LAKERS -at- TWOLVES - 4-27-25 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

[urbanturban]

[A Mad Chinaman]

[quote="lakeshowtacular"][quote="ribeye"][quote="Omar Little"][quote="slavavov"]We can't blame the refs for this loss.

We have an incomplete roster, and even worse, we again made mistakes down the stretch.

We started walking the ball upcourt and didn't get good shots down the stretch. Defensively, we made Ant look like prime Kobe.

Luka and LeBron better decide to stay with us for as long as possible instead of bailing because we're going to lose this series.[/quote]Sure we can. Minny can’t guard us unless they hold and hack us all game long. And yet they get 30% more free throws on bull (bleep) while we get hammered from 3/4 court on. League just doesn’t want us in the mix. stern’s bag man ain’t having it. (bleep) him.[/quote]This undersized team could compete if the league's whistles had little balls in them. There must have been a half dozen fouls just getting to half court or so. This post season thug ball I don't like in general (and most certainly for this team), and they should just have ropes around the court, allow checking into them, and a bell to end the quarters. The league seems to think finesse is overrated, but if I wanted hockey or wrestlemania, or a court full of Draymond Green's, I'd watch that.[/quote]This has made this so hard to watch. When they overturned the call on Edwards when he "blocked" Ruis layup, yes he got the ball, but his left hand hits Rui's hip long before the shot is going up. Essentially straight arming him preventing him from changing directions, or hesitating. Same on the Conley block of Lebron. Conley's hip was in Lebron's back before Conley even touched the ball. Of course that prevented Lebron from elevating for the slam. Not to mention the touch calls that are not equaling out. Sucks to watch, and I hate to complain...but this is physical, streetball, and this team isn't built for that.[/quote]***IF*** the refs are going to be **consistent** for both teams - J.J. will have the team prepared with counters if the refs allow the two teams play WCF Style

WHO will show up from Vandy (J.J. will figure a way to keep him on the court/not played off the court) to Vincent (didn't we acquire him because of his savvy veteran leadership and successful in the playoffs???) to Knecht?

Maybe spot minutes to play full court press, play with extra energy and set STONE SOLID screens from Bronny (mission: guard Ant full court for 3-5 minutes) to Jemison (get rebounds and block shots) to Goodwin (full court pressure) to Vandy (defending key players/rebounds/exgra possessions) that might result in extra fouls but will have the TWolves "feel" some lumber/wood when trying to go into their normal motion.

[A Mad Chinaman]

In the next game, who will JJ trust to playing major/key minutes or will JJ to full-blown “Coach Thibbs” mode?

What did JJ learn from Game 4

What new
If/When given the rare opportunity to have PT, who will show up

Vincent - will he make shots
Vando - will his energy/D create needed additional possessions
Hayes - will his energy provide rest for the starters
Knecht - has he done enough to be considered by JJ?