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Why are the T-wolves so bad?

Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:46 pm
Posted by htran90
BC
Member since Dec 2012
30080 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:46 pm
Currently sitting at 6-15, they have one of the brightest and best defensive minds in the game with Thibs, yet they're 25th in DRTG. They have a pretty good offense, IIRC 15th in ORTG.

They have 2 of the younger budding stars with KAT and Wiggins and a very good 3rd wheel in Lavine. They have a solid veteran in Dieng, average PG in Rubio, and a few bench guys who aren't half bad in Shabazz and Bjelica.

They have Dunn who is struggling thus far, but was considered to be one of the better 'future combo guards' coming out of the draft.

so what the hell is going on? Basketball IQ? Lack of depth? "quality players" actually not being that good? All of the above?
Posted by xenythx
Member since Dec 2007
32417 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:47 pm to
Bunch of individual talent that doesn't play well together as a team.
Posted by ReauxlTide222
St. Petersburg
Member since Nov 2010
83395 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:48 pm to
I almost started this exact thread tonight.

KAT, Lavine, and Wiggins are all averaging between 20-23 ppg.
This post was edited on 12/6/16 at 9:51 pm
Posted by Dire Wolf
bawcomville
Member since Sep 2008
36581 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:49 pm to
The young stars haven't matured enough on defense
Posted by 504Voodoo
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2012
13530 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:50 pm to
They don't play defense and their spacing is terrible because they have two point guards that can't shoot.

Posted by sbr2
Member since Apr 2011
15012 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:52 pm to
Was it a week ago that rumors swirled about thibs wanting to trade one of the stars for a veteran? If the guys in the Timberwolves don't improve, it's probably because they aren't buying in.
Posted by TbirdSpur2010
ALAMO CITY
Member since Dec 2010
134026 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 9:54 pm to
Execution. They were giving SA fits for awhile when they stayed disciplined. Tonight's the only game I've seen Minny play start to finish, though.
Posted by RTR America
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
39600 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:00 pm to
Young players don't win games. Has been the story for like forever.
Posted by theducks
Where The Blazers Play
Member since Aug 2013
13697 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:02 pm to
I'd say a combo of everything you said plus others have said. I had them 7-8 seed but I was expecting more out of Dunn.

Their spacing is terrible and on the other side of the ball, you have a few good defenders but they don't play defense as a team well.
Posted by htran90
BC
Member since Dec 2012
30080 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:06 pm to
quote:

Young players don't win games. Has been the story for like forever.



I understand that, but two of these guys were considered 'generational' talent. I can understand if they had one and scrubs, but this team has 2 franchise caliber players and a legit starter at the minimum.

KD-Westbrook-Harden made it to the playoffs in their 3rd, 2nd, and 1st year respectively and won 50 games.

the 3rd best player on that team was Green who was 23?
Posted by The Easter Bunny
Minnesota
Member since Jan 2005
45566 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:08 pm to
They've blown a lot of second half leads. They'd jump out to these 20 point leads before halftime and then get smoked. Lack of maturity and bench
Posted by buckeye_vol
Member since Jul 2014
35236 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:10 pm to
I don't think it helps that Wiggins has a terrible assist rate, worse than other scorers considered selfish such as Carmelo. There is something off about that.
Posted by theducks
Where The Blazers Play
Member since Aug 2013
13697 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:13 pm to
The thing with the Thunder was that with KD and Westbrook, KD creates space for Westbrook while Westbrook would usually need a help defender as he takes it to the rack. He'd just dish it out then (sometimes). Plus Harden off the bench and having Ibaka, with good vets such as Collison and Thabo helped tremendously. Kendrick Perkins was terrible at everything but defending under the rim.

Wiggins doesn't have the shooting touch that KD has. Everyone stacks the paint.
Posted by PortCityTiger24
Member since Dec 2006
87455 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:14 pm to
quote:

so what the hell is going on?


They should deal Rubio and turn it over to Dunn. Get a shooter and bring Levine off the bench as the 6th man. Right now, he's too similar to Wiggins. He needs to be running that 2nd unit. They just have no depth. Starting 5 looks good on paper but they can't play the entire game. I'd consider trading Dieng too...a stretch 4 next to KAT would be ideal.

I think they'll be better the 2nd half - they are still really young, but they need more shooters and less hero ball.
Posted by TbirdSpur2010
ALAMO CITY
Member since Dec 2010
134026 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:15 pm to
Yeah, folks dare Wiggins to shoot and will live with it until he gets more consistent.
Posted by PortCityTiger24
Member since Dec 2006
87455 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:17 pm to
quote:

Yeah, folks dare Wiggins to shoot and will live with it until he gets more consistent.



He's shooting almost 40% from 3 this year.
Posted by Boomshockalocka
Member since Feb 2004
59689 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:19 pm to
This here is it. We said a .500 season would
be a great season for them. At this point it looks like they have not much of a chance to get to .500. Curious to see which one of the young studs they deal. Gotta be Lavine IMO. Although wiggins could fetch a nice return. He's awfully one dimensonal.
Posted by PortCityTiger24
Member since Dec 2006
87455 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:21 pm to
quote:

Gotta be Lavine IMO. Although wiggins could fetch a nice return. He's awfully one dimensonal.



They are both 21...you don't deal either IMO. You deal Rubio and possibly Dieng. The young pups will be fine. This year doesn't matter. If we have learned anything from OKC, it's not to panic and blow up a young core for role players.
Posted by TbirdSpur2010
ALAMO CITY
Member since Dec 2010
134026 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:22 pm to
He's streaky, though. The way they play, I think I'd still rather him bomb away from outside than challenge at the rack. Athletic and can finish very well.

He's trending upward, though.
This post was edited on 12/6/16 at 10:24 pm
Posted by PortCityTiger24
Member since Dec 2006
87455 posts
Posted on 12/6/16 at 10:24 pm to
quote:

He's trending upward, though.


Definitely.
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