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Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV

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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#181 » by Killboard » Tue Dec 20, 2016 12:58 pm

Kuwolves12 wrote:Reading back through the posts after the game it amazes me how 95% of the posts are about offense. Whether it's bad shots or poor spacing etc. nobody seems to focus on our defense which is by far the biggest weakness we have. We don't need a damn "dynamic" point guard (whatever the **** that means), we don't need to worry about wiggs playing hero ball or towns taking to many outside jumpers, we need to get tougher and more disciplined on defense and make a strong effort to shut teams down. This teams growth isn't going to be on the offensive side of the ball, they're already a very good team there, we need some toughness on d.


I tought the defense was very good the first quarter (after 2-3 mins of sloppy start). Then Phoenix second unit was hard to stop for our bench, and then we had a very sloppy end in the first half (that inbound play by Lavine...).

The second half was worse, we couldnt stop Bledsoe of going in the paint. He did anything he wanted the first 7-8 minutes of the second half. Then again, Barbosa a Dudley came in and rounded up a very efficient game. Then we had a nice 4 or 5 minutes to close the game (where PHO couldnt handle the pressure).

Last 5 games (Tor, Chi, Hou, GS, Pho):

G.Dieng, Z.LaVine, R.Rubio, K.Towns, A.Wiggins

113.8 ORTG 102.0 DRTG


We must keep the pace against overall inferior competition the the next 10 and we could be in playoff race again.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#182 » by packforfreedom » Tue Dec 20, 2016 1:52 pm

the team ist playing better lately. better ball movement, a bit better on rotations (still bad), less heroball.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#183 » by thinktank » Tue Dec 20, 2016 2:37 pm

Kuwolves12 wrote:Reading back through the posts after the game it amazes me how 95% of the posts are about offense. Whether it's bad shots or poor spacing etc. nobody seems to focus on our defense which is by far the biggest weakness we have. We don't need a damn "dynamic" point guard (whatever the **** that means), we don't need to worry about wiggs playing hero ball or towns taking to many outside jumpers, we need to get tougher and more disciplined on defense and make a strong effort to shut teams down. This teams growth isn't going to be on the offensive side of the ball, they're already a very good team there, we need some toughness on d.


The Wolves have sucked on defense for years.

And Wolves forums have concentrated on offense for years.

It's kinda funny.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#184 » by Kuwolves12 » Tue Dec 20, 2016 2:49 pm

thinktank wrote:
Kuwolves12 wrote:Reading back through the posts after the game it amazes me how 95% of the posts are about offense. Whether it's bad shots or poor spacing etc. nobody seems to focus on our defense which is by far the biggest weakness we have. We don't need a damn "dynamic" point guard (whatever the **** that means), we don't need to worry about wiggs playing hero ball or towns taking to many outside jumpers, we need to get tougher and more disciplined on defense and make a strong effort to shut teams down. This teams growth isn't going to be on the offensive side of the ball, they're already a very good team there, we need some toughness on d.


The Wolves have sucked on defense for years.

And Wolves forums have concentrated on offense for years.

It's kinda funny.


This team has 3 very young, very dynamic scorers. We're much better than league average on offense and it will continue to improve as they mature and develop. Hell, we could never improve on offense and we'd be a contender if our defense improved. I'm very hopeful because I think we have the right coach and a ton of athleticism. My biggest issue is it seems to me we don't put much effort on defense. Zl seems to not care or try a lot, wiggs is a great on the ball defender a lot of times but seems lost on any type of switch or rotation. Kat has not developed into the rim protecting big man that we hoped. If this team cares as much about d as they do about scoring we will turn into a top team, will take time but I'm hopeful
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#185 » by Merc_Porto » Tue Dec 20, 2016 5:00 pm

Looking back.

@Brooklyn
Vs Boston
Vs Rockets

Losing those games really hurt us. Brooklyn was a must Win game, the other two i don't even know how we lost those games.

Instead of 8-19, we could have right now 11-16. Huge...
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#186 » by Ferulci » Tue Dec 20, 2016 5:57 pm

Kuwolves12 wrote:Reading back through the posts after the game it amazes me how 95% of the posts are about offense. Whether it's bad shots or poor spacing etc. nobody seems to focus on our defense which is by far the biggest weakness we have. We don't need a damn "dynamic" point guard (whatever the **** that means), we don't need to worry about wiggs playing hero ball or towns taking to many outside jumpers, we need to get tougher and more disciplined on defense and make a strong effort to shut teams down. This teams growth isn't going to be on the offensive side of the ball, they're already a very good team there, we need some toughness on d.

That's where the roster needs some improvements, especially if Rubio defensive slump keeps happening. Good veteran defenders at position 3/4 would be a tremendous help.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#187 » by Klomp » Tue Dec 20, 2016 8:58 pm

thinktank wrote:
Kuwolves12 wrote:Reading back through the posts after the game it amazes me how 95% of the posts are about offense. Whether it's bad shots or poor spacing etc. nobody seems to focus on our defense which is by far the biggest weakness we have. We don't need a damn "dynamic" point guard (whatever the **** that means), we don't need to worry about wiggs playing hero ball or towns taking to many outside jumpers, we need to get tougher and more disciplined on defense and make a strong effort to shut teams down. This teams growth isn't going to be on the offensive side of the ball, they're already a very good team there, we need some toughness on d.


The Wolves have sucked on defense for years.

And Wolves forums have concentrated on offense for years.

It's kinda funny.

The offense is great for most of the game, but there are stretches where it sputters. That, coupled with the team's defense, equates to the opponents making a run. A great offensive performance can overcome poor defense. We have great offense for 36 mpg. Need to get that number higher.

Obviously the defense needs to improve too, but that will probably be a longer-term project.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#188 » by thinktank » Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:44 pm

We've had massive leads in almost every game.

It's the defense, stupid.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#189 » by Klomp » Tue Dec 20, 2016 10:03 pm

thinktank wrote:We've had massive leads in almost every game.

It's the defense, stupid.

If we kept making shots, teams wouldn't get back into the game.

If you're up by 20 and trading 2s for 2s, the opponent doesn't get any closer. I don't think the defense suddenly falls off during those runs by the other team. The offense does.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#190 » by Vindicater » Tue Dec 20, 2016 11:06 pm

Our bench is the real problem.

Need to build it stronger.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#191 » by theGreatRC » Wed Dec 21, 2016 1:49 am

Anyone else feel like the offense changed a little? We were trying to push it every chance we got, even if we didn't have numbers. I think Thibs is trying to take one our of main advantages (young & athletic) and finally use it against teams
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#192 » by thinktank » Wed Dec 21, 2016 5:39 pm

Klomp wrote:If we kept making shots, teams wouldn't get back into the game.


You continue to prove the point that people ignore defense.

No team can keep making shots an entire game.

When the well goes dry you have to defend your way back into the game.

The defense is EXACTLY the solution that creates easy offense during these tough to score times.

Do you get it?
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#193 » by LesGrossman » Thu Dec 22, 2016 11:04 pm

thinktank wrote:
Klomp wrote:If we kept making shots, teams wouldn't get back into the game.


You continue to prove the point that people ignore defense.

No team can keep making shots an entire game.

When the well goes dry you have to defend your way back into the game.

The defense is EXACTLY the solution that creates easy offense during these tough to score times.

Do you get it?

You're absolutely right. We need to learn to get stops at crucial times. Maybe we arent the best defensive team throughout 48 minutes but at least when we see the offense struggles (which will always happen at some point as long as we rely on hero ball) we need to manage it, need to stop the bleeding by really tightening up the defense. But with guys like Lavine it just does not happen, its very harden like. People talk about him as MVP for years now and yet he plays zero defense, making Steve Nash look like the ultimate stopper, and now this value system floods into young players' minds. Ah, so you CAN be the best in the league without playing defense!
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#194 » by Nick K » Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:40 am

LesGrossman wrote:
thinktank wrote:
Klomp wrote:If we kept making shots, teams wouldn't get back into the game.


You continue to prove the point that people ignore defense.

No team can keep making shots an entire game.

When the well goes dry you have to defend your way back into the game.

The defense is EXACTLY the solution that creates easy offense during these tough to score times.

Do you get it?

You're absolutely right. We need to learn to get stops at crucial times. Maybe we arent the best defensive team throughout 48 minutes but at least when we see the offense struggles (which will always happen at some point as long as we rely on hero ball) we need to manage it, need to stop the bleeding by really tightening up the defense. But with guys like Lavine it just does not happen, its very harden like. People talk about him as MVP for years now and yet he plays zero defense, making Steve Nash look like the ultimate stopper, and now this value system floods into young players' minds. Ah, so you CAN be the best in the league without playing defense!


You have to start paying more attention to Zach on defense. You are giving him a bad rap. Zach is inconsistant. That's the big problem. Sometimes he plays lousy D but other times he plays very good defense. He had several good moments in the 4th qtr last night alone. There is not one guy on the team that can't be faulted for bad D. Towns might be the worst.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#195 » by LesGrossman » Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:33 am

Nick K wrote:
LesGrossman wrote:
thinktank wrote:
You continue to prove the point that people ignore defense.

No team can keep making shots an entire game.

When the well goes dry you have to defend your way back into the game.

The defense is EXACTLY the solution that creates easy offense during these tough to score times.

Do you get it?

You're absolutely right. We need to learn to get stops at crucial times. Maybe we arent the best defensive team throughout 48 minutes but at least when we see the offense struggles (which will always happen at some point as long as we rely on hero ball) we need to manage it, need to stop the bleeding by really tightening up the defense. But with guys like Lavine it just does not happen, its very harden like. People talk about him as MVP for years now and yet he plays zero defense, making Steve Nash look like the ultimate stopper, and now this value system floods into young players' minds. Ah, so you CAN be the best in the league without playing defense!


You have to start paying more attention to Zach on defense. You are giving him a bad rap. Zach is inconsistant. That's the big problem. Sometimes he plays lousy D but other times he plays very good defense. He had several good moments in the 4th qtr last night alone. There is not one guy on the team that can't be faulted for bad D. Towns might be the worst.

Listen, last game Jared Dudley blew by him without any visible effort by ZL to get back in front of one of the most flat footed playeres in the league. This game, it was Kyle Korver. I mean, with all due respect to Kyle, but someone with the athleticism of ZL must be able to at least make two, three slides before getting beaten by someone like Korver, 1 on 1 without any screening action. Just stood there. Thats not inconsistent, its zero. What he does is jump at shooters at once in ten tries he will score a block and guys will cheer about his defense when it isnt a good play at all (jumping means you cant box out and will potentially foul, also if it was a fake you open the door for a drive). I also disagree with the notion that noone cant be faulted on defense; of course in this game where the offensive player has the advantage you cant stop guys all the time, even with perfect defense. What we can expect though is understanding of the team defensive concept, good technique (like, sliding, stay below offensive guys' center of gravity, know when to play straight up / ice / hedge and so on), and most of all, TRY HARD. Its actually quite easy to spot: if a guy pretends to play defense - no matter wether ball deny or help - with straight legs you can tell he isnt trying, but rather conserving energy for the other end. I think we can safely say that both Ricky and Andrew give a very good effort on D, and in my opinion Bjelica is also an underrated defender. He isnt very quick but his intelligence helps him to stay in front of even quick small guards because he anticipates their moves well and doesnt go for fakes. I agree that Towns is also very bad on D and so is Dieng.
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#196 » by minimus » Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:43 am

That was an ugly win:
* some unnecessary TOs
* in defense we missed too many backdoor cuts
* Muscala killed us, but his hot shooting was understandable because we left him wide open on perimeter
* Rubio was either tired or distracted

Glad Dieng has started to hit those open Js
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#197 » by Klomp » Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:46 am

minimus wrote:That was an ugly win:
* some unnecessary TOs
* in defense we missed too many backdoor cuts
* Muscala killed us, but his hot shooting was understandable because we left him wide open on perimeter
* Rubio was either tired or distracted

Glad Dieng has started to hit those open Js

Wrong thread :D
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Re: Game 27: Minnesota Timberwolves (7-19) vs Phoenix Suns (8-19) - 7PM - Target Center FSN/NBATV 

Post#198 » by minimus » Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:14 am

Ooops! :D

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