Game 3: Wolves vs Raptors

[shrink]

You guys changed my mind on this, so thank you!

Originally I wanted to see Dillingham and Minott get some experience, and Luka too if we were far enough ahead. However, I forgot that we are trying to build a championship team on the fly. Karl Anthony-Towns was critical to a lot of what we do, and suddenly our players need to learn to work without him, and simultaneously integrate two new important pieces — and do it all in a few weeks!

Before the KAT trade, I predicted we would get off to a strong start because we were bringing our top seven players back, and they all have 1.5 years of experience working together. Suddenly that’s disrupted, and we have had to put it all back together since the trade early this month! Right now, I think game time minutes are too important to help our rotation get comfortable playing together, and we can’t use them on our youth yet.

[Dewey]

Eight man rotation this early in the season? Goodbye Finch.

Huh?

I think you have a deep misunderstanding of how this works.

Oh really now … because I think you’re full of crap, I have a “deep misunderstanding” ???? Get over yourself

[WolfAddict]

Aren't we all a cranky bunch at the moment...

Do I need to light the bonfire and get the guitar out for a rendition of Kumbaya?

[Devilzsidewalk]

I guess I can see the sense in the Jingles minutes more now that I see what Finch is trying to do with the offense. With the nonstop wide pin downs, they need the 3 coming off the screen, and an under control/probing handle, and precision passing if the defender goes over the screen. And good decision making to read the defense so that you're making the right pass/shoot decisions. That's all right in his wheelhouse. But I also think Minott is pretty smart too, and he would add an extra dimension as a slasher if chased over the screen, as well as obvious superiority in transition and on defense.

So I understand feeling more confident in the veteran playmaking/decision-making, but I'm hoping they're still planning to get Minott in there soon so that he can gain familiarity.

[Colbinii]

Eight man rotation this early in the season? Goodbye Finch.

Huh?

I think you have a deep misunderstanding of how this works.

Oh really now … because I think you’re full of crap, I have a “deep misunderstanding” ???? Get over yourself

I think you misunderstand how implementing two starter level players into a rotation works. I am basing this off of you saying "An 8 man rotation this early? Bye Finch".

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

I guess you think OKC's coach and Boston's coaches should go bye-bye as well.

But, instead of attacking me, attack my post. What do you disagree with? What do you agree with (if anything?). Maybe we can find a middle ground and talk about what we fundamentally disagree with.

I think most coaches roll out their main rotations right away and only switch it up if Injuries happen or if the team is struggling.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Agree with you guys! We have to make Randle and DDV comfortable. Learning to play with the team. old Mike always need some times to find rythm due to his age.
On top of that Mike and Joe don’t turn over the ball much area where Ant, Randle and Naw at under construction. So playing only 8 guys including Joe make sense at this part of the season. I will be disappointed if later in the season we don’t see RD Josh Luka but not now.

[Dewey]

Huh?

I think you have a deep misunderstanding of how this works.

Oh really now … because I think you’re full of crap, I have a “deep misunderstanding” ???? Get over yourself

I think you misunderstand how implementing two starter level players into a rotation works. I am basing this off of you saying "An 8 man rotation this early? Bye Finch".

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

I guess you think OKC's coach and Boston's coaches should go bye-bye as well.

But, instead of attacking me, attack my post. What do you disagree with? What do you agree with (if anything?). Maybe we can find a middle ground and talk about what we fundamentally disagree with.

I think most coaches roll out their main rotations right away and only switch it up if Injuries happen or if the team is struggling.

because the Celtics and OKC do it makes it right?

Zero doubts that if Ingles is top 8 and we don’t have any one there to push old man Connelly out of the gate it’s not gonn end well. Period.

[Colbinii]

Oh really now … because I think you’re full of crap, I have a “deep misunderstanding” ???? Get over yourself

I think you misunderstand how implementing two starter level players into a rotation works. I am basing this off of you saying "An 8 man rotation this early? Bye Finch".

The whole point of a season for the Timberwolves is to figure out how to maximize their rotations, and there is no better place to start than with the best 8 [9 including Ingles] players and getting them as much run as possible as early as possible. After the core grows more together, then you can implement other players and see how they can work with the core.

OKC, for example, is literally returning everyone while adding 2 guys [Hartenstein is hurt for the first month or two of the season]. They have the opportunity to dive deeper if they wish, but they are keeping a 9-10 man rotation [for the most part], implementing 2 new guys, Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso. Boston is running their same 8-man rotation with Kornet playing because of injuries to Porzingis].

Most teams don't actually go deeper than 8-9 players, and for the better part of the competitive part of the game play 8-9 players. Minnesota is no different.

I guess you think OKC's coach and Boston's coaches should go bye-bye as well.

But, instead of attacking me, attack my post. What do you disagree with? What do you agree with (if anything?). Maybe we can find a middle ground and talk about what we fundamentally disagree with.

I think most coaches roll out their main rotations right away and only switch it up if Injuries happen or if the team is struggling.

because the Celtics and OKC do it makes it right?

Zero doubts that if Ingles is top 8 and we don’t have any one there to push old man Connelly out of the gate it’s not gonn end well. Period.

Again, Ingles is 9th right now.

But I said there is a clear Top 8 and Ingles makes sense as the 1st player [9th] given his extensive history with multiple players on our team.

But yeah, you seem lost if you think Ingles is 8th considering NAW/Reid/DDV are clearly 6-8 in some order

[thinktank]

Colbini, you asked the guy to talk basketball but before that led with "you have a deep misunderstanding" and now closed with "you seem lost" and the emoticon. Good luck talking basketball when you yourself are talking like that.

Let's get back to basketball.

[Colbinii]

Colbini, you asked the guy to talk basketball but before that led with "you have a deep misunderstanding" and now closed with "you seem lost" and the emoticon. Good luck talking basketball when you yourself are talking like that.

Let's get back to basketball.

The guy just said Ingles is 8th in our rotation

Some of you guys have the emotional well-being of a toddler. "I think you have a misunderstanding" is not a statement that needs to upset ANYONE. I feel like I am talking to middle schoolers with how dense, defensive and emotional distraught some of you are.

We can have disagreements. We can question one's understanding when they repeatedly post things like "Fire Finch" after 3 games and then follow it up with "Ingles is our 8th man".

[Dewey]

Colbini, you asked the guy to talk basketball but before that led with "you have a deep misunderstanding" and now closed with "you seem lost" and the emoticon. Good luck talking basketball when you yourself are talking like that.

Let's get back to basketball.

The guy just said Ingles is 8th in our rotation

Some of you guys have the emotional well-being of a toddler. "I think you have a misunderstanding" is not a statement that needs to upset ANYONE. I feel like I am talking to middle schoolers with how dense, defensive and emotional distraught some of you are.

We can have disagreements. We can question one's understanding when they repeatedly post things like "Fire Finch" after 3 games and then follow it up with "Ingles is our 8th man".

8-9th whatever not even my point , but haha it’s easy to see who is ultrasensitive. It seems you want to be an expert, but you’re just not. No reason to be an angry elf.

[Colbinii]

Colbini, you asked the guy to talk basketball but before that led with "you have a deep misunderstanding" and now closed with "you seem lost" and the emoticon. Good luck talking basketball when you yourself are talking like that.

Let's get back to basketball.

The guy just said Ingles is 8th in our rotation

Some of you guys have the emotional well-being of a toddler. "I think you have a misunderstanding" is not a statement that needs to upset ANYONE. I feel like I am talking to middle schoolers with how dense, defensive and emotional distraught some of you are.

We can have disagreements. We can question one's understanding when they repeatedly post things like "Fire Finch" after 3 games and then follow it up with "Ingles is our 8th man".

8-9th whatever not even my point , but haha it’s easy to see who is ultrasensitive. It seems you want to be an expert, but you’re just not. No reason to be an angry elf.

You're calling someone demeaning names on a basketball forum because they thought you had a poor understanding of a subject and provided evidence supporting their stance.

Rather than argue against my view point and stance, you have resorted to name calling

[thinktank]

"I think you have a misunderstanding" is not a statement that needs to upset ANYONE.

"Deep misunderstanding" is what you said right out of the gate and that's just an insult, plain and simple.

It's not controversial at all to want to see Minott get minutes, even at Ingles' expense.

[Colbinii]

"I think you have a misunderstanding" is not a statement that needs to upset ANYONE.

"Deep misunderstanding" is what you said right out of the gate and that's just an insult, plain and simple.

It's not controversial at all to want to see Minott get minutes, even at Ingles' expense.

I want Minott and TSJ to get minutes. I also want to see Dilly get minutes.

I don't want them to get minutes at expense of winning or at expense of Randle/ANT/Gobert synergy and growth together.

Trust me, I think Minott could be unleashed in the right environment and I think we have that environment within our roster.

I'm just not calling for Finch's head. I understand there are many paths to the finish line, not just my own.

[Klomp]

I'm getting tired of Finch not playing the rookies. Every other team has been playing theirs but for some reason people make up excuses as to why we don't. I knew this would be a problem with him again. Joe isn't even a long term answer for the team and he's not important to a playoff run.

Every other team? Do tell.

[Worm Guts]

Coaches don’t need excuses for not playing rookies. Coaches need excuses for not winning.

[Colbinii]

Fans when team is winning: "Play the rookies more!"

Fans when team is losing: "We need to play the veterans to win!"

[thinktank]

Fans when team is winning: "Play the rookies more!"

Fans when team is losing: "We need to play the veterans to win!"

You’re fantasizing. Bring it in.

The argument of instant verses delayed gratification will never end (risking Ls now for Ws later—and you may strike rookie gold). No one knows for a fact what strategy is best now.

[Colbinii]

Fans when team is winning: "Play the rookies more!"

Fans when team is losing: "We need to play the veterans to win!"

You’re fantasizing. Bring it in.

The argument of instant verses delayed gratification will never end (risking Ls now for Ws later—and you may strike rookie gold). No one knows for a fact what strategy is best now.

Right...but Finch playing the Top 8 right now is both delayed gratification AND winning now

[Folklore]

I'm getting tired of Finch not playing the rookies. Every other team has been playing theirs but for some reason people make up excuses as to why we don't. I knew this would be a problem with him again. Joe isn't even a long term answer for the team and he's not important to a playoff run.

Every other team? Do tell.

Every other NBA team has played their rookies so far.