1 - KG is not being a leader and taking the team on his back. Hassell has been more aggressive than the reigning MVP. I know that it's hard to change your game, but KG is afraid on contact, and that is going to be the downfall of his career. KG has a better "all round" game than Jermaine O'neal, but in the crunch, I'd go to Jermaine. He is alot more aggressive and looks to score. KG made Raef look like an All-Defensive player. 2 - I've noticed that in situations where they give up a defensive rebound, which usually takes a few questions becuase of the scrum, that when the other team gets the rebound we never trap. I've seen when the other team notices the shot clock down to 18, that they throw long, half-court passes to beat the timeline infraction. 3 - They have no clutch players. Hassell has been the most "clutch" player we've had lately. They should go for Miles and Van Exel. Also, Payton looks to have alot left in the tank. I've heard of 2 players that really want to play specifically with Kevin. Kidd and Payton. And Miles really respects KG.
Great point on KG. For whatever reason these last two weeks, KG's energy level and his play has not been good. He will be the first one to tell you that. Plus he is not inspiring his teammates like last year. You make a great point about KG being afraid of contact, Saber. Why the hell does he not go to the hole a lot? He should be average 20 Free Throws a night. I watched the Knicks/Suns game last night and I notice Amare goes right to the hole every night and as a result, he made free throws. KG has to take hits as sacrifice so that he can get to the FT line as a payoff to being hit.
We need to make a move before a losing mentality sinks in for good. KG is showing signs that he expects the wheels to come off at any moment in his body language. Someone also needs to get in his face and point at Barkley and say that will be him.
I think the losing mentality has really set in if you saw the game Friday night and yesterday afternoon. These guys expect to lose when the other team makes a run. Flip looks like a guy who is clearly beaten down with expectations and the players attitudes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sabretooth:</div><div class="quote_post">1 - KG is not being a leader and taking the team on his back. Hassell has been more aggressive than the reigning MVP. I know that it's hard to change your game, but KG is afraid on contact, and that is going to be the downfall of his career. KG has a better "all round" game than Jermaine O'neal, but in the crunch, I'd go to Jermaine. He is alot more aggressive and looks to score. KG made Raef look like an All-Defensive player. 2 - I've noticed that in situations where they give up a defensive rebound, which usually takes a few questions becuase of the scrum, that when the other team gets the rebound we never trap. I've seen when the other team notices the shot clock down to 18, that they throw long, half-court passes to beat the timeline infraction. 3 - They have no clutch players. Hassell has been the most "clutch" player we've had lately. They should go for Miles and Van Exel. Also, Payton looks to have alot left in the tank. I've heard of 2 players that really want to play specifically with Kevin. Kidd and Payton. And Miles really respects KG.</div> hmm...Cassell is clutch, its just right now every team the Wolves face knows Cassell is the only guy that can make big 4th quarter shots consistently, so they double & switch every thing down the stretch of games to get the ball out of his hands. Doc Rivers even said after the Boston ball game that was exactly their sp4ecfic goal not to let Cassell get a look. The problem is Cassell is still trying to force the shot in the 4th even when teams are specifically gearing to take it away from him. But realistically, Hassell is always open down the stretch of games, cause teams want him to shoot the basketball in those spots. So Iam not for sure if its really him being clutch or the design of the defense that the Wolves have been playing against.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">But realistically, Hassell is always open down the stretch of games, cause teams want him to shoot the basketball in those spots. So Iam not for sure if its really him being clutch or the design of the defense that the Wolves have been playing against.</div> By design, or whatever, Hassell has been the one doing the work late in games to keep us in it. He has had limited time because he gets called for garbage fouls and is close to fouling out late. He hasn't been missing alot of open shots, either. All are contested.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sabretooth:</div><div class="quote_post">By design, or whatever, Hassell has been the one doing the work late in games to keep us in it. He has had limited time because he gets called for garbage fouls and is close to fouling out late. He hasn't been missing alot of open shots, either. All are contested.</div> Iam not knocking Hassell, thats my boy, all I was doing was pointing out that the defenses are setting up their defense to make Hassell be the guy shooting the rock in the 4th, that really isnt what the Wolves want...so it goes more to the fact that Minny is not dictating the play late in games.
