No setbacks for Mike Miller this afternoon, meaning it’s all systems go tonight for the sharp shooter. Good thing, too. The Wolves will need his touch if they expect to keep it close again against the Spurs. Six words: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili.
Kevin McHale, though, cautioned that Miller hasn’t really participated in a meaningful practice since injuring his ankle. Actually, nobody on the team has since McHale took over. So he doesn’t know what to expect.
Kare 11 talks to former Timberwolves player Tony Campbell (video).
Well we’re two games into this new Timberwolves era–the one in which I, at long last, somehow begin to see Kevin McHale as a sympathetic figure–and it’s hard to know exactly what we’ve got on our hands.
On one hand, the last two games have been the most entertaining of the year. The Wolves have played with a verve and enjoyment that we haven’t seen in a while–it finally looks at least a little bit fun (as opposed to, like, morbidly demoralizing) to be a Timberwolf. What’s more, there is some evidence that, just as has been suggested, McHale might actually know how to best deploy (not to mention coax) this strange collection of young dudes.
On the other hand, both of those games were losses.
On the other hand, Al Jefferson is the best back-to-the-basket scorer in the game today. Well, maybe Duncan still has him, but it’s pretty damn close. I’d put his baby hook right up there among the League’s top 10 weapons. Also, people don’t realize how powerful he is. Watch Jefferson work for position on the block. Not only does he get where he wants, but he also wears out the defense doing so. If you’ve played, you know that it’s far more physically exerting to have to bang down low than it is to guard a guy who pops out to the top of the key more often than not…
When asked how much he thinks it will help having McHale as a mentor on a daily basis, Love asserted: “A ton. When he wasn’t the head coach he kind of had to sit back because I was learning so much and trying to absorb it all. But now he’s getting a lot more hands on. That feels good, too, to learn from a Hall of Fame guy and one of the best players ever.”
