Actually, the Timberwolves lacked a lot of things Saturday in a 109-80
loss in Memphis: A willingness to get down the court on defense. The
determination to guard Grizzlies shooters on the perimeter. Caution
with the basketball.
 
It was the second night of a back-to-back. But coach Randy Wittman will tell you his team treated it like a night off. 
 
 
Wolves record: 2-13
 
 
 
 
Maybe something bad was bound to happen, considering
the starting lineup the Wolves fielded. Because of injuries, they went
with a young lineup of Sebastian Telfair, Corey Brewer, Gomes, Craig
Smith and Al Jefferson. Brewer, a rookie, and Smith, a second-year
player, were making their first starts of the season.
 
Starting point guard Marko Jaric didn’t make the
trip because of a sprained right foot and ankle suffered during Friday
night’s loss to San Antonio. Shooting guard Rashad McCants (sore right
knee) came off the bench. Jefferson, who scored a season-low nine
points, said he was limited by a sore left knee.
 
 
Minnesota’s problem is that, other than Jefferson, who was pretty bad
tonight (9 points and 7 rebounds on 3-9 shooting and well defended by
Darko and Stro) but has been terrific most of the season, it’s not
really a very impressive group of young players. Telfair put up a good
stat line (16-7-6), but until he starts stringing those together it
won’t mean much. Corey Brewer was okay (12-4-3), but he showed me
nothing that makes me change my preseason pronouncement that I think he
has very little star potential in the NBA.

 
2-13 The Wolves’ record through 15 games, which matches the
worst 15-game start in franchise history set in the 1994-95 season. By
the way, that ’94-95 team won its 16th game.