Game #-2: Wolves vs. Pistons, 7 PM (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

[southern wolf]

D.Williams looked like a chucker early on. Was forcing his shots and playing selfish. I hope Adelman will get through his thick skull that when you pass ball to your teammates you more then likely will receive it again in better position for easier shots. Pek, Roy , Cun and AK played very well. Shved's shot is off but he will be fine. Otherwise Wolves looked very decent even without KLove and Roy, there is no way this team is not making playoffs.

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't get too carried away with pre-season results. We've had some great pre-seasons in the past and followed them up with 15 and 20 win seasons. It's going to be a lot tougher once the real stuff starts without our two best players.

[Esohny]

D.Williams looked like a chucker early on. Was forcing his shots and playing selfish. I hope Adelman will get through his thick skull that when you pass ball to your teammates you more then likely will receive it again in better position for easier shots. Pek, Roy , Cun and AK played very well. Shved's shot is off but he will be fine. Otherwise Wolves looked very decent even without KLove and Roy, there is no way this team is not making playoffs.

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't get too carried away with pre-season results. We've had some great pre-seasons in the past and followed them up with 15 and 20 win seasons. It's going to be a lot tougher once the real stuff starts without our two best players.

Well, I expect that if the Wolves could play terrible teams every game while Rubio and Love are out, they would have the success they had last night.

[Mattya]

Even though I love Cunningham, I still want Williams starting with AK47. I thought his aggressiveness was good. It was good to see him making his free throws as well. I was also glad to see him take some mid range shots last night. I don't know why but it seemed like all the games I watched this preseason Williams wasn't taking any mid range shots and I think that is where he needs to look to take advantage. Especially with his struggles with the three ball. It gets him a little closer to the basket which could lead to easier shots and less distance for him to pump fake and drive to the rim. It also give the defense less time to come strip him. Him getting to the free throw line and making those shots is going to be important with Love out. I thought he played a pretty decent game tonight. Defense and rebounding definitely has to improve for him but his offensive decisions were much better.

Cunningham is such a beast though. His offensive rebounding and defense and hustle is so awesome. His mid range shot is pretty decent too. He fits well in Adelman's system. I think we need his energy off the bench though. I don't like having Williams play with the bench at all. I think it's a combo of his confidence and his style of play with the bench style of play.

Budinger is such a great addition. As good as he has looked this preseason he will look that much better with Ricky and Love. His movement off the ball, cuts to the basket, and making his open shots really really help space the floor and cause the other team to have defensive problems.

Pek is gonna be very important with Love out.

Luke and JJ played pretty well tonight. Luke was making his shots, and JJ was much much better getting in the lane and creating opportunities for others and then actually passing them the ball.

Right now Shved is still adjusting to the game, but his ability to drive right now is pretty darn good.

[Basti]

I thought his aggressiveness was good. It was good to see him making his free throws as well. I was also glad to see him take some mid range shots last night. I don't know why but it seemed like all the games I watched this preseason Williams wasn't taking any mid range shots and I think that is where he needs to look to take advantage. Especially with his struggles with the three ball. It gets him a little closer to the basket which could lead to easier shots and less distance for him to pump fake and drive to the rim. It also give the defense less time to come strip him. Him getting to the free throw line and making those shots is going to be important with Love out. I thought he played a pretty decent game tonight. Defense and rebounding definitely has to improve for him but his offensive decisions were much better.

With the exception of a short period in the 1st half where Williams looked very passive, I really like his game. At times he was forcing things but at least he was aggressive for once. Can't really remember all the midrange jumpers, though.

[Devilzsidewalk]

my revised expectations for Williams are to be a volume scorer with uninspiring efficiency, like a forward version of Jamal Crawford. If he can do that, then he can at least be a reasonable bench weapon and short-term fill in to injured player with enough inconsistent big games to keep his trade value up. This game was a good start to that.

[Gunny]

There was one 3-pointer Williams made in the first half that was beautiful. No hitch. No twist. No kick. The entire shot was one fluid motion and it's something I haven't seen from him in a while. That one shot really stuck out to me because I was blown away how easy he made it look, and made me wonder why he doesn't do it more often. I hope someone else knows what I'm talking about.

[eyeteeth]

Buddinger and Cunningham combined for 33 Pts on 14-20 shooting??? Wow!

[Foye]

Buddinger and Cunningham combined for 33 Pts on 14-20 shooting??? Wow!

Preseason.

[Klomp]

Buddinger and Cunningham combined for 33 Pts on 14-20 shooting??? Wow!

Preseason.

Budinger's doesn't surprise me. Dude will be in the rinning for 6MOY

[Mattya]

Buddinger and Cunningham combined for 33 Pts on 14-20 shooting??? Wow!

Preseason.

Budinger's doesn't surprise me. Dude will be in the rinning for 6MOY

Budinger doesn't surprise me. I was also very high on Cunningham after watching him a Portland a couple years ago. I remember wanting us to try picking him up much earlier in the offseason because I though he was a free agent. Glad we got him. Especially for Ellington.

With the exception of a short period in the 1st half where Williams looked very passive, I really like his game. At times he was forcing things but at least he was aggressive for once. Can't really remember all the midrange jumpers, though.

He didn't take many, just a couple, but I was wondering why he wasn't taking them so far this preseason. The elbow mid range jumper seems to be a shot that gets opened up a lot in our offense.