24/25 Regular Season Thread

winforlose · Post #1 » by **winforlose** » Fri Jan 31, 2025 7:45 am

Most boards have one, we don’t, and I wanted a place to talk about what is coming up. Our next 3 are very winnable games. The Wizards are the worst team in basketball, the Kings are fighting for a play in spot while navigating unhappy players and what is likely a tense locker room. The Bulls are at best an eastern conference play in team and may be tanking. After those 3 we get into the hardest part of the schedule. Take a look at what awaits in for the next 9 games.

Vs Rockets 2/6 (back end of B2B,)
Vs Blazers 2/8 (only weak opponent in the stretch,)
@ Cavs 2/10
Vs Bucks 2/12
Vs OKC 2/13
@ Rockets 2/21
Vs OKC 2/23
@ OKC 2/24
@ LAL on 2/27.

Assuming we win the next 3 and go into this 30-21, I predict we need to win at least 4 or 5 of the 9 to be a top 6 team.

TimberKat · Post #2 » by **TimberKat** » Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:28 pm

winforlose wrote:Most boards have one, we don’t, and I wanted a place to talk about what is coming up. Our next 3 are very winnable games. The Wizards are the worst team in basketball, the Kings are fighting for a play in spot while navigating unhappy players and what is likely a tense locker room. The Bulls are at best an eastern conference play in team and may be tanking. After those 3 we get into the hardest part of the schedule. Take a look at what awaits in for the next 9 games.

Vs Rockets 2/6 (back end of B2B,)
Vs Blazers 2/8 (only weak opponent in the stretch,)
@ Cavs 2/10
Vs Bucks 2/12
Vs OKC 2/13
@ Rockets 2/21
Vs OKC 2/23
@ OKC 2/24
@ LAL on 2/27.

Assuming we win the next 3 and go into this 30-21, I predict we need to win at least 4 or 5 of the 9 to be a top 6 team.

Assuming we win the next two, if we got 3-3 from 2/10 to 2/24, I will be very happy.

Post #3 » by **Klomp** » Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:41 pm

winforlose wrote:Vs Rockets 2/6 (back end of B2B,)

Worth reminding folks that this is trade deadline day, meaning anyone potentially involved in a trade out or in is unlikely to be in uniform.

winforlose · Post #4 » by **winforlose** » Fri Jan 31, 2025 5:49 pm

Klomp wrote:
winforlose wrote:Vs Rockets 2/6 (back end of B2B,)

Worth reminding folks that this is trade deadline day, meaning anyone potentially involved in a trade out or in is unlikely to be in uniform.

True. Especially since no trade has been made yet and is unlikely heading into the weekend.

Post #5 » by **Klomp** » Sat Feb 1, 2025 12:33 am

Read on Twitter

FrenchMinnyFan · Post #6 » by **FrenchMinnyFan** » Sat Feb 1, 2025 12:40 am

Klomp wrote:
winforlose wrote:Vs Rockets 2/6 (back end of B2B,)

Worth reminding folks that this is trade deadline day, meaning anyone potentially involved in a trade out or in is unlikely to be in uniform.

Perfect resume. Trade always change the game.... wait another 6 days and we will know. For us, trading Randle could make a huge change too.

winforlose · Post #7 » by **winforlose** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 12:53 am

Can we pause to appreciate the irony that we traded KAT at least in part due to injury concerns. Now KAT is healthy and playing very well while DDV and Randle are both hurt.

winforlose · Post #8 » by **winforlose** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 5:55 am

Wolves just tied the Clippers for 6th. With the tie breaker if the season ended today we would be in the playoffs not the play in.

FrenchMinnyFan · Post #9 » by **FrenchMinnyFan** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:21 am

We play quite well recently. Ant improve ( still too many TO) but the rest is great. Jaden and NAZ contributing well including when they not having good shooting night, Rudy does his Rudy things, Mike finally warm up, bench is bringing help.... what worry me now is how to put back DDV and Randle when they are back. NAZ does not deserve to go back to the bench, more easy for DDV who can share time with Mike but i also think Rob should keep his 12-15 min...Finchy will have to find a way.

winforlose · Post #10 » by **winforlose** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 6:28 am

FrenchMinnyFan wrote:We play quite well recently. Ant improve ( still too many TO) but the rest is great. Jaden and NAZ contributing well including when they not having good shooting night, Rudy does his Rudy things, Mike finally warm up, bench is bringing help.... what worry me now is how to put back DDV and Randle when they are back. NAZ does not deserve to go back to the bench, more easy for DDV who can share time with Mike but i also think Rob should keep his 12-15 min...Finchy will have to find a way.

Strong disagree on DDV, somewhat agree on Randle. DDV is the missing link to keep the offense humming. Mike could sit a bunch of games and heal that thumb, heal that rest, recover his legs, and get himself right for the playoffs. DDV’s return is mana from heaven for the Wolves.

Randle needs to be coming off the bench. Naz has shown a better fit with Rudy, and better fit with Ant, and the ability to score in bunches. The spacing Naz provides opens the middle for Ant and Jaden, and Rudy plays better with Naz because Naz is not as ball dominant as Randle. Rudy wants to feel like part of the offense, and with Naz the ball moves more, which means it finds Rudy more. Our bench has Dilly who struggles to score, Clark who before a hot hand night struggled to score (and likely will again,) Shannon, who is likely to struggle to score as he adjusts to the NBA pace and defense level. Having a point forward who can get his own and set the table is more valuable than stroking Randle’s ego. Also we need Naz next year, we don’t want Randle to opt in. Randle off the bench is good, if he starts I will say fire Finch.

FrenchMinnyFan · Post #11 » by **FrenchMinnyFan** » Fri Feb 7, 2025 9:48 am

winforlose wrote:
FrenchMinnyFan wrote:We play quite well recently. Ant improve ( still too many TO) but the rest is great. Jaden and NAZ contributing well including when they not having good shooting night, Rudy does his Rudy things, Mike finally warm up, bench is bringing help.... what worry me now is how to put back DDV and Randle when they are back. NAZ does not deserve to go back to the bench, more easy for DDV who can share time with Mike but i also think Rob should keep his 12-15 min...Finchy will have to find a way.

Strong disagree on DDV, somewhat agree on Randle. DDV is the missing link to keep the offense humming. Mike could sit a bunch of games and heal that thumb, heal that rest, recover his legs, and get himself right for the playoffs. DDV’s return is mana from heaven for the Wolves.

Randle needs to be coming off the bench. Naz has shown a better fit with Rudy, and better fit with Ant, and the ability to score in bunches. The spacing Naz provides opens the middle for Ant and Jaden, and Rudy plays better with Naz because Naz is not as ball dominant as Randle. Rudy wants to feel like part of the offense, and with Naz the ball moves more, which means it finds Rudy more. Our bench has Dilly who struggles to score, Clark who before a hot hand night struggled to score (and likely will again,) Shannon, who is likely to struggle to score as he adjusts to the NBA pace and defense level. Having a point forward who can get his own and set the table is more valuable than stroking Randle’s ego. Also we need Naz next year, we don’t want Randle to opt in. Randle off the bench is good, if he starts I will say fire Finch.

I agree and disagree. Mike always play better on a B2B ( see tonight), old players need to get warm and need time. But i agree with you on 2 facts :

Finch has to let Mike preparing himself to be 100% healthy when PO come. I do not forget that last PO, him, ANT and Rudy were far from being 100% against Dallas. May have not change the outcome but who knows? It mean as soon as DDV okay i want Mike playing not more than 20 min per game, get some games off as well and double advantage it let min for Rob who need it for keep learning.

Randle has to come from the bench, absolutely. He can lead the score there and not affect starting 5 chemistry. But i'm pretty sure Finch will bench NAZ when Randle is back