| NOP @ MIN | GAME 43

[theGreatRC]

That was one of the best all around games I've seen from KAT. His offensive game has always been impressive, but tonight he dominated on the defensive end as well.

Not one of the best, it was the best. Hes been better offensively, but he's never willed the team like this with his defense and timely buckets.

KAT must really want another All Star call up because he has been playing like a man possessed for a while now. Hopefully the coaches recognise that when voting because the fans haven't.

KAT has been dominant since the Butler trade. If coaches can forget about the first 5-6 weeks of the season, he'll be the third center along with Jokic/AD...even if they do take into account the first 6 weeks of the year, you can't name 3 Centers in the west better than KAT.

[K4P]

Quality win basically willed by KAT and the bench but I hope they can bring this level of intensity on both sides of the ball when General Soreness comes to town and when we play Phoenix back to back right after

There are a lot of things you can criticize about this team but the important thing is that they have won 4 of their last 5 and are right there in the playoff race with big games against the 9 seeded Utah Jazz and the 8 seeded La Lakers later this month

This is the most important month of the season imo

[Calinks]

I don't know how long ad stays because that team needs some serious wing help.

I will be pissed if he goes to the Lakers and they get gifted another superstar. So annoying how much of an advantage they get for being the Lakers.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Quality win basically willed by KAT and the bench but I hope they can bring this level of intensity on both sides of the ball when General Soreness comes to town and when we play Phoenix back to back right after

There are a lot of things you can criticize about this team but the important thing is that they have won 4 of their last 5 and are right there in the playoff race with big games against the 9 seeded Utah Jazz and the 8 seeded La Lakers later this month

This is the most important month of the season imo

Yeah, we are always looking for problems with this team (me included), but we are still in the playoff hint even after that jimmy fiasco where we really fell behind.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Kat now leads our team in netrtg, this is one helluva run.

We now only have 2 players with a negative.

[life_saver]

We took 39 3's today...is this our highest number of 3 point attempts? I do think that going forward, our 3 point attempts are gonna increase. Ryan did mention this earlier today -

Read on Twitter

[McHalesBurner]

Ryan Saunders is building This House.

[packforfreedom]

KORL!

[life_saver]

Does anyone else think KAT is having much quick release when it comes to some of his 3 point attempts? Some of the 3's he made today were pretty quick releases, like a catch and shoot guy, he wasn't taking these kind of 3 point attempts much last season.

[Klomp]

We took 39 3's today...is this our highest number of 3 point attempts? I do think that going forward, our 3 point attempts are gonna increase. Ryan did mention this earlier today -

Read on Twitter

We've had 4 games with more. Interestingly, we were just 1-3 in those games.

[Klomp]

Does anyone else think KAT is having much quick release when it comes to some of his 3 point attempts? Some of the 3's he made today were pretty quick releases, like a catch and shoot guy, he wasn't taking these kind of 3 point attempts much last season.

I think the release is the same, but the decision-making to put 'em up is a little quicker

[minimus]

Couple of overreactions:

1) KAT is phenomenal. His defense, passing are getting better
2) Okogie is progressing with every game as starter. His passing is excellent for rookie, just compare him dropping that quick dimes to cutters, bigmen and tunnel vision of Shabazz. That pull up jumper from FT line is money. He really should take more corner threes than other threes. It is like he is one-two offseasons from being reliable shooter from non corner 3s. Mainly it is about footwork, i.e. little hop before getting the ball and shooting
3) Wiggins had solid game, that long two at the end of the game was a mistake, but overall a good game, he fought for the ball, hustled back in transition, deflected the ball
4) Tyus has been excellent playing at his strengths, controlled tempo, attacked open lanes. He seems to enjoy playing for Ryan, and that is really good sign
5) Saric looked good in offence, but he is still learning how to communicate in defence as bigman, that is a long way, since he clearly does not recognise his responsibilities as bigman. But he is smart player, he is a baller, he will be fine.
6) Now that we shoot threes, we really need quality 3pt shooters, will be less critical with RoCo and Rose, but still an issue
7) good to see Ryan reacting to the reality as coach, in calmly encouraging way. Glad that Rose sit out his b2b game.
8) nice to see KBD on the bench, just being with the team helps at this stage
9) Jrue is so underrated, he is an All Star and certainly 1 defense team. It is funny that he is exactly that type of player that PHI needs.

[Calinks]

If Okogie can consistently hit that three ball he will be in the NBA for a long time. Major piece to his game and essentially puts him on the path to be a 3&D guy. I really think that if Shabazz had a consistent 3 point shot, that with the rest of his game would have kept him in an NBA rotation.

[Klomp]

If Okogie can consistently hit that three ball he will be in the NBA for a long time. Major piece to his game and essentially puts him on the path to be a 3&D guy. I really think that if Shabazz had a consistent 3 point shot, that with the rest of his game would have kept him in an NBA rotation.

It's interesting looking at his last four games. Negatives would probably point to the fact that he's shooting just 30% (7-23) from 3-point range. What excites me is that he's made 67% (10-15) on 2s. He's not gun-shy at all either, which is refreshing from a rookie. Honestly, I feel like we've got a Smart-level role player at worst in this kid.

[Jedzz]

Does anyone else think KAT is having much quick release when it comes to some of his 3 point attempts? Some of the 3's he made today were pretty quick releases, like a catch and shoot guy, he wasn't taking these kind of 3 point attempts much last season.

I think the release is the same, but the decision-making to put 'em up is a little quicker

The whole team is a bit streaky in this. As if they respond when someone directs them to stop hesitating just before a game. The quick catch/shoot play ensues. The next game it's gone and the hesitation is back, pulling it down to step forward begins. Keep reminding them.

[Jedzz]

Couple of overreactions:

1) KAT is phenomenal. His defense, passing are getting better

It's always cool to see something new a player has clearly been working on just arrive on stage and work so well. His passes come at unexpected times and are crisp. If defensive output was on a graph from career start to now, it would show a steep climb starting in December and going straight up off the chart.

[YaleS]

KAT has been a monster for a while now, if he can stay out of foul trouble i expect more nights like this from him. Im so happy about his improved defense, i didnt see that coming at the start of the season. Also im pleased with the first 2 games from Saunders, good timeouts and rotations.

[theGreatRC]

Contracts aside, would you guys trade KAT for AD straight up?

I'd personally say no due to KAT's age and durability & i'd go as far to say that they have the same impact on the court

[Note30]

Contracts aside, would you guys trade KAT for AD straight up?

I'd personally say no due to KAT's age and durability & i'd go as far to say that they have the same impact on the court

Offensively yes.

[Jedzz]

If Okogie can consistently hit that three ball he will be in the NBA for a long time. Major piece to his game and essentially puts him on the path to be a 3&D guy. I really think that if Shabazz had a consistent 3 point shot, that with the rest of his game would have kept him in an NBA rotation.

It's interesting looking at his last four games. Negatives would probably point to the fact that he's shooting just 30% (7-23) from 3-point range. What excites me is that he's made 67% (10-15) on 2s. He's not gun-shy at all either, which is refreshing from a rookie. Honestly, I feel like we've got a Smart-level role player at worst in this kid.

What was good to see was during the Mavs game where he had been shooting poorly all game but they allowed him to keep trying and he did. In game I posted I wanted him pulled he was shooting so cold. Yet he had that big 3 go in I think mid 4th q when they needed something to go in. All to often when a player has been shooting cold they will shy away from further shots, and if they don't shy away they rarely seem to break the cold spell. Okogie did that game.