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After the Warriors and Suns game, it's pretty clear that Rambis has a 9 man rotation set. Both Ellington and Telfair have not lodged any minutes since Webster and Flynn returned. I expect that this will be the case up until the All Star break to get some team chemisty and finally put together a squad that can play as a team instead of individuals. As the games go on and Webster and Flynn return to full strength (10-15 games) I would expect the minutes to look like:

PG - Flynn - 30, Ridnour - 18
SG - Wesley - 28, Brewer - 20
SF - Beasley - 20, Webster - 28
PF - Love - 30, Beasley - 18
C - Milicic - 30, Love - 10, Pek - 8

Also, the trio of Webster, Brewer and Flynn off the bench has been pretty impressive.

Against the Warriors they combined for - 31 pts, 9 asts, 4 Threes
Against the Suns they combined for - 38 pts, 9 asts, 5 Threes

Also, in the last 2 games, the Wolves have had 56 assists, and shot .500 from the field.

Of the 20 losses this season, the Wolves have lost 8 games by 7 points or less. As a young team, they just need to learn how to play tighter D in the 4th quarter and play as a group, help each other out, run back and put a hand up. This team is still learning, only Darko, Telfair and Ridnour have played more than 6 NBA seasons, and all those guys have been backups their career.

I think the next 30 games leading up to the All Star break will allow this 9 man rotation to form some serious chemistry. I assume Flynn will be starting again soon and possibly Webster replacing Wesley. Of the next 30 games, I think the Wolves can win at least 10, which will give them a record of 16-40 at the break.

It's been nice to see the pre-season Wolves a few times over the last 2 days. It's incredible how much a difference Webster, and to a lesser extent Flynn, make on the offence. Everyone moves better, including Beasley and Johnson, and the team just flows. It really shows the difference that a good veteran like Webster can provide. The team should be looking for more in that mold.

Seems like we are finally not losing because a shortage of talent. Now it seems more related to not knowing how to win, defensive and offensive schemes, execution, and not having played together enough.

I take this as a positive step - even though there is less that I like talking about on here related to these subjects.

Ice32 wrote:PG - Flynn - 30, Ridnour - 18
SG - Wesley - 28, Brewer - 20
SF - Beasley - 20, Webster - 28
PF - Love - 30, Beasley - 18
C - Milicic - 30, Love - 10, Pek - 8

I hope to be seeing this PG rotation the second half of the season. I think Ridnour will look much better in that role than he does playing 30+ minutes as a starter.

Yes, 4th Qtr D is where these guys have the most room to improve. There are several games they would have won if they had this down.

Of course, that's what it means to have the youngest team in the league.

10 out of the next 30 games seems optimistic. I'd be happy with 6-8, especially if they are well played and show team development.

Ice32 wrote:PG - Flynn - 30, Ridnour - 18
SG - Wesley - 28, Brewer - 20
SF - Beasley - 20, Webster - 28
PF - Love - 30, Beasley - 18
C - Milicic - 30, Love - 10, Pek - 8

This will need to be adjusted once Tolliver comes back because he'll eat into the minutes that Beasley plays at PF. I suspect Brewer, Wes and Webster will all get around 25 per game until that point and then Brewer's minutes will fall off.

eyeteeth wrote:10 out of the next 30 games seems optimistic. I'd be happy with 6-8, especially if they are well played and show team development.

Well 10 would put them over their win total from last year and 9 would tie it, so I'd be hoping for either of those.

Mr Dew wrote:

Ice32 wrote:PG - Flynn - 30, Ridnour - 18
SG - Wesley - 28, Brewer - 20
SF - Beasley - 20, Webster - 28
PF - Love - 30, Beasley - 18
C - Milicic - 30, Love - 10, Pek - 8

This will need to be adjusted once Tolliver comes back because he'll eat into the minutes that Beasley plays at PF. I suspect Brewer, Wes and Webster will all get around 25 per game until that point and then Brewer's minutes will fall off.

Correct, Tolliver would get C and PF minutes, I would expect Pek to lose some minutes and Beasley and Love wouldnt have to play near 40 minutes at all.

For some reason, I dont think Brewers minutes will fall alot because Rambis likes what he brings energy wise. Obvisouly he wont have to shoot as much with scorers around him, but its his defense that keeps him in the game. During the 2nd half yesterday, when Brewer was on the floor, J-Rich went 0-4 FGs and 0-2 FTs. Brewer had a lot to do with that, and the Wolves went on a 16-4 run to start the 4th qtr. As soon as he was replaced by Ridnour with 6:45 left in the game, the Suns went on a 16-4 run. The defense stunk and the Wolves gave it away.

I think Tolliver will compliment the 2nd Unit very nicely, which should look like:

PG - Ridnour
SG - Brewer
SF - Webster
PF - Tolliver
C - Pekovic