The reason why all of this can be frustrating to followers of the franchise is because Taylor is needlessly foreclosing options here. The owner has continually stated that McHale can come back and coach next season if he wishes. That sentiment has as much potential for sabotaging the Wolves’ future as another knee injury to Jefferson. What Taylor *should* say is actually a no-brainer: “We don’t know who is going to coach this team until we determine who will be the general manager, the person calling the shots on personnel decisions next season.”
Forward Shelden Williams logged as many minutes (18) against the Lakers as he has in the three other games he has played for the Wolves since being acquired along with point guard Bobby Brown in a Feb. 19 trade with Sacramento.
Williams made the most of the opportunity, with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but went scoreless in five minutes the following night at Portland. He did not play in Monday’s game.
“I think Shelden can do some things,” McHale said. “We’re just trying to put him into situations and see how he can react. … I think as he gets more comfortable, we’ll evaluate him more.”
Randy Foye dinged his ankle pretty badly down the stretch and is likely doubtful for action over the next few games. Given how little Kevin Ollie and Bobby Brown have contributed from the point guard position backing up Bassy Telfair, I’d propose giving Mike Miller some time at the point–I’m serious, and not trying to be sarcastic. Miller has had a point guard jones all season anyway, and has demonstrated court vision, unselfishness and a desire for passing that, combined with his other skills, makes him as good a backup option for 10-15 minutes as Ollie and Brown.
Bob Sansevere/Pioneer Press has a short Q&A with Kevin McHale:
BS: You’ve never looked better.
KM: Never felt better.
(There didn’t seem to be much sincerity in that exchange.)
I was disappointed (with last Tuesday’s 24-point loss to Golden State). I was disappointed in ourselves. Golden State came out and hit a lot of shots. They hit some tough shots. But the one thing we can always control is our concentration, our effort and our energy level. And none of those three was at the level it should have been. That’s a disappointment. I’m disappointed in myself. I’m disappointed in everyone on our team. We just didn’t do it. In the same sentence, I’m proud of the way everybody bounced back (Wednesday) in practice because guys care.