The one thing that has defined McHale’s team here in these first five weeks: He has said these are the guys, this is how we’re going to play. And even against Shaq and Amare Stoudemire, he started undersized Craig Smith and Al Jefferson and those two guys couldn’t much slow the Suns’ duo, but they also got theirs on the other end: Jefferson and O’Neal each scored 22, Stoudemire outdueled Smith by a point, 19-18.
The Wolves stayed in Phoenix Friday night rather than fly to L.A. for Monday’s game against the Clippers. McHale gave them the day off Saturday and they will fly in the afternoon and practice in L.A. on Sunday.
Hopefully, even though my company credit card temporarily has been frozen, I’ll still be around to cover them.
5. Al Jefferson, Timberwolves. Here is the question: Jefferson, who puts up All-Star numbers (22.2 points, 10.4 points, 1.7 blocks) for a lousy team; or Nenê (14.9, 7.9, 1.4) or Andrew Bynum (12.8, 7.8, 1.7), who post decent stats for the contending Nuggets and Lakers, respectively?
I go back and forth on questions like this. Some years it seems that no one from a losing team should be an All-Star. In this particular instance, I’d rather see Jefferson’s skills on the floor in Phoenix, and see how well he fits in with the league’s best talent.
Jefferson entered Friday night’s game leading all NBA centers in scoring (22.2 points a game) and ranked 11th overall in rebounding (10.4).
Wolves coach Kevin McHale, who votes in the process for the first time, said he does not plan to lobby his colleagues for Jefferson to make his first all-star team.
“They’re going to get there on their own merits,” McHale said. “Al’s definitely got all-star numbers. It’s just a matter of there’s 12 spots, coaches are going to vote, and we’ll see what happens. Al’s been tremendous.
Jefferson came into play averaging 30 points in his first five games against the Suns and was poised for a showdown with O’Neal in the paint.
“I’m a big fan of what Tubby is doing there.”
– Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kevin McHale, on University of Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, whose 16-1 Gophers rallied past Wisconsin 78-74 in overtime Thursday night for the program’s first victory at Wisconsin since 1994.
The last time the Wolves and Suns played was so long ago, that … Randy Wittman was coach and Jason Collins was the team’s starting center against Shaquille O’Neal.
Collins hasn’t played a minute since McHale became coach on Dec. 8.
“It wasn’t anything Jason did,” McHale said. “Let me tell you something: Jason is a world-class kid. We’re really lucky to have that guy. At that point, we’re trying to look at some of the younger guys, different combinations and who works well with Al.
“We’re going in a little bit of a different direction right now. Jason has been as professional as anyone could be.”
