BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 64,047
- Reaction score
- 22,888
- Points
- 113
Per Jon K:
One week ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves were flying high after a dominant win over the Milwaukee Bucks. They were playing without Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, and they thrashed the Bucks on the strength of superior efforts from bench players Bones Hyland and Joan Beringer.
They believed that they had all they needed to compete in the Western Conference. But after a humbling road trip ended with an embarrassing loss to the Utah Jazz Tuesday night, their need for another guard or wing off the bench has never seemed more pressing.
While there was plenty of blame to go around for a 127-122 defeat, including inattentiveness on defense from Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle, poor shooting from Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid and some questionable rotation decisions from coach Chris Finch, it was hard not to look at Hyland and Mike Conley going scoreless in 20 combined minutes as a glaring issue.
The loss could bring more clarity about the direction president of basketball operations Tim Connelly needs to take as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches. For much of the season, the Wolves have appeared to have three primary needs: a point guard, rim protection when Gobert is out of the game and a bench scorer.
The point guard issue isn’t perfect, but Edwards has shown a much-improved feel for the game with the ball in his hands, and DiVincenzo has proven to be a worthy wingman. That backcourt tandem has helped the Wolves’ starting five post a plus-9.6 net rating over 410 minutes, per NBA.com. Combine that synergy with the Timberwolves being right up against the second apron, and it makes trading for a high-priced starter like Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball extremely unlikely.
Beringer has shown real promise since joining the rotation over the last four games. He may only be 19, but he already looks like he’s capable of minutes in the team’s crowded frontcourt. He was a plus-30 in the win over Milwaukee and had four points and three rebounds in five minutes Tuesday night. In a game where the Wolves seemed to be playing only half-heartedly, Finch probably should have played him more than he did.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!
One week ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves were flying high after a dominant win over the Milwaukee Bucks. They were playing without Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, and they thrashed the Bucks on the strength of superior efforts from bench players Bones Hyland and Joan Beringer.
They believed that they had all they needed to compete in the Western Conference. But after a humbling road trip ended with an embarrassing loss to the Utah Jazz Tuesday night, their need for another guard or wing off the bench has never seemed more pressing.
While there was plenty of blame to go around for a 127-122 defeat, including inattentiveness on defense from Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle, poor shooting from Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid and some questionable rotation decisions from coach Chris Finch, it was hard not to look at Hyland and Mike Conley going scoreless in 20 combined minutes as a glaring issue.
The loss could bring more clarity about the direction president of basketball operations Tim Connelly needs to take as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches. For much of the season, the Wolves have appeared to have three primary needs: a point guard, rim protection when Gobert is out of the game and a bench scorer.
The point guard issue isn’t perfect, but Edwards has shown a much-improved feel for the game with the ball in his hands, and DiVincenzo has proven to be a worthy wingman. That backcourt tandem has helped the Wolves’ starting five post a plus-9.6 net rating over 410 minutes, per NBA.com. Combine that synergy with the Timberwolves being right up against the second apron, and it makes trading for a high-priced starter like Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball extremely unlikely.
Beringer has shown real promise since joining the rotation over the last four games. He may only be 19, but he already looks like he’s capable of minutes in the team’s crowded frontcourt. He was a plus-30 in the win over Milwaukee and had four points and three rebounds in five minutes Tuesday night. In a game where the Wolves seemed to be playing only half-heartedly, Finch probably should have played him more than he did.
Timberwolves have glaring need for a bench scorer as NBA trade deadline nears
A dispiriting road loss in Utah might have clarified the team's mission before the Feb. 5 deadline.
www.nytimes.com
Howl Wolves!!
