Minnesota Sports Forum

Big difference between tonight and Monday night at Target Center. There's nothing like the energy of a capacity crowd of fans juiced up for a big game. That was the feeling Monday night. But tonight was one of those games when you'd yell at Sam or an official and realize that nearly everyone in the arena probably heard you. :).

As for tonight's game, the Wolves were sloppy with the ball and too often failed to show the intensity needed to rebound effectively and come up with loose balls. Nevertheless, our talent won out in the end as we beat a Cousinless Kings team.

Wiggins was incredible early in the game on both sides of the ball. But he tailed off later. Hard to tell with him whether it was fatigue or his tendency to lose focus. Overall, he was terrific. And as Wiggns tailed off, Zach picked up the slack with 23 points in the second half. But what I liked best about Zach's game tonight was his passing early in the co test and his defense throughout the game. Honestly he's becoming a good defender - just as Flip predicted. Zach was too careless with the ball tonight, but he improved in that area as the game wore on and he was so good otherwise that he was a huge positive force for the Wolves tonight. In fact, they would have lost the game without him.

What I liked best about the Wolves tonight was our two big guys. Towns was getting hacked repeatedly with no foul calls while he was being called for breathing on guys. But he still managed 26 points, 11 boards and 4 blocks. And he had a couple beautiful passes as well. My favorite KAT moment was when he took the ball coast to coast for a layup. He was really pissed at the time and when he got the rebound you could tell he was going to take it all the way and would not be denied. As great as KAT was, however, my favorite player tonight was Gorgui. That guy is so steady and so productive with a very accurate shot, quick hands on defense, a nose for the ball and excellent passing ability. And he's ultra competitive. Tonight he had 16 points, 12 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Hell of a game for Gorgui. He has clearly become a very good player. I see Gorgui and KAT as a dynamic big-guy duo for years to come.

Oh, Ricky wasn't bad either. :)

Ah! I'm catching up posts reading oldest first. Good to see someone else noticed Dieng! Jim Petersen continues to tout the chemistry between Dieng and Towns. It's just fun to watch. A defensive minded head coach and we're ready to take the next step.

Thanks for the report LIP. Have you any gut feel yet for the future of the front office and Sam?

Thanks Lip - I love seeing your recaps.

Thanks for the report as well. I watched the 2nd half and it seems that it was the better one even though still Wolves were missing too mane free throws.

papalrep wrote:Thanks for the report LIP. Have you any gut feel yet for the future of the front office and Sam?

I was at a season ticket holder dinner the other night and asked someone in the Wolves organization what if any plans are in the works to hire a non-interim POB and head coach. The person asked was on the business side not the basketball side of the organization. The answer I got was the following: "Any decision that Milt makes will be intended to get the team to a championship level." He went on to say that "Sam is very well thought of in the organization."

Two interesting things about his response. First, it implied that the organization is not contemplating replacing Milt as PBO. Second, it implied that Sam will be back as head coach. But I'm not putting a lot of stock in his response since he's not on the basketball side or at the top of the business side of the organization. Nevertheless, it's a bit troubling.

lipoli390 wrote:

papalrep wrote:Thanks for the report LIP. Have you any gut feel yet for the future of the front office and Sam?

I was at a season ticket holder dinner the other night and asked someone in the Wolves organization what if any plans are in the works to hire a non-interim POB and head coach. The person asked was on the business side not the basketball side of the organization. The answer I got was the following: "Any decision that Milt makes will be intended to get the team to a championship level." He went on to say that "Sam is very well thought of in the organization."

Two interesting things about his response. First, it implied that the organization is not contemplating replacing Milt as PBO. Second, it implied that Sam will be back as head coach. But I'm not putting a lot of stock in his response since he's not on the basketball side or at the top of the business side of the organization. Nevertheless, it's a bit troubling.

Thanks for sharing Lip. I will say that sounds like a canned answer to me. You were there though and heard more and the delivery etc and Inam sure there was a bit more to your conversation to get a feel for what this person said. I guess what I am saying is giving my opinion and calming your fears although I think Sam and Milt have a solid change of being back so...ah shucks I wasn't any help. Lol

I may point this again later but I was thinking about the Kahn era and it seems like Kahn was except the Manna from heaven Darko comment and a few other things Kahn talked a really good game in public and you probably saw that more up close than any of us.

I can't remember if it was on dan barreiro or maybe it was the Jon K and Souhan podcast but one of the marketing guys (or something on that type of area) that has been with the organization since the beginning of the franchise was on and telling about some stuff that was going on for the upcoming season. Before he left they asked for one David Kahn story. He chuckled and seemed like he wasn't going to go down that road and eventually proceeded to tell a story. Pretty soon after Kahn had been hired he had requested Kahn to meet with and talk to a group of season ticket holders. Kahn said yes he would do that but wanted him to take him up there. So a few days later he went down from the event to Kahn's office to take him up to speak to the group. Kahn walked with him and said nothing the entire way. This guy said he was finding this weird was kahn mad or annoyed at him or maybe going to fire him or what. Anyway he said they finally got up there after a long silence since it took a while to get up there and he said that once they got into the room Kahn was great greeted people and had a nice presentation. hen he came out they walked together back down to his office. The guy said "Thanks that was really great I really appreciate it." Kahn said nothing.

I think what I have heard including from you Lip is that Kahn was not well liked inside the organization. People didn't seem to get along with him.

MAYBE Sam's public persona isn't good but maybe within the organization he is doing a lot more of the right things and really being a guy that he says he is when he describes him self in public. It's a MAYBE I know but there have been stranger things in this world.

monsterpile wrote:I may point this again later but I was thinking about the Kahn era and it seems like Kahn was except the Manna from heaven Darko comment and a few other things Kahn talked a really good game in public and you probably saw that more up close than any of us.

I can't remember if it was on dan barreiro or maybe it was the Jon K and Souhan podcast but one of the marketing guys (or something on that type of area) that has been with the organization since the beginning of the franchise was on and telling about some stuff that was going on for the upcoming season. Before he left they asked for one David Kahn story. He chuckled and seemed like he wasn't going to go down that road and eventually proceeded to tell a story. Pretty soon after Kahn had been hired he had requested Kahn to meet with and talk to a group of season ticket holders. Kahn said yes he would do that but wanted him to take him up there. So a few days later he went down from the event to Kahn's office to take him up to speak to the group. Kahn walked with him and said nothing the entire way. This guy said he was finding this weird was kahn mad or annoyed at him or maybe going to fire him or what. Anyway he said they finally got up there after a long silence since it took a while to get up there and he said that once they got into the room Kahn was great greeted people and had a nice presentation. hen he came out they walked together back down to his office. The guy said "Thanks that was really great I really appreciate it." Kahn said nothing.

I think what I have heard including from you Lip is that Kahn was not well liked inside the organization. People didn't seem to get along with him.

MAYBE Sam's public persona isn't good but maybe within the organization he is doing a lot more of the right things and really being a guy that he says he is when he describes him self in public. It's a MAYBE I know but there have been stranger things in this world.

Interesting point. If we could have one question answered, I'd love to know Zach's opinion of Sam. He hasn't spoken too highly of him at times - certainly not bagging him out, but talking of the frustration of feeling a bit hard done by from memory. So I wonder if, out of the heat of the competition, does Zach have a reasonable level of respect for Sam for the hard work and discipline that he has demanded, or does Zach feel that he's improved despite Sam rather than because of him.

C'mon Lip, can't you write a frustrated email as a means of forging a friendship with Zach so that can get all the inside answers we crave?