What on earth?!
by Stop-n-Pop on Jan 21, 2012 8:47 AM CST
Email
PrintThe Minnesota Timberwolves entered last night's game against the Clips with two starters in negative WP48 territory: Darko Milicic (-0.75) and Wes Johnson (-0.57).
Darko, a 7-foot center with athleticism and coordination, currently holds a 42.2% TS mark and produces below average production at the 5 spot in fg%, 2fg%, ft%, efg%, pts/48, oreb, to, and fouls. Darko shoots .452 from the line, .455 from the floor, .429 at the rim (AT THE RIM!!!), and .370 from 3-9 feet. Jose Canseco belonged to fewer 40/40 clubs.
Last night the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers with their three best players shooting a combined 9-38 from the floor and their horrible shooting center going...well, take a look-see at the box score:
(more below the fold)
| Advanced Box Score Statistics | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starters | MP | TS% | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | ORtg | DRtg |
| Luke Ridnour | 37:44 | .434 | .273 | 0.0 | 10.6 | 4.8 | 23.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 19.1 | 103 | 111 |
| Kevin Love | 36:21 | .456 | .375 | 6.0 | 44.0 | 23.1 | 13.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 23.1 | 109 | 102 |
| Darko Milicic | 34:21 | .640 | .667 | 15.9 | 7.8 | 12.2 | 12.7 | 0.0 | 5.6 | 14.9 | 26.5 | 115 | 107 |
| Ricky Rubio | 32:22 | .310 | .136 | 0.0 | 24.7 | 11.1 | 25.8 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 17.1 | 24.4 | 72 | 95 |
| Wesley Johnson | 23:57 | .478 | .417 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13.8 | 112 | 109 |
| Reserves | MP | TS% | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | ORtg | DRtg |
| Wayne Ellington | 30:31 | .722 | .722 | 0.0 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13.3 | 140 | 113 |
| Anthony Tolliver | 18:51 | 1.042 | 1.500 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 3.2 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 67.6 | 10.6 | 49 | 100 |
| Derrick Williams | 14:24 | .533 | .500 | 7.6 | 27.8 | 16.7 | 29.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.6 | 29.5 | 107 | 108 |
| Nikola Pekovic | 11:29 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 9.5 | 11.6 | 10.4 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15.7 | 202 | 100 |
| Team Totals | 240 | .529 | .481 | 22.7 | 80.6 | 48.8 | 58.3 | 8.6 | 4.5 | 10.3 | 100.0 | 108.3 | 105.1 |
DARKO!!!!!
From TS% to (holy crap) oreb% to block% to having the highest usage among the starters, Darko killed this game. Just killed it. Soak it in. For one night, this doesn't ring true:
And we're back to this:
For one awesome night.
Nothing about this game made a lick of sense.
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Mo Williams pretty much guaranteed the Clips a win in the shooting category, going 10-15 from the field before being ejected for complaining about being in the wrong place at the wrong time near a slipping unicorn.
The Wolves currently sport the 2nd highest TO% in the league, at 15.81 just behind Detroit. They are 20th in the league in causing turnovers, at 13.85. They have the 5th worst TO% differential in the league, at 1.96. Last night they won the game because they only turned the ball over 11 times compared to the Clips 18. They collected 3 more offensive rebounds. These +7 tos and +3 oreb led to an additional 10 shots (81 to 71) and 5 extra FTAs that erased the Clippers' hefty shooting percentage advantage. It's pretty hard to find a better example of the importance of rebounds and hanging on to the ball.
I think something was wrong with the gravity at Staples Center last night. The Wolves' three best players play like poo, Darko plays like a Kareem/Bill Russell combo, they kill the turnover battle, their bench shoots 15-22 from the floor...it was like a surrealist painting in motion.
Darko didn't just shoot well. He was a masterpiece all over the court. With the exception of a short stint where he tried to flop against Blake Griffin he controlled the All Star PF on both ends of the court. He wouldn't be shoved around (with the exception of the weird flop), he challenged shots, and he overcame his huffing and puffing to anchor the team on a night where his average production would have likely meant a crushing 20 point loss on national TV with Love and Rubio falling flat on their faces. Darko saved that from happening. He saved you from all your friends laughing/texting at you about how the Wolves really aren't for real. He set up the scenario for a 0-10 shooter to make a huge 3 and a defensive stop. He set up the mix for Rick Adelman to hand Vinny Del Negro his shorts in the form of a Kevin Love three pointer. Darko did that. Somewhere, there is a Mayan calendar with a picture of a tall Serbian.
In the Ricky Rubio department, he had his worst night as a pro but he still contributed in pretty amazing ways.
| Advanced Box Score Statistics | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starters | MP | TS% | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | ORtg | DRtg |
| Luke Ridnour | 37:44 | .434 | .273 | 0.0 | 10.6 | 4.8 | 23.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 19.1 | 103 | 111 |
| Kevin Love | 36:21 | .456 | .375 | 6.0 | 44.0 | 23.1 | 13.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 23.1 | 109 | 102 |
| Darko Milicic | 34:21 | .640 | .667 | 15.9 | 7.8 | 12.2 | 12.7 | 0.0 | 5.6 | 14.9 | 26.5 | 115 | 107 |
| Ricky Rubio | 32:22 | .310 | .136 | 0.0 | 24.7 | 11.1 | 25.8 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 17.1 | 24.4 | 72 | 95 |
| Wesley Johnson | 23:57 | .478 | .417 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13.8 | 112 | 109 |
| Reserves | MP | TS% | eFG% | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | ORtg | DRtg |
| Wayne Ellington | 30:31 | .722 | .722 | 0.0 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13.3 | 140 | 113 |
| Anthony Tolliver | 18:51 | 1.042 | 1.500 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 3.2 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 67.6 | 10.6 | 49 | 100 |
| Derrick Williams | 14:24 | .533 | .500 | 7.6 | 27.8 | 16.7 | 29.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.6 | 29.5 | 107 | 108 |
| Nikola Pekovic | 11:29 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 9.5 | 11.6 | 10.4 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15.7 | 202 | 100 |
| Team Totals | 240 | .529 | .481 | 22.7 | 80.6 | 48.8 | 58.3 | 8.6 | 4.5 | 10.3 | 100.0 | 108.3 | 105.1 |
Take a look at the Ortg/Drtg numbers. Ricky really didn't have it going on offense last night. He picked up 2 quick fouls, had 2 terrible airballs, and was generally flummoxed. However, he remained active on defense (picking up 3 steals), on the defensive glass (6 dreb), and his block on Chauncey Billups was the best late game stop I've seen from this team since...well, I can't think of the last time a perimeter Wolf did something like that. Ricky didn't have it going on offense last night but he played hard, didn't turn it over a ton, hit the glass, and played light's out defense when it mattered. All of this put him in a spot to make his 1 made shot really, really, really count. Hopefully, this example won't be lost on anyone in the locker room.
Random thoughts:
- If you missed the game, check out the wrap up video on NBA.com. There is no good way to explain Darko's line drive bank push/hook shot or Luke's floater over Deandre Jordan. They have to be seen to be believed.
- VDN is an awful, awful coach. Just awful. At least he didn't seem to yell "miss it" at Rubio. That would have really made his last second defensive strategy look ridiculous.
- Speaking of the last play, Rubio and Wayne Ellington set the picks to make it work. Again, check out the game wrap vid. This has been quite the week for good picks. While you're over at NBA.com check out the video for the Dallas/Clipper matchup. Blake Griffin set a pick on Jason Kidd for the ages that opened up Mr. Big Shot for the big shot.
- Pek pulled down his first Dreb last night. The big fella now has 1 dreb in 72 minutes. He is losing the battle to Wes' FTAs (9).
- Wayne Ellington is putting up quite a nice stretch of ball. He now carries a .133 WP48 and has joined Love, Rubio, Ridnour, and Derrick Williams as the team's only above average WP48 performers. He provides a nice spark at the bench, but when you click here you should see a bunch of reasons why he should be taking more of a certain someone's minutes.
- Ken Mauer is still a joke of a ref. Let's take a stroll down memory lane
(Although, that was pretty much the biggest applause Kurt Rambis ever received at Target Center.)
Well folks, that was quite the contest. Hopefully, this singular oddball of a game can be the start of something big. They need to win tonight in Utah. The Jazz are one of their closest peers. They are in the same stage of rebuilding, they are focusing on many of the same things as the Wolves, and they are both very young. The Clips win was awesome and weird, but in terms of long happiness about the team, tonight's game is one where their big dogs need to show up and bite, as Darko probably doesn't have too many more of those games left in him.
UPDATE: This was the 13th time the Wolves have won a game with :00.0 seconds on the clock and the 22nd time they won in the final second.
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awesome write up as usual.. simply stellar..
and for so many reasons Ricky has quickly become my favorite NBA player of all time. I’m so stoked I get to see him grow up in a Wolves uniform, and that (hopefully) we get to see him and Kevin be the cornerstones of this franchise for the next 10-15 years. It’s like the Garnett-Sane Marbury dream we never got to live.
So confused
Never in all of my painful years watching the pups have I ever thought to myself near the end of a close game “oh, they can pull this one out, they can get a stop and win it.” I caught myself thinking that last night, I was completely confident they were going to find a way to win. And it was disturbing. When do we all wake up from this bizarro group dream?
down there
by JazzyCabbages on Jan 21, 2012 9:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
The end of January schedule is gonna be brutal. All western conference teams
Utah, LA + 4 games against Texas
by bluedevil_unicorno on Jan 21, 2012 9:04 AM CST reply actions
They are playing well
against WC opponents 5-2 so far and 2-6 against the east. End of January not as scary as you think :)
Waiting for Relevancy...
What is up with that anyway?
The bad loses have been the Bucks, Raptors and maybe Cavs. I hope those don’t come back to haunt us later.
Team was playing much different back then
Rubio had less of a role.
Beasley had more of a role.
Those two statements should equate a lot of the difference right there. I don’t think they really come back to haunt us later. We all hoped for the chance to at least contend for the 8th spot and it looks like we are right on track for that. This season would be a dream season only if we could just do that.
by Doug West Domination!!! on Jan 21, 2012 12:39 PM CST up reply actions
When was the last three game win streak?
This game was sweet in so many ways. Things really righted themselves, especially when MoMo got the boot for being MoMo. Darko had 4 dunks! 4 DUNKS! Sikma must have shown him how to do that during shoot around yesterday, because Darko really seems to like that move now.
Now let’s sign K-Love and keep the positive momentum going.
They must have given him lotion
So he wouldn’t cut his hand again.
by Waucckhewww on Jan 21, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
It puts
the lotion ball in the basket.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
I'm pretty sure
Wes had an equally impressive end of game stop last year. If I remember correctly he stuffed Monta for the win, but maybe my memory is failing me.
by Spouting Opinions on Jan 21, 2012 9:16 AM CST reply actions
Oooh...
…good memory. Here’s the only YouTube clip I could find of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDi-cfYpTAI
Hell of a play. Here’s the box score:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201102270MIN.html
There we go. It was the best perimeter play that I can (now) remember since last February.
That was shot
on a broken smartphone by a drunk Stevie Wonder while he was having a seizure.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
watching a 30 second commercial for a 5 second clip
is wrong
by illwafer on Jan 21, 2012 11:55 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I think Darko's career is going to be a slow burn.
And I mean that in a very positive way. I feel like he is slowly going to get smarter and better and more efficient over the entire course of his career. He really got messed up at the beginning of his career and in some ways you could say he has been “healing” ever since.
I think that being on a team like the Wolves with no expectations and a really savvy coach like Adelman might be a lucky stroke for Darko.
My rationale for this is mostly that what Darko is really missing is confidence in himself. And that is something that is tough to get as a young man. We forget that he is still only 25, I think.
I know this sounds silly but when you think of yourself as a freshman nerd in high school surrounded by bigger and better seniors it is mentally tough to break out of that. But as you merely age you automatically gain confidence just by being the one around the longest. I think that when Darko is like 27 or 28 he is going to be at a higher place in the basketball world and will be surprising us with his numbers.
I hope someone buys you a beer
When this doesn’t come true. Also, he’s 27 already, right?
The man has good games. But he’s never been consistent.
Too hot to handle, too cold to hold
They're called the Ghostbusters and they're in control
by littleboxes on Jan 21, 2012 3:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
That said
I had fun watching him play last night.
Too hot to handle, too cold to hold
They're called the Ghostbusters and they're in control
by littleboxes on Jan 21, 2012 3:55 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Was doing the same pose as KLove
Alone in front of my TV.
Can’t remember a moment like that.
by fanslaststand on Jan 21, 2012 9:23 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Must have creeped you out something fierce
when Wellington grabbed and hugged you from behind.
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
by TMiss on Jan 21, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Well played . . .
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
I've now been up for nineteen hours
Reading this website, watching the game, and doing some welding. Actually a pitifully small amount of welding. Now that I’m about to turn in SNP, You’ve already got the new day going. I just want to say that if the Wolves have turned a corner they’ve still got a long way to go match the excellence of what you’ve got going here.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
I bet you also sweat beer.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry,
Not unless it’s residual from when it was two bits a tap, and cigs were 50 cents a pack from the machine.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Heh
Darko was happy with his limited defender role, like he said just two days ago:
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_19766955
However, before the game he goes on to read Tim’s preview… expletives in Serbian… decides he’ll have none of that :P
by Scott Richard Miller on Jan 21, 2012 9:30 AM CST reply actions
Cigar
If it hadn’t been so cold last night I would have went outside and indulged in a Red Auerbach victory cigar.
The Rubio/clutch win effect
I loved how Rubio kept just playing, trying to contribute even though he was off badly (until the 4th).
Hopefully that and the comeback W will be an example to others — Wes, Darko, DWill…
Darko was great last night but when he gets on a bad roll, he disappears for long stretches. Just keep playing. Don’t get down.
signature
Lovely writeup
Truly catches the spirit of the weird game that it was.
Totally a bandwagon fan
Yep, I’m that guy. I’ve always paid attention to the boxscores and standings the past few years and watched a few games when Kevin Love was getting all his hype last year (much deserved hype) but really not watched as much as I do now.
Last night was the first time I found myself vocally cheering for this team yelling out when Rubio tied it up and even louder when Kevin Love scored the game winner. This is such a fun team to watch and I don’t even really like basketball. Probably is my 4th favorite sport but I’ll be watching every chance I get this season.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Yes a nice write up and one of the benefits
of having a team interesting enough to write about.
Remember last year when we could not even inbound the ball? This was different.
I couldn't love this Wolves team more if I tried.
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Jan 21, 2012 10:20 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Awwww.
"Of what use is a philosopher who does not hurt anybody's feelings?" -Diogenes of Sinope
by Cynical Jason on Jan 21, 2012 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
Great guy
My mom is a teacher, and Malik Sealy came to her school to talk to the kids. My mom said he was an amazing guy, and I’ll always remember him for that…
He was...
I worked at the Ridgedale Champps when I was in college, and he came in one time to watch a Syracuse game. Couldn’t have been nicer or more generous. No “Big Time” to him at all…
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
Can anybody tell me...
why tonight’s game is not on tv?
Is this always the case on DAY OF HOCKEY in Minnesota?
Are we undefeated wearing black jerseys?
We wore the blacks against the Wizards and the Clippers. I think I’m missing one.
for me to poop on
Good stuff re: Darko
I was commenting before that flop how he doesn’t take enough charges, despite often times being in position to do so. The flop was like his crazy attempt at trying to figure it out. Oh well, nice game for him. The push-bank shot was ridiculous. Lots of laughs after that went in.
Awesome game, qualifiers aside.
www.punchdrunkwolves.com
@PDWolves
incredible
After complaining all season that he seems to find a way to miss easy shots in the paint, he made some awesome shots yesterday.
Watching on my little TV
I actually thought Love had taken that push-bank and I wondered when he had added that weird shot to his repertoire, then they said it was Darko and I mentally reviewed (and visualized the left hand) and said, “Oh, of course.” Thinking back on it makes me ever more cautious about expecting a repeat performance from Darko any time soon.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 5:18 PM CST up reply actions
Stupid West Coast Games
Went to sleep at halftime figuring that we just couldn’t come back against a quality team. What a great surprise!
Games like this show that Darko has the tools, there are just too many times when he is lethargic at best. I really hope they can find a way to get some kind of consistent ball from him that is somewhere between last night and most of the rest of his nights.
These slow starts are brutal to watch. I lked the fact that they were feeding Darko inside when the outside shots weren’t falling. That was the only thing that kept them in the game early.
Fingers crossed that the hangover doesn’t kick in tonight against the Jazz.
We are n the verge of a .500 record
Please no hangover….we have a very Knicks pre-melo last season vibe where we are both fun to watch and winning big games
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 21, 2012 11:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Last season's pre-Melo Knicks?
God I hope we don’t give up a 31/31…
by deus04 on Jan 21, 2012 1:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Did you ever get an expensive (relatively) Christmas gift that was 100% not what you wanted?
I’m a begrudged D’Antoni fan at best, but he must feel so screwed after what they had going before that trade. And to think Kerr saddled him with Shaq in Phoenix, too. That one was like turning half the cars on a train upside down. The Melo deal was like telling Nelson he was getting all new state of the art 1000# long range cannons but to make the deal they had to replace his fleet with Papyrus rafts.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I apologize
to the people in the hotel rooms next to mine for the loud screams I let out last night. What an ending.
i'm assuming you're talking about the game...
… … …
http://www.davechisholmmusic.com
by davechisholm on Jan 21, 2012 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
yeah, thanks for that
;)
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
If that doesn't work, cheat.
by TheEvilProfessor on Jan 21, 2012 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Haha
Unintentional. Still just so stoked
by PhoenixWolf on Jan 21, 2012 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
So it's stoked and not stroked, right?
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
"their three best players shooting a combined 10-32 from the floor"
Aren’t we talking about Love, Ricky, and Luke? They were 9-38 actually…
Lower FG%, FT%, 3FG%….and a victory. That’s willing a win.
I only ever want the Wolves to draft 5th.
@BrettAhlgren
All season we have thought: if one more player besides Ricky and Love plays well...
And then we have Darko and and Ellington finally stepping it up and the two guys you thought you could count on are not shooting well at all. But then you have the last minute of the game to remind us that they are intact the two best players. It was glorious.
by Waucckhewww on Jan 21, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
don't forget...
pek… he really provided a spark too.
by bringbackbrewer on Jan 21, 2012 11:58 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
At halftime...
…the TV guys were like “the Timberwolves leadings scorers are Darko and some guy named Pekovic!”
Don't forget Williams!
He did some nice work in the 4th. And it was Williams on the floor in crunchtime, not Tolliver.
Must See Games
It seems that the Wolves are now appointment TV and I try to rearrange my schedule in order to watch. Big change from past seasons. Wishing the game was on TV tonight.
by skhamlin on Jan 21, 2012 11:25 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Let me tell you about must see games
I found out Thursday night that the third shift I’ve been working on is being cancelled and we are all being offered jobs on second shift (3:00 pm to 11:00pm). This is a bitch for the people who are single parents, or have school age children, or work late nights to avoid paying child care. Me, I’m like, “No way man, you can lay me off, I’ve got basketball to watch!”
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
It's not that big a deal for me
I’m all about living on the cheap, and I should have a summer job to go back to.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 22, 2012 3:12 AM CST up reply actions
Wayne Ellington
What an uncharacteristic stretch of quality play from him. If you head over to bbref, you’ll notice that it’s primarily two things: a much lower TO rate (cut in half) and a nice bump in scoring efficiency.
Is it sustainable? He’s currently sporting the highest FG% of his career while possessing by far the lowest TO rate. Both those things seem like they’re at least partially explained by random variance. It might be that having Rubio has simply reduced his need to create for himself and thus lowered his TO rate while giving him access to higher quality looks. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out going forward.
The one thing that is encouraging and very much within Wayne’s control is the percentage of shots he’s taken from 3. Last year, roughly 30% of his field-goal attempts were from 3, whereas he’s taking around 38% of his shots from 3 this year. For somebody who shoots the 3 as well as Wayne has over his career and who doesn’t get to the line, even this year, shooting a lot from 3 will be important facet of his game if he’s going to be successful.
by WolvesFan03 on Jan 21, 2012 11:27 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
interesting
This is all interesting, I didn’t realize that statistically he was playing better than last season.
It could be that Rubio and the overall change in offensive philosophy has to do with it as now it seems that very seldom does he really take a bad shot.
His numbers aren't great
But at least he is now useful.
I wouldn’t say the higher FG% and lower TO rate are just random variance, because the only way Wayne stays in the league is as a low-usage shot maker. Maybe the new staff explained that to him and and has gotten him to improve his shot selection and not just dribble wildly into a crowd every other possession.
by PhoenixWolf on Jan 21, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
Wes is a guy....
Who will always play much better with a playmaker. He’s the kind of player you would have seen excel in Phx with Nash. He can knock down open shots, and he’ll continue to get them.
I think the improvement in his TO rate is pretty easy to explain. First, he is getting zero minutes at PG. Second, he isn’t asked to create or make very complicated decisions. He essentially shoots, makes one move and shoots, or restarts the offense. In the Rhombus, he was expected to be kind of a creator when he had the ball.
In a system where Wayne is going to be expected to get his own shot and make a lot of decisions with the ball in his hand, he’s going to struggle. In a system like ours, he’s free to just shoot.
by Cris Carter is a Muppet on Jan 21, 2012 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
I'm assuming you meant "Wayne is a guy...."
But your point is spot on. Ellington hasn’t had a turnover in the past six games. That along with knocking down open jumpers and good effort on D is all we can really ask of the guy.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 21, 2012 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
I think he takes a fair amount of bad shots
He’s been making most of them recently, but it gives me reason to believe its not sustainable.
Unfortunately, one bit of evidence weighs against believing that Wayne's new FG% (46%) is sustainable
His overall shot distribution is still skewed towards taking long 2s (16-23 ft), as you can see at hoopsdata: http://www.hoopdata.com/shotstats.aspx?team=MIN&type=pg&posi=G&yr=2012&gp=0&mins=0.
The difference between this year and last year? He shot 40% from 16-23 ft last year versus a whopping 55% from 16-23 ft this year. The average from that distance for guards, mind you, hovers around 37-39%.
by WolvesFan03 on Jan 21, 2012 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
wayne has always been great when confined to his role
which is a shotmaker.
he was asked to play the point and get out of his comfort zone in the last few years.
his rookie year he was just a spot up shooter and IIRC he was near the top of the league in 3pt%.
I think so...
He’s playing within his skill set, and not trying to do too much, as he was prone to before. Dude is busting his ass on D too. Definitely making a case for more minutes.
"I'm gonna make you cry...I'm gonna make you cry and dip my cookie in your tears!!!"
I think RA has him singing "Carolina on my mind."
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
Bring the pain Wayne strikes again
How much longer does this need to last till I don’t feel stupid calling him a quality NBA contributer?
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
by VoodooMagic on Jan 21, 2012 11:27 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Great Post, SNP
As amazing as it was to see Darko hit the offensive boards and discover the backboard, the D he played on Griffin was every bit as impressive. Most teams would have doubled Griffin all night. Rambis certainly would have. But RA gave Darko the challenge to handle him one on one, and he did an outstanding job. Griffin ended up with pretty good numbers but he was frustrated for most of the night and turned the ball over a ton.
I'm still buzzing over this win.
Gotta go play with the kids but that was a great game. Catch you all tonight.
Yes. That's what I'm thinking, too "A Bizarro Group Dream"
That last minute was a minute for the ages.
I love how we have done
THIS to the Clippers around the same time a year ago.
by Doug West Domination!!! on Jan 21, 2012 12:14 PM CST reply actions
Anyone else notice that Wes Johnson
actually had a 3 point play not from behind the arc.
And Darko dunked the ball multiple times?
Is the world going to end tomorrow?
by Doug West Domination!!! on Jan 21, 2012 12:17 PM CST reply actions
CROIKE! Would you take a looker that marvelous dung therr
This little cutie was found on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles
It was a block party.
Who was invited? Blake Griffin. Who was the host? ….Darko Milicic?
T'Wolves 2012: Where Bears Are Fought And Unicorns Untamed
Heh, that video goes in my personal highlight reel
A rare occasion where I could wear my Darko jersey with entirely unironic pride.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Bears Are Fought And Unicorns Untamed
Unicorn magic has clearly removed my irony
I actually felt legitimately excited about the future for a few brief, glorious moments until I realised that we might blow the Love extension.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Bears Are Fought And Unicorns Untamed
Fourth quarters have been unicornic
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions
Also we now have to look forward to the spectacle of the Shaqterpants
Because on Inside, O’Neal dissed our boy, and thought Griffin would take him. Yeah, well, he totally didn’t.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Bears Are Fought And Unicorns Untamed
What a game!
Awesome and strange. Wolves winning with their best players having bad shooting nights. Darko rising to the occassion on national TV. The Wolves winning a game in the final minute despite trailing the whole way. (When did that last happen? Ever? I know they’ve been on the wrong end of that a bunch of times, particularly in the Rambis era.)
A few more thoughts.
1) The 3’s by Rubio and Love are getting all the attention and highlights, but the play I keep basking in the glow of is Rubio’s block on Chauncey with the game tied. And yes, it was a block, not a missed layup – I’m looking at you, AP writeup.
2) Rubio is a damn good rebounding guard. I don’t recall hearing talk of that before his arrival. But with his long arms, tenacity and superior instincts for the game, it makes sense that he would be.
3) After that late sequence where we failed to score despite 4 or 5 good looks, I thought we were done for. Last year’s team probably would felt the same way. Thankfully, this is a whole new dawn.
4) Somebody is going to be victim of a number’s game when all of these guys get healthy. It will be interesting to see who.
5) Houston has 3 of the top 11 picks from the ‘09 draft spending a most of their time on the bench. All 3 were DNP’s the other night.
On #1, it was also a great no-call by the officials
How often have we seen Billups over the years drive right and then lean his shoulder into his defender to “draw” the foul. Nope. Not this time Chauncey. And nice try selling it by collapsing in a heap on the floor after getting your layup blocked by Ricky.
by Rascal Flatts on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
On #3, it was unicornic
OK, I’ll stop now.
In a game (and an era) where pissing and moaning about every foul call is standard procedure, I thought Chauncey reacted very professionally after that play. I think he knew the rook had bested him and that it’s hard to get a call at that stage of the game. But be advised, he will not forget.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
Houston actually has 4 of the top 11 picks from the '09 draft I believe
Thabeet, Flynn, Hill, Williams. 2,6,8,11. They hit the quad with the 4 worst players in the top 11, at least.
The ironic thing is the 5th player on the roster from that draft is Budinger at 44, the best of the 5.
He who rides a wolf cannot dismount.
Wow, gosh, you're right
Forgot about Hill.
McHale coaching a roster with the worst 4 lottery picks from a single draft. Sounds like something the Wolves would do except that Houston has a winning record…
by One_Eyed_Jack on Jan 21, 2012 4:22 PM CST up reply actions
karmic and ironic
McHale coaching draft busts.
Mabe he needs Kahn as an assistant
by WinTheLottery on Jan 21, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
It's karmonic!
I lied.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Jan 21, 2012 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
To my eyes
It wasn’t a block. I think it went past his fingertips by a millimeter. It was great D to not give him a makeable angle though.
It was a block
Watch and listen.
Hubie saw it right away, the replay clearly proves him right.
by One_Eyed_Jack on Jan 21, 2012 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
I know Hubie said that, but
I swear they showed an above the backboard angle on the broadcast that’s cut out in this video. It pretty definitively showed that he didn’t get a piece. Can’t find the clip though….
Not that it really matters that much. He forced Billups into a miss either way.
Yeah the top of the backboard cam
Showed he didn’t hit it.
ya it wasn't credited as a block in the boxscore
Joe Mauer grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, ________ out at second
It ultimately doesn't matter either way, but....
…as we saw from Rubio’s phantom assist in NO, whether it shows up in the box score or not doesn’t mean anything.
by One_Eyed_Jack on Jan 21, 2012 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
What’s funny is that I phoned NBA League office, the person who answered admitted it was an assist, but since assists are "subjective" they cannot add it, they can only change an assist that’s already been credited.
Joe Mauer grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, ________ out at second
Makes sense
90% of the crap I say on here is sarcastic
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 22, 2012 3:37 AM CST up reply actions
In a sub-16 Euro Championship
He went 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals.
So, we suspected it someway.
we knew he was a good rebounding guard
by TO12 on Jan 21, 2012 4:19 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
OK, fair enough
I don’t recall hearing much about that, though admittedly, last year I started tuning out a lot of what I heard about him, as it seemed to be a lot of noise from from naysayers who had never actually seen him play.
by One_Eyed_Jack on Jan 21, 2012 4:24 PM CST up reply actions
Am I the only one here who slept in his Wolves gear last night?
TMI? OK.
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
by TMiss on Jan 21, 2012 1:36 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
And what I meant
was wearing my Wolves cap to bed, that being the sum total of my “gear” (and sleeping attire).
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
If Darko can play this well against the "world's best PF", the world is in serious trouble.
Now, who else is starting to believe in Mayans’ prediction?
by bluedevil_unicorno on Jan 21, 2012 1:42 PM CST reply actions
he scrimmages he world's best PF
by TO12 on Jan 21, 2012 2:46 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Stating the obvious here but
We are very lucky to have Adelman. That last play was just a beauty, has to be re watched to be appreciated, D Will curling as a decoy + Luke fake pass + offensive line like double screen. Perfect. Del Negro still didn’t know what hit him post game, said he had to go back and “look at it”.
I am not a great basketball mind,
but even I could appreciate that last play.
I always hear people talk about plays and strategy and triangles and stuff, and usually I don’t understand and it sounds like baloney. But that play was awesome and clear and you could see how it worked, and how it was supposed to work. Super impressive. That is why you get a coach like Adelman. Rambis never could have done that.
Rambis: Give it to Beasley behind the 3 point line and let him do his thing
NEVER FORGET
90% of the crap I say on here is sarcastic
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 21, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
Even more subtle
Is throughout the game, whenever we come out of a time out with the ball, we run a play and get an incredibly high percentage shot, usually wide open.
Look for it during the games.
I can't get enough of Hubie's call of the game-winner.
“Oh my oh my oh my, is that great basketball or what? What a great win for Minnesota.”
by googoleeoottooooleeoottooooleeeatta on Jan 21, 2012 4:02 PM CST reply actions
I missed the commentary cause I watched the game at a bar last night
I was so bummed I didn’t get to listen to Hubie. Also, we left after the 3rd quarter and didn’t get home till the game was over, laaame
90% of the crap I say on here is sarcastic
by CoffeeJanitor on Jan 21, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
Hubie is awesome
Loved listening to him call a Wolves game, made me wish they were on ESPN more often. As they get better they probably will be.
At least we hope, because I can’t stomach the thought of listening to JimPete call a Wolves game when they’re actually good. The way he fawns over them when they suck is nauseating enough at times.
by One_Eyed_Jack on Jan 21, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
I'm blaming Fox and Wolves management.
JimPete knows who signs the check. I doubt Clipper fans are mushing all over Hubie.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
adelman is a hell of a coach
I know you guys added rubio, which helps because he is a stud, but adelman is just as big of an addition if not more. I am a big rockets fan, and will root for the rockets anytime we play you guys, but i am a baby wolves fan now. Adelman worked wonders for our little rockets squad while he was in houston. we won 22 games in a row in the regular season, the last 12 games of which we started rafer alston, an already washed up mcgrady, shane battier, a rookie luis scola and a 40 year old mutumbo. the next year with no yao or mcgrady we won our first playoff series for the first time in over 11 years, and took the lakers to 7 with a lineup of aaron brooks ron artest battier scola and a 6ft 6 chuck hayes at center. the man can coach, i said it before the year that adelman would turn the twolves into winners. believe me, he wins with no matter what his roster is. he gets everyone believing and the guy can flat out coach offense. when the beas comes back you guys will be that much more dangerous. the good thing about an adelman coached team is that they gell and get better throughout the year. enjoy it, because hiring adelman is the best thing kahn has done at gm. getting the 2 rickeys is about to turn around your franchise. go T wolves!!!
by jeffsa on Jan 21, 2012 7:07 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
one more thing
when he was with houston we won a lot of games like this. where we would play terrible, and somehow win at the end. look at the losses you guys have, they are all close. adelman is norman dale from the coach hoosiers. that play that he designed for kevin love out of the timeout to win the game, is standard for him. just telling you guys, the wins will keep coming. he works wonders with whatever roster he has, and i used to be confused in a lot of games how we were close or managed to win. only one thing is logical, an adelman coached team never goes away
thanks for the posts man.. Adelman really is amazing..
I’m not looking forward to playing you guys 3 times in the next 8.. you guys are playing lights out.
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