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Post by levine on Jan 29, 2024 13:59:27 GMT -6
After the demoralizing 113-112 loss on Saturday to the San Antonio Spurs, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the ultimate chance at a bounce-back game as they take currently share the top spot in the Western Conference with, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a demoralizing loss of their own as the Detroit Pistons won just their sixth game of the season beating the Thunder 120-104, behind a 46-point second quarter. This will be the fourth and final meeting between the two teams with the Thunder taking two of the first three meetings. The winner of this game will earn not only the top spot in the Western Conference, but will put themselves in the driver’s seat for the number one seed come playoff time. www.canishoopus.com/2024/1/29/24054414/wolves-vs-thunder-preview-starting-time-tv-schedule-injury-report-anthony-edwards-edwards-sga-shai
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Post by wunderwolf on Jan 29, 2024 14:07:03 GMT -6
The fact that the Thunder are on a back to back where they had to travel home last night, and the Wolves have been chilling in OKC since Sat night kind of makes this a must win for the Wolves IMO. Not necessarily a must win, but a game they better win considering the schedule advantage and to tie up the season head to head with the Thunder.
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Post by jojo on Jan 29, 2024 14:27:54 GMT -6
It’s a huge game for seeding since if they lose OKC has the tiebreaker in head to head.
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Post by tmill720 on Jan 29, 2024 14:55:47 GMT -6
It was interesting listening to Dane's pod with the Thunder reporter. He made it seem like he is not very confident the Thunder can consistently beat the Wolves. Said that we have the right defensive approach - we have guys that can "contain" Shai with Rudy lurking off non-shooters. He said last game it hurt us with Dort making shots, but that is not reliable. He also felt like us averaging 20 turnovers a game isn't something to count on.
Essentially saying that the things we are good at (defense, rebounding) are hard-wired, while their 3pt shooting from non-shooters (Giddey/Dort) and the amount of turnovers we coughed up were things that can be fixed. Kind of confirming that if we just play well, we should beat them. It was kind of an interesting and refreshing outsider perspective on our team compared to the doom and gloom going on in the Wolves community.
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Post by quinn on Jan 29, 2024 15:16:09 GMT -6
I'll be interested to see what teams show up tonight. I think OKC mailed in the game vs the Pistons last night and the Wolves are coming off just a horrendous loss to the Spurs. Both teams should be fired up for this one, but we'll see how gassed OKC is. I'm actually in OKC for a work trip, so I'll be at the game tonight. May have planned the work trip around the game...
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Post by kingsxman on Jan 29, 2024 15:47:12 GMT -6
I'll be interested to see what teams show up tonight. I think OKC mailed in the game vs the Pistons last night and the Wolves are coming off just a horrendous loss to the Spurs. Both teams should be fired up for this one, but we'll see how gassed OKC is. I'm actually in OKC for a work trip, so I'll be at the game tonight. May have planned the work trip around the game... thats awesome. So are you goign to be wearing any Wolves gear? Or will you be "blending in"? We'll look for a full report on how different NBA game are there. Stadium, etc. We lost to Charlotte, who was on a back to back. It seems that any "excuse" the wolves can find to take a team lightly enters into thier mind. I hope Finch is expressing how important this game is in the overall big picture. I also hope Finch has someone on the coaching staff ready to push him down if he even suggests a lineup of Jmac, Shake, Kyle, Naz, Rudy be put on the floor. Cant wait for the game. May actually have to watch this one live.
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Post by levine on Jan 29, 2024 16:21:17 GMT -6
It was interesting listening to Dane's pod with the Thunder reporter. He made it seem like he is not very confident the Thunder can consistently beat the Wolves. Said that we have the right defensive approach - we have guys that can "contain" Shai with Rudy lurking off non-shooters. He said last game it hurt us with Dort making shots, but that is not reliable. He also felt like us averaging 20 turnovers a game isn't something to count on. Essentially saying that the things we are good at (defense, rebounding) are hard-wired, while their 3pt shooting from non-shooters (Giddey/Dort) and the amount of turnovers we coughed up were things that can be fixed. Kind of confirming that if we just play well, we should beat them. It was kind of an interesting and refreshing outsider perspective on our team compared to the doom and gloom going on in the Wolves community. Feels like they're underestimating OKC. They have 1 major weakness. Rebounding. Otherwise, they're exceptional across the board: www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-midseason-grades-a-for-76ers-celtics-plus-strong-marks-for-knicks-and-thunder-three-teams-get-f/
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Post by levine on Jan 29, 2024 17:41:20 GMT -6
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jr
Junior Member
Posts: 297
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Post by jr on Jan 29, 2024 18:10:13 GMT -6
It's almost comfortable being back to the classic Twolves emotional stance of expecting them to lose, but hoping for an outlier game with a win. Sometimes familiar is as good as we can expect.
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Post by kingsxman on Jan 29, 2024 20:14:22 GMT -6
Really fun first half. The Thunder got some really lucky bounces. Hoping that we see the same with that basket. We could play better..so surprised that we're still in the lead. Glad to see TBJ getting some burn. I think that's maybe an acknowledgment from Finch that he F'd up that last games early 2nd and 4th qtr lineup.
Will be interested in hearing Quinns comments on the game from OKC.
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Post by kingsxman on Jan 29, 2024 20:46:15 GMT -6
That last play of the 3rd quarter sums up the differences so well between Ant and SGA. SGA kept the ball until 2 seconds left then found a wide open shooter to drain the 3. No way Ant gets rid of that ball. He holds it and takes a contested 3 or drives into traffic.
I hate the learning curve.
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Post by kingsxman on Jan 29, 2024 21:26:14 GMT -6
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!
Just imagine how good we'll be once Ant learns how to pass!
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Post by tmirvin on Jan 29, 2024 21:38:00 GMT -6
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Just imagine how good we'll be once Ant learns how to pass! He needs to learn how to navigate the lane better. He's always euro stepping or slowing down to get around defenders. He's big and strong, he needs to go up powerfully and he'll get more calls. He has to be frustrated after a night like tonight where SGA shoots 16 or 18 ft's and he gets 4. SGA gets a lot of ticky tack fouls called in his favor.
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Post by Nick K on Jan 29, 2024 21:38:16 GMT -6
I'm impressed with how well coached OKC is. Wolves played great down the stretch regardless of the grade school officiating. If they would only call the same thing against each team.
SGA is great but he gets calls Ant doesn't and it's not even close. I'm tired of it.
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Post by Bonecrusher on Jan 30, 2024 8:00:37 GMT -6
I'm impressed with how well coached OKC is. Wolves played great down the stretch regardless of the grade school officiating. If they would only call the same thing against each team. SGA is great but he gets calls Ant doesn't and it's not even close. I'm tired of it. Ant is getting a fine over his comments on the horrendous officiating.
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Post by tmill720 on Jan 30, 2024 8:12:19 GMT -6
Man if the Thunder can upgrade Giddey into a shooter, they might be unstoppable. Giddey/Bertans/Picks for Keldon Johnson/Osman would make sense for both the Spurs and Thunder, and make them frighteningly solid everywhere. Then the Spurs would get a PG who can get Wemby the ball plus more picks. Win/Win for them, loss for us.
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Post by Bonecrusher on Jan 30, 2024 8:14:27 GMT -6
Better ball movement this game. There were some very sloppy plays but overall not that bad. OKC gets so many non-calls. They are always clutching and grabbing when playing defense. If some team figures out how to break up their defense when they "man" up they are a very beatable team.
Wolves need to figure out how to pass out of a double or triple team because OKC did that more than a few times and got a turnover because of it or a bad shot. The play were Jaden is driving and the OKC defender gets hammered was a great play. OKC defender was moving and we got the call for a change. The overturning of the NAW block is 50/50. You can see the OKC player lower their shoulder and give him an extra push off (but I am biased) so I can see it both ways.
SGA shot 16 freethrows. 16. The entire Wolves team shot 15. This is total bs and the league needs to respond.
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Post by tmill720 on Jan 30, 2024 8:32:24 GMT -6
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Just imagine how good we'll be once Ant learns how to pass! He needs to learn how to navigate the lane better. He's always euro stepping or slowing down to get around defenders. He's big and strong, he needs to go up powerfully and he'll get more calls. He has to be frustrated after a night like tonight where SGA shoots 16 or 18 ft's and he gets 4. SGA gets a lot of ticky tack fouls called in his favor. I really think those two are contradictory. The problem for Ant is that he's so big and strong that he can finish through contact, so it doesn't look like there is enough contact to be foul-worthy. Shai is masterful at those unnatural head jerks and arm twitches that show contact more, which is why he gets more calls. If Ant learned how to be less of a bull in a china shop, he'd probably get more calls. I'm hoping that doesn't get squashed out of him though as it is so fun to watch. I will say I saw some improvement from Ant, he finally got a defender on his back hip in the lane and kept him there. Now the next step will be learning how to make a play from that stopped, reverse post-up position. Kinda looked like a dog that actually caught the postal truck moment. Now what do I do??
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Post by tmirvin on Jan 30, 2024 9:16:53 GMT -6
He needs to learn how to navigate the lane better. He's always euro stepping or slowing down to get around defenders. He's big and strong, he needs to go up powerfully and he'll get more calls. He has to be frustrated after a night like tonight where SGA shoots 16 or 18 ft's and he gets 4. SGA gets a lot of ticky tack fouls called in his favor. I really think those two are contradictory. The problem for Ant is that he's so big and strong that he can finish through contact, so it doesn't look like there is enough contact to be foul-worthy. Shai is masterful at those unnatural head jerks and arm twitches that show contact more, which is why he gets more calls. If Ant learned how to be less of a bull in a china shop, he'd probably get more calls. I'm hoping that doesn't get squashed out of him though as it is so fun to watch. I will say I saw some improvement from Ant, he finally got a defender on his back hip in the lane and kept him there. Now the next step will be learning how to make a play from that stopped, reverse post-up position. Kinda looked like a dog that actually caught the postal truck moment. Now what do I do?? Ant doesn't finish through contact though. He missed at least 3 layups last night because he's trying avoid contact, but make the shot. SGA is trying to get free throws when he drives. Big difference. When an offensive "star" just tosses the ball at the rim and is flailing all over the place, they get a whistle. It's not always the case when they get a decent look. Near the end, when ant went hard to the rim and dunked it with 2 hands was his only strong take to the rim. Every other drive involved side steps (often too big of steps so he loses his balance) or going into 3 defenders. His bull in a china shop drives are when he's out of control or going into multiple defenders. He needs to learn to look past his defender before driving to see where the help is going to come from. That way he already knows where to pass if the help comes or if it doesn't, he's got a layup. It's his next evolution - to see the game 1 or 2 steps ahead of time.
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Post by tmirvin on Jan 30, 2024 9:24:53 GMT -6
Man if the Thunder can upgrade Giddey into a shooter, they might be unstoppable. Giddey/Bertans/Picks for Keldon Johnson/Osman would make sense for both the Spurs and Thunder, and make them frighteningly solid everywhere. Then the Spurs would get a PG who can get Wemby the ball plus more picks. Win/Win for them, loss for us. I was thinking last night that with all the future picks OKC has that they will have to let some of their recent picks go as there aren't enough roster spots. Giddy is probably at the front of that line as he isn't a good enough shooter to play with SGA. As SGA has come on on recent years, giddy has seemed to have regressed. If he isn't handling the ball often, he doesn't do enough other things to stay on the floor. He would probably thrive in a similar role to slo mo, but if he's asking for $30 mil a year on his next contract, that doesn't make sense. His off court issues earlier this year, probably puts his value at an all time low. Dort can't shoot a lick either. They paid him a lot too. I'd see what NO wants for herb jones. Maybe one of those guys and a future pick. It'll be interesting to see how OKC navigates all those picks. At some point, they should package a bunch of them for a starnthat fits next to SGA. They don't have enough playing time to develop some of the younger guys and they won't be able to pay all of them if they hit on a decent amount of their picks.
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Post by levine on Jan 30, 2024 9:31:24 GMT -6
Dort is at 44/39/82 on 5 3PA/game.
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Post by tmill720 on Jan 30, 2024 10:05:18 GMT -6
I really think those two are contradictory. The problem for Ant is that he's so big and strong that he can finish through contact, so it doesn't look like there is enough contact to be foul-worthy. Shai is masterful at those unnatural head jerks and arm twitches that show contact more, which is why he gets more calls. If Ant learned how to be less of a bull in a china shop, he'd probably get more calls. I'm hoping that doesn't get squashed out of him though as it is so fun to watch. I will say I saw some improvement from Ant, he finally got a defender on his back hip in the lane and kept him there. Now the next step will be learning how to make a play from that stopped, reverse post-up position. Kinda looked like a dog that actually caught the postal truck moment. Now what do I do?? Ant doesn't finish through contact though. He missed at least 3 layups last night because he's trying avoid contact, but make the shot. SGA is trying to get free throws when he drives. Big difference. When an offensive "star" just tosses the ball at the rim and is flailing all over the place, they get a whistle. It's not always the case when they get a decent look. Near the end, when ant went hard to the rim and dunked it with 2 hands was his only strong take to the rim. Every other drive involved side steps (often too big of steps so he loses his balance) or going into 3 defenders. His bull in a china shop drives are when he's out of control or going into multiple defenders. He needs to learn to look past his defender before driving to see where the help is going to come from. That way he already knows where to pass if the help comes or if it doesn't, he's got a layup. It's his next evolution - to see the game 1 or 2 steps ahead of time. Meant more of that yeah, he's trying to make the shot first and foremost instead of baiting fouls like you mentioned. He's still getting hacked on his euros/sidesteps, but it doesn't look like it since he's so big and strong compared to the wiry Shai. He's just trying to out-athleticize everyone right now - case in point him running around like a lunatic while getting denied by Shai at the end of the first half - all vet-savvy stars would just post him up at the top of the key and have the ballhandler throw it over Shai. That craftiness is something that he'll hopefully figure out over time.
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Post by Bonecrusher on Jan 30, 2024 10:17:53 GMT -6
I really think those two are contradictory. The problem for Ant is that he's so big and strong that he can finish through contact, so it doesn't look like there is enough contact to be foul-worthy. Shai is masterful at those unnatural head jerks and arm twitches that show contact more, which is why he gets more calls. If Ant learned how to be less of a bull in a china shop, he'd probably get more calls. I'm hoping that doesn't get squashed out of him though as it is so fun to watch. I will say I saw some improvement from Ant, he finally got a defender on his back hip in the lane and kept him there. Now the next step will be learning how to make a play from that stopped, reverse post-up position. Kinda looked like a dog that actually caught the postal truck moment. Now what do I do?? Ant doesn't finish through contact though. He missed at least 3 layups last night because he's trying avoid contact, but make the shot. SGA is trying to get free throws when he drives. Big difference. When an offensive "star" just tosses the ball at the rim and is flailing all over the place, they get a whistle. It's not always the case when they get a decent look. Near the end, when ant went hard to the rim and dunked it with 2 hands was his only strong take to the rim. Every other drive involved side steps (often too big of steps so he loses his balance) or going into 3 defenders. His bull in a china shop drives are when he's out of control or going into multiple defenders. He needs to learn to look past his defender before driving to see where the help is going to come from. That way he already knows where to pass if the help comes or if it doesn't, he's got a layup. It's his next evolution - to see the game 1 or 2 steps ahead of time. KAT is going WTF right now. lol. He is the master at flailing or appears to be and gets zero calls that Lebum and others get. If the NBA called for Towns and Ant the same they do for Embiid, Lebum, SGA they would be winning games from the Free Throws they would be taking. Just be consistent is all I'm asking. If stars get the favorable calls we have at minimum 2 of them (Towns and Ant) and likely a 3rd with Gobert. None of them get any whiff of a favorable call.
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Post by XRaySpecs on Jan 30, 2024 11:21:40 GMT -6
The missed calls on Ant's attempted dunk in the first half (Chet) and the made dunk at the end (Shai) were most definitely fouls. I get the frustration for sure after watching Shai parade to the line all game, but we do need to understand that there's not some conspiracy vs. Wolves players. The problem is the type of fouls players are drawing. Most of the top tier players in foul drawing like Embiid, Luka, and Shai don't draw them with force to the rim. Guys like Ant (and KAT) are hard to ref because they are going so hard into the lane and contact comes quickly on those situations. It's hard to see if that hand slap got ball or was it on the arm. Did Chet get the ball or arm on the block attempt?
Shai is much different because he draws fouls slowly through extreme control. Same for Embiid and Luka. They're getting their calls via body control not speed/force. Reffing those guys is hard because they are fouls through marginal contact, but because it happens relatively slowly it's easy to see and calling it is relatively easy. How do you change that? Allow guys to be fouled? I really get the frustration. I'm frustrated too. I just don't see how you change it given how fast the game happens the types of contact Ant is initiating. Refs are human and those things happen fast.
What I'd love to see is Ant (and KAT) develop more of an in between game with head fakes and floaters. If Ant just learns to downshift one gear getting into the lane and then shoot floaters or put up a fake, he'll start to put the defense off balance like it is for Shai.
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Post by quinn on Jan 30, 2024 11:38:53 GMT -6
I'll be interested to see what teams show up tonight. I think OKC mailed in the game vs the Pistons last night and the Wolves are coming off just a horrendous loss to the Spurs. Both teams should be fired up for this one, but we'll see how gassed OKC is. I'm actually in OKC for a work trip, so I'll be at the game tonight. May have planned the work trip around the game... thats awesome. So are you goign to be wearing any Wolves gear? Or will you be "blending in"? We'll look for a full report on how different NBA game are there. Stadium, etc. We lost to Charlotte, who was on a back to back. It seems that any "excuse" the wolves can find to take a team lightly enters into thier mind. I hope Finch is expressing how important this game is in the overall big picture. I also hope Finch has someone on the coaching staff ready to push him down if he even suggests a lineup of Jmac, Shake, Kyle, Naz, Rudy be put on the floor. Cant wait for the game. May actually have to watch this one live. So thoughts on the game from a spectator's standpoint: - Paycom center is a very bland arena. They're actually getting a new arena in OKC here within the next few years that's supposed to keep the Thunder in OKC until 2050. - People in OKC LOVE the Thunder. Outside of college sports, the Thunder are THE team and people love them. - You get a real mix of young, rowdy fans, and older folks at the game. The arena was rocking for what it was worth though. Felt like a playoff atmosphere. - They dim the lights on the crowd in the Paycom center and light the floor, something I strongly believe Target Center needs to do. - They'll light the arena "Thunder Blue" and there are 4 big Tesla coils that shoot out electricity and have such fine tuned electrical currents that they can play music. "Thunderstruck" was played through Tesla coils which was far and away one of the coolest things I've seen at a sporting event. - Fans HAAAAAATE Rudy. So many boos and vitriol towards him. It was comical. Overall, super fun game to be at and couldn't be happier the Wolves pulled it out. I was wearing a blue Ant jersey and may have pointed at whoever it was he dunked on in the fourth quarter like the bench does.
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