**** MN Timberwolves 9-30 @ 26-13 Los Angeles Lakers - 10:30pm FSN ****

[Heimdal]

Clearly there was an order not to complain to the refs, which is probably healthy.
Our defense with Finch requires effort and hustle. When it gets stops, it gets better and better. When it doesn't get stops, players get deflated and the effort dissipated as the game progressed.
Umpteenth time Towns shows he can't defend the Harrells of the NBA. That's why Towns needs a Harrell by his side. The bigger the better.

[Dewey]

It’s always interesting to hear how much one team points out the opponents Leadership ... what these guys (Lakers) say and do Is foreign to teams like the Wolves. Players that can lead is just a different mentality and beyond what our frail ego’s can comprehend.

[jpatrick]

Our defense was just bad. In the second half our shots stopped dropping and we couldn’t figure out the LBJ/Harrell pick and role. Every time the Lakers were getting a Harrell dunk or wide open three.

Regarding Ant, I thought he played well. He still needs to figure out how to play within an offense and make everyone better. Right now he has a little bit of annoying YMCA guy that dominates the ball and no one enjoys playing with to his game. He also is involved in a lot of our defensive breakdowns (seems he’s not quite sure when to switch). He tries hard so I think he’ll improve.

[life_saver]

This team needs to improve their interior defense...that's the biggest problem. I don't know how much of it has to do with KAT or with the defensive scheme they use but man it was embarrassing to watch them defend that Lebron/Trez PnR. Now that it's his 6th season, I am tending to lean towards KAT being the major issue for the interior defense issues the team has.I used to think it has more to do with the defensive scheme and the teammates previously but now after seeing the same issue under different coaches, I guess it has something to do with KAT.

[LesGrossman]

This team needs to improve their interior defense...that's the biggest problem. I don't know how much of it has to do with KAT or with the defensive scheme they use but man it was embarrassing to watch them defend that Lebron/Trez PnR. Now that it's his 6th season, I am tending to lean towards KAT being the major issue for the interior defense issues the team has.I used to think it has more to do with the defensive scheme and the teammates previously but now after seeing the same issue under different coaches, I guess it has something to do with KAT.

The biggest problem imho is that guys lose focus. They started well and stopped doing what worked; instead tried to be hero or make the touchdown play or hit the contested dagger 3. This comes at the expense of losing the game. Dunno if i'm alone with this but i can practically FEEL that when Layman rebounds and refuses to give up the ball / outlet immediately theres a bone headed play coming up that not only results in an empty posession but also unbalanced defense in the resulting counter break. When the team works best, everyone operates within their respective role. Get open for the shot, post up and kick out, set screens, cut, run the offense. And when it works, guys seem to get bored or want to feel out what else they could do.

[Calinks]

I'd have to look but I don't think KAT was matched up with Harrell much. Just like how when Kanter went off, a lot of that wasn't KAT it was Vanderbilt. I agree though we need more on an interior presence. I'd love to get a legitimate big to play next to KAT.

[Jedzz]

I'd have to look but I don't think KAT was matched up with Harrell much. Just like how when Kanter went off, a lot of that wasn't KAT it was Vanderbilt. I agree though we need more on an interior presence. I'd love to get a legitimate big to play next to KAT.

Kevin Love played a whole 10 minutes last week. He might have 50 minutes on the season now. Fresh legs?

[jpatrick]

I'd have to look but I don't think KAT was matched up with Harrell much. Just like how when Kanter went off, a lot of that wasn't KAT it was Vanderbilt. I agree though we need more on an interior presence. I'd love to get a legitimate big to play next to KAT.

Yeah, the pick and roll issues were KAT so much. That’s team defense and we clearly had no idea how to defend it. I thought KATs actually been better defensively later. He’s a center. Unless you want to trade him he’ll be our center.

[Dewey]

I'd have to look but I don't think KAT was matched up with Harrell much. Just like how when Kanter went off, a lot of that wasn't KAT it was Vanderbilt. I agree though we need more on an interior presence. I'd love to get a legitimate big to play next to KAT.

Yeah, the pick and roll issues were KAT so much. That’s team defense and we clearly had no idea how to defend it. I thought KATs actually been better defensively later. He’s a center. Unless you want to trade him he’ll be our center.

This has been a given here in MN for years but never addressed ... our genius solution? Okogie at the 4. Can’t make this stuff up. This does not excuse KATs defense, but it shows we are numb to the reality