Minnesota Sports Forum

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:36 pm

Mnwild1128 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:29 pm My lord. Never thought i would ever hate a co-star more than Randle. But then we have Melo. What an absolute joke he is. I am 100% convinced he is not a winning player and nor will he EVER be able to handle postseason play cause he cannot even handle regular season games where teams defend. Same defensively. Has no clue how to defend at all without fouling.

I think Ball needs Ant more than Randle did. When Ant is taking the best defenders, Ball should shine more. Randle did better when Ant was out. Ball's definitely going to have to tighten up the handles and passing. You still have to give a player at least a half a season with their new team to really get comfortable with everyone.

His record as a player is 108 wins and 201 losses and he's never played in a playoff series. He was drafted at the same time as Ant and Jaden. Just think about all the battles those two have gone through in the equivalent timeframe.

The knock on him by his critics is that he's a talented, but not very serious, player. He started to shed a bit of that reputation last season, but now we are getting a first-hand look at why some people think that way about him. I give him credit for all the effort he's putting into defense, but the fact he waited this long to try hard on defense says a lot about how behind the curve he is when it comes to being a serious playoff-caliber Western Conference guard.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:46 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:36 pm

Mnwild1128 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:29 pm My lord. Never thought i would ever hate a co-star more than Randle. But then we have Melo. What an absolute joke he is. I am 100% convinced he is not a winning player and nor will he EVER be able to handle postseason play cause he cannot even handle regular season games where teams defend. Same defensively. Has no clue how to defend at all without fouling.

I think Ball needs Ant more than Randle did. When Ant is taking the best defenders, Ball should shine more. Randle did better when Ant was out. Ball's definitely going to have to tighten up the handles and passing. You still have to give a player at least a half a season with their new team to really get comfortable with everyone.

His record as a player is 108 wins and 201 losses and he's never played in a playoff series. He was drafted at the same time as Ant and Jaden. Just think about all the battles those two have gone through in the equivalent timeframe.

The knock on him by his critics is that he's a talented, but not very serious, player. He started to shed a bit of that reputation last season, but now we are getting a first-hand look at why some people think that way about him. I give him credit for all the effort he's putting into defense, but the fact he waited this long to try hard on defense says a lot about how behind the curve he is when it comes to being a serious playoff-caliber Western Conference guard.

It's wild that the Wolves have been criticized for spending draft picks on Rudy when they did it to help accelerate Ant's growth and Charlotte was celebrated for getting a first and 40 million dollar trade exception for LaMelo instead of trying to accelerate his or Kon/Miller's. Now that LaMelo is in a winning program I believe he will reach his potential.

I believe the Wolves system beats Charlotte's system. Ball will be coached up and learn how to play a higher level of defense, just like the others. I have not been a fan of Finch, but I believe he is coaching at an elite level and is a great fit for this team.

I missed the game tonight. Saw that Rudy was out. What’s the story there? I noticed the heavy criticism of Ball for his play tonight. I can see some grounds for that criticism in the box score - 5 turnovers, 2-10 shooting and 0-4 from behind the arc. But he also got to the line 6 times and hit all 6. He had 8 rebounds and 3 steals I think. Poor shooting by Ball and TSJ as well as Ball’s carelessness with the ball seem to have been two big drags on the team tonight. I can also see from the box score that we were grossly out-rebounded. Looks from the box score like Ayo was terrific and Jaden’s box score looks pretty good as well.

I’ll have to watch the replay. But my take away is that the Wolves did well to stay with the Spurs on their court for most of the game, ultimately losing by 10 points, without Ant or Rudy. It would have been nice to steal this one, but beating last season’s Western Conference champions on their court without Ant or Rudy was never in the cards.

Regarding LaMelo, I’ve noticed what sometimes looks like a lack of seriousness in Ball’s game since he got here. He definitely has to rein in the turnovers and resist his impulse to take bad shots. But I agree with those who are saying he needs to spend more time in a winning program with a lot on the line to break some of his old bad habits. Importantly, the effort is there consistently. He’s been terrific for us on the boards as evidenced again tonight by his 8 rebounds. As KG once said, rebounding is all effort and really wanting it. I also think his defensive effort has been consistently high level since he’s been here but maybe tonight was an exception.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:46 pm

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:36 pm

Mnwild1128 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 9:29 pm My lord. Never thought i would ever hate a co-star more than Randle. But then we have Melo. What an absolute joke he is. I am 100% convinced he is not a winning player and nor will he EVER be able to handle postseason play cause he cannot even handle regular season games where teams defend. Same defensively. Has no clue how to defend at all without fouling.

I think Ball needs Ant more than Randle did. When Ant is taking the best defenders, Ball should shine more. Randle did better when Ant was out. Ball's definitely going to have to tighten up the handles and passing. You still have to give a player at least a half a season with their new team to really get comfortable with everyone.

His record as a player is 108 wins and 201 losses and he's never played in a playoff series. He was drafted at the same time as Ant and Jaden. Just think about all the battles those two have gone through in the equivalent timeframe.

The knock on him by his critics is that he's a talented, but not very serious, player. He started to shed a bit of that reputation last season, but now we are getting a first-hand look at why some people think that way about him. I give him credit for all the effort he's putting into defense, but the fact he waited this long to try hard on defense says a lot about how behind the curve he is when it comes to being a serious playoff-caliber Western Conference guard.

He couldve just be on crap teams. Would you say the same about Kat hes a flawed nba champion now

Karl-Anthony Towns’ first six seasons (2015–16 through 2020–21), the Timberwolves went 185–279 (.399).

Those are all teams he lead except a jimmy butler year in there i believe.

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2026 10:24 pm I missed the game tonight. Saw that Rudy was out. What’s the story there? I noticed the heavy criticism of Ball for his play tonight. I can see some grounds for that criticism in the box score - 5 turnovers, 2-10 shooting and 0-4 from behind the arc. But he also got to the line 6 times and hit all 6. He had 8 rebounds and 3 steals I think. Poor shooting by Ball and TSJ as well as Ball’s carelessness with the ball seem to have been two big drags on the team tonight. I can also see from the box score that we were grossly out-rebounded. Looks from the box score like Ayo was terrific and Jaden’s box score looks pretty good as well.

I’ll have to watch the replay. But my take away is that the Wolves did well to stay with the Spurs on their court for most of the game, ultimately losing by 10 points, without Ant or Rudy. It would have been nice to steal this one, but beating last season’s Western Conference champions on their court without Ant or Rudy was never in the cards.

Regarding LaMelo, I’ve noticed what sometimes looks like a lack of seriousness in Ball’s game since he got here. He definitely has to rein in the turnovers and resist his impulse to take bad shots. But I agree with those who are saying he needs to spend more time in a winning program with a lot on the line to break some of his old bad habits. Importantly, the effort is there consistently. He’s been terrific for us on the boards as evidenced again tonight by his 8 rebounds. As KG once said, rebounding is all effort and really wanting it. I also think his defensive effort has been consistently high level since he’s been here but maybe tonight was an exception.

Back spasms is why he was out

Joan i thought played great and Wemby was just a monster tonight. Shannon had a really bad game and Ball was in foul trouble all night.

All you need to know lip is Jaden had two fouls in first two mins of the game. I dont normally like to blame reffing but the physicality that spurs were allowed to play compared to us was comical.

Below was a real foul that was called why the spurs were in the bonus

https://www.reddit.com/r/timberwolves/s/cPtSvb7FqN

The Timberwolves have never had a PG of this caliber. A SG of this caliber. Nor a C of this caliber. Or A SF of this caliber. A bench of this caliber.

And it's all at the same time.

Let's enjoy it and hope the margins work in our favor.

You cannot expect a win against the reigning conference champions without your two best players and being on a bullshit schedule. 5 games in 7 days, including 2 back to backs that required travel (TOR, then @CLE ; LAC, then @SA.

The team kept it close enough while going through major adjustments on the fly with zero downtime.

Finally got to finish the 4th quarter, and as awesome as it would have been to steal this game, that deck was pretty stacked against them and ultimately I'm weirdly very encouraged by the game even in a 10 point loss.
Key take aways for me:

- Joan was low key brilliant, relative to the task at hand and expectations. It's absolutely mind boggling how well this kid is fitting in and growing his game on the fly, all while he has absolutely no idea what he's doing out there. He's all instinct and yet hangs with a top 3 player in the world all game.

- Ayo is going to be worth every penny and going from Naz to him as a 6th man has been a big step for this team. The box score was very good tonight for him, but what stands out the most to me every night is his leadership. He looks so much more comfortable on this team right now compared to last and has clearly established himself in a position of respect. Which is impressive honestly for him to do among a group that are all the same age and he's no better than the 5th best player on the team. It really says a lot about his character. He's also playing really well and is just some much more consistent than Naz on the margins.

- Ball's poor game had nothing to do with a lack of seriousness, but that doesn't mean it isn't concerning. The whistle wasn't great for the Wolves this game and him in particular, but there is no arguing that he isn't competing at a high level. Full effort on defense, fighting for rebounds, and even diving out of bounds to keep a possession alive. He needs to be more than just gritty if this team is going to stay afloat during Ant's extended absence, but I don't have any doubt that he is here to win. That said, he's way too deferential right now on offense, the fouling HAS GOT to get under control, and I'm growing more concerned about his handle- especially with how he handles physicality with the ball in his hands. That over and back with Fox on him at the timeline was horrendous. I don't mind the pull up 3s that much, but he needs better discernment, and needs to generate penetration in the lane more often and get the offense initiated.

- I'm really enjoying Jaden's game right now, and speaking of penetration, I thought he was one of the few players tonight unafraid to go at Wemby and either score or kick out and generally created good results out of it. He seems to have figured out how to get the ball up around the Frenchman, and that will be interesting to watch in future matchups.

- there are a lot of good players on this team.

- it's not really his fault but I'm starting to hate Wemby. The league and the refs just can't stop rolling out the red carpet for him and giving their special little boy whatever he wants, and protecting him from any contact at all. I'm already completely over it

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2026 3:39 am - Joan was low key brilliant, relative to the task at hand and expectations. It's absolutely mind boggling how well this kid is fitting in and growing his game on the fly, all while he has absolutely no idea what he's doing out there. He's all instinct and yet hangs with a top 3 player in the world all game.

- Ball's poor game had nothing to do with a lack of seriousness, but that doesn't mean it isn't concerning. The whistle wasn't great for the Wolves this game and him in particular, but there is no arguing that he isn't competing at a high level. Full effort on defense, fighting for rebounds, and even diving out of bounds to keep a possession alive. He needs to be more than just gritty if this team is going to stay afloat during Ant's extended absence, but I don't have any doubt that he is here to win. That said, he's way too deferential right now on offense, the fouling HAS GOT to get under control, and I'm growing more concerned about his handle- especially with how he handles physicality with the ball in his hands. That over and back with Fox on him at the timeline was horrendous. I don't mind the pull up 3s that much, but he needs better discernment, and needs to generate penetration in the lane more often and get the offense initiated.

On Joan, I thought he gave a valiant effort, but "brilliant" might be a bit strong. He had 1 defensive rebound in 34 minutes. I thought he battled and competed his ass off for sure though. Also, he has some idea of what he's doing out there. This is his third year playing professionally and he was in a French club program prior to going professional. He's had really good coaching.

On Ball, I use the term "serious" fairly broadly as it applies to him. He's absolutely trying his best out there. I guess what annoys me is some of the recklessness with which he plays. The unforced turnovers, getting caught in the air without a plan, going to the basket without using a guide hand, one-footed 3-pointers, bad fouls, etc., etc. To me some of that falls in the "not serious" category.

I think there is room for some flash and pinache in the NBA. It's entertaining and pumps up team mates and fans alike. So I'm not suggesting he goes Mike Conley on us! But he needs to tighten things up. Hopefully that happens as the season goes on.

The whole "you cannot expect us to win with guys out" mantra is tiresome in regular season play. Playoffs? Sure! 100%! Weird stuff happens in regular season games all the time. Teams being tired. Back to backs. Rough shooting nights. Not bringing quite the same effort as the other team. Foul trouble. We had every right to win the game last night. And should have. We lost due to:

Balls defensive Low IQ leading to foul trouble and not playing like an almost all-star level player on offense. Which he hasn't yet all season.

Jadens early foul trouble

Poor reffing

Leaving their best 3 pt shooter wide open i saw at least 3 times in Julian.


We have gone into games like this undermanned before and won against elite teams. Also have done it several times in playoff games.

I am holding THIS team/roster to the highest of standards cause it feels like this as a mostly fully healthy rostered season is a 54-58 win team.