Dag they lost. I didn't see the game and surprised they lost this first game. I see the Kandi/Makenzie man was killing the Wolves by Henacy's post. He said Kandi sucks, which is the truth. Better luck next time TWolves and hope they can still win the series even though they lost their homecourt advantage from the jump. Damn! BTW shouldn't Just-Magic automatically membership be upgraded with the greatest preview of all-time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">I think truly, Hassell will be our playoffs hero. Peja is just such an offensive monster, if he stops him, it's pretty much over. </div> Peja is way too big for Hassel. He over powered him in Game 1 and will continue to bully him for inside position. Very tough match up for Hassel.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Peja is way too big for Hassel. He over powered him in Game 1 and will continue to bully him for inside position. Very tough match up for Hassel.</div> Exactly right. Hassell is a great perimeter defender, but Peja can play inside-out very effectively.
Hassell did get beat a few times on Peja's cuts toward the basket early. But after that Peja really didnt take advantage of size advantage he had over Hassell. I think the thing that threw the Timberwolves Defense off was because defender kept switching their defensive assignments. Hassell had to switch offf to Bibby because he was killing Cassell. Sprewell kept having to switch back & forth between Christie, Peja, & Bibby. I dont think you can get a good feel for the man that you a guarding,if you keep switching assignments like that. Thats why the Wolves committed so many fouls imo.
I think the Kings should go with Christie on Cassell more. Cassell had a great shooting game but like last series, he can disappear after a huge game when teams make adjustments. I wonder who will guard Bibby in game 2, he absolutely ate Cassell up. All I heard before this series was that the Wolves would win due to their superior defense but the Kings were the best defensive team in game one. Adelman was the better coach in game 1.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly right. Hassell is a great perimeter defender, but Peja can play inside-out very effectively.</div> the Hassler got to Carmelo regardless of how good he is at inside-out too. yes, Peja is better then Carmelo, but Trenton completely shut him down, and hes bigger then peja.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG is the MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">the Hassler got to Carmelo regardless of how good he is at inside-out too. yes, Peja is better then Carmelo, but Trenton completely shut him down, and hes bigger then peja.</div>We are talking about size here KG. Peja is bigger than Melo and A LOT bigger than Hassell. He just throws him out of his way.
The Kings came with a plan and it worked. KG wasn't as aggressive as he should have been. One thing that surprises me is the amount of travelling calls go against KG. Yes he does travel, but I've seen Kobe, Webber, Jordan (YES I SAID IT) get away with more. I actually think the overall officiating was......about a <u>B</u>. I saw alot of ticky - tacks against EJ, but I've also seen Webber and KG sent flying without a whistle. That, I can kind of appreciate. And the Wolves were still in it. One thought though, we have Sczerbiak, we win game 1. The Wolves need to work on pick and pop defense, and KG needs to take the ball and tell his teammates to the free-throw line more often. Did anyone who knows Cassell notice there were a number of plays for him to use his flopping method, and didn't ? The Wolves can feel good about the fact that Madsen really showed up. Except for comb my hair Kandi, they did get help from others instead of just their superstars. You have to remember, these are the Kings, we need to bring our game face every game against them. And who knows, if this is a mirror of the season, we'll be up 3 - 1 after 4 .
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Kings should go with Christie on Cassell more. Cassell had a great shooting game but like last series, he can disappear after a huge game when teams make adjustments. I wonder who will guard Bibby in game 2, he absolutely ate Cassell up. All I heard before this series was that the Wolves would win due to their superior defense but the Kings were the best defensive team in game one. Adelman was the better coach in game 1.</div> And Cassell didnt eat Bibby Up? The only advantage Bibby has in this series is that he has shooters around him, so he never going to get double team. Where as Cassell had to fight around double teams the entire 1st half. Cassell "disappeared" as you call it vs Denver because the Nuggets doubled & forced Cassell to pass the ball. Its up to Cassell teamates to make open shots. If his teamates were knocking down open shots off Cassell passes. He would have averaged 8 or 9 assist that series instead of 5ast. And nobody would be able to say he disappeared. But I ask the question what he he surposed to do against the double team except pass to the open man. And hope the make the shot? If this was Cassell's days with the Bucks he would be forcing up shots against the double teams. And everyone would be calling him a nut or a ballhog. But now that he passing the ball to teammates who have good looks because he is getting double. And they are missing,he is disappearing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">And Cassell didnt eat Bibby Up? </div> That is why I said Christie should guard Cassell because Cassell obviously had his way with Bibby. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The only advantage Bibby has in this series is that he has shooters around him, so he never going to get double team. Where as Cassell had to fight around double teams the entire 1st half. </div>When were they doubling Cassell. Maybe I missed it but all I could see was Garnett getting doubled. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Cassell "disappeared" as you call it vs Denver because the Nuggets doubled & forced Cassell to pass the ball. </div>I understand that. Wouldn't you consider that an "adjustment"? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Its up to Cassell teamates to make open shots. If his teamates were knocking down open shots off Cassell passes. He would have averaged 8 or 9 assist that series instead of 5ast. And nobody would be able to say he disappeared. </div>Well that is how it works in the NBA. Tough luck. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But I ask the question what he he surposed to do against the double team except pass to the open man. And hope the make the shot?</div>I never said he had to do more. I simply said the Nuggets made an adjustment which made him ineffective for the most part. Am I not correct? Scorers find ways to score regardless. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> If this was Cassell's days with the Bucks he would be forcing up shots against the double teams. And everyone would be calling him a nut or a ballhog. But now that he passing the ball to teammates who have good looks because he is getting double. And they are missing,he is disappearing.</div>Again, thats the name of the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post"> When were they doubling Cassell. Maybe I missed it but all I could see was Garnett getting doubled. I understand that. Wouldn't you consider that an "adjustment"? </div> Take a look at the entire 1st half(if you can find a video tape). Even the TNT announcers were talking about it. KG wasnt the only one getting doubled. Cassell kept working & was able to get himself free in the 2nd half. And I never said that doubling Cassell wasnt an "adjustment" actually it was a great adjustment by Denver. Iam just saying how can you say Cassell dissappeared when he was using the double team to get shots for others.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> And I never said that doubling Cassell wasnt an "adjustment" actually it was a great adjustment by Denver. Iam just saying how can you say Cassell dissappeared when he was using the double team to get shots for others.</div>I should have said he got SHUT DOWN. Why didn't you reply to my other points?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">I should have said he got SHUT DOWN. Why didn't you reply to my other points?</div> Actually I did respond to all your points. You asked when did Cassell get doubled vs the Kings last night. I said in the 1st half mostly. You said scorers find away to score. But Cassell is a point guard 1st, so if he has an open man because he getting doubled. He should pass the ball more times then not. Like I said if this was Cassell on the Bucks he would have still taken 15-18 shots no matter how Denver was guarding him. But in those games in Denver where he got shut down he only took 10 shots in game 3 & 11 shots in game 4. You said its tuff luck when Cassell gets double & his teammates miss those open looks thats the name of the game. I agree with that statement 100%, thats why I didnt respond to that point. There have been plenty of night's where Cassell was missing just about everything in the gym. And his teammates had to pick him up. So as the old saying goes "You win as a team & You lose as a team". Last night the Wolves lost as a team. If I missed anymore of your points my bad, please point them out to me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post"> If I missed anymore of your points my bad, please point them out to me.</div> No, I think you got them all. Stop agreeing with me, Im trying to have a damn debate!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">We are talking about size here KG. Peja is bigger than Melo and A LOT bigger than Hassell. He just throws him out of his way.</div> Even though Peja's bigger, Hassell did a very good job on him. Peja shot two air balls and one shot hit the side of the rim because of Hassel's defence, so I wouldn't say Hassel got 'thrown out of the way'...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Big Zee:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though Peja's bigger, Hassell did a very good job on him. Peja shot two air balls and one shot hit the side of the rim because of Hassel's defence, so I wouldn't say Hassel got 'thrown out of the way'...</div>Did you watch the game? Peja threw him out of the way on a number of occasions for easy lay ups. Hassel does a good job on him on the perimeter but he can't handle him inside. Peja also backed him down with ease for a little 3 foot shot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you watch the game? Peja threw him out of the way on a number of occasions for easy lay ups. Hassel does a good job on him on the perimeter but he can't handle him inside. Peja also backed him down with ease for a little 3 foot shot.</div>Is what I said not true? I said that Peja hit 2 airballs and one shot hit the side of the rim (I meant backboard) because of Hassell's tremendous D. He shot 5-15, so please, give me a break.
