Timberwolves Notes: Nikola Pekovic Doesn't Practice, Thad Young Still Out

Since we're Wolves fans, we don't get good news.

Nikola Pekovic, who sat out the 2nd half of the Wolves last game in Dallas, was apparently not at practice yesterday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>No Pek at practice, Flip called it a personal matter, wouldn&#39;t elaborate when asked if it was health-related</p>&mdash; Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryZgoda/status/534460355385126912">November 17, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Leaving us with no clue what's going on. There was speculation during the game that it was a pure benching, but afterward, Pek said he rested due to ankle soreness given the game was out of hand. Now this.

Ricky was there though! On crutches

Thad Young was not back with the team yesterday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Thad not back with team after mother&#39;s death last week, Flip said they&#39;d know more tomorrow about when he&#39;ll return</p>&mdash; Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryZgoda/status/534460538978177024">November 17, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Here's something I noted in comments yesterday:

RIcky Rubio on/off is a net +32/200 possessions. Some four factors goodness with and without him:

efg .508 on court; .452 off court
TO% 13.2% on court; 18.4% off court
Oreb% 29.3% on court; 28.1% off court

And opponents:

efg: .508 on court; .583 off court
TO%: 20.6% on court; 12.8% off court
Oreb%: 25.2% on court; 21.7% off court-HEY, THEY ARE A BETTER DEFENSIVE REBOUNDING TEAM W/O RUBIO!

Commenter McCleak pointed out that the Wolves have now played 4.5 games with Rubio, and 4.5 without. Results?

+13 points in 4,5 games with Rubio
-98 points in 4.5 games without Rubio.

Of course, there are other factors. The last two disaster games were also without Thad Young. The road trip was brutal, and the schedule was tougher. Still. Thank the gods they got an extension signed. This team is unwatchable without him.

Wolves are finally back home and host the Knicks tomorrow night at Target Center to start off a four game home stand that will bring the Spurs, Kings, and Bucks to town following New York.

Elsewhere, the Grizzlies absolutely mauled the Rockets last night in a battle of 9-1 teams, and are the first to reach 10 wins on the season. It was never close, as they stifled the Rockets vaunted offense, holding James Harden to an incredible 6 points in 34 minutes.

Today in History

1307: Legend of William Tell shooting apple off son's head attributed to this date
1477: First English dated book printed: Caxton's "Dictes & Sayengis of the Phylosophers"
1497: Vasco da Gama reaches Cape of Good Hope
1626: St. Peter's Basilica consecrated
1865: Mark Twain publishes "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." 
1872: Susan B. Anthony arrested after voting in Rochester, NY. SEE, VOTER FRAUD HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR CENTURIES!
1902: Toy maker names stuffed bear after President Teddy Roosevelt
1900: U.S. invades Nicaragua
1928: Disney premieres "Steamboat Willie" introducing public to character that would become Mickey Mouse
1961: JFK sends 18,000 military "advisors" to South Vietnam
1976: Spain's parliament establishes democracy

Today's musical birthday is Johnny Mercer, songwriter, lyricist, and singer of any number of American classics. He was born in 1909, and died in 1976.

Here's the incomparable Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's with the debut performance of a classic written by Mercer and Henry Mancini.

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Tuesday. Go.