Game 1: Timberwolves at Blazers (10/22, 9 pm)

[winforlose]

The one play I really want to highlight is the one late game where Ant hits the 3 with the Holiday flop. That was a no pass possession. He had another one with the dagger, but that one was about running clock as much as hitting the shot. This is not good offense. If he missed and we lost no one would be praising this. This was a win and that makes me happy, but the details exposed vulnerabilities which scare me.

Good grief...this is two (2) consecutive negative posts from you reminiscent of Chicken Little screaming "the sky is falling...the sky is falling".

It's Game 1 of the season on the road against a young, aggressive team that plays an up-tempo style that our current roster will continue to struggle with.

And we won.

We've all acknowledged our concerns at PG and tonight did nothing to alleviate those fears.

And we won.

Naz looked like he was drunk. DDV had more turnovers than the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Conley is the new spokesperson for the Washburn-McCreavy Funeral Home. Dilly is so far down the bench, he'd need a Maintenance Day just getting halfway to the scorer's table.

And we won.

Take a deep breath and spend a little more time focusing on the positives...there were plenty to choose from in tonight's game.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I hear you. I celebrated this win by listening to both post casts and seeking any scrap of commentary I can find to help me bask in our undefeated glory. That said. I am responding to other posters, not drinking bleach and preaching the end of days.

Also you are not talking about the same thing I am. Name any PG in the league and it wouldn’t change a thing. When Ant decides to hold the ball for 20 seconds and then shoot, the discussion is about Ant and only Ant. This is especially important in a game 1 which sets the tone for the season. This was classic hero ball, and as I have said for years, it is awesome when it works, but not so much when it does not.

[Slim Tubby]

The one play I really want to highlight is the one late game where Ant hits the 3 with the Holiday flop. That was a no pass possession. He had another one with the dagger, but that one was about running clock as much as hitting the shot. This is not good offense. If he missed and we lost no one would be praising this. This was a win and that makes me happy, but the details exposed vulnerabilities which scare me.

Good grief...this is two (2) consecutive negative posts from you reminiscent of Chicken Little screaming "the sky is falling...the sky is falling".

It's Game 1 of the season on the road against a young, aggressive team that plays an up-tempo style that our current roster will continue to struggle with.

And we won.

We've all acknowledged our concerns at PG and tonight did nothing to alleviate those fears.

And we won.

Naz looked like he was drunk. DDV had more turnovers than the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Conley is the new spokesperson for the Washburn-McCreavy Funeral Home. Dilly is so far down the bench, he'd need a Maintenance Day just getting halfway to the scorer's table.

And we won.

Take a deep breath and spend a little more time focusing on the positives...there were plenty to choose from in tonight's game.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I hear you. I celebrated this win by listening to both post casts and seeking any scrap of commentary I can find to help me bask in our undefeated glory. That said. I am responding to other posters, not drinking bleach and preaching the end of days.

Also you are not talking about the same thing I am. Name any PG in the league and it wouldn’t change a thing. When Ant decides to hold the ball for 20 seconds and then shoot, the discussion is about Ant and only Ant. This is especially important in a game 1 which sets the tone for the season. This was classic hero ball, and as I have said for years, it is awesome when it works, but not so much when it does not.

We are expecting the best SG in the league to play out of position as our lead guard. This is going to be an issue all season.

Does it really surprise you when Ant instinctually shifts into "hero ball" mode? He's not only asked to be our primary ball handler but also our top scorer/finisher. You see what I'm saying here?

This is NOT an Ant problem...it's a Connelly problem as the creator of our roster. I don't blame Finch for any of it. No chef can make an omelet without eggs.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

[winforlose]

Good grief...this is two (2) consecutive negative posts from you reminiscent of Chicken Little screaming "the sky is falling...the sky is falling".

It's Game 1 of the season on the road against a young, aggressive team that plays an up-tempo style that our current roster will continue to struggle with.

And we won.

We've all acknowledged our concerns at PG and tonight did nothing to alleviate those fears.

And we won.

Naz looked like he was drunk. DDV had more turnovers than the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Conley is the new spokesperson for the Washburn-McCreavy Funeral Home. Dilly is so far down the bench, he'd need a Maintenance Day just getting halfway to the scorer's table.

And we won.

Take a deep breath and spend a little more time focusing on the positives...there were plenty to choose from in tonight's game.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I hear you. I celebrated this win by listening to both post casts and seeking any scrap of commentary I can find to help me bask in our undefeated glory. That said. I am responding to other posters, not drinking bleach and preaching the end of days.

Also you are not talking about the same thing I am. Name any PG in the league and it wouldn’t change a thing. When Ant decides to hold the ball for 20 seconds and then shoot, the discussion is about Ant and only Ant. This is especially important in a game 1 which sets the tone for the season. This was classic hero ball, and as I have said for years, it is awesome when it works, but not so much when it does not.

We are expecting the best SG in the league to play out of position as our lead guard. This is going to be an issue all season.

Does it really surprise you when Ant instinctually shifts into "hero ball" mode? He's not only asked to be our primary ball handler but also our top scorer/finisher. You see what I'm saying here?

This is NOT an Ant problem...it's a Connelly problem as the creator of our roster. I don't blame Finch for any of it. No chef can make an omelet without eggs.

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

I have been very clear on my opinions about the PG situation for years. I have also made my feelings about roster construction clear. While I certainly agree that not having a true PG hurts end of game, I disagree that this necessitates multiple no pass possessions. When the ball gets sticky players tend to disengage and we tend to lose. Also Ant doesn’t exactly have a great track record when he goes hero mode. Again I am thrilled we won, and I see your point about how the lack of PG exacerbates the situation. But part of Ant playing lead guard is moving the ball and finding easy shots for others as well as himself.

[Klomp]

Does it really surprise you when Ant instinctually shifts into "hero ball" mode? He's not only asked to be our primary ball handler but also our top scorer/finisher. You see what I'm saying here?

This is NOT an Ant problem...it's a Connelly problem as the creator of our roster. I don't blame Finch for any of it. No chef can make an omelet without eggs.

This screams like someone complaining that a young LeBron James was asked to be the primary ballhandler AND primary scoring threat for the Cavaliers 20 years ago because they decided to build the franchise around a kid.

[minimus]

• Donte tried to drive to the basket — two turnovers, both times he got stripped while trying to bring the ball over. But he had a good first quarter with two steals, an open three, and a mid-range shot. The he lost he ball twice when he tried to bring the ball over the court, could not inbound and telegraphed pass to Reid. That was sad, so our coaching staff should reduce his role to first quarter role.
• Reid had an awful stretch on defense, either fouling or allowing easy shots at the rim. He later had a decent run, contesting shots without fouling. But then had a bonehead moment, throwing a reckless pass in transition and getting a three splashed in his face.
• Randle and Reid looked good only when Clark and TJ locked up the perimeter. Also, I think by design, big wings like Avdija and Grant will be able to score a lot against our second unit.
• Clark was unbelievable on defense and awful on offense — missed an open layup and travelled. But he earned the team so many possessions via offensive and defensive boards, charges, and steals. He’s already a functional part of this team.
• Gobert was solid. Honestly, this might be his new standard: 10 pts, 6 reb, 1 blk in 30 min, with a few great defensive possessions and a few fumbled passes. Gobert’s screens still work for Ant. That one moment when McDaniels guarded point of attack and Gobert dropped back — it reminded me exactly why MIN had the best defense two seasons ago.
• Randle was efficient on offense, but a step slow on defense and provided no rim protection. Finch needs to get more out of him in DHO and split sets, using Randle as a slasher/passer.
• I didn’t like our effort or defensive scheme when we allowed semi-open threes to role players.
• Ant is unbelievable.
• Conley looks old — you can’t play him big minutes against playoff-caliber opponents.
• I liked Jaden freelancing on offense. The ball comes to him when the first two options are covered or doubled, and honestly, Jaden can add some juice to the offense. Didn’t love his defense though — too reactionary. Also had two turnovers from inaccurate passes. Can we please get Joe Ingles to teach Jaden how to pass? Jaden with Ingles-level passing is basically Pippen.

Overall, without like 10 ridiculous turnovers (DDV, Jaden, Reid, Ant, Conley), MIN would’ve won by 20+. TC needs to find a new Chauncey Billups — not necessarily a traditional PG, but someone who can give us consistent 25–30 quality minutes at the position.

[Klomp]

Chris Finch won us this game tonight thanks to his smart, timely substitutions.

-Taking out Donte
-Taking out Mike
-Putting in Jaylen
-Putting in TJ
-The biggest substitution though was Bones Hyland. He basically led the team back into reach, doing so while Ant was on the bench. The extended break that Ant got also likely allowed him to get his legs under him for the clutch time comeback.

[winforlose]

Chris Finch won us this game tonight thanks to his smart, timely substitutions.

-Taking out Donte
-Taking out Mike
-Putting in Jaylen
-Putting in TJ
-The biggest substitution though was Bones Hyland. He basically led the team back into reach, doing so while Ant was on the bench. The extended break that Ant got also likely allowed him to get his legs under him for the clutch time comeback.

I didn’t see Bones doing anything special. In fact I thought he played bad defense and was not especially impactful on offense. Clark also allowed DC to clog the paint and make life hell on Randle. Unless I am missing something?

[TwolvesFanRome]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

[shrink]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

I think POR would be a tough match up for Dillingham, but expect him to get a little run against the Lakers, especially if LAL plays Gabe Vincent 29 minutes, like they did in the opener.

[winforlose]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

Yes they are, Dilly cannot play PG against any kind of intense defense. I don’t even think he is truly NBA worthy against a tanking team. Rob needs to spend serious time in Iowa and develop his game.

[shrink]

We don't see these guys again until the last game before the All-Star Break, thank goodness!

They may be tanking by then too

[ILC]

What hero ball are we talking about exactly?

A last shot iso on the wing for your best player is perfectly normal. Other than that Ant played in the flow of the game and didn't have a single decision like last year where I would rewind the play 5 times to see what was he even trying to do.

Would like a little more focus on getting Rudy a few lobs/dump off passes tho, from the whole team.

[minimus]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

I think POR would be a tough match up for Dillingham.

Holiday would eat Rob alive. Both in offense and defense

[TwolvesFanRome]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

Yes they are, Dilly cannot play PG against any kind of intense defense. I don’t even think he is truly NBA worthy against a tanking team. Rob needs to spend serious time in Iowa and develop his game.

If a 2nd year player "can't play" in certain games... I think we have a big problem, and it also raises another question: why we trade up in the draft to get him? We knew Rob's physique, and we could have imagined his strengths (speed, ball handling, etc.) and weaknesses (paying for the physicality of defenders). So the question is: will he ever be a potential starting PG in the NBA? If the answer is no, and he can only play in certain matchups (absurd in my opinion, for a team aiming for the Finals), we need to think seriously about how to trade him and upgrade the PG spot.

[KGdaBom]

lol come on now. Can’t be taken seriously with statements like that. Unless I missed green font.

You don't think he's one of the best? I think he's the best Rookie Center in the league.

I think he has the potential to be the best center from this class. He’s definitely not there yet.

Tell me who's better. I saw Maluach play. Berringer IMO is definitely better.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I need to lock in. By the 3rd quarter, I was already shopping prospective trade candidates in the trade machine, trying to get another ball handler in here and trying to talk myself into how a Lavine/Ant backcourt might work.

[KGdaBom]

Chris Finch won us this game tonight thanks to his smart, timely substitutions.

-Taking out Donte
-Taking out Mike
-Putting in Jaylen
-Putting in TJ
-The biggest substitution though was Bones Hyland. He basically led the team back into reach, doing so while Ant was on the bench. The extended break that Ant got also likely allowed him to get his legs under him for the clutch time comeback.

I thought he was bad.

[KGdaBom]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

Agreed.

[KGdaBom]

What hero ball are we talking about exactly?

A last shot iso on the wing for your best player is perfectly normal. Other than that Ant played in the flow of the game and didn't have a single decision like last year where I would rewind the play 5 times to see what was he even trying to do.

Would like a little more focus on getting Rudy a few lobs/dump off passes tho, from the whole team.

I didn't see Ant playing hero ball. He had good opportunities and took them just like he should.

[KGdaBom]

Finch has a problem with Dilly, I have not other explanation

0 mins with our situation in the PG role are not explainable..

Yes they are, Dilly cannot play PG against any kind of intense defense. I don’t even think he is truly NBA worthy against a tanking team. Rob needs to spend serious time in Iowa and develop his game.

I disagree, but Finch refused to play Dilly when we desperately needed him and Finch's opinion is the only one that matters.