Bucks the best rebounding team in the NBA. As I've said in this thread already it was one of those games when stuff doesn't go right. Are you really gonna be that hard on a team missing 2 starters a sixth man and playing an undrafted Rookie as the backup PG? Towns got innsome foul trouble which also didn't help matters.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

We were outrebounded last night 66-38...that is unacceptable and indicates a team not putting in the effort. Our starting wings had 4 combined and Towns had 5. I know people hate Butler and I'm pissed about him skipping games too, but at least our guys don't just go through the motions when he is on the court. This team needs someone other than Butler who will be a warrior every night...otherwise it's going to be a long season.

They ultimately need to replace Taj with a bigger, stronger space eater that can start at Center and play 25-30 MPG. The hard part is finding someone like that who can also hold their own on defensive switches against guards and not be a total zero on offense.

I think it's less about a space eater and more about how we just need a really good athlete with length next to Towns that can get to that next level and high point the ball over guys. That was part of the allure with John Collins. I think that's part of it with Bam Adebayo too. Athleticism and pure ability can often outdo size and technique.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

We're now 29th in the NBA in defensive rating. Anyone shocked or surprised? Thibs, a supposed defensive guru, has done nothing to move the needle on this front.

No idea what the issues are. Take lavine out, defense still sucks. Take crawford out, defense sucks. Wiggins gets hurt, defense sucks. Imo, our 3 biggest culprits and not much has changed during thibs tenure.

Well, the one thing I look at the most closely is actually improving a bit and that is Opponent eFG%.

2014-15: 30th in NBA
15-16: 29th
16-17: 29th
17-18: 27th
18-19: 22nd

First off, this transcends multiple coaches, so at some point we have to admit that Wiggins and Dieng - the two constants in all 5 seasons - are a massive part of the problem. KAT is third on the list, but he wasn't here in '14-15, which was the worst defense ever fielded by our franchise.

But....at least we're out of the Bottom 5 and we have played multiple top 10 offenses already: San Antonio, Golden State, Toronto, Milwaukee, Portland. In fact, I'm not sure we have played any of the bottom 10 offenses this season.

As far as I'm concerned, the sooner we can get rid of Wiggins and Dieng, the better. I'm done with both players at this point. KAT is a problem too, but he's at least a major asset on offense.

[Monster]

If we really want a big space eating long dude for some minutes next to Towns why mess around this offseason? Get the biggest baddast dude available!!! Sign Boban for 5 million or something in that range...I just saw he is gonna start against us...chalk that one up as a loss for us. Lol

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

We were outrebounded last night 66-38...that is unacceptable and indicates a team not putting in the effort. Our starting wings had 4 combined and Towns had 5. I know people hate Butler and I'm pissed about him skipping games too, but at least our guys don't just go through the motions when he is on the court. This team needs someone other than Butler who will be a warrior every night...otherwise it's going to be a long season.

They ultimately need to replace Taj with a bigger, stronger space eater that can start at Center and play 25-30 MPG. The hard part is finding someone like that who can also hold their own on defensive switches against guards and not be a total zero on offense.

I agree, Q...eventually. But in fairness to Taj, he had 8 rebounds in 25 minutes and was our only hope on the boards last night. I didn't see the game, but the box score is quite depressing...gives the impression of a team that has already packed it in for the season, and that's not what I saw in the 2 impressive home games last week.

LST I see where you are coming from just looking at the box score. This team is a bad rebounding team and was last year too. As far as the effort I personally thought it was there especially from Towns. As for Butler...maybe you were hoping for the effort the team had when he was in the floor vs the Bucks the best rebounding team in the NBA. As I've said in this thread already it was one of those games when stuff doesn't go right. Are you really gonna be that hard on a team missing 2 starters a sixth man and playing an undrafted Rookie as the backup PG? Towns got innsome foul trouble which also didn't help matters.

I don't think getting outrebounded by the Bucks 62-49 is a disaster...66-38 to the Blazers is a disaster. I'm glad it looked like Towns was putting in the effort, but for a 7 footer to only have 5 rebounds is absurd...he needs to be better. And our starting wings just have to get more than 4 rebounds. I think I'm happy I missed this game. Maybe we will show up tonight in LA.