Wolves Optimism - Present and Future

[Lipoli390]

There’s something about the way the Wolves have been playing lately. Yes, the Wolves were disappointing in the Atlanta game and were lucky to win that one. But the fact that this team has apparently turned our resident curmudgeon, Abe, into an almost giddy optimist tells us there something special in the air. Maybe it’s second hand smoke from Abe’s cannabis-loving neighbors. But maybe, just maybe, things are coming together on the Wolves team and creating that sweet aroma of success we had a whiff of last season.

For the first time this season, I find myself becoming optimistic about this team for this season and beyond. I’ve always been fairly optimistic about the future beyond this season with some trepidation but I haven’t felt positive about this season. So here are my main reasons for optimism about this season and the future.

THIS SEASON

I’m still a bit hesitant about this season, but four things about tonight’s game v the Suns have me feeling more positive about this season than I’ve felt before:

1. Ant played a complete and efficient game tonight with 33 efficient points, getting to the line, grabbing 7 boards, dishing out 5 assists, getting 2 steals and rejected 4 shots! It’s not the first time he’s had this sort of game. We’ll see if this sort of play continues. One thing I like is that Ant has already been consistently attacking the rim the past few weeks.

2. Randle put up a big point total, which is good. But the great thing is that he did it with ZERO turnovers. He had 5 turnovers against Atlanta, which is totally unacceptable from a PF. His turnovers are demoralizing and indicative of Randle over dribbling, being indecisive and stagnating the offense. I still don’t like his fit on this team, but if he can make quick decisions, avoid the temptation to over-dribble, protect the ball and score efficiently, then he can help this team finish strong this season.

3. NAW rediscovered his shot tonight, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-10 from behind the arc. We could write this off as just one game that’s not indicative of what we can expect from him the rest of the season. However, he shot well for us last season so there’s a reasonable basis for concluding that NAW’s performance tonight reflects the return of the NAW form last season.

4. I can’t say enough positive things about the way Jaden has been playing lately and tonight was no exception. He’s putting up solid double-digit scoring numbers and doing so efficiently. Meanwhile, he’s continuing to be a presence on the boards while also playing his usual stellar defense. There was a point this season when it seemed he was in a free-fall regression. But apparently we can dismiss that period as anomalous. More than anything, I love that Jaden is rebounding the ball and I like that he’s taking two-point shots and not trying to accommodate the visions others have had for him as a 3 and D guy. He might turn out to be a very good three-point shooter, but he’s showing us he can still be a terrific two-way player even if he doesn’t.

FUTURE

Three things make me optimistic about the future:

1. Jaden McDaniels. My optimism about the future starts with Jaden. As he becomes the player I’ve always thought he can be, he combines with Ant for that solid foundation we can build on without blowing things up.

2. Rob Dillingham. Dilly’s play all season, but especially lately, has been impressive albeit in limited minutes. These last few games in particular, we’re seeing his score efficiently, make plays for his teammates, rebound the ball and NOT TURN THE BALL OVER.

3. TSJ. We haven’t seen him on the court for the Minnesota Wolves but I’m convinced he’s going to be a terrific NBA player.

[kekgeek]

And this is why they made the Kat trade. They are finally starting to mesh (Randle could be traded next week) and I don’t love watching Randle but he is playing really good right now and I think I keep forgetting he is coming a major injury where he had no offseason.

Then we have pieces going forward. We have Ant and Jaden locked up long term, Donte and a first round pick, hopefully Naz and possibly Naw. Then the young guys in Dilly and hopefully TSJ, Clark, Miller or Minott can become a legit rotation piece long term.

Keeping Kat would if really effected roster construction and effected our draft picks in the early to mid 2030s. Even though Kat is the best player in the trade.

I’m starting to get excited again what can be a scary thing

[Q-is-here]

Good stuff Lip.

I have to give credit to Finch on Randle....he has pretty much maximized his effectiveness for the Wolves AND his trade value, thus giving Connelly a pretty strong hand as we head toward the trade deadline.

I like Randle as a more muted #2 option. His usage and PPG have come down as the season has progressed and that's a good thing. Earlier in the year it felt like we were too Randle-centric with a lot of our offensive sets and it was just so stagnant. Him being more of a cog in the machine versus the main engine has been a great tweak by Finch and has helped the offense.

[FNG]

My emotions and optimism about this team seem to vary day to day, and sometimes during a game! And I don't think I'm alone...in the GDT Ju went from a guy that absolutely has to be traded to a viable option going forward. As he gets more comfortable finding Ant when he gets doubled, I think we have to at least consider that he is good for Ant rather than bad. Nobody can argue that our offense doesn't look really good the past several weeks.

Right now I'm feeling pretty good about this roster, and only supportive of a move next week if it clearly helps us this year. We're just 2 games out of 4th and playing really well. I understand that keeping Ju might mean losing NAW, and that hurts. But I think we're well stocked with SGs (Ant, Donte, Shannon, Clark, maybe a draft pick this year), and we can afford to lose my favorite player NAW easier than the mercurial Randle.

[60WinTim]

My emotions and optimism about this team seem to vary day to day, and sometimes during a game! And I don't think I'm alone...in the GDT Ju went from a guy that absolutely has to be traded to a viable option going forward. As he gets more comfortable finding Ant when he gets doubled, I think we have to at least consider that he is good for Ant rather than bad. Nobody can argue that our offense doesn't look really good the past several weeks.

Right now I'm feeling pretty good about this roster, and only supportive of a move next week if it clearly helps us this year. We're just 2 games out of 4th and playing really well. I understand that keeping Ju might mean losing NAW, and that hurts. But I think we're well stocked with SGs (Ant, Donte, Shannon, Clark, maybe a draft pick this year), and we can afford to lose my favorite player NAW easier than the mercurial Randle.

You see, this is why I am in the Wilderness. I can embrace this this team with Ju, and there are certainly signs it's coming together. But I hesitate to buy in completely, knowing the rug might be pulled out from under me within the 5 games.

I feel the majority here are trying desperately to accept Ju on this team going forward. But I believe there will be an EXPLOSION of relief if a trade does go down!

[Sundog]

The rise in optimism could sputter if the Wolves sh*t the bed against Utah today…

But even so, all of the items that Lip listed for a solid foundation for optimism are real and well-expressed! I’d add another item to that list, the fact that Rudy is having another very solid season, not showing the signs of age that some worried he would by this point in his career.

And I’m afraid I wouldn’t join in that expression of relief Tim… as I’ve mentioned before, a trade would likely set the team back while they again adjust to new players. This team now is like a toddler learning to walk, wobbly and improving. A trade would likely set that learning process back in a very tight western conference.

[rapsuperstar31]

No Naz, no Donte, no problem. Agreed with everything you said Lip, not to mention Clark might end up being our best defensive player when its all said and done. That death lineup of Ant, Clark, NAW, Jaden, and Rudy was the most fun I've had all season. Of course to continue my optimism for this season, we need to put belt to butt these next two games against Utah and Washington. I want to see them come out with the required respect and effort levels to take it to them.

[shrink]

If Ant focuses on developing his playmaking this summer, every player on the team will be immediately better, not including their own internal growth. With his driving and three-point shooting already elite, good playmaking would turn Ant into a Top 5 player.

[Q-is-here]

If Ant focuses on developing his playmaking this summer, every player on the team will be immediately better, not including their own internal growth. With his driving and three-point shooting already elite, good playmaking would turn Ant into a Top 5 player.

It's both skill and mentality. He still throws a lot of passes that just aren't that accurate, so I agree he could work on that. The mentality part I'm skeptical about. He's admitted that he loves to score and hates double teams. We have seen him look off open guys on multiple occasions because he has such supreme confidence that he's the better option (which I would agree with if the guy he looked off wasn't open for an easy layup or dunk!).

I worry about his mentality more than his skill.

[Q-is-here]

No Naz, no Donte, no problem. Agreed with everything you said Lip, not to mention Clark might end up being our best defensive player when its all said and done. That death lineup of Ant, Clark, NAW, Jaden, and Rudy was the most fun I've had all season. Of course to continue my optimism for this season, we need to put belt to butt these next two games against Utah and Washington. I want to see them come out with the required respect and effort levels to take it to them.

Well, I'm not counting on Ant to lead the charge in terms of focus and intensity against Utah (sigh). For one, he did play 40 minutes last night. And two, even under normal circumstances he has a tendency to slack off in games like this one. It just is what it is unfortunately. I also think it will be tough for NAW to replicate that effort last night.

I am hoping we see a good Rudy and Mike game playing back in Utah. Mommy and Daddy to the rescue!