Wolves vs Kings GDT

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

What is your point? I mean I know what it is, I'm just incredulous that this never ends with you. He's gone, WTF difference does it make?

Refer to my initial comment on this matter.

[Coolbreeze44]

How is that relevant? The eight-game sample size is small and that has been repeatedly acknowledged, but that's what we have to assess because something changed from that point forward. There was a catalyst, if you will. What is the misunderstanding there?

You are attempting to show that Edwards game is suffering from the loss of DLO. I'm just pointing out two things:

1.) It's way too early to make that statement
2.) I'm not seeing anything - even in the small samples to be alarmed about

It's just a big nothing burger IMO. Let's just enjoy the fact that we won three in a row.

Amen. Why make the attempt?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

How is that relevant? The eight-game sample size is small and that has been repeatedly acknowledged, but that's what we have to assess because something changed from that point forward. There was a catalyst, if you will. What is the misunderstanding there?

You are attempting to show that Edwards game is suffering from the loss of DLO. I'm just pointing out two things:

1.) It's way too early to make that statement
2.) I'm not seeing anything - even in the small samples to be alarmed about

It's just a big nothing burger IMO. Let's just enjoy the fact that we won three in a row.

I'm making an observation -- no different from those that have pointed out Rudy Gobert's improved play recently.

1. It's too early to claim anything definitively, which I have said repeatedly.

2. You're choosing to ignore a noteworthy change in scoring efficiency and turnovers.

Anthony Edwards will likely adjust and right the ship at some point, but why can't we acknowledge that he's being defended differently and his effectiveness has suffered recently because of it? Those have been his sentiments during post-game pressers lately. If it was a "big nothing burger" I don't think he would have addressed it. I think it's something to keep an eye on moving forward, especially if Karl-Anthony Towns doesn't return this season. It's as simple as that.

[Sundog]

I don't know, but I'd guess the impact on Ant's efficiency might be that the Wolves are playing really good teams and they are keying on him even more than previously. Does not having Dlo around allow them to do that more? Again, I don't know... but a) if so, it's good for Ant to learn to adjust to that and b) the team is beating those really good teams.

As I think others have said a few times this season, it's such a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing meaningful games this early in their careers... I think it's a massive part of the step up we've seen from them.

[Coolbreeze44]

Here's what's important: The Wolves are in 6th place right now. Well, that's kind of important. What's really important is the ego of our favorite D'Angelo Russell fan. He doesn't play for us anymore, but I have a feeling he will never quite go away.

[FNG]

Fun game. Great win.

- Timberwolves had 73.7% TS in this one. I have to assume that's one of the better marks in the history of the franchise. 60% overall... and 20 - 39 on three pointers. Great shooting game.

- Anthony Edwards keeps doing special things. And he keeps doing dumb things. I put A LOT of the blame for the Timberwolves losing most of their 17 point lead on Edwards. Dumb shots when he was in ball-stopping mode. It's probably not a coincidence that the Timberwolves re-created distance when Edwards went back to the bench. Then again, he hit shots late and helped win the game. It's a bit of a roller coaster, but well worth the ride.

- What a great game by Kyle Anderson. Very solid game from many others...

- Only 11 TOs was a welcome, much-needed surprise, especially with the Kings taking care of it so well (only 6 TOs).

- We talk about the bad whistle Edwards gets on offense. And the bad whistle on Towns. And as others have noted... the one on defense for McDaniels seems almost more egregious sometimes. Maybe it's because he does occasionally commit dumb fouls... but mostly because he's usually guarding ball-dominant players on the perimeter (many of who have the most favorable whistles in the league).

- Is Nowell actually hurt... or just being phased out by NAW without making it super obvious that Nowell is essentiall done in MN?

- Next up is Philadelphia with two days rest. Meanwhile, Philly will be in the final game of a 5-game road trip... and on the second night of a back-to-back. AND... they have a decent lead in the battle for #3 seed in the East. Whether Harden and Embiid sit for load management or not, it looks like a more winnable game than it might have on paper.

Yep, SloMo was terrific. And fun...loved when he kissed Rudy on the cheek!

I hadn't focused on the Philly schedule. Not only the factors you mention, but also the 5th road game in 7 nights...they are going to be worn out. I think they may look at the previous night's game as one they have to win, and if they do, I see them "load managing" against us. But yeah...whether they do that or night, I now think we will be favored. That would be a nice win.

[FNG]

I don't know, but I'd guess the impact on Ant's efficiency might be that the Wolves are playing really good teams and they are keying on him even more than previously. Does not having Dlo around allow them to do that more? Again, I don't know... but a) if so, it's good for Ant to learn to adjust to that and b) the team is beating those really good teams.

As I think others have said a few times this season, it's such a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing meaningful games this early in their careers... I think it's a massive part of the step up we've seen from them.

Yep, I agree that it's a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing these meaningful games, and playing well. It has to be helpful for them to have veterans like Conley, Rudy, SloMo and Prince next to them.

I think the double teams Ant has faced have had an impact on his reduced shooting efficiency. I'm convinced he will learn from this though, and take advantage of this and begin finding the open man more frequently.

The real issue though is how much better Ant has been defensively in the AD era compared to BC. I thought our defensive backcourt was abominable when Ant and DLo were paired together. Playing next to Conley has definitely led to a significant uptick in Ant's defense. And I see that as the main reason the Ant/Conley duo is 27 points better than the Ant/Russell duo...as Carlos pointed out. I'm confident the backcourt defense will continue to shine, but I also expect Ant's shooting efficiency to progress to his mean as he gets more comfortable playing next to his new PG.

[Monster]

I don't know, but I'd guess the impact on Ant's efficiency might be that the Wolves are playing really good teams and they are keying on him even more than previously. Does not having Dlo around allow them to do that more? Again, I don't know... but a) if so, it's good for Ant to learn to adjust to that and b) the team is beating those really good teams.

As I think others have said a few times this season, it's such a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing meaningful games this early in their careers... I think it's a massive part of the step up we've seen from them.

Yep, I agree that it's a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing these meaningful games, and playing well. It has to be helpful for them to have veterans like Conley, Rudy, SloMo and Prince next to them.

I think the double teams Ant has faced have had an impact on his reduced shooting efficiency. I'm convinced he will learn from this though, and take advantage of this and begin finding the open man more frequently.

The real issue though is how much better Ant has been defensively in the AD era compared to BC. I thought our defensive backcourt was abominable when Ant and DLo were paired together. Playing next to Conley has definitely led to a significant uptick in Ant's defense. And I see that as the main reason the Ant/Conley duo is 27 points better than the Ant/Russell duo...as Carlos pointed out. I'm confident the backcourt defense will continue to shine, but I also expect Ant's shooting efficiency to progress to his mean as he gets more comfortable playing next to his new PG.

Edwards isn't the only guy on the team. What about guys like McDaniels and Gobert who have have seen their PPG go up the last few games? Those are guys are very efficient. For a few games after the trade things didn't look good. The last few games have been encouraging and actually really fun to watch. Let see more games play out.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I don't know, but I'd guess the impact on Ant's efficiency might be that the Wolves are playing really good teams and they are keying on him even more than previously. Does not having Dlo around allow them to do that more? Again, I don't know... but a) if so, it's good for Ant to learn to adjust to that and b) the team is beating those really good teams.

As I think others have said a few times this season, it's such a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing meaningful games this early in their careers... I think it's a massive part of the step up we've seen from them.

Yep, I agree that it's a luxury to have Ant and Jaden playing these meaningful games, and playing well. It has to be helpful for them to have veterans like Conley, Rudy, SloMo and Prince next to them.

I think the double teams Ant has faced have had an impact on his reduced shooting efficiency. I'm convinced he will learn from this though, and take advantage of this and begin finding the open man more frequently.

The real issue though is how much better Ant has been defensively in the AD era compared to BC. I thought our defensive backcourt was abominable when Ant and DLo were paired together. Playing next to Conley has definitely led to a significant uptick in Ant's defense. And I see that as the main reason the Ant/Conley duo is 27 points better than the Ant/Russell duo...as Carlos pointed out. I'm confident the backcourt defense will continue to shine, but I also expect Ant's shooting efficiency to progress to his mean as he gets more comfortable playing next to his new PG.

Edwards isn't the only guy on the team. What about guys like McDaniels and Gobert who have have seen their PPG go up the last few games? Those are guys are very efficient. For a few games after the trade things didn't look good. The last few games have been encouraging and actually really fun to watch. Let see more games play out.

Yep. Let's see how things pan out over the long haul.

BUT... Cam acknowledging Edwards' dip recently isn't too much different than if somebody pointed out Gobert and Conley having a strong connection or whatever.

The three-game winning streak is awesome, but let's not forget how discombobulated the team looked for four straight 4th quarters right before the streak while Edwards struggled quite a bit.

[Wolvesfan21]

Fun game. Great win.

- Timberwolves had 73.7% TS in this one. I have to assume that's one of the better marks in the history of the franchise. 60% overall... and 20 - 39 on three pointers. Great shooting game.

- Anthony Edwards keeps doing special things. And he keeps doing dumb things. I put A LOT of the blame for the Timberwolves losing most of their 17 point lead on Edwards. Dumb shots when he was in ball-stopping mode. It's probably not a coincidence that the Timberwolves re-created distance when Edwards went back to the bench. Then again, he hit shots late and helped win the game. It's a bit of a roller coaster, but well worth the ride.

- What a great game by Kyle Anderson. Very solid game from many others...

- Only 11 TOs was a welcome, much-needed surprise, especially with the Kings taking care of it so well (only 6 TOs).

- We talk about the bad whistle Edwards gets on offense. And the bad whistle on Towns. And as others have noted... the one on defense for McDaniels seems almost more egregious sometimes. Maybe it's because he does occasionally commit dumb fouls... but mostly because he's usually guarding ball-dominant players on the perimeter (many of who have the most favorable whistles in the league).

- Is Nowell actually hurt... or just being phased out by NAW without making it super obvious that Nowell is essentiall done in MN?

- Next up is Philadelphia with two days rest. Meanwhile, Philly will be in the final game of a 5-game road trip... and on the second night of a back-to-back. AND... they have a decent lead in the battle for #3 seed in the East. Whether Harden and Embiid sit for load management or not, it looks like a more winnable game than it might have on paper.

I need more playmaking from Edwards. Love some the scoring for sure, he's extremely talented,, it's a few of the really tough shots though. Not efficient enough. or could be

I'm looking at his last 10 games, he had 5 games below 4 assists.

He had two 1 assist games. one 2 and two 3's. He's at 4.5 on the season, he should easily be up around 6-7 with how much he has the ball.

He for sure can take his playmaking up a level and the offense will also go up a level in doing so. So will his own scoring. Instead of having the entire defense collapse on him guys will end up having to stick closer to their man.

So get your teammates involved more and open up the lane more in doing so. Teams will have to pick their poison.