Wolves Updates 10/12
by SG on Oct 12, 2010 12:31 AM CDT
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Wolves host Denver at Target Center tonight, SG position still up for grabs and more
From the Timberwolves:
The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team's two preseason games at Target Center will be televised on FOX Sports North's cable and satellite package. Preseason coverage tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 12 as the Wolves take on the Denver Nuggets at Target Center (7 p.m. tip). FOX Sports North will also televise the Oct. 19 game vs. Indiana at Target Center (7 p.m. tip).
The Wolves' regular season local television schedule will be released at a later date.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
FSN is expected to show 50 regular-season games.
The delay with the TV schedule release involves where and when other games will be televised.
Ch. 45 is no longer the team's other broadcast partner.
The Wolves still haven't finalized details for those other games, hence the delay for a schedule that usually gets released in August.
From Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune:
The veteran point guard signed a four-year, $16 million contract over the summer to come to Minnesota with the promise he'd compete with Jonny Flynn for the starting spot. With Flynn still recovering from hip surgery, Ridnour is the starter until further notice. His job is to run coach Kurt Rambis' offense while learning it. He also has to keep control of a team filled with shooting guards and small forwards as the Timberwolves try to gel into a cohesive unit. When Flynn returns, Ridnour will add "tutor" to his job description.
Ridnour, with the face of a 15-year-old and the post-practice body language of an AARP member, smiled.
"In a way, it is hard," he said of learning and running an offense at the same time. "But I think, especially on offense, it's not as hard as some people make it out to be. It's just playing basketball, knowing the right reads."
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
That leaves unanswered only the shooting-guard position, where rookie Wesley Johnson started in London and Corey Brewer started in Paris. That could leave Martell Webster next in line Tuesday night against Denver at Target Center at a position where the Wolves also have Wayne Ellington and possibly Lazar Hayward.
"I have no idea how it will play out," coach Kurt Rambis said when asked about that starter's spot. "We've had guys play really, really well. Martell's had a really good camp. Wes has had a good camp, Wayne has had a good camp. Corey's been solid. Lazar's been solid. It's a good problem to have."
Webster would appear to be the obvious choice. He's 23 -- the same age as Johnson and Hayward, a year older than Ellington and a year younger than Brewer -- but already has played five NBA seasons.
Wesley Johnson Wins Rookie Of The Year If… If everyone else in the field struggles. Unfortunately Wes Johnson isn't putting up big enough numbers and the fact that he's playing for Minnesota means he may not get enough attention. But here is his case… in two games Johnson is averaging a modest 10.5 points 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, but more importantly they haven't lost yet. The Timberwolves are going to be improved this year. They are a fun team to watch and as Johnson figures out his role, he could sneak into the bottom of the Rookie of the Year discussion. He has almost no chance of winning it, but he may get some second or third-place votes, which could steal away a few points from Griffin and Cousins, and make things interest in April.
From the Associated Press:
Despite his poor shooting Thursday, Rubio showed some of what prompted the Minnesota Timberwolves to select him with their first pick in the 2009 draft. He drew a charge on Kobe Bryant in the second half and took part in a series of four consecutive touch passes that ended in an uncontested slam for Fran Vazquez, helping Barcelona overcome a 12-point deficit to beat the NBA champs 92-88.
Bryant isn't among Rubio's critics.
"This my third time playing against him, and he is definitely ready to play in the NBA," the Lakers' star said. "The kid can play. I felt like in the Olympics he played very well and showed a lot of poise and he reads a lot of things that average players don't."
From Michael Cohen/The Daily Orange:
Wes Johnson and Jonny Flynn, that is - two of Polech's all-time favorite Syracuse basketball players.
Friday night, that pair returns to the Carrier Dome for an NBA preseason game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. The two will be joined by current Minnesota teammate and former Syracuse guard Jason Hart in a homecoming for three of SU's most celebrated players from the past decade.
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I'm confused
Wolves.com suddenly shows local TV info on their 2010-2011 schedule, and it still shows KSTC (45).
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
Each Channel 45 broadcast should have counted as half a game, even last year.
Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other. – OWH
My best guess...
….is that there will be about 20 games not carried on FSN or 29. Is a 1/4 of the season worth it for local folks with League Pass? That’s a lot of coin to drop for formerly in-market games.
Forever splitting the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs
www.canishoopus.com
This sucks that I need to get cable just to watch away games on my couch...
by Timberwolf i.e. Albatross on Oct 12, 2010 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Well...
¡Viva el Internet pirata corrientes!
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Where could I stream tonights game?
I gave away my preseason games as gifts…I am regretting this now.
by Timberwolf i.e. Albatross on Oct 12, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Perhaps
no internet stream is your pennance for giving away your tix now that the Wolves are 500% more exciting than last year’s team. ;)
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Ya...
I have very unrich sisters who are huge fans…my love for them only stretched to pre-season game for free lol
by Timberwolf i.e. Albatross on Oct 12, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
The SG battle...
I’m not even sure who I’d prefer to win.
Unfortunately, I can’t watch the game.
At least SportsCenter will show a Carmelo highlight and I might see an out of focus T-Wolves player.
Ha!
It’s funny because it’s true.
Seriously though, I think this is Webster’s starting spot to lose. So far he’s looked very good out there – making shots, playing within the offense, acting as a catalyst, not being dumb defensively. He’s very clearly one of Rambis’ guys, too.
In terms of who I’d prefer to win (ya, I’ll go there, even if you won’t :) ), I’m not sure either. Webster has looked so good coming off the bench. I’d like to see Martell and Beasley start together and see how that goes, I guess, to see if they can play together or if they butt heads a bit in trying to score. If that’s the case (and I don’t know if it will be), then long term I’d like to see Wes start as he’s so good off the ball and taking what the defense gives him.
The big ‘if’ in my mind is whether or not Wes develops a bit more aggressiveness or not. Martell might be a nice ‘hammer’ to have in order to motivate Wes more to TCB and become Smoove-lite.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
My ideal two squads are as follows
Starters: Ridnour, Webster, Beasley, Love and Darko
2nd unit: Flynn, Ellington, Wes, Tolliver and Pek
I feel they are both a balance on offense…Flynn might work rather well surrounded by shooters and low poster.
by Timberwolf i.e. Albatross on Oct 12, 2010 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
This
With these lineups the Wolves would, I believe, have the best lineup chemistry they’ve seen in years. Another thing to consider is since there is so much depth, to treat these lineups as if they were hockey lines – thus creating added chemistry and familiarity for these young players. Just a thought. While these lineups would be getting into their flows (the first 3 quarters of the game) they could choose to use this approach. Obviously in crunch time you go with your best/most well-rested players.
by WhiteManCantWrite on Oct 12, 2010 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I’d like Martell as a backup so we start with Beasley. Makes the 2 teams more balanced. I’d rather start Johnson with Beasley, works better “touches”-wise.
by Wim (Belgium) on Oct 12, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
For what it's worth
That ROY article mentions Wes’s numbers, but neglects to mention he is currently 8-11 shooting, including 4-5 from beyond the arc and only playing 22 mpg. He’s also still dealing with a tweaked hamstring during this. The kid can flat out shoot. He may be a little bit of a longshot but I wouldn’t count him out of the running for ROY just yet. I’m excited to see what he does tomorrow.
"Steve Kyler" on the byline tells you all you need to know.
Old examples of Kyler’s opinions, from the last time he came up:
He thought the trade that made most sense for Tony Parker was to the Nets, for the #3 pick in the draft.
He thought Mike Moreau, one of his fellow Hoopsworld commentators, could be the next Wolves coach.
‘If the Wolves dealt Jefferson for Brand, they’d have trouble finding time for Kevin Love behind Elton.’ No. Really.
His list of possibilities for the Wolves at #4: "DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, Cole Aldrich and Patrick Patterson…. Al Farouq Aminu and Wesley Johnson." Patterson or Aldritch, fourth overall?
‘Kevin Love has little trade value because he’s on his rookie contract,’ so you can’t get equivalent talent back. Cap-shrewd, is Mr. Tyler.
Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other. – OWH
Well, he's right...
I don’t know what your beef is with Steve Kyler, but he’s one of the few journalists who’s not blindly bashing the Wolves for no reason this summer. And he’s right about the ROY race, barring a knee injury and mental meltdown BG and DMC will probably put up bigger numbers than Wes.
The almost no shot is the statement that bugged me
Not sure i care either way since like memyworldkj stated below it may be nice that he wouldn’t get the minutes because that would mean our 2/3 has improved quite a bit making the overall team a whole lot better. However, to state that he has almost no shot at ROY after just 2 preseason games is a bold statement.
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 12, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
It's still probably true...
and not because of the way that Wes has played over the past two games, which has been very good for a guy recovering from a nagging hammy, but because of the already obvious improved play and players at the 2/3 for the Wolves as a whole. Beasley, Webster, Brewer, Johnson… Beasley will be getting a lot of minutes, maybe some at the 4 but seemingly primarily at the 3. Not a enough minutes to really take over a ROY contest.
by Krotz the Wall on Oct 12, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Wes
has no shot at ROY because it’s going to come down to Blake and John Wall. DMC will put up some big numbers, but I think he’s going to be a little too erratic with his PF count that he’ll take himself out of too many games.
Plus, there’s one other big factor that weighs heavily into ROY results (IMO), and that is whether or not the rook is the lead guy on his team or not. I remember this most clearly when Stephon Marbury lost out to Allen Iverson for ROY because, arguably, he was playing on KG’s team whereas Iverson was clearly the new face of the Sixers. Looking back at recent past ROY winners suggests that ‘lead dog’ rooks win more than second bananas:
Tyreke Evans (runner up Steph Curry w/Monta Ellis)
Derrick Rose (runner up OJ Mayo w/ Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol)
Kevin Durant (runner up Al Horford w/ Smoove et al)
Brandon Roy (runner up Andrea Bargnani! w/ Chris Bosh)
Chris Paul (runner up Charlie Villanueva! w/ Chris Bosh)
Emeka Okafor (runner up Ben Gordon w/ Kirk Hinrich and Tyson Chandler)
Lebron James (runner up Carmelo Anthony)
Now granted, some of these were not close votes at all (Rose, Durant, Roy, Paul), but in the close votes it appears that the ‘tie’ goes to the guy who’s the face of his team. In my mind that puts Blake Griffin and John Wall clearly in the lead for ROY, with Wall probably getting the slight lead because there’s more depth on the Clippers and because Washington is a mess. I just don’t think DMC, unless he puts up Shaq-like numbers, is going to get out of Tyreke’s spotlight enough to win ROY.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I certainly agree with you on this.
My point was only that on a team with absolutely terrible wing play, and desperate for any scoring, Wes could have been a starter with a rather steady and very solid numbers. He would have been in the mention of the top 5 for ROY. His being considered the most polished, NBA ready, player in his roll would probably have, if true, produced a very consistent impact on a very bad team.
This year, while he probably will prove to be a good pro, the team won’t feature Wes on a regular basis.
Wes certainly isn’t the most talented rookie this year. His game doesn’t provide isolation brilliance, or taking the team on his back. His game might be the most mature. He’s probably the most likely to have a consistent positive impact on the team and team play. He isn’t going to lead the team, or rookies, in scoring, rebounding, assists… or probably any other stat that gets a lot of attention for these types of awards, unless he shoots at a very very high percentage from 3pt land. He’s just going to have a very solid game.
I agree that it’s likely going to go down to Griffin or Wall for ROY, and probably one other who kind of comes out of no where.
by Krotz the Wall on Oct 12, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
My basic beef: he's clueless.
Another recent Kyler pronouncement: ‘Dre Miller never developed an outside shot? Miller doesn’t care. It’s like how you don’t want to learn Russian over the summer. Because players not being able to do certain stuff always comes down to their motivation.
In his previous chat he again failed to understand that rookie deals are positive in terms of trade value. He said Darren Collison was hard to trade. “In the current system its hard to get value out of a player on a low dollar rookie deal.” Next time you find a solid rookie player early in his low-money scale who’s hard to trade, let me know.
Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other. – OWH
ROY
With the Wolves offense and depth at the wing, Wes just may not get enough touches to statistically be considered. I think he’ll have a solid season, but I’m OK with the Wolves being an improved team at the expense of Johnson not taking enough shots to be ROY.
+1
I would love to see that improvement as well.
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 12, 2010 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely
Volume scoring usually wins ROY. The stats I care about with Wes are things like TS%, Reb %, Opponent PER, Net +/-. Our offense isn’t geared around a ball- or shot-dominant player, making it difficult for someone like Wes to ever win ROY, especially with guys like Webster and Beasley taking minutes on the wing.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 12, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Some box scores...
like this one (aside from the turnovers) would be great for Wes. Solid scoring, mixed with rebounds/assists/steals, would be ideal.
Wes Johnson
so far:
TS% = .884
efg% = .909
That’s not too bad.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
It won't last
but let’s hope he settles in around the 55 – 58% TS range. God that would be huge if he can knock down around 40% on his 3-pt shots. One thing is for certain: The shot is a thing of beauty. The mechanics and lift suggest that it will be hard for him NOT to eventually be an elite shooter.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 12, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
especially
given how high he can elevate. If he plays SG, how can he not get that shot off?
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
Wes won't be in the running for Rookie of the Year
Primarily because the Wolves aren’t going to need him to be. Primarily, there is enough talent and athleticism on the wing that it will be a job share. Wes will be able to learn behind a couple guys. Rambis will be able to play the hot hand.
If Wes had been on last year’s team, Wes would have been central in the ROY discussions, I think.
Still not sure
Wes could may be do well in an advanced stats ROY discussion, but I’m just not sure he has it in him to ever score 20+ PPG, even if he’s given more minutes and touches.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 12, 2010 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
ROY is usually dominated by players who make big impacts
with some of the ‘glory’ stats: Scoring, Assists, Rebounds… and in that order I think.
I think that Wes is going to be very consistent for a rookie. I think he’s going to have a very solid game. I think we’ll see him get better over the course of the year, maybe even become a defensive stud. I think there will be commentators out there who will rightfully say Wes SHOULD be in the conversation, just like they did with Love. But, I think, like with Love, Wes will find himself a little lower on the list than he should be.
by Krotz the Wall on Oct 12, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm totally cool with that
I could care less about ROY and All-Star games. If he becomes the Kevin Love of wings – rebounds well for his position, carries a high TS% fueled by his 3-point shot, and limits the TOs, I will be absolutely thrilled, even if his scoring is somewhat muted.
by Rascal Flatts on Oct 12, 2010 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
i think Wes could maybe score 20 ppg...
On a Rubio-led running team that scores a lot of points. Not sure if Rambis would be down with that type of offense, but it is at least a possibility for the future. That won’t happen this year, obviously.
by Are we cursed? on Oct 12, 2010 1:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I predict...
Both Wes Johnson and Nikola Peckovic finish in the top 10 rookie rankings, but neither in the top 5. Both will be ranked as the top rookie of the week at least once this season.
Cousins
In the Kyler piece, he mentions that Cousins is putting up big numbers in small minutes, including fouls. I’m sure he will learn, as Greg Oden will, how to play without fouling so much. What isn’t clear is if he can remain as effective — or even close to as effective — without playing so physical as to foul out in less than a typical starter’s minutes. He had a very-high foul rate, in very-few minutes at Kentucky. After 3 preseason games, it looks like he’s carried that right on to the pro game.
Foul rate per minute is less than Pek so far
Pek plays a really physical game, but still Cousins isn’t fouling at that rate.
Cousins’ first three preseason games:
29.75 min – 5 fouls
21 min – 6 fouls
24.75 min – 6 fouls
Pek’s first two games;
12 min – 5 fouls
15.5 min – 4 fouls
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 12, 2010 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Ya
At this point, however, I do think Pek’s experience as a professional ball player gives him an advantage in our ballparking his ability to cut down on fouls. To be clear, I’m not saying that DMC won’t be able to cut down on fouls, but I am saying that I fully expect to get his foul rate down faster than DMC simply because he’s older, more mature, and has been a professional for longer. I’ll put it this way – there is, in my mind, absolutely no reason whatsoever why Pek shouldn’t do this sooner than DMC. The kid’s a rookie, he’s barely 20. He’ll get there, eventually. The bigger question about DMC in my mind is whether his conditioning will allow him to play 30+ minutes a night (over at Sactown Royalty there’s already concern about this – that’s where I’m getting it from).
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
by biggity2bit on Oct 12, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
In addition to greater maturity and professionalism
I would also cite the fact that the fouls Pekovic tends to commit weren’t fouls in his former league, so he doesn’t really have any track record for trying to cut down on those plays.
Cousins, on the other hand, has been getting fouls called on him all through college, but hasn’t shown the penchant (yet — I’m with you that he will eventually get there) for adapting his style to the calls.
I looked ahead to the open road, thought about the people and what they know, and wrote a book called "People Don't Know Nothin!"
And by "all through college"
Yah, I know it was just one year…
I looked ahead to the open road, thought about the people and what they know, and wrote a book called "People Don't Know Nothin!"
I am not sure
I don’t think Pek’s experience overseas is going to help him that much in regard to cleaning up his fouls. Seems what little I have watched that those leagues tend to be much more physical and less fouls are called in general. i think it is going to be a learning curve for Pek to learn the difference between and NBA foul and one from the Greek or Euroleague.
by Breaking Ankles on Oct 12, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Wall
Not one mention of John Wall? He has torn up summer league and preseason. No reason to think he is not the favorite for ROY.
by FunkDoobious on Oct 12, 2010 10:14 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Let's see how Bjenn does
Without Luke around to settle him down. It’s going to be a fun season, and the acquisition of Ridnour could prove to be one of the best off season moves Khan has made. 3 hours to go!
Tickets for tonight?
Anyone know where to score some free tickets for tonight? I noticed you can do the “preseason” code on Ticketmaster again to get free tickets, but then you have to have them express shipped and what not….instead of just picking them up at the box office. I’m open to suggestions. Thx
You can print the tix
The express thing includes a link to print them.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 12, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Wolves Tweeted that Brewer gets to start at the 2
Are they just giving everyone a chance (i.e. Martell will start vrs Indiana) or is Brewer showing a lot more in practice than he is showing in the games?
My vote
is that it’s because Rambis either wants to: give Brew another shot at starting to build some confidence; keep Martell coming off the bench a la Kevin Love last year; or because Brewer will be out there to switch onto Carmelo defensively if Beasley struggles against him.
"Styx might be the mullet of bands."
Brewer on Melo?
I gotta say that is one matchup where Melo should be going to the paint all day long (and may prove to Brewer that he is too skinny)..
They didn't let Brewer handle Melo much late last year.
That was the game where Love too Anthony on more than one possession.
Big test of Beasley, and a nice one to see play out in preseason where you can just be figuring it out. (Unlike all of last year. Ahem.)
Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other. – OWH
I think it's an open competition ...
… which Brewer is losing. Maybe showcasing him for a possible trade? If he hits over 50% of his shots, I bet he doesn’t start another preseason game.
Brewer
Has done nothing to loose his starting gig. Rambis knows guys can miss shots from time to time and Brew had two bad games but he brings 110% every second hes on the floor and is capable of making those shots. I dont believe he will be traded either. Of all the wings he knows the offense the best and plays great D.
I do believe at some point Wes will get that spot in the lineup, He is going to be much better than Brew but needs to learn the offense first.
We need Webster off the bench so he or Beasley are always in the game and the offense can flow threw them.
The Brewer thing...
Is only controversial because of an age-old debate: should the guys who perform the best in practice always start? The Vikings kept Tarvaris Jackson and traded Sage Rosenfels even though popular opinion was that Rosenfels is better (which I don’t completely agree with but is beside the point in this case). The company line was that Jackson was better in practice. My guess is if Brewer is a starter at the beginning of the year, it has something to do with his practice habits, which does (practice is used as an incentive) and doesn’t (some players don’t practice well) make sense.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 12, 2010 5:06 PM CDT reply actions
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