Kings Lose to Wolves 98-89

And unfortunately, all too true.

and expectations, a consistent offense to run, and a defensive philosophy other than lets try every individual player on their hottest shooter might perk the players moods up a bit.

but it seemed at the time that whenever Dalembert left the game the Wolves were able to extend their lead. I totally agree that DMC needs consistent minutes, but strictly from the perspective of “let’s win this game that we’re playing tonight,” he didn’t appear to be getting it done.

That said, props to both Dalembert and Cousins for being fired up- Dally’s “safe” sign to the crowd after blocks was amazing live, and I loved how upset with himself DMC looked after throwing the ball to Luther Head’s feet on the failed breakaway.

and was what I was screaming at my television last night. PW seems like he is coaching at a college or hs level, where he expects one player to dominate (Tyreke on offense, Dally or whoever is guarding their best option), and is losing the idea of team defense. He is relying on individual talents way to much, and I think that shows whenever we have a end of the quarter offensive set, or even plays coming out of time outs.

There is a lot I do not like about him, but I’ll give him one thing. He is implementing a system and sticking with it. The players know what to expect and do in that regard, and it allows them to grow into their roles. They know they´ll have a rough time learning it, and collect many losses, but in the end they can only improve.

what was the strategy Minnesota used to contain Tyreke? I saw some doubles at the three-point line, but what really struck me was that whenever he drove into the paint he was forced to stop by a pocket of Wolves. I’m used to him doing that he does, the one where he somehow splits 3 defenders and banks a layup off the glass. Last night he appeared to have nowhere to go on almost every drive. What was it that they did that others generally haven’t?

but every time I see JT now, I just see what he hasn’t become. With every missed layup, and bricked teardrop, and every time he trucks someone on offense, it frustrates the crap out of me. The only thing of his game at this point that I really like is his jumpshot, but that’s also the problem, because I hate when our big-men are shooting jumpers. (Sigh…)

but I’m starting to be pretty frustrated with him as well. I also look at Darnell Jackson and see what we’ve all wanted to see JT develop, that I’m starting to doubt he ever will: tough, disciplined defense and an efficient offense. At this point, I’d be all for trading JT to a contender for a late first rounder, if we could get it, and give his role on the team fully to Darnell Jackson. Donte can then have at least a few minutes a game at SF; even if he’s not playing that great, he couldn’t really hurt us at this point, and at least the potential to grow into a really good player is still there.

Posting up Tyreke on the mouse in the house, Telfair, could have been one approach. And it might have also helped limit Telfair’s game on the other side of the floor. He was eating up Beno, and more Tyreke plus Garcia might have been part of the solution.

The thing I become more convinced of EVERY game is that we need to shop JT. We simply don’t need him and he has trade-able value (I think) as opposed to Jackson. I’m a BIG Darnell Jackson fan. He is absurdly productive in limited minutes, and simply LOOKS at ease. He never looks nervous or overwhelmed which I feel JT STILL appears to be. He provides the same role albeit more efficiently and far more cheaply.

I’ve said this previously, and now more are coming to the same conclusion. Jackson gives us as much or more than JT and, as you say, “far more cheaply” to boot.

and I still can’t see any reason why he got fired. We went from a team with offensive minded guys who still could be respectable on d because of a defensive minded coach; to a joke defensively, and we haven’t gotten any better in that department at all nomatter who has been coaching since.

Anybody can beat you any given night.

is Casspi doing his part offensively for sure, all rebounds on D. Hell, he hit 3 (3-7) of the 5 3-pointers we managed to get out of 20 attempts. He showed up.

I think Cisco, Beno, and Omri are decent three point shooters. JT plays good one on one defense, and Cisco and Tyreke and OMri can too, and Dally is a proven force inside. Landry and Boogie can score inside, JT and Dalambert are very good rebounders, it seems like the ingredients to be competitive if they have direction.

I’m struggling though to understand the 15 shot differential, 87-72. Anyway, that’s why I wondered about that enemic offensive lineup we put in. It does seem that beating Minnie usually simply means scoring 100 points.

89 points will win you almost no games in this league.

In the 4th, after Tyreke fouled out and Beno was on the line. I saw him take a visible sigh of relief when he saw Casspi coming back in to end that horrific Dalembert/Jackson/ JT line-up. Alas, it was not enough without Tyreke (or Cousins?) in the game.

Winning is a concept. It starts with desire and commitment. Then, you add some heart along with a cup of enthusiasm and an ounce of courage,mix well and …….fuck it! I’m out.

if anyone can beat the amount of cliches thrown into that post i will be very impressed.

After checking out his boxscore at Hoopdata, it was exactly the way I saw the game: he went 10-15 from16-23 feet for 66.7 , and 3-5 from 10-15 ft for 60 %, which are areas where he averages 51 and 30% respectfully.

The gameplan was to probably let him shoot long jumpers since he averaged 39% last year in the 16-23 ft area, and make him go right because he’s left; the thing is he was he hitting a lot of shots that he’s not normally known for hitting, so when he went right he was hitting a lot of those long twos and mid range jumpers. I just wonder if there was a plan B, as they didn’t try to double him or try to deny the ball to him more aggressively.

they’ll either be in the dark or turn on the light. Then, if they turn on the light, they’ll either be in the light or the dark (you know, if the bulb blows out or something).