Thunder at Wolves (mercy rule in play?)

[guest81]

The team clearly has talent and we show we are capable of playing at a very competitive level. At the same time, we lack fortitude, consistency, and discipline, and that will be the killer of this squad. If we keep a core together and build on it we can be formidable in a season or two. I don't think this year we will be much because we are too fragile.

I know many say otherwise including some of our media guys but I really do think Towns leadership was a factor for this team. He was not the vocal leader or the wise mentor type but I do believe his consistency and steadiness (yes I know is volatile emotionally on the court and that was problematic) were anchors this team heavily leaned on.

You know every night KAT was going to get you nearly 20 and 10. It was just a given and losing that creates a lot volatility. When Ant has his down games we hurt a lot more than before, we don't have that slack we used to have and it shows. The next step for Ant beyond developing that go to move, is that he has to be the guy 95 percent of the time. He can't have more than just a few games a season where he's off.

Do we not remember two years ago when kat was on the team when the wolves had the exact same problem? Are we really going to pretend that kat wasn't as inconsistent as the rest of the squad? Kat not shooting enough 3s kat picking up 3 fouls in the first half kat getting bullied by bigger centers. Come on guys

[winforlose]

The team clearly has talent and we show we are capable of playing at a very competitive level. At the same time, we lack fortitude, consistency, and discipline, and that will be the killer of this squad. If we keep a core together and build on it we can be formidable in a season or two. I don't think this year we will be much because we are too fragile.

I know many say otherwise including some of our media guys but I really do think Towns leadership was a factor for this team. He was not the vocal leader or the wise mentor type but I do believe his consistency and steadiness (yes I know is volatile emotionally on the court and that was problematic) were anchors this team heavily leaned on.

You know every night KAT was going to get you nearly 20 and 10. It was just a given and losing that creates a lot volatility. When Ant has his down games we hurt a lot more than before, we don't have that slack we used to have and it shows. The next step for Ant beyond developing that go to move, is that he has to be the guy 95 percent of the time. He can't have more than just a few games a season where he's off.

Do we not remember two years ago when kat was on the team when the wolves had the exact same problem? Are we really going to pretend that kat wasn't as inconsistent as the rest of the squad? Kat not shooting enough 3s kat picking up 3 fouls in the first half kat getting bullied by bigger centers. Come on guys

If you mean 22/23 KAT, that was the year of his health issues. Terrible infection before the season leaves him under weight and with poor cardio adjusting to the change in position. Then he gets the soft tissue injury and missed 50+ games. He comes back not 100% for the pre playoff ramp up where Rudy has a very bad back (he was suspended for the first play in game, but his back would have had him out anyway,) and the Wolves limp into a first round series with Denver. A Denver team that would go on to win a chip.

[guest81]

The team clearly has talent and we show we are capable of playing at a very competitive level. At the same time, we lack fortitude, consistency, and discipline, and that will be the killer of this squad. If we keep a core together and build on it we can be formidable in a season or two. I don't think this year we will be much because we are too fragile.

I know many say otherwise including some of our media guys but I really do think Towns leadership was a factor for this team. He was not the vocal leader or the wise mentor type but I do believe his consistency and steadiness (yes I know is volatile emotionally on the court and that was problematic) were anchors this team heavily leaned on.

You know every night KAT was going to get you nearly 20 and 10. It was just a given and losing that creates a lot volatility. When Ant has his down games we hurt a lot more than before, we don't have that slack we used to have and it shows. The next step for Ant beyond developing that go to move, is that he has to be the guy 95 percent of the time. He can't have more than just a few games a season where he's off.

Do we not remember two years ago when kat was on the team when the wolves had the exact same problem? Are we really going to pretend that kat wasn't as inconsistent as the rest of the squad? Kat not shooting enough 3s kat picking up 3 fouls in the first half kat getting bullied by bigger centers. Come on guys

If you mean 22/23 KAT, that was the year of his health issues. Terrible infection before the season leaves him under weight and with poor cardio adjusting to the change in position. Then he gets the soft tissue injury and missed 50+ games. He comes back not 100% for the pre playoff ramp up where Rudy has a very bad back (he was suspended for the first play in game, but his back would have had him out anyway,) and the Wolves limp into a first round series with Denver. A Denver team that would go on to win a chip.

Yea definitely wouldn't call that consistent and steady

[Calinks]

Barring the playoffs where he struggles, Towns was a very consistent and reliable player in the regular season. Injuries aside, you could pencil him in for 20 and 10 a night. It did come with some caveats, but his production was unquestioned and that is something you can take for granted and not every team has that. Yes, I think that is missed, particularly by Edwards who could always fall back on that his whole career (barring a Towns injury).

[guest81]

Barring the playoffs where he struggles, Towns was a very consistent and reliable player in the regular season. Injuries aside, you could pencil him in for 20 and 10 a night. It did come with some caveats, but his production was unquestioned and that is something you can take for granted and not every team has that. Yes, I think that is missed, particularly by Edwards who could always fall back on that his whole career (barring a Towns injury).

So excluding playoffs/injuries/ref complaints/foul trouble/shot selection, Towns was a consistent and reliable player. Got it

[Calinks]

Ref complaints and foul issues I feel were more chronic in his final two seasons as a Timberwolf, he always had issues there but I feel like they really hit their peak in the 22-23 seasons then the 24 season he got a little better. Even still they were bad but not tremendous deal-breakers in my eyes.

Shot selection could be better but was not all bad in any way, he was a remarkably efficient shooter and scorer, which was one of his biggest strengths and speaks to the consistency I am talking about.

Injuries have also been a recent issue. Particularly the last 3 years. That may continue going forward, it may not. That said, when he does play, he was very consistent from a production standpoint.

[shrink]

Josh Minott comes in for one possession, immediately blows a defensive coverage and gives up an open three.

Dude is garbage at defense, sorry folks.

Minott is done here. he's not a pro player yet and probably never will be. It's his brain. He doesn't get it.

I think when he tweeted from the bench during a game, that will make him radioactive to GMs.

Overwhelming talent is allowed some eccentricities. Minott does not have overwhelming talent, and there are a lot of hungry young players anxious to take his place. Pity, because early in his career, I thought he had a chance to become a part of the NBA.

[winforlose]

Josh Minott comes in for one possession, immediately blows a defensive coverage and gives up an open three.

Dude is garbage at defense, sorry folks.

Minott is done here. he's not a pro player yet and probably never will be. It's his brain. He doesn't get it.

I think when he tweeted from the bench during a game, that will make him radioactive to GMs.

Overwhelming talent is allowed some eccentricities. Minott does not have overwhelming talent, and there are a lot of hungry young players anxious to take his place. Pity, because early in his career, I thought he had a chance to become a part of the NBA.

I am not convinced. Plenty of tanking teams would be interested in a 21 year old with length and a high motor. He might have cost himself some money, but I doubt he ended his professional career.