Minnesota Sports Forum

Shved: has been really good lately. He finally got some confidence back. Yet tonight he gets a quick hook (for bad defense I'm assuming), and never returned to the game. I don't get it.

Playing Price with Barea. Why? Why why why?

Not coming back with Ricky in the 4th. OK the Wolves were slowly getting back in the game, but that was mainly because the Raptors couldn't make a shot. Ricky to that point was playing a decent game BUT...he had missed his last two shots. Besides that he had 4 dimes, 4 boards, and 2 steals with NO turnovers. I thought he hassled Lowry on defense, but give Lowry credit he did make some tough 3's.

Just heard Kevin Lynch talking about if you play Rubio in the 4th you are playing 4 on 5. NO. WRONG. Rubio facilitates offense and he plays active defense. He gets Pek the ball, he looks for Love. He would have known to look for Martin when he (finally) heated up. And can get to the rim and get fouled. He just doesn't look for it enough and yes he needs to become a much better finisher.

If Rubio's confidence is already at a low point, than after a game like this he might as well not suit up tomorrow.

I've been with Adelman up until this point, but I don't agree anymore with what he is doing. He is scowling on the sidelines all the time and not installing any confidence in key players.

Finally: Adelman was quoted before the game as saying to the guys "you're not a playoff team until you prove it" or something like that. OK yeah he's trying to challenge the guys, but I think at this point they know they have screwed up and maybe they need someone in their corner telling them that they still a good team and to keep fighting. I don't think anyone is acting entitled on this team. In fact it's the opposite, they are becoming hyper aware of their own failure. You see how Adelman is actually encouraging that thinking?

Ricky has major issues. We all know that. But what is being lost with the focus on his bad shooting is that he does many other things well. You need to let him play in the 4th and learn how to close a game. Let him keep failing if necessary, but pat him on the ass and say go after it young fella--run the team like we know you can. I honestly believe a little success for him and the team in the 4th quarter could go a long way.

Adelman is a brilliant, hall of a fame coach, there is no denying that. But the question is: is he the right coach for this team right now? I just don't know anymore. He has lost Ricky. And without Ricky, this team is going nowhere.

What is their defensive system? Even Adelman was complaining about them not fouling. I am at a loss as to what is the direction of this team from the top down. Players are confused and they get shipped out for their "low basketball IQ". I would be confused too, because from I can tell it doesn't seem like there is a plan. I think Adelman may legitimately be going senile. Like he knows what good basketball should look like, but he is so senile he doesn't remember not telling his team what to do.

This loss was on Love's no show. He's been bad since the Phoenix game which is inconvenient since he called out teammates for the 2nd time in the year.

37% from the franchise player the past 5 games. I don't know why it is, but Love is in a slump or he's checked out.

Honestly, if I were the coach of the Wolves right now I would sit Ricky down and say this to him verbatim:

Hijo (I'd talk in Spanish to set the mood), here's what is going to happen the rest of the year--as long as you are healthy: You're going to play the majority of the 3rd quarter, take about a 5 or 6 minute game time break, and play the last 7 to 8 minutes of the 4th. I don't care if you are 0-12 going into the 4th quarter, I'm putting you on the court and putting the ball in your hands. Run the team, get the ball to Love and Pek, and take care of the ball. Play your usual tenacious defense, but understand when it's smart to gamble or not. And hijo, know that I'm not going to yank you if things go wrong. I just want you to keep playing. Entiendes? OK good.

Now go watch The Lion King and play with your unicorn tub toys and show up ready to do work for tomorrow's game!

I have been against Adelman as a coach since he got here. He simply is not a developmental Coach. We had a #2 pick in Williams, squandered that for a very good SF in Luc who doesn't even see the court. As a franchise we have lack luster role players who make too much money and are getting way too much time on the court ( Brewer, Barea) To me....its as if he is doing this on purpose. Bad coaching, lack of deve;oping young guys, poor lineup changes, lack of support for any player and now this with Ricky? I get it, Ricky can't shoot, so why can't we adjust the offense to compliment his strengths? We need athletes as bigs who can attack the rim, we need a dead eye shot at SF or SG and we need to run allllllll night. I do like a Bench or Turiaf, Chase and Rookies in Dieng and Shabbaz....but beyond that Brewer, Barea etc etc all need to go.

Starting 5.

Rubio, Martin, Luc, Love, Pek

Bench

Shved, Shabbaz, Chase, Cunningham, Turiaf and Dieng.

I think Adelman is a great fit for an established team. But yeah Slim, his record his been very shaky with young players. He lost D-Will and now all of a sudden Ricky is heading down the same path. Shabazz and Gorgui haven't even played.

Ironically enough maybe Flip would be a better fit right now for this young team. Hearing him speak on Rubio I feel like he might be able to instill more confidence in him and use him more effectively than Adelman is. Also, he put this team together, so maybe it would be justice one way or the other if he has to try to succeed or fail with it.

Here is the exact Adelman quote before the Raptor game:

Adelman on his message to #twolves today: If you think you're a playoff team why don't you just forget it... You haven't proven that you are

I mean, is this really necessary? Is anyone on the Wolves puffing out their chest right now and thinking they are good? If anything it's the opposite: Rubio finally came out and admitted he doesn't feel like himself right now. Love has looked beaten down lately. But yet our coach is delivering this message.

I don't think you can underestimate how big the mental part of the game is at the pro level of any sport. The Wolves have lost more brutal games in half a season than most teams do in years. They are already at the breaking point. But what I saw tonight was a team heading further in that direction, and when that happens you have to start looking at the coach.

Ricky is mentioned to be in contentions as the WORST shooter in NBA history. No, I am not making this up! I get the young guys struggles, but why are we not emphasising his real skills then? Adelman is washed up, Dinosaur just like Sloan was. This season could break Ricky if the Wolves Organization doesn't address it. He needs a mentor, someone who can help him and I keep bringing up Sam Cassel, but he would be ideal as a personal coach for him. Frankly...Adelman needs to go.

Oh...and Toronto is a darn good team. They play hard every night. But when the Wolves allow them to hit 11 3's in comparison to our 3, then thats game baby! I blame once again Adelman for not using the defensive players like Luc earlier and more. This all reminds me of my College Coach Lute Olsen in Arizona...he just lost his mind. Now look what happens when you bring in a young vision man....Arizona bringing in talent and winning.

Slim -- How about Fred Hoiberg?

lipoli390 wrote:Slim -- How about Fred Hoiberg?

Nice Lip. If anyone could teach Ricky to shoot it would be him. Is that a giant hint of something?