GDT: Bullish on Thibs 12/13/16

[Lipoli390]

I missed tonight's game. Too bad. Looks like a great win. The box score seems to tell the tale. Looks like Zach had another good offensive game and apparently played well defensively holding Wade in check. Dieng looked solid as usual in the box score. And KAT had another excellent rebounding night, but another poor shooting night compared to what we were accustomed to last season.

But what was different tonight? It would appear we defended collectively better tonight, holding the Bulls to 94 points. I'm curious what you guys saw individually and collectively from this team that we haven't seen in most or perhaps all of our prior games so far this season. The box score suggest to me two key things that help explain tonight's welcome win:

1. The box score tells me that Wiggins shot well and, more importantly, did other things as reflected in his 9 boards, a steal and a block with zero turnovers. Was he used differently tonight? Did he handle the ball less? Were more plays run for him with him cutting to the basket? The box score suggests he flipped his intensity switch on tonight. Is that accurate?

2. Ricky's numbers looked like the the Ricky we've typically seen before this season as evidenced by his 10 assists and 5 boards, especially the assists. And good to see him hit 3 of 6 from the field. It seems to me that to win, this team needs to get 8-12 assists from Ricky. When that happens, we score more efficiently and we generally control the pace of the game better, which in turn helps us defensively. What did you guys see on TV?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Believe I hinted a little while ago that LaVine has some natural leadership traits with him. I think we're seeing that come to fruition. He was great tonight on both ends. I think he and Rubio sparked the team with their energy in the second quarter. Again, his defense is much better than advertised. He still has some team concepts to work on, but he's getting there.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Agree with you Cam, I'm almost embarrassed for Kat with this interview. I'm behind, watching it now. I I I I I, talk all about himself. With about a minute left when he missed Zack for a wide open 3 then turned it over. That play was the season in a nutshell. So pissed.

Exactly. Talked way too much about himself, staying with this "I'm the leader" persona. Leadership is earned. For me, he hasn't done anything to earn it. Absolutely hated the tidbit about how he supposedly told Thibs that he'd get him this win. Play as a team on both ends of the floor and you all (Wolves) will get Thibs wins consistently! It's not a one man job.

To be fair, he did throw Zach and Andrew a bone about how they had great games and he loves having teammates that can pick up his slack when he's struggling, and that's okay, but man, he needs to check his ego.

That's disappointing. But yeah, I was so pissed when he missed LaVine for the open 3 and he decided to put the ball on the floor.....only to have it stolen. DUMB! That was then followed by a lazy Wiggins pass on the next possession that was tipped and stolen. Both these guys are not great with the ball in their hands at the top of the circle.

It's interesting. LaVine may have the gravitas at this point to get in his face about this shit and bring him back down to earth. Besides being in the league a year longer, he's playing about as well as anyone on the team right now.

[kekgeek]

I missed tonight's game. Too bad. Looks like a great win. The box score seems to tell the tale. Looks like Zach had another good offensive game and apparently played well defensively holding Wade in check. Dieng looked solid as usual in the box score. And KAT had another excellent rebounding night, but another poor shooting night compared to what we were accustomed to last season.

But what was different tonight? It would appear we defended collectively better tonight, holding the Bulls to 94 points. I'm curious what you guys saw individually and collectively from this team that we haven't seen in most or perhaps all of our prior games so far this season. The box score suggest to me two key things that help explain tonight's welcome win:

1. The box score tells me that Wiggins shot well and, more importantly, did other things as reflected in his 9 boards, a steal and a block with zero turnovers. Was he used differently tonight? Did he handle the ball less? Were more plays run for him with him cutting to the basket? The box score suggests he flipped his intensity switch on tonight. Is that accurate?

2. Ricky's numbers looked like the the Ricky we've typically seen before this season as evidenced by his 10 assists and 5 boards, especially the assists. And good to see him hit 3 of 6 from the field. It seems to me that to win, this team needs to get 8-12 assists from Ricky. When that happens, we score more efficiently and we generally control the pace of the game better, which in turn helps us defensively. What did you guys see on TV?

On point 1 pretty much the same offensive sets but he made his shots, but he crashed the glass as hard as I have ever seen him do.

Point 2, we got stops what allowed us to run and Ricky is magic in the open floor.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Also, I thought we just unleashed a can of top notch length and athleticism against Chicago. It started on defense resulting in stops and then carried over to our transition game. We have some guys that are just too physically gifted to be matched by their individual matchup. Several times we saw LaVine make Wade look like an old man and Towns flew past Lopez in the open floor. If we improve our team defense, we'll be able to cash in easy buckets in transition. It's a cause and effect that'll happen. Get stops, haul ass in transition, make the game easier for yourselves.

[Lipoli390]

I've been reading some of the posts in this thread. Just a word on KAT's behalf having watched him in person in all but one of this season's home games. The guy fights like hell for inside position. The energy he has to expend repeatedly competing for inside position against the NBA big guys he faces each night needs to be factored into any evaluation of KAT. Remember, he doesn't have a big guy with him up front to take any of the pressure off him. The other team's biggest, strongest guy is alway free to defend KAT and typically, he ends up getting doubled.

Some posts seem to suggest that he's slacking on the offensive end and just taking the easy route with fade-away jumpers and 3-pointers. But that's not accurate in my view when take into account the whole picture. I find fault with him on the defensive end this season -- usually his judgment but sometimes his effort. But the guy competes consistently every game for every minute he's on the court. You don't average nearly 11 rebounds per game unless you're putting forth the effort. He's a smart player who plays with a lot of passion and effort. Defenders are keying on him and opposing teams are attacking him more this season. But I'm convinced he'll learn and develop. When you have his talent, smarts and motor, you'll end up just fine.

[Lipoli390]

Believe I hinted a little while ago that LaVine has some natural leadership traits with him. I think we're seeing that come to fruition. He was great tonight on both ends. I think he and Rubio sparked the team with their energy in the second quarter. Again, his defense is much better than advertised. He still has some team concepts to work on, but he's getting there.

I didn't see tonight's game, Cam. But I agree 100% with your general observations on Zach. You and I have been on the same page about Zach for quite a while. I've often used the term moxie to describe him. You've talked about his natural leadership traits. Basically the same thing. He's the guy more than any other this season who talks to his teammates an pats them on the back when things aren't going well. And he is fearless with the ball.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I've been reading some of the posts in this thread. Just a word on KAT's behalf having watched him in person in all but one of this season's home games. The guy fights like hell for inside position. The energy he has to expend repeatedly competing for inside position against the NBA big guys he faces each night needs to be factored into any evaluation of KAT. Remember, he doesn't have a big guy with him up front to take any of the pressure off him. The other team's biggest, strongest guy is alway free to defend KAT and typically, he ends up getting doubled.

Some posts seem to suggest that he's slacking on the offensive end and just taking the easy route with fade-away jumpers and 3-pointers. But that's not accurate in my view when take into account the whole picture. I find fault with him on the defensive end this season -- usually his judgment but sometimes his effort. But the guy competes consistently every game for every minute he's on the court. You don't average nearly 11 rebounds per game unless you're putting forth the effort. He's a smart player who plays with a lot of passion and effort. Defenders are keying on him and opposing teams are attacking him more this season. But I'm convinced he'll learn and develop. When you have his talent, smarts and motor, you'll end up just fine.

I don't know if that is the thing people are complaining about. It's more about his tendency to try to do too much as opposed to making the simple play and then always making things about himself in interviews. Get over yourself KAT!

[thedoper]

1-8 is bad from anyone from 3. But it is just stupid when it's your big who actually has a decent inside game that needs more work. This isn't settling by KAT it's plain bad decision making. He shoot often early in posessions on the first look and is come way back to reality with his 3 point percentage. If he keeps up his trend over the last month he will be well below the league average from three and that is with wing like volume.

[Duke13]

Exactly Q, I was just gonna respond the same way. I'd feel so much better about his win if he would of just made that simple/right basketball play by passing to the open Lavine for the clinching shot but instead his ego got in the way. I know it sounds dumb but his play on offense has been a deterrent for team play all season. I'm a huge Lavine fan, have been since his rookie year when most wanted him cut. I don't think there is any question he's been our best player but what I admire more about him is his team play and more times then not wanting to make the right play. I don't think Zach care of the media thinks he's the best player where right now I think Kat does.

Was it me or did Zach handle the ball a lot tonight? I thought he did a very good job creating and initiating offense. You can tell he's so much more comfortable with the ball in his hands, he's keeping his dribble alive now where in the past any pressure he would stop his dribble creating problems.