So much change, so much the same: Wolves lose 99-96
Posted on December 10th, 2008 – 1:24 AMBy Jerry Zgoda
OK, Randy Wittman referenced it games ago, but, even with Kevin McHale lumbering the sidelines and the Wolves looking and feeling to me quite different than just a game ago, I still feel like weatherman Phil Connors in Groundhog Dog and so, too, probably do you or anyone still interested enough in following this team.
McHale put Rashad McCants and Craig Smith into the starting lineup and from the first possession made good on his promise to exploit mismatches wherever and whenever he can find them. The Wolves did play with so much more flow and pace. And life, too. Rodney Carney (remember him?) provided a couple of athletic blocked shots and a couple of steals in 13 minutes. Smith and Ryan Gomes exploited their matchups. Kevin Love got eight of his 15 rebounds on the offensive boards.
And then everything once again went black when they blew a 94-87 lead with less than three mintues left, when the Jazz finishd with a 14-2 run that included Mehmet Okur’s winner with 1.7 seconds left. The Here-We-Go-Again-Syndrome can be attributed in good part to Love’s four consecutive missed free throws, probably a bad shot he took and a turnover in that stretch.
At least you know the guy cares. He basically was sniffling back tears in the locker room and said he needed someone to talk him down off the bridge.
McCants, who missed all seven shots he took in the first half and then couldn’t get an in-bounds pass to Al Jefferson when the play broke down after Okur scored, wasn’t about to do it.
“No way,” McCants said. “He can’t jump off no bridge because we’ve got a game tomorrow night.”
The Wolves play at Denver Wednesday night.
118 Responses to "So much change, so much the same: Wolves lose 99-96"
Well, we at least played with some heart. That’s a first step I guess. I don’t think we can really make many other broad assessments from this game…too many factors involved. New coach, meaning the players are trying to adjust to a new philosophy, and Utah had no chance of scouting us or predicting our gameplan. Plus, even though the score was close, the Jazz played very poorly all things considered. Tons of uncharacteristic turnovers for them and Williams and Kirilenko combined to shoot just 4-21, and not because we played particularly good defense. Very rarely will either of those players be so ice cold, much less on the same night.
About the only other things we could see from this game is that we’re still horribly unathletic. Obviously no coach can do anything about that. The Jazz aren’t a particularly athletic team themselves, but the one guy who does get up and down for them (Ronnie Brewer) absolutely killed us. This is definitely the kind of game that makes me miss Corey.
The rest I’m willing to give time. Foye panning out as a point guard, Love and Jefferson getting it to work as a tandem, rotations, playcalling…McHale clearly isn’t popular with any of us, but he at least deserves time as a head coach to at least get the basics of his playbook through to the guys and work with them a bit on implementing his philosophy. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to afford him time for that.
Ultimately though, I don’t think he’ll help us in the long run as a coach. We might play with more heart, but we’ll still lose a ton of games. As I’m sure a lot of you are tired of hearing me say, I personally believe the problem is the roster and that there’s just too much of a speed and balance gap between us and most of the league to really be competitive most nights.
The next few games will be very telling. Denver’s a very athletic team, so it’ll be interesting to see how McHale’s plan for countering that is different from Wittman’s. Then the Spurs, who have two guys (Manu and Parker) that always kill us. Then the Lakers, who are more or less the antithesis of everything we are as a team. Should be an educational, if not very enjoyable, week.
[…] On the Wolves – […]
I’m just happy to see a Wolves team go to the free throw line - I figure the shots will fall in time as long as they stay on the attack
Somebody was crying? Did we trade for the big baby Glen Davis?
Mchale will do OK as coach. He has a very likeable personality. Wittman was more of a snappy type that people really don’t like to hear all of the time. Also it will get him away from making personnel choices based on likeabiity. Just don’t get any more Laettner’s. He inadvertantly shaped the wolves roster for over ten years. No team was more dysfunctional than the Laettner and Rider teams. Anyway I wish him the best of luck because he seems like a genuine good person.
“I don’t think we can really make many other broad assessments from this game…”
I think I can. Hit a damn free throw.
Pointless - Love = #1 in sixth man rebounding…#9 in offensive rebounding. The guy could legimately challenge for the rebounding crown in a couple years. Yes…he is out of place etc etc etc. 2-9 from the line though is unacceptable…I have little patience for people not making FTs.
The senseless, funny comments begin. “At least we played with some heart.”
So did the Lions last Sunday.
You’re an idiot.
So whats your point Swan?
“At least you know the guy cares. He basically was sniffling back tears in the locker room and said he needed someone to talk him down off the bridge.”
Great. Just what we need. Grow a pair of balls man.
McHale is “likeable.”
This is a reminder to disregard all of the idiotic decisions he’s made in the past.
Forget the picks and trades. Not to mention the poor records, and early playoff exits…..he seems like a good guy.
I’ll bet most people wouldn’t give a rats ass if he was the biggest prick in the world, as long as he wins.
This is the big boy league, fyi.
Pointless - If he could convert better than 75% of the FTs he is going to do pretty well…if you watched the game he was getting his rebounds taking on a couple guys and drawing fouls. He drew probably 8 fouls in that game !
Thats the only hope for playing Big Al / Love together at the same time…that they just outwork and draw fouls on opposing bigs in order to get the lesser bigs off the bench and in the game.
Fighting back tears ? Honestly, good. I rather have someone care about their performance instead of another Kandi-Man !
You dont have to cry to care Swan. This is a man’s league. You want to cry join the WNBA.
“No way,” McCants said. “He can’t jump off no bridge because we’ve got a game tomorrow night.”
Too funny…
McCants wasn’t really taking a lot of bad shots last night. He just wasn’t making them. We need to hope he does well in order to possibly get some value for him.
I think Pointless and Roberto El Doucho are the same guy.
That’s my only point.
It’s just one game under McHale. I liked some things that they did against Utah. 12 steals, 19 offensive rebounds, and 43 attempts from the line. When have you ever seen that from a Wolves squad? It came down to free throws and that’s something that they can fix. I’m confident that they will turn things around if they put up those kind of numbers every night.
I’m not sure what’s wrong with McCants. He’s normally a good shooter. Did knee surgery really take that much away from his game? If you don’t have spring in your legs then your jumper will suffer. Not to give him an excuse, but it could be the problem.
Love, keep your head up and keep rebounding like you did last night. Your game will come in time.
“but it could be the problem.”
How do explain shooting 40% from 3pt last season then? He shot well last year.
I’m really interested to see how McHale’s rotations work when Miller comes back. And why was Kevin Ollie getting minutes down the stretch?
Love gets half his offensive rebounds off shots he either has blocked or misses from close range. I willing to give him time but he really needs to learn how to finish close to the basket.
I also agree that the Jazz played horrible last night and it had nothing to do with what the Wolves were doing. This team is still going to struggle to win 30 games this year.
Yah, it has nothing to do with the surgery anymore. When he first came back he didn’t have the legs to dunk. Last year he was dunking whenever he had the chance. Its not the legs…its the touch. He’s lost it. Maybe Santa will bring it to him.
Jama - Ollie for some defense and letting Randy take the 2.
Guys don’t forget they didn’t even have Boozer…
The offensive rebounding isn’t ununsual. The Wolves were in the top 10 in the league in offensive rebounding last year. It was one of the few 07-08 Wolves strengths.
The key is going to be if the Wolves can play with that kind of energy consistently under McHale, or if this is going to be the typical new coach bubble that bursts a few weeks down the road.
A lot of fundamental problems with the Wolves last night that need to be coached. Jefferson’s closeout on Okur on the game-winning shot was horrible. A continued failure to be able to execute offensively at crunch time.
Love is a good offensive rebounder, but he needs to be stronger on the defensive glass. He has been abused in many games this year at that end of the floor.
Interesting quote I dug up over at espn.com
former Wolves and current Nuggets guard Anthony Carter told the Rocky Mountain News’ Chris Tomasson of McHale’s first coaching stint in Minnesota (an interim position in 2005), “He was trying to draw plays, and it was like a little Etch A Sketch. Like a kid just messing around.”
If this is true then maybe that’s why Kevin Love was on the verge of crying. Like they say, you never want to meet your heroes.
Anyone getting advice from Rashad McCant to not jump off the bridge might as well just go ahead and jump.
Anyone getting advice about taking advice from McCants from a guy named moose might as well eat a bullet.
Sean - “Love is a good offensive rebounder, but he needs to be stronger on the defensive glass. He has been abused in many games this year at that end of the floor.”
He was doing really well in the 4th on the D boards.
I hate Kevin Love. He sucks.
Finally coming around I see?
Yah Pointless, heard you like eating phallic objects.
I do like a good Banana. Hot dogs are good too.
Pointless, so you are the real DeepThroat?
If you’re not going to try moose, whats the point?
Swan: Love was fine on the defensive boards last night — but if he’s going to be the elite rebounder you think he can be, that’s the area that must get better.
Hence your name eh pointless?
“that’s the area that must get better”
As long as Love continues to stuff himself and get stuffed, he’ll be an awesome offensive rebounder. I predict he breaks the carear offensive rebounding record.
“Hence your name eh pointless?”
Wow. You’ve got a very well developed sense of timing and wit.
Thanks Pointless, your mother taught me well.
My mother died in a fiery car wreck on her way to chemotherapy when I was a kid. Thanks for brining that up. But you’re right She was quite quick with the wit. Also, she did enjoy teaching at the Oak Park Heights correctional facility. When are you eligible for parole?
LoL, yes those were quite the times. Try to keep up with this pointless banter pointless, otherwise it’s back to special ed.
Pointless - Stealing my name again !? Love rules !
“Try to keep up with this pointless banter pointless, otherwise it’s back to special ed.”
Hey, its not my job to keep you busy during your special ed classes.
[…] positives from the first game, where the Wolves lost a 7 point lead with three minutes remaining to lose to […]
I used to call into KFAN all the time. My real name is THE SKIPPER. Fear my never ending blabbering!!!!
I used to work for KFAN until I got pulled over smoking my crack pipe.
“Hey, its not my job to keep you busy during your special ed classes.”
No, it isn’t. It’s your mothers job.
… and made sweet relations to a chubby raccoon.
I enjoyed watching the wolves last night. I thought they played with a bit more purpose. Foy is a better off-guard than McCants is, but at least those 2, along with Carney have the ability to create for themselves. If they play with the passion they did last night, I really believe they will win at least 40-50% of their remaining games, which is a little improvement. People say that Boozer wasn’t playing..who cares. You play who is available…we were missing Brewer and Miller.
Actually my mom didnt work with the special ed inamtes. She worked in the secure housing wing where all the vulnerable inamtes are held, you know the pederasses. Which would help explain your oral fixation.
Wow, nice to see so much constructive, worthwhile dialogue here. I’ll never understand people who troll on a discussion board for over three hours, but maybe it’s just me.
Here are my thoughts: Maybe it was an off night for Utah, but this team loses to teams who have off nights. You take what you can get. If the Wolves make 70% of their free throws, they win easily. Yeah, the Jazz had an off night, but you have to attribute some of that to the fact that the Wolves played aggressively on offense and defense. They got out on the fast break more than once. And they played good D for most of the game. That at least contributes to the Jazz’s “bad night”.
That said, if this were Wittman, we’d be calling for his head b/c this is just more of what’s happened all season. So you can’t distinguish McHale from Wittman just on this game. The telling sign will be how McHale reacts (and his team reacts) after they get blown out. Will McHale throw the team under the bus every time, like Wittman did after a bad game? Or will it be more of the coach taking responsibility and getting more out of his players in the following game (which McHale seemed to suggest last night).
As far as Love’s rebounding goes - even though a lot of his boards come off his own misses, he’s still remarkably aggressive and quick to the ball. If he was really fighting back tears, maybe he needs to settle down a bit and realize this is just 1 game out of 82, but at least he cares.
This team needs to shed McCants in a hurry. What a waste of talent and money. 0-7 in the first half? If he’s not scoring, he’s completely worthless.
It is interesting that McHale opens with such a rough stretch of the schedule. Obviously he was forced to take over at this time, because he could lose for 6 games or so. Do think the team will start playing better but we’ll see where their heads are at after losing so much.
And while I think McHale will be decent, I just don’t think they have the talent to win right now. So it will very interesting how he handles the losing. All he did was coach about 30 games for a team that just went to the Western Conference finals. Let’s see how he does in 60 games of losing.
I always look at the head coach and see how he acts during the game. McHale looks very confident during games. Wittman looked like a guy that wasn’t confident and didn’t know what he was doing. This directly infuences players. Kevin really talks to the players and they will listen much more to him than Wittman. Wait until we play a bad team at home. If we can’t get a few comfortable wins here and there at home, we are toast.
I have seen Kevin Love post up on the right side several times and get a easy hook shot bucket. I think that they should do this more often. When he does that hook shot, he does it quick and the defender has no chance to block it. Love is not confident at all on his free throws or jump shot. I am sure he is practicing a lot on these. We will see if he improves …
Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning… McHale was a scrawny kid at the U, Musselman could never get him to work out, put on weight, or anything else. It wasn’t until he hit the Celtics that he found coaching that motivated him. It looks like the Wolves are behaving just like McHale did when young; loud-mouthed’ apologetic, and uncaring. It’s going to take a Mike Tice kind of coach to turn this franchise around otherwise it’s off to Vegas….
And…who cares?
It was nice to see the team play with some effort and energy last night. If they would have been doing this all the time life would be better. Unfortunately they are playing against some great teams in the next few games after tonight and I think the team will regress back to Wittless Wonders again.
Brian - Last night was a fluke…Love is usually very confident in his FTs. Was shooting over 80% before last night I believe. Still shooting 75%
I heard at Gopher basketball games that they show pictures of present and past wolves before the games. When they show McFails picture he gets a huge “Boooooooooooooooooooooooh”
Present and past Gophers I meant to say. Hey BC Benkeke.
How is there “so much change”?? McHale is still here…the players are the same…Did I miss something?
McFail will possibly do a little bit better as coach. The players just quit playing for Wittman. When the players quit playing for Wittman he was ousted
McHale should fire himself.
Nice to see so much thoughtful, respectful dialogue. I’ll just say one thing about Kevin Love: Remember the guy’s 20 years old and three months. Yes, “so much change,” you apparently did miss something. Haven’t you been paying attention? It was written in the context from just a few days earlier. Wittman out, McHale demoted, different starters, different style of play, different energy. For a period of about 48 hours, in that context, I’d say that’s a lot. Given their roster and what they have assets, you want them to trade the whole team? Hey, they’re stuck with what they’ve got for now.
Also, from reading Glen Taylor’s eyes and words Monday, I don’t think McHale has the power anymore to fire himself.
Send Herman Munster back to Hibbing.
So Jerry,
What does McHale have to do to keep this coaching position when all is said and done? Or is it pretty much over after this season?
Does anyone think it would be hard to be neighbors with McFail without honestly saying something to him.
Try this one on for size. “Hey Mr McFail great game last night”. “Mr McFail way to go with that draft pick”.
Jimmy Bee - No, being neighbors with McHale would be awesome. I’d talk about the old Celtics teams all day and challenge him to HORSE and wager lawn mowing duties !
Jerry - How did you like the lineups and rotations last night ?
LOL @ Swan
You’d have a better shot at PIG.
We need Brewer back (their Brewer killed us and is the main reason they won).
Actually it was Loves free throw shooting though I did like his totals for rebounds
I think that “permanent” head coach thing with McHale is a permanent 62 games, if he makes it that long. I have a hard time seeing him do this even through the end of the season. Unless, of course, he was right about these guys and he gets them playing somewhere approaching .500 ball somehow. Knowing how much he hates the travel and how it hurts just to watch him get up and limp up and down the sidelines, I wonder if he’s going to wake up someday and say, “I don’t need this.” What would stop him is his loyalty to the players he brought here. Unless things turn around dramatically, I’m guessing Taylor hires himself a new VP after the season, and that guy hires a new coach.
Well hopefully when Taylor hires a new VP he goes outside this organization and brings in a new perspective.
PR is a great idea for McFail to be doing. Something where he makes no team or player or personel decision’s. They just put in a room with no phone and let him play games on an X Box 360 and now and again show up to fundraisers. Maybe have him work with some players and relive his basketball days with KLove and Jefferson. Regal Beagle time for me kids and also to see if Lana is there
its clear that McHale ‘gets it’ as a coach. sure, the Jazz were without Boozer and AK/Williams shot poorly, but we were without Brewer and Miller (2 of our best).
One thing I was perturbed about was the lack of Collins at the 5. we needed his defense, especially on that last possession. and someone tell me why McCants is making that inbound pass?
Fire McHale…. enough said
If we shot more from the peremeter and above the arc and the 3 point line and spread out the defense a bit we could get some one on one instead of 5 on 3 sitting around the rim
My thinking exactly Jerry. And it’s somewhat ironic, because McHale would actually make a pretty decent coach. But he just hates the travel too much and doesn’t like putting himself on the line. But this team just has too many deficiencies to compete in this league. Taylor can hire himself a new VP next year, and then let that guy be the guy who fires McHale. I don’t at all see McHale getting back into the front office.
The one thing I am disappointed about is that Brewer won’t get a chance to showcase this year. I would have been very interested to see how he would have been utilized and played under a new coach. Watching Ronnie Brewer last night, that’s really how we should be using Corey. Wittman had the guy running the perimeter and looking to take spot up jumpers, but I really think he needs to be going to the hoop. Ronnie is constantly coming off screens and making backdoor cuts and looking for an easy layup or dunk off a drop pass or ally oop. It minimizes his weak jump shot an maximizes his energy and athleticism, which is what it would do for Corey as well.
First T-wolves game I enjoyed watching in a while. I hope they keep playing hard.
McFail for PR
McFail for CSR
“sure, the Jazz were without Boozer and AK/Williams shot poorly, but we were without Brewer and Miller (2 of our best).”
Deron Williams and Boozer v Miller and Brewer??????
Put that on a scale and see if it balances.
McFail should be the Announcer for home games. He could yell the names during the introduction’s. Here’s Kevin Loooooove!!!
Pointless - they were at least still in the game and made shots/plays down the stretch when they needed it (ie williams 10+ points in the 2nd half, AK made some nice blocks/plays all game). Boozer yes, but they have Milsap who is pretty good - had 15 points and 10 rebounds I think.
their brewer would not have had such an easy time had we had our own brewer, and Miller is our 2nd best scorer.
I thought you were trying to say we were on some equal plane last night. Id submit that the Jazz missing Boozer and the poor play of D. Williams was much more detrimental to them than the Wolves playing without Miller and Brewer.
How many two guards torched us when C. Brewer was on the court before his injury? Its not like he’s some shut down defender.
Jerry,
I tend to agree with you for the most part. We can’t keep trading the roster over and over again. When evaluating a business if you keep changing over the workers and the problems still exist then it has to be the management or the business model. This team only has one play left from the playoffs, and 3 players from the KG era… I really think that Taylor made a baby step towards accomplishing something, but in the end with the amount of picks that we have coming, and the big free agency situation in 2010. We need a new management system in place in my opinion. That being said last night for 3 quarters the Wolves at least played NBA level basketball except at the free throw line.
Pointless…
He might not be a shut down defender, but he’s the closest thing this team has.
Pointless - Brewer is the best at harassing opposing wings that we have. Seems like Carney is going to be a good help defender.
Med - PIG ? Pfffffftttttttt, I’d be fine in HORSE, he’d be mowing my lawn every week ! Well, as long as there is no dunking (well if he could even still dunk).
We can’t keep turning the roster over, true, but we do have to have the right blend of guys on it to make it work as well, and I don’t feel McHale has made that happen. We have to get something that works before we stick with it.
Also, I don’t really consider the Jazz missing Boozer much of a detriment to them. Millsap is a beast, and although he’s not as good of a scorer, he’s much much better defensively and the Jazz are much better as a team defensively with him in there. Last night was Millsap’s 9th consecutive double double, and as a team, the Jazz have committed an average of 6 fewer personal fouls with him as a starter versus last year when Boozer was starting.
Let’s move on from this machismo of criticizing Love for showing some passion. I happen to be a grown man who comes close to tears quite often when I’m speaking about things that mean a lot to me.
This happens often and I’m proud of it.
KLove impressed me with his rebounding. Next up outlet passes and shooting
“Brewer is the best at harassing opposing wings that we have.”
You think he would have made a difference last night? Do you have any evidence hes been effective at shutting opposing wings down all season?
Yeah ! I’m with Matty…when I was talking with my buddy the other day about Footloose being the best movie ever I did tear up a little bit…I mean he just wants to dance ! Why won’t they let him ?!?!?!? 
Bryan - Boozer generally torches us…thats why I was putting a little weight on him not being there.
“This happens often and I’m proud of it.”
Its a job. When I get a paper jam at work I dont cry about it.
Pointless - “You think he would have made a difference last night? Do you have any evidence hes been effective at shutting opposing wings down all season?”
Shutting people down ? No…making them work a lot harder ? Yes.
Do I think he would make a difference last night ? Yeah actually…he wouldn’t have left Ronnie Brewer as open as McCants, Gomes & Foye did.
“Shutting people down ? No…making them work a lot harder ? Yes.”
C Brewer is a nice piece, but not much of a difference maker.
Lets not forget the loss of Miller and his offense and leadership. He woudl have made a difference too.
KLove is not just showing up to get the paycheck. He cares alot. He wants to be VERY good and help the team win. I don’t care if he cries after games, as long as he plays hard the next game.
It was ridiculous how many open jumps shots we missed last night. Miller would have made more of them.
If foye would have played better early, we would have won.
He is an emotional guy, and he tears into himself every time he doesn’t do well or help this team win. I’d rather have a guy like that than someone with a tad more talent but didn’t give a darn. He will improve, because he is willing to work hard at it.
Brian - fair enough, but if Williams showed up in the 1st half, I think his impact would have been more than Foye’s
I love sarcassm Matt. Thanks.
Brian is right. I dont condone crying by professional athletes in regular season games, but Love does want to be good. Thats important. Nothing worse than a talented player who doesnt care. But crying at this point in the year is Juvenial.
med
You actually think Collins would have made a difference on that last play? He’s much slower than Jefferson and Al couldn’t keep Okur in front of him. The only reason Collins should play is if the opposing team has a tall and heavy Center. (Yao and Shaq) Otherwise all he does is take up space.
I cry everytime I see McFail
jama - i didnt actually watch the game; i just know collins is a better defensive guy than Al and probably wouldnt be out on the wing trying to guard okhur - thus would have let him take a jumper instead of getting close to the basket like Al did
“thus would have let him take a jumper instead of getting close to the basket like Al did”
Okurs last shot WAS a jumper.
Okur was able to get close to the basket because Jefferson took a bad angle and overcommitted, not because of a speed issue.
im saying a ‘running jumper at 11 feet’ vs an outside jumper from say 17 feet.
Because we all know Okur cant hit an open 17 fter…..
Ill take the off balance running jumper from 11ft over the squared up open 17ft jumper by Okur anyday.
med
If you didn’t watch the game or see the highlights it’s pretty hard to say that Collins would have defended him better, isn’t it?
The Wolves had the right guys on the floor Al just overcommitted. Even if Al took a good angle I’m not sure Okur wouldn’t have scored.
What is the score of tonight’s game?
I want to see the team play hard tonight…
I wonder if they will back to back 6 straight losses.
jama if KLove could have hit even 1/2 of his free throws last night they would have won easilly
I am not finding any new info on the Twins anywhere… anyone got anything?
Twins are going for Atkins, Delmon Young and Slowey for Atkins and AAA relief pitcher.
Chris - surely you are joking
I live in Denver–trust me, Atkins not worth Slowey & Delmon Young—DY makes for a great 4th OF and Slowey has a great upside. Brian Buscher should stay at 3rd.
Kevin Mchale is a better coach than he’s a GM. Fred Hoiberg should definitely general manager, because he’s young, and young GM’s seem to be better at scouting talent. Remember, he was in the NBA just a couple of years ago!
Seems to me that everyone is forgetting that in the NBA the teams all take it easy till the last quarter, then get serious. When the other teams get serious the TWolves can’t keep up.
