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Old 03-12-2002, 10:43 AM   #1
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The Wolves are now 5 games back in the midwest, and have been playing subpar basketball for about one month. After a 30-10 start they are now 10-13 in their last 23. What has happened to this team. I know they lost their starting PG, and their schedule has been tougher, but there has to be more to it. Any thoughts?

Oops posted in wrong forum, probably needs to be moved to around the NBA
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Old 03-12-2002, 11:05 AM   #2
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My thought is that the league is figuring out the zone. There are a lot of very smart basketball coaches in this league and they just needed time to crack the zone. Once the smart ones get the answer then the not-as-smart coaches just copy the scheme. Since the Wolves are so dependent on the zone - that makes them very vulnerable. Talent-wise the Wolves didn't really improve that much, their early success was a mirage. Now they are falling back to their "real" level - a lower tier playoff team who probably won't win their first round series.
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Old 03-12-2002, 11:17 AM   #3
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The zone, good thought. I didn't even think about that. I am amazed at what has happened to this team.
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Old 03-12-2002, 12:33 PM   #4
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Terrell Brandon has been injured, and even though Billups has been playing well, I think his absense has had a big impact.
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Old 03-12-2002, 01:20 PM   #5
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Madape, you hit it on the nose, even though Chauncey is good, Terrell is the Twolves equivalent of our Steve Nash. Things just run better with him on the floor.

The Zone may have a little bit to do with it also, but not enough to cause them to be playing this badly.

We will see how they do in the playoffs this year, I have a feeling they are about where Dallas was last year.
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Old 03-12-2002, 02:52 PM   #6
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I have to agree that it is losing Brandon. Yes, coaches are 'figuring out the zone' so its no longer as devestating as it was when it was 'brand new'. But zone defense is still a legitimate defense and the T-Wolves were playing it well (I don't know if they still are).

Billups is a nice player, but he's not really a point guard. More another shooting guard in a point guard's body. Brandon was a very good pure point. Billups energy helped cover it initially, but losing Brandon was like losing a wheel, the T=Wolves have gone all wobbly.
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Old 03-12-2002, 03:01 PM   #7
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Well, according to Sagarin, thus far they have had the toughest schedule in the league. But that can't explain all of it. They are losing games they should definitely win on paper.
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Old 03-12-2002, 11:52 PM   #8
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Dooby hits the second reason...I agree that the loss of Brandon is the first. That paralyzed that team.
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Old 03-13-2002, 12:22 AM   #9
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Maybe my timeline is wrong, I can't remember but didn't this team play pretty well for about 10-15 games after Brandon went out.
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Old 03-13-2002, 12:25 AM   #10
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I thought the T-Wolves were playing better without Brandon (Billups has stepped up BIG TIME, and his hot shooting really compliments their style of play), which explained why there were so many rumors circulating before the deadline regarding Brandon being shipped out for someone like NVE. Seems a lot of people on the Wolves board at ESPN have also been sick of Brandon's health issues and lengthy contract.
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Old 03-13-2002, 12:27 AM   #11
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dj - I think you are right about the trade rumors, but that team greatly improves with a healthy Brandon. Seems like every team has a member of the All-NBA Fragile team.
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Old 03-13-2002, 12:29 AM   #12
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Whoops forgot to type "better" in the original post. I think the T-Wolves really started to go off when Brandon was shelved and Billups stepped up in his place.
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Old 03-13-2002, 02:31 AM   #13
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<< Whoops forgot to type &quot;better&quot; in the original post. I think the T-Wolves really started to go off when Brandon was shelved and Billups stepped up in his place. >>



To a certain extent. Billups is a good player. And when he finally got into the starting line-up, he did go off. But he's not really a point guard and though he's good enough that at first no one was noticing, as teams have started to figure that out the T-Wolves offense has started to falter. And its offensive issues which have led to their slide.
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Old 03-14-2002, 02:11 PM   #14
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Billups is in a slump. Wally is in a slump. Defenses are teeing off on KG.

We'll see. Maybe they can still take out the Lakers. It just might be their first round matchup.
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Old 03-14-2002, 06:46 PM   #15
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<< We'll see. Maybe they can still take out the Lakers. It just might be their first round matchup. >>



I'd rather have the Lakers play Portland.....
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