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I think as the season winds down, things are looking up for this squad. The energy of the players seems different, we are finding our confidence we are finding some groves. As Ant is ascending rapidly, his bubbliness is spreading to the team, Rubio seems to be a lot happier, Dlo is playing better team ball, Okogie is salvaging his game.

The unsung hero for me is KAT who has been through an absolutely horrendous year yet he keeps suiting up, has played hurt, and has never shown the public he is unhappy with the team. To be honest, he has been an absolute soldier this season, I would be immensely frustrated if I had such a bad year in life and then I was on the worst team in the NBA as I am entering my prime, it's a lot of negativity but he has pushed through and hasn't let it bleed out publically.

Over the course of the last month or so, the team seems happier, though we are still quite bad, we are playing better. The prognosis for next season seems much brighter, Edwards is starting to look like a future star and suddenly Rosas somewhat spotty draft history is looking fantastic as he has pretty much hit on every pick except Culver.

For the first time all season, I really do believe brighter days are ahead and I'm seeing rays of light already coming through.

I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

I’m not willing to go that far yet, but if the team keeps making me happy, I’ll gladly eat some crow.

I am still not a fan of the DLo for Wiggins and that nice 1st, and it was the one trade last deadline that has been a sure loser. However, If they felt Wiggins needed to go, he had some pretty negative trade value - but so did DLo. Perhaps Rosas thinks Russell can be Harden-light, if KAT is out there making that path easier?

I think the current product is closer to what many of us thought we would see — a team capable of competing but likely falling short of the top-8 teams in the Western Conference. The roster has construction issues, but the talent level is better than the record indicates.

Being healthy helps, but so does having a competent coach.

I thought if healthy, we could be just sub of a .500 team, playing near full potential (better than expected) just north of .500, we aren't there yet but I don't think it's crazy for us to get close in the last 10 or so games. I'll feel pretty good if we manage that and Edwards doesn't regress.

Edwards and McDaniels finish strong and we keep our pick and get Suggs or Green. I will be happy and very optimistic for next season. We are due for a healthy season right?

I really like Dlo under Finch. I knew from his days with the Nets that he can be a positive player. I saw it with my own eyes. When he plays within himself in a more PnR centric offense and offball from time to time, he can be, what this team needs. When he's building more chemistry with KAT, their PnR Pick n Pop game can be so deadly. He still cant defend sh*t but at least he tries.

I am also happy about the resurrection of Okogie, I feel Finch does a good job giving players their confidence back and holding them accountable at the same time.

Naz has been incredible the last games, he might be easily the best contract in the league right now.

Ant will be unstoppable in a couple of years. I am 100% on board since a while.

McDaniels needs to lock himself into the weightroom in the offseason. He body is holding him back big time.
I still think Beas is gonna be the odd man out and our best chance to get a quality PF via trade.

As for draft, I am not counting on our pick, but if we get it, we have a really really bright future.

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For being the worst team in the NBA?

Dual wrote:

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For being the worst team in the NBA?

Im not fun at parties too!

I have been feeling some rare blue skies emerging out of the Wolves depressions fog. Rubio and Kat playing big minutes has given our team more of a personality and identity. Kat giving us something to anchor our offense around, and both of them being smart, skilled players makes us look more organized, which has been helpful for the young guys. On a more fan/personal level, Rubio and KAT are both kind of franchise legacy players, so the Wolves just feel more like...something(!) with the 2 of them out there. DLo being back and playing alright gives us some glimpses of what the team was supposed to be this year.

I still look ahead to the draft lottery with dread. Risking that pick (not getting at least top 5 protection) seems like pointing a gun vaguely at ones feet, pulling the trigger, and not really caring if you happen to shoot your foot off. But I'm sort of at peace with it. Ant and McDaniels are fun young pieces and that's all I ask for. I'd love to dodge this bullet and keep our foot intact, but if not, we shall limp forward!

_AIJ_ wrote:

Dual wrote:

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For being the worst team in the NBA?

Im not fun at parties too!

Hahaha didn't want to change the vibe of the topic, is just that sentence was too much to say nothing

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

If his “plan” works ( the stealth tank for Green/Suggs) and wolves are good next season and give the warriors a 2022 pick in the mid twenties while dlo has another all star type season while wiggins continues to flounder then we should all apologize then.

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For what?
Should we congratulate him for building a team deadlast in the standings?

People on here are already talking about who to pick in this upcoming draft...when there will be no pick thanks to the amazing Wiggins deal.

Foye wrote:

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For what?
Should we congratulate him for building a team deadlast in the standings?

People on here are already talking about who to pick in this upcoming draft...when there will be no pick thanks to the amazing Wiggins deal.

Some are us aren’t miserable glass half empty types I guess.

I just want to see improvements on defense...it's frustrating to see this team compete well in most of the games but still end up losing tight games because they can't get enough stops on defense.

Watch the parts of the game right after KAT sits down and you will see the problem with this team. Put aside the defensive issues for a second and just talk about what happens. Even with both Dlo and Ant on the floor it is hard for us to get inside and finish. We do a lot of draw and kick and yet the other team recovers. The simple problem is we don’t have enough shooters on the floor. Whether Okogie, Juancho, Culver, MCD, or even JMAC, we just lack that quick strike ability, as well as the ability for any of the above to consistently create off the dribble. It leads to spacing issues which lead to turnovers. If we had Beasley and Nowell spacing the floor and at least threatening quick strike 3 point shooting, we would not be giving leads back. This team is designed with an offensive focus, and that is okay. The Mavs were a playoff team for years running that style. Our problem is we need to keep our best offensive players healthy and playing at the same time. We also need to recognize how different we look when KAT is on the bench. To fix that issue we need Naz to move to backup PF and bring in a true center.

Neeva wrote:

Foye wrote:

Klomp wrote:I think a lot of people are owing Rosas an apology

For what?
Should we congratulate him for building a team deadlast in the standings?

People on here are already talking about who to pick in this upcoming draft...when there will be no pick thanks to the amazing Wiggins deal.

Some are us aren’t miserable glass half empty types I guess.

Schedule in past ten games was fairly easy. Probably as easy as it gets in the NBA.
Sixers and Nets only teams well above .500. Nets without Durant.
Wolves still didn't manage to win half their games in that stretch.

I really don't see anything to get excited about. Like at all.

Could be worse , Rosas could have taken your advice and drafted Wiseman.

Neeva wrote:Could be worse , Rosas could have taken your advice and drafted Wiseman.

Not sure what you are refering to here...your argument is flawed.
We are never going to know what would've happened with Wiseman in Minnesota. Might never get injured on the Wolves.

Not like Edwards has proven anything with regards to efficiency and defense so far. He has just gotten the green light to shoot because he is the new "chosen one" by the organization. Similar to Wiggins when he was brought to Min in the Love trade.

The Warriors should be thankful he got injured before more gms saw how bad Wiseman is.