A Reason for Optimism?

[Klomp]

Why should we be optimistic? Well, I have a few reasons:

1. Our defense hasn't been terrible. Through the Detroit game, our defense was 15th in the league when it comes to points per 100 possessions. Thats right in the middle, when many thought we'd be bottom dwellers.

2. Our shooters haven't hit their stride yet. We are currently shooting 43% from the field, including just 31% from 3. That will go up soon.

3. Our point guards are doing their job. We are currently 2nd in the league in assists per game, only trailing Utah. People are quick to bash Foye for not scoring, but I think hes slowly becoming a better POINT guard.

[cool_guy]

Data doesn't lie. Your optimism doesn't reflect the data. Every field goal has an assist. So, 2nd in the league in assisting doesn't prove anything.

[Klomp]

Every field goal has an assist.

No it doesn't. This isn't hockey.

[big3_8_19_21]

Every field goal has an assist.

That's not even close to true. Have you ever seen a box score? Have you ever seen a player take the ball coast to coast? Have you ever seen a player go 1-on-1?

[Calinks]

WINesota TERRORwolves are about to rise!


ARRRROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[andyhop]

Al's still improving with his AST%,TOV% and FT% all improving for the 5th consecutive year.

His DRtg is also down to 104 , and his opponents PER is down to 17.5 when he plays Center showing defensive progress.

He shoots better in clutch situations than his average (and is chronically underused in these situations).

To sum up our best player is still getting better, now we just need a few more to play with him.

[4ho5ive]

No, no reason to be optimistic, we're teh suxor.

Seriously though, there is a LOT to be optimistic about.

[hijacktheparade]

That wolf looks ****ing creepy.

[shrink]

I bet you just made this thread to annoy casey.

[TrentTuckerForever]

I bet you just made this thread to annoy casey.

In that case I'd like to participate...

I agree with the points in Klomp's original post - although I question whether the Wolves are really as good a defensive team as they've shown so far. I think they'll finish in the bottom 3rd of the league in that category - however, their shooting and PG play (assist/turnover ratios) will help mitigate the effects of that.

I'm also encouraged by a couple of coaching moves - the move to the big lineup (starting Collins/Jefferson/Gomes) and the simplification of the playbook for Foye. These moves are really obvious even to fans and media (Britt Robson has been writing about how smallball kills the Wolves since the preseason), but they do imply that Wittman has a pulse. This roster is not without talent, and they could still scratch 30 wins if they are put in the right spots.

One final point - everyone around the league wants to see if they can get Mike Miller for two expirings and a future first, but he's part of the solution here IMO. If the Wolves can use their expirings, picks and young talent (McCants averaged 15 ppg as a 6th man last year, and they seem better off without him) they should make a move for more Miller-like young veterans. How much better would the pups look with a Sam Mitchell/Terry Porter-type mentor showing them the ropes?

[collin_k41]

This is the man who will lead us to the big house!!!!

[realfung]

I agree the Wolves are going in a good direction.

[revprodeji]

we have a learning curve and are moving forward with it. our rebounding has improved so far. our offense got simplified which helps. foye is starting to hit some kind of stride. there is plenty to be excited about.

most of our games have been very close. if we were half as bad as some people say then we would have the outrageous amount of blow outs that okc has. we are not a bad little ball club.