10 games in.
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:29 pm
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.
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.