Rick Alonzo/Pioneer Press evaluates each of the players as well as Coach Wittman:
His record in Minnesota since taking over for Dwane
Casey last season can’t be ignored. Is 34-90 after Wednesday’s season
finale and 96-192 overall including a stint in Cleveland. But it’s
important to note that the Wolves were 17-26 coming down the stretch
this season, showing progress after a 5-34 start. Wittman didn’t have
his starting point guard, Foye, for the first half of this season.
Hired in large part for his disciplinarian style, owner Glen Taylor
said recently that Wittman must adjust as the players mature. Taylor
also stressed his expectations of Wittman will be higher next season.
Casey last season can’t be ignored. Is 34-90 after Wednesday’s season
finale and 96-192 overall including a stint in Cleveland. But it’s
important to note that the Wolves were 17-26 coming down the stretch
this season, showing progress after a 5-34 start. Wittman didn’t have
his starting point guard, Foye, for the first half of this season.
Hired in large part for his disciplinarian style, owner Glen Taylor
said recently that Wittman must adjust as the players mature. Taylor
also stressed his expectations of Wittman will be higher next season.
Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Kirk Snyder, Craig Smith and Chris Richard
are eligible to negotiate through their agents with every NBA team
starting July 1. The Wolves also have the right to match any offer made
to any of the five players.
are eligible to negotiate through their agents with every NBA team
starting July 1. The Wolves also have the right to match any offer made
to any of the five players.
"It’s going to be an interesting, important summer for a lot of guys," Smith said.
How many of those five players, and whom, the Wolves sign will depend
greatly on one question: At what price? Gomes played his way into a
valuable role in the starting lineup this season and likely is the
team’s top priority to sign. He said he is seeking financial security,
which means the number of guaranteed years is important.
greatly on one question: At what price? Gomes played his way into a
valuable role in the starting lineup this season and likely is the
team’s top priority to sign. He said he is seeking financial security,
which means the number of guaranteed years is important.
Jon at TNABACG on last night’s game and the team’s lottery chances:
The third-worst team gets 156 combinations, the fourth-worst 119.
However, if the teams end up tied, each gets 137, with a coin flip to
determine who gets the extra 138th. You can laugh if you want at the
small difference between a 15.6% chance of drawing the first pic and a
13.7% chance, but let me remind you – that 1.9% difference is greater
than the chance of six teams (numbers 9-14) winning the lottery and
picking first.
Darren Rovell/Sports Biz on the team’s "Pay The Pick" season ticket promotion.
Jefferson’s scoring and rebounding were beyond
reproach. But now it’s up to him to take that same attitude toward
stopping opposing power forwards and centers from scoring.
reproach. But now it’s up to him to take that same attitude toward
stopping opposing power forwards and centers from scoring.
"No question," Wolves coach Randy Wittman said.
"That’s got to be his next step. It’s got to be a step for us to win.
For us to be good and continue to grow and go in the right direction,
he’s got to get better defensively."
"That’s got to be his next step. It’s got to be a step for us to win.
For us to be good and continue to grow and go in the right direction,
he’s got to get better defensively."
Also from Alonzo:
Wittman said he plans to have Corey Brewer and
perhaps Randy Foye, in a limited role, participate in summer-league
play. The team’s draft picks will play, too.
perhaps Randy Foye, in a limited role, participate in summer-league
play. The team’s draft picks will play, too.