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RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/24/2023 8:11:10 AM

TJSweens

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The Wolves avenged their only home loss by beating Sacramento. I still have a hard time believing how good this team is. Wolves fans have waited decades for this. A budding superstar. So much talent. Talented players willing to accept roles. A savvy vet who elevates teammates running the point. This is a first time since the Musselman era that a Timberwolves team plays defense and they play it very well.

I'm finally overcoming the fatalist in me who assumes this is too good to last. I've waited a long time for this, so I'm just going to enjoy it.

_____________________________

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Post #: 176

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/27/2023 1:42:12 AM

JT2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

Anderson got exposed a bit at the end of last year when he was forced into more minutes due to injuries. Here’s a nice steady veteran influence, but there’s no way he should get significant minutes. He’s too limited, especially now that he can’t shoot.

Its a problem when he's out there with other non-shooters like Rudy.

With McLaughlin out most of the year, Kyle has been the only guy after Conley that has any "real" PG ability. And his defense has been vital with Jaden out.

Anderson is a giant negative on this bench team. Finch thinks of him from yesteryear. When Slo-Mo gets slower, time to bail.
He used to be a competent, versatile defender but even those skills have eroded.

We should have paid attention to Exum during his NBA exile. He fixed his shot during his hiatus and he can run an offense, and be a scoring threat.

We probably need to make a move or two before the deadline. I hope we're aggressive.

As an aside, how good is Shai? You could make an argument that he is the 2nd best PG in the league.

Post #: 177

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/28/2023 1:07:46 AM

Matt Lang

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quote:

2nd best PG in the league

Who’s the best?

Post #: 178

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/29/2023 2:21:44 AM

JT2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Matt Lang

quote:

2nd best PG in the league

Who’s the best?

Doncic.

Post #: 179

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/29/2023 2:27:03 AM

JT2

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I don't know what it would take, but I'd love to have Brogdon on this team. Clearly Portland will trade him at the deadline.

Perhaps DL could chime in and let me know if that is even feasible.

Post #: 180

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/29/2023 9:21:13 AM

David Levine

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

I don't know what it would take, but I'd love to have Brogdon on this team. Clearly Portland will trade him at the deadline.

Perhaps DL could chime in and let me know if that is even feasible.

He's making too much. 22.5M.

Really hard for us to match. The only thing I could see working is Naz and Kyle.

Otherwise you're looking at Kyle, Shake, TBJ, WMJ and McLaughlin. And then we need to sign a bunch of minimum salaries to get to the minimum roster - and that would put us over the tax - which we really want to avoid starting the clock on the repeater this year if possible.

Post #: 181

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/29/2023 9:04:12 PM

JT2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

I don't know what it would take, but I'd love to have Brogdon on this team. Clearly Portland will trade him at the deadline.

Perhaps DL could chime in and let me know if that is even feasible.

He's making too much. 22.5M.

Really hard for us to match. The only thing I could see working is Naz and Kyle.

Otherwise you're looking at Kyle, Shake, TBJ, WMJ and McLaughlin. And then we need to sign a bunch of minimum salaries to get to the minimum roster - and that would put us over the tax - which we really want to avoid starting the clock on the repeater this year if possible.

That sucks. Thanks for the info DL.

Post #: 182

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/31/2023 2:42:10 AM

JT2

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Another good W tonight. I love that we have become not just a top-level defense, but willing and capable of being a tough, physical defense.
We're a bit nasty and rough. Can't remember the last time that was the case. Pretty exciting to watch this team play.

Post #: 183

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/31/2023 9:29:17 AM

TJSweens

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The last time the Wolves played tough physical defense was the Musselman era.

Nice, hard fought win, but things that concern me:
-KAT seems to sliding back into Incredible Sulk mode.
-McDaniels still has moments of immaturity. The 4 point play he created with his technical turned a 7 point lead into a 1 score game.
-Ant has stretches where he abondons what's working and plays hero ball.

< Message edited by TJSweens -- 12/31/2023 9:31:41 AM >

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Post #: 184

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 12/31/2023 10:47:23 AM

David Levine

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KAT hasn’t looked right since tweaking his knee.

He might need to take a game or two off.

Post #: 185

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/2/2024 8:00:19 AM

bstinger

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

The last time the Wolves played tough physical defense was the Musselman era.

Nice, hard fought win, but things that concern me:
-KAT seems to sliding back into Incredible Sulk mode.
-McDaniels still has moments of immaturity. The 4 point play he created with his technical turned a 7 point lead into a 1 score game.
-Ant has stretches where he abondons what's working and plays hero ball.

No team has needed a team psychologist more than these guys, that I can recall.

_____________________________

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--twinsfan

Post #: 186

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/2/2024 8:01:19 AM

bstinger

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Disappointing effort in the Big Apple yesterday.

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Post #: 187

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/2/2024 8:29:11 AM

TJSweens

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quote:

ORIGINAL: bstinger

Disappointing effort in the Big Apple yesterday.

The second and third quarters were about as bad as it gets. A lot of forcing up bad shots in traffic and bitching about calls, while the Knicks picked them apart with rapid ball movement, leading to easy shots. Then, they finally got on a big roll to close it to 4 in the 4th only to disjointed basketball.

Coming off an injury not, Towns is back to his old pissing and whining form.

_____________________________

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

Post #: 188

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/3/2024 1:16:56 AM

JT2

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: bstinger

Disappointing effort in the Big Apple yesterday.

The second and third quarters were about as bad as it gets. A lot of forcing up bad shots in traffic and bitching about calls, while the Knicks picked them apart with rapid ball movement, leading to easy shots. Then, they finally got on a big roll to close it to 4 in the 4th only to disjointed basketball.

Coming off an injury not, Towns is back to his old pissing and whining form.

It is strange that he can have small stretches where he doesn't act like a whiny bitch. He's a difficult kat to figure out.

Knicks defense has been progressively declining, hence the trade for Anunoby, but I'll chalk that one up to just a bad game. We've had a few of those but usually find a way to end up with the W. That has to continue. The West is wide open. We could get a top seed. Nuggets and Thunder are the only threats, IMO.

We need to make a move or two at the deadline. Our lack of PG depth is an issue.

Post #: 189

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/4/2024 9:40:21 PM

Karl Juhnke

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Ricky Rubio stepped away from the NBA. Retiring to work on mental health issues.

No need to go into great detail on his career. We all know him. Couldn’t shoot couldn’t jump. But was an excellent point guard nonetheless. If you were open you’d better be ready for the ball because it was coming.

I was at his first game at Target Center. The arena was absolutely electric. A great memory.

In wish him well.

Post #: 190

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/5/2024 9:32:55 AM

twinsfan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: bstinger

Disappointing effort in the Big Apple yesterday.

The second and third quarters were about as bad as it gets. A lot of forcing up bad shots in traffic and bitching about calls, while the Knicks picked them apart with rapid ball movement, leading to easy shots. Then, they finally got on a big roll to close it to 4 in the 4th only to disjointed basketball.

Coming off an injury not, Towns is back to his old pissing and whining form.

It is strange that he can have small stretches where he doesn't act like a whiny bitch. He's a difficult kat to figure out.

Knicks defense has been progressively declining, hence the trade for Anunoby, but I'll chalk that one up to just a bad game. We've had a few of those but usually find a way to end up with the W. That has to continue. The West is wide open. We could get a top seed. Nuggets and Thunder are the only threats, IMO.

We need to make a move or two at the deadline. Our lack of PG depth is an issue.

Is he the Big Meow or the Big Baby?

_____________________________

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Post #: 191

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/9/2024 7:13:51 PM

Karl Juhnke

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A total beat down in the first half at Orlando. Up 30 and Towns with 23 points and playing very well.

He needs more rebounds though. Part of my parlay has Towns getting a double double. Rudy is hogging too many rebounds. Maybe Rudy’s best half of the season though. 15/10 with 2 blocks.

Post #: 192

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/11/2024 8:15:44 AM

TJSweens

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Wolves lose a tough one to the Celtics in OT. Edwards, again lapsed into hero ball at crunch time. I think that is his last step in the maturity of his game. Walking that fine line between taking over and forcing something that isn't there. He's a smart kid. He'll figure it out.

_____________________________

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

Post #: 193

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/18/2024 4:31:54 PM

David Levine

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Canis:

canthoopus
A look at NBA records vs teams above and below .500 is eye opening and shines a spotlight on how strong the Wolves have been. The Wolves have played the most games against over .500 teams (28), have the most wins (19) and also have the second best record in the league against over .500 teams (19-9, after only the Celtics at 18-7). Of particular interest in the West is that Denver is only 11-11 against top teams and Dallas, Pho, Utah, LAL, and Houston are all various stages of losers against top teams. In the East, only Boston, Milw, and Indy(!) are above .500 against winning teams.

Against losing teams, the Wolves, Griz, and Portland have played the fewest games (12) against below .500 teams. At 10-2, the Wolves have the fewest losses in the league to under .500 teams.

The data shows some “contenders” who are in the race only by feasting tbrough a large number of games against losing teams, while struggling against top teams (looking at you, Denver and Philly). There are also some clear pretenders in each conference. If the Wolves can continue to dominate the upcoming games against losing teams, maintaining a top seed in the West is very likely.

https://www.espn.com/nba/standings/_/view/expanded

Post #: 194

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/18/2024 5:33:16 PM

Karl Juhnke

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I don't care if they maintain #1 spot all year. They could go .500 the rest of the way and still win 50 games.

Top 4, healthy, and playing well at end of the season is fine for me.

Post #: 195

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/18/2024 11:37:00 PM

Karl Juhnke

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Ant. 2 points in the first half, and an electrifying 26 in the second half for the TNT notional TV audience. Add in a monster game for Naz a 37-17 4th quarter, all in all a good night.

Post #: 196

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/19/2024 9:06:52 AM

Phil Riewer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke
Ant. 2 points in the first half, and an electrifying 26 in the second half for the TNT notional TV audience. Add in a monster game for Naz a 37-17 4th quarter, all in all a good night.

TNT crew was anti-wolves at halftime....didn't stay up and see what they had to saw after the game.

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Post #: 197

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/19/2024 10:51:50 AM 1 votes

Karl Juhnke

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke
Ant. 2 points in the first half, and an electrifying 26 in the second half for the TNT notional TV audience. Add in a monster game for Naz a 37-17 4th quarter, all in all a good night.

TNT crew was anti-wolves at halftime....didn't stay up and see what they had to saw after the game.

Eh, I’ve long given up caring about what Charles and Shaq have to say. They come across as guys who know basketball no doubt, but practice a lazy sort of analysis where they don’t actually watch many games but just spout off takes based on preconceived notions and assumptions.

Their forte isn’t breaking down hours of video. They’re just getting by on personality.

Post #: 198

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/19/2024 11:55:51 AM

David Levine

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Must read article:

Dare To Speak The Forbidden Words: The Minnesota Timberwolves Are Good Now

https://defector.com/dare-to-speak-the-forbidden-words-the-minnesota-timberwolves-are-good-now

Post #: 199

RE: Timberwolves 2023 - 2024 Season - 1/19/2024 1:03:44 PM

Steve Lentz

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I got laughed at when I said last year that Edwards was already my favorite Wolve of all-time. I haven't changed my mind. His athletic ability and aggressiveness are truly remarkable. He's young and no where near his peak, but he certainly gives me a reason to watch every Wolve game I can. Add to that the progress Reid and Gobert have shown and we should be competitive with anybody in the league. Still a player short of being the favorite in the league, but certainly a threat to most anybody.

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Post #: 200