Game Report - Wolves v. Grizzlies

[Lipoli390]

The arena was dead most of the night and so were the Wolves. A lack of energy to go with missed shots.

As I've said many times, the Wolves aren't going to win games scoring under 100 points, much less scoring under 90. Tonight's loss put Thibodeau's poor coaching in full view. The iso offense was back in full force tonight and the Wolves talented scorers weren't hot enough tonight to overcome Thibodeau's typical minimal movement offense. It was clear early on that the team lacked energy and that Thibodeau's rotation wasn't getting it done. But did Thibodeau insert Okogie or Tolliver at all tonight? No.

Teague was terrible and Wiggins regressed - just hours after I posted my hunch that we wouldn't see the old Wiggins any more. But I won't blame this loss on Wiggins. And even though Gasol had a great game, I certainly can't blame this one on KAT who had 15 points on 60% shooting to go with 20 rebounds. He got no breaks from the officials as usual. Rose was terrific as usual. But those two weren't enough.

If tonight didn't remind you of why Thibodeau needs to go, I don't know what will. I've joined the chorus in praising Thibodeau for what appear to be some improvements in his coaching. But on reflection, that praise is pathetic because we're praising him for just doing a few of the minimal basics that should be expected from any NBA head coach. At the same time, we know he continues to consistently do the inexplicably dumb things he's done since coming here and actually since becoming a head coach in Chicago. When Derrick Rose was playing at an even higher level (i.e, best player in the League) and playing 40 minutes a game along with Noah, Deng and Butler, in the Eastern Conference in a bygone era, it worked. And even then, Thibodeau wore out his welcome with management and players.

I see don't see the Wolves ending up near the bottom of the Western Conference standings this season. The team is too talented for that. But I don't see this team making the playoffs. Actually, I posted that view before tonight's game while still basking in the light of the Wolves previous two wins. Tonight was a reminder of why this team can't take a big step forward under this head coach. I don't have a replacement in mind at the moment. But after this season, Glen Taylor and his brain trust had better be well into to process of finding and hiring that replacement.

That's all for tonight.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Thanks for the report Lip, sorry you witnessed such a dismal game.

Memphis is sooooo good at just grinding teams down to a pulp over the course of 48 minutes. They are 30th in pace of play and I think love it that way. We can tell our guys to get out and run, but Memphis is really good about getting back on defense. They are 29th in O-Rebound %, which means they find it far more important to get back and match up properly and not allow the opposing team to score quickly.

[Jester1534]

Just wanted to say the wolves game sucked and I give Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu a 8 out of 10 and I give Thibs a 2/10 and I give Minnesota sports teams tonight a -2/10.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks for the report Lip, sorry you witnessed such a dismal game.

Memphis is sooooo good at just grinding teams down to a pulp over the course of 48 minutes. They are 30th in pace of play and I think love it that way. We can tell our guys to get out and run, but Memphis is really good about getting back on defense. They are 29th in O-Rebound %, which means they find it far more important to get back and match up properly and not allow the opposing team to score quickly.

The issue tonight wasn't failure to run fast breaks. The issue was, as it often is with this team, the failure to move the ball in the half court. An iso-oriented half-court offense is particularly ineffective against a defense like the Grizzlies. Only one team has scored less than MN scored tonight against the Grizzlies so far this season - the Jazz - a team without the arsenal of scorers the Wolves have. The Grizzlies' opponents have scored 100 or more points in 8 of the Grizzlies' prior 14 games. So yes, the Grizzlies have a very good grind-it-out defensive style. But opponents have scored 100+ points in more than of half those games so far this season. Scoring only 87 points at home tonight is not acceptable for the Wolves - a team built to score with Towns, Wiggins, Teague and this year, Rose -- even against the Grizzlies.

And it's mind-boggling that Okogie and Tolliver sat the entire game while the rest of the team struggled to find energy and struggled to score. Okogie provides energy and Tolliver can provide scoring. Then there was the stretch in the 4th quarter when Saric was hot from behind the arc, yet the Wolves went 6 straight possessions in which Saric didn't even touch the ball after he hit a string of threes. Take away Derrick Rose tonight and the Wolves probably would have barely scored 80 points.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Yep the Grindhouse beats us again. Can't keep Josh and Tollliver on the bench coach. Bench Gorgui and play 10 guys.