D-Wadeless Heat Attack Wolves
by Stop-n-Pop on Feb 23, 2010 6:30 PM CST
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PrintMinnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat, Feb 23, 2010 6:30 PM CST
Enjoy the tilt. Heat blogging here: Peninsula is Mightier
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oh yeah, return of Love was 2nd, so this is 3rd
Tucker doesn’t count obviously
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
Prediction time -- how long until Darko?
I say 4 mins remaining in 1st
If he gives the wolves a chance to win
He probably will not leave the bench. This is a tankathon. Did you see Washington lost Howard for the year….
The wolves must respond
Perhaps a season ending infection for Love and using Jefferson as a defensive replacement.
The commentators were saying
the first game back is adrenalin. This is the second game back so probably best to scale back the expectations.
Agree
Almost all the new Bulls and the traded bulls played great Game 1 after deadline. Says something about adrenalin of 1st game. Just hope Darko plays OK and we get a W. Don’t want tank. Want to see some improvement to attract FA, keep Darko, and something positive
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
With no Wade...
this could be a night to let Flynn off the leash a little – Miami doesn’t look like they have anybody that can stay with him. He’s off to a decent start
The only thing I care about tonight...
….is Corey hitting a three.
Well that’s not really true. But I do care a lot about that
Love in relatively early
minutes going up, finally?
+2 in a minute
on pace for +40 in 2o minutes! Hall of Famer. Too bad he couldn’t get off the bench anywhere else….
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
I like the lineup we have on the court right now...
Love, Darko, Wayne, Flynn and Gomes – maybe replace Ryan with Corey, though
more bad gomes
hope he plays better tonight
darko spaces floor for wilkins
another great darko moment
so he can't shoot ft
finally, a weakness
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:07 PM CST up reply actions
Guess Darko was concentrating on breathing instead of hiting those FTs
Priorities I guess.
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
In a 7 game series
Who wins? Our starters or our reserves?
Hollins, Jefferson, Gomes, Brewer, Flynn
or
Darko, Love, Wilkins, Ellington, Sessions
I agree
One could argue that with the exception of Corey over Ellington, our reserves are better at every other position…certainly better team basketball.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Feb 23, 2010 7:12 PM CST up reply actions
No
Reserves in 4, unless Gomes has one of his once in half a dozen blinders. In that case, reserves in 5.
I made my pick under the assumption that Flynn...
would be allowed to freelance more. Holding him under the triangle, you probably are right
I was agreeing with idea that reserves beat starters…it might not go to 6 games.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Feb 23, 2010 7:19 PM CST up reply actions
I'm going to argue . . .
(and this might be totally lame and off, but . . .) that this is the strategy of the Wolves’ brass. We can’t win at the front line, so we should move KLUV to the second string so we can pound people with the starters out.
Let the opponents exhaust themselves on our subpar starters—we’ll get ’em when the second quarter starts.
Umm.
He is playing with the second string.
I'm glad you picked up on that.
Since it’s explicitly stated in my post. Good reading.
''Should move' implies it hasn't been done ,
‘keep’ would have been more accurate.
I will say this
Darko hedges the PnR hard and gets back in a way we haven’t seen since…anybody?
It’s led to a couple of stops already
by Eric in Madison on Feb 23, 2010 7:11 PM CST reply actions
If you want to play defese...
….you have to be able to stop the ball. Which sadly, even when KG was here, we didn’t do very well. Our guards the last two years of the KG era were terrible at defending off picks
In 1 1/4 games...
I can already tell this is true…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
We gave up 15 points in the 1st???
Did they shorten the quarter to 6 minutes???
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
JO might post 35/15 against al, who knows :P
in that case beasley only has to score 20, but Jermaine is -11 with 0 rebounds in 10mins of action
Block shots don't matter
Darko’s simple presence in there keeps guys out of the lane.
I'm kind of sad watching Jermaine O'Neal hobbling around like this
He’s one of my favorite players. The guy was a beast with the Pacers
sad watching Al hobble, too
I hope he gets healthy before end of year, so we can truly see what he has post knee surgery
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:21 PM CST up reply actions
up by 14 when Darko sits
let’s see where this goes
Wait a minute...
…the home team has 15 points in 14 minutes, and none in the second quarter and it ISN’T the Wolves. Wow.
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
Smallball with A-Jeff at the Helm
And my pessimism returns
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 7:20 PM CST reply actions
Goo call by Kurt...
Getting Jonny back on the floor. Looks like Ramon was out late at the Clevelander last night.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
abusing al inside
the difference is stark
Darko checked him
and the hobbled O’Neal traveled
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
One of those line-ups that Kurt puts out
and you feel the lead dwindle even before the score changes. NO SURPRISE!!
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 7:23 PM CST reply actions
i cant get the stream to work :S
i had it once, but black screen now again
15 turnovers already combined...
am i missing a football game?
Atta Boy Corey...
One step closer to forgetting JR Rider ever played here…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I'm trying to come up with NBA players
who have used offensive rebounds as a scoring weapon the way Love can, and the guys I’ve got coming to mind are Barkley maybe, and Moses Malone…and from my hazy memories, Malone is the guy who sticks out as being the same sort of bulldog on the glass. I guess the physique matches on those two as well…
It was Rodman's only scoring weapon...
Tapping to himself 3 or 4 times and getting a putback.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I do not like this current lineup
Al’s the only one who can consistantly board and he is clearly hurting. Plus, interior D is a joke right now.
We definitely lead the league in head slapping TOs
By a mile
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
Yes, crazy Corey drive
better than kicking to Gomes
Darko time
less than 3 until half. he has that much wind, doesn’t he?
Al and Darko...
Let’s see how it goes…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Did the Heat just fall for a fake pass-out from Al?
How silly.
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
Darko closes out on shooters...
Pretty good for a guy his size…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
But if Kevin is in the game
He closes out well too if Darko’s down low. The guy who doesn’t close out – Big Al. That’s why when Al and Darko are in you see Darko flying all over.
Kevin Love will play 10 minutes this half
But he has a +10 if that makes anyone feel better.
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 7:40 PM CST reply actions
How odd is it that Corey is now one of the most prolific three point shooters in team history?
Not to mention we’ve gotten to the point of actually preferring him shooting over someone else
Yeah I was just thinking about that.
Corey’s really taken off since K-Love came back form injury.
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
amazing
never thought that would happen. Corey is the best Wolf right now, especially with Love riding the bench so (too) much
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
I have to miss the second half so.....
….Jersey down by 19 at the half to Portland, well on their way to 5-52.
Poor bastards.
'It's just noise coming out of an ugly scientist.' Michael Scott
trying too hard
pounding the ball like J.R.
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:41 PM CST up reply actions
Like Darko and Love better
than with Al. But, it was nice to see. Let’s try it some more.
A chance to see if it's Al + big, Love + big, or both + big
actually critical for next season. worth the trade just for that. too bad Al is hurt. Not quite a perfect look at the possibilities
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:45 PM CST up reply actions
I'm for anything not involving Ryan Hollins...
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I'd be up for a short stint of Hollins and Milicic...
….just for the novelty of it. But I think we’ve pretty much seen what Hollins will bring, which is pretty much just hustle and the occasional ridiculous dunk
With Robin Lopez's improvement this year...
I’m pretty much ready to hand “Worst BBIQ in the NBA” award to Hollins.
He is a runaway favorite for “Worst Hands” as well.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
once darko reaches full fitness...
i want to see hollins get next to no minutes. Share the minutes between darko love and big al
agree
if Darko can play well over a stretch of games, we need to feed him minutes to help convince him to stay
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:55 PM CST up reply actions
Worst hands by a MN athlete
Hollins or Culpepper?
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
You forgot...
Troy Williamson…
That’s my vote. Hollins a close 2nd.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Yes, good choice.
Just seeing that play late against the Broncos that sealed his fate as a viking
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, please.
You can’t possibly forget Darren Nelson in the end zone. A six-yard pass. Against the Redskins.
Someone help me out here.
it's clear Al and Love is a no-go
and if Al can’t play with the big, then….
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
Already looking like...
One of “those” 3rd quarters…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
How is Hollins on an NBA roster.
I know the guy’s 7 foot and athletic but the guy CAN’T PLAY BASKETBALL
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 7:58 PM CST reply actions
Can anyone tell me
why the Wolves are having so many of their shots blocked tonight? I’ve only got the radio feed.
Growing my own "Darko-stache" since last Monday.
Also
Who’s been guarding O’Neal most, and who’s been on Beasley?
Growing my own "Darko-stache" since last Monday.
Al can't do his job
He can’t stop anyone. He can’t anchor the defense. He’s like a pitcher that strikes a bunch of guys out but walks a lot too. His value to this team is negligible at best, harmful at worst.
rest him
if he is hurt,rest him. he’s actually hurting us in two ways. during the game and for his trade value
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
Good call
I’m not convinced its that he’s hurt versus he’s now well-scouted and we no longer run the offense entirely through him. I think we overlooked the defense before because Jefferson used to average 22 and score 30 often. Now we don’t give him as many looks, and defenses have gotten a lot better at handling him.
he better be hurt
cause if he is 90+%, this is sad.
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
Kahn tried to...
….but the Knicks wanted to make sure they didn’t need his contract in a bigger trade
Good God Al.
It’s Jermaine O’Neal. The guy doesn’t even have knees. Shouldn’t be this hard to stay in front of him.
O'Neal has now made Al look a folding chair on D...
About a half dozen times.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Al and Jermaine are like mirror images...
neither of them are expending much energy guarding the other.
If you squinted really hard (and used a liberal dose of imagination)...
Corey looked a bit like “Iceman” Gervin with that teardrop
On the last possession
The whole Wolves defense collapsed on O’Neal and the threw a bad pass. Many times this year that has been converted into wide open threes. With a real defensive center in there, the collapsing doesn’t need to happen. That’s why our guard defense looks so terrible all season statistically.
agree
a defensive C like Darko checks Old Neal on his own. And everyone else looks better
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
flynn v. arroyo...
Very, very bad.
Can’t think of a worse possible matchup. Maybe lou williams v. Beno.
by shane heal the world on Feb 23, 2010 8:10 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Has there been a single foul called on one of his drives?
Wade would have gotten about 435 foul calls this game.
True, but that's not the issue for me.
I like Flynn, and he’s got potential, but he has been pretty awful as a point guard tonight.
This is looking my weekly pickup game...
Very, very sad…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I want to say Love...
has actually been doing a nice job keeping a hand in Beasley’s face tonight. Will any less-enthusiastic Love fans agree/disagree?
I like Love
He’s not great on D (except rebounding where he is), but he’s smart. Overall, an OK defender. And when you pair him with Darko, you have something on the D end. When you pair him with Al, no
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
He's been solid tonight
I think Beasley is missing some shots just because he’s missing them, but Love has kept with him pretty well, all things considered
I'm an Over-Enthusiastic Love Fan
so maybe I’m disqualified. But I agree
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 8:12 PM CST reply actions
not to beat a dead horse
but I’m ready to see a Love Darko combo out there again. Because we can’t lose to this team
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 8:13 PM CST reply actions
who relies more on their star Miami or the Cavs?
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 8:14 PM CST reply actions
Jamison doesn't help them much in my mind.
Just gives them more of what they already had. Don’t like the deal because they messed up chemistry.
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 8:18 PM CST up reply actions
Really?
I thought he was the mobile four they’ve wanted forever. Who does he duplicate on that roster?
He's not really very mobile anymore,
his defense is below average, his shooting has been off this year he can’t strech the floor as well as people thin, he’s hitting 38% from 16-23feet this year. His midrange (10-15feet deep) is at 35% and Jamison is highly dependent on being assisted for his shots, doesn’t give them that guy who can create his own shot.
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
I think he will help....
…. as long as he’s always in when Lebron is on the bench. They get killed offensively w/o LBJ so as long as he can provide some scoring for their bench unit I think he will be big for them.
I think it was a great deal for them
Jamison’s a 20-10 player who can stretch the floor in a way Verajao and Hickson can’t….that opens up the floor a lot more for LeBron and Shaq. Plus, Jamison won’t have the mismatch problems against Rashard Lewis that Verajao did last year.
Damnit
Before I prematurely posted (I swear, this never happens. And, uh, you’re really pretty.), I was going to say “If by in a way, you mean at all.”
That team just needed another scorer/shooter that wasn’t undersized. Their other big men are post-bound and/or offensively inept. If anything it’s a solid trade just for balance.
Apparently there is a nasal spray for that
"I was trying to focus on breathing," Milicic said. "I was just focusing on breathing so I didn’t die."
Considering what they gave up...
Also known as NOTHING, it was a good deal.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Miami much more so.
Cleveland has a much deeper roster
by SF on Feb 23, 2010 8:20 PM CST up reply actions
Miami all day
there team is not great with wade and absolutely terrible without wade
Flynn OK as the backup "instant O" PG
only. He needs to improve at being a real PG. Or else it’s a long wait for Rubio. Sorry, Sessions isn’t the answer either.
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:19 PM CST up reply actions
It is nice, though..
that we will have had two full seasons to evaluate Flynn before Rubio comes over. The odds will be significantly lowered of us giving up on him early and then watching him blossom somewhere else.
Gomes!
OK, i had to do that once. it’s been a while
Tonight is confirming to me...
That Love and a legitmate Defensive big (Darko) is the way to go. I literally don’t care if Darko scores a point. Just his presence allows eveyone else to do their job…especially KLove.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Love/Darko/ellington/brewer
all playing well
is this Darktopia?
Did I just see Darko playing some pretty solid perimeter D, and then scoot back inside to box out a couple Miami players so that Love could snag the rebound? Doesn’t look like Darko’s doing much on offense this game, but defensively – and especially on the boards – it looks like he’s just positioning himself well to take Heat players out of the play (meaning he’s making rebounds a lot easier for other Wolves/Love to get). Anyone else seeing this?
Growing my own "Darko-stache" since last Monday.
Yes
Love has a lot more room to rebound with Darko in.
darko on O
yeah, he’s better on D. But, I’ll take it.
I'd like to see more calls played for him as he gets into shape
He can be a go-to scorer when his confidence is up, and has the passing ability to facilitate from the post the way Kaman and Bogut do
Agreed....
He still looks a little lost within the offense though….
It does take a while to get up to speed on a new system
Especially one like ours. He’s used to a more linear offense….we really play a borad system that’s as much about knowing your teammates as it is knowing the sets
and he still looks pretty good on O
because he’s smart. He will be an asset on O in this kind of offense
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
he knows how to space the floor and pass
if the hook starts falling and FT get to 70%, then you have a pretty darn good big. I think he can do it with time/conditioning
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:27 PM CST up reply actions
I think his hook shot will get more consistent...
…but he’s like a 55% FT shooter for his career. 70% is pretty unrealistic
hope we get Ws
playing time alone won’t convince him to stay. We need to improve the W-L record, too.
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
He also looked
like guys at the gym who are trying not to vomit.
Growing my own "Darko-stache" since last Monday.
Just when I stop hating Tom Hanneman...
And he drops, “Darko leaves his marko.”
Stop…please…just stop. Tell me this is a bad dream and Kevin Harlan will be here tomorrow.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I'd rather listen to Hanny's corny lines...
….than, say, Tommy H compare Gerald Green to Michael Jordan all game
Ha, I just realized they're both Tom H...
I;m talking about Tom Heinsohn, the color commentator for the Celtics
He just dropped...
Miami has the “Wright stuff” after Dorell nailed that 3. He needs to be stopped…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Darko Continues to slightly better A-Jeff's plus/minus
+17 Differential tonight
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 8:27 PM CST reply actions
love now has twice as many assists as flynn
2.
by shane heal the world on Feb 23, 2010 8:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Does Darko's skillset not seem similar...
To Cole Aldrich? Might have to reconsider my opinion on him.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Yes,
but I’m not sure if Cole is as athletic as Darko, in terms of showing on screens and closing out on the perimeter. And that’s one of the best things Darko is bringing to this team.
Good point...
He doesn’t close out nearly as well, but I think he hedges pretty well…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Darko is also 30 pounds heavier than when he entered the league, some of that could come off which would give him added mobility.....
An even better defender
by Kevin Love Jefferson on Feb 23, 2010 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
Noticed that too...
He is much heavier than before. Guess that happens when you don’t get any burn for 2 years…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Darko/Love/Sessions/Ellington all on the floor?
It’s like a Canis Wet Dream!
by Son of Gerald Green on Feb 23, 2010 8:30 PM CST reply actions
Please take note...
that Love’s 3 came as a result of Flynn’s breaking down the defense, beginning a series of defensive rotations and an open shot.
Not every nice point guard play results in an assist or statistic.
uhhhhh..right, but hard to defend one dime from a pg.
And 4 to’s.
by shane heal the world on Feb 23, 2010 8:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Tomorrow...
when the game is discussed, there will be a lengthy discussion of his assists and turnovers. Not much will be said about plays like that. That’s all I meant.
pass the ball jonny
to a wolf. man he is blowing it
Yes, of all nights to lose the stream
League Pass down to 20 bucks. May have to invest in that, if only for Darko
"Never make predictions, especially about the future." Casey Stengel
I hate when the Offensive player initiates all the contact...
And gets the call. But I’ll take it in this case.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
keep love in
i’m guessing al will replace a winded darko soon. hope we still hold on
KLove with the A game tonight
Well, except for the turnovers. I really don’t know what’s going on with him and turnovers lately…
we have 2/5ths of active Serbian NBA players
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Serbian_NBA_players
let’s make a play for Peja, Vlad, and Nenad! Along with our 2011 acquisitions of RudyF, Marc, and Navarro, we’ll have an all-Spanish-Serbian 2012 team!
PG: Rubio, Navarro
SG: Navarro, Pavs
SF: RudyF, Peja
PF: Vlad, Marc?!
C: Milicic, Marc, Krstic
Any idea that keeps Sasha here another year...
…is a bad one. No amount of comedic roster building can negate the pain of having to continue watching him.
experience + talent
he did line that up all the way. shot clock running down and the heat guy had to shoot
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Darko
Kind of sad how he basically doubles out defensive effectiveness. But exciting at the same time
I think it's interesting.
Let’s face it Darko isn’t a great player but it shows what a legit defensive center could do for us. If we can get a second pick I wouldn’t mind taking Hassan Whiteside if he comes out.
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 8:41 PM CST up reply actions
he can set an example
hollins/al better watch. that was just smart. don’t need to big/tall as darko to make that play
by ChicagoViking on Feb 23, 2010 8:41 PM CST up reply actions
I'm struggling to figure out/decide...
if Darko is THAT GOOD on defense, or Jefferson, Love and Hollins are THAT BAD.
I'm leaning towards the second one.
Actually Love’s defense is above the others, it’s about average.
by Bad News Wolves on Feb 23, 2010 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
Flynn
stop pounding the ball. He’s J.R. jr.
He's been just as bad tonight...
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Terrible decision making...
C’mon Jonny!!!
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Yeah don't worry about those extra 24 seconds, Jonny.
And then keep fouling those 3-point shooters. Jesus.