Minnesota Sports Forum

A pretty sparse crowed tonight for this season, but still good compared to weeknight games last season. It turned out to be an intense and entertaining games, but with a frustrating result.

The Wolves played really well defensively tonight. Towns and Gibson were particularly effective. Tyus played really well defensively too. Defense obviously wasn't our problem tonight. I'll come back to my mantra and repeat that the Wolves aren't going to win games scoring under 100 points. So what happened? Bottom line is this. We're not going to win with a bench that played as poorly as ours did tonight. And we're not going to win when one of our top 3 players whose primary value is scoring (obviously I'm talking about Andrew Wiggins) hits only 5 of his 15 shots (1 of 5 three attempts) while contributing only 2 rebounds.

But ultimately, in my view, it comes back to a motionless, stagnant, iso-based offense, expecially in the 4th quarter. That's on Thibs. And Thibs continued his bizarre call having Wiggins run the offense at the end of quarters and in crunch time. He did it 3 times tonight and it failed miserably each time - the last one ending with Wiggins dribbling off his foot. That's not Wiggins fault. He's not a good ball-handler. In fact he's a poor ball-handler and not a good playmaker. He shouldn't be put in that position. Those are wasted opportunities. We have a much better chance of scoring in those situations with Butler or Tyus running the show. But again, it's the overall lack of anything resembling a smart, NBA-caliber offense.

This was the sort of game the Wolves need to win if they're going to be an upper eschelon team and compete for a 3-5 seed. The talent is there, but the overall offensive scheme won't get it done. I still this this team making the playoffs because of our talent. But I remain convinced this team needs a better head coach to get the most out of that talent and take it to the next level. In the meantime, tonight's frustration will repeat itself throughout the season. I'm done getting pissed about it. It is what it is. And at least we're competitive this season.

lipoli390 wrote:A pretty sparse crowed tonight for this season, but still good compared to weeknight games last season. It turned out to be an intense and entertaining games, but with a frustrating result.

The Wolves played really well defensively tonight. Towns and Gibson were particularly effective. Tyus played really well defensively too. Defense obviously wasn't our problem tonight. I'll come back to my mantra and repeat that the Wolves aren't going to win games scoring under 100 points. So what happened? Bottom line is this. We're not going to win with a bench that played as poorly as ours did tonight. And we're not going to win when one of our top 3 players whose primary value is scoring (obviously I'm talking about Andrew Wiggins) hits only 5 of his 15 shots (1 of 5 three attempts) while contributing only 2 rebounds.

But ultimately, in my view, it comes back to a motionless, stagnant, iso-based offense, expecially in the 4th quarter. That's on Thibs. And Thibs continued his bizarre call having Wiggins run the offense at the end of quarters and in crunch time. He did it 3 times tonight and it failed miserably each time - the last one ending with Wiggins dribbling off his foot. That's not Wiggins fault. He's not a good ball-handler. In fact he's a poor ball-handler and not a good playmaker. He shouldn't be put in that position. Those are wasted opportunities. We have a much better chance of scoring in those situations with Butler or Tyus running the show. But again, it's the overall lack of anything resembling a smart, NBA-caliber offense.

This was the sort of game the Wolves need to win if they're going to be an upper eschelon team and compete for a 3-5 seed. The talent is there, but the overall offensive scheme won't get it done. I still this this team making the playoffs because of our talent. But I remain convinced this team needs a better head coach to get the most out of that talent and take it to the next level. In the meantime, tonight's frustration will repeat itself throughout the season. I'm done getting pissed about it. It is what it is. And at least we're competitive this season.

I think your last paragraph says it all. Still thank you for your game reports, really enjoy them

lipoli390 wrote:A pretty sparse crowed tonight for this season, but still good compared to weeknight games last season. It turned out to be an intense and entertaining games, but with a frustrating result.

The Wolves played really well defensively tonight. Towns and Gibson were particularly effective. Tyus played really well defensively too. Defense obviously wasn't our problem tonight. I'll come back to my mantra and repeat that the Wolves aren't going to win games scoring under 100 points. So what happened? Bottom line is this. We're not going to win with a bench that played as poorly as ours did tonight. And we're not going to win when one of our top 3 players whose primary value is scoring (obviously I'm talking about Andrew Wiggins) hits only 5 of his 15 shots (1 of 5 three attempts) while contributing only 2 rebounds.

But ultimately, in my view, it comes back to a motionless, stagnant, iso-based offense, expecially in the 4th quarter. That's on Thibs. And Thibs continued his bizarre call having Wiggins run the offense at the end of quarters and in crunch time. He did it 3 times tonight and it failed miserably each time - the last one ending with Wiggins dribbling off his foot. That's not Wiggins fault. He's not a good ball-handler. In fact he's a poor ball-handler and not a good playmaker. He shouldn't be put in that position. Those are wasted opportunities. We have a much better chance of scoring in those situations with Butler or Tyus running the show. But again, it's the overall lack of anything resembling a smart, NBA-caliber offense.

This was the sort of game the Wolves need to win if they're going to be an upper eschelon team and compete for a 3-5 seed. The talent is there, but the overall offensive scheme won't get it done. I still this this team making the playoffs because of our talent. But I remain convinced this team needs a better head coach to get the most out of that talent and take it to the next level. In the meantime, tonight's frustration will repeat itself throughout the season. I'm done getting pissed about it. It is what it is. And at least we're competitive this season.

Thanks Lip.

The offense is extremely difficult to watch every game. Hold the ball for 10 seconds, set a lousy pick, scramble for a shot ... nothing is there ... pass it for a contested shot with 3 seconds left on the clock. Cannot win like that. It's such an ugly form of offense. If we didn't have such an extreme level of offensive talent we would be lucky to score 70 points a game.

Thibs needs to stop being so stubborn, admit his mistakes, and make changes. This is why handing him so much power in this organization was such a bad idea. He then hired his buddy to run beside him in the FO. There is no one to hold him accountable.

Can you follow this report lip. Jon K is saying butler was yelling at Kat for how much he was complaining to officals.


Gorgui has gotten really bad at bitching

kekgeek1 wrote:Can you follow this report lip. Jon K is saying butler was yelling at Kat for how much he was complaining to officals.


Gorgui has gotten really bad at bitching

Once again... a physical opposing big got in KAT's head. When it's D. Cousins... ok. A. Davis... ok. Drummond... ok. Whiteside... ok. When it's Howard... ok. I guess.

But when it's Ian Mahinmi -- no. No. NO!

Mahinmi made a legit difference at the end of that game doing a bunch of little things from defending KAT, to getting offensive rebounds to setting the pick on the winning jump shot from Porter. Washington fans are probably laughing at this development right now. They mostly hate that guy for sucking balls normally.

Wiggins effort level was pretty good in this game I don't care what the stats say.

As for him running the offense thing...yeah it's not winning basketball right now but maybe Thibs is still trying to develop him to be able to attack at different times. I absolutely agree his handle has issues and he isn't strong enough with the ball yet but I think he actually has the BBIQ and enough vision if he can improve there. In addition if he actually beats the defense he is so good going to the rim not just straight line driving but can change direction. On a recent podcast someone was saying that's the difference between the guys that can just go at the rim and the elite players. Wiggins can change direction with the ball off the dribble once he actually gets going. It's navigating around players at the point of attack he struggles with. Why? Sometimes we forget he is a pretty tall long wing player. He isn't some little 6'4"-6'5" guy or whatever that's listed at 6'6". He is closer to being the length of a small ball PF than just a wing guy. How many guys are in the league with his length and athletic ability that can really handle the ball? I'm not saying these as excuses more of let's look at his physical advantages and also some challenges reasonably as well. I still think the guy can really make a jump as a player. These were some thoughts that came up while watching this game.

What would make a lot of people happy here is if he cut out those step inside the 3 point Line long 2's which he took a few of them tonight and I think he hit his first one. Post up from FT line extended or a pull up from that range? Ok probably not the best shot either but I can live with him doing those more so than the dreaded very long 2's.

monsterpile wrote:Wiggins effort level was pretty good in this game I don't care what the stats say.

As for him running the offense thing...yeah it's not winning basketball right now but maybe Thibs is still trying to develop him to be able to attack at different times. I absolutely agree his handle has issues and he isn't strong enough with the ball yet but I think he actually has the BBIQ and enough vision if he can improve there. In addition if he actually beats the defense he is so good going to the rim not just straight line driving but can change direction. On a recent podcast someone was saying that's the difference between the guys that can just go at the rim and the elite players. Wiggins can change direction with the ball off the dribble once he actually gets going. It's navigating around players at the point of attack he struggles with. Why? Sometimes we forget he is a pretty tall long wing player. He isn't some little 6'4"-6'5" guy or whatever that's listed at 6'6". He is closer to being the length of a small ball PF than just a wing guy. How many guys are in the league with his length and athletic ability that can really handle the ball? I'm not saying these as excuses more of let's look at his physical advantages and also some challenges reasonably as well. I still think the guy can really make a jump as a player. These were some thoughts that came up while watching this game.

What would make a lot of people happy here is if he cut out those step inside the 3 point Line long 2's which he took a few of them tonight and I think he hit his first one. Post up from FT line extended or a pull up from that range? Ok probably not the best shot either but I can live with him doing those more so than the dreaded very long 2's.

Time is running out. The list of players who reach a certain level... and mostly plateau for FOUR seasons... and then make a significant leap is woefully short in NBA history.

Appreciate the game reports as always lip.

The offense is not fun to watch. Every play seems to start at the top of the key in the middle. Whether it's butler, tyus, wig or teague. They always have the ball at the top with thibs yelling 'take him' as he is encouraging iso ball. We run little side to side action. We dont let the bigs initiate the offense like a lot of teams do now with the guards and wings cutting around them. Everything seems to be iso in the middle.

The rotation needs to be fixed as well. Right now, bazz and brooks are unplayable. Cole cant play with dieng and I have no idea what mgh can actually do. Thibs needs to mix 2 starters with the bench guys at all times. Golden state have 2 starters on the floor at all times and they dont play them ton of minutes. They play them 6-7 mins and rest them 3-4min and put them back again. Klay and durant usually have 2 rests at each half and they are fresh to end the 3rd and 4th quarter strong. Thibs only give his starters 5-6minutes rest each half depending on the situation and they are tired in the 4th.

TheFuture wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:A pretty sparse crowed tonight for this season, but still good compared to weeknight games last season. It turned out to be an intense and entertaining games, but with a frustrating result.

The Wolves played really well defensively tonight. Towns and Gibson were particularly effective. Tyus played really well defensively too. Defense obviously wasn't our problem tonight. I'll come back to my mantra and repeat that the Wolves aren't going to win games scoring under 100 points. So what happened? Bottom line is this. We're not going to win with a bench that played as poorly as ours did tonight. And we're not going to win when one of our top 3 players whose primary value is scoring (obviously I'm talking about Andrew Wiggins) hits only 5 of his 15 shots (1 of 5 three attempts) while contributing only 2 rebounds.

But ultimately, in my view, it comes back to a motionless, stagnant, iso-based offense, expecially in the 4th quarter. That's on Thibs. And Thibs continued his bizarre call having Wiggins run the offense at the end of quarters and in crunch time. He did it 3 times tonight and it failed miserably each time - the last one ending with Wiggins dribbling off his foot. That's not Wiggins fault. He's not a good ball-handler. In fact he's a poor ball-handler and not a good playmaker. He shouldn't be put in that position. Those are wasted opportunities. We have a much better chance of scoring in those situations with Butler or Tyus running the show. But again, it's the overall lack of anything resembling a smart, NBA-caliber offense.

This was the sort of game the Wolves need to win if they're going to be an upper eschelon team and compete for a 3-5 seed. The talent is there, but the overall offensive scheme won't get it done. I still this this team making the playoffs because of our talent. But I remain convinced this team needs a better head coach to get the most out of that talent and take it to the next level. In the meantime, tonight's frustration will repeat itself throughout the season. I'm done getting pissed about it. It is what it is. And at least we're competitive this season.

Thanks Lip.

The offense is extremely difficult to watch every game. Hold the ball for 10 seconds, set a lousy pick, scramble for a shot ... nothing is there ... pass it for a contested shot with 3 seconds left on the clock. Cannot win like that. It's such an ugly form of offense. If we didn't have such an extreme level of offensive talent we would be lucky to score 70 points a game.

Thibs needs to stop being so stubborn, admit his mistakes, and make changes. This is why handing him so much power in this organization was such a bad idea. He then hired his buddy to run beside him in the FO. There is no one to hold him accountable.

What is bizarre is how tonight they had a numbers of stretches where they were absolutely moving the ball like we all want to see. Before the 4th quarter I absolutely heard Thibs a number of times yelling and various players to "move it" and often there was an obvious pass to be made but the guy just held the ball. I remember one possession Thibs was yelling for them to move it and I think it was Wiggins who went into an ISO play and took a shot. This team is still a jackyl and Hyde team and I think Thibs is a contributor of both sides. At least Butler seems to be letting the 3 ball fly recently.

I know he gets ripped here but the results with Teague have been less than impressive in my eyes. Tyus has done nice things but is a back up, and I don't know what Brooks is. Primary ball handling is everything in this league. Plus Teague shooting the 3 would have helped a bunch tonight. This team's depth continues to be a major concern for me. My biggest dissapointment of the season is the money we're wasting on Gorgui. It's been really bad as the third highest paid player we've got to be getting more.