Undefeated, if only for a day
by Northstar27 on Oct 29, 2009 6:31 AM CDT
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PrintOkay, so it's only one game. So what if the New Jersey Nets aren't exactly the LA Lakers. The Minnesota Timberwolves opened the season at home and won a game. They won a game in which they trailed by 16 points with 7 minutes to play. They won a game in which Al Jefferson only scored 9 points. They played hard for 48 minutes and pulled out a victory. Even if it took them every last possession to do so.
This is going to be a season where things like this need to be appreciated.
The Wolves are not going to win very many games this season. They definitely aren't going to win many putting up some of the numbers they did last night. 36% from the floor, 14% from behind the three point line, and their best player didn't break 10 points.
BUT they managed to grab 18 offensive rebounds, 15 steals, and they got to the foul line 35 times. Their two rookie guards played very well in their NBA debuts. Johnny Flynn had 18 points, 2 steals, and went 8-10 from the stripe, and showed people why he was picked just behind Ricky Rubio. Wayne Ellington played 23 minutes, had 8 points and 6 rebounds on 4-8 shooting, and no turnovers. He also led the team with a plus/minus ratio of +13. That right there gives me reason for optimism. When is the last time a late pick for the Wolves came in and put up numbers like that? Seriously, do you know? Cause I'm not sure that it's ever happened.
This team is going to take a lot of lumps this season, and there will most certainly be some bad stretches, and some ugly games, but I think you will see a team that is going to be fun to watch, and fun to root for. They are going to work hard, and play hard, and they may even surprise us a few times along the way.
I believe the dark days of Timberwolves basketball are behind us, and there is a lot to look forward to, but for today, let us celebrate the fact that we are undefeated. Even if it's for only a day.
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If the season ended today
According to Yahoo, the Wolves would the the seventh playoff seed in the Western Conference!
If it wasn't for disappointments, I wouldn't have any appointments
lmao.
If only If only
When Im in a jam......... I ask myself "WWPD?" (What Would Porcello Do)
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Oct 30, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude
I agree with you 100%. Think if we wouldnt have drafted Blonde Ricky and drafted someone we coul’vd used. Like maybe Jordan Hill. Thatd be paying some serious dividends right now, with K-Love hurt. But yea the Dark ages are INDEED infact behind us. We can only get better, and I honestly with my whole heart believe that the Wolves WILL beat the Cavs tonight. Yes I’m crazy but who cares, as a Minnesota fan of all sports you’ve learned you have to become a little crazy.
When Im in a jam......... I ask myself "WWPD?" (What Would Porcello Do)
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Oct 30, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions
Rubio will be a great Timberwolf in a few years
Rubio will be a great Wolf. That is in the future.
Kahn has made terrific moves. He didn’t treat Rubio’s Spanish representation with proper respect, but Rubio is still coming to the Wolves in a few years. That’s a long way off in basketball time. The trades are great. The main objective is to lower the salary cap number. Bringing in some new, fresh faces with talent is also a bonus.
The 2009 draft did not have a great big man like Tim Duncan available at #5 overall. Drafting Rubio was a great decision by Kahn. It’s not even close.
Until sometime in the future, Flynn is the point guard. Even when Rubio joins the Wolves, Flynn could stay with the Wolves as backup point guard. Maybe he is valuable trading material. Who knows?
Meanwhile, the Wolves will develop talent. Thus, “someone we could have used” is not relevant. The best player in the draft by a large measure was Ricky Rubio. The Wolves are in talent development mode. It’s also figuring out if Jefferson and Love can complement one another, or if the Wolves should trade one. That sort of thing. Let’s figure out what Brewer can do.
If the Wolves are learning, getting better, gelling as a team, and playing fun basketball, things are going great.
Rambis is doing a nice job. The new run-and-shoot offense is great.
I love how the first come-from-behind victory went. It is a good sign for the future.
Depending on how
Flynn’s and Rubio’s shooting develops will determine whether or not they can play together at the same time. If they can develop decent 3 pointers they can play together. If nothing else, Rubio can hit Flynn on a slash and he can either take it to the hole or get to the line at will. If the inside D collapses on Flynn, he has the passing skill to hit the post player with a pass for an easy bucket.
Rubio can easily guard NBA 2’s because of his length and wingspan. Just wait and see. There are definitely things they have to improve upon before this becomes a realistic possibility, but they are both soooo competetive, I can see them putting the necessary effort in.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 1, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
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