Game 11: Hornets vs. Wolves
by Rohan on Jan 13, 2012 4:30 PM CST
in Game Threads
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Print| 2011-12 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
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| 3-7 | vs | 3-7 |
| January 13th, 2012 |
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| New Orleans Seafood Arena Seasoned by Zatarain's |
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| 7:00 PM CST | ||
| TV: CST, NBALP |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Jarrett Jack |
< | Luke Ridnour |
| Marco Belinelli |
= |
Wayne Ellington |
| Dajuan Summers | > | Wes Johnson |
| Carl Landry |
< | Kevin Love |
| Emeka Okafor | > | Darko Milicic |
Your Pregame Moment of Zen
via the excellent Canis Hoopus
On the Wolves
We own their unprotected draft pick. Any discussion of the 2011-2012 Wolves will start and end with this, for good reason.
The Wolves are an interesting enough team though, far better than the Clippers had them pegged at during the initial Chris Paul trade negotiations. Kevin Love's ridiculous rebounding numbers from a year ago may be a tad down, but he's also become much more involved in the offense, upping his usage rate from 22.9% to 27.1%. There has been a corresponding drop in efficiency (123 to 114), but his 3P% has stayed constant, and his free throw rate has increased a good bit as well. Basically, this guy needs to be an All-Star.
Then there's the Rubio factor. He can hit the three when he's set (8 for 17 thus far), he's a crafty finisher around the basket, and he's as good a passer as we've seen in a ... while. For now, he comes off the bench though that could change soon.
All the talent aside (I'm a fan of Derrick Williams as well), the fundamental problem for Minnesota is the sheer number of minutes and possessions they give to bad players. Wes Johnson starts at the 3 and produces 75 points/100 possessions (yes, SEVENTY-FIVE. About 30 points less than league average). Wayne Ellington, who starts tonight, shot 40% from the field last year and is shooting 33% this year. And the man whose injury allows Ellington into the lineup, Michael Beasley, isn't very good either - he had a 100 ORtg last year (bad) and is down to 80 this season (very bad). And this is all to make no mention of the Serbian Gangster.
Minnesota will be better (and already has been better) in 2011-2012 because they replaced the worst coach in the league with a very decent one, Love is awesome, and Rubio makes everyone on the floor better. But they still have a strong shot at the lottery because of those multiple troublesome, non-productive positions.
Other Notes
- Your opposing team blog for the evening is Canis Hoopus.
- Dajuan Summers starts tonight over Al-Farouq Aminu, maybe.
- GEAUX HORNETS
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Surprised To Hear
That Aminu got benched. Of course, with the Hornets in possession of Minnesota’s first round draft pick, it’s imperative that the Hornets at least find a way to defeat Minnesota every time out. You talked plenty enough about the Timberwolves. They’re an exciting young squad and have the potential to be much better as the year goes along. I like Kevin Love (I don’t think he’s elite yet, though) and you mentioned how his efficiency has dipped this year. I think as his ego increases (which it has this year), you’ll see a continuing increase in possessions used and a decrease in efficiency. He was so good last year that that may not really matter, but it’s important to note either way. Rubio, however, looks like a real star and was worth the wait for Minnesota, whose GM deserves a lot of praise after the beating he took nationally from the media for the last two seasons. Minnesota’s not world beaters or anything, but Khan’s regularly been a punching bag and has, all the while, created a pretty good squad. Although, I must say, they really missed the boat when they passed up on Cousins for Wes Johnson. Although I saw why they did it in the moment.
As for the Hornets, who knows what to expect from them on a night to night basis. They could play solid team basketball for four quarters. They could play a solid game for three quarters and lose in the 4th quarter. They could play hard and be unable to make a shot the whole game too. Games like these matter less about the other team as they do to how the Hornets respond. Minnesota’s a better team without Gordon and Ariza on the squad, but not better enough to justify a blowout here. We’ll see how the team responds tonight and if there’s a big time game for the franchise, this may be one of the handful or so that they play this season.
Go Hornets!
"You play to win the game."
Hey Hornets folks, MN fan.
All respect to Monty Williams, he’s a mensch of a coach and a good guy.
The “Clippergeddon” pick you’re getting stings a lot less knowing it went to another team that lost its central player. We’ll be doing what we can to make it #9 overall, though, rather than #1.
Other than that, the best. Stay healthy, Hornets.
"Opinion ...a confession."
Wonder
if some of it has to do with the stale Wes Johnson and Darko on the floor with him. He did well surrounded by Williams, Toliver and AR.
Did rubio start?
I just got the game on.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:26 PM CST reply actions
Actually he hasn't.
After the first 5 or 6 games people were questioning whether or not Adalmen salvaged something from him. He has played poorly the past few games though.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
Triskaidekaphobia
Don’t kow whether it was a great idea for the commentators to show a list of NBA players who are not afraid of the number “13” and include Bobby Phills in the list…
Minnesota
Minnesota is the only team with a losing record that is net + points (+0.3) for the season.
Anyone watch the NBA in the 80's?
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:42 PM CST reply actions
Do you remember the Knicks with Patino?
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:44 PM CST up reply actions
Do you remember how well that full court press worked?
I can’t imagine a coach making an NBA do a full court press the entire season in todays games. I just learned about this yesterday after reading Patinos book.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:51 PM CST up reply actions
The Bomb Squad
They were called “The Bomb Squad”.
Trent Tucker (a 3-point shot by him with 0.1 seconds left to win a game caused the rule change that now requires at least 0.3 seconds for catch and shoot, and anything under 0.3 requires lobs)
Johnny Newman (one of my favorite Hornets later in his career).
Gerald Wilkins (brother of Humkan Highlight film Dominique).
by MZURK on Jan 13, 2012 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Think I'm forgetting one guy
Mark Jackson… but nto sure whether he was really considered part of the bomb Squad.
After reading his book...
…it sounded like he found some success with it.
I don’t know why no one emulated it afterward.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
I know. It sounded crazy.
However, it also sounded like it worked. I wonder why teams don’t do this during some games during the season and during the playoffs.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
I do remember it working at times
Led to a lot of easy scores. I agree some teams with their personnel would benefit in trapping at times. Guess all players are now just too lazy to give so much effort. heh
If only they got a little more money from the new CBA
It would be worth it for them.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
it had mixed results
Knicks didn’t go that far with it. Their real success came later with different coaches.
I wouldn't say so.
Not that it was bad but it was very typical. I’ve read a few coaching success books and find that they are very similar. Pick it up if you’re a fan of Patino.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
You have must read books that you recommend to would be readers?
I’m looking for one now actually.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:07 PM CST up reply actions
Pitino himself emulated it afterward.
He tried it in Boston, too, to some extent. With guards like Kenny Anderson, and the rookie Chauncey Billups, to put that ball pressure on.
"Opinion ...a confession."
Shot clock question...
Do you need to release the ball before the shot clock runs out
or
do you need the ball to hit rim before the shot clock runs out?
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:47 PM CST reply actions
What is this?
The squeeeeeak is rust because the teams are rusty?
or
The squeeeeak is you closing a screen door because you are no longer watching this game.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 7:58 PM CST up reply actions
Kaman
He is a chucker… I like him but Im not sure why he had so many teams interested in him last year
by njennings on Jan 13, 2012 7:58 PM CST via Android app reply actions
I was just getting ready to email you
I havent given up! I work on call and don’t always have time to adjust my roster. I don’t like to set it in advance because injuries have been craaaazy this year
by njennings on Jan 13, 2012 8:01 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
ok :)
Don’t give up! :)
Your last activity was on December 24, so I thought you gave up.
If you don’t have much time, probably best to set your roster in advance one or two weeks at a time.
Rubio is hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOOOO
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:23 PM CST reply actions
Does every team have a potential "Lamar Odem" type?
…as in they have elite physical tools but just haven’t put it together yet.
With the Wolves it’s Beasley and Randolph.
Do the Hornets have a guy or guys like that?
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:25 PM CST reply actions
Adelman
might give us the win this game. He has completely neutralized Rubio by surrounding him with nothing but lead feet.
You know that "Aaaaayo" - crowd responds "Aaaaaayo" guy they play in NBA arenas?
Is that Freddie Mercury?
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:35 PM CST reply actions
That sounds like it.
I thought it might be this…
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
The four noble truths...
1) Life is suffering
2)The origin of suffering is attachment
3)The cessation of suffering is attainable
4)There is a path out of suffering
DISCUSS!
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:40 PM CST reply actions
Yeah he really does
Kamen nor landry are even trying jumpers from about 15 which doesn’t make any since
Hornets
Are a first half team. When is Gordon coming back?!
by njennings on Jan 13, 2012 8:44 PM CST via Android app reply actions
Would Minnesota be better playing 2 vs 5?
Rubio and Love vs. 5.
At least the other guys wouldn’t get in the way…
And
it’s not because CP3 spoiled us.
These guys are a mess half the time. Man I hope we can land a PG with potential in the draft or via trade this year.
Do you guys see Wolves defense as playing well?
They are 12 ranked defense this year.
by LanceArmstrong_LIVESTRONG on Jan 13, 2012 8:56 PM CST reply actions
don't know whether Ayon is a "go to guy" on offense
He seems more like a trash/opportunistic guy rathe than a go-to guy
That has value too though.
I'd like to see him get a couple off. possessions though
He’s been in position and itching to get the ball
Milicic is too much of a ???
It’s hard to keep Milicic in the game, because he’s a foul machine and not that good.
Just not many good options for Minnie.
I'm just shocked Adelman
hasn’t gone big and athletic with Rubio. Saw him do it when they were all reserves several times over the last week or so with a good deal of success
Minnie has lost several games this season on last 1 or 2 possessions
We’ll see whetherthey have learned…
Oh, we got named the best Hornets blog today (:
by Rohan on Jan 13, 2012 9:28 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I hope we can pick a nice PG like Byron Scott seems to do...
Don’t know how he does it…. Maybe its a PG thing… Kyrie Irving is like a young Iverson or D Rose now but taller. Slashing like CP3 used to when he came in. Since it seems we’ll have 2 lottery picks, I hope we get a PG & (pray for) a 7’Center.
Well
He was there when the Hornets drafted him. But he certainly didn’t draft Jason Kidd.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 13, 2012 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
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