Memphis Blues
The Wolves were beaten handily tonight on the road by the Grizzlies. The Griz built a huge early lead, primarily on a never-ending barrage of 3-pointers. There was some hot shooting involved, but most of the shots were uncontested. Memphis did a great job of exposing the vulnerability of the Wolves defense -- if you drive and then pass around the horn, you will get to a man who is wide wide open. The Wolves never got closer than 12 points the rest of the game, and ultimately lost by 20. They actually played hard and went on a min-run in the 4th quarter, spurred by a flurry of assertiveness from KG. Even though they weren't really that close, there was a feeling that the momentum was shifting towards them. Eddie Jones checked in for Memphis and scored 7 straight points to quiet that notion and the game was never seriously contested after that. But hopefully this game is a sign that Garnett is coming around to the idea of taking on more of the offensive load. He scored 29 points by running on the break, hitting free throws, making the occasional jumper, and a signature post fadeaway. There was a lot of positive energy for the Wolves when Garnett had it rolling in the 4th. Hopefully it's the start of a new trend. I know if it sticks around, the Wolves will start winning more than they lose.
On the whole, this game is much easier to take than most 20 point losses. Certainly that's in part because the Wolves lost by more last night to Detroit. But there were good things to take from this game, in addition to some spectacular plays that made it entertaining (and no, having Darko throw an alley-oop for a windmill jam by a guy who's name isn't worth learning because he's headed straight back to the D-league does not count as entertainment -- it was just an insulting extension of the agony). KG saved a bad alley-oop pass from Troy Hudson (who's back now after a few games out with the flu, which will help the Wolves a lot) on the break, turning it into a highlight dunk. It was only highlight worthy because the no look pass was thrown towards the free-throw line when Garnett was just outside of the restricted area. But he stretched and grabbed it and threw it down all in one smooth sick motion. It was awesome. Trenton Hassel also threw KG a nice alley-oop dunk in the half court set as part of the Garnett led min-run in the 4th. Rashad McCants had a behind the back move for a dunk on the fast break (although he definitely definitely travelled, even by NBA standards). And Eddie Jones, who plays for the enemy, had an awesome dunk in the lane. No, I don't generally like good plays by the opposing team, but it's a lot like a Grant Hill play from a while back when the Wolves played the Magic. Hill had been out for a few games and was playing well in one of his first games back. He drove the lane for a dunk, and then hung on the rim and glared at KG when he came down. KG glared back for a minute -- but then the scowl faded and he smiled and laughed to himself as if to say, I can't be mad at Grant Hill. Eddie Jones is in that same category, I think. Professional guy, goes about his business, good career, near the end. It's almost neat to see them still do amazing things from time to time.
On the whole, this game is much easier to take than most 20 point losses. Certainly that's in part because the Wolves lost by more last night to Detroit. But there were good things to take from this game, in addition to some spectacular plays that made it entertaining (and no, having Darko throw an alley-oop for a windmill jam by a guy who's name isn't worth learning because he's headed straight back to the D-league does not count as entertainment -- it was just an insulting extension of the agony). KG saved a bad alley-oop pass from Troy Hudson (who's back now after a few games out with the flu, which will help the Wolves a lot) on the break, turning it into a highlight dunk. It was only highlight worthy because the no look pass was thrown towards the free-throw line when Garnett was just outside of the restricted area. But he stretched and grabbed it and threw it down all in one smooth sick motion. It was awesome. Trenton Hassel also threw KG a nice alley-oop dunk in the half court set as part of the Garnett led min-run in the 4th. Rashad McCants had a behind the back move for a dunk on the fast break (although he definitely definitely travelled, even by NBA standards). And Eddie Jones, who plays for the enemy, had an awesome dunk in the lane. No, I don't generally like good plays by the opposing team, but it's a lot like a Grant Hill play from a while back when the Wolves played the Magic. Hill had been out for a few games and was playing well in one of his first games back. He drove the lane for a dunk, and then hung on the rim and glared at KG when he came down. KG glared back for a minute -- but then the scowl faded and he smiled and laughed to himself as if to say, I can't be mad at Grant Hill. Eddie Jones is in that same category, I think. Professional guy, goes about his business, good career, near the end. It's almost neat to see them still do amazing things from time to time.
posted by Big Ticket Fan at 9:54 PM
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