WCF Game 2, 5/22: Timberwolves @ OKC, 7:30 PM CST

[Note30]

Better team than us. No regrets. They did everything slightly better than us. They make a huge defense on Randle. The first 2 games, only Mike was + in +/- and by far tonight ( he is +14, Jaden second at -4) Winning need experiences and we are not there yet. We are a WCF level team and it's huge achievement. Nothing to loose next 2 one, we can play without pressure and who knows. Proud of this team. Go Wolves!

Ah yes because the team full of 23 year olds knows how to win better than we do.

We are a WCF team, that's not something we can hang from the banners.

[LondonWolf91]

I think Naz, NAW, DDV, Rudy and Mike are all expendable at the right price. This means we build around Ant, Jaden, and Randle (but wouldn’t sign him to long term deal, maybe an extra 2 years, if possible).

I do, however, think TSJ, Clark, and Dilly need to be in the rotation from next season and so, we need some bigs with high IQ.

[minimus]

It looks like OKC adjusted to Gobert presence were able to hit that short and mid range jumpers on other hand MIN could not find comfortable shots.

[Guidus88]

Just like last year, it's really frustrating that this team can't seem to find its rhythm in the Western Conference Finals. Credit to OKC's defense, but our three-point shooting has been wildly inconsistent (and honestly, throughout the entire playoffs, there have been more lows than highs). Outside of Ant and Randle, we’re really lacking ball handlers who can create their own shot and score efficiently.

NAW and DDV have been major disappointments so far and I agree that are both expandeble next offseason.

Let’s try to regroup and gain some confidence, the Grizzles played two great games at home and with out Ja’s injury their series could have been much different!

[winforlose]

Donte has been the most disappointing player so far this playoffs...also with how reckless he is with the ball, especially against this OKC defense, his minutes probably needs to be down for rest of the series

The problem is we lack PGs and PG play. Mike cannot give 40 minutes a game, Dilly was never gonna be ready, and we never acquired the legit guard that some of us were talking about at the trade deadline. Point Ant or Randle struggles against an elite defense. DDV does not have the BBIQ or instincts of a legit PG. We are not getting enough at the 1 or the 5. Conversely they are. They are grabbing the 50/50 rebounds, limiting turnovers, and executing their offense. I said earlier in the year I think we make it here and lose to OKC. I think we are good enough/talented enough to get past them, but we lack certain tools to make it likely. The first and most important is coaching. The next is roster balance. We always could beat them, but unlike all the other teams in the west it is a firm could and not SHOULD, and we are seeing why.

[GopherIt!]

Having a Kat/Rudy front court vs okc right now would be a huge advantage. Kat is significantly stronger than Chet and was good at setting up Rudy on bunnies. Caruso is not guarding Kat for one minute. Not hating on Randle but this is the series where not having Kat really hurts.

[Mattya]

It feels more like watching professional wrestling every year.

[younggunsmn]

I don't know which is worse.

Having my favorite team get stomped twice and watching most of our players play out of control and utterly garbage.
Having to watch that ragdoll fake MVP push off and hook every possession and shoot a ton of weak ass free throws.
Having to listen to that chain smoking boner killer Doris Burke for a whole series, with all the choices in the world out there for announcers.

We gonna get swept. And we deserve it. We don't have enough ballhandling or smart enough players.
They get a good shot in the flow of their offense every single time down.
We do something face palm stupid once every 7 or 8 possessions.

If Mike's off the floor our offense is roadkill.
If Rudy or Jaden is off the floor or Julius Randle is on the floor our defense is roadkill.
I don't know which side of the ball Mr -27 DDV was worse on but I am ready to give his rotation spot to TSJ next year.

Kudos to Denver for going 7 games against OKC playing under the current rules where you can't touch Shai but the Thunder defense can just mug guys all possession long. Real MVP Jokic should have won 5 in a row, took the Thunder to 7 with only one decent teammate.
Why did it take us 7 entire quarters to figure out that taking it to the basket and trying to finish through contact and draw fouls might be the way to beat an overaggressive defense? Not chucking 30 footers all game long.

It's pretty clear that we aren't the current narrative the NBA is trying to sell.
They must have a whole warehouse full of posters of SGA shooting free throws sitting ready somewhere in China.

[KGdaBom]

I don't know which is worse.

Having my favorite team get stomped twice and watching most of our players play out of control and utterly garbage.
Having to watch that ragdoll fake MVP push off and hook every possession and shoot a ton of weak ass free throws.
Having to listen to that chain smoking boner killer Doris Burke for a whole series, with all the choices in the world out there for announcers.

We gonna get swept. And we deserve it. We don't have enough ballhandling or smart enough players.
They get a good shot in the flow of their offense every single time down.
We do something face palm stupid once every 7 or 8 possessions.

If Mike's off the floor our offense is roadkill.
If Rudy or Jaden is off the floor or Julius Randle is on the floor our defense is roadkill.
I don't know which side of the ball Mr -27 DDV was worse on but I am ready to give his rotation spot to TSJ next year.

Kudos to Denver for going 7 games against OKC playing under the current rules where you can't touch Shai but the Thunder defense can just mug guys all possession long. Real MVP Jokic should have won 5 in a row, took the Thunder to 7 with only one decent teammate.
Why did it take us 7 entire quarters to figure out that taking it to the basket and trying to finish through contact and draw fouls might be the way to beat an overaggressive defense? Not chucking 30 footers all game long.

It's pretty clear that we aren't the current narrative the NBA is trying to sell.
They must have a whole warehouse full of posters of SGA shooting free throws sitting ready somewhere in China.

I gave you a plus 1 for the bold, but took it back for the large type. I refuse to accept a sweep. We will win one or 2. At least that's what I choose to believe. Also we could come back. Miracles can happen.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

We don't have to be ashamed to lose 2 in OKC against the best team in NBA losing only 14 games in regular season. They play together for years and grow up fast with plenty of talents. We got 2 new players at the last minutes of the season start, we have two starters in the twilight of their career , only one good ballhandler who is 38 years old and we are not that far to put them in some trouble. we have to put more physicality in game 3 and see what's happen.
My only disappointment until now is our bench. I thought he was going to be the + factor, he just kill us. Things can change, go home get ready and give 100% on game 3. And if we lose this one, just face the reality. OKC is the best team right now.

[Calinks]

They are looking like Denver a couple of years ago but better. They make very few mistakes. Denver was like mistake free basketball, OKC is very few mistakes but their defense is so elite and they are so athletic they make up for their mistakes quickly. You are basically slapping a better version of our last season defense on top of a team that has more athleticism, more size, and and way better offense.

I am also very impressed with their mental stability, usually young teams are a mess in that area but these dudes are well coached and smart. Very smart team despite their age.

Could not agree more. But I think they are labeled as young team, but they are not. They have experience, because their FO did excellent job in last season to speed up development by playing meaningful team basketball. Also they invested in veterans who fit perfect. Caruso and Hartenstein provide a lot of stability.

I find it telling that despite having so many draft picks lately, Sam Presti still hasn’t found a true star. He seems to rely more on the process than on luck — that’s how successful GMs operate. It’s ironic that I’m hoping Tim Connelly will land two rotation players in the upcoming draft.

It is still some luck in play (see DAL and 1st pick), but we are MIN fans. TC still can draft a new Jokic, or repeat Rosas draft success and find a new McDaniels and Reid, but it is very very unlikely

I think we are doing a good job of this. I really like what I see in Clarke and Shannon Jr. they could become rotation guys next year easily. Rob also might be something though I am less confident.

[Worm Guts]

My only disappointment until now is our bench. I thought he was going to be the + factor, he just kill us. Things can change, go home get ready and give 100% on game 3. And if we lose this one, just face the reality. OKC is the best team right now.

I agree. We need Reid to hit outside shots and Donte to quit making dumb plays (I thought NAW actually played decent last night). OKC is the better team, if we're going to have any chance we need everybody at their best.

[jpatrick]

My only disappointment until now is our bench. I thought he was going to be the + factor, he just kill us. Things can change, go home get ready and give 100% on game 3. And if we lose this one, just face the reality. OKC is the best team right now.

I agree. We need Reid to hit outside shots and Donte to quit making dumb plays (I thought NAW actually played decent last night). OKC is the better team, if we're going to have any chance we need everybody at their best.

OKC is a really good team. They have so many strong two way players, and how they play is going to force our role players to make shots against their length. Which they are not. DDV is not making shots and Naz is playing like absolute garbage. Conley is out there because he does stabilize us, but he’s not hitting shots and is so small on the defensive end. The other issue is Rudy. Outside of the one game against the Lakers, he’s looked like the guy played off the floor for the Jazz in the playoffs. When OKCs guys are all two-way, to have a guy like Rudy that literally cannot catch the ball, and when he does, if it’s not a dunk, he is helpless, it is hard to run an offense.

I don’t know what the fix is besides we just have our role players make more shots. Maybe tighten up the zone so it’s not so easy to pass to the free throw line.

[life_saver]

This is something which is on Finch. Even a rookie coach like Adelman showed so much more variation in defensive coverages despite having inferior defensive personnel than Wolves...defense has been poor starting from 2nd half of G1.

Since, I am not able to embed twitter posts, just pasting it here -

The Wolves playing so conservatively on defense every season really hurts them when they get to the playoffs because they 0 reps playing a more aggressive style of defense. The execution is horrible whenever they try to adjust in the playoffs

[minimus]

They are looking like Denver a couple of years ago but better. They make very few mistakes. Denver was like mistake free basketball, OKC is very few mistakes but their defense is so elite and they are so athletic they make up for their mistakes quickly. You are basically slapping a better version of our last season defense on top of a team that has more athleticism, more size, and and way better offense.

I am also very impressed with their mental stability, usually young teams are a mess in that area but these dudes are well coached and smart. Very smart team despite their age.

Could not agree more. But I think they are labeled as young team, but they are not. They have experience, because their FO did excellent job in last season to speed up development by playing meaningful team basketball. Also they invested in veterans who fit perfect. Caruso and Hartenstein provide a lot of stability.

I find it telling that despite having so many draft picks lately, Sam Presti still hasn’t found a true star. He seems to rely more on the process than on luck — that’s how successful GMs operate. It’s ironic that I’m hoping Tim Connelly will land two rotation players in the upcoming draft.

It is still some luck in play (see DAL and 1st pick), but we are MIN fans. TC still can draft a new Jokic, or repeat Rosas draft success and find a new McDaniels and Reid, but it is very very unlikely

I think we are doing a good job of this. I really like what I see in Clarke and Shannon Jr. they could become rotation guys next year easily. Rob also might be something though I am less confident.

Yeah, I am just setting my expectations for this offseason. I like potential of Clark, TJ, Rob, but TC needs a miracle to regroup this offseason within new CBA rules and keep MIN in Top-4 teams in NBA next season.

[bluethunder0005]

Rudy honestly makes too much for what he provides, especially in the playoffs. I'm not trying to bash him, I've been a big Rudy believer since his days in Utah but sadly he makes 35 million to be one dimensional and that just won't work when you get this deep into the playoffs.

Even in a scenario where both Randle and Naz opt-out and walk, the team won't have real cap space to do anything significant. I like the youth on the team and hopefully they actually get put into the rotation next year but we've just got too much money spent in inefficient places. 55 million tied up next year to Rudy, Donte, and Conley alone. Already touched on Rudy, Conley is mostly washed unfortunately, and I don't know what Donte's issues are this postseason but he's been horrible.

[KGdaBom]

I don't know which is worse.

Having my favorite team get stomped twice and watching most of our players play out of control and utterly garbage.
Having to watch that ragdoll fake MVP push off and hook every possession and shoot a ton of weak ass free throws.
Having to listen to that chain smoking boner killer Doris Burke for a whole series, with all the choices in the world out there for announcers.

We gonna get swept. And we deserve it. We don't have enough ballhandling or smart enough players.
They get a good shot in the flow of their offense every single time down.
We do something face palm stupid once every 7 or 8 possessions.

If Mike's off the floor our offense is roadkill.
If Rudy or Jaden is off the floor or Julius Randle is on the floor our defense is roadkill.
I don't know which side of the ball Mr -27 DDV was worse on but I am ready to give his rotation spot to TSJ next year.

Kudos to Denver for going 7 games against OKC playing under the current rules where you can't touch Shai but the Thunder defense can just mug guys all possession long. Real MVP Jokic should have won 5 in a row, took the Thunder to 7 with only one decent teammate.
Why did it take us 7 entire quarters to figure out that taking it to the basket and trying to finish through contact and draw fouls might be the way to beat an overaggressive defense? Not chucking 30 footers all game long.

It's pretty clear that we aren't the current narrative the NBA is trying to sell.
They must have a whole warehouse full of posters of SGA shooting free throws sitting ready somewhere in China.

I gave you a plus 1 for the bold, but took it back for the large type. I refuse to accept a sweep. We will win one or 2. At least that's what I choose to believe. Also we could come back. Miracles can happen.

I give Younggunsmn all credit for the Beatdown we put on the Thunder last night. He took one for the team and called the Thunder sweep knowing that the Wolves would respond.

[BlacJacMac]

Moved...

[younggunsmn]

I don't know which is worse.

Having my favorite team get stomped twice and watching most of our players play out of control and utterly garbage.
Having to watch that ragdoll fake MVP push off and hook every possession and shoot a ton of weak ass free throws.
Having to listen to that chain smoking boner killer Doris Burke for a whole series, with all the choices in the world out there for announcers.

We gonna get swept. And we deserve it. We don't have enough ballhandling or smart enough players.
They get a good shot in the flow of their offense every single time down.
We do something face palm stupid once every 7 or 8 possessions.

If Mike's off the floor our offense is roadkill.
If Rudy or Jaden is off the floor or Julius Randle is on the floor our defense is roadkill.
I don't know which side of the ball Mr -27 DDV was worse on but I am ready to give his rotation spot to TSJ next year.

Kudos to Denver for going 7 games against OKC playing under the current rules where you can't touch Shai but the Thunder defense can just mug guys all possession long. Real MVP Jokic should have won 5 in a row, took the Thunder to 7 with only one decent teammate.
Why did it take us 7 entire quarters to figure out that taking it to the basket and trying to finish through contact and draw fouls might be the way to beat an overaggressive defense? Not chucking 30 footers all game long.

It's pretty clear that we aren't the current narrative the NBA is trying to sell.
They must have a whole warehouse full of posters of SGA shooting free throws sitting ready somewhere in China.

I gave you a plus 1 for the bold, but took it back for the large type. I refuse to accept a sweep. We will win one or 2. At least that's what I choose to believe. Also we could come back. Miracles can happen.

I give Younggunsmn all credit for the Beatdown we put on the Thunder last night. He took one for the team and called the Thunder sweep knowing that the Wolves would respond.

Chess not checkers my friend.

And I encourage all the young kings out there to save an audio file of Doris Burke's commentary to your phone and label it
"Emergency Contraception".