Listen folks, I really would like to be more original in my criticism
of this ballclub. But when a squad is losing 29 of its first 33 games,
including the last 8 in a row, and is getting demonstrably worse, not
better, I feel it is important to point out the main reasons why this
seems to be happening. And with precious few exceptions, it has to be
said that when Jefferson plays center and Smith plays power forward,
the Timberwolves get their as s kicked.
of this ballclub. But when a squad is losing 29 of its first 33 games,
including the last 8 in a row, and is getting demonstrably worse, not
better, I feel it is important to point out the main reasons why this
seems to be happening. And with precious few exceptions, it has to be
said that when Jefferson plays center and Smith plays power forward,
the Timberwolves get their as s kicked.
And the Wolves should know today whether Foye is cleared to begin practicing.
Foye will have another CAT scan to see whether the stress reaction in
his left kneecap — which has kept him out of action all season — has
healed. Foye has been tested twice since the season began, and both
times he has been told to wait.
his left kneecap — which has kept him out of action all season — has
healed. Foye has been tested twice since the season began, and both
times he has been told to wait.
Recaps of yesterday’s loss to Dallas:
It wouldn’t be shocking if Wittman starts holding
longer practices, at least in the short term, to address the team’s
weaknesses. But that’s a risk in itself because he has to guard against
wearing out his players during an 82-game season.
longer practices, at least in the short term, to address the team’s
weaknesses. But that’s a risk in itself because he has to guard against
wearing out his players during an 82-game season.
Also from Alonzo:
Wolves center Theo Ratliff has been off crutches for
about a week to 10 days, Wittman said, as he continues to go through
rehabilitation in Atlanta. Wittman said there’s no clear timetable for
Ratliff’s return from the arthroscopic surgery the veteran had on his
right knee Dec. 18.
about a week to 10 days, Wittman said, as he continues to go through
rehabilitation in Atlanta. Wittman said there’s no clear timetable for
Ratliff’s return from the arthroscopic surgery the veteran had on his
right knee Dec. 18.
From Sid Hartman:
Fred Hoiberg, the Timberwolves assistant general manager, is on a scouting trip in Europe that will take him to six cities in seven days.
From Canis Hoopus:
If it were not for Bassy–a player viewed at the time as a worthless
piece of the KG trade–the Wolves would likely have 2 wins instead of
4. I know it’s not much, but it is something to think about when you
hear Witt calling out the team’s guard play (which is, admittedly, not
good).
piece of the KG trade–the Wolves would likely have 2 wins instead of
4. I know it’s not much, but it is something to think about when you
hear Witt calling out the team’s guard play (which is, admittedly, not
good).
At times throughout the season, I have crabbed about the players and
their personal inabilities on the basketball court. There are times
when I forget how young they are and how much they could improve for
the future. That is, if the proper direction was in place now and, as
I’ve mentioned countless times before, I don’t feel that is the case.
The Timberwolves coaches, front office and ownership are doing a
disservice to their roster by not developing them to the fullest at
this time.
their personal inabilities on the basketball court. There are times
when I forget how young they are and how much they could improve for
the future. That is, if the proper direction was in place now and, as
I’ve mentioned countless times before, I don’t feel that is the case.
The Timberwolves coaches, front office and ownership are doing a
disservice to their roster by not developing them to the fullest at
this time.
The defining moment in Timberwolves history arrived when one of their
emblematic and unfortunate first-round draft picks, Christian Laettner,
looked around the home locker room, pointed to each nameplate and said,
"Loser, loser, loser, loser …" If Laettner were a member of the
Wolves organization these days, he’d wind up with carpal tunnel
syndrome and a sore throat…