Minnesota Sports Forum

Phenom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 9:42 pm

Phenom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 3:05 pm One of my season predictions was the Wolves would end the drought in Toronto and Boston this season. Wolves are due for a shorthanded, should-not-win, win. Let's go!

Called it

AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 11:54 pm Abe's "Man, I've watched a lot of basketball over the past 48+ hours" DVR Review:

- Won with defense. And grit.

- Edwards isn't even around the team right now. It's gonna be interesting to see how everything flows when he returns... because this is a very different type of team. They're playing hard. They care about the little things defensively. They're playing with force on defense.

- I feel like the Bones Hyland experience is specifically designed to be used without seat belts... so I'll just say I'm enjoying it for now. But I'm looking for something to grab quite a bit of the time still. Fortunately, those guys offer great value off the bench and can win games when they're on.

- Wolves did a great job running the Celtics off the line. They took only 33 attempts. They average 43 attempts. And the Wolves pushed them out so far that a couple were closer to 30 feet during the big run. Just great work from the Wolves defense.

- Big longtime Celtics fan. Bigger Wolves fan. Good to see the streak end.

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:49 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 7:43 am

This was a terrific win. Not only did we beat arguably the best team in the East on their court by 10, but we also played at both ends of the court in a manner many of us here enjoy...getting out on the break on offense, moving the ball when we are in the half court, and maximum effort on defense. And while Ju is being fairly ripped here for his poor shooting game, I thought his hustle and toughness on defense set the stage for a great team effort defensive game. And he and Rudy listened to the verbal spanking they got from Finchy after the Portland game and hit the boards nicely.

But then you have to dampen my blissful mood this morning, Abe, by asking how everything will flow when Ant returns. I think you know the answer there...we'll go back to the same plodding (but admittedly often effective) half court offense, and back to the meh defensive effort we have grown accustomed to this season. A few times last night I blurred my eyes and dreamed about Ant fitting into the style of play we all enjoyed last night as opposed to the rest of the team fitting into his style, and even with blurred eyes I just couldn't see it. This team always adjusts to the way its star likes to play, not the way its coach wants them to play. And it's fine, I guess, and often effective...just not as fun as games like this, or the Milwaukee win that Ant also missed. I think we are who we are always going to be when Ant is playing, and as a Wolves fan,
I need to learn to accept and enjoy it (but also to really enjoy the high energy we bring in the games Ant misses).

I love the twin +26's Naz and Bones delivered last night, but I thought the story of this game was Ayo...at both ends. He plays like an animal that has been let out of his cage when he replaces Ant in the starting lineup. How many times did we get to watch him in the open court finishing at the rim most of the time? And his defense was about the best I have seen this season. He's fitting in well here and I think he will continue to bring a spark off the bench when Ant returns.

Bones hit some big buckets too. He and DiVo can be so streaky, but it seems like one of them is usually making his shots...last night it was Bones as Donte had a poor shooting night. I'm not going to get down on Donte though...he brought the same defensive disruptive energy he seems to bring every night.

What a win! Next we have two tough home games coming up against Houston and Detroit that we have to win to ensure not dropping into play in contention. We'll be slight favorites in both games, but I think we're going to need the same effort we brought tonight to go 2-0.

The Wolves are 9th in pace of play this year and Ant has picked up his pace since last season, although still slower than the likes of Ayo, DDV, and Bones. So not only is it possible to play faster with Ant in the rotation, it's actually the reality. Ant has shown he's willing to go along for the ride if others are getting out and running.

I think part of the go-forward plan is the ascension of Ayo. To me the biggest revelation with him isn't his speed and transition threat, but the fact he is a smart and reliable ball handler and decision maker without the size and defensive vulnerabilities of a more pure PG like Mike Conley or Tyus Jones (yes, Conley has been a good regular season defender, but he gets targeted in the playoffs). I view Ayo as our starting PG next season (credit to 60WinTim), if not sooner, and that will force Ant off the ball more and coax more transition opportunities for the starting unit.

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:36 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:49 am

The Wolves are 9th in pace of play this year and Ant has picked up his pace since last season, although still slower than the likes of Ayo, DDV, and Bones. So not only is it possible to play faster with Ant in the rotation, it's actually the reality. Ant has shown he's willing to go along for the ride if others are getting out and running.

I think part of the go-forward plan is the ascension of Ayo. To me the biggest revelation with him isn't his speed and transition threat, but the fact he is a smart and reliable ball handler and decision maker without the size and defensive vulnerabilities of a more pure PG like Mike Conley or Tyus Jones (yes, Conley has been a good regular season defender, but he gets targeted in the playoffs). I view Ayo as our starting PG next season (credit to 60WinTim), if not sooner, and that will force Ant off the ball more and coax more transition opportunities for the starting unit.

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

"Anthony, can you play point guard? Anthony can you be the team's leading scorer and the best clutch shooter in the league? Anthony can you play at the extreme pace like your backups? Anthony can you play elite defense? Anthony can you be a mature leader of professional athletes at 24 years old?"

I think our expectations need a recalibration

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:49 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 7:43 am

This was a terrific win. Not only did we beat arguably the best team in the East on their court by 10, but we also played at both ends of the court in a manner many of us here enjoy...getting out on the break on offense, moving the ball when we are in the half court, and maximum effort on defense. And while Ju is being fairly ripped here for his poor shooting game, I thought his hustle and toughness on defense set the stage for a great team effort defensive game. And he and Rudy listened to the verbal spanking they got from Finchy after the Portland game and hit the boards nicely.

But then you have to dampen my blissful mood this morning, Abe, by asking how everything will flow when Ant returns. I think you know the answer there...we'll go back to the same plodding (but admittedly often effective) half court offense, and back to the meh defensive effort we have grown accustomed to this season. A few times last night I blurred my eyes and dreamed about Ant fitting into the style of play we all enjoyed last night as opposed to the rest of the team fitting into his style, and even with blurred eyes I just couldn't see it. This team always adjusts to the way its star likes to play, not the way its coach wants them to play. And it's fine, I guess, and often effective...just not as fun as games like this, or the Milwaukee win that Ant also missed. I think we are who we are always going to be when Ant is playing, and as a Wolves fan,
I need to learn to accept and enjoy it (but also to really enjoy the high energy we bring in the games Ant misses).

I love the twin +26's Naz and Bones delivered last night, but I thought the story of this game was Ayo...at both ends. He plays like an animal that has been let out of his cage when he replaces Ant in the starting lineup. How many times did we get to watch him in the open court finishing at the rim most of the time? And his defense was about the best I have seen this season. He's fitting in well here and I think he will continue to bring a spark off the bench when Ant returns.

Bones hit some big buckets too. He and DiVo can be so streaky, but it seems like one of them is usually making his shots...last night it was Bones as Donte had a poor shooting night. I'm not going to get down on Donte though...he brought the same defensive disruptive energy he seems to bring every night.

What a win! Next we have two tough home games coming up against Houston and Detroit that we have to win to ensure not dropping into play in contention. We'll be slight favorites in both games, but I think we're going to need the same effort we brought tonight to go 2-0.

The Wolves are 9th in pace of play this year and Ant has picked up his pace since last season, although still slower than the likes of Ayo, DDV, and Bones. So not only is it possible to play faster with Ant in the rotation, it's actually the reality. Ant has shown he's willing to go along for the ride if others are getting out and running.

I think part of the go-forward plan is the ascension of Ayo. To me the biggest revelation with him isn't his speed and transition threat, but the fact he is a smart and reliable ball handler and decision maker without the size and defensive vulnerabilities of a more pure PG like Mike Conley or Tyus Jones (yes, Conley has been a good regular season defender, but he gets targeted in the playoffs). I view Ayo as our starting PG next season (credit to 60WinTim), if not sooner, and that will force Ant off the ball more and coax more transition opportunities for the starting unit.

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:36 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 8:49 am

The Wolves are 9th in pace of play this year and Ant has picked up his pace since last season, although still slower than the likes of Ayo, DDV, and Bones. So not only is it possible to play faster with Ant in the rotation, it's actually the reality. Ant has shown he's willing to go along for the ride if others are getting out and running.

I think part of the go-forward plan is the ascension of Ayo. To me the biggest revelation with him isn't his speed and transition threat, but the fact he is a smart and reliable ball handler and decision maker without the size and defensive vulnerabilities of a more pure PG like Mike Conley or Tyus Jones (yes, Conley has been a good regular season defender, but he gets targeted in the playoffs). I view Ayo as our starting PG next season (credit to 60WinTim), if not sooner, and that will force Ant off the ball more and coax more transition opportunities for the starting unit.

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

"Anthony, can you play point guard? Anthony can you be the team's leading scorer and the best clutch shooter in the league? Anthony can you play at the extreme pace like your backups? Anthony can you play elite defense? Anthony can you be a mature leader of professional athletes at 24 years old?"

I think our expectations need a recalibration

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 10:07 am

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:36 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

"Anthony, can you play point guard? Anthony can you be the team's leading scorer and the best clutch shooter in the league? Anthony can you play at the extreme pace like your backups? Anthony can you play elite defense? Anthony can you be a mature leader of professional athletes at 24 years old?"

I think our expectations need a recalibration

I was calling for Ant to be MVP, so my expectations of him are to the highest level. Probably unrealistically so at this age. However you have to admit despite his amazing ability to score and he is the teams best player, he does have quite large weaknesses during the regular season which "may" carry over into the playoffs. Obviously playing better defense and playing with more pace are the two that are obvious.

Do I even expect elite defense? No just avg during the regular season and I don't think he is. Elite pace? No but at times, sure and he obviously could play quicker. He could be even more effective and an unstoppable monster if he looked at TJ from last year, Ayo or Bones now and how they just gash the D in transition. Think prime LeBron, prime Giannis, even Ben Simmons. The most helpless feeling is watching one of those guys barrel down on your defense and how unstoppable they are/were.

If he didn't have that ability, I wouldn't question his deficiencies. But he can be the best player in the NBA so the most lofty of all goals is achievable.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 10:17 am

Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 10:07 am

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:36 am
"Anthony, can you play point guard? Anthony can you be the team's leading scorer and the best clutch shooter in the league? Anthony can you play at the extreme pace like your backups? Anthony can you play elite defense? Anthony can you be a mature leader of professional athletes at 24 years old?"

I think our expectations need a recalibration

I was calling for Ant to be MVP, so my expectations of him are to the highest level. Probably unrealistically so at this age. However you have to admit despite his amazing ability to score and he is the teams best player, he does have quite large weaknesses during the regular season which "may" carry over into the playoffs. Obviously playing better defense and playing with more pace are the two that are obvious.

Do I even expect elite defense? No just avg during the regular season and I don't think he is. Elite pace? No but at times, sure and he obviously could play quicker. He could be even more effective and an unstoppable monster if he looked at TJ from last year, Ayo or Bones now and how they just gash the D in transition. Think prime LeBron, prime Giannis, even Ben Simmons. The most helpless feeling is watching one of those guys barrel down on your defense and how unstoppable they are/were.

If he didn't have that ability, I wouldn't question his deficiencies. But he can be the best player in the NBA so the most lofty of all goals is achievable.

I agree with everything you said above actually. My first post was obviously hyperbole, but the point is still there which is that Ant, like every player in the NBA, can't be all of these things. Even the best players aren't all of those things.

I'm just getting frustrated with the constant chipping about Ant's OFFENSE when the reality is that he's an elite offensive player.

The team currently has an on/off offensive rating of +5.5 with Ant, which is down from the upper 6's before his time out. He's a phenomenal offensive players and lifts the teams offense.
The problem?
The on/off for defense is -7. As in, they allow 7 less points per 100 possession in the difference between Ant being on the floor vs being off of it.

That's unacceptable for a star level player with the ability to play defense like Ant can, it's completely unacceptable and it is the only real barrier between him being a single team's "guy" versus being THE GUY.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:46 am

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:36 am

FNG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:12 am

But does that pace of play data match your eye test, Q? It doesn’t for me. I’ll say that all quick pace of play data are not equal. Doesn’t pace of play measure how early in the shot clock you get off a shot? Often we’re frustrated here because either Ju or Ant launch an ill advised trey early in the clock…that counts as fast pace of play, but it’s not always good. But last night a lot of our earjy clock baskets were on fast breaks, and thats just not Ant’s style. It’s great that he can be so effective in the half court, but I think he could be so much better if he liked to get out on the break like most of our guys do. And we fans wouid have a lot more fun like last night.

But as I said above, this is Ant’s team now, and his teammates and we fans have to accept that. And with 2 consecutive finals in a row, it seems to work pretty well.

"Anthony, can you play point guard? Anthony can you be the team's leading scorer and the best clutch shooter in the league? Anthony can you play at the extreme pace like your backups? Anthony can you play elite defense? Anthony can you be a mature leader of professional athletes at 24 years old?"

I think our expectations need a recalibration

LOL, no doubt. It reminds me of the offseason thread we had on what Ant should work on over the summer. It was a massive exercise in projection of what everyone's idealized version of an NBA basketball player should be.

"He needs to work on his post-up game!" Check

"He needs to work on his passing!" Assists are down, but he did work on it with Joan in the summer.

"He needs to get in the best shape of his life!" Checkish

"He needs to finish better!" Check

"He needs to improve his handles!" Check

"He needs to make quicker decisions!" I wouldn't say check, but the passing out of the post lately is a nice development.

"He needs to learn how to grift for fouls!" Checkish getting better at it.

"He needs to get more sleep!" Check if he's telling the truth

"He should watch endless tapes of [insert hall of fame player name] and play like that guy!"