2020-2021 Minnesota Timberwolves In-Season Thread

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Wolves lose to Pelicans and Zion 140-136. Minnesota fans around the internet cheer! 😀

In the extra period, Zion Williamson took over. With 2:02 left, he drove at Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. It was a double whammy for Minnesota because Williamson got to the free-throw line to put New Orleans up three points, and Towns fouled out..

New Orleans’ win wasn’t pretty — it committed 21 turnovers — but it was gutsy nonetheless. The Pelicans stayed alive in their quest to make the Western Conference play-in tournament. And for once, they were on the winning end of a fourth-quarter collapse..

“They are all big," Van Gundy said. "Every game you play. The game you’re playing that night has to be the biggest game of the year. That’s how you have to approach it. We can’t afford very many losses.”..

www.nola.com

Zion Williamson goes for 37 points as Pelicans pull out overtime win over Timberwolves

Fourth quarters have been a nightmare for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Each one is a new adventure that leaves fans white-knuckled.
www.nola.com www.nola.com
 

Iceland12 said:
Wolves lose to Pelicans and Zion 140-136. Minnesota fans around the internet cheer! 😀

In the extra period, Zion Williamson took over. With 2:02 left, he drove at Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. It was a double whammy for Minnesota because Williamson got to the free-throw line to put New Orleans up three points, and Towns fouled out..

New Orleans’ win wasn’t pretty — it committed 21 turnovers — but it was gutsy nonetheless. The Pelicans stayed alive in their quest to make the Western Conference play-in tournament. And for once, they were on the winning end of a fourth-quarter collapse..

“They are all big," Van Gundy said. "Every game you play. The game you’re playing that night has to be the biggest game of the year. That’s how you have to approach it. We can’t afford very many losses.”..

www.nola.com

Zion Williamson goes for 37 points as Pelicans pull out overtime win over Timberwolves

Fourth quarters have been a nightmare for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Each one is a new adventure that leaves fans white-knuckled.
www.nola.com www.nola.com
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That was almost a classic Saunders like collapse. Up 8 with three minutes to go... Though it still looked different last night. It wasn't because of stupid turnovers or run out the clock desperation shots. They just couldn't hit shots at the end.
 


tikited said:
That was almost a classic Saunders like collapse. Up 8 with three minutes to go... Though it still looked different last night. It wasn't because of stupid turnovers or run out the clock desperation shots. They just couldn't hit shots at the end.
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Kinda sorta. Bothered by that for sure, but Pelicans lost a sizable lead last night too. Losing KAT and Russell not being able to hit a damn shot killed them. Why did he keep taking them? It's what he does.

And with the season ending in two weeks Finch just rode with it. Though after the game he talked about people trying the win the game themself.

Speaking of losses and the season ending, did you see the score of Indy/OKC? 152-95.

Guess the bandits that took Seattle to OKC aren't done "stealing" yet.
 


Thunder's 'embarrassing' 57-point loss to Pacers is largest home defeat in NBA history​


www.espn.com

Pacers deal OKC largest home loss in NBA history

Behind a franchise record 152 points, the Indiana Pacers handed the Oklahoma City Thunder the largest home loss in NBA history on Saturday, 152-95.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 


Chris Hind and Michael Rand talk about '21-'22 Wolves roster potential.

They've used 14 different players in their starting lineup, and the five-player combination that's been on the floor the most at the same time — the current starting five of Anthony Edwards, Josh Okogie, Jaden McDaniels, Ricky Rubio and Karl-Anthony Towns — has only spent 165 minutes of court time together.

All of that on-the-job chemistry creation, done for two different head coaches, has added up to a 20-45 record — an improvement on the 7-29 mark at the All-Star break but still among the NBA's worst.

By way of contrast: Utah's most-used five-player combination has spent almost 600 minutes on the floor together. And when those five poor souls aren't tasked with trying to beat the mighty Wolves (0-3 this season, somehow), they are pretty good (46-18 overall)...

www.startribune.com

Wolves roster review: Who’s part of the future? Who’s likely to be gone?

Look at the 15 players on the roster and you can divide them into categories ranging from members of the core to likely to be gone. Here's a breakdown, with an eye toward next season.
www.startribune.com www.startribune.com
 





tikited said:
If you watch Towns and Edwards at the end of games, one makes way more mistakes. This (to me) proves your point.
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Yeah, thought that Towns lost it at the end. KAT was roughed-up in the paint, no call. Then the next trip down the court he throws that 90mph cross-court pass out of bounds. The game was under 2:00 and Memphis was only up by 2. Did the same thing again with under 30 secs. left!

He DOES get banged around without getting calls. Then he DOES get ticky-tack fouls called against him. Had 2 of them last night. Can understand why he gets upset, but it won't help. Just makes it worse. Like in baseball, hitter gets gets squeezed a few times and you can see him complain. Watch the next couple of games. As long as the pitcher doesn't throw it in the dirt or over his head? It's gonna be a strike.

Being on a team that the NBA doesn't give a damn about isn't going help him get any calls either. If he sucks it up and just plays he's damn good. If it continues to be called like that it'll be damn tough too.

It was 139-135 Memphis, a game in which the Wolves trailed by as many as 13 but led by a point with 3:04 left, a loss due to too many turnovers and not enough defensive rebounds down the stretch.

OK, now that we've got that out of the way.

The story wasn't really who won or lost but instead the theater provided by Wolves rookie of the year candidate Anthony Edwards and reigning rookie of the year Ja Morant..

Edwards with 42 points, Morant with 37, the two of them combining for 79 points on a combined 47 shots.

It was a thrilling 48-minute ride in which Edwards willed his team to the brink, but Morant helped push his team over the hump.

"He was great," Wolves coach Chris Finch said of Edwards. "He played determined. Decisive."

Said teammate D'Angelo Russell: "He's coming into his own, it's obvious."..

www.startribune.com

Loss to Memphis spoils another special night for Timberwolves' rookie Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards tied his career high, pouring in 42 points Wednesday night - including 8-of-9 from three-point range - but the Wolves lost 139-135 to the Grizzlies.
www.startribune.com www.startribune.com
 
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If this team ever attempts to play defense...they may make the playoffs. At present a screen door stops more wind than a Wolves defense stops opponents from scoring.
 

MennoSota said:
If this team ever attempts to play defense...they may make the playoffs. At present a screen door stops more wind than a Wolves defense stops opponents from scoring.
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The new kid (Bolmaro) should help defensively. Hopefully, he is ready for minutes next season. We desperately need to get Towns some help. That is why getting that 1-3 pick is so important. They have zero money to make any other kind of moves. I agree with you (which is a huge change from two months ago) that they can be a playoff team with more defense.
 



Long article on the Ringer about LeMelo's return, Ant's surge and checking in on this year's rookies. Here's the section on Edwards. The article is free if you want to click on it.

When D’Angelo Russell rejoined the Wolves after nearly two months on the shelf recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, I wondered whether his return would impede the progress that Edwards had shown as an offensive weapon when paired with Karl-Anthony Towns and under new head coach Chris Finch. So far, so good: Finch has brought Russell off the bench, allowing the 25-year-old to hunt his own shot and fuel Minnesota’s second unit while giving Towns and Edwards the opportunity to continue building their chemistry.

Towns has remained a monstrously efficient scorer, while Russell is shining in a reserve role, averaging a shade under 19 points on solid shooting efficiency with six assists in 26 minutes per game since coming back. Edwards has also continued to get plenty of chances: He’s led the Wolves in shot attempts since Russell’s return, ranking second in frontcourt touches and points per game, and averaging just under 22 points, six rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

His scoring efficiency has skyrocketed when playing alongside Russell. Ant’s posting a .618 true shooting percentage when playing with Russell since he came back, thanks in part to the introduction of another dangerous scorer and playmaker creating some cleaner lanes for Edwards to drive and cut through:..

Minnesota’s gone 8-5 in the 13 games that KAT, Russell, and Edwards have played together since Russell’s reentry, scoring at a top-five rate when they share the floor. The issue, as it always seems to be for these Wolves, comes on the other end: Despite all that offensive punch, they’re still a net negative in those minutes, because they’re giving up an obscene 125.5 points per 100—a historically bad defensive rating—with their top three talents on the floor over the past month.

Edwards is young, inexperienced, and prone to off-ball narcolepsy, but he has the physical tools and aggressive mentality to develop into a helpful perimeter defender. There’s a chance that lineups featuring him, intriguing fellow rookie Jaden McDaniels, and wing stopper Josh Okogie could provide the sort of athleticism and versatility Minnesota needs to produce an above-average defense for the first time in ages. In very limited minutes, the lineup featuring those three with Towns and Russell has held opponents to just a point per possession. That’s a promising start that Finch and Co. must build on, because it’s hard to see the offensive potential of a Towns-Edwards-Russell core amounting to much until the Wolves’ best players consistently commit to getting stops.

www.theringer.com

LaMelo’s Return, Ant’s Surge, and One Final NBA Rookie Check-in

With just a few games left, has the Rookie of the Year race already been decided? Plus, we highlight two West rookies who could be postseason X factors, Obi Toppin’s struggles in New York, and Tyrese Haliburton’s promising glimpses as a focal point.
www.theringer.com www.theringer.com
 

Iceland12 said:
Long article on the Ringer about LeMelo's return, Ant's surge and checking in on this year's rookies. Here's the section on Edwards. The article is free if you want to click on it.

When D’Angelo Russell rejoined the Wolves after nearly two months on the shelf recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, I wondered whether his return would impede the progress that Edwards had shown as an offensive weapon when paired with Karl-Anthony Towns and under new head coach Chris Finch. So far, so good: Finch has brought Russell off the bench, allowing the 25-year-old to hunt his own shot and fuel Minnesota’s second unit while giving Towns and Edwards the opportunity to continue building their chemistry.

Towns has remained a monstrously efficient scorer, while Russell is shining in a reserve role, averaging a shade under 19 points on solid shooting efficiency with six assists in 26 minutes per game since coming back. Edwards has also continued to get plenty of chances: He’s led the Wolves in shot attempts since Russell’s return, ranking second in frontcourt touches and points per game, and averaging just under 22 points, six rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

His scoring efficiency has skyrocketed when playing alongside Russell. Ant’s posting a .618 true shooting percentage when playing with Russell since he came back, thanks in part to the introduction of another dangerous scorer and playmaker creating some cleaner lanes for Edwards to drive and cut through:..

Minnesota’s gone 8-5 in the 13 games that KAT, Russell, and Edwards have played together since Russell’s reentry, scoring at a top-five rate when they share the floor. The issue, as it always seems to be for these Wolves, comes on the other end: Despite all that offensive punch, they’re still a net negative in those minutes, because they’re giving up an obscene 125.5 points per 100—a historically bad defensive rating—with their top three talents on the floor over the past month.

Edwards is young, inexperienced, and prone to off-ball narcolepsy, but he has the physical tools and aggressive mentality to develop into a helpful perimeter defender. There’s a chance that lineups featuring him, intriguing fellow rookie Jaden McDaniels, and wing stopper Josh Okogie could provide the sort of athleticism and versatility Minnesota needs to produce an above-average defense for the first time in ages. In very limited minutes, the lineup featuring those three with Towns and Russell has held opponents to just a point per possession. That’s a promising start that Finch and Co. must build on, because it’s hard to see the offensive potential of a Towns-Edwards-Russell core amounting to much until the Wolves’ best players consistently commit to getting stops.

www.theringer.com

LaMelo’s Return, Ant’s Surge, and One Final NBA Rookie Check-in

With just a few games left, has the Rookie of the Year race already been decided? Plus, we highlight two West rookies who could be postseason X factors, Obi Toppin’s struggles in New York, and Tyrese Haliburton’s promising glimpses as a focal point.
www.theringer.com www.theringer.com
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Defense? What is the "defense" you speak of? I've heard stories, seen pictures, never seen it up close in Wolves jerseys
 


Truer words were never spoken than the ones said by Chris Finch after last night's game.

"Listen, until we start winning at a consistent level, maybe we won't get some of the whistles we think we deserve," Finch said. "It's not about that right now. We got to just find a way to plow through."
 
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Wolves were without 3 players tonight. The Magic was missing 7! Still surprising but a blowout from start to finish. Hell, even Layman and Davis played. Only 5 games left and Beasley and McDaniels expected back for the Pistons game Tuesday night.

The Orlando Magic’s final home game of the season belonged to D’Angelo Russell, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Towns and Russell each finished with 27 points and the Timberwolves hit the Magic with one double-digit scoring run after another and rolled to a 128-96 victory Sunday night at Amway Center..

The loss moved the Magic (21-47) into a tie with the Timberwolves (21-47) and Cavaliers (21-47) for third in the NBA reverse standings. Those three teams trail the Rockets (16-52) by five games and the Pistons (20-48) by one game. The Pistons played host to the Bulls on Sunday night..

Ricky Rubio had 18 points and Anthony Edwards added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which led by as many as 43 points in the third quarter..

www.orlandosentinel.com

Magic close out home schedule with blowout loss to Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell each finished with 27 points and the Timberwolves hit the Magic with one double-digit scoring run after another while rolling to a 128-96 victory Sunday night at Amway Center in Orlando's home finale.
www.orlandosentinel.com www.orlandosentinel.com
 



Better that it falls through. A-Rod sucks. He'd be a horrible face of the franchise.

If Taylor really wants to keep the team here, he should negotiate with Minneapolis to extend Target Center's lease agreement and up the buyout to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Then chumps like A-Rod wouldn't bother sniffing around.
 

Four teams locked with 21 wins. Got anywhere from a 40.1% (3rd) to a 29.7% (6th) shot to keep our pick. Got to love winning meaningless games at the end of the year. Only difference between us and these other teams is that the Timberwolves are the only ones at risk of completely losing the pick. Awesome.
 

stocker08 said:
Four teams locked with 21 wins. Got anywhere from a 40.1% (3rd) to a 29.7% (6th) shot to keep our pick. Got to love winning meaningless games at the end of the year. Only difference between us and these other teams is that the Timberwolves are the only ones at risk of completely losing the pick. Awesome.
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Vikings over Washington in 2011 all over again. Minnesota teams always lose until they shouldn't.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
And yet none of those picks ahead of them really panned out in the 2012 draft.
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I'd argue Andrew Luck still panned out, even if his career was way too short. Besides, with Zim, we'd still have run the ball 40 times/game and maybe he'd still be healthy!
 

The question you should be asking in the tank vs no-tank is:

Would a Top-3 pick & Bolmaro make the Timberwolves a playoff team? If the answer is no, then let's not tank and probably drop out of the top-3 and give the Warriors the pick. Take our chance on the 2022 lottery instead.
 

I would rather have them try to win every game the rest of the way no matter what. If they get lucky and keep the pick, that would be awesome. If they jump to the #6 pick and lose it....cool with me as the guy I want would be long gone by then. I feel a lot better about the year the way they are closing out the season. Bolmaro will be better than Culver and might mean they could move Beasley if a 4 is available to trade for. Either way...I hate tanking.
 

howeda7 said:
I'd argue Andrew Luck still panned out, even if his career was way too short. Besides, with Zim, we'd still have run the ball 40 times/game and maybe he'd still be healthy!
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Luck was very good but he only stayed healthy for 4 seasons. One of the biggest can't miss prospects in the NFL over the last several decades and that's all they got out of him.

That was Frazier's first full season as a HC and they made the playoffs the following season anyways. Drafting Luck would have just kept Frazier around longer, and they still would have ended up looking for a QB around the same time the Vikings acquired Cousins.
 

Ski U Mah Gopher said:
The question you should be asking in the tank vs no-tank is:

Would a Top-3 pick & Bolmaro make the Timberwolves a playoff team? If the answer is no, then let's not tank and probably drop out of the top-3 and give the Warriors the pick. Take our chance on the 2022 lottery instead.
Click to expand...

Just staying healthy would make the Wolves a playoff team, without a top 3 pick or Bolmaro.
 

tikited said:
I would rather have them try to win every game the rest of the way no matter what. If they get lucky and keep the pick, that would be awesome. If they jump to the #6 pick and lose it....cool with me as the guy I want would be long gone by then. I feel a lot better about the year the way they are closing out the season. Bolmaro will be better than Culver and might mean they could move Beasley if a 4 is available to trade for. Either way...I hate tanking.
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GopherWeatherGuy said:
Just staying healthy would make the Wolves a playoff team, without a top 3 pick or Bolmaro.
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Yes to both. Yep. An odd thing about tanking is you're asking players on the current team to play to lose so the club can draft their replacement! Detroit, Houston & OKC had to dismantle their clubs to get to the bottom. The Wolves are playing .500 ball with the present line-up. Gotta believe that getting Beasely will make them a playoff contender next season. Bolmaro would be a nice bonus.

That said with the luck the Wolves have had in the Lottery unless they end-up dead last the ping-pong balls will kick them out of the Top/Bottom three.
 

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