The Minnesota Timberwolves Thread

[haterade]

Best team in the NBA since New Years deserves its own thread.

 

[eathb]

McHale is a good coach.

 

[Osmodiar]

Moving Foye back to the 2 guard, and giving Telfair the start over Ollie has helped a bit also. Jefferson is such a talent, one of those big men who actually live up to their potential, at least offensively.

 

[Messenger]

Oh the joy.

They are doing well, although of those wins they have beaten only Phoenix and New Orleans (sans West and Chandler) of any note. Knocked off Milwaukee today with no Redd or Bogut (although both played when we beat them recently). The purple patch not withstanding, this is likely to be the 30 win squad most Wolves fans thought they had in October.

McHale has essentially got them enjoying playing ball again. KISS theory.

The keys:

As mentioned earlier,

Foye to the 2,

also Carney's input;

and Kevin Love. A Love/Jefferson frontcourt is seldom used, but is doing the best of all the permutations right now. Perhaps McHale isn't as big a fool as we thought. Having said that, I've stopped reading OJ Mayo's stats and started looking at Brook Lopez's.

Love's overall stats (8 and 8) are modest, but he is 5th in the league for offensive boards and in the top 20 for total rebounds. Not bad on 23 minutes per game.

Telfair is a legit guard in this league. He will never be a volume scorer (or even a long term starter) but he keeps the pace up, distributes well and is a good defender for his size. Derrick Rose had two looks at winning the game yesterday. Telfair was the reason he didn't both times.

Big disappointments: Mike Miller, Mike Miller and Mike Miller. Won't shoot to save himself. Rashad McCant's is done. Will put up big numbers in some Asian or Euro league next year.

Smith and Gomes are both solid subs getting starters minutes.

This is not a squad without significant deficiencies. They can upgrade at 1, 3 and 5 in the offseason and allow Al Jefferson to play the 4. The Wolves have a large hand to play at this draft, with between 2 and 4 first rounders and 2 second round picks to play with on draft day. Not the best draft pool to do it in, but I'd expect some of the teams with large caps to be looking for deals still.

 

[PHX]

Wow, the Wolves even get their own thread now. Moving up in the world.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Telfair is a legit guard in this league. He will never be a volume scorer (or even a long term starter) but he keeps the pace up, distributes well and is a good defender for his size. Derrick Rose had two looks at winning the game yesterday. Telfair was the reason he didn't both times.

My impressions only, but Telfair is quick and great off the dribble but can't finish or shoot.

Big disappointments: Mike Miller, Mike Miller and Mike Miller. Won't shoot to save himself

What is happening? Does he want out? Injury? It cant be age; his last 2 years were career years.

Rashad McCant's is done. Will put up big numbers in some Asian or Euro league next year.

Im surprised by this. His numbers dont look good, but he is a JR Smith type player. There will always be a team thinking they can hone his natural talent into a more efficient player

 

[Messenger]

My impressions only, but Telfair is quick and great off the dribble but can't finish or shoot.

Pretty much. Shooting has improved, but is still sub-par by NBA standards. It will be the difference between him being a long term starter and a bench player.

What is happening? Does he want out? Injury? It cant be age; his last 2 years were career years.

Watched the Chicago game the other day. Miller had the ball kicked out to him on the arc as clear as day and instead of shooting, he drives for the hoop. His bread and butter has been perimeter shooting and he has the yips.

Nothing suggesting he wants out, although New Jersey and Cleveland have been nibbling around the edges. NJ were told a first round and a young player. If Cleveland get him, it will likely be for Wally Sczerbiak's expiring deal. My feeling is he stays at Minny this year, but may well move on draft day as an expiring.

Im surprised by this. His numbers dont look good, but he is a JR Smith type player. There will always be a team thinking they can hone his natural talent into a more efficient player

About five times a year he would turn it on and absolutely brain a team, the rest of the time he messes about and screws up offenses. He is a slightly less stupid version of Gerald Green. Very talented but in AFL parlance doesn't pass the "******** test".

He would likely do better under a McHale system than the Wittman regime (think Avery Johnson-lite), but McHale has studiously ignored him during the hot hand. If by some miracle they could move him (he is a small expiring deal), then they would swap him for half a can of warm coke.

Really McCants is built to play a run and gun game. He would do OK in Nellieball or with a D'Antoni style team.

 

[Karl Pilkington]

PHX, there's like a thousand Jason Laycock and Bryce Gibbs threads on Bigfooty so I figure its ok for the TWolves to get one.

 

[Messenger]

PHX, there's like a thousand Jason Laycock and Bryce Gibbs threads on Bigfooty so I figure its ok for the TWolves to get one.

Our moments in the sun are fleeting.

 

[mdc]

Randolph Foye is making a chump out of me these last few weeks.

Randolph Foye must die.

 

[celtic_pride]

Al Jefferson is the most underrated player in the league right now ..

If he played for a big market team, he would be considered a shoo in for the all-star game.

I actually have a soft spot for the Wolves, they were pivotal in helping return to glory to Celtics Basketball, and they have one of our all time greats coaching them ...

 

[sblack]

Al Jefferson is the most underrated player in the league right now ..

If he played for a big market team, he would be considered a shoo in for the all-star game.

I actually have a soft spot for the Wolves, they were pivotal in helping return to glory to Celtics Basketball, and they have one of our all time greats coaching them ...

He is not underrated at all. Consider one of the best low post players. Has been seen as a star as soon as he played for Boston.

Yes, he puts up All Star numbers...but the PF/C spot in the West is kinda stacked with Duncan, Dirk, Shaq, Yao, Gasol. Is very hard for him to crack the squad

 

[Eagle87]

He is not underrated at all. Consider one of the best low post players. Has been seen as a star as soon as he played for Boston.

Yes, he puts up All Star numbers...but the PF/C spot in the West is kinda stacked with Duncan, Dirk, Shaq, Yao, Gasol. Is very hard for him to crack the squad

Agreed.

That said, which of those guys you reckon their team would give up right now in a straight swap for Jefferson (and age/rebuilding etc are factors)??

I reckon LA would do it. I reckon Pheonix would do it. Houston might....

 

[sblack]

Agreed.

That said, which of those guys you reckon their team would give up right now in a straight swap for Jefferson (and age/rebuilding etc are factors)??

I reckon LA would do it. I reckon Pheonix would do it. Houston might....

LA would in a heartbeat. Bynum + Jefferson for another 8-10 years.

Phoenix maybe. Will still need to go down slightly, or trade to get a PG replacement.

I reckon Houston need a total cleanout, minus Yao. A PG, SG and SF/PF is needed. Don't think this squad can get it down

I will give you a straight trade of Brand for Jefferson

 

[Messenger]

LA would in a heartbeat. Bynum + Jefferson for another 8-10 years.

Phoenix maybe. Will still need to go down slightly, or trade to get a PG replacement.

I reckon Houston need a total cleanout, minus Yao. A PG, SG and SF/PF is needed. Don't think this squad can get it down

I will give you a straight trade of Brand for Jefferson

Think I'd rather keep Al.

As far as the All-Star game goes, I think he is worthy right now, although I expect him to miss out. The usual arguments about D and losing teams will be blown away by the presence of Amare Stoudamire (who is an equally poor defender) and the likely presence of Danny Granger and Chris Bosh in the East squad (losing teams both).

When you consider what he does and what he has around him when he does it, he really is quite a player.

I actually have a soft spot for the Wolves, they were pivotal in helping return to glory to Celtics Basketball, and they have one of our all time greats coaching them ...

He is the reason the trade was done with Boston. The other offers around comprised better players in toto, but none as outstanding as Jefferson.

 

[mdc]

He is the reason the trade was done with Boston. The other offers around comprised better players in toto, but none as outstanding as Jefferson.

Exactly. Never understood the criticism of McHale on that one, AJ was clearly the best prospect available.

 

[Messenger]

After a tough run with losses to Detroit, Lakers and Boston, the Wolves had a win In Indianapolis.

Seven guys in double figures (Al had 0 at half time) and another double-double for Mr. K. Love.

Coming up

ATL
@HOU
@NOH
TOR

 

[Darealrath]

After a tough run with losses to Detroit, Lakers and Boston, the Wolves had a win In Indianapolis.

Seven guys in double figures (Al had 0 at half time) and another double-double for Mr. K. Love.

Coming up

ATL
@HOU
@NOH
TOR

How the hell does Jefferson not drop 30 on us? The best post players usually have nights out against us even in our wins.

 

[celtic_pride]

Pretty crap decision that Love didn't get a call up for the Rookies V Sophomores game IMHO.

 

[Messenger]

Pretty crap decision that Love didn't get a call up for the Rookies V Sophomores game IMHO.

Very true. Another double double. 16 and 14 in 30 minutes in The Twolves loss to the Hawks today.

Poor shooting really cost the Wolves.

And on a more serious note , the much anticipated return of the gilted Rashad McCants after 11 straight DNP-CD's with 10 points from 15 minutes on court. Shop front (bargain bin) anyone?

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

I'd take him if we didnt have Gerald Green already.

 

[Messenger]

I'd take him if we didnt have Gerald Green already.

Where will Gerald be next year: Turkey or China?

 

[Messenger]

If anyone needs me, I'll be weeping quietly in the corner.

No Al, season over.

 

[Vegas.]

It a real shame because he has been forever improving without showing signs of slowing down. You would think he will pick up right where he left off at the beginning of next season, because they are confident he will be fine for training camp. Still, he was just on the cusp of all-star selection (I and many think he should have been in) - disappointing.

 

[Messenger]

Q. You have three guys on your roster that are 6'11'' or over. Which starts as centre.

A. 6'8'' Kevin Love while the other three combine for a total of 9 minutes.

Needless to say the Raps frontcourt (sans Chris Bosh) got what they wanted today.

Need a C for the season - I'd like to see Pops Mensah-Bonsu get a run. Doing good work in the D League and played very well in the Wolves Summer League side. And Cal Booth can beat it.

17-34. We could easily end up with 23 wins at the end of the season.