The New Look Wolves
It's only been one game, but I liked what I saw from the new guys. Tonight the Wolves beat the Rockets by 4. Like the old look Wolves, they had a big halftime lead that shurnk in the 4th quarter. But in the 4th quarter KG scored 15 and blocked a couple of shots, and Ricky Davis had a couple of big plays, including a put back, a block, and a key rebound. More importantly, the team looked more active on offense and defense. On offense, Ricky Davis penetrated and distributed the ball effectively in the half-court. He took pressure off of KG while they were in together, and when KG sat early with foul trouble he was the primary ball-handler and decision maker. He scored 26 on 18 shots and had 3 assists.
On defense, Davis didn't stand out much -- Hassel was on MacGrady all night and Davis got the other guy in the backcourt. But the rotations on defense were all quicker and I think Davis and Blount were both instrumental in that. There were a lot of defensive possessions where the Rockets would drive and kick out to an open shooter. But the Wolves rotation on defense would get out to the shooter, making him fake the shot and drive again. Garnett and Mark Blount/Eddie Griffin were near the basket, leading to uncomfortable midrange jumpers (nobody in the NBA can shoot the midrange jumper anymore except for Steve Nash and Andre Miller) and more passes outside. I started to come around a little on Coach Casey's defensive scheme. It seemed like all of the jumpers were contested by a hand or a Wolf flying into the path of vision. It seemed to really unsettle the Rockets. The rotation on interior passes wasn't as crisp, but hopefully that will work itself out in time.
Wally also had a good but more limited debut with the Celtics. As expected, Kandi didn't play and likely will not ever except under the most dire of circumstances. Maybe this trade will help out both teams. Of course of paramount importance is that it seems to have made a discernible difference in the Wolves already. They are in fact a quicker, more athletic team now. For at least one night, they played with energy and fought hard at the end to secure the win. I think all Wolves fan's, even the Wally lovers, hope this is a preview of wht's to come from this new-look squad.
On defense, Davis didn't stand out much -- Hassel was on MacGrady all night and Davis got the other guy in the backcourt. But the rotations on defense were all quicker and I think Davis and Blount were both instrumental in that. There were a lot of defensive possessions where the Rockets would drive and kick out to an open shooter. But the Wolves rotation on defense would get out to the shooter, making him fake the shot and drive again. Garnett and Mark Blount/Eddie Griffin were near the basket, leading to uncomfortable midrange jumpers (nobody in the NBA can shoot the midrange jumper anymore except for Steve Nash and Andre Miller) and more passes outside. I started to come around a little on Coach Casey's defensive scheme. It seemed like all of the jumpers were contested by a hand or a Wolf flying into the path of vision. It seemed to really unsettle the Rockets. The rotation on interior passes wasn't as crisp, but hopefully that will work itself out in time.
Wally also had a good but more limited debut with the Celtics. As expected, Kandi didn't play and likely will not ever except under the most dire of circumstances. Maybe this trade will help out both teams. Of course of paramount importance is that it seems to have made a discernible difference in the Wolves already. They are in fact a quicker, more athletic team now. For at least one night, they played with energy and fought hard at the end to secure the win. I think all Wolves fan's, even the Wally lovers, hope this is a preview of wht's to come from this new-look squad.
posted by Big Ticket Fan at 9:58 PM
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