10 games in.

[KiwiMatt]

10 games in and its clear we are watching the best TWolves team we've had in close to 10 years. However this team has some serious issues it needs to resolve if it wants to make any noise in the playoffs.

The first being defense. This teams defense is bad. Brewer and Rubio are the exceptions. Our perimeter defense hasn't actually been too bad, but we simply don't have a low post presence who can block shots. The hussle is there, but the talent isn't. Denying the the opposition team 100 points would be considered a successful night.

The second is our bench. We lack scorers and rebounders. No one coming off are bench is a threat to score 20 points. And it's a massive liability. Why isn't D Will getting any burn? Your guess is as good as mine! Barea takes it upon himself to carry this second unit and I really thinks he's on the decline of his career. He just doesn't set up his team mates as often as he needs to and wastes the shot clock dribbling around while his team mates stand there not knowing what he's going to do. Cunningham is getting exposed defensively and when his mid range jumper isn't falling he is a liability on offense. Shved has been a non factor and has lost whatever confidence he had left. It doesn't help when you are playing next to Barea who dribbles around for 20 seconds before passing to you for the contested shot. I still think Shved is a PG. This team needed Derrick Williams or Alexey Shved to have a breakout season. Both have regressed. Budinger and Turiaf couldn't come back quick enough.

I do think we need a trade to solidify this bench. We need a guy like Jason Thompson who can come in and play the 4 and 5, rebound, block shots and score if needed. I also think we need a specialist 3pt shooter off the bench. Someone to fill the Hoiberg role. Maybe someone like Jimmy Freddette or Anthony Morrow?

There are a lot of positives to mention though: Love is looking better than ever and starting to be a facilitator. Not to mention becoming the leader he was destined to become. Kevin Martin and Corey Brewer have been massive upgrades on this wings. Martin's wing scoring is the best I've ever seen by a Wolf wing. Rubio still can't shot but almost leads the league in assists and steals. Pek is starting to find his groove.

All and all I'm happy with the start this team has had. Injuries continue to disrupt this squad. But we look competitive every night and don't give up which shows the character of this team.

[worldK]

I think the bench is the biggest problem for us right now. We only have 7 guys on the team that would play for another decent playoff team.

DW is not playing because he has been disappointing and a non factor. His time as a wolf is up. I lost hope on him. The coaches and flip who are around dw daily are down on him. That pretty much sums it up. Shved is totally lost. Adelman kept giving him chances the 1st 9 games but he has suck so bad.

Hummel is a nice 11th-13th guy but he should not be part of an 8 man rotation. Bud and turiaf would help but we need another piece.

Chandler looks really nice tonight for denver. Sadly, I dont think we have a shot at getting him with dw as trade bait.

[mjs34]

Ronny Turiaf isn't going to be playing for a PO team. Hummel shouldn't have even made the team. If DW isn't playing because he has been "disappointing and a non factor" why are Hummel and DC playing???

We need to get a coach. Someone who can spot when your guys are being out hustled and not getting it done offensively, and is smart enough to make a change to shake things up. This high powered offense scored about 6 pts in the first 6 minutes of the third quarter. We played Love and DC against Mozgov and Faried tonight. I know it is the Minnesota way to not have to make game day decisions, but not trying Dieng was just stupid. Mozgov isn't some offensive juggernaut. You can't play a three man rotation with DC as the third big! His defense was horrendous. How bad does he have to play before he wears out his welcome???

Hustle players are great, but having more than one on the floor is a recipe for disaster.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Adelman's the problem huh? Boy, sjm comes up with some bullshit doesn't he.

[BloopOracle]

lol get the fuck out of here, we need a coach? laughable statement

[mjs34]

I guess we just don't have the horses! Guys just didn't give an effort tonight! The corner offense took a night off!

Which excuse should we use?

We can't blame it on Shved or DW tonight. JJ looked pretty good.

[worldK]

Sjm, I expected your response. DW is indeed a non factor and a big disappointment this season. Hummel played well last game in starter minutes and earned some time tonight. turiaf would get some minutes in a playoff team i believe.

I have been into this with you so many times already sjm. While you continue to call dante as nothing but a hustle player, dw is good or decent at nothing as a player so far. He cant earn playing time over robbie hummel. I know you dont like adelman, that is very clear.

The thing is, if jj and dante are your 6th and 7th guy then you have a bad bench. They are and will be effective when they are strictly the backup pg and pf. Right now, no one on the bench has earned playing time over those 2 and that tells you the state of our bench.

[mjs34]

Sjm, I expected your response. DW is indeed a non factor and a big disappointment this season. Hummel played well last game in starter minutes and earned some time tonight. turiaf would get some minutes in a playoff team i believe.

I have been into this with you so many times already sjm. While you continue to call dante as nothing but a hustle player, dw is good or decent at nothing as a player so far. He cant earn playing time over robbie hummel. I know you dont like adelman, that is very clear.

The thing is, if jj and dante are your 6th and 7th guy then you have a bad bench. They are and will be effective when they are strictly the backup pg and pf. Right now, no one on the bench has earned playing time over those 2 and that tells you the state of our bench.

World how can they be strictly a backup pg and pf when Adelman has said he wants an 8 man rotation maybe 9?

[worldK]

They can be when we actually has 2 more quality bench players to fill out the 8-9th man spots. A quality wing who can form a 3man rotation with brew and martin. jj backing up rubio. Turiaf backing up pek and dante backing up love. JJ play some sg in games where he is hot.

[mjs34]

World, that is exactly what they did tonight!

Did I miss something??

I would prefer a coach that wasn't so biased and rigid. We don't have to play the same bench guys each night, particularly when those guys aren't getting it done.