Thunder at Wolves (mercy rule in play?)

[Neeva]

Why did they lose the game last night????

Mediocre head coach and team is not clutch in close games at the end and coaching is a huge reason why.

[TimberKat]

Let's stop the myth of Ant needs to play 5 out. He can't drive to the rim tonight either. What he did well was pass the ball out at better timing when the person getting the ball had a little advantage. Also we play at a pace that fits the team, not too fast and run ourselves out of the game. Only 6 TO (when it counts). Also helps when OKC left early to Jamaica for all star break (24% 3pt shooting )

This isn’t the right game to come to the conclusion Ant doesn’t need to play 5 out. OKC has arguably the best group of perimeter defenders in the league, and they were collapsing hard when Ant did drive.

The takeaway from this game for me is how good McDaniels looks when Gobert isn’t clogging the paint.

JMcD has been playing that way since he accepted the fact that he can't shoot the 3s. Check out the POR game with Gobert. Didn't OKC playing with two bigs? I think Gobert could actually open up some lane for Ant to drive.

[wolves_89]

That was a really interesting look at the potential future of the Wolves. If we can find the right young big to pair with Naz, this team could be in great shape long term.

[winforlose]

That was a really interesting look at the potential future of the Wolves. If we can find the right young big to pair with Naz, this team could be in great shape long term.

Unless we make a bad trade to try and win now with KD at the expense of future depth. We are not a KD away, we are 2 to 3 years of solid player development and good action at the margins.

[Klomp]

That was a really interesting look at the potential future of the Wolves. If we can find the right young big to pair with Naz, this team could be in great shape long term.

Unless we make a bad trade to try and win now with KD at the expense of future depth. We are not a KD away, we are 2 to 3 years of solid player development and good action at the margins.

Why do you assume it's only future depth they would be trading away?

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Gréât effort from the guys tonight. Even ANT find a way to contribute without shooting well. Our defense was good young guys bring energy and hustle… hope finch see it and keep a 10.-12 guys rotation during the regular season… now good break to let injured players come back healthy.

[winforlose]

That was a really interesting look at the potential future of the Wolves. If we can find the right young big to pair with Naz, this team could be in great shape long term.

Unless we make a bad trade to try and win now with KD at the expense of future depth. We are not a KD away, we are 2 to 3 years of solid player development and good action at the margins.

Why do you assume it's only future depth they would be trading away?

I don’t know what we trade away, hence the unless. I do know that the Suns are not just gonna give him away. Other teams will make offers, and it will cost us something we don’t want to give up. I also do not believe that KD is the missing piece to our winning a chip. Add KD to Karl and Ant with Naz, Jaden, and role players then maybe. But I have no idea how to build a roster with KD costing us 54 and probably sending out Rudy and the picks in the process. If we go small I doubt we make it out of the 2nd round. If we go with KD then I think that costs us Naz regardless of the trade (Naz is not gonna start at the SF, and if he does then Jaden is starting at SG and that fails too.) I cannot see any variation of a KD trade that improves us enough to justify trading for him. Please give me your version so I can have some HOPE!

[minimus]

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.

I feel really bad for him. I thought his problem is offense, but I am not sure why he is so bad at defense. We really could you his size at wings.

[ILC]

Only makes you more furious that they lost last night.

[winforlose]

Only makes you more furious that they lost last night.

Last night they were playing a team they should beat. Tonight they had an 8 point lead at the half and were 9 point underdogs heading into the 2nd half. It is terrible for seeding, but encouraging assuming they can do just enough to get the 6 seed. Who do you fear in a 7 game series? Also it is interesting we are significantly better on the road, so home court is less advantageous than you might think.

[Klomp]

Only makes you more furious that they lost last night.

Yes and no. I put much more weight into games like tonight over games like the previous night.

1. Western Conference matchups carry more importance.
2. The teams you face in the play-in and/or playoffs are going to be closer to the Thunder team we saw than they are to the Bucks team we saw.

[minimus]

It is weird that OKC started with two bigs Hartenstein and Chet just like MIN played last year. While MIN played with three guards most of the time like OKC did last year.

[Worm Guts]

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.

I feel really bad for him. I thought his problem is offense, but I am not sure why he is so bad at defense. We really could you his size at wings.

It’s seems to me like Minott chokes from the pressure of real opportunity. He seems like he’s a step behind in a way he shouldn’t be.
I usually feel the same about Garza, although he played well last night.

[life_saver]

Jaden's midrange game has been good to watch. With his size, its a tough move for defenses to guard. Will be incredibly useful in playoffs

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[Baseline81]

Only makes you more furious that they lost last night.

Yes and no. I put much more weight into games like tonight over games like the previous night.

1. Western Conference matchups carry more importance.
2. The teams you face in the play-in and/or playoffs are going to be closer to the Thunder team we saw than they are to the Bucks team we saw.

Agree, however, it would be nice to have enough wins so the team does not have to be involved in the play-in games.

[winforlose]

Jaden going 8 for 12 from inside the arc and 2 of 3 at the line makes you wonder if he is turning into a DDR type player. Without the long ball I don’t think he is a KD type. But if he ever figures out the long ball in time for his prime Jaden might not be a 20/10 guy, but closer 25/10/5 or better.

[Klomp]

It is weird that OKC started with two bigs Hartenstein and Chet just like MIN played last year. While MIN played with three guards most of the time like OKC did last year.

Almost like lineups change. Some people seem to think that because we traded for Rudy Gobert 3 years ago that from now until all of eternity we must play with a supersized lineup or it's coaching and front office malpractice.

[Klomp]

Only makes you more furious that they lost last night.

Yes and no. I put much more weight into games like tonight over games like the previous night.

1. Western Conference matchups carry more importance.
2. The teams you face in the play-in and/or playoffs are going to be closer to the Thunder team we saw than they are to the Bucks team we saw.

Agree, however, it would be nice to have enough wins so the team does not have to be involved in the play-in games.

Still plenty of time to get there

[Calinks]

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.

[Klomp]

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