GameThread -5: vs. Bulls
by wyn on Oct 14, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
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PrintChicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct 14, 2009 7:00 PM CDT
via media.scout.com
After a lackluster performance against Toronto last Friday, the Wolves' preseason rolls on. But before discussing tonight's bout with the Bulls, let's cover a few points from the last game that, despite some terrible looking play at times, should keep us optimistic:
- Al Jefferson looked like his old self. He's scored 28 points on 13 for 20 shooting in only 34 minutes this preseason. Beyond stats, Al looked like his crafty self against post defenders (including help defenders) and even had a couple nice passes out of double teams against Toronto.
- The offense looked dull because part of Rambis's new system is him not calling plays. He's letting the players call plays on the floor, and was apparently happy with the pace at which Flynn is learning the offense. Moreover, Rambis has told Flynn not to run stuff he already knows, like the pick and roll, so that the team can learn the fundamentals of the offense first.
- Flynn has attempted 23 free throws in 50 minutes and Ramon Sessions has attempted 11 in 41 minutes. Combined, that's 34 attempts in 90 minutes, or .374 attempts per minute. Randy Foye and Mike Miller combined for .087 attempts per minute last season. Foye alone was was .109 attempts per minute. This isn't a great stat and the sample size for Flynn and Sessions is small, but I think it's safe to say our backcourt will be much better at getting to the line this year.
As for tonight's opponents:
After taking the Celtics to Game 7 in what may have been the greatest playoff series in NBA history, the Bulls let Ben Gordon leave via free agency and brought in Taj Gibson, James Johnson and Jannero Pargo. Johnson looked quite good in Summer League and could develop into a very versatile small forward. Even with a strong backcourt rotation of Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich and John Salmons, I think the Bulls will miss Gordon's scoring.
Luol Deng is coming off a lost season after sitting 33 games due to injury. Both Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas are extremely athletic frontcourt players and should challenge the Wolves' slower duo of Jefferson and Love.
I'm disappointed we'll miss the Flynn/Rose match-up since the latter will be sitting with an ankle sprain. Brad Miller did not travel with the Bulls and Wayne Ellington is likely to sit with an ankle sprain.
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FYI: The Game is on FSN North @ 12:30 AM CST
I guess they don’t wan’t the game to run over their wild coverage…
The game is being broadcast by CSN Chicago….www.atdhe.net has a stream…hopefully it works.
Thanks man
My edit after seeing zgodas post didn’t stick for some reason. I’m on the go now, so no time to update the post.
Pain in the ass, though, huh?
www.canishoopus.com
by wyn on Oct 14, 2009 6:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah...really a big pain in the ass...
The Timberwolves are actually a team that could show some promise…the Wild on the other hand…They couldn’t win if the other team shot the puck in their own net 5 times.
Injury Report
Wayne Ellington Out as a precaution…Oleksiy Pecherov will make his wolves debut tonight
BTW..I'm Watching this Cavs-Wizards game on NBATV
Mike Miller Died his hair Yellow…still has the pony-tail…Looks Horrible…looks like he’s gay.
Or theres this stream
First you have to download and install stream torrent
You can do that here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/File-Sharing/Stream-Torrent.shtml
then once your done with that Go here and click on the Link next to streamtorrent under the AC TV Category: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=52919&part=sports
KFAN online stream in working
http://www.kfan.com/mediaplayer/?station=KFAN-AM&action=listenlive&channel_title=
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
Working Stream
Have to Download TV Ants first: Do so here http://www.myp2p.eu/softwareitem.php?softwareid=4&part=software
Then Go here..Click on ACTV where it says TV Ants: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=52919&part=sports
What are you talking about...If you scroll down to the bottom at this page
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=52919&part=sports and click the link next to OFFICIAL DOWNLOAD it will download the player
And the wolves are 5-11 from the charity stripe, drawing fouls is great but you need to make the FT’s
At least they are getting there
That’s the one good sign so far. We can definitely get to the charity stripe. God help us on jump shots though!
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
That has alot to do with the replacement refs
Calling every little ticky tack thing
So Brewer....
…has an alley oop layup from Jonny, an airball, and he hit the side of the backboard?
Oy. At there are a couple steals.
Is Flynn really creating these fouls? Might he actually shoot 8 a game?
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
+3 in 6 minutes
Brian Cardinal ladies and gentemen!
Well, then, obviously...
http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5255263
Right? They are trying to win games.
:)
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
Yeah right!
I think he is over-rated but I would still like to see him in a Wolves uniform….
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 14, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Cardinal
just might be what they need to take them over the top!
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Green would look pretty good at SF for the Wolves
Once OKC comes to its senses and realize he is not a PF
If they make my trade...
…they can play Westbrook, Harden, Green, Cardinal, and Krstic. Totally dominant. Once Durant is out of there they are a playoff team :)
But yeah, maybe they’ll realize it and trade Green, though I am hoping to hit a SF in the lottery.
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
What SF in the lottery?
There aren’t many this year. Evan Turner perhaps, Aminu who may be more of a ‘tweener. Others may emerge but not many obvious ones right now. It’s deep in PFs.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah...
…hence ‘hoping’. I am banking on projections being defective to some extent. Every year it seems several guys just blow up and go from late first to top ten. And don’t ask me to provide examples :)
Unfortunately we have to draft bpa, so let us hope that isn’t a 6’ 8" post player with limited mobility :)
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
Watching this Cavs-Wizards game..The Cavs are hurting
Delonte West has his Issues, Danny Green out with a bruised Ass, Lebron, Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl have the Flu, Boobie Gibson left the game with a bruised tailbone, Anderson Varejao left the game with a right wrist contussion, and Mo Williams has a groin pull…Yikes…thank god its only pre-season eh cavs fans?
Down 11 at the half
Shooting 14-24 from the Free Throw Line.
Worst +/-
Shakur: -10
Pecherov: -9
Pavlovic: -9
Hopefully Shakur and Pecherov never play this season
Not good
We deploy our full arsenal of weaponry at home against an opponent without their stud PG and we still get crushed in the first half. Salmons, Deng, and Hinrich just destroyed us. And I thought our perimeter D was supposed to be better this season? Oh well, it’s still early….
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, 9 steals helps
as does 16 made FTs
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
We seem to be having a problem generating assists.. I imagine it goes hand in hand with the 40% we’re shooting from the floor, but can anyone who’s watching shed some light on if the PG’s aren’t setting up good looks of if we’re just throwing up bricks. I’d have to guess that this is a result of a new system and a bunch of new players coming together, and if that’s the case I take heart in those FT #’s. Once the rest falls into place, I think the free throws and rebounding ability of this team will make them competitive on most nights.
Jennings: F*** the Knicks, them n***** is always going to be weak.
Did he just say...
…Love streaking towards the basket? >shudder<
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
Just tuning in for the 2nd half...
KLove shaved his Color Me Badd beard…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
The Bulls broadcaster...
Keeps calling Pecherov “Stewie” after Stewie Griffin. Holy shit….it’s true…he looks just like him.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
After watching the 3rd quarter...
Which is my first quarter of the pre-season, some preliminary thoughts:
Al Jefferson’s vertical leap is non-existent
KLove is as good as last year, sans cheesy early 90’s beard
Jonny Flynn played very out of control, which led to intermittently spectacular and head-scratching plays
Sessions is a very solid player
Pecherov looked pretty crappy, but he looks like Stewie Griffin
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
How about Brewer? His shooting % sucks, but his box score is great everywhere else and he’s getting to the line. I really hope he can play like this during the regular season!
Jennings: F*** the Knicks, them n***** is always going to be weak.
Hustle points
Second game in a row where he’s all over the place.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Didn't notice him a lot in that quarter...
Had a nice offensive board and follow.
Salmons dunked on him on a baseline drive…not his fault though…he was clearly expecting baseline help.
He’s in right now…I’ll keep a close eye on him.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Just harassed Pargo...
Into an Offensive Foul. Excellent play!
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
We're playing excellent D in the 4th Q...
Sessions, Brewer, Wilkins, Gomes, and Pech/Hollins are putting the clamps down.
Wilkins has had a very nice 2nd half. Running the floor, hitting jumpers, and playing D.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Pavlovic...
Is a mad bomber. Seriously f’ing up our offense right now!
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
And out he comes...
Good move Kurt.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Thoughts..
- Have we been running?
- Rambis isn’t letting Jonny run pnr’s, so our offense should get better just from this.
- Flynn and Sessions have yet to share a minute, is that going to change at an point this year?
- Does anybody who has seen a game (or anybody with good stats) know how the Love-Al combo does with Flynn vs Love-Al with Sessions?
- How many of these FTAs are going to translate in real games?
All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.
Homer
From what I’ve seen, we have yet to see Love/Jefferson/Flynn/Sessions on the court at the same time. I may be mistaken, but I’ve been keeping an eye on the lineups and it seems like Rambis is doing a lot of mixing and matching, probably to evaluate what he’s got. I think those 4 plus whichever SF, Brewer or Gomes, should be a pretty potent lineup.
Jennings: F*** the Knicks, them n***** is always going to be weak.
Fro what I've seen in the 2nd half...
- Have we been running?
Yes, at almost every opportunity
- Rambis isn’t letting Jonny run pnr’s, so our offense should get better just from this.
I agree. He’s been running some ball screen stuff simliar to ’Cuse though.
- Flynn and Sessions have yet to share a minute, is that going to change at an point this year?
I think so. Sessions and Flynn are clearly different offensive players and both get into their men on D pretty well. Not having a basket protector is not good based on our aggressive man D though.
- Does anybody who has seen a game (or anybody with good stats) know how the Love-Al combo does with Flynn vs Love-Al with Sessions?
NO idea yet.
- How many of these FTAs are going to translate in real games?
As long as the replacement refs are in there, they should translate very well. We have been attacking the basket very aggressively.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
just got home
and atdhe is working fine for me.
The NBA is just not a radio sport.
Whoa. Love just got totally blocked.
Crap.
I guess ATDHE is just a little late to get started.
I could’ve been watching the whole game? I feel stupid. But at least I know to keep checking it from now on.
Not good when 4/5ths of our starting lineup
is getting outplayed by 5/5ths of the Chicago bench. Had this been a full tilt ball game, we would have never gotten back in it after the first quarter.
And WTF is the deal with Chris Richard!?
Sure, now he decides to play well!
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 14, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't sweat it...
He is throwing falt bricks up there. They’re just going in tonight.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I sure hope our 6’9 bruising front court can handle an inexperienced 6’8 bruising front court going forward, though. I imagine having Al play for a full game will help out here, but no one should get abused by the dynamic duo of James Johnson and Chris Richard.
Jennings: F*** the Knicks, them n***** is always going to be weak.
Just preseason for the wolves but
watching the Wild get bouced around again….
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 14, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions
you know
13 seconds.
I didn’t think they were going to win, but they sure had their shots at it.
And yeah, Pech definitely has a Family Guy thing going
Bottom Line the past two games
Our starters are losing to the other team’s starters….and bench. Sessions and Cardinal have been solidly in the + column while on the court for all three games.
Quick hits...
And remember, I only caught the 2nd half.
Al Jeff has no vertical right now. Footwork as good as ever though.
Our D is way better. We played very aggressive man D, which also led to giving up some easy buckets.
Our outside shooting is horrendous.
Corey Brewer is an elite defender, but still looks like Bambi on skates with the ball.
Jonny Flynn is active as hell, but really lacks polish.
Ramon Sessions is smooth as hell…kind of reminded me of a Utah Jazz/Stocton/ D Williams type tonight.
KLove is still KLove.
Pecherov is toilet.
Will watch the 1st half later, and have more to say then. Looking forward to Friday’s game so I can see everything live.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I think
At some point early (I hope) in the season, they’ll have a better feel for what they’re doing and they’ll start to win some games. But I gotta hunch a bunch of teams will totally own them this season.
That should be all that needs to be said about our post defense, yes?
Al and Love got their asses kicked by Noah, Richard and Taj Gibson. Three of the most offensively challenged big men in the league.
Kahn needs to make a decision on the direction of our frontcourt this year, because even after 3 preseason games it’s obvious we have no hope of defending the paint with Al and Love as the starters.
I'm not talking only about the Wolves.
I’m talking about Chris Richard being the best player in Chicago and Minnesota.
Chris Richard...
Was nowhere near the best player in this game. Nor was Taj Gibson. Joakim Noah was very impressive, but I think he will be showing that to lots of teams this year. Must have finally quit the weed.
Our defensive rebounding was not as good as we expect tonight, but a lot of those second chances by Gibson and Richard were due to the rebound shooting straight into their hands.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Chris Richard was the top scorer in the game and tied in rebounds with Kevin Love.
He also had 2 blocks. 17-13-2 is pretty good.
Programming note
FSN is also showing the game tomorrow at 7 p.m.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 14, 2009 9:56 PM CDT reply actions
Working out the kink or
long season ahead? I could not watch the game. The shooting % however is abysmal. At least JF can get to the line. For Smiley, is it the knee or might his days be numbered?
I don't think we need to rush to make any judgements about the team yet.
Aspects of the team (specifically outside shooting and interior defense) looked pretty terrible tonight. But let’s wait until we’ve at least gotten embarrassed in a few regular season games before we pronounce hopes of a Love-Jefferson front-court dead.
I do think that Kahn will turn one of them into a nice trade asset, though, which only adds to what is becoming an immense arsenal of trade assets over the next 2-3 years. Either Love or Jefferson, either Rubio or Flynn (and maybe Sessions, too) a couple meaty expiring contracts (up until this deadline, at least), and three first round picks. Wowzers.
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