Minnesota Sports Forum

crazysauce wrote:The noticeable drop off in intensity or to even give a shit on the defensive end is clearly different from the start of the season. Kat is a terrible leader. Terrible leaders don't win. How do you supposedly get doubled all the time and end up with zero assists. None. Its almost unfathomable. Not to mention the carelessness with the ball. So many stupid turnovers.

Yes. Towns turns it over too much. And the 2 or 3 offensive fouls get added to the TO total.

But again... the rest of the team shot 24 - 78.

Towns passing was reason #309 for the loss tonight, so far down the list it's irrelevant.

Fun with stats.

James Harden has more career free throws than field goal makes.

This season... Anthony Edwards has taken 174 field goals... and only 24 free throws. The Wolves have to figure out a way to get to the line. Part of it is that they're now the leading 3 point taking team in the league... part of it is that they're a perpetually lousy team and won't get a favorable whistle often... and part of it is something else entirely.

But free throws have to happen.

Anthony Edwards said that he thinks D'Angelo Russell will be back for Monday's game. That's a positive development, in my opinion. I hope to see a much different team then too.

Camden wrote:Still way too early in the season with way too many games left on the schedule for me to echo the current sentiment of the board, but this roster needs to reach back to whatever motivation they had leaving training camp because that team played much better basketball than the team we've watched the last week. Also, laugh all you want, but they are missing D'Angelo Russell in a very bad way right now. Even just the threat of him scoring the basketball opens up the floor for other guys let alone the desperate need of another ball-handler and shot-creator. It's been a much worse team without him.

Well, the Wolves traded Rubio away so yes they miss DLO as the Wolves don't have many other guys that can pass, but perhaps they miss Rubio as much as DLO. After all, a terrible Cleveland team from last year is now 6-4 with Rubio aboard. Say what you want about Ricky's shooting but the offensive is energized when he's playing and his plus minus numbers are good.

KG4Ever wrote:

Camden wrote:Still way too early in the season with way too many games left on the schedule for me to echo the current sentiment of the board, but this roster needs to reach back to whatever motivation they had leaving training camp because that team played much better basketball than the team we've watched the last week. Also, laugh all you want, but they are missing D'Angelo Russell in a very bad way right now. Even just the threat of him scoring the basketball opens up the floor for other guys let alone the desperate need of another ball-handler and shot-creator. It's been a much worse team without him.

Well, the Wolves traded Rubio away so yes they miss DLO as the Wolves don't have many other guys that can pass, but perhaps they miss Rubio as much as DLO. After all, a terrible Cleveland team from last year is now 6-4 with Rubio aboard. Say what you want about Ricky's shooting but the offensive is energized when he's playing and his plus minus numbers are good.

Is that Cleveland team 6-4 because of Ricky Rubio or is he along for the ride? There are some very talented young players on that Cavs team that are driving the bus, so to speak. Also, it's not like the guy has an extensive history of being a winner or a culture setter. Rubio orchestrates the offense well, plays hard on defense, and misses over 60-percent of his shots. He's been doing that his entire career. It's just up for debate how much he actually contributes to winning with that style. Minnesota watched him lose here for about a decade. While those losses aren't solely his responsibility, I think it's fair to say that we've seen enough of him to know that he's not that much of a difference-maker.

With D-Lo: 3-2

Without D-Lo: 0-3

I'm not saying he's played great. He's been uncharacteristically bad shooting the basketball. He's had careless turnovers. I get all of that. What he does do is cause more problems for opposing defenses. He does create shots for others while also creating makeable shots for himself. He also has a propensity to make big shots in a time of need -- and I'm not just talking about end of game situations.

This team is severely missing him right now. Anthony Edwards noted it tonight after the game. The shots haven't been falling, but just the threat of D-Lo scoring is a weapon. The Wolves don't have that right now with Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin sharing point guard duties. Hopefully, D-Lo returns on Monday and provides a calming presence to the team and finds his stroke from range while maintaining the very solid defense he's shown early in the season. Lord knows this team needs a shot in the arm any way they can get it.

Camden0916 wrote:

KG4Ever wrote:

Camden wrote:Still way too early in the season with way too many games left on the schedule for me to echo the current sentiment of the board, but this roster needs to reach back to whatever motivation they had leaving training camp because that team played much better basketball than the team we've watched the last week. Also, laugh all you want, but they are missing D'Angelo Russell in a very bad way right now. Even just the threat of him scoring the basketball opens up the floor for other guys let alone the desperate need of another ball-handler and shot-creator. It's been a much worse team without him.

Well, the Wolves traded Rubio away so yes they miss DLO as the Wolves don't have many other guys that can pass, but perhaps they miss Rubio as much as DLO. After all, a terrible Cleveland team from last year is now 6-4 with Rubio aboard. Say what you want about Ricky's shooting but the offensive is energized when he's playing and his plus minus numbers are good.

Is that Cleveland team 6-4 because of Ricky Rubio or is he along for the ride? There are some very talented young players on that Cavs team that are driving the bus, so to speak. Also, it's not like the guy has an extensive history of being a winner or a culture setter. Rubio orchestrates the offense well, plays hard on defense, and misses over 60-percent of his shots. He's been doing that his entire career. It's just up for debate how much he actually contributes to winning with that style. Minnesota watched him lose here for about a decade. While those losses aren't solely his responsibility, I think it's fair to say that we've seen enough of him to know that he's not that much of a difference-maker.

If a fan can't sway you that Ricky is what he is then maybe the National Basketball Association can. He's on his 5th team and I have no doubt he'll be keeping a suitcase packed. He's the type of player that will always be keeping the spot warm till the team figures out .a better option. No shame in that.

Camden wrote:With D-Lo: 3-2

Without D-Lo: 0-3

I'm not saying he's played great. He's been uncharacteristically bad shooting the basketball. He's had careless turnovers. I get all of that. What he does do is cause more problems for opposing defenses. He does create shots for others while also creating makeable shots for himself. He also has a propensity to make big shots in a time of need -- and I'm not just talking about end of game situations.

This team is severely missing him right now. Anthony Edwards noted it tonight after the game. The shots haven't been falling, but just the threat of D-Lo scoring is a weapon. The Wolves don't have that right now with Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin sharing point guard duties. Hopefully, D-Lo returns on Monday and provides a calming presence to the team and finds his stroke from range while maintaining the very solid defense he's shown early in the season. Lord knows this team needs a shot in the arm any way they can get it.

With all due respect - post less

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote:With D-Lo: 3-2

Without D-Lo: 0-3

I'm not saying he's played great. He's been uncharacteristically bad shooting the basketball. He's had careless turnovers. I get all of that. What he does do is cause more problems for opposing defenses. He does create shots for others while also creating makeable shots for himself. He also has a propensity to make big shots in a time of need -- and I'm not just talking about end of game situations.

This team is severely missing him right now. Anthony Edwards noted it tonight after the game. The shots haven't been falling, but just the threat of D-Lo scoring is a weapon. The Wolves don't have that right now with Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin sharing point guard duties. Hopefully, D-Lo returns on Monday and provides a calming presence to the team and finds his stroke from range while maintaining the very solid defense he's shown early in the season. Lord knows this team needs a shot in the arm any way they can get it.

With all due respect - post less

Never go to bed mad at each other.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote:With D-Lo: 3-2

Without D-Lo: 0-3

I'm not saying he's played great. He's been uncharacteristically bad shooting the basketball. He's had careless turnovers. I get all of that. What he does do is cause more problems for opposing defenses. He does create shots for others while also creating makeable shots for himself. He also has a propensity to make big shots in a time of need -- and I'm not just talking about end of game situations.

This team is severely missing him right now. Anthony Edwards noted it tonight after the game. The shots haven't been falling, but just the threat of D-Lo scoring is a weapon. The Wolves don't have that right now with Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin sharing point guard duties. Hopefully, D-Lo returns on Monday and provides a calming presence to the team and finds his stroke from range while maintaining the very solid defense he's shown early in the season. Lord knows this team needs a shot in the arm any way they can get it.

With all due respect - post less

Take your own advice. I'm not sure what value you bring here anyways.