Game report Pelicans Wolves
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2014 8:53 am
That was a tough one. My general impressions and takeaways from the game are not good. That was a game that the Wolves should have won, and won easily. Aside for one terrible no-call late in the game, the Refs were very favorable to us, and there was a 20+ FT difference between the teams, with Love being the beneficiary of a TON of calls. I will relate one funny comment by my friend sitting next to me, when I said that Adelman may have the worst rotations in the universe, and he looked at me and said, "I'm not sure Adelman has the worst rotations in this building." (The Pelicans have their own bench woes).
Simply put, our bench causes us to lose games. Led in large part by Barea, who stagnates any flow on offense. Further, we have nobody that can create shots on our second team.
Most disconcerting was the complete lack of coaching I saw from Adelman. On timeouts, the players would stand in a group, and he would be nowhere, or off on his own just standing. And this was at times when the Pelicans were mounting a comeback and the players could have used some input. Maybe the worst coached game I have ever seen, and it looked like he had checked out.
Love: What can you say, the guy is a warrior, and was clearly fighting through pain and stiffness. He took some falls and was bent over in pain on every stoppage. He kept fighting and showed spirit and grit. What he didn't show, was a shooting touch, and his continued bombing from three where he clearly didn't have the legs or back to put the shots up was problematic. Also, there were several time where he just didn't even bother going back on defense. He really is incredible to watch on the boards, and his outlet passes are fantastic (brewer's ability to control them, however, is not). Love also has a great relationship with both rubio and martin, and it is obvious in warmups and in timeouts. Probably should not have played last night, as banged up as he was.
Martin: Started strong, and had a couple of nice steals. He faded though, and I think because we have nobody other than martin that can create shots, the other D's will key on him in the 4th and shut him down. As they did last night. Watching a strong and confident Eric Gordon basically own the Wolves in the 4th was a big contrast to a fading Martin.
Rubio: Is clearly frustrated and wants to be out on the court in the 4th, when Adelman is giving Barea extended run. Also, Rubio's numbers would be better if our other players (particularly brick-hands Brewer) had better ability to receive passes while on the move. Rubio is looking more assertive and confident out there, and I think there may be some positive change coming with him, provided Adelman actually lets him play.
Pekovic: Looked good in his suit, but we need him back BAD.
Cunningham, Budinger, LRMAM: Who cares, they looked like place fillers who can't put the ball in the basket. LRMAM tried to break his defender down off the dribble a few times, and that was a few times too many.
Turiaf: One real bright spot. Took a Davis jam personally and went down on the other end for a monster dunk. Played solid D, showed some scoring, great hustle, great attitude...I am really happy he is on the wolves.
Barea: Watching him play is like joining the four spectators on his team who share the floor with him when he is out there. No chemistry. But, he is an intense competitor. I would be happy if he was an intense competitor on another team.
Shved and Bazz, didn't sniff the floor.
Very frustrating game, and it starts with the coach. The wolves looked loose and like they genuinely enjoy playing with each other (with a few exceptions). That said, I no longer have very high expectations from this team.
Simply put, our bench causes us to lose games. Led in large part by Barea, who stagnates any flow on offense. Further, we have nobody that can create shots on our second team.
Most disconcerting was the complete lack of coaching I saw from Adelman. On timeouts, the players would stand in a group, and he would be nowhere, or off on his own just standing. And this was at times when the Pelicans were mounting a comeback and the players could have used some input. Maybe the worst coached game I have ever seen, and it looked like he had checked out.
Love: What can you say, the guy is a warrior, and was clearly fighting through pain and stiffness. He took some falls and was bent over in pain on every stoppage. He kept fighting and showed spirit and grit. What he didn't show, was a shooting touch, and his continued bombing from three where he clearly didn't have the legs or back to put the shots up was problematic. Also, there were several time where he just didn't even bother going back on defense. He really is incredible to watch on the boards, and his outlet passes are fantastic (brewer's ability to control them, however, is not). Love also has a great relationship with both rubio and martin, and it is obvious in warmups and in timeouts. Probably should not have played last night, as banged up as he was.
Martin: Started strong, and had a couple of nice steals. He faded though, and I think because we have nobody other than martin that can create shots, the other D's will key on him in the 4th and shut him down. As they did last night. Watching a strong and confident Eric Gordon basically own the Wolves in the 4th was a big contrast to a fading Martin.
Rubio: Is clearly frustrated and wants to be out on the court in the 4th, when Adelman is giving Barea extended run. Also, Rubio's numbers would be better if our other players (particularly brick-hands Brewer) had better ability to receive passes while on the move. Rubio is looking more assertive and confident out there, and I think there may be some positive change coming with him, provided Adelman actually lets him play.
Pekovic: Looked good in his suit, but we need him back BAD.
Cunningham, Budinger, LRMAM: Who cares, they looked like place fillers who can't put the ball in the basket. LRMAM tried to break his defender down off the dribble a few times, and that was a few times too many.
Turiaf: One real bright spot. Took a Davis jam personally and went down on the other end for a monster dunk. Played solid D, showed some scoring, great hustle, great attitude...I am really happy he is on the wolves.
Barea: Watching him play is like joining the four spectators on his team who share the floor with him when he is out there. No chemistry. But, he is an intense competitor. I would be happy if he was an intense competitor on another team.
Shved and Bazz, didn't sniff the floor.
Very frustrating game, and it starts with the coach. The wolves looked loose and like they genuinely enjoy playing with each other (with a few exceptions). That said, I no longer have very high expectations from this team.