Minnesota Sports Forum

Okay, I am close to done with starting all these GDTs, especially since I haven't been bringing much luck lately. But here we go again.

The Wolves are literally at a fork in the road. A tough loss to Denver followed by a real stinker hosting the Nets, the Wolves find themselves one loss from dropping into the play-in. They start a 4-game road trip tonight against middle-of-the-road Eastern teams (well, 3 of them anyway). Was the Nets game a one-off, or a pattern that will continue to plague this team. Does Finch do something about it with his rotations? Does TC do something about it in the trade market?

My gut tells me this pattern of "good games" and "bad games" will continue as long as our frontcourt is manned solely by Rudy, Julius and NAZ -- the paint protection just isn't consistent without Rudy. And our underperforming bench doesn't help, either. Is Joe Ingles really that cooked? Is Juzang really that bad on the defensive end? At what point does Finch say "I've got to try something"?

Could tonight be an audition for Jalen Smith and/or Coby White? I think I hope not...

Seems like a game we should win. But then you see that the Bulls had won 5 straight games before losing to the Bucks with Giannis back from injury. So we're facing an East team that seemed dead two weeks ago but is now hot...kind of like the Nets. We're favored by 6 1/2, but I think we can't take this one lightly.

You didn't mention the ultimate change that TC could make...Fire Finch. If he feels that the team has all the talent that they need, but that Finch has lost the team, maybe that is the avenue he goes down. Nori might just be ready for prime time. Would Nori change the rotations? Would he give others a chance to play?

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 10:34 am My gut tells me this pattern of "good games" and "bad games" will continue as long as our frontcourt is manned solely by Rudy, Julius and NAZ -- the paint protection just isn't consistent without Rudy.

I get that those two should be able to figure this out, that they suffer from a contrast with Rudy's defense because he's been great, and that maybe forcing them to suffer through it is Finch's way to teach our best players to be better.

But man, don't you have to consider putting Beringer or Rocco out there at some point as a backup? Why not? It's not like whatever we're getting from our backup guards is so impressive. And this is our huge weakness right now. We're getting killed at the rim when Rudy's off the floor. If you brought in Beringer or Rocco, Naz and Julius would lose minutes, but I think you could mitigate that by playing them together with Beringer at times.

How crazy is that idea?

SameOldNudityDrew wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 4:39 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 10:34 am My gut tells me this pattern of "good games" and "bad games" will continue as long as our frontcourt is manned solely by Rudy, Julius and NAZ -- the paint protection just isn't consistent without Rudy.

I get that those two should be able to figure this out, that they suffer from a contrast with Rudy's defense because he's been great, and that maybe forcing them to suffer through it is Finch's way to teach our best players to be better.

But man, don't you have to consider putting Beringer or Rocco out there at some point as a backup? Why not? It's not like whatever we're getting from our backup guards is so impressive. And this is our huge weakness right now. We're getting killed at the rim when Rudy's off the floor. If you brought in Beringer or Rocco, Naz and Julius would lose minutes, but I think you could mitigate that by playing them together with Beringer at times.

How crazy is that idea?

It ain't crazy at all! And that exact thought had not occurred to -- playing NAZ, Julius and Joan together. What's interesting is we have seen more stints of NAZ, Julius and Rudy together than at any time last year. Could that be a precursor to your suggestion?

This is Phenom reporting live from my first game at United Center. I have my Prince city edition hoodie and I'm excited for another clutch time game

Phenom wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 5:17 pm This is Phenom reporting live from my first game at United Center. I have my Prince city edition hoodie and I'm excited for another clutch time game

Go get 'em, Phenom...get us a win!

As for the call to play Joan or Rocco, count me in!

(as long as we're up at least 20 points with less than 5 minutes to go)

Rocco was sent down to Iowa for their game tonight. So, it’s up to Beringer!

Clunky start.

I can't tell if Jaden was hit in the eye or nose but isnt on the bench