Interestingly, Szczerbiak is one of 13 former Timberwolves players
scattered throughout the first round. So even though Minnesota hasn’t
put together a playoff team in four years, it has sprinkled the
equivalent of a full roster around this postseason.
That’s 13 legitimate, active players, a baker’s dozen and one more than
the official NBA roster minimum. As a group, especially in the
backcourt, they’re showing some tread wear — high miles tend to be a
part of alumni anything. But if you brought them all together as one
entry in commissioner David Stern’s 16-team tournament, the Once-Wolves
might have a shot in a best-of-seven series against four or five of the
actual playoff teams.
the official NBA roster minimum. As a group, especially in the
backcourt, they’re showing some tread wear — high miles tend to be a
part of alumni anything. But if you brought them all together as one
entry in commissioner David Stern’s 16-team tournament, the Once-Wolves
might have a shot in a best-of-seven series against four or five of the
actual playoff teams.
Put them against the 2007-08 Wolves squad, and the gone-but-not-forgotten guys probably would take it four games to one.
Jefferson finished with 55 double-doubles, third best in the league
after sitting in second for much of the season behind Dwight Howard’s
regular-season 67. Jefferson averaged a double-double in every month
except for January (.2 rebounds shy) and March (1.2 rebounds shy), but
in both months averaged fewer minutes in comparison to the rest of the
season.
after sitting in second for much of the season behind Dwight Howard’s
regular-season 67. Jefferson averaged a double-double in every month
except for January (.2 rebounds shy) and March (1.2 rebounds shy), but
in both months averaged fewer minutes in comparison to the rest of the
season.
Jefferson aside, other Wolves contributors took up a more pronounced
role. Ryan Gomes scored 13.5 points per game and grabbed 6.3 boards in
the second half of the year, compared to 11.6 and 5.3 in the season’s
first three months.
role. Ryan Gomes scored 13.5 points per game and grabbed 6.3 boards in
the second half of the year, compared to 11.6 and 5.3 in the season’s
first three months.