We talkin' 'bout practice?

Post #1 » by **Klomp** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 6:27 pm

This is the single biggest thing I think we can attribute many of our struggles to this year. We are a young team that needs time in the practice gym. This is even more important this year with a new coaching staff bringing in a new system.

I'm not even just talking about in-season practice. Jim Petersen brought up during last night's game that guys like Johnson and Williams haven't even had a chance to be involved in the team's offseason workout program because of the lockout this past offseason and Johnson's injury the offseason before his rookie year.

We really shouldn't even be at .500 right now. But we are. However, having a regular practice regiment during the offseason and going into next year will be very important for our young squad.

Like I said, I think many of our issues can be addressed with an offseason program. Most notably are the shooting issues for both Wes Johnson and Ricky Rubio.

jscott · Post #2 » by **jscott** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 6:30 pm

I agree.

I think a solid offseason schedule will help Rubio shoot a bit better and the team to digest some of Adelman's system. Certainly improve their team defense as well.

slinky · Post #3 » by **slinky** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 6:43 pm

I agree to a certain extent. Shooting the ball is something that Rubio was supposed to have been doing all offseason anyways. Physical skills like shooting, dribbling, do not require set offseason practice time.

Now perhaps you can make the argument that the new coaching staff came in and changed Rubio or Wes' mechanics, and they have been trying to learn and master on the fly without much dedicated practice time, but I am not sure there has been any evidence that this is the case.

I believe Rubio's issues are because he is getting tired, he is probably getting beat up. Maybe its just my way of supporting my own argument, but i feel like his shot keeps getting flatter and flatter. So maybe an offseason program of conditioning and maintenace will do him wonders.

And Wes I still believe is just unclear of his role or is miscast in his role...he is more of a slasher than a spot up shooter. In the starting line up Ricky, Love, and Pekovic have the ball 90% of the time. On the 2nd unit, Barea, Beasley, Williams have the ball 90% of the time. Not many plays are called for Wes to drive the lane.

Post #4 » by **Worm Guts** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 7:07 pm

It's the same situation for everybody, so it's not really a disadvantage.

Twolves1Fan · Post #5 » by **Twolves1Fan** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 7:13 pm

Though all teams are going through the condensed schedule etc... I do agree with the OP in that the lack of practice time has affected us.

For a veteran team like the Lakers, Celtics or Heat the lack of practice time might not be as big of an issue but when you're as young and inexperienced in playing together as our Wolves are then add to the mix a new system then yes, I do believe it's a factor.

I don't think we can say it's the same disadvantage for all teams in my opinion.

Post #6 » by **Worm Guts** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 7:23 pm

A condensed scheduled is harder physically on older teams, so while maybe it doesn't hurt them as much to miss practice it's taking a harder toll on their bodies.

Post #7 » by **Klomp** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 7:41 pm

Worm Guts wrote:It's the same situation for everybody, so it's not really a disadvantage.

How many young teams brought in a new coaching staff this offseason?

Post #8 » by **Worm Guts** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 7:50 pm

Do you honestly think it makes a big difference? This team is performing better than expected, so it's hard to say lack of practice is hurting us.

digitaldropoff · Post #9 » by **digitaldropoff** » Thu Mar 1, 2012 8:34 pm

Practice and the offseason programs may have helped us a ton, but we'll never, ever know that. We're playing as good as fans and talking heads could have hoped for. I wouldn't say we're totally overacheiving....there was more than one national pundit that said the Wolves could end up around 30 wins. However....our problems are talent defficiencies in key spots. Our SG spot is horrid, and if Wes was any worse on D...our SF would be just as bad. Wes made more shots last year, but I'm sorry...he wasn't a good shooter last season either. He's just gotten a little worse....One would think working with a coach on his shot would do wonders....but I can't buy that an NBA player, despite losing out on league perks of practicing doesn't work on his jumpshot in the offseason. What was he working with Kobe for...how to smile after missing? He needs some counceling or something, because it's all upstairs for that kid. Ricky is currently hitting a rookie wall right now, nothing was going to stop this. His shot matters, but if our wings produce, it matters very little. And guess what....our wings aren't producing.

... · Post #10 » by **...** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 6:07 pm

I thought this thread was going to be about signing Iverson.

Narf · Post #11 » by **Narf** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 6:13 pm

Is it against league rules to hire a shooting coach for the players to work with them during the off season?

Post #12 » by **Worm Guts** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 6:14 pm

Of course not.

Krapinsky · Post #13 » by **Krapinsky** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 6:22 pm

Narf wrote:Is it against league rules to hire a shooting coach for the players to work with them during the off season?

Only if there's a lockout.

lobishome · Post #14 » by **lobishome** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 6:57 pm

Yeah, young teams need more practice than teams like Dallas or Lakers. Next year the team will be more coordinated, the roster will be more balanced and the players shall know how to measure out his strengths. Not only Rubio is overloaded, Peko too.

Surely Adelman & Kahn aren't interested in to force this team for to play at 100%. Our target continues being the balanced W/L, at least until the last ten games. It would be a award for the team to fight for the POs at the last 10 games.

shangrila · Post #15 » by **shangrila** » Fri Mar 2, 2012 9:50 pm

I don't think it's young teams in general. Teams like Oklahoma and Memphis wouldn't, for example. It's just that we had so much change that the team has had to learn on the fly.

So yeah, it would help, but credit Adelman for the job he's done so far all things considered.

Swish4 · Post #16 » by **Swish4** » Sat Mar 3, 2012 12:41 am

I don't buy the excuses for Wes not being in the offseason workout program. He should have taken it upon himself, for his own interest to figure out what to do and do it.

Post #17 » by **Klomp** » Sat Mar 3, 2012 12:54 am

WesJ4 wrote:I don't buy the excuses for Wes not being in the offseason workout program. He should have taken it upon himself, for his own interest to figure out what to do and do it.

Making a workout regiment on your own is a lot different than working with a trainer or coach. Especially for a young player. Without ever having an offseason program he doesn't know what to do yet.

Post #18 » by **Klomp** » Sat Mar 3, 2012 12:55 am

shangrila wrote:I don't think it's young teams in general. Teams like Oklahoma and Memphis wouldn't, for example. It's just that we had so much change that the team has had to learn on the fly.

So yeah, it would help, but credit Adelman for the job he's done so far all things considered.

Right, its not just young teams. Its young teams with a brand new coaching staff and system.