Wolves Romp

I decided to tune in again last night because with the Olympics on, all other TV shows have went to reruns.

I find NBA basketball fascinating at times. In a sport like baseball, great pitching will absolutely DOMINATE good hitting. That's why so many World Series games are low scoring. And winners are determined by a key defensive play or an unexpected, heroic mammoth blast.

Football is that way too. You can have the greatest offense of all-time and still get kicked by a team with a crushing defense.

But basketball is different, as much as it is a team sport, it's individual play that matters. Last night is an example of that. Love had HIS usual game with 30+ points  and his share of rebounds, but the Wolves are still missing a couple of their key starters.

The subs last night were GREAT. Just the opposite of how they looked during the last four games (which were disappointing losses). The game wasn't decided by the subs SHOOTING, though it was good for a change. The game was determined by their suffocating defense causing turnover after turnover. And GREAT passing.

These players aren't all-stars. They all have flaws in their game. That's why they are not starters. But where they can excel, and where they can make a difference is in there ability to hustle. They ALL did that last night so that when they all hustle they can blow out a team with a similar record.

Individual performance in a team sport like basketball isn't won by the guy who hits 30 points every night. It's won by the subs making lay-ups off quick steals, and finding the open man when passing.

It's the same at every level. Great teams hustle. Bad teams are lazy. Last night the Wolves were a great team. That kind of play can win championships.

They don't have to shoot 50% from three-point range. They have to get 25-30 fast-break points off lay-ups. And not give the ball up easily when on offense.

Every night.

Every night.

Every night.