Series Thread: 1st Round: 3) LA Lakers vs 6) Minnesota T-Wolves

[trojanfan12]

The game plan was pretty horrible.

Gobert had done nothing all series, so I understand the logic of thinking they can start small.

But once it became clear that Gobert had his A game and the Wolves were looking to exploit the Lakers lack of size, they absolutely had to go with Hayes.

And Reddick telling people that he wasn’t playing Hayes in game 5 and then sticking to it with the way the game unfolded looks like an all time coaching blunder to me.

Way worse than not subbing for an entire half.

Yeah...I thought JJ did a great job in the regular season...but the playoffs are as much a different animal for coaches as they are for players and his inexperience showed...especially in the last couple of games where he had a couple of unforced errors that he will hopefully learn from.

 

[tlance]

I hear you but the Hayes thing is overstated imo. Would I give him a run after Rudy hit start? Yeah but Rudy just had a great night and I think it had little to do with Hayes not playing because Hayes barely played in the previous 4 games when Rudy wasn’t much of an factor

Hayes played a total of 30 minutes in the first 4 games and never played more than 9 minutes in a game this series. His role prior to 2nd half of game 4 was basically 4 min in the first and 4 in the third

As a coach, you have to give him a different look though.

Rudy looked like Wilt Chamberlain in there playing against a bunch of 6’8 guys. It was just too easy.

 

[tlance]

Yeah...I thought JJ did a great job in the regular season...but the playoffs are as much a different animal for coaches as they are for players and his inexperience showed...especially in the last couple of games where he had a couple of unforced errors that he will hopefully learn from.

I agree.

JJ did a great job overall.

But in the series against the Mavs?

He did more harm than good IMO. Was the biggest reason they lost.

That and the way the Lakers are built they need for either Luka or LeBron to be the best player on the floor.

Neither were in this series.

 

[Battlelyon]

I'm sure Nico is smiling somewhere.

 

[PnkPanther]

Wolves aren't winning shit either lol. When hss Minnesota won anything? Kirby Puckett maybe lol?

maybe, maybe not, but you had us as easy money with lakers in 5

 

[PnkPanther]

I still don't have any confidence in Edwards to lead this team anywhere. Randle's recent escalation has been unexpected; someone get the drug tests out lol.

He's getting better, he's only 23.

Does need to mature a bit though.

 

[UK Cowboy]

maybe, maybe not, but you had us as easy money with lakers in 5

That was more about the Lakers downfall than the Wolves

 

[tlance]

maybe, maybe not, but you had us as easy money with lakers in 5

I think the Wolves will win next round whoever they face.

Then comes the reckoning against OKC.

 

[trojanfan12]

I also think that, while much of the issue in 4th quarters was being gassed...I also think that similar to Lebron's 1st season with D-Wade...they don't have 4th quarters and late possessions figured out yet.

I think Lebron probably wants to let Luka lead in those situations...but actually doing it is difficult when you've been lead dog your whole life.

 

[jontaejones]

From a Lakers POV, I think it's less of an issue of LeBron, and more of an issue of ... Luka with a fair enough cast got crushed in a 1st round series and lost two games at home.

But I think he needs just a little more time to adjust to his teammates and the Wolves were better than a typical 6 seed.

 

[Picklerick 2.0]

I think the Wolves will win next round whoever they face.

Then comes the reckoning against OKC.

Okc loves the way the Timberwolves play. And they do it better than us.

 

[msgkings322]

Agree with all that.

It kinda sucks seeing Lebron hated on so much. but part of it is his fault, with his over the top whining and flops and how he fucked cleveland. He could have been a historical basketball icon. that aside, he is a talent that will go away soon, and the sport will miss that. he's been great to watch.

I do get a little tired of people who have sainted Jordan and Kobe. step into reality, they weren't perfect. both were awesome and fun to watch.

Not to mention they are sainting the wrong guys. LeBron as a person is far closer to a saint than Kobe was and far more so than Jordan.

 

[trojanfan12]

From a Lakers POV, I think it's less of an issue of LeBron, and more of an issue of ... Luka with a fair enough cast got crushed in a 1st round series and lost two games at home.

But I think he needs just a little more time to adjust to his teammates and the Wolves were better than a typical 6 seed.

Agree...especially with the bold. I can't think of a time where 1 game separated the 3 seed and the 6 seed in the standings. Outside of OKC...the West was crazy close this year.

 

[PnkPanther]

That was more about the Lakers downfall than the Wolves

wolves were a better and deeper team with size the lakers couldn't manage

On top of that, through most of the series Ant was the best player on the floor

 

[PnkPanther]

I think the Wolves will win next round whoever they face.

Then comes the reckoning against OKC.

I think we can beat OKC


I don't think we will though, OKC is deeper than the wolves and Ant would have to take his game up yet another gear and not sure it's fair to expect that from 23 year old Ant.

OKC has built a juggernaught with some smart trades and moves. That Paul George trade was brilliant

 

[PnkPanther]

going in I was nervous, I had nightmares of Luka tearing up wolves last year in Dallas

But last year Luka not only scored, he was getting in the paint and setting up easy dunks to gafford and others, it was maddening how many easy buckets they got off Luka

This year, Luka got his, but he wasn't exactly putting Gobert in a blender and setting up easy dunks for LA's bigs

Ant has also taken another step and is better passer than last year.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

 

[Mebert]

going in I was nervous, I had nightmares of Luka tearing up wolves last year in Dallas

But last year Luka not only scored, he was getting in the paint and setting up easy dunks to gafford and others, it was maddening how many easy buckets they got off Luka

This year, Luka got his, but he wasn't exactly putting Gobert in a blender and setting up easy dunks for LA's bigs

Ant has also taken another step and is better passer than last year.

Luka was the focus on both sides of the floor in most games. Lakers would screen for him until he got the switch he wanted, then he would dominate. Wolves made whoever Luka was guarding the focus of their offense.

Wolves top 8 are all good enough that they could not hide Luka on them, except for Conley.

 

[Ojb81]

ah well. so they'll win in 5, i was pretty close.

 

[thunderc]

I think the Wolves will win next round whoever they face.

Then comes the reckoning against OKC.

I hope it happens will be a crazy good series