2016-2017 Wolves season

[Mr. Brooks]

A whole lot of sizzle this offseason about the Wolves, (locally at least) but not a lot of steak.

Obviously they have some young talent, but as always with Minnesota teams, maybe next year.

At least they'll get another high lottery pick. Hopefully someone that can shoot.

[Pardon My Dinger]

You guys are getting pretty bitter already. Not sure I'm there yet.

 

To Mr. Brooks' point, most of the big buzz was on a national level. I think most of us who know these guys expected growing pains. I'm surprised OKC is rolling as well as they are, but I'm not shocked that the wolves are slow out of the gate. Particular considering that our floor master general hasn't played the last 3 games.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Oh- and this third quarter bull jive has got to end. I sure can't explain that nonsense.

[bluechipper]

 

You guys are getting pretty bitter already. Not sure I'm there yet.

To Mr. Brooks' point, most of the big buzz was on a national level. I think most of us who know these guys expected growing pains. I'm surprised OKC is rolling as well as they are, but I'm not shocked that the wolves are slow out of the gate. Particular considering that our floor master general hasn't played the last 3 games.

I'm frustrated with things looking almost exactly the same as last year. The Thibodeau Effect has yet to help the defense, and the offense still isn't generating enough 3 point attempts. Having Rubio out has hurt the last couple games, as Kris Dunn looked awful tonight against OKC. 

 

Hopefully the next two games against worse teams in the Nets and Magic can help get things back on track.

[ALessKosherScott]

I still want to know what's going wrong in the third quarter. But tonight was the first game they had no chance in.

 

The next step forward is getting something resembling defense out of Wiggins and Lavine. That Bazzy seems to be the best defensive wing so far is kind of frightening.

[Mr. Brooks]

You guys are getting pretty bitter already. Not sure I'm there yet.

 

To Mr. Brooks' point, most of the big buzz was on a national level. I think most of us who know these guys expected growing pains. I'm surprised OKC is rolling as well as they are, but I'm not shocked that the wolves are slow out of the gate. Particular considering that our floor master general hasn't played the last 3 games.

Most local media were saying right around .500 with a decent shot at a playoff spot.

 

Like I said, they clearly have some nice young talent, and that's exciting, but it's not looking anywhere close to a .500 team.

Keep in mind, aside from OKC, they haven't played anyone good yet.

Grizzlies twice missing 2 key players each time, Kings, and Lakers. These are the teams the Wolves HAVE to beat if they are going to contend for that 8 seed.

[kab21]

It is still early. I will get concerned if they still look terrible at the 20 game mark. The talent is still there but the inconsistency and fundamentals aren't all of the time.

 

One nice thing is that Dunn having a rough couple of games have quieted the trade Rubio talk that was building. This isn't a Dunn vs Rubio thing but rather a how do you build a solid to above average bench if you get rid of players in your top 8. Perhaps you could get back a nice player for Rubio but it seems like a lateral move just to get Dunn an extra 10 minutes a game.

[ALessKosherScott]

I think it's more of an understanding that a rookie point guard is probably going to have to be Hall of Fame/50 Best Player quality to step right in and lead a team to the playoffs. Very few rookies have an immediate impact.

 

That isn't a knock against Dunn. It's saying you need Dunn learning how to be a starting quality point guard in year 2/3, with Rubio giving you your best chance at current success. We really have missed Rubio the last couple of games, with the possible exception of that game where Memphis was playing a skeletal crew.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Can anybody tell me what's the best bet for getting cheap T-Wolves tickets?

[Vanimal46]

 

Can anybody tell me what's the best bet for getting cheap T-Wolves tickets?

They used to have college night, where you showed your student ID and got upper level seating for $5. If you showed up early enough, they would upgrade you to lower level seats. 

This was a good 4-5 years ago though. 

[bluechipper]

What a joke this season has been. Thibs and his defensive genius just gave up 119 to a garbage Brooklyn team without Jeremy Lin. And why in the world was Bazz playing at the 4 the whole 4th quarter instead of Belly??? He had done nothing all night.

 

Wiggins' shot looks really cleaned up, but he missed 5 layups and choked at the free throw line again.

 

I'm so frustrated with this team right now.

[ALessKosherScott]

Things will be better when Rubio is back.

 

With that said, I'm starting to wonder if Tyus is going to be the backup point guard when Rubio comes back over Dunn.

[biggentleben]

 

Things will be better when Rubio is back.

 

With that said, I'm starting to wonder if Tyus is going to be the backup point guard when Rubio comes back over Dunn.

 

I was impressed with his poise last night. He doesn't bring a major threat to score, but he seemed to have a presence in the offense that allowed for it to run more smooth with multiple passes to a wide open clean shot from one of the best shooters, even when he had guys like Shabazz and Aldridge running with him along with Wiggins and Towns.

[bluechipper]

 

Things will be better when Rubio is back.

 

With that said, I'm starting to wonder if Tyus is going to be the backup point guard when Rubio comes back over Dunn.

Maybe Dunn and Jones can share the backcourt off the bench some when Rubio comes back. I'd like to have Dunn hound the opponent's backup pg and then just stay out of the way on offense. This is an even more likely option if Brandon Rush can't find his stroke, as he doesn't offer much other than shooting. And he had a DNP-CD last night.

[Mike Sixel]

You all are serious masochists....the Twins and Wolves?

[Pardon My Dinger]

You all are serious masochists....the Twins and Wolves?

Well, two days ago I would have had something encouraging to say. Unfortunately, the very last lonely little shred of optimism I held onto passed away last night.

 

KAT for president in 2020.

[TheLeviathan]

So....how do they blow this one?

[Mr. Brooks]

Well, two days ago I would have had something encouraging to say. Unfortunately, the very last lonely little shred of optimism I held onto passed away last night.

 

KAT for president in 2020.

I'm afraid KAT isn't eligible for that job until 2032, which makes me feel incredibly old.

[Mr. Brooks]

So....how do they blow this one?

Someone finally got around to telling the Wolves that the 3 point shot can be a valuable weapon. Only took like what, 6 or 7 years?

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Someone finally got around to telling the Wolves that the 3 point shot can be a valuable weapon. Only took like what, 6 or 7 years?

Verrrrrryyy interesting...

 

[biggentleben]

 

Verrrrrryyy interesting...

 

Notice they're near the bottom of that group of the standings, however, in attempts per game. When you're shooting well from outside, you'd think you should take MORE threes...

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Notice they're near the bottom of that group of the standings, however, in attempts per game. When you're shooting well from outside, you'd think you should take MORE threes...

For sure. Step in the right direction though. I feel more comfortable knowing that they're actually improved from beyond the arc, before they go chucking it all over the floor. 

[bluechipper]

 

For sure. Step in the right direction though. I feel more comfortable knowing that they're actually improved from beyond the arc, before they go chucking it all over the floor. 

The biggest development here is Andrew Wiggins continuing his 3 point shooting improvement from the 2nd half of last year. My favorite is him pulling up over Biyombo and nailing a 3 last night. Guys are going to have to play him a little tighter in both 1 on 1 and in pick and rolls, which should help even more with his driving.

[kab21]

 

Verrrrrryyy interesting...

Except that it is due to small sample size

 

Wiggins isn't going to shoot 64% for the season. Towns is good out there but he isn't shooting 44% for the season. Bazz and Dunn aren't shooting 43%. 

 

Lavine however has a good chance to shoot much better than 40% on a volume of 3's. 44% on 5.4 att/game after the all-star break last season.

[Shane Wahl]

I would be happy with Lavine shooting 7 a game. Also, 'Bazz instead of Rush and the improved play of Tyus are going to be huge.

[bluechipper]

 

Except that it is due to small sample size

 

Wiggins isn't going to shoot 64% for the season. Towns is good out there but he isn't shooting 44% for the season. Bazz and Dunn aren't shooting 43%. 

 

Lavine however has a good chance to shoot much better than 40% on a volume of 3's. 44% on 5.4 att/game after the all-star break last season.

Fair point, but Belly and Brandon Rush aren't going to shoot below 25% either. I think this team should be a little better than league average on 3's this year. That would be a nice improvement over what we've been seeing.

[ALessKosherScott]

A 3-1 stretch over this four-game homestand would be nothing to sneeze at. Clips tonight are the toughest out. Lakers and 76ers are kind of must wins.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

A 3-1 stretch over this four-game homestand would be nothing to sneeze at. Clips tonight are the toughest out. Lakers and 76ers are kind of must wins.

Saturday will be a real interesting game. Best defense versus one of the better offenses. It would be a serious confidence lift if they can squeak out a win against the Clippers. 

[biggentleben]

 

A 3-1 stretch over this four-game homestand would be nothing to sneeze at. Clips tonight are the toughest out. Lakers and 76ers are kind of must wins.

 

Lakers have been playing very, very well. I wouldn't throw shade over a loss to them.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Lakers have been playing very, very well. I wouldn't throw shade over a loss to them.

I think it would be foolish to overestimate them. I watched two of those wins and they weren't pretty. Last night with the kings was a slop fest.