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RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season

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RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/9/2024 7:27:21 AM 1 votes

TJSweens

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

One of Ant's very best games of his career.

He's shot better, and put up bigger numbers, but his decision making was the best I've ever seen from him.

Yes, he played a smart game for 4 quarters. He made good decisions quickly and kept the ball moving. No hero ball. No using up the shot clock pounding the ball on the floor. No awkward contested shots early in the possession. No turnovers.

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Post #: 276

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/9/2024 7:30:08 AM 1 votes

TJSweens

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Have to give a hat tip to KAT. He guarded Giannis by himself for some long stretches and was pretty solid.

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Post #: 277

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/9/2024 10:26:24 AM

Mark Anderson

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Have to give a hat tip to KAT. He guarded Giannis by himself for some long stretches and was pretty solid.

Milwaukee took a step backwards when they hired Rivers to coach.

Post #: 278

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/9/2024 10:58:35 AM 1 votes

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Have to give a hat tip to KAT. He guarded Giannis by himself for some long stretches and was pretty solid.

Milwaukee took a step backwards when they hired Rivers to coach.

They'd be so much better with Budenholzer and J'rue...

Post #: 279

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/10/2024 11:39:15 AM

twinsfan

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I'm kind of perplexed why we kept our star players out on the court with 5 minutes left and a 25-point lead. If someone suffers a significant (or even not so significant, really) injury at that point, the coach is to blame.

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Post #: 280

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 8:20:45 AM

wrh

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what a great game/win. I missed much of the 2nd qtr but looked like the whole team was playing well. 3rd qtr I thought wolves made Clippers look old and tired (probably too much criticism, but it did for that portion of the game). Nice statement. Now Jim Pete says Portland playing much better than the last time we saw them, we just need to take care of business for these last 2 games before the break.

Post #: 281

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 8:48:16 AM

TJSweens

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Edwards with another high assist-low turnover game (8-1). I hope this is the start of a long term trend. Decision making has been the last piece in Ant's progression.

Rudy is is back to his old self this year. It makes a world of difference

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Post #: 282

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 9:33:19 AM 1 votes

wrh

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I don't know about the rest of you, but Rudy definitely has been growing on me. Maybe the Master of all the little things which help a team win. The more I see and hear the more I respect his high basketball IQ. He seems to really understand the game.

Post #: 283

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 10:04:03 AM

TJSweens

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quote:

ORIGINAL: wrh

I don't know about the rest of you, but Rudy definitely has been growing on me. Maybe the Master of all the little things which help a team win. The more I see and hear the more I respect his high basketball IQ. He seems to really understand the game.

Last year the Wolves were too worried about upping his offensive game in the early going. The offense was disjointed as a result. This year they seem to realize the player Rudy is and let him incorporate his game to the Wolves system instead of the other way around.

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Post #: 284

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 10:36:00 AM 1 votes

wrh

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Last year the Wolves were too worried about upping his offensive game in the early going. The offense was disjointed as a result. This year they seem to realize the player Rudy is and let him incorporate his game to the Wolves system instead of the other way around.

I agree, but I would also add/give credit to KAT being back full time and also seriously continuing to adjust his game to accepting a role that doesn't rely on him as the primary scorer and really needs his defense. I am not great at analyzing defense, but I certainly think KATs improved defense passes my eyeball test. The apparent lack of ego conflicts on this team is a huge credit to the players and the coaches. Not always an abundant NBA quality.

Post #: 285

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 11:41:50 AM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Edwards with another high assist-low turnover game (8-1). I hope this is the start of a long term trend. Decision making has been the last piece in Ant's progression.

Rudy is is back to his old self this year. It makes a world of difference

17 Assists vs 1 Turnover in the past 2 games. Both on the road against contenders.

quote:

There have been 778 instances in NBA regular-season history of a team playing consecutive games, both on the road against teams 15+ games over .500.

The Timberwolves are the only one of the 778 to win both games by 20+ points (won at 33-18 Bucks by 24, at 35-16 Clippers by 21).

Post #: 286

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 11:44:02 AM

David Levine

Posts: 76821
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quote:

ORIGINAL: wrh

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Last year the Wolves were too worried about upping his offensive game in the early going. The offense was disjointed as a result. This year they seem to realize the player Rudy is and let him incorporate his game to the Wolves system instead of the other way around.

I agree, but I would also add/give credit to KAT being back full time and also seriously continuing to adjust his game to accepting a role that doesn't rely on him as the primary scorer and really needs his defense. I am not great at analyzing defense, but I certainly think KATs improved defense passes my eyeball test. The apparent lack of ego conflicts on this team is a huge credit to the players and the coaches. Not always an abundant NBA quality.

He's really changed how he plays defense at PF. Now he mostly just "walls up" and uses his length to his advantage. He doesn't swipe down at the ball nearly as often.

Post #: 287

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 1:06:56 PM

Steve Lentz

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From: Omaha
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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: wrh

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Last year the Wolves were too worried about upping his offensive game in the early going. The offense was disjointed as a result. This year they seem to realize the player Rudy is and let him incorporate his game to the Wolves system instead of the other way around.

I agree, but I would also add/give credit to KAT being back full time and also seriously continuing to adjust his game to accepting a role that doesn't rely on him as the primary scorer and really needs his defense. I am not great at analyzing defense, but I certainly think KATs improved defense passes my eyeball test. The apparent lack of ego conflicts on this team is a huge credit to the players and the coaches. Not always an abundant NBA quality.

He's really changed how he plays defense at PF. Now he mostly just "walls up" and uses his length to his advantage. He doesn't swipe down at the ball nearly as often.

Concerning Towns it's probably a combination of Finch expectations and Towns maturity. I see improvement this year.

Ant's natural ability and skills are off the charts. As his decision making improves he will be as good as anyone in the league or better.

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Post #: 288

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 4:16:14 PM

Phil Riewer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Steve Lentz

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: wrh

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Last year the Wolves were too worried about upping his offensive game in the early going. The offense was disjointed as a result. This year they seem to realize the player Rudy is and let him incorporate his game to the Wolves system instead of the other way around.

I agree, but I would also add/give credit to KAT being back full time and also seriously continuing to adjust his game to accepting a role that doesn't rely on him as the primary scorer and really needs his defense. I am not great at analyzing defense, but I certainly think KATs improved defense passes my eyeball test. The apparent lack of ego conflicts on this team is a huge credit to the players and the coaches. Not always an abundant NBA quality.

He's really changed how he plays defense at PF. Now he mostly just "walls up" and uses his length to his advantage. He doesn't swipe down at the ball nearly as often.

Concerning Towns it's probably a combination of Finch expectations and Towns maturity. I see improvement this year.

Ant's natural ability and skills are off the charts. As his decision making improves he will be as good as anyone in the league or better.

I give most of the credit to the mature PG who also helped get Gobert going in the right direction. Also like our 2nd unit much more with Monte at PG.

There was a post that mentioned this:
Canis Hoopus
@canishoopus
Now that everyone is asleep…

Tim Connelly essentially traded…

D’Angelo Russell
Taurean Prince

For

Mike Conley
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Leonard Miller
Monte Morris

Pretty impressive roster management with big salary and draft asset constraints

< Message edited by Phil Riewer -- 2/13/2024 4:27:51 PM >

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Post #: 289

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/13/2024 5:17:59 PM

MDK

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Wolves beat good teams. How will they do against a bad team like Portland. 2 games.

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Post #: 290

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/14/2024 7:06:12 AM

MDK

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1 down, 1 to go against Portland.

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MAGA needs to change to MAWA= Make America White Again

Tom Smothers RIP: Easter "is when Jesus comes out of his tomb and if he sees his shadow, he goes back in and we get six more weeks of winter."

Post #: 291

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/14/2024 8:07:11 AM

Phil Riewer

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NAW and Ant (who at first wasn't going to play as his shooter's knee was acting up)

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Post #: 292

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/14/2024 8:17:30 AM 1 votes

TJSweens

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Yesterday I watched the replay of the Clippers game. The impact of Gobert's defense just jumped off the TV screen. It made me think of the old saying that for every shot you block, you change two more. It was so obvious that the Clippers were very aware of Rudy's presence in the lane. This was a team of veteran scorers that was putting extra hight on shots in the lane or going off balance shooting around blocks or hesitating in front of an open path.

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Post #: 293

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/14/2024 9:41:30 AM

David Levine

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I wish they tracked how many times a game guys enter the paint and immediately bail because Rudy is waiting.

Happens all the time.

Post #: 294

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/14/2024 10:05:51 AM 1 votes

Steve Lentz

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Ant was on a roll again last night. Loved the left-handed bank shot!

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Post #: 295

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/15/2024 1:55:23 AM

JT2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

I wish they tracked how many times a game guys enter the paint and immediately bail because Rudy is waiting.

Happens all the time.

I think this may be the best of Rudy ever. I wasn't a fan of the trade, but his ability to anchor the defense has been impressive, and has won me over. Let him do what he do. His impact on defense has been so consistent. The altered shots and no shots are a thing of beauty. Low key our MVP?

Post #: 296

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/15/2024 10:20:08 AM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

I wish they tracked how many times a game guys enter the paint and immediately bail because Rudy is waiting.

Happens all the time.

I think this may be the best of Rudy ever. I wasn't a fan of the trade, but his ability to anchor the defense has been impressive, and has won me over. Let him do what he do. His impact on defense has been so consistent. The altered shots and no shots are a thing of beauty. Low key our MVP?

Absolutely. He's been the key to our defense. And the difference between this team and those Utah ones is we actually put good perimeter defenders around him, so he's no an island.

Also really interesting with all the talk of how teams can go small, play "5 out" and play Rudy off the court, the very opposite happened against the Clippers where we completely overwhelmed them to the point that Lue (a really terrific coach) had to abandon the idea and try to match size as best he could.

Bodes well for the Playoffs.

Post #: 297

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/16/2024 9:04:30 AM

Phil Riewer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

I wish they tracked how many times a game guys enter the paint and immediately bail because Rudy is waiting.

Happens all the time.

I think this may be the best of Rudy ever. I wasn't a fan of the trade, but his ability to anchor the defense has been impressive, and has won me over. Let him do what he do. His impact on defense has been so consistent. The altered shots and no shots are a thing of beauty. Low key our MVP?

Connelly has turned the 2nd round picks into the new low 1st rounders....he did that at Denver also. There is almost equal talent to be found in the 2nd.

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Post #: 298

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/16/2024 9:44:43 AM

TJSweens

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Edwards now has a mere 4 turnovers in the last 4 games. Better decisions earlier in the shot clock. It's making Ant and the whole team more effective.

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"The eternal fate of the noble and enlightened: to be brutally crushed by the armed and dumb."

Post #: 299

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 2/16/2024 11:06:53 AM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Edwards now has a mere 4 turnovers in the last 4 games. Better decisions earlier in the shot clock. It's making Ant and the whole team more effective.

9 Turnovers the previous 2 games.

A switch flipped.

Post #: 300