The Boys of Summer Are Gone

by Peter W on Jul 20, 2008 8:10 PM CDT

Rebounding from a lackluster game against the Bucks, the Wolves used a dominate first and third quarters to dismantle the Knicks in their last summer league game. With Kevin Love out of the line up, they looked a little more athletic; Pops Mensah-Bonsu ran the court with authority in leading the club with 21 points. The Knicks, on the other hand were very disinterested, continually jacking up shots from the perimeter. Only in the fourth quarter after being down at times by 30 did they display any enthusiasm at the defensive end. The MSG broadcasters barely called the game, bringing in a cavalcade of guests--Donnie Walsh, Nate Robinson, Jerry Colangelo--to help fill the time.

So outside of Kevin Love showing his game, what did we learn? A lot has been already said about Corey Brewer--he's a work in progress, but he had a great third quarter today. Chris Richard showed up this afternoon with a 12 point, five rebound performance, but given two veteran centers in front of him (Collins, Booth), his role on the team has to be in question, unless a deal can be made. I must admit Mensah-Bonsu is growing on me; he's the only 4 or 5 the Wolves had (or have) that seemed capable of running the court with speed if not abandon and power. Here's where the summer stints can be deceiving; New York had no quality front court talent to match up against him. Still, to see someone that aggressively attacking the basket is seductive.The odds are probably as long as his name against him getting an invite to the Wolves camp, if he hasn't actually signed with an European club.

The other player who I thought got better as the games continued was Pooh Jeter. He didn't respond terribly well to pressure at times, but in Clyde Frazier's words he "orchestrated" the team well. If they don't make a deal for another PG or re-sign Telfair, he might be the John Lucas III of the upcoming season and get a look. Again, long odds on that one.

Otherwise for the other players it was an audition for scouts in the audience; I can't see anyone else getting a look see from this club in the fall preseason camp. Hopefully the Wolves will re-sign Telfair and make one more deal to help round out the club for the upcoming season.

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Yeah Mensah-Bonsu was great, too bad he’s not more skilled because physically he’s definitely an nba player in my mind. Plus he played really hard. If I understand right from my cursory internet search he’ll be with a club called Joventut Badalona in Spain (along with Ricky Rubio). Unfortunately one of the memories of him that will stick out in my mind is the ten-footer that he smacked off the backboard against Portland, which both announcers made fun of. Ouch. Oh it also seems he started his career at “Hackney White Heat,” not quite as good as Kopponen’s club but close.

By the way what was Nate Robinson even doing in this league? He looked terrible. Wasn’t he the summer league mvp one year? Why play if it’s just to jog around and jack up 3s?

Oh one last thought, I didn’t think Ahearn was that bad (and I love how his name was misspelled on his own uniform), I know most people here probably disagree with me but I could see him as a 12th man on some roster, he’s really got a beautiful stroke, could be useful on a better team, always nice to bring in a 95% ft shooter at the end of the game when the other team is fouling. Could sub him in on offense to spread the floor in a close game.

by plinytheelder on Jul 21, 2008 10:53 AM CDT 0 recs

Nate got his jersey retired...

the first ever player to do so in Summer League history. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad, but it looked like he was almost embarrassed by it while talking to Clyde Frazier, who has his jersey in the rafters for real at MSG.

The problem with Ahearn is that he’s more of two than a point, and is pretty small (6’2”). Plus it doesn’t look like he can guard anyone. But he ended up shooting the ball well on Sunday.

by Peter W on Jul 21, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

His jersey retired? You serious? That is absolutely hilarious. Also, doesn’t that make him technically ineligible for summer league? Well maybe if he chooses another number I guess.

I agree on Ahearn, he and Neitzel both looked pretty bad on defense – way too small and just incapable of disrupting anything – at least Jeter was able to stay in front of people and just generally be bothersome. Being small and slow myself I hate typing stuff like this. My thinking on Ahearn was that at best he could be a Steve Kerr type guy (in a much more limited role), though admittedly those are big shoes to fill, and it probably won’t happen.

by plinytheelder on Jul 21, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Gomez and Telfair

Anybody know the latest on signing those guys? I’ve heard that Gomez wants the midlevel for at least 2 years. Not sure about Telfair. Wolves have the luxury to wait on this guys and let the market set their value. Now that Smith has signed, Gomez isn’t such a huge priority. I’d like to see them sign Telfair for 3 years at about 10million total. Good for both sides. He would be an excellent back-up pg. Gibson from the Cavs just signed for 21million for 5 years I believe. Maybe the wolves go for Mensah instead of Gomez and pay him less. Hmmm…

by DR_JPK on Jul 21, 2008 5:51 PM CDT 0 recs

I know...

...that local radio here in Mankato has suddenly stopped running promos for the Wolves appearance here at the Mankato Y tomorrow. They had been pimping it pretty heavily until late last week and now Corey Brewer is the only player listed as being expected to attend. I just may have to take an early lunch tomorrow and skip out on Tuesday lunch league to see who shows up.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com

by Stop-n-Pop on Jul 21, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Telfair...

...has just signed a contract.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/25741754.html?location_refer=Homepage:6

by plinytheelder on Jul 21, 2008 10:45 PM CDT 0 recs

Telfair still Twolf

Thanks for the info pliny. I’m really happy they got him back. Honestly if his shot improves he has a chance to be more than a backup in this league. He runs the offense well and has a solid A/TO ratio, on par with starting pgs in the league. Great complimentary player to Foye and McCants as well. Now what about Gomes? He is a solid role player, do the wolves need another role player at forward now that Love is aboard and Smith is signed? Granted he may have been their 2nd best player last year, so should they burn the midlevel on him? Does it create too much of a logjam at the forward position?

Line-ups

Starters

Foye
Miller
Gomes?
Love
Jefferson

2nd Team

Telfair
McCants
Brewer
Smith
Collins

Situational Players

Madsen
Cardinal
Mensah?
Jeter?

by DR_JPK on Jul 21, 2008 11:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Great News

We now have one PG on the roster. I feel alot better about Foye now that we have a player who knows how to handle the basketball. He had a great example in how to do it from Rondo, too. If they let him shoot the jumper, take it to the rim anyway. (though I think Rondo may have gotten foul call benefit by playing for the Celtics)

by midlife crisis on Jul 22, 2008 8:00 AM CDT up 0 recs

Woah Plinty, my heart just skipped a beat. For a moment I thought he signed with another team. Yay, we got him, out of all the players who had much promise I think he’s one of those that might still partly live up to it. Everybody knows point guard is the hardest position in the league .. very happy we got him.

by Wim (Belgium) on Jul 22, 2008 1:37 AM CDT 0 recs

Very happy...

...they kept him. He was my favorite player last year and the only guy on the team with a real clue as to how to run the point. He’s still very young and if he simply realizes that with Miller, Foye, and McCants on the team, he doesn’t need to shoot the 3…well, he’ll be alright. It will be interesting to see what the terms of this deal are.

I think Gomes is gone. He’s going to get an MLE from someone. Good for him, not so much for the Wolves. I still can’t believe they re-signed Smith. Hell, take a minimum flier on Pops. They had until today to get an out from his Euro contract. I think we’ll see the following rotation this year if the status quo remains:

Telfair/Foye
Foye/McCants
Miller/Brewer
Love/Smith
Jefferson/Collins

Again: I still can’t believe they re-signed Smith. I get that it’s a 2 year deal, but…oh well.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com

by Stop-n-Pop on Jul 22, 2008 8:09 AM CDT 0 recs

Carney?

by Wim (Belgium) on Jul 22, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

Gomes?

I don’t get where they’re going to play some of these guys.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com

by Stop-n-Pop on Jul 22, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

:D, true.
Thoug I think they won’t be giving that much minutes at PG to Telfair (you don’t really mention minutes but I expect you’re thinking somewhere 25-30?). Don’t get me wrong, I agree he’s only a few FG% away from being everything a PG and I’m not sure he’s only a backup but I’d be surprised if Witt plays him more than 20mpg.

by Wim (Belgium) on Jul 23, 2008 2:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Gomes...

...was at the T-Wolves caravan here in Mankato this morning. I caught about 5 minutes of it (lots of J-Pete talking about how great things were going to be…he introduced Gomes as if they were going to match whatever he was offered elsewhere) before I was dragged off to the ball pit by my 3 year old daughter. She wasn’t all that interested in the tall people. Bickerstaff, Hoiberg, Brewer, Gomes, and J-Pete were the draws.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com

by Stop-n-Pop on Jul 22, 2008 9:50 AM CDT 0 recs