Minnesota Sports Forum

I was able to sit two rows under the basket on the wolves side last night thanks to a vendor giving me some free tickets. So here on some observations from the game.

1. ANT and Kat are beat up. Kat miss shoot around to get extra treatment in the back and Ant missed the announcement of starters in the game because he was getting treatment. I think is something to observe as our starters continue to put in huge minutes every game.

2. It’s oldest I’ve seen Mike Conley looked they kings guards Monk and Fox kept forcing the action to get switched on him and just kept abusing him.

3. I thought the two overturns really changed the momentum of the game espically the Kat call.

4. Most I’ve ever seen finch work refs must be why Edwards almost had 20 free throws. Huge interaction though when Rudy got 3 seconds in lane. McGee sat in lane for 10 seconds and ref flat out lied and said McGee step out of the paint.

5. Sabonis was getting away with murder on Rudy there was at least 3 times where he threw Rudy on offensive rebounds. Rudy has to be more physical in these types of games.

6. I thought Finch rotations were terrible tonight he went with Ant way too long in the 3rd quarter. Ant was huffing and puffin hands on his knees and I believe missed 4 straight 3pt shots short. Then Kings built lead back to 12.

7. The court was a mess it looked like a hazard with the floorboards like they were. Also I’ve never seen so many scuff marks on a brand new court played on for the first time. I know players have complained about these courts and now I can see why being up close.

Overall great experience got to drink Kona beer for free all night. This my third opportunity to sit courtside in last couple years I recommended anyone to try it at least once but I’m sadly 0-3 so I might have to stop going.

Nice write-up Jester and glad you got to take in a game so up close. Too bad they lost, but we weren't going to go undefeated at home this year and the Kings are a good squad.

The Kings and Phoenix (and Golden State when everyone is healthy and on their game) are the teams I probably fear the most in the West in terms of matching up against the Wolves. They can just spread you out and get shots up. They won't always fall at this rate, but we just aren't ideally built to deal with pace and space. Quickness and shooting almost always beats size in my opinion because 3 is greater than 2. A couple extra rebounds or free throws won't make a difference.

I hope in a couple years this squad will be built more similar to Boston, with reliable 3-point shooters and defenders at nearly every position, and Ant being the clear #1 guy.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:45 am Nice write-up Jester and glad you got to take in a game so up close. Too bad they lost, but we weren't going to go undefeated at home this year and the Kings are a good squad.

The Kings and Phoenix (and Golden State when everyone is healthy and on their game) are the teams I probably fear the most in the West in terms of matching up against the Wolves. They can just spread you out and get shots up. They won't always fall at this rate, but we just aren't ideally built to deal with pace and space. Quickness and shooting almost always beats size in my opinion because 3 is greater than 2. A couple extra rebounds or free throws won't make a difference.

I hope in a couple years this squad will be built more similar to Boston, with reliable 3-point shooters and defenders at nearly every position, and Ant being the clear #1 guy.

I agree, Q. The Wolves are particularly vulnerable to quick space-and-pace teams like the Kings, Warriors and Suns. The Wolves were out-rebounded last night. That shouldn’t happen against a team like the Kings. As Ant said the other day; “We’re a big team so we need to play big.” Translation: We need dominate aspects of the game that benefit from size. Then again, rebounding is perhaps just as much about quickness to the ball, anticipation and will power. KAT and Rudy each had 11 rebounds last night. But there wasn’t enough rebounding from their teammates. We also had 7 more turnovers than the Kings. That’s another repeating theme so far this season.

Not dominating the boards, getting beat on 50-50 balls, continuing to turn the ball over at a high rate, the lack of a reliable third shooter/scorer, and lack of ball movement offensively are five things that will catch up to us over the course of the season. It’s time to replace Shake with Troy Brown in the rotation. Shake’s ballhandling is shaky (pun intended) and his defense is poor (which isn’t surprising). If he doesn’t hit three-point shots at a high rate he has purely negative value. Troy Brown brings defense, athleticism and speed. The rotation needs what Troy Brown brings.

5. Sabonis was getting away with murder on Rudy there was at least 3 times where he threw Rudy on offensive rebounds. Rudy has to be more physical in these types of games.

Jester - Rudy isn’t and never will be a physical player. I’ve commented a number of times over the past year (and we’ve all seen) that Rudy get tossed around pretty easily. He’s long, but he’s not strong or tough. That’s why he almost never finishes through contact. The slightest contact will almost always cause him to miss point-blank layups and dunks. Rudy does certain things really well - rebounding, paint protecting, screen setting - but he’s not in the least bit physical.

Good Report Jester!
The fact that we are 0-3 with you sitting Courtside just tells me you aren't Courtside frequently enough.
Naz CAN shoot 3's. We know that...when he goes 0-3 that just means he'll likely make 3 of his next 4.
Don't hesitate Jester...grab those seats when you can. Don't fake like you're going to buy them and then buy row S! Take it when it's open. We have faith in your abilities Courtside.