Game report from LA LA Land

[thedoper]

Just got home from over an hour in traffic, fun game despite looking bleak in the 2nd. The obvious points from this game, we are better with Butler and we are much better with Towns and Butler. Jimmy was the best player on the court by a mile. Total composure, smart plays all around. I certainly got good Teague tonight he was the MVP of the game.

I'll start with Wiggins. I can see the frustration Lip must feel watching him every night. I think he needs to bulk up his core and lower body. The guy is a twig, at least 5 misses were just from an inability to establish position. Then he exerts all this energy to put up a bad shot by any measure. The kid needs some bulk if he wants to keep going to that post up. The good thing about Wiggins is his D. No one is asked more on the defensive end by Thibs than Wiggins and I believe it is strategic to make sure he stays in the game. He's not our best defender, that is Butler easily, but he has the toughest job out there. He is the wedge that pushes the best penetrating offensive player to the ice where Butler comes to help and then has to run all the way back to be first defender on the 3 pt shooter. Anyone criticizing Wiggins motor at this point is not getting what Wiggins contributes to team D because the guy runs a marathon out there. 50/50 balls he's a fucking space cadet but he is turning into a damn good defender, especially in tandem with Butler. I love what our identity can potentially be with those two defensively. Please keep Jimmy healthy.

Towns was gone in their biggest run, then his impact was huge in the 2nd half. He is our most talented and most immature player. And he gets no love from the refs. I really think they can't stand him on almost a Rasheed level. He gets hacked so much on both sides of the floor, it was noticeable.

Jimmy is an easy player to love, so steady and good with his body (unlike Wiggins). Jimmy had a weird fall in the 4th hustling too hard and Thibs pulled him right away. I cringed, the guy puts his body on the line in a way that doesn't make me think he will last long. Again I hope that he bucks where his character seems to be leading him.

Taj is also like Jimmy, just a pro. Hard not to think that Thibs doesn't have redeeming qualities based on the way Taj and Jimmy play. Even Rose, though he is pure chaos, grinds on the defensive end and has real chemistry with Jimmy. Although that is as close to a compliment I will get to with Rose.

G sucks unfortunately, belly should have all of his playing time.

Teague was amazing this game, creative, solid defensively. Ran the offense well. I hope this is the way he can play moving forward as a wolf. I know he gets shit a lot but he was the key to us winning tonight.

No one else really stood out.

Fun game, my kids had a blast. 2 more and we might even avoid Houston. Go Wolves.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Thanks for the game report, doper.

I can't feel great about this win because we absolutely needed it and the Lakers seemed to be trying to give it away in the second half, especially with all their careless turnovers.

Jimmy doesn't look 100% that's for sure. He didn't have as much bounce as usual, which was most apparent on rebounds he would normally get way up for, but he seems to be able to move laterally well enough. You're right, doper, even at only partly healthy, he's our best defender.

A couple other thoughts after watching this game.

First, we've been saying it all year, but Taj's effort is so great. Just the way he fights down low for every rebound and 50/50 ball. If everybody else were willing to bang more like him I'd feel a lot better about our playoff chances.

Second, KAT needs to stay out of foul trouble. He might get no love from the refs, but fair or unfair, we are a much stronger team with him on the floor. I don't want him to play weak or anything--he needs to keep up the defensive effort he's shown in the last half of the season--but he's just gotta be a little smarter about how he closes out on shooters, a little more careful not to go over the back on rebounds, and a little more focused on defending by sliding his feet rather than reaching with his arms too early.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Kat was the biggest difference in the 2h. When he wants to defend, our team defends at a high level.

Secondly, we run alot of iso. But our team, especially kat and wiggins, was making some smart passes off of some good reads.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Glad you got to see a win with your family Doper. I certainly had zero confidence heading into this game, but Butler changed the entire tone of the team with his hustle, deflections, and efficient offense.

I was impressed by Wiggins defense in this game. I think the guy can play some terrific one-on-one defense when dialed in. His offense....yuck.

Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler were the two best things (and perhaps the only good things) Thibs has done as a GM. Without those two, we'd be staring at another 30-something win season. It's unfortunate that this franchise still struggles mightily with drafting and player development.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Wiggys shot selection has always been suspect, but he's missing some of these shots badly.

I wonder if the extra energy he is expending on the defensive end is effecting his offense.

[thedoper]

Wiggys shot selection has always been suspect, but he's missing some of these shots badly.

I wonder if the extra energy he is expending on the defensive end is effecting his offense.

The pull ups and catch and shoot look fine, mechanically. It's when he dribbles into defenders and is met with resistance. He goes bonkers making 3 or 4 Kobe-type moves and then may miss the rim all together. So yes anyone would be exhausted trying to do that, it's just weird though. Overall the guy must have amazing fitness, Thibs has continued to play him a lot this year.

[thedoper]

Thanks for the game report, doper.

I can't feel great about this win because we absolutely needed it and the Lakers seemed to be trying to give it away in the second half, especially with all their careless turnovers.

Jimmy doesn't look 100% that's for sure. He didn't have as much bounce as usual, which was most apparent on rebounds he would normally get way up for, but he seems to be able to move laterally well enough. You're right, doper, even at only partly healthy, he's our best defender.

A couple other thoughts after watching this game.

First, we've been saying it all year, but Taj's effort is so great. Just the way he fights down low for every rebound and 50/50 ball. If everybody else were willing to bang more like him I'd feel a lot better about our playoff chances.

Second, KAT needs to stay out of foul trouble. He might get no love from the refs, but fair or unfair, we are a much stronger team with him on the floor. I don't want him to play weak or anything--he needs to keep up the defensive effort he's shown in the last half of the season--but he's just gotta be a little smarter about how he closes out on shooters, a little more careful not to go over the back on rebounds, and a little more focused on defending by sliding his feet rather than reaching with his arms too early.

I agree with you about KAT. I do think his lack of discipline coupled with his superstar attitude may be why he isn't getting calls. We need him big time. Plain and simple. He gets mauled out there though. Extra elbows and pushes through screens, all that.

LA eventually did give up, but the 3rd quarter was awesome. They took the game away.

Also, let's please find a way to make a run at Julius Randle. That kid is a force out there. Completely unorthodox and just magnetic to watch. The Lakers would be crazy not to keep him.

[thedoper]

Glad you got to see a win with your family Doper. I certainly had zero confidence heading into this game, but Butler changed the entire tone of the team with his hustle, deflections, and efficient offense.

I was impressed by Wiggins defense in this game. I think the guy can play some terrific one-on-one defense when dialed in. His offense....yuck.

Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler were the two best things (and perhaps the only good things) Thibs has done as a GM. Without those two, we'd be staring at another 30-something win season. It's unfortunate that this franchise still struggles mightily with drafting and player development.

Yeah Taj and Butler look like different players than the rest out there last night. Teague too. I don't know how long it takes to make a great basketball player now, but experience really stood out last night. I think you got it right, drafting and player development has been a problem. I'm not sure if Thibs is the guy to change that, but I look at Taj and Jimmy and think there's two great examples of drafting and player development. Thibs must be an acquired taste though, because it seems like on the surface that Gourgi may have regressed under Thibs.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Wiggys shot selection has always been suspect, but he's missing some of these shots badly.

I wonder if the extra energy he is expending on the defensive end is effecting his offense.

The pull ups and catch and shoot look fine, mechanically. It's when he dribbles into defenders and is met with resistance. He goes bonkers making 3 or 4 Kobe-type moves and then may miss the rim all together. So yes anyone would be exhausted trying to do that, it's just weird though. Overall the guy must have amazing fitness, Thibs has continued to play him a lot this year.

Sorry, but the "Thibs works him so hard" angle just doesn't work for me, as if other starting wings like Paul George or Kris Middleton or Bradley Beal have minimal responsibilities. Heck, it was Butler always checking the best wing when Jimmy was healthy, not Wiggins. Yet Wiggins is as inefficient as ever with Butler in the lineup and doing a bunch of heavy lifting for the team.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Glad you got to see a win with your family Doper. I certainly had zero confidence heading into this game, but Butler changed the entire tone of the team with his hustle, deflections, and efficient offense.

I was impressed by Wiggins defense in this game. I think the guy can play some terrific one-on-one defense when dialed in. His offense....yuck.

Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler were the two best things (and perhaps the only good things) Thibs has done as a GM. Without those two, we'd be staring at another 30-something win season. It's unfortunate that this franchise still struggles mightily with drafting and player development.

Yeah Taj and Butler look like different players than the rest out there last night. Teague too. I don't know how long it takes to make a great basketball player now, but experience really stood out last night. I think you got it right, drafting and player development has been a problem. I'm not sure if Thibs is the guy to change that, but I look at Taj and Jimmy and think there's two great examples of drafting and player development. Thibs must be an acquired taste though, because it seems like on the surface that Gourgi may have regressed under Thibs.

Gorgui has definitely regressed....