This is my first preview, so bear with me. Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers <u>Timberwolves Starting Five</u> (Anthony Carter, Latrell Sprewell, Trenton Hassell, Kevin Garnett, John Thomas) <u>Lakers Starting Five</u> (Chucky Atkins, Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Chris Mihm) <u>Star Power</u> Lamar Odom- 14.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.3 apg Kevin Garnett- 23.1 ppg, 14.9 ppg, 6.2 apg <u>Key Injuries</u> Timberwolves- (Sam Cassell) Lakers- (Kobe Bryant) Keys to the Game- 1) Keep Lamar Odom in check. No, he has not been as dominant this year, but he can still go off on any given night. He creates tons of matchup problems, for how big he is yet how well he can handle the ball. 2) Take Care of the Ball. We cannot be caught throwing lazy passes. Caron Butler is a great defnder, and if the point guards get lazy he could have a big night. 3) Get the Bench Involved. Our amazingly talented bench has not been as quite amazing as it could be lately. Wally Szczerbiak, Troy Hudson, Eddie Griffin, and Fred Hoiberg all have to get in and contribute. What Could Hurt Us- 1) Frustration. I think every player on this team is very frustrated by our play lately, and that can cause to bad team playing and ultimately more frustration. 2) Don't Try to do too Much. Because we are struggling, I think some guys feel like they absolutely have to make a play. When you force things, bad things happen. 3) Injuries. Garnett has been hampered by a nagging injury the last few games. For all the minutes he is seeing, it could slow him down. Prediction- Sadly, I see the Lakers taking this one from us. We aren't playing well together right now, and I don't think tonight will change. Lakers 96 | Wolves 87
I think we should win this one, especially because Kobe is injured, but so is cassell. Defend Atkins from three, and take what we can get without forcing anything. Twolves 94 Lakers 87
Is there any official word that Cassell isnt playing? cause realistically Sammy could have played Monday. But since the team won 2 games in a row, they felt it was no need to bring him back, until its as close to 100% as possible. But after Monday's performance, with the turnovers etc. he'll probably give it a go tommorrow. Anyway, Lamar Odom is going to be a tuff guard for the Wolves. They probably wont put KG on him early to insure KG stays out of foul trouble which he couldnt really do angainst Bosh. They will probably let the likes of E-Griff, even John Thomas etc guard Lamar, that means a big game for him. Other then that the Wolves definitaly got to step up defending the 3, Jermaine Jones, Chucky Atkins even Caron killed the Wolves from deep last week. And the Raptors killed them from 3 on Monday. So defending the 3 is definately a problem right now. The Wolves got to do a better job closing out on shooters.
I guess I haven't heard anything on if Cassell is going to play or not. If he does do you think we would insert him in the starting five?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess I haven't heard anything on if Cassell is going to play or not. If he does do you think we would insert him in the starting five?</div> Of course, Cassell is still what makes this team go. If the Wolves are going anywhere this year with Cassell on the roster, he will be the guard thats going to take them there. Cassell played well his last few games before the injury. I know that the Wolves want to set a defensive tone to start games. But I think that tone was set by inserting Hassell back into the starting lineup. If Cassell isnt preforming up to task defensively then Flip wont be afraid to sit him, we seen him do it to Cassell in the past. But Wolves need to start righting the ship on a consistent basis. And they will not do that without Cassell. Edit: Cassell wont be playing tonight anyway.
Well guys I only got to catch the game until halftime, but here were my observations. Both teams started out shooting terrible, with about five minutes left the score was ten to nine if favor of Minnesota. But, both teams started to pick of the scoring and by the end of the second both were on fire. Garnett really came out and dominated the first half. No one from the Lakers could guard him, because Odom got into stupid foul trouble which caused him to sit out. Sprewell shot pretty well in the half, especially when Garnett took a long breather, Sprewell really stepped it up. I am continuing to love how Eddie Griffin is playing. He had two amazing blocks that took away easy fast break points, and how he just rips down the rebound with one hand. Game note: Cassell will play on Saturday. Go Wolves! Someone fill me in one what happened second half.
Great game thread, Pure. Overall a solid first half. I love the way the Wolves are passing the ball. It's very fluid and it's good to see the open guy have the ball. Latrell is fantastic so far. He has to keep the energy going for the Wolves. Eddie has been a presence defensively. KG and Wally has been solid. Overall a great first half for the Wolves. BTW, how much you want to bet those celebrities at Staples Center are paying crazy prices just to see Kobe. Without him, we would not even see them.
YEAH...we lost...by three points to the lakers...when they didnt have kobe..and lamar odom picked up his 4th foul 13 seconds into the third quater. WOW, please trade for baron davis now, or lets do something cause cant keep losing games like this.
Horrible loss...no Kobe but even more then that is the fact that Odom had no impact on the game until a brief stretch in the 4th quarter due to his foul trouble. There is no way the Wolves should have lost this game. It cracks me up continuosly this season, how guys like Wally S etc....can run around for the first 3 quarters basically iching to shoot the basketball. But come 4th quarter everybody scared to take & make big shots. A bunch of girls in the 4th. If you dont want to shoot in the crunch time, dont run around for the first 3 quarters taking all the shots, making people thing you ready to make big plays simple as that if you ask me. Anyway, Troy Hudson should be rocking a G-String after this game cause Chucky Atkins striaght b***hed him all game long. And Spree, terrible shot selection all night long. And his worst was saved for last with that darn 30 foot 3pter with 6 seconds left. Make the extra pass to a shooter preferably Hoiberg, he got the guts to make that shot in a big spot. He did it quite a few times last year. Anyway, I am expecting this team to drop under .500 friday with the Sonics coming up on the schedule. Its getting sadder by the moment. But Sam says they going to get it together. And so I trust my boy, I have for the last 11 years, so Iam not stoping now.
I can't wait for spring training and March Madness when the lady Gophers are in the Tournament because this team is unwatchable. I think I lost interest. I just don't seem to care anymore. I still watch them when they are on TV, but I just can't get into them with the way they are playing. The Timberwolves has sucked the life out of me with their play. It's pretty sad since I love the Timberwolves and basketball, but I can't tolerate this. I can't stand the stupidity of this team. It's the same ol same ol same ol same ol. Choking under pressure for the second straight meeting against LA. It's been a prevelant theme since December when ateam make a run against the Wolves, the Wolves belly up. That's been the story and it's getting old. To me, that shows lack of leadership and players who don't seem to have guts
I can't wait for spring training and March Madness when the lady Gophers are in the Tournament because this team is unwatchable. I think I lost interest. I just don't seem to care anymore. I still watch them when they are on TV, but I just can't get into them with the way they are playing. The Timberwolves has sucked the life out of me with their play. It's pretty sad since I love the Timberwolves and basketball, but I can't tolerate this. I can't stand the stupidity of this team. It's the same ol same ol same ol same ol. Choking under pressure for the second straight meeting against LA. It's been a prevelant theme since December when a team makes a run against the Wolves, the Wolves belly up. That's been the story and it's getting old. To me, that shows lack of leadership and players who don't seem to have guts to play come crunch time. Instead of being aggressive to the rim, the Wolves resort to shooting jumpers with few seconds remaining as you saw KG, Latrell, and Wally taking stupid shots from the outside. It seem they were afraid of contact. If they go be aggressive in the rim, maybe they shoot free throws with few second remaining. Gee what a freaking concept. This is just example of playing tight. Wolves have not been able to shine in the fourth quarter since last month. Wolves really miss Sam Cassell big time. Without him, the offense is simply not functioning. They weren't winning with him, but they are definitely not better without him. I hope Sam gets well soon because this team sorely misses him and it was evident last year in the Western Conference Finals. Lakers are really starting to form together now. You are seeing what Butler and Odom can do. Chris Mihm has done a great job for them. Chucky Atkins has been clutch for them. This Lakers team is jelling and they certainly are doing it without Kobe. If Butler and Odom can continue to play their games with Kobe coming back, this team will be a team that can give everyone fits come playoff time. As for the Wolves, you have to start saying when the torture will end. UGH!
When was the last time KG acutally had the most shot attempts? I know he isn't that kind of player and even with his career high 47 points they lost, but I rather have him taking 28 shot attempts and we're losing than Sprewell with 28 and KG only with 19.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coranor:</div><div class="quote_post">When was the last time KG acutally had the most shot attempts? I know he isn't that kind of player and even with his career high 47 points they lost, but I rather have him taking 28 shot attempts and we're losing than Sprewell with 28 and KG only with 19.</div> Iam not going to blame it all on Hudson & Spree etc for their shot attempts as horrible as they maybe at times. Honestly, KG is condoning their play. Look how many times KG gets the rock then holds it just so he can get double and give up the ball. There is times where he literally waits 3 or 4 seconds almost like he is hoping they come double. In the slump that the Wolves are in right now, KG needs to get the ball on the low block and work quickly. But truth be told we know thats not going to happen because he really isnt comfortable scoring with his back to the basket deep in the post era. So he looks to become a passer in those situations. And on a team with no low post scoring options the Wolves need him to be a little selfish when he has the ball in the low block. And look to score or get to the line everytime. And become a passer as a 2 or 3rd option in post up situations.
That's what I mean. He shouldn't look for the extra pass and be more selfish. As I said, I know that's not how he's playing but he needs to, especially with the sometimes bad shot selection of Spre and Hudson.
Well, I didn't catch the first half, but from what I have read, it seems terrible. Going into halftime I actually thought we could win this one. We seemed confident, and Garnett was on fire. Now, it seems so unrealistic that we lose to the Lakers without Bryant, and in theory no Odom. That is just unacceptable, and pitiful. If the Wolves don't pull a move soon, I will lose interest pretty fast.
You can also see that KG is trying to get the cheap foul called when he stands with the ball above his head and points out the fact that the defender has his hands on his body. Last night, Brian Grant was unmoveable in the post when KG tried to back him down, but they were playing KG for the drive alot. Take what the D gives you. If they are constantly playing the drive, shoot it over their heads. I disagree that it's wrong to fault for KG for being an exceptional passer. If guys were setting picks and moving, they could have an inordinate amount of open shots. Guys just need to hit the shots that are given to them.
