Game Report - Wolves v. Thunder

[Lipoli390]

Absolutely the best win of the season so far. Great crowd. The arena wasn't filled but attendance was good and the fans there were loud and enthusiastic. We were high-fiving the guys next to us and the guys in the row in front of us.

As some of us have mentioned before, this team appears to have turned a corner, dating back to the come-back win over the Bulls last month. Tonight's game was more evidence and perhaps the most convincing evidence that the team has, in fact, turned a corner. Or maybe a better way to put it is that this team has finally got itself on the upward path we expected it to be on from the beginning. I think it really comes down to what Thibs has stressed from the beginning -- i.e., (1) the need to be mentally tough, and (2) the imperative that the players be tied together on the court as a coordinated unit. We're really seeing these two things from the team lately on both ends and they was readily apparent tonight. Among other things, tonight we saw good ball movement and better screens on the offensive end along with much better help defense on the defensive side of the ball. And the team didn't wilt or become flustered down the stretch or earlier in the game when they gave up leads or ended up on the bad end of some poor officiating.

Once again, we saw the same formula for success -- (1) Ricky doing what he does -- getting double-digit assists, running the office brilliantly while also playing tenacious defense, which helped hold Westbrook to 21 highly inefficient points, (2) at least one of our young core (KAT tonight) having a great game without getting a horrible game from any of the other core guys, and (3) at least a couple bench guys (Bazz, Belly and Dunn tonight) giving us solid production. But more importantly, the team showed its continuing improvement on defense, holding the Thunder to 86 points on just under 39% shooting. Yes, the Thunder hit some shots they typically make, but they were forced into a lot of tough shots by the Wolves increasingly Thibs-style defense.

Looking at individual players, you can't say enough about KAT's performance -- 29 points, 17 boards, 3 blocks and 2 steals. His scoring was efficient and some of his buckets were spectacular or simply the result of pure will power. Thibs rightly praised his rebounding after the game, remarking that he went and got those rebounds. Absolutely right. Thibs also rightly praised KAT's improved pick and roll defense of late. He was tremendous defensively tonight. KAT's been reminding us lately why we and pundits across the country pegged him last season as a future star. He's actually playing like a star right now.

And let's not overlook Brandon Rush. He had another excellent game tonight. His three-point shooting is so valuable, but just as valuable is how smart and generally effective he is on the court. He's definitely been a steadying influence in my view.

Then there was Ricky. Another excellent game from him. He had another double-double with 14 assists tonight. But even more impressive was his shooting. He was shooting with more confidence while also effectively driving and finishing at the hoop. His energy and competitiveness on the court are infectious and those qualities were on full display again tonight. And his defense on Westbrook was tremendous. KAT referred to Ricky after the game as the team's catalyst and I agree.

Overall a great team win and fun night at Target Center. Hope this continues.

[thedoper]

Another great win. The way they are winning is impressive. Ricky was great but this team is going to be as good as KAT can be on both sides of the ball, and KAT has been playing like an all star for these 3 wins.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm out of town for a couple weeks and not able to see the games, so I appreciate more these in-person game reports. It's been fun to read about the team finally playing the way they can, and with the talent on this team, I really think it is sustainable. Some of you have been optimistically keeping track of the playoff race, but I just couldn't focus on that while we were underachieving so terribly...after three wins it's fun to look at the standings again!

Based on reading the GDT and reviewing the box score, it looks like Thibs has made some of the adjustments some of us have been calling for. First and foremost, it sounds like he is finally recognizing that, despite his generally poor shooting (last night was an exception), Ricky is still the guy that stirs this drink. When he lets Ricky be Ricky (as opposed to putting him in the corner), Ricky seems to play with the abandon we love to see in him...and assists and steals are the result. And wins. Good on Thibs, and good on Ricky.

We have also been calling for Towns to play inside more and not position himself so often at the top of the key. I guess we don't really know if KAT's fondness this season for wandering away from the basket is on Thibs or on him, but regardless, it's clear that there has been a new direction the past several games...and it has paid off. KAT's 3-point attempts have been cut in half, and his rebounding is way up along with much more efficient scoring. Maybe letting KAT be KAT is almost as important as letting Ricky be Ricky.

The LaVine issue is a puzzle to me. He's probably my favorite T-Wolf to watch, but we do seem to be playing much better since he has been out. And it's not just the last 2 wins, because I went to the Dallas game, and we looked really good after he went down in that one too. Rush is nowhere near the scorer or exciting player that Zach is, but it's clear that we are a much better defensive club when Zach is not on the floor. It doesn't sound like his injury is too bad so he should be back shortly, and it will be interesting to see if our momentum continues after he returns. Logic says that adding an exciting 20+ point scorer back to the rotation has to make you better, but I think the jury is still out. It will be interesting to see if Thibs makes any small adjustments to how he plays Zach upon his return.

[60WinTim]

You may not realize this, LST, but as good as Rush has been shooting 3s, his defense in the paint has been a big factor in our success. It seems to be Thibs' style to return Zach to the starting lineup, but Rush has shown he deserves to play. Back to a 10-man rotation? Or does Rush replace Bazz? I don't know...

[Duke13]

I don't think Rush will replace Bazz, playing pretty well now. Hopefully Rush can play 15-20 minutes and lessen the minutes on Wig and Zach.

Lip I'm surprised you didn't bring up the heated exchange between Westbrook and Tibs. I was sitting 1st row right behind the wolves bench last night, so I could hear everything pretty well. I think it was in the second quarter, Westbrook was frustrated and Westbrook threw an elbow toward Ricky just after a whistle, the elbow didn't connect. For the next couple possession Tibs and Westbrook exchanged some pleasantries. I believe Tibs called him a fucking bitch, it was the best, Westbrook was jawing back also. I love Tibs competiveness!!

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Thanks for the report Lip and I'm glad you have had a chance to see the team start defending its home court for once.

KAT has been amazing; Ricky has been doing better since given the keys to the offense again; and our bench has stepped up, whether filling in as a starter (Rush) or keeping the leads our starters build (Bjelly and Bazz have been especially key).

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't think Rush will replace Bazz, playing pretty well now. Hopefully Rush can play 15-20 minutes and lessen the minutes on Wig and Zach.

Lip I'm surprised you didn't bring up the heated exchange between Westbrook and Tibs. I was sitting 1st row right behind the wolves bench last night, so I could hear everything pretty well. I think it was in the second quarter, Westbrook was frustrated and Westbrook threw an elbow toward Ricky just after a whistle, the elbow didn't connect. For the next couple possession Tibs and Westbrook exchanged some pleasantries. I believe Tibs called him a fucking bitch, it was the best, Westbrook was jawing back also. I love Tibs competiveness!!

One of my favorite Thibs-isms.....

Wolves on defense

Thibs: "Square up! Square up!"

(player doesn't square up and opponent drives into the paint for a layup)

Thibs: "God Dammit!"

[Lipoli390]

I don't think Rush will replace Bazz, playing pretty well now. Hopefully Rush can play 15-20 minutes and lessen the minutes on Wig and Zach.

Lip I'm surprised you didn't bring up the heated exchange between Westbrook and Tibs. I was sitting 1st row right behind the wolves bench last night, so I could hear everything pretty well. I think it was in the second quarter, Westbrook was frustrated and Westbrook threw an elbow toward Ricky just after a whistle, the elbow didn't connect. For the next couple possession Tibs and Westbrook exchanged some pleasantries. I believe Tibs called him a fucking bitch, it was the best, Westbrook was jawing back also. I love Tibs competiveness!!

I noticed that exchange, but I was too far back with a big crowd to hear what they were saying. Thanks for filling in the details. Hillarious. I also love Thibs' competitiveness.

[Lipoli390]

Another great win. The way they are winning is impressive. Ricky was great but this team is going to be as good as KAT can be on both sides of the ball, and KAT has been playing like an all star for these 3 wins.

I agree Doper. As Thibs says, it takes a total team effort to win. But looking at the big picture, this team will only go as far as KAT takes it.

[Lipoli390]

I'm out of town for a couple weeks and not able to see the games, so I appreciate more these in-person game reports. It's been fun to read about the team finally playing the way they can, and with the talent on this team, I really think it is sustainable. Some of you have been optimistically keeping track of the playoff race, but I just couldn't focus on that while we were underachieving so terribly...after three wins it's fun to look at the standings again!

Based on reading the GDT and reviewing the box score, it looks like Thibs has made some of the adjustments some of us have been calling for. First and foremost, it sounds like he is finally recognizing that, despite his generally poor shooting (last night was an exception), Ricky is still the guy that stirs this drink. When he lets Ricky be Ricky (as opposed to putting him in the corner), Ricky seems to play with the abandon we love to see in him...and assists and steals are the result. And wins. Good on Thibs, and good on Ricky.

We have also been calling for Towns to play inside more and not position himself so often at the top of the key. I guess we don't really know if KAT's fondness this season for wandering away from the basket is on Thibs or on him, but regardless, it's clear that there has been a new direction the past several games...and it has paid off. KAT's 3-point attempts have been cut in half, and his rebounding is way up along with much more efficient scoring. Maybe letting KAT be KAT is almost as important as letting Ricky be Ricky.

The LaVine issue is a puzzle to me. He's probably my favorite T-Wolf to watch, but we do seem to be playing much better since he has been out. And it's not just the last 2 wins, because I went to the Dallas game, and we looked really good after he went down in that one too. Rush is nowhere near the scorer or exciting player that Zach is, but it's clear that we are a much better defensive club when Zach is not on the floor. It doesn't sound like his injury is too bad so he should be back shortly, and it will be interesting to see if our momentum continues after he returns. Logic says that adding an exciting 20+ point scorer back to the rotation has to make you better, but I think the jury is still out. It will be interesting to see if Thibs makes any small adjustments to how he plays Zach upon his return.

Intrerestingly points, LST. There is almost alway more than one explanation for nearly everything that happens. The Wolves recent improvement is no exception. The list includes better team defense and better ball movement on the offensive end. More specifically, I think you've identified the two biggest contributors to this recent turn-around.

First, is KAT's improvement, which is multi-faceted. You're right about KAT taking fewer threes and spending more time inside. But he has also been attacking down low before the double team and then passing out of the double-team when it comes -- things he wasn't doing well earlier. Note, however, that his improved passing out of double-teams in turn has been facilitated by his teammates doing a better job of moving without the ball and getting to the right spot to create passing targets.

Second, is Ricky's improvement, which has been due largely to Thibs' using him appropriately but also due to Ricky playing with more confidence and taking shots he wasn't even trying before. Credit Thibs for making the adjustment and credit Ricky for responding. Note that using Ricky appropriately has the double benefit of getting the most out of Ricky and avoiding the worst in Wiggins because it was Wiggins who Thibs had running the offense when Ricky wasn't. Interestingly, Thibs had Wiggins run the offense late in the 4th when we almost had the game in hand but not yet nailed shut. It was the familiar siight with Andrew displaying his high dribble at the top of the key and everyone in my section groaning. Then, not surprisingly, Wiggins gets stripped (pretty easily) off the dribble for a score on the other end. Thibs hadn't been using Andrew in that role at all last night (maybe once or twice before that) and that one time late in the 4th was the last time as Thibs went back to having Ricky run the show.

It's a game of adjustments. It's a cliche, but it's true. Teams have to adjust and within teams both players and coaches need to adjust. It's OK to try things, especially with a young team, but you have to learn from the things you try. I see both Thibs and the players learning from their mistakes, making adjustments and improving. I hope this continues. And I really hope Thibs uses his Wiggins point forward set sparingly.