They'll Always Have Las Vegas

by Peter W on Jul 17, 2008 7:14 AM CDT

Whatever else happens in Summer League play, there will be moments that diehard fans will remember--OJ Mayo's 69 foot basket, Houston's Donte Greene dropping 40, Portland's Jerryd Bayless overall chip-on-shoulder play at the point. Kevin Love's 18 point, 17 rebound performance against the hated Lakers will certainly be one of those moments. Whatever else happens in their career, us hoop junkies will always somehow interject our opinions of those players with what they first did when making their NBA summer debut.

The Wolves gave a much better accounting of themselves against the Lakers, although by looking at the box score, one would wonder how they lost the game. Primarily turnovers and LA's three point shooting did the club in. Love had an all-around good offensive game, but also had six turnovers, mostly related to forcing the outlet pass. That's okay; this is the time to experiment and see how your game fits in with improved competition. Corey Brewer also played more under control, scoring predominately in transition and closer to the basket. At this point in his career, Brewer is the most effective using the speed and defensive parts of his game; he needs a little Rip Hamilton movement without the ball acumen to play better in the half court. Hitting a jump shot off the curl wouldn't hurt either.

With Love and Richard playing together, one does get a sense of the defensive liabilities the Wolves are going to have. Replacing Richard with Jefferson won't do much more to stop anyone on their way to the basket. The counter argument--as made by plinytheelder in Wyn's latest game thread--is a good one; there's signs that the opposition is going to have to worry about our Ebony and Ivory combo as well. Given the rebuilding theme, that's what I would imagine the Wolves brain trust will mostly worry about, working on the chemistry and interchange between Big Al and Kevin.

As for the rest of the SL team, there's really not a whole lot emerging. Pops Mensah-Bonsu was a nice athletic addition to the roster, but according to Hoops Hype, has already signed a European contract. I think that's where he belongs. Our PG's played better, with Jeter making some nice clutch baskets in the closing minute of the game, but there's nothing remarkable that would produce an invitation to the fall pre-season training camp. There's three games left to try to impress and inspire their way onto anyone's preseason roster.

But they'll always have Las Vegas.

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I think...

...you’re the first one to lay claim to the Ebony and Ivory tag :)

I’ve been trying to think of a good nickname for the pair but that one will probably win out over anything I could think of. Plus, you have a song to go along with it. I was thinking of something along the lines of Twin Towers…except for undersized frontcourt players: the Twin Sub Divisions or something stupid like that. True Hoop had something about Love needing a nickname. The Outlet Mall is kind of stupid but it’s the only thing I can think of with the word ‘outlet’ in it. Other than that, I’m going to suggest my nickname from the PacRim league: Mozzarella, the white cheese with no holes in his game. :)

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by Stop-n-Pop on Jul 17, 2008 7:25 AM CDT 0 recs

Back in '68...

There was a movie called Salt and Pepper, with two aging Rat Packers Sammy Davis and Peter Lawford. Too bad the movie sucked, because if you wanted to really market the new duo, the Wolves could have had Big Al and Kevin perform a scene from that movie. Or-something I think they should actually consider doing-have them do a video music spoof of the Ebony and Ivory song, with Love’s uncle coming in and telling them how terrible their singing is.

by Peter W on Jul 17, 2008 8:47 AM CDT 0 recs

Not wanna nag, but anyone got a working video link?

by Wim (Belgium) on Jul 17, 2008 10:12 AM CDT 0 recs

video still not working?

looks like it’s working for me. here’s the youtube link though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtjry251qxA

by wyn on Jul 17, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

I ment from the game, when I press the archive button on the game I get a 14 second commercial… Put I kinda misposted my question :) Sorry

by Wim (Belgium) on Jul 17, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

aahh...

yeah, i couldn’t get it to work for some reason. annoying…

by wyn on Jul 17, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

The only problem with "Ebony and Ivory"...

...is that it puts that damn song in my head every time I think of it! Interesting point re: Richard, I can’t believe how poor his help defense was, maybe I’m wrong to blame everything on the big guys – after all the “Lakers” were getting into the lane pretty easily – but it was particularly hilarious to tune into the game early in the third quarter and have the first thing I hear be “foul on Chris Richard, that’s his seventh”! Seemed like he was having a lot of problems with lateral movement… Anyways like Love I think he’s a better game-situation defender (versus these pickup games where team defense is impossible), but it does make me rethink my “Sign Chris Richard!” fanpost a bit…

Also good point about Brewer hitting Js off the curl – too bad he can’t/won’t because he’ll have that shot all day – defenders will have to play off of him because of his quickness, and even if they don’t who’s going to block his shot from out there? Like I said before his form looks fine, but there were a couple moments last night where he clearly did not want to take it – was open on the perimeter by about 4 or 5 feet and just passed the ball, or tried to force a drive. To echo one of Wyn’s posts, the Wolves need to hire Bruce Bowen as his personal “hit-the-open-J-off-ball-rotation” coach.

by plinytheelder on Jul 17, 2008 11:06 AM CDT 0 recs