From Rob at Upside and Motor: Charting Out NBA Archetypes
The Timberwolves literally don’t know how to play, don’t know the basics of functioning as a synergistic five-man unit. Aside from the insult their presence posed to the benched starters, that’s why Ollie and Cardinal were in the game, to provide a primer on Team Basketball 101. Seriously.
Furthermore, the Timberwolves literally don’t know how to compete, don’t grasp how shameful it is to passively concede eminently winnable games to opponents who join you down in the dregs of the NBA talent pool.

 

Hoiberg said that even though McHale is no longer calling the shots, the team will still consult with him on potential deals.

“We consulted with Randy, too,” Hoiberg said. “Kevin was in the front office for 14 years. We value his opinion.”

Hoiberg said there is no plan in place for McHale to return to the front office after the season.

“I think he is committed to coaching,” Hoiberg said. “Kevin has the unique ability to get in your mind and see what makes you tick. His biggest strength is that he can make you feel 10 feet tall. Hopefully he can get this thing moving and coach this team for a long time.”

 

Ryan Gomes figures to be the Wolves’ main defender against James, but McHale said it would be a team effort.
“Everybody’s going to get LeBron, the whole team,” he said. “You’ve got to load up for him. He’s special and they’ve got it working right now. They’re tied in defensively; they play off each other really well. Again, that’s where we’ve got to get to.”
They’re looking to start another long streak, the Wolves are looking not only to end their 10-game losing streak, but to get out of December sometime without an 0-fer.

Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site posts a scouting report of tonight’s game against Cleveland

 

The fact that Minnesota has returned to its beginnings hasn’t been lost on Campbell. “It is almost cosmic that last year’s win-lost record (22-60) is identical to our first year here (22-60 in 1989-90),” he pointed out, adding a prediction: “This time [the team turnaround] will be a lot sooner and will come in a bigger way.”