LST's game report

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I titled this thread LST's game report, because I hope and expect reports from others that were lucky enough to be in the house tonight. The place was rocking...maybe not Sac-Town Game 7 rocking, but in that neighborhood!

On my drive home, I was trying to think of how this 20 point victory differed from our other 20 point victories this season. And then I realized there haven't been any others. And there shouldn't have been others, because you don't blow out opponents when you can't play defense. The defense tonight was extraordinary. Rubio and Pek had me grinding my teeth a few times on offense, but they more than made up for it on defense. John Wall is an exceptional 2-way player, and he was clearly taken out of his game by Ricky...Ricky's 4 steals don't even begin to describe how disruptive he was. And non rim-protecting Pek played the kind of D I know he can...getting back on defense, and using his feet to keep his big body between his man and the basket, and all the while keeping an eye out for anyone trying to drive the lane.

But clearly the story of the night was KG, on offense and defense. He looked young bouncing around on defense with his head on a swivel taking in all the action...all the while shouting and pointing to his teammates. I had seats behind the basket tonight, and in the second half I had a close up look at the finest defensive effort I have seen out of this squad all year...by far. While KG was the straw that stirred the drink, everyone played well on defense. Kevin Martin had a relatively easy night with Beal out, but he worked his butt off. Adreian Payne showed why Izzo and Flip rave about his defense. And although Zach had a stretch in the first half where he got beat a couple times by Sessions I was pleased overall with his defense. KG didn't take a break when he was on the bench...spending most of the time talking very animatedly with Pek and Rubio. Pek was nodding a lot, so there was clearly a lot of coaching going on.

Wiggins frustrated me (and most of my section) in the first half with his standing-in-the-corner routine. Who knows if this is directed by the coaching staff, or if Wig just loses focus. Regardless, Ricky never looks at him when he is in the corner, but instead prefers to look for Martin (who was brilliant in the 2nd quarter) and Pek who are working hard to get the ball. But Wig won me back in the 3rd quarter with a spectacular exhibition of basketball. He was consistently active, and scored with help from Ricky and on his own. Alert the media...this kid is going to be a star.

I have to admit I always thought Gary Neal was a 1-trick pony, but I learned tonight that he is a good basketball player. Flip must have seen what I saw, because he rewarded him with the 5th most minutes. I loved the way he worked with Zach...they are both combo guards, and seemed to trade off PG duties, I have never seen the offense run so smoothly with Zach on the court, and I credit Neal as well as Zach.

I would be remiss if I didn't describe the atmosphere in Target Center tonight. I got there early, and fans were posting up around the runway for a first glimpse of KG. The Wolves had cameras following the team from the locker room to the runway, and the place exploded on first sight of KG. Every dunk or layup by KG pre-game was cheered enthusiastically, as were Zach's dunks. Since KG was not familiar with the pre-game routine, it was fun to see him turn to Ricky for direction. I'm sure most of you saw the introduction with the 5-minute tribute before finally announcing KG, and it was stirring, and KG's ceremonial talcum powder bit also got a huge ovation. The only downer is that Flip had to call a timeout after the Wizards jumped up 18-3 or something like that. Good timeout, but bad timing for the KG tribute video the Wolves had teed up for the first time out...ended up kind of flat because of the terrible start.

For some reason, even though the suspense was long over by then, the most emotional moment for me was KG's traditional pre-4th quarter pep talk on the big screen. Somehow I had forgotten about it, even though I must have seen it a couple hundred times, and it took me surprise. Suddenly there he was... a young, tilted-capped KG exhorting the crowd to get up for the 4th quarter with words still indecipherable to me, using (to paraphrase Mel Brooks) authentic urban ebonics. It was fun to see again...a real reminder to me that KG was indeed home again.

Man, what a night...really glad I was there!

[thedoper]

Sounds like a great time LST. Glad you were there.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Oh, I almost forgot the halftime show. Although the score was tied at the half, the crowd was inspired by the comeback and aggressive defense. I think most thought victory was at hand. And we were rewarded with a surprise performance by Montell Jordan...taking us back with a KG-inspired version of This is How We Do It. Nice touch, and kept the fans fired up during the break.

[Porckchop]

Good to hear from ya LST, saves me from scrolling down so far to the Cavs lose again thread.

[Lipoli390]

Good report Long. I just posted mine. I forgot to acknowledge Neal's solid play tonight so I'm glad you did. Regarding Zach, I'll add that he guarded Wall as well much of the night. Did you see KG grab the white board and either draw up a play or illustrate something for his teammates? That was a great moment. You're right that KG was talking with and teaching his teammates early every single minute he sat on the bench. And you could see the players were soaking it up. Did you see KG stand up and go nuts after that one dunk from Wiggins?

It was a great night at Target Center.

[TheGrey08]

Great night indeed. The intro was full of borderline emotional feels. I wasn't expecting that haha. Outside of that my favorite moments were: the big dude dancing with his shirt off with KG's name on his chest (KG's reaction was priceless, mouthing roughly "this mfer is crazy") and then in the 3rd or 4th KG was on the bench, he stood up, motioned the crowd to get up and the place went nuts. What an awesome night.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for the addenda, lip and grey. There was so much going on last night, that it's impossible to capture everything in one game report, and you guys added two that defined different parts of the night...KG's impact on his team, and his impact on the crowd. Both were extraordinary.

It occurred to me this morning what a Hollywood script last night was. In great novels or movies, things aren't perfect from start to finish...that would be dull. Instead, the protagonists have to overcome adversity at several moments during the script, and it makes the satisfying ending that much sweeter. And the same with last night. The Wolves were as nervous as a NBA finals Game 7 team at the start of the game, and dug themselves a huge hole. But you didn't sense any panic on the court or on the bench...there was this clear sense that we were going to eventually prevail, and due to a terrific defensive performance, we ended up blowing them out. Actually Hollywood would have had KG win the game with a last second slow-motion jumper, but that wasn't going to happen last night with the difference in those 2 teams!

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Are you guys sure the ovations were for KG and not Gary Neal?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nice report LST, glad that you and some of the other regulars here were able to be at the game! It helps us long-distance fans get a feel for how it was like in there!

As for Gary Neal, I'm still surprised he's on the roster! I completely discounted him in the flurry of moves we made recently and was sure he would be bought out of flipped (pun intended!). Instead, he is doing some solid work off the bench!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Good report Long. I just posted mine. I forgot to acknowledge Neal's solid play tonight so I'm glad you did. Regarding Zach, I'll add that he guarded Wall as well much of the night. Did you see KG grab the white board and either draw up a play or illustrate something for his teammates? That was a great moment. You're right that KG was talking with and teaching his teammates early every single minute he sat on the bench. And you could see the players were soaking it up. Did you see KG stand up and go nuts after that one dunk from Wiggins?

It was a great night at Target Center.

Lip, what makes you think KG was excited about the Wiggins dunk?

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