It's not fun to go 0-2 on consecutive nights against teams we are competing with in the standings. But despite the disappointing weekend, I think there is a lot of reason to be optimistic about this team. Here are a few:
1) Even after two losses, we are 6-3 in 2006, with only one of the 9 games against a team with a losing record
2) As Tim has pointed out, the schedule for the next 6 weeks is very soft. Only 5 of the next 17 games are against teams over .500, and 4 of those (Warriors twice, OkC and Philly) are at home. 14-3 is not at all beyond possibility, and that would leave us at 41-19 by the end of February...a 56 win pace.
3) Despite missing Ant in one game and Naz and Rudy in the other, we were close to beating two very good teams on their home court.
4) Ant seems to have found a new level with his offensive game...last night's shooting was stunning.
5) While he is still very raw, there are signs that Joan can do a lot to improve the non-Rudy minutes.
6) Chris Finch teams generally perform better in the second half of seasons.
We know this Wolves team is far from perfect. The ball gets sticky sometimes, the bench is inconsistent, and Ju's and Ant's defense can be lazy at times. But every team out there has things to be concerned about. Even OkC seems vulnerable against teams with good rim protection because of their inconsistent shooting. We have to hope that injuries to Ant, Rudy and Naz are not serious. But if we can stay healthy, we're set up for a nice playoff run.
Reasons for optimism after two losses
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
And you haven’t even added in this nice new spark plug TC will acquire by the trade deadline to help fortify the bench! 
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
Ha, never underestimate what TC might do, but I don't see him doing anything at the deadline. Finchy talks a lot about "continuity" and stresses that in-season continuity means more to him than season to season continuity. I suspect our coach doesn't want to do anything that might upset the apple cart and damage the good thing we have going right now, and I don't think TC would cross Finchy. Further, I don't see teams valuing the players we are willing to give up very much. I also think that Finchy values Conley a lot more than this board does, despite his recent shooting woes (under 35% on threes now). I suspect he notices how much smoother the offense runs when he is out there, and likes the comfort his nearly 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio provides. I think he likes the quiet leadership and intangibles Mike brings, and I don't see them wanting to include him in a trade. I'll be quite surprised if a trade happens before the deadline.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
I didn't say who might go! I don't envision Mike being traded. It will either be small potatoes involving Dilly, or a big fish involving NAZ. NAZ is pure conjecture on my part, and might be completely off the table in TC and Finchy's world. But I try to figure out ways we can stop kek from counting the consecutive made baskets by our opponent when NAZ checks in...FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:19 amHa, never underestimate what TC might do, but I don't see him doing anything at the deadline. Finchy talks a lot about "continuity" and stresses that in-season continuity means more to him than season to season continuity. I suspect our coach doesn't want to do anything that might upset the apple cart and damage the good thing we have going right now, and I don't think TC would cross Finchy. Further, I don't see teams valuing the players we are willing to give up very much. I also think that Finchy values Conley a lot more than this board does, despite his recent shooting woes (under 35% on threes now). I suspect he notices how much smoother the offense runs when he is out there, and likes the comfort his nearly 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio provides. I think he likes the quiet leadership and intangibles Mike brings, and I don't see them wanting to include him in a trade. I'll be quite surprised if a trade happens before the deadline.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
Doesn't it seem that the non-Rudy defense hasn't been as bad recently? Kek certainly hasn't posted anything about it for a long time. I'll admit the defense was terrible when Finchy tried Naz at the 3 this week (160 defensive rating!) but things haven't seemed quite as bad defensively with Naz at the 1 or 2.60WinTim wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:37 amI didn't say who might go! I don't envision Mike being traded. It will either be small potatoes involving Dilly, or a big fish involving NAZ. NAZ is pure conjecture on my part, and might be completely off the table in TC and Finchy's world. But I try to figure out ways we can stop kek from counting the consecutive made baskets by our opponent when NAZ checks in...FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:19 amHa, never underestimate what TC might do, but I don't see him doing anything at the deadline. Finchy talks a lot about "continuity" and stresses that in-season continuity means more to him than season to season continuity. I suspect our coach doesn't want to do anything that might upset the apple cart and damage the good thing we have going right now, and I don't think TC would cross Finchy. Further, I don't see teams valuing the players we are willing to give up very much. I also think that Finchy values Conley a lot more than this board does, despite his recent shooting woes (under 35% on threes now). I suspect he notices how much smoother the offense runs when he is out there, and likes the comfort his nearly 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio provides. I think he likes the quiet leadership and intangibles Mike brings, and I don't see them wanting to include him in a trade. I'll be quite surprised if a trade happens before the deadline.
Trading Naz would be a disaster I think. And any trade involving guys like Rob or Miller would just be garbage for garbage. GMs out there certainly know that Rob has now fallen behind Juzang and Miller in the rotation...he was the only player that didn't see the court last night.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
I think your assessment is spot on, FNG. it would be incredibly dumb to trade Naz for a Coby or Collin and I don’t see Finch even considering it. I thought TC and Finch were crystal clear in the stakeholder meeting I attended. They’re looking for glue guys, not spark plugs or lead guys. And they’re not going to trade core guys because they really like our core players, value continuity and see the success our core guys are having as they continue to get better and better playing off one another. I’m sure they’re open to moving Rob, Shannon, Miller and even Clark. We might still have a future 2nd round pick we can trade. I don’t know if they’re open to trading Mike but I think they would for the right deal. I just don’t see the right deal emerging.FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:51 amDoesn't it seem that the non-Rudy defense hasn't been as bad recently? Kek certainly hasn't posted anything about it for a long time. I'll admit the defense was terrible when Finchy tried Naz at the 3 this week (160 defensive rating!) but things haven't seemed quite as bad defensively with Naz at the 1 or 2.60WinTim wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:37 amI didn't say who might go! I don't envision Mike being traded. It will either be small potatoes involving Dilly, or a big fish involving NAZ. NAZ is pure conjecture on my part, and might be completely off the table in TC and Finchy's world. But I try to figure out ways we can stop kek from counting the consecutive made baskets by our opponent when NAZ checks in...FNG wrote: ↑Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:19 am
Ha, never underestimate what TC might do, but I don't see him doing anything at the deadline. Finchy talks a lot about "continuity" and stresses that in-season continuity means more to him than season to season continuity. I suspect our coach doesn't want to do anything that might upset the apple cart and damage the good thing we have going right now, and I don't think TC would cross Finchy. Further, I don't see teams valuing the players we are willing to give up very much. I also think that Finchy values Conley a lot more than this board does, despite his recent shooting woes (under 35% on threes now). I suspect he notices how much smoother the offense runs when he is out there, and likes the comfort his nearly 5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio provides. I think he likes the quiet leadership and intangibles Mike brings, and I don't see them wanting to include him in a trade. I'll be quite surprised if a trade happens before the deadline.
Trading Naz would be a disaster I think. And any trade involving guys like Rob or Miller would just be garbage for garbage. GMs out there certainly know that Rob has now fallen behind Juzang and Miller in the rotation...he was the only player that didn't see the court last night.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the Wolves have recalled Freeman up for the game at Utah. This suggests that NAZ and/or Rudy may not be available tomorrow...
On the bright, more minutes for Baby Deer!
On the bright, more minutes for Baby Deer!
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
Yeah, we've been quite fortunate with injuries this season, and we have to hope Naz and Rudy are okay. Utah will be playing back to back and have a few guys out tonight with injuries and illness, so we have some advantages in tomorrow's game.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
I also get the feeling that the Wolves are being more conservative with injuries than any other time in the Finch era. I think there are two reasons for this: 1) To ensure the top six guys are healthy and fit for the playoffs, and 2) to get a good look at the bench guys with added responsibility put on their plate before the trade deadline.
Re: Reasons for optimism after two losses
My thoughts too, Q...Naz and Rudy looked pretty healthy on the bench toward the end of the game. Of course, that inspiring comeback might have has something to so with their mood!Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 6:15 pmI also get the feeling that the Wolves are being more conservative with injuries than any other time in the Finch era. I think there are two reasons for this: 1) To ensure the top six guys are healthy and fit for the playoffs, and 2) to get a good look at the bench guys with added responsibility put on their plate before the trade deadline.