We didn’t do a whole lot of contact today because of our schedule, but
Randy has been doing a little. He’s down there playing 3-on-3 and
increasing activity as his knee allows and so far he’s said no pain.
I’m not sure (if he’ll make the trip to Boston).
Randy has been doing a little. He’s down there playing 3-on-3 and
increasing activity as his knee allows and so far he’s said no pain.
I’m not sure (if he’ll make the trip to Boston).
Ball In Europe asked several hoops bloggers to give a one word description of European basketball and compiled all the answers into an amusing post.
Attendance for the Wolves’ victory over Phoenix on
Wednesday was announced at 15,101. For the season, the Wolves are
averaging 14,795. Last season, with Garnett, the Wolves averaged 15,999.
Wednesday was announced at 15,101. For the season, the Wolves are
averaging 14,795. Last season, with Garnett, the Wolves averaged 15,999.
"I feel good for the loyal fans who have told me
they’re excited about these young guys and that they’re looking forward
to their improvement," Taylor said. "It was interesting looking at the
floor after the Phoenix game and seeing all those young guys out there.
I hope they continue to build on that confidence. Our goal is to build
attendance next year as these guys improve."
they’re excited about these young guys and that they’re looking forward
to their improvement," Taylor said. "It was interesting looking at the
floor after the Phoenix game and seeing all those young guys out there.
I hope they continue to build on that confidence. Our goal is to build
attendance next year as these guys improve."
Taylor said he won’t measure this season in wins and losses.
"And I mean that," he said. "Even though there’s still a lot of satisfaction when you’re rewarded with a win."
McHale and the Wolves are targeting 2009 as the
summer to lure big-name free agents with projected salary cap space. As
McHale noted, Jefferson signed for less than the league maximum, which
should give the team more flexibility.
summer to lure big-name free agents with projected salary cap space. As
McHale noted, Jefferson signed for less than the league maximum, which
should give the team more flexibility.
General manager Jim Stack, who oversees the team’s
salary cap, said it’s too early to say how much cap space the Wolves
might have in 2009. Some of that depends on which players the Wolves
re-sign after this season.
salary cap, said it’s too early to say how much cap space the Wolves
might have in 2009. Some of that depends on which players the Wolves
re-sign after this season.
The Wolves’ restricted free agents are Telfair,
Smith, Gomes and Chris Richard. The Wolves can re-sign those players by
matching any offers from another team.
Smith, Gomes and Chris Richard. The Wolves can re-sign those players by
matching any offers from another team.
On Wednesday rookie Corey Brewer had one of his best games as a pro, hitting six of 11 shots in the Wolves’ victory over Phoenix. Brewer, who has struggled with his shooting all season, apparently gave a sneak preview the day before in practice.
"I don’t think he missed a shot," said assistant coach Jerry Sichting. "He must have made 10 in a row. Everyone was kind of joking, you know, saying, ‘Do it in a game.’ And then he went out and did it in the game."
Jim Souhan/Star Tribune on 10 moves the Wolves should have made.
From Sid Hartman:
Al Jefferson said the recent success has been because the team didn’t give up like it had in some games this season.
"We didn’t get that game in Denver [a 111-108 loss Saturday]; we should
have had it. It’s all about not giving up," said Jefferson, who scored
39 points in Wednesday’s 117-107 victory over Phoenix.
have had it. It’s all about not giving up," said Jefferson, who scored
39 points in Wednesday’s 117-107 victory over Phoenix.
"Teams are too good in this league and so they’re going to make runs.
What we were doing is when they make a run, we put our heads down
thinking it was over instead of just keep playing. So I think that’s
been the difference. Plus [good] defense, helping each other."
What we were doing is when they make a run, we put our heads down
thinking it was over instead of just keep playing. So I think that’s
been the difference. Plus [good] defense, helping each other."
That Minnesota is rebuilding this season is no secret; the Wolves knew
they’d face a tough challenge in bringing such a young team together.
But, as has been clear of late, the Wolves are taking steps towards
understanding how to play with one another; for example, teammates like
Jaric and Telfair have learned when to force-feed Jefferson the ball.
they’d face a tough challenge in bringing such a young team together.
But, as has been clear of late, the Wolves are taking steps towards
understanding how to play with one another; for example, teammates like
Jaric and Telfair have learned when to force-feed Jefferson the ball.
"(Some teams) have nobody that can guard him on the post," said
Telfair. "He’s already a dominant post player in the first place, but
when other teams don’t have a big guy to bang with him, we have to take
advantage."
From Sam Smith/MSNBC:
Al Jefferson is going to be a really good player. Yes, they got
something. But he’ll likely be the only one from the deal with the
Celtics left when Minnesota even has a chance to compete. And that’s
assuming they don’t waste their draft picks this time.
something. But he’ll likely be the only one from the deal with the
Celtics left when Minnesota even has a chance to compete. And that’s
assuming they don’t waste their draft picks this time.
It’s a shame when a team gives up like this. I believe there were many
better deals for Garnett. A team never gets value for a superstar, but
geez. The Bulls were desperate for years and one time were offering
Luol Deng, Tyson Chandler and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Last summer, the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, and we’ve
already seen that Bynum is growing into an elite center and you don’t
find those often. Bynum, Odom and, say, Foye would have been a nice
three-player core to begin building around.
better deals for Garnett. A team never gets value for a superstar, but
geez. The Bulls were desperate for years and one time were offering
Luol Deng, Tyson Chandler and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Last summer, the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, and we’ve
already seen that Bynum is growing into an elite center and you don’t
find those often. Bynum, Odom and, say, Foye would have been a nice
three-player core to begin building around.
“In Al you get a franchise guy you can really build around – a low-post
presence, a guy who rebounds the ball,” he said. “You’ve got to
understand he came out of high school and he’s only in his fourth year.
Al has a great upside and you can tell by how he’s doing things this
year he’s going to be an All-Star definitely in this league.
presence, a guy who rebounds the ball,” he said. “You’ve got to
understand he came out of high school and he’s only in his fourth year.
Al has a great upside and you can tell by how he’s doing things this
year he’s going to be an All-Star definitely in this league.
“I think his work ethic has got a lot better, just learning what it
takes to survive in this league and what he has to do on a
night-in-and-night-out basis to be a great player. Al’s been playing
really well this year. I think if he was on another team he’d probably
be an All-Star. He’s putting up some great numbers. He’s just building
on what he did last season for us. He’s one of the rare 20-10 guys in
the league.”
takes to survive in this league and what he has to do on a
night-in-and-night-out basis to be a great player. Al’s been playing
really well this year. I think if he was on another team he’d probably
be an All-Star. He’s putting up some great numbers. He’s just building
on what he did last season for us. He’s one of the rare 20-10 guys in
the league.”