GameThread #20: vs. Utah
by wyn on Dec 5, 2009 7:18 PM CST
224 comments
Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves, Dec 5, 2009 7:00 PM CST
Sorry for the delay!
[EDIT: Spell check turned on. Not bad for posting from the iPhone, though, right?]
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Flynn
looks like he’s on a mission after getting pulled late in yesterday’s game, hopefully he’ll keep the shot selection smart though………
He's taken a shot
almost every time he’s had the ball in his hands. Not so much looking to pass.
Love with an oulet to a layup off a made basket
not easy, but i likey
Because there are no fours.
Toine
We've moved that 3rd period collapse...
up to the 2nd period. A little 15-2 run. Nice.
And what the hell is Pavs doing in there?
Is Brewer that much in Rambis’s doghouse?
Anybody rockin a..
…Corbin Wolves throwback?
Yeah, probably not.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
So many coaches on that early team.
Sam Mitchell, Scottie Brooks, and the oft-forgotten Scott Roth…. I would do a Tod Murphy retro jersey.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
Love does change
the complexion of this team. Just seems to allow other guys to play better. Maybe it’s just me.
re: Corey Brewer. Anyone else think that if Brewer could about 15-20 pounds of muscle more of his close shots/layups would go in?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
He's been trying to add weight for years....not going to happen
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 7:46 PM CST up reply actions
If he's not going to do the work to fix his jump shot
He is not going to put the work in to gain weight.
I thought he was doing the work to fix his jumpshot. That’s what Rambis said the other day.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Results not words
And the work should be done in the off-season.
Work ethic is not the issue
Some guys just can’t shoot. He’s one of them.
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions
Corey will never be a great shooter
But he can certainly become something better than the worst regular perimeter player in the NBA offensively. And if he is never going to shoot better, He shouldn’t be playing as nobody that incapable offensively can be in a successful NBA rotation.
You'd think
that with all the research goin’ on out there somebody would figure out how to help high metabolism skinny guys put some weight on. Maybe instead of the Subway diet he could start on the DQ diet.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Its not rocket science
Its just an excuse from players who are unwilling to do the eating and weight work it requires.
I guess
Brewer has never appeared to me like a guy who was afraid of work. Got some insider info on his habits?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Classic example of a guy who might be tempted
to try steroids.
Cherokee Parks, another example: a big who, if he could have added 15 pounds of muscle rather than tattoo ink, might have been a very different figure in the league.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
I've been skeptical of Love as a three point threat
and whether it even makes sense to have him out there as he is a once in a generation offensive rebounder. But that stroke looks nice, effortless and comfortable.
Know what you mean
On this team, though, I’ll take three pointers from anyone!
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Again?
All damn season. Get over guys. Denver picked Lawson. Everybody would’ve picked Rubio. GET OVER IT.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Love should've taken that from half-court
I bet he hits a half-court heave more often than Corfey hits a running three. Seriously. Youtube.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
That was the European...
…shot from a cannon flop by Okur.
Who the deuce is Matthews?
And what business does he have making crap like that?
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Not a fan of the off-balance desperation heave...
from just inside the arc? High percentage shots are so overrated.
If it is Kobe to win the game
but some guy a hard core hoops fan has never heard of? Yeah, not so much. It wasn’t even like a shot clock thing. He just launches, wtf?
Because there are no fours.
Toine
I love how the Utah play-by-play guy
screams “money” on missed shots.
It was brief
But I really could do without ever seeing a Love-Gomes frontcourt Tandem for the rest of the season.
On cue, Love creates an easy transition basket.
Come Kevin,
you got hit just fly backwards and yell ‘Awww’ with a vague Euro accent and you’ll get that charge call
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Later
Hitting the white burgundy with dinner :)
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Do these announcers watch basketball?
They keep saying we don’t share the ball. I am assuming they look at our low assist totals and translate that into not sharing. How can they not see we have low assists because we cant shoot? Lazy.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Okay, I don't want to scare you, man. but...
we are sitting at 57% for the game. WTF. But yes, on principle, you are correct. This is the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.
Yeah, I see it
jus sayin we are obviously moving the ball around tonight, but they just stick to whatever the easy story seems to be. Four pgs in the draft, don’t share the ball, etc.
The scary thing is Al is 3-10 and we’re still that high.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Right. I hear you.
I loved the play-by-play guys observation that Rambis used to wear ugly glasses!
I'm pretty sure..
..they are about to tell us that even though we have cap space no free agent will sign becaus Minnesota is cold.
Actually, I should shut up. John Wall was just bitchin about how cold Kentucky was the other day. Dammit.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
he's not paid to play there
Nothing a little Woodford Reserve won’t take care of either. Couple million will cure him later.
Yep, that's him
makes a nice play with the ball then passes the ball to JB Bickerstaff
Can we take back picking up Corey's option?
He just Foye’d that pass. I love the kid, I loved it when we picked him, now everything he does drives me nuts. Makes no damn sense.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Is there still a 3-second violation?
Because the entire Utah team was standing in the paint for about 10 seconds there.
Did one of the most proficient post players in the world...
…just airball a relatively uncontested 6 footer?
Is Al on the Artest halftime regimen?
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Gomes!!!!
Did that play start with a Love outlet?
Crap
Pavs is on the fllor
Because there are no fours.
Toine
on cue
yank that turd and let’s win the game
Because there are no fours.
Toine
To cure sobriety
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Officially going to be disappointed if we lose tonight
SO winnable
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Last few games have been winnable
Memphis, NO, and now this one….all within our grasp in terms of the level of the competition.
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
Absolutely
I was going to say we are a few TOs and shots away from a 4 game win streak. But I am afraid of lightning.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
8 minutes and 5 points
still way too much time. How badly did they blow that lead against the Dallas Dairy Queens last year? 28 points?
The Clemons revenge game
Ouch
Because there are no fours.
Toine
That game made me sick...
I was at that game (I am a life time Wolves fan who grew up in ND and moved down to Dallas) so I thought I would catch a game when my beloved team came to town. It was really two games…the 1st half and the 2nd half. I am the only guy in the arena with Wolves gear on and fortunately I wasn’t cocky when we went up, so when we blew the lead in the second half the Mavs fans around me were gracious when they came back to win. Still makes me sick though.
as a wolves fan in utah...
…i really hope the wolves pull this one out!!
oh yeah, that's right
i even have a shirt from chisholm, mn.
Yes, wtf
A game we can win and we half to play with 4 players and Pavlovic. The sooner he’s on the bench, the better….
Please sub Love for Pavs
let’s win the damn game with Ramon, Wayne, Gomes, Love, and Al.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Did you say you live in Utah?
And does that bar have a chicken wire screen?
Sorry
what possible reason was that not a shooting foul? He was going to pass on a wide open layup?
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Exactly,
how did it go from ‘is that 2 and the ball’ to ’we’re inbounding?’
Wade gets continuation from half court, Wayne can’t get a step?
Because there are no fours.
Toine
A healthy Jefferson
If Jefferson were healthy, we’d be up by even more. He’s actually our third-fourth best option now (Love, Gomes, Flynn better right now). Even Brewer is playing better maybe. Can’t wait until Jefferson is healthy.
Who will step up?
Flynn maybe. Has more confidence than most of our players. We need someone to make some shots.
Brewer for Pavs please
Need the D, and dare I say the O from Brewer
Wally the Beer Guy?
Is he still around? I have his baseball card.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Seriously.
You were a daydreamer, a sass-mouth, and, not infrequently, a bit of a gigglepuss. Somehow I doubt twenty years of amphetamines and failure have done anything to improve that.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on Dec 5, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions
Gomes is +14
Running the floor. Finishing. Playing his ass off.
2 rooks
and a second year guy in his second game of the year in crunch time.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
People have been doubting Love since High School
and have been sadly mistaken.
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
Al's picking the right time to actually hit shots.
You were a daydreamer, a sass-mouth, and, not infrequently, a bit of a gigglepuss. Somehow I doubt twenty years of amphetamines and failure have done anything to improve that.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on Dec 5, 2009 9:04 PM CST reply actions
When he's healthy, it's game over when we are up 6-8 with 2:30
by ChicagoViking on Dec 5, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
Not so sure....
He’s easy to get the ball out of his hands with a double. We’ve always needed a perimeter guy that can take and make the big shots, like Foye did last January.
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions
Two games, two double doubles.
Go Love.
You were a daydreamer, a sass-mouth, and, not infrequently, a bit of a gigglepuss. Somehow I doubt twenty years of amphetamines and failure have done anything to improve that.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on Dec 5, 2009 9:09 PM CST reply actions
no TOs and make the free throws
to win
Because there are no fours.
Toine
That ball got rim
Even Utah announcers are saying it.
on a back-to-back
of course it was for them as well, but still
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Denver and Utah
How the hell did we not take one out of two between Memphis and New Orleans?
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions
TOs and youth
I think about half our games are truly winnable. We should win half of those. And steal a couple like Denver. Hopefully we’ll do that.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
57% from the floor, 4-9 from beyond the arc.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR OFFENSE NOW?!?!
>_>
You were a daydreamer, a sass-mouth, and, not infrequently, a bit of a gigglepuss. Somehow I doubt twenty years of amphetamines and failure have done anything to improve that.
by Kevin Loves McHale's Navy on Dec 5, 2009 9:12 PM CST reply actions
and in the end...
…the love you make…
is equal to…
the love you take…
wait. this doesn’t really fit at all, does it?
SL announcers
there’s a reason they have uniforms, they’re all good players. Gee, I thought it was to keep them from getting indecent exposure charges filled against them.
I can honestly say
they have added NOTHING to the game. Well, I guess they sometimes told us the subs before Yahoo.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
indeed
but it’s interesting listening to the other announcers. No homers. Ah, reminds me of a Simpson’s episode.
I prefer it
I know what Minny guys think of Minny. I wanna know what the other guys think. Unfotrunately, I don’t think these guys think.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
I was gonna type that too.
Did he really say that?
Yep, lack or Utah 3s is difference in the game
Woofs done good.
To quote Sly Stallone
“victoire”
Because there are no fours.
Toine
Rambis gets that intense Jack Nicholson look sometimes.
It’s scary but I like it.
For the first time this year
I can say that I am actually excited to head back to MN and go to a few timberwolves games…….I did get a brewer jersey for $5 from the pro shop last year, still a bit undecided if I can wear that proudly………but anyway way to go wolves!!!!!
Just run around the concourse like a wild man
and when you throw something away miss the trash can by 4 feet. People will understand.
Because there are no fours.
Toine
by CaliWolf on Dec 5, 2009 9:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Basically it's "when we have a competent wing player or two"
The two and three spots are such a sucking wound the rest of the time.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
this year
Best we can do this year is Gomes when hot, Brewer playing good d and not bad O, and a good Ellington game. Yeah, we don’t have enough at 2 and 3 to be consistent. Can expect Gomes/Brewer/Ellington to play as well as they did tonight. Just got to watch a good team to see what we are missing.
by ChicagoViking on Dec 5, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
He's come back way better than I expected
I knew he’d give us a boost, but his last two games have been off the charts. Dave Berri must be doing cartwheels somewhere…
by Rascal Flatts on Dec 5, 2009 9:26 PM CST up reply actions
Yep
PG — Good (Flynn will get even better/Sessions a quality backup)
SG — Just OK (Brewer playing better than last year but not a shooter. Ellington showing signs. Wilkins is a no.)
SF — Just OK (Gomes scoring, Brewer defense. But need a dynamic wing.)
PF — Good (Love and or Jeff)
C — Just OK (Jeff good offense when healthy. Not a C on D. Hollins/Jawai are blah.)
So a wing and a C. Wouldn’t mind a Steve Kerr-like 3-pt guy. Don’t know if Ellington is that guy. Love looks like best shooter (I know, just 2 games in).
by ChicagoViking on Dec 5, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions
Ellington might be a Steve Kerr
The Wolves need more. Next offseason: 3 picks, enough room for a free agent of consequence. This can happen.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
wing 1st
Dynamic, scoring wing as a free-agent. Hopefully a good center and a shooter in the draft. Could make for a playoff push if that works out. And then the next year, Rubio.
by ChicagoViking on Dec 5, 2009 9:48 PM CST up reply actions
Don't sleep on Pekovic
He’s really more of the Jefferson mold, being something of a low-post bull, but Pekovic is at least a 4/5 type and the Wolves already have his rights. He’s at the very least an asset.
Personally I think you add the FA and use the high pick on a wing; you do both, unless your draft slot happens to be the sweet spot for Aldritch and you’re really, really high on him. (Unfortunately it looks like Evan Turner’s got a back injury of consequence today.)
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
Ain't medicine grand?
He breaks at least one transverse process in his lumbar back, and we’re talking two months. Pretty incredible. Not even the treatment involved, whatever it is. Just the ability to make a prognosis on that.
Cool.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
More Ws to come
Passing, shooting, rebounding of Love = more wins. Even Ellington is starting to light it up, finally. Add a healthy Al and benched Pavs and watch out (sometimes).
hell yes!!!
i’m playing a show at a bar tonight. i’m going to sport my t-wolves beanie. if i can find it.
YES
We got guys wearing
Brewer jerseys, t-wolves beanies (whatever those are). All hell is breaking loose.
hahaha
chisholm is my last name! i guess beanie is another word for stocking cap? hat? shit, i don’t know. i just am happy the wolves beat the jazz. but i couldn’t find my hat.
Utah only played 8 guys
The entire bench, including big-time extension guy Millsap played 53 minutes
Because there are no fours.
Toine
After Sloan played 9 yesterday,
on the first night of the back-to-back.
Jerry Sloan…. I get the appeal, but a superb coach he really is not in my view. A great coach doesn’t spend all of Stockton and Malone’s careers with little to show for it, to start with. A short rotation is not inherently bad, but this kind of thing has to go on his balance sheet too, right? I like a lot of the stuff people talk about, but he’s not all that.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
What I'd say is this:
As I said, I do see what a lot of people talk about. He has a simple system, his players execute it well, he’s got that Old School appeal. The team drafts well: Recently I liked Maynor, I’d so much rather have Ronnie Brewer than Corey, and so on.
There are certain coaches, though, who will consistently put down the teams they should, and who make adjustments that destroy you, and who do not lose to inferior talent with any regularity. Jerry Sloan isn’t one of those guys. Since Garnett left, the Wolves are 4-6 against the Jazz now. Do you think the teams have been comparably talented during that time?
What would you say about the Wolves if they’d had 2 Hall of Fame players at PG and PF for their entire careers and never won a ring?
It’s just my opinion, but in my book he’s not a coach I fear. He’s a steady hand, is what he is.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
Kevin Love Appreciation Post
I tend to doubt where going to hear any Blazer Edgers telling us how “Love is a Backup”. He’s a special player which is something no one could ever say of LMA. He’s going to be the 2nd greatest player in Franchise History by the time he’s done in Minny. His upside is a better scoring Wes Unseld. It’s a treat watching him in a T-Wolves Uniform.
Here's the deal
He’s already an Elite NBA rebounder. His Outlet Passing is a rare skill that’s probably going to provide mulitple Fast Break Opportunties per game. He’s looking a lot better as a finisher and as a Perimeter Shooter. This says nothing about his ability to do little things like Set Screens, Tip Lose Balls, or attract attention for rebounds opening things up for others.
by Jose Cordoba on Dec 5, 2009 10:43 PM CST up reply actions
I agree he's a good player with a lot of potential
for all the reasons you stated, but its his second game of his second season. I think its a little early “2nd greatest player…” card.
The Key Phrase
“is going to be”- Although this statement probably says more about the Wolves History than Kevin Love.
by Jose Cordoba on Dec 5, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions
Fun Game
That was the most fun game of the year. Great performances from Flynn, Ellington and Love. Jefferson came around down the stretch when we needed him.
Flynn really attacked the lane with success tonight. Even some of his misses came with enough defensive attention to leave an open tip-in for teammates.
Love appears to have done a ton of work on his perimeter shot. That’s huge and will open things up for Jefferson as they develop better chemistry.
If Ellington keeps playing with confidence, we’ll have gotten a steal in that draft. He looked really smooth tonight.
5 Ws in next 10 Games
Schedule getting a little better, too. I see 5 out of 10, really. Only at Lakers, at Celtics seems not winnable…
This team
Has been fun to watch the last number of games. It almost looks as though the guys are being a bit more aggressive going to the hoop, which is always good, and that guys are finally starting to hit some of those open shots. And is it just me or does Love’s return seem to have Al playing better?
I also hope that Ellington continues knocking down shots. This is the player I thought we were getting, and this team could really use a dependable 8-10 points a night from him. I love the aggressiveness and persistence from him tonight.
Finally, Love is awesome. Jose Cordoba’s comment that he might be the 2nd best Wolves player in team history seemed outlandish to me at first, but then when you think about it for a little you realize that he just makes things happen out on the court. You never know, this team might be really really intriguing come two years from now: Love makes things happen and may be a solid 17 and 14 guy, Rubio (who also makes things happen) might be here, we’ll hopefully have some good matchup guys/shooters (Brewer, Flynn, etc), and hopefully another couple of guys (either FA or draft) who also make things happen. Future is lookin’ good. Real good.
Anyone here hear about Turner tonight? Sounds like the dude broke his back tonight. What do you suppose that means for his draft prospects? Wait till next year? Where does that leave us?
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
He's out 2 months.
And yeah, I could see him returning to college next year because of this. Big bummer.
From what I saw in the second half, it was a great performance. Very poised, well balanced, very together. I still wasn’t terribly excited after the Denver game, because I couldn’t say for sure if it’d be an anomaly or not. This made me think we have a bit of mojo going that we can build on. And Love being back obviously helps a lot.
In less of a good mood now though, because Greg Oden was taken off the court on a stretcher with a knee injury, in a ton of pain. No matter what you think about the Blazers, that sucks. He’s a good guy and it’d be nice to see him overcome all his health issues, but it’s not looking good. And he was really starting to come on recently.
Injuries are never good.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
Agreed
I’d rather see all teams at full strength. Fun to watch the best players, even on bad teams (ex. A: K. Love).
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
I told you guys that I was going to this game, which I did:
http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/11/23/1171371/gamethread-13-clippers#26093883
“I’m usually pretty lucky when I go to Timberwolves games. They’re about 60% when I watch them.”
Ok, I double checked, and that was a lie. They were a little under 50%, but now they’re 50%. In the 10 games I went to, they went 5-5.
It boggles my mind...
that people “chat” in these threads while the game is going on. Nothing better to do? Perhaps WATCH the damn game? Wow…………..
Sorry,
Drank too much. But still. There are like 10 legit coments in this thrad. All I know is if I’m watchin the game I’m not gonna type away while its going on. Hope I didnt offend anyone. Didn’t mean it.
We know it's wasted time
It’s about as pointless as hanging out with friends during the game, I guess, and talking about it. Somewhat, a smidge, more wasted than predicting records before the year. Does anyone ever really go back and look at someone else’s season predictions? Not really. But it adds to anticipation for the writer.
Somewhat less wasted than drinking alone while watching a game, however, whether or not we turn a little mean afterward. Right? I’ll take that tradeoff.
"It has come to the editor’s attention that the Herald-Leader neglected to cover the civil rights movement. We regret the omission."
I enjoy the comments a lot...
…so I hope people continue to post them.
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