Game 35: Timberwolves (19-13) at Suns (12-22), Saturday, Dec 23, 7PM MST

[Saberestar]

I just finished the game. Really bad first quarter, we couldn't buy a bucket. I didn't expect the great second half (except the early fourth quarter), but we played a close game and that was enough for me, I am happy with the effort.

Warren is gonna improve with Booker on the court. He played a really good game (amazing third quarter) but he doesn't have enough space to operate on our starting five with Ulis and Jackson. When Daniels is on the court with him he is way more effective.

Chirss played a decent game. Nice to see any improvement from him.

Jackson couldn't handle Butler, but that's not strange. He played another solid game, in the last 4-5 games he has slow down a little bit and he is not turning the ball over as much as early in the season. I like his progression in that regard.

Bender needs to be more agressive and improve his skillset. His ball handling is not there and he needs to put the ball in the floor to make plays. Not a good game.

Well, hopefully Booker plays against Memphis and we can enjoy our biggest talent on the court again.

[Kerrsed]

One thing that kinda sucks in my opinion is that i was expecting Warren to really step up with Booker out, and he has pretty much just kinda stayed the same. Thank god something happened at half-time, i dont know if someone got at him, but something finally lit a fire under his ass to save the game, as he was doing horrendous for the first half. Over all he has pretty much just maintained the same level of play, which is ok i guess, but i was kinda hoping for more.

[Saberestar]

One thing that kinda sucks in my opinion is that i was expecting Warren to really step up with Booker out, and he has pretty much just kinda stayed the same. Thank god something happened at half-time, i dont know if someone got at him, but something finally lit a fire under his ass to save the game, as he was doing horrendous for the first half. Over all he has pretty much just maintained the same level of play, which is ok i guess, but i was kinda hoping for more.

This period without Booker has been a good experience for Warren.

He has been the go to scorer on this team for the first time, and he has learned how to be effective on the fly.

On the last four games (2W) he has avearged 23 points on 48.1% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1 block per game.

[Bogyo]

One thing that kinda sucks in my opinion is that i was expecting Warren to really step up with Booker out, and he has pretty much just kinda stayed the same. Thank god something happened at half-time, i dont know if someone got at him, but something finally lit a fire under his ass to save the game, as he was doing horrendous for the first half. Over all he has pretty much just maintained the same level of play, which is ok i guess, but i was kinda hoping for more.

This period without Booker has been a good experience for Warren.

He has been the go to scorer on this team for the first time, and he has learned how to be effective on the fly.

On the last four games (2W) he has avearged 23 points on 48.1% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1 block per game.

This is one of the 2 reasons I hope Booker takes as much time as he needs to recover. First is obviously his overall health, second is Warrens contribution. First couple games he has been subpar, last two he has been better. It would be really good to see how he does in the next 4-6 games. Can he be our future full-time starter at 3, or is he a supersub, 6th man of the year?
Nothing wrong withh either, especially with his contract - best bang for buck in the league in my opinion - but further clarification also needed on his role going forward. Perfect time for that.

[LukasBMW]

I remember being so disappointed in 2014 that we didn't get a top 3 pick so we could take Wiggins or Parker.

Guess it was a blessing in disguise. Especially when you factor in the contract Wiggins got and the contract that Parker will likely get.

[denial]

Whats the knock on ulis's game? It seems like when he is in we make runs and when he sits we fall behind (well, in the mike james era that's how it seemed. I haven't seen enough of the cannan era)

[bwgood77]

One thing that kinda sucks in my opinion is that i was expecting Warren to really step up with Booker out, and he has pretty much just kinda stayed the same. Thank god something happened at half-time, i dont know if someone got at him, but something finally lit a fire under his ass to save the game, as he was doing horrendous for the first half. Over all he has pretty much just maintained the same level of play, which is ok i guess, but i was kinda hoping for more.

This period without Booker has been a good experience for Warren.

He has been the go to scorer on this team for the first time, and he has learned how to be effective on the fly.

On the last four games (2W) he has avearged 23 points on 48.1% shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1 block per game.

Yeah, better by 20-50% in every one of those categories (except fg%, but still slightly better there which is also really impressive on higher volume of scoring with more defensive attention). Very impressive he's been able to up his #s so dramatically.

[JMac1]

One thing that kinda sucks in my opinion is that i was expecting Warren to really step up with Booker out, and he has pretty much just kinda stayed the same. Thank god something happened at half-time, i dont know if someone got at him, but something finally lit a fire under his ass to save the game, as he was doing horrendous for the first half. Over all he has pretty much just maintained the same level of play, which is ok i guess, but i was kinda hoping for more.

That’s why I’m not that high on Warren.....he is a junk man point getter.

[RunDogGun]

Whats the knock on ulis's game? It seems like when he is in we make runs and when he sits we fall behind (well, in the mike james era that's how it seemed. I haven't seen enough of the cannan era)

I don’t think his game is bad really, he is just not a starting point guard yet. He needs to develop a long range game, so he can be a threat. With Booker out and starting Jackson, there isn’t a strong enough outside threat to hide Ulis’ lack of range.

I like his hustle, and he does get under opposing guards’ skin, but with his size, he is easy to post up.

Now Canaan has a much better three point squad to lean on if he is coming off the bench with guys like Daniels, House, and Bender. Len can even hit the three, where Chandler can not.

If Booker sits out a few more days/games, it would be best for the team to start Canaan, Daniels, Warren, Chriss, Len. You have decent defense, slasher, and shooting. When Booker comes back, I would change that group to Canaan, Booker, Warren, Bender, Len. Bender gives you better passing skills.