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The Three-Pointer: Finish or Be Finished

1. Competence or character?
It is tough to overestimate how nasty Sunday's last-second home loss to Philadelphia was to the psyche of this Timberwolves team, who blew a 19-point lead with 14 minutes left to play. Normally the last one out of the showers while the daily beat writers with deadlines grit their teeth, Kevin Garnett was long gone before the media hit the lockers--a bad sign. In his postgame press conference, Coach Dwane Casey went into rote mediation mode, yet again telling us how hard his team played. Then he was compelled to add, "These guys are hurting... I'm just as proud of these guys as anyone...if you want to blame anyone, blame me."

Sorry coach, there's too much blame for just one guy to absorb. But since you prefer to be the first one scrutinized, what are we to make of the fact that under Flip Saunders, Minnesota compiled a gaudy 64-39 record in "one-possession" games (those decided by three points or less) since the beginning of the 1996-97 season, but since you took over 38 games ago, your one-possession mark is 0-6? Or that the Wolves have squandered leads of 9 points or more five times in the past ten games? You invariably call a timeout when the score is tight and there is less than a minute left in the quarter, half, or ballgame; so why is the execution out of those timeouts so unsuccessful? Answers to those questions shouldn't come close to limiting the blame to you, of course, but the numbers are what they are and you are the one in charge of the chalkboard, the clock, and the substitution patterns.

Let me offer up a couple of people Flip could call upon the past two years who are no longer on the roster: Sam Cassell and Fred Hoiberg. How many times did we watch Cassell hit a crunch-time shot and then swagger back down the court pretending to swing a pair of enormous balls? How many times did we see Hoiberg make the right inbounds pass, move to the right open spot to receive the ball, set the right pick to free up the shooter, box out the right man to prevent a putback, and bail out a floor-general teammate facing defensive pressure by rushing over to get the ball and then give it right back? Cassell was the Timberwolves second-best player two years ago; Hoiberg was the Wolves second-best player last year. And both thrived in the fourth quarter.

But to get Sammy's crunch-time heroics this year would have required enduring his nonstop bitching, backbiting, dissension-sewing complaints about his contract. (You think the bountiful joy and all-around improvement in Wally Szczerbiak's game isn't at least partially related to Cassell's absence?) He needed to go, no matter how much he is missed down the stretch right now. And while the decision to scrimp on $1.7 million by dumping Hoiberg from the roster might look pennywise, pound-foolish if Freddie opts to play for another team soon, the guy will set an NBA precedent by performing with a pacemaker if and when he returns, so ripping owner Glen Taylor is 20-20 hindsight with the latest in laser surgery (how's that for a tortured metaphor?).

Many Wolves fans will argue that this team simply isn't talented enough to pull out the close ones; that Casey's necessary reliance on KG and Wally in the game's first 45 minutes spends too much of their resources for the final 3. The team's 0-3 record in overtime games this year, after going 26-16 in overtime over the last nine years Flip was here, supports that theory. But I think talent matters most in blowouts. When the Wolves get schooled by obviously superior teams from Detroit, San Antonio, Miami, or Phoenix, that's a core competence gap. Yet all but one of the team's one-possession losses this season have been to mediocre opponents whose overall talent is very comparable to Minnesota's--Philadelphia (twice), Sacramento, Milwaukee, and the Clippers. Meanwhile, just this past week, the team struggled mightily to hold off a lousy Knicks team, nearly blew the game at home against an Indiana squad without Artest, O'Neal, retired Reggie Miller, and a Jamaal Tinsley at full strength, and folded their tents versus a Celtics team more than ten games below .500.

By contrast, the last time the Wolves successfully came back from a double-digit deficit was December 7, against a callow Portland team--their fourth such resurgence in the team's first eight games. Is the reason for this turnaround in spunk sapped endurance from deficit talent, or a lack of confidence and resolve stemming from increasingly repeated failures? Obviously both. The relationship between competence and character is a chicken-or-the-egg equation, of course. But this remains one of the league's highest-paid rosters, and it is time for everyone to step up. As Wally Szczerbiak--one of the precious few Timberwolves to hang around and face the music after yesterday's game--said when it was noted that he and KG combined for only three shots in the 4th quarter: "It doesn't matter who gets the shots...We don't need any agendas...It is up to the players to defend a 19-point lead."

That means Szczerbiak can't revert to the silly turnovers that occasionally plague this squad at crunch time (he had two--to go with his measley two shots--in the fourth quarter Sunday). It means KG has to beat back the same demons that haunted him before Cassell and Spree arrived, when it was argued that he was too unselfish (meaning perhaps not sufficiently courageous) to seize control at the finish. (He had a pair of assists versus just one woefully short short on Sunday.) And it means there is room at the table for a player to seize a bigger role for himself on this ballclub, a subject we'll address in the silver linings later in this post.

As we come upon the midpoint of the season and the patterns of play are more reliably established, the choice between rebuilding and contending is becoming particularly stark. Initially, I thought it would be a best of both worlds type of situation; that the best way for this team to contend was to rebuild. Specifically, I figured that folks like 23-year old Eddie Griffin and rookie Rashad McCants would help crystallize this team in the present while paving its course for the future. Griffin has ratified that faith. But McCants is becoming more and more of a collossal bust with each succeeding game. The Timberwolves are a minus-87 in points versus their opponents in the 405 minutes McCants has logged this year; no other player is worse than minus-36. His field goal percentage is below 40, and he commits fouls at a rate that would disqualify him every 39 minutes. Even spotting him in the 2nd quarter for 5-10 minutes, Casey is almost invariably conceding a 4-5 point advantage to his opponents during that stretch. When you're record in close game is as abysmal as Minnesota's has been, that's a poison pill masquerading as a vitamin.

2. The X factor
It I had to pick a player upon whom the fortunes of this season rest, it would be Marko Jaric. By the numbers, Jaric has been a resoundign success, leading the team in plus/minus (at plus-154!), and ranking among the top 12 in the NBA in steals per game (1.7). But does anyone have confidence in this guy with the game on the line? In November and December, when Jaric hit some big jumpers to help decide games, and buttressed it with some staunch defense (most notably against Lebron James in Cleveland), the answer would have been a hearty yeah. But even in those early months, there were some horrible blips--the debacle in Oklahoma City, where rookie Chris Paul embarrassed Marko right out of the game, the New Year's tilt in Miami, when it appeared Marko was working uphill against a nasty hangover, are two that come to mind--to indicate that you didn't want to mortgage the future of the franchise on Jaric just yet. Except in some sense, the Wolves already have; trading Cassell and a number-one pick (lottery protected but still an egregious concession) for Marko after working a sign-and-trade agreement that put Jaric on the roster longer than KG, Wally, or anyone else on the team.

In recent weeks, Wolves fans have been subjected to the disconcerting spectacle of Garnett blasting Jaric with full-bore screaming fits at least every three or four games. The hopeful spin on this is that KG has sussed out that Jaric is thick-skinned enough to be deployed as an outlet for his overall exhortations to the entire squad. More likely, Garnett is simply venting, furious that Jaric has frequent lapses in attention span and willpower.

There is a back-handed compliment in this. You don't vent on Troy Hudson for jacking up shots without a conscience, or Anthony Carter for turning the ball over due to excess exuberance, because the virtue and the vice are so closely alligned. Huddy can get you a bundle of points when he's on, and AC's defensive intensity and push the ball pace causes as many opponent miscues as he commits. It's pretty clear that neither of these two are going to change much, for better or worse. But it's tantalyzing to consider what Jaric could be if he got his shit together, and to somebody as perceptive and industrious as KG, that wasted potential must be enormously aggravating.

Flash back to Sunday's game. What better way to try and grind down Allen Iverson, the Energizer Bunny, than for the 6-7 to take him to the hole, hard and strong, as often as possible? Sure enough, in the first two minutes, Marko drives and scores, kicks to Wally for a successful J, and executes a steal for another driving layup. In the next five minutes, he drives twice, once for his third layup and another for a dish-off that Eddie Griffin slams through the hoop. When Jaric leaves the game with 2:12 left in the 1st quarter, he's made all three of his shots (all layups, reversing his year-long trend as a shaky finisher) and dished for two dimes as the Wolves amassed a 20-9 lead.

For the rest of the game he is 4-16 from the field, including two more layups, but three other occasions when center Stephen Hunter ate his lunch with blocks in the paint. Worse, from the time Jaric lays the ball in with a minute left in the 3rd period to boost the Wolves lead to 67-50, he shoots six times (making two) with no assists while Minnesota's star deadeye scorers Garnett and Szczerbiak total just three shot attempts. And in the frantic final minute of the game, with Minnesota in make-or-break possessions in the half-court set, Casey twice calls for KG to get the ball on the pick and roll. The first time, even after Iverson falls down, Jaric's weak pass to Garnett is picked off. Then, with the score still tied, Jaric again can't get the ball to the superstar with arguably the largest target area (if you add wingspan plus height plus sureness of hands plus quickness of movement) in the NBA, and opts instead for an open jumper along the baseline that clanks off the rim. Setting the stage for Philly's look-what-I-found putback to end the game.

Does anybody really need to guess what was uppermost in KG's mind as he bolted out of the building?

In less than half a season, I've run hot and cold on Marko Jaric more than any Timberwolf player in my decade-plus time covering this franchise. And I still think if he can somehow straighten out his game and sustain some confidence and consistency down the stretch this spring, the Wolves will make the playoffs, regardless of what McCants does or doesn't do to this team.

3. Silver linings
I wish circumstances allowed me more time and space, but this is already a marathon three-pointer and after the Philly debacle, the clouds outweigh the silver linings. (My apologies for not posting at least a nominal, abridged 3-P after the Boston and Indiana games so posters could have at it in this space without me.) That said, Wolves fans have reason to feel good about the recent performances of Trenton Hassell and Eddie Griffin.

Hassell is certainly making my friend David Brauer look smart for touting him as a viable third scoring option on this team. In the 4th quarter against Philadelphia, Hassell had his finest stint as an offensive force for the franchise, posting up for four baskets in a four-minute span after Philly had whittled the lead down to one with 8:20 left to play. Hassell has proven adept at banking the up-and-under layup and spinning across the lane with a six-foot bunny jumper, both signature moves emanating from the left block in the low post. Best of all, he's got his eyes open, finding Griffin on interior passes and kicking it out to Wally or Garnett for open looks. The upgrade in his offense more than compensates for the slight fatigue (resulting in a uptick in his personal fouls) he shows on defense. Given that Hassell is a natural off-guard, and that Jaric plays best when he swings between the point-guard and off-guard position, the argument for Minnesota cutting its losses and trading McCants now, before his value plummets even further, is pretty beguiling. I'm not saying I'd necessarily pull that trigger, but neither would I malign those who'd take that option seriously.

Last but not least, hats off to Eddie Griffin for dumping the last shovel-full of dirt on the Minnesota tenure of Michael Olowokandi. Yes, Griffin can be manhandled inside, even from an untested mediocrity like Indiana's David Harrison, or Boston's jumping-jack youngsters Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. Yes, Griffin is probably the most inconsistent performer among the Wolves' top six players; Jaric is a beacon of stability by comparison. And yes, Griffin's accuracy and shot selection are dicey, his on-man defense sporadic, and his personality affable but extremely shy.

Consider the weight at the other end of the abacus. Griffin will be 24 on May 30. He is in his second month of his career playing the low-post pivot position. In the past two games, the first two times that Casey has provided him with vital-starter's minutes (more than 38 per contest), Griffin has gone 13-20 from the field, with 24 rebounds and 7 blocks. He is that rarest of commodities on this Wolves' team, a salary bargain at little more than $2 million per year. And in two years, the option of whether he wants to stay in Minnesota or not is his, not the team's. So let's not jerk him around with inexplicable pine time and complaints about his consistency when the options are the oafish Kandi man and the game but often-overmatch Mark Madsen. With Eddie Griffin, at least, rebuilding and contending are still the same process.

Posted by Britt Robson at January 23, 2006 9:23 AM

« The Three-Pointer: Squeaking by in NYC | Main | The Three-Pointer: Flip's Revenge »

Comments

Britt, last year when McHale decided it was time to fire the other cornerstone of the franchise, the Wolves were 25-26. These Wolves are at 20-20, with two games against Flip's new team coming up, to go with road games at Memphis, Houston, San Anton, Phoenix, Golden State, and Portland, making a 25-26 record this go-round look like a blessing. At what point in 2006 will McHale say "enough already" and make some sort of move to inspire this painfully mediocre team?

I'll still think personnel is not the problem. Jaric, Griffin, and Hassell all had great contributions, and the Wolves still collapsed on Sunday. It's something much deeper than lack-of-talent that's driving these Wolves to so many embarrasing close losses.

Posted by: izisharp at January 23, 2006 7:04 PM

Once again, another great article, Britt.

Sure, and I believe that Coach Casey deserves some of the blame". Let's start with Casey leaving KG out on the floor too long, not giving KG the rest he needs before crunch time. And being dog tired, with aching knees and ankles, is not conducive to effectiveness, especially if you are a jump shooter who is attracting double and triple teams.

Somewhat in response to posters here, and other forums, I went looking at what the record says about KG's shot selection and success rate in "clutch situations".

In the last five minutes of close games, KG still takes the same ratio of jump shots to "close" shots that he does during the rest of the game, but he is not making them this year - his shooting percentage drops over .100. I'm pretty sure that it's a statistically significant drop, but the data from 82games makes it a little hard to get the exact info you need to determine that.

And Wally's drops off .100 during crunch time too. Actually, this year he's not dropping off as much as in year's past (last year it was .200). He continues to shoot the same high ratio of jumpers to "close" (about 75%) so he doesn't go to the hoop anymore than KG does. One obvious difference for Wally is that this year, he's not getting assists in crunch time (from 70% normally to 20% in crunch time). In the past I've shown that Wally requires assists to score (yes, he has "special needs" - he's "challenged" - he's handicapped - ah heck - he's a f****** cripple) let's attribute some of the lack of assists to Casey's offensive schemes and the personnel choices available, particularly at point guard.

At PG, Marko Jaric's per48 assist rate drops from 7.6 to 5.1 in crunch time - and his assist per turnover ratio also drops from 2.58 to 1.75 Troy Hudson's assist rate also drops from 6.2 to 5.6 As I said above, the numbers available from 82games make it hard to determine the statistical significance of those drops, the "clutch time" sample size is small, and at times Hudson and Jaric (heck even Carter has some "clutch" time recorded) are on the floor together.

I think bashing KG is pretty stupid. Some folks want him to be something he's not, i.e., a take it to the rack in the crunch guy. Sure, it may be the only flaw in his true magnificence and old school ethos, but a great coach would figure out what to do with his strengths. What he is is a great passer. Too bad the Wolves have assembled a cast of overpaid pussies like Szczerbiac, Olowokandi, and Jarics who won't/don't make the moves to the hoop and finish a KG assist.

Posted by: levi at January 23, 2006 7:52 PM

I'll certainly say that the silver lining is indeed rose colored. To find this much optimism in a team that's begging to be blown up is...admirable. Incorrect, mind you, but very admirable. There is hope for the free world, when someone can see white light where only a dark abyss exists.

This team lacks heart, toughness and honesty. The season is over with. Be patient, look at the squad in the next few weeks, carefully place multiple sticks of TNT (Barkley and Smith brand only), around the locker room and depress the plunger. You've got a few years left to try and build around KG. Go to him and work it out, starting with the firing of McHale. KG will be a 20 and 10 guy for at least another 4 or 5 years. A team can build around that. If he doesn't want to go through it, then it's time to move on and do like the rest of the national basketball media would want us to do, and give KG a chance to win somewhere else.

Posted by: Peter Weinhold at January 23, 2006 8:13 PM

This was a pathetic fourth quarter performance this afternoon. I can't disagree with you. You speak for all Wolves fans in reaction to today's disgusting loss. I was very angry after the game. I am still angry. This was a game that the Wolves had no business losing. They had a 19-point lead in the third quarter. How the fuck they blew it is beyond me? I guess we shouldn't be that suprised. It's been the same ol' same ol' all season with this team. This is the second week in a row now that the Wolves blew a lead like that (they did the same thing at Boston Wednesday night). At some point, the reality has to dawn on people that this team is not very good. I love this team to death and I like to be supportive, but man how can I after today. This was a Minnesota-style choke today. They had no business losing this game. Sixers were done. You can just tell by the look of their face that they were done. Guys were hanging their heads and guys looked frustrated. Only the Timberwolves can provide hope to the other team that all is not lost. Unreal.

The only guy that wanted it today was Trenton and Marko. Outside of that, everyone did shit. I love KG and I would never rip on him, but 1 point in the money quarter (Brent Musburger calls the fourth quarter as money quarter). C'MON! I was dissapointed with his play. Wally wasn't great either. Eddie Griffin disappeared as usual in the fourth quarter.

Why the hell did Marko get the GW shot? Marko played well and it looked like he wanted it. With that said, you never give it to Marko. Either Marko decided that he wanted to win the game himself rather than give the ball to KG or Wally or Casey decided that Marko is the guy. No way Casey would give Marko the ball.

Wolves got couple of breaks when Webber missed a free throw and when Dalembert's basket was nullified. Too bad three was not a charm for them because when a Sixer miss that shot in the end, Igudola made it to win the game. Why didn't the Wolves get the loose ball and why didn't they put a hand on Igudola? Wolves coasted there with the idea that he will miss. You never do that.

I did not like the way the Wolves ran their offense when the going got tough in the fourth quarter. There was no ball movement for one thing. Guys were scared to touch the basketball. Guys had no clue what they were doing out there. They had the mentality of Rashad McCants out there which was not a very good thing. The proof was in the pudding today. They just did not want it enough and they sure did not execute well or play well in that fourth quarter. This was not a heartbreaker loss as you said. This was simply a choke job where guys played scared and have no clued what to do out there as you saw in the final minutes. This team turned the ball over three times I think in the final minute. The proof was in the pudding today. There was a reason why they lost. They just did not know what to do and no one stepped up. It's been the story of this season and you can understand why the Wolves are what they are. A bad basketball team.

I think this season is basically over. Yeah the Wolves are in the division race and yeah the Wolves still have the final playoff spot, but the way things are going,.does anyone have any faith in this team after this crappy final few minutes of this game. This team has struggled to find a third scorer. They can't step up in the fourth quarter. They looked lost half the time. We have seen this act this entire season. I think there comes a time when you have to ask if this team is good. If you ask me are the Wolves a playoff team, the answer would be no. If this team struggle to beat bad teams, just how will they beat good teams.

Wolves get the Pistons, Spurs, and the Grizz coming up. You think they are winning the next three games? I don't think so. If they struggle to beat Indy and then lose to two bad basketball teams, just how exactly will this team be ready for the next three games.

This team stinks. There is no way to put it. Some guys really need to look in the mirror and ask themselves what it takes for them to be winning players and if they want to win badly. This week demonstrated that the Timberwolves are not good and that some guys are just scared.

Posted by: Leslie Monteiro at January 24, 2006 2:46 AM

Britt, my thoughts on Jaric and Griffin exactly.
I was cheered by the prospect of a slasher, and maybe some freethrow attempts for the wolves, then I saw him, and was shocked how tiny he is.

Package him with 'kandi...if I have to see that puzzled look after he gets called for a foul, I'll be ill. It's a combination of being stoned with a feigned incredulity. No mas.

Posted by: Andy at January 24, 2006 4:03 AM

Britt: I agree wholeheartedly with your takes on Griffin. I consider EG the second most valuable player on the team, behind only KG. He does have trouble defending strong centers one-on-one, but most centers (other than Shaq, who's defense is not what it used to be, Duncan, and Mourning, very few can -- have you watched Zydrunas try to defend bigs guys?), but his rebounding (at both ends) and shot blocking (he got a piece of Webber's last second shot and then, unfortunately -- remember Vlade! -- but not wrongly, batted the ball out before Igoudala got lucky) are exactly what the Wolves need. EG even will score 8-12 points a game just by hanging around the basket, and although his shooting is messed up right now, he has shot over 30 percent from downtown in the past and he's still a better option late in the shot clock than Kandi or Mad Dog (EG's three on Sunday gave the Wolves their ill-fated 19-point lead).

I cannot, however, agree with you on Jaric. He can do some things, but he is not the type of point guard that will lead this team anywhere (at least as long as KG is here). KG needs a point guard who can, in order: 1. Shoot, 2. Create is own shot. Jaric can do neither. Sam was perfect (except, of course, for his off-court problems). Even Brandon was OK. Until the Wolves get a point guard who can shoot (and T-Hud is NOT that point guard), they will go nowhere. The Wolves should try to get Stephon (as we all know, Stephon is not good enough to win on his own, but he is good enough to win if he has a great post player; funny, but KG is not good enough to win on his own, but he is good enough to win if he has a great scoring point guard), but if they can't get Steph, they should get Mike James from Toronto (I hear he's available). The guy is a good ballhandler, an average penetrator and passer, but he can really shoot and shoot off the dribble. The problem is, the Wolves could have gotten James in the offseason and they wouldn't have had to give up a No. 1 to do it.

As for McCants, he'll never be any good. There are a lot of talented basketball players who never succeed in the NBA and McCants will be one of them. In the end, you have to play with purpose and desire to succeed in the NBA. Those who are talented AND play with purpose and desire become superstars (see KG). Those that posess limited talent but play with purpose and desire become very good players, maybe even starters (see Hassell, Hoiberg). Those that lack talent and who play with purpose and desire become role players (see Mad Dog). Those that have talent and who DO NOT play with purpose and desire become Michael Olowakandi (see also Derrick Coleman and JR Rider).

One other thing, Wolves lose close games because they have only one player willing to take the big shot (T-Hud) and, unfortunately, he can't shoot.

And finally, I just want to put a word out on Flip. I was OK with the Wolves firing Flip, but I'll never forget how I felt that McHale betrayed Flip (I also remember feeling as if I had lost a member of the family, for all intents and purposes, the Wolves were KG and Flip). I for one will give Flip a long and loud standing ovation tonight.

Posted by: Korzo at January 24, 2006 9:44 AM

Great post levi, I couldn't agree more. KG does not draw contact and he doesn't like to shoot when somebody else has the open shot. He will not change. It is up to McHale to get him somebody who will and can make the clutch shots. When KG has had that (Stephon and Sam) he has won. The Wolves do not have that right now.

Posted by: Korzo at January 24, 2006 9:49 AM

Leslie wrote: "Igudola made it to win the game. Why didn't the Wolves get the loose ball and why didn't they put a hand on Igudola?"

Well, Iguodala *was* Wally's man...and in my opinion had been tearing up the Wolves all day (scoring *over* his avarage in a low scoring game). Even so, I cannot fault Wally's defensive decisions on that final play. An unlucky bounce and a somewhat lucky shot.

The whole point though, is that the Wolves should not have been in a position to lose on a lucky play.

Posted by: levi at January 24, 2006 10:30 AM

I love it, we all agree. Until we obtain a guard, preferably a point guard, that can penetrate and dish and make his own shot, we're going no where. Last year, I would have liked to see Flip stay and McHale obtain Baron Davis and see what Flip can do with him, but I can live without both of them.

The truth is Marko is back-up material because we can't wait for him to develop into a point guard (assuming Brit's correct that he's got hope). He's ideal in the sixth man role. Troy is ideal on another team - he'll take over a game for you once or twice a month, but that's it.

Eddie G is thrilling because he's learning center right before our eyes and doing quite well. What a great, young athlete. Hassell is a great defender and growing as an offensive player. Unfortunately, to obtain Artest or somebody else worth a shit, we'll have to give up one of these two rising stars.

Posted by: gp at January 24, 2006 12:21 PM

The Los Angeles Clippers missed the playoffs last season after losing an inordinate amount of close games. The Timberwolves are following the same pattern this year. 0-6 in games decided by fewer than three points, plus another loss by a few more in OT is pathetic.

See where this is going? Jaric.

Whether he's on the court in crunch time or not. We brought him in to replace Cassell. Plus, we gave up a conditional draft pick. Often, he's not even in the game at the end. Is this a knock on Casey's bizarre substitution patterns, or does Casey realize what many NBA (many, many Clipper) fans realize... that Jaric is not the answer at PG?

Jaric can't create his own shot and has suspect decision-making skills. Oh, and he's a suspect shooter as well. Hudson clearly doesn't possess the PG skills needed either. He's fine as a 6th or 7th man, where his bursts of offense can be useful in the middle of games... but nothing more.

Thus, despite the Timberwolves lack of rebounding (sans Garnett), any trade/rebuilding project the Timberwolves discuss should begin with the PG position.

Yet, we have a GM that has a horrible history judging PG talent or making trades... or drafting since '95.

Posted by: AbeVigoda at January 24, 2006 12:46 PM

McHale a horrible history judging PG talent? Come on. He chose William Avery in the first round and then kept him while letting Bobby Jackson go (another player he could have drafted in the first round but instead chose Paul Grant). And then he chose Terrell Brandon over Chauncey. And then he traded Sam (and the No. 1) for Jaric when he could have picked up Mike James (better than Jaric) for nothing. McHale is unwilling to trade for Baron Davis because of his injury history, yet breaks the bank open for T-Hud (he's not injury prone or anything) and Marko (enough said about him already).

Posted by: Korzo at January 24, 2006 2:15 PM

Okay, first of all, I'd like to preface my comments by saying that I SUCK at doing the stats thing from 82games.com (and I'm a computer guy). But do we all remember what was wrong with our defense last year? Point guard penetration stands out as #1 (though there were other problems). Sam and Troy couldn't defend a chair chained to a streetlamp and would relentlessly escort the opposing PG right through the lane, where they could dish, finish, etc. Nothing made me want to pull my hair out more than that, and I think that's where my fondness for AC developed.

That said, I honestly don't see that problem anymore. In fact, I would bet dollars to donuts that Marko is at least in the top 10 PGs in the league in terms of keeping down opposing PGs field goal %. (And no, I don't know where a stat is to back me up) And yes, I understand that guys like Boykins, C. Paul, and Parker are going to pick apart Jaric, much like they do with every other PG. All in all, I have to agree with a majority of you that Marko is not a capable starter. A guy you want as a sixth man who can take advantage of mismatches AND contain a "slower" PG? Absolutely. I'll save my case for starting AC some other time (like a winning streak, when we'll all be in better spirits).

But I'd like to bring up something else that I feel has been touched on, and that's KG's leadership. How many players can you name on our team that have "veteran-savvy"? Players that will play great ball not just because KG is on the floor with them, but who have been in tough spots before and know what they have to accomplish? I can't name one, and while Britt mentioned Sam and Fred, but you can keep going down the list of "veteran presence we don't have" - what I wouldn't give right now for 10 minutes a night from Ervin Johnson! Dale Davis, Antonio Davis, Joe Smith, even Spree (seriously, almost) - some would call guys like that washed up, but they can make statistical and intangible contributions to any team. Guys who don't always have it in them to play harder, but instead play smarter. That's what I'd like to see.

What was my original point? Oh yeah, KG is a dominant leader, and he barks at every player on the team (seemingly). While I don't feel that anyone tunes him out, having a second or third vet on the team to back up what he's saying (or even give advice) would be wonderful.

Being in a position like McHale's is difficult, and while as fans we're hyper-sensitive while our team plays underachieving ball, I can't say that Marko was a bad decision. It's too early to tell, but he seems like the kind of guy who is going to learn. We have plenty of guys who are at their peak (Kandi, Maddog, Troy), and who will never get better or turn into "savvy vets".

Okay, that's enough ranting. I feel better, though re-reading my post, it sounds like jibberish. On a lighter note, did anyone else want to reach out and strangle Bill Walton during that Sixers game? He joins Joe Buck and John Madden on the "big time announcers that need to be taken behind the woodshed" team.

Posted by: antonymous at January 24, 2006 4:35 PM

Anto -

Dead on about D at the point. But we still need a real point guard to better spot Jaric - and it's still a valid criticism to complain about giving up a number one for that. (Cassell was a necessary dump; not sure what we could've gotten for him, and he couldn't stay.)

Overall, though, people are forgetting defensive horribleness. Offensive horribleness is bad, too, but easier to fix.

Posted by: David Brauer at January 24, 2006 4:55 PM

Antonymous, I always feel that way about Bill Walton. Somewhere deep within the archives of the days when all CP staffers had personal blogs (mine was called Ham On Rhino until my colleagues, after unsuccessfully trying to shame me into changing it, changed it themselves, to the Bulldog Edition) is an extended rant about Bill Walton.

Whether you're an announcer, writer, fan or whatever, I think it is only fair to ask for accountability. That means if you say something and it's wrong, or you are about to take the opposite position, acknowledge that you were wrong or that you've changed your mind. Walton is the king of being "cheapskate tough" in that he rips people all the time ("What is WRONG with Jason KIDD?") and then flips over and praises them lavishly ("That's why Jason Kidd is the BEST POINT GUARD in the league right now.") without any acknowledgement of what he said mere minutes before. It's the opposite of expertise; it's like listening to a guy with a severe case of ADD.

Glad to hear that readers are likewise of two minds about Jaric (albeit not individually). I tell you, a really strong case can be made both pro and con on Jaric. And Antonymous, a couple weeks ago Jaric had held opposing PGs to the lowest FG% in the league, so your instincts were right. (I bet he isn't first now though.)

And Peter Weinhold, you may rail against the huge disparity among the haves and have nots in the Western Conference, but I suspect that this team will tease playoff hopes right into spring regardless of your grumbling. You think I've got rose-colored glasses because I won't bury this squad. You forget that I popped my basketball journalism cherry following the Wolves in the days of Muss, Rodgers, Lowe, and Blair, with Trader Jack drafting Longley after the team had drafted Spencer, and then trading both Longley and Spencer for, respectively, Stacey King and Mike Brown. And that's just one sentence from an encyclopedia-long recitation of ineptitude I could provide.

It's all relative, my friend. I'm just grateful I get to go watch professional basketball from courtside or the couch at least 82 times a year and then spout off about it. And I understand how those of you paying anywhere from $10 (for $24 nosebleeds) to $275 might feel a little differently.

Posted by: Britt Robson at January 24, 2006 5:03 PM

Guys... I wish you would trade McCants. I don't think he has been played enough to grow in the league, and for you to rely on the help of a rookie but don't play him but 9 mins a game is crazy....I see you guys saying "we should have picked Granger"...but I'm in NC and see the Pacers alot ...Granger is not doing much better than McCants and gets alot more mins WITH THE STARTERS!!! Casey makes substitutions where he puts McCants(who is already struggling to find his way)in the game with other players who are doing the same...Just do yourself and McCants a favor and trade him...It might take him a couple years to show his worth...and you all clearly don't have that much time...Don't get me wrong I've always liked your team and KG but you need a vet that has been in the league about 4 or 5 years and has a handle on all that comes with the NBA...

Posted by: CM at January 25, 2006 8:54 AM

I used to think that getting a reliable third scoring option was the remedy the Wolves needed to become better. But now I agree with everyone who says what we really need is a real PG (a guy who can penetrate and dish and/or score) to help run this anemic offense. Until then, KG is de-facto PG on this team since the offense always runs through him. KG has great vision and is a great passer, but having a real PG would save KG's stamina. I think KG wears down towards the end of games because he plays too many minutes and because he's the focal point in the offense every minutes he's out there. I'd be nteresting in knowing how many easy buckets KG is averaging a night. I bet it's not many. How many times do you see Duncan or Shaq get easy dunks or layups
because of their PGs penetration that forces their man to leave them. Many more than KG. No wonder KG has fond memories of Steph.

So the formula for beating the Wolves is to double (or triple team) KG and put a shut-down defender on Wally. It's that simple. Until we get that PG who with all of the qualities mentioned by all others, we'll stay mediocre
and never make the playoffs.

Posted by: carlos at January 25, 2006 1:11 PM

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