Only 10 games into the Timberwolves season, their third-quarter reversals might have their coach headed in the general direction, even if his team's repeated play doesn't yet completely reach, of one popular definition of insanity.
The Wolves' 115-108 loss to Charlotte at Target Center left coach Tom Thibodeau hoarse, terse and questioning his team's choices while making the same mistakes time and again.
"I don't know if discouraging is the right word, but very concerned," he said. "It tells you we're not learning, and that bothers me."
The Wolves held yet another double-digit lead — 14 points in the second quarter, this time — and again watched it come all undone in a third quarter when they were outscored 36-17 and in a second half when they allowed 69 points.
After losing for the seventh time in those 10 games, point guard Ricky Rubio and forwards Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng all used the word "hero" to describe a change in personality from a team that has shared the ball so well and built big leads repeatedly only to suddenly become impatient, rush shots and too often play every man for himself after the halftime break.
"We have a lot of talent, we know we can score in a lot of ways," Rubio said. "But if we don't play as a team, it's a waste of time. We try to play hero ball at one point when things aren't working. It should be the other way around. It should be playing as a team."
On a day when young star Karl-Anthony Towns turned 21 and join teammates Wiggins and Zach LaVine at that age, Thibodeau called his team's youth an excuse both he and they should refuse to use.
"We've got guys who have been in the league for a while now," Thibodeau said. "We're making mistakes that never should be made, from fouling jump shooters to reckless passes and turnovers. It's all decision-making: What's a good shot? What's a bad shot? It's knowing when to shoot and when to pass. It's knowing your job and then go do your job. It's that simple."
