Is Whitman Quality?
Wolves Stumble in OakTown
I caught the 4 quarter and OT of the Warriors-Wolves game last night. Minny looked good. They were on the back end of a run in the neighborhood of 58-22 and had a nice double digit lead until the last 4:30 or so. Al Jefferson was dropping silky jumpers and half hooks while in complete control. Then the young, inexperienced trio of Randy Foye, Rashad McCants and Ryan Gomes basically shot Minnesota out of the game in regulation. The Warriors cruised in OT. During that fatal stretch at the end of regulation I saw two things that seemed crazy to me: The Wolves could not get the ball to Big Al, and Mike Miller was on the bench. Having not seen too much of this seemingly maturing and improved Minnesota squad this year, I need some help understanding from you Sotans as to why Randy Whitman is not to blame for this loss.
posted by The Green at
2:38 AM
2 Comments:
I don't think there's any evidence Wittman can coach. The comparison to the last three years in Portland isn't really fair, because the Blazers have much more talent (in part thanks to that brilliant Roy/Foye trade) but Nate McMillan has been building the foundation of a good team by committing to defense and figuring out how to get the cornerstone players like Roy & Aldridge comfortable in the roles they'll need to be in to be a championship team. Wittman hasn't done either of those things at all over the past two years. Plus, just in general, none of the guys on the Wolves seem to have improved any of their weaknesses at all: Jefferson only plays D for about 5 minutes a game, Brewer still can't shoot, McCants is either hiding or chucking, Foye can't guard my grandma, etc.
It's not all on Witt, but he is clearly not helping.
By
Jason N, at 9:21 AM
You're right that the Wolves seem completely incapable in most games of getting the ball to Big Al in crunch time. This wasn't the first time. Last night they seemed to want to kill clock at the end, but couldn't seem to pass the ball for very long without turning it over, and frittering away another nice lead.
Jason's assesment is exactly right. The Wolves were actually best last night when they were playing Nellie ball, upbeat transition game with some adrenaline-fueled D in that stretch during the 4th. The rest of the game they were flat. While GSW shot lights out in half-court sets, the Wolves shot caroms and airballs. No sign yet of our great 3-point options that will spread the floor. I think uptempo works better for the Wolves than downtempo.
The other problem so far is lack of consistency in rotations, leaving everyone stuck figuring it out. It's always different. And no matter what rotation is out there, the Wolves seem to have the same weaknesses - primarily up front...but also in terms of ball movement and getting good shots.
At least Witt started playing Gomes at the 3 last night. I think he'll be stronger there than an undersized PF next to an undersized C.
Wolves have lost some close ones. But I had higher hopes for this squad. They're back where they were last year -- better on paper, perhaps. But, as yet, unable to find a formula for winning.
By
TVDave, at 10:31 AM
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