8-8, are the Wolves playing their best yet?

[DNatagal]

Is it just me, or are the Wolves winning games with defense and timely offense? Can the Wolves actually get better? Looking at stats alone, we don't have a truly dominant player like Curry, Cousins, Westbrook etc, and yet our bench is #1. Could a long win streak be in the future if things keep going this direction?

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Yes, Yes. But I don't think our bench is our strength. Our starters are performing better. If you look at the plus minus stats, the best players are the starters and the worst players are the bench guys. So maybe the bench guys outscore other benches, but they give up more points too.

[TAFKASP]

Yes, Yes. But I don't think our bench is our strength. Our starters are performing better. If you look at the plus minus stats, the best players are the starters and the worst players are the bench guys. So maybe the bench guys outscore other benches, but they give up more points too.

Isn't that what you're looking for? Many teams have a starting five that can give fits to opponents, but rarely do they have a bench that can do the same, on a regular bases to their opponents bench. If your bench regularly outscores their counterparts then you win against weaker opponents going away, and at least have a chance against the better teams.

[Carlos Danger]

It's still early - but it's exciting. The defense has done a 180 from last year. Guys like Martin who have been historically not interested in defending are showing effort out there. I think the coach deserves props for getting guys to buy in up to this point.

I know there has been a lot of hand wringing over line ups and who's getting minutes. But I can't complain about the results. And I feel Sam has shown he will reward guys for playing well - which is the right call IMO. Best case scenario, the young core keeps taking minutes away from the old timers and take this team to the next level. I have no problem with the "earn it" mentality. Everything should work itself out if guys just go out there and perform. It's nice to watch a basketball game knowing we have a chance to win. I don't think we won our 8th game until almost February last season.

[Coolbreeze44]

We're definitely going to improve as the year goes along. But there HAS been an element of smoking mirrors so far. I mean eventually making decisions like playing Kmart 29 minutes is going to catch up with you. We don't have the most cerebral coaching staff in the league - far from it. Eventually that will have an impact, surprised it hasn't affected us more negatively so far.

[DNatagal]

Another item to contemplate... Most teams go 8 or 9 deep, it seems like the Wolves can go 11+ if needed. Is this going to work long term? Once Pek gets back.... Who takes the hit? What about Belly? Could KG be relegated to 8-10 minutes by January? Or even to the end of the bench?

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

Mitchell has been doing a very good job and the record reflects that. He's not over thinking anything like coaches of the past. KAT made the starting lineup immediately as he should have. Prince and KG as a defensive pair to set tempo at start of games a nice move. LaVine was playing poorly to start the season so he lost his "verbal" starting spot a sign of a coach that knows when to correct his own mistake.

KMart has not been hurting us too bad (even though his play is poor) so I feel Sam will continue to play him to get him going so he can A - help the team down the stretch or B - trade him. I agree the right move is to keep playing Kmart so we dont wreck the value he has for the bigger picture.

A lot of people wont like it but my prediction is that Sam and Newt Milton will be running this team for at least the next 3-4 years.......

[Phenom]

I keep reading posts that assume KMart is a lost cause. Doesn't anyone else think he will revert to the mean? He isn't this bad. He just needs to correct his shooting form, which isn't right. I think he will be an integral piece down the stretch.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Yes, Yes. But I don't think our bench is our strength. Our starters are performing better. If you look at the plus minus stats, the best players are the starters and the worst players are the bench guys. So maybe the bench guys outscore other benches, but they give up more points too.

Isn't that what you're looking for? Many teams have a starting five that can give fits to opponents, but rarely do they have a bench that can do the same, on a regular bases to their opponents bench. If your bench regularly outscores their counterparts then you win against weaker opponents going away, and at least have a chance against the better teams.

I was responding to the contention that our bench is #1. I just think the Spurs, Bulls, Raptors, Rockets and some other teams have better playing benches. They just play less minutes than ours.

[Coolbreeze44]

Mitchell has been doing a very good job and the record reflects that. He's not over thinking anything like coaches of the past. KAT made the starting lineup immediately as he should have. Prince and KG as a defensive pair to set tempo at start of games a nice move. LaVine was playing poorly to start the season so he lost his "verbal" starting spot a sign of a coach that knows when to correct his own mistake.

KMart has not been hurting us too bad (even though his play is poor) so I feel Sam will continue to play him to get him going so he can A - help the team down the stretch or B - trade him. I agree the right move is to keep playing Kmart so we dont wreck the value he has for the bigger picture.

A lot of people wont like it but my prediction is that Sam and Newt Milton will be running this team for at least the next 3-4 years.......

Sounds like you think Sam has pushed every right button. No one is that perfect. Even if we disagree on the overall job he's done, he's not as good as you think he is.