Timberwolves Rumors / Trade Rumors + News + Blog + Draft 2012: Timberwolves Mix

Its Groundhooogggg DAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:25:00 +0000

Well it is Thursday November 10th day 133 of the lockout and still...

No Deal.

If you will recall this process has happened 2 other times both sides have been in a room for an extended period of time in the recent past. In each case movement was described; however, no deal was reached.

Cynically I can't wait to see which group of cry baby whiners’ storms out of the room this time and goes weeping to the media about he said this she said that.

ENOUGH ALREADY!! Both sides need to get a deal and start playing basketball before all the dignity of the NBA is gone.

This message brought to you by the once proud fans of the NBA.

At least the NFL was smart enough to only cancel one Preseason game.

Ricky Rubio a positive outlook

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:15:00 +0000

The negative outlook I have been hearing on the man from spain, who is gonna make it rain, here on the plains is:

How can a bench player in an inferior league possible translate into a great NBA Player?

Let us look at some stats shall we:

G Pts Avg 2FGM-A % 3FGM-A % FT M-A % Reb St As Bl
16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 25 19 26 1
TOT 16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 25 19 26 1
AVE 16 121 7.6 32/70 45.7 11/41 26.8 24/31 77.4 1.6 1.2 1.6 0.1

This player moved to the NBA and did this his first season:

G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
AVE 82 82 32.6 0.371 0.374 0.817 0.6 2.8 3.4 5.7 1.3 0.2 2.44 2.33 15.5

Rubio this year did this in the EuroLeague:

G GS Min Pts 2FG M-A 3FG M-A FT M-A Reb As St Bl
TOt 20 17 454:57 129 20/51 11/49 56/67 64 71 33 2
Ave 20 17 22:44 6.5 39.2% 22.4% 83.6% 3.2 3.5 1.6 0.1

Brandon Jennings is the First Player who 2 years ago came over from the Euroleague. If we compare Euroleague stats between Rubio and Mr. Jennings we can see that while Rubio is a worse shooter than Jennings was in the Euroleague he is a better Rebounder, Passer and defender than Jennings was. This is after Rubio has "regressed".

While I can't guarantee that Rubio will light up the NBA I can say as a Euroleague player he was as good if not better than Jennings in a couple different areas. Now lets compare what really counts. The stat line of current Timberwolves Point Guards:

Jonny Flynn

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
53 8 18.5 0.365 0.310 0.762 1.5 3.4 0.6 0.1 5.3

Luke Ridnour

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
71 66 30.4 0.468 0.440 0.883 2.8 5.4 1.2 0.1 11.8

Can we not assume Ricky Rubio is an upgrade to these two players.

Sorry Sebastian, I was sick of watching you the first time and I don't have the heart to put your numbers on this blog.

I can't wait to see Mr. Rubio in a Twolves Jersey!

Fire Rambis?

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:37:00 +0000

No idea where CBS sports line is getting this rumor. The Minnesota media doesn’t feel this is the case. I believe that this would make the Timberwolves look even more absurd. I think firing Rambis before his contract is up is irrational and premature. He has one year left on his contract and the Wolves knew the state of their team going in. The wolves were not suppose to win this year. They were supposed to lose.

They are supposed to win next year. After Beasley, Millicic, Johnson and Love had a year to get better and learn their roles on the team. I think if you fire Rambis now they would be setting the growth and the progress this team has made back even further.

I think it is unfair to judge Rambis on this season. A season in which he has had injured players such as Jonny Flynn, Michael Beasley, and Martell Webster absent for much of the season. Flynn is just now starting to look more comfortable after hip surgery. Michael Beasley is learning a new position and has had a sprained ankle for most of the season. Martell Webster may never be the same after back surgery.

Kevin Love has been quoted saying Rambis has made him better and that they have a close relationship. The national media has continued to print stories that may not be true. This story about friction between Kevin Love and Kurt Rambis can be filed with the report that Al Jefferson and Kevin Love didn’t get along. Right in the old circular file.

I believe Rambis has done a good job with this team. He has incorporated a rookie into his starting lineup and Wesley Johnson looks to be a fantastic player. He has been patient through a rather difficult and injury riddled year for Flynn and Webster and has handled the immaturity of Beasley, Love and Millicic effectively.

I don’t believe Rambis’ job is in jeopardy this season. I think the story that started this is exactly what it appears to be: Fluff from someone who doesn’t know the situation. If they win tonight they will be on a 3 game win streak. If Darko continues to play basketball like it is soccer; they will lose this game. However, even with that, I believe we are looking at good things next year. And yes, Rambis will be at the helm.

How do you tell when a team has turned the corner?

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:43:00 +0000

I remember when the Twolves drafted Kevin Garnett. This was the 1995-1996 season. Garnett played sporadically but everyone could tell he was going to be amazing. This was the year things got better: the year before the playoff year. We had the addition by subtraction of Christian Laettner, and Isaiah Rider. As well as trading Donyell Marshall for Tom Googlitta. (Shout out to Kevin Harlan here: “Goooggaliougally BABY!”)

Stephon Marbury was added the next year in 1996-97. He came through a draft day trade. The 1996-97 team went on to make the playoffs it had turned the corner and the future was blinding…

Fast forward to present day; McHale whether it was his fault or not couldn’t keep that squad together. Googliotta and Marbury went elsewhere but without Garnett never achieved the ring. The Wolves while promising and at times exquisite never achieved that prize either.

The last couple of games the Twolves have played have been victories. Blow out victories by 20 points or more. I believe this shows us the heartbeat of a winner. If we compare this season to the 1995-96 season I think many parallels can be drawn.

This year’s wolves have a couple of blossoming superstars: Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

The wolves have added by subtracting McHale and his ideas, work ethic and corrected his abysmal managing of the salary cap. They kept the one good player he maneuvered to get.

They brought Michael Beasley in for a song. As well as adding young and multidimensional players such as Wesley Johnson, Anthony Randolph, Jonny Flynn and Darko Millicic.

Let us not forget that Ricky Rubio is waiting in Spain for time to pass; I believe Rubio has the potential for Stephon Marbury like impact on this squad, I believe with the addition of this player the Timberwolves could turn itself into a playoff team.

Are two victories over the Indiana Pacers and a crippled Utah Jazz team by more than 20 points enough to say that the wolves are a team on the rise? No it is not.

Do they deserve credit for kicking the crap out of one team they should beat and another team while in disarray is still in the playoff hunt? That answer to that question is: ABSOULTELY.

As to the question: Have the wolves turned a corner? I think tonight’s game at 8 against Golden State will be more telling than any answer I can give in this blog. However, I am hopeful that next season brings many good things to the basketball fans of Minnesota.

Timberwolves latest moves…

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:47:00 +0000

The way the Wolves look now after the Brewer trade…I like the way they look. It appears that the Timberwolves have made a trade for a multidimensional player. Like Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. I think there is no doubt that these two players are Minnesota’s best. It appears they got another player like these two that can do more than one thing on the court.

Regardless if you like the current trade or are frustrated at not getting that “signature” move at the trade deadline. I think you can see Anthony Randolph can do a lot of things on the court. I think you can see he is instantly better than Pekovic as well as better than Kosta Koufos another guy involved in the trade. The real question is…Is he better than Darko? I have to say I like Randolph’s defense, I like his energy. I like the way Flynn played after seeing the 6’11’’ player go dribbling up the court. Randolph was basically doing Flynn’s job. I like seeing the effort from Luke Ridnour after Johnny Flynn showed one game of playing better.

I understand it has only been 3 games. However, I really feel this move was a good one. It appears they got another young multidimensional player that can possibly push two possibly 3 players. I don’t think Randolph is a good shooter. It appears he isn’t going to be a scoring in bunches type of guy in connection to Beasley, but he can play defense and is taller. He might not be as good a passer as Darko, but you get more athletic and more defense and yes less stupid fouls. The third possible player would be Kevin Love. Better defense, better athleticism I don’t think we should pull Kevin Love for the new guy, but I do think that this player might cause Kevin to pick up his defense a little. Although, I am not sure anyone on the Timberwolves can match Mr. Love’s efficiency.

I prefer watching Randolph to watching Darko or Pek. Even though, he is starting behind Pek at this point, I can’t imagine this player wouldn’t be in the running for a starting spot next year. Especially since Mr. Rubio is coming. (And, I gotta believe he is coming.) I like the fact that Randolph can get off the floor and into the air quickly. I like seeing alley oops! I really like seeing defense!
I think although the fan base maybe frustrated. I can say I like watching this team more now than I did when Ricky Davis was on the team; more so than when Al Jefferson was on the team; more so than when they had Cory Brewer and Kosta Koufous. I think the Wolves are moving forward.

And, I can’t wait for Ruuuuubbbbbbbiiiiiioooooo, Ruuuuuubbbbbiiiiiio, Ruuuuuuuuuuuubiiiiiiiiiiooooooo!

My letter to Darko

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:01:00 +0000

Dear Darko,

You are 7’0” tall. It is my understanding you don’t like to dunk. In your opinion, it is not a very skillful shot. Mr. Shaquille O’Neal has his own feelings on the dunk and I agree with him.

Last year I was begging the Twolves to re-sign you. I had to listen to old “Timeout” himself, Chris Webber, tell David Kahn rudely: “Good Luck”, when Kahn informed Webber how much he liked you as a player and his reasons for signing you. I thought you would improve. I thought you were worth it.

Chris Webber said the one thing you need in this league is for someone to believe to you. Kahn did that; Rambis has done that; I don’t understand why you haven’t gotten better.

I see the same issues come up game after game with your play. These are all things you can fix.
A) Keep your hands to yourself in the first quarter
B) Do not dribble on the block
C) Learn how to drop step
D) Dunk

A good deal of your time is spent on the bench. I have to ask you: How are you going to get playing time if you get two quick fouls and have to head to the bench? They are not hardnosed fouls; they’re stupid reaching-in fouls. These fouls seem to completely mystify you. I don’t understand why this confuses you. Being that the game before, that same move was a foul. As well as the game before that and the game before that… If you do foul, have the decency to get your money’s worth and “show some one the lights” like Reggie Theus says.

Do not dribble on the block; you turn the ball over almost every time. You are 7 foot-keep the ball over your head. I think we can agree giving it to the other team via your dribbling certainly isn’t doing the wolves any good.

The drop step was a huge weapon for your former teammate Al Jefferson. I would think some of this would rub off on you. However, you seem to insist on jump hooking from anywhere on the court. I think you put too much faith, hope and love into your skill with the jump hook. It is time to branch out. Date some other moves, you might like them.

Another “Darko Special” is to weakly throw the ball at the hoop from a foot away and hope it goes in. If I can tell you are floating and hoping, I am sure the officials can too. That is why you don’t hear the whistle when someone fouls you. That shot has no real chance of going in. I think you would be much better served going hard to the hole.

Mr. Shaquille O’Neal once said: “I ain’t no punk, that is why I Dunk.“ So, if you don’t dunk…

One of the reasons the Twolves lose and lose often is because their hugely gifted, extremely talented, 7 foot center refuses to insure him and his team two points simply because he thinks the dunk is not as skillful as a jump hook. Perhaps if you dunk instead of missing those two-foot gimmies, you could possibly loose the “soft” tag that follows you around like a stench and the Twolves would win some games.

Sincerely,

Suburban Twolves Fan

P.S. Jim Petersen and my wife say: You need to play angry.

This Suburban Minnesota Timberwolves Fan’s Biggest Disappointment

noreply@blogger.com (Peeps) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:26:00 +0000

The following was written before the trade of Corey Brewer. Good Luck Corey we hardly new you...

I have paid attention. Before McHale, I watched Todd Murphy, Tyrone Corbin, Stoyko Vrankovic, Tony Campbell, Pooh Richardson, Sam Mitchell (the first time) and Bill Musselman. Back then, they played hard but lost.

Through it all I have been an avid Twolves fan. McHale almost lost me…almost. I couldn’t stand watching Ricky Davis. Through everything I still call myself a Twolves fan. In public, I admit to it. I am unashamed, but not too bright, I suppose. My wife calls my cell phone my Twolves diary. I read the blogs and articles religiously. She finds it funny and makes constant snarky comments about the team and the state of the franchise in general. (She continually asks me if Darko is playing angry.) I endure this because of my hope to see a championship basketball team in Minnesota.

That being said, my biggest disappointment this year has been Martell Webster. Great Shooter, they said. Good defender, they said. Who are they, you ask? Henry Lake and Corey Cove draft host at KFAN. Here are the pluses as I see them. 1. Webster is tall. 2. His 3 point shot percentage. (It is 38.4 percent.)
However, his average of 24.5 minutes per game and 10.7 points seems both a little high and a little low respectively. If the game is 48 minutes long Martell is playing half of it. In my opinion he should be doing better than that; especially if he is a good shooter. Kevin Love’s average is 21.1 points per game and 15.5 rebounds. He may not be a perfect player but he does well in these two areas. He plays 9 minutes more than Martell does, but he is also an all-star.
I was hoping for high point totals and defense from Martell Webster. These two accomplishments would make him a multidimensional player. Instead I got a player who needed back surgery, as well as a player content to be a 6th man. That isn’t what I thought we were getting.

Corey Brewer currently starts for the Twolves and he is a classic one dimensional player. Brewer plays defense. He plays it hard. I had thought Martell would be multi-dimensional. I thought he was a scorer and a defender. Let us quickly compare Brewer to Webster. Brewer’s minutes per game are 24.3 this is slightly less than Martell’s 24.5 minutes. Brewer’s points are 8.6 per game and Brewer has a field goal percentage of 38.4. These are both worse than Webster’s field goal percentage and points. Webster’s field goal percentage is 43.1 and his points are 10.7 per game.

Webster’s overall point total per game is only 2.1 points better than Brewer’s in almost the same amount of time. If Webster is a good scorer/shooter he should be scoring much more than Brewer in the same amount of time. This is not the case. He is a mere 4.7% better than Brewer in the field goal percentage category. It does make Webster the better scorer and shot selector, but is this margin really good enough for what I thought I was getting with this trade as a fan? I think the answer is no.

I thought we were getting a veteran that was supposed to make the Twolves better for two reasons scoring and defense. So far, this season Webster has scored a little more than Cory Brewer and has played worse defense than Brewer. The Twolves got a player, in Webster, which is a clone of Brewer: a tall player that does one thing well. And, I think it hurts them the most in the win column...

Wolves of Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (TwolvesOfTomorrow) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 11:16:00 +0000

David Kahn’s second summer as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ general manager should prove to be - yet again – an eventful summer for most Wolves’ fans. Last summer we witnessed a tornado of change: we watched the departure of draft bust Randy Foye and the hesitant Mike Miller in exchange for the 5th overall pick. The Wolves' roster was completely revamped. Only five players remained from the previous season. David Kahn had finally brought something that had been missing in Minnesota for quite some time – intrigue! For the first time in my life, an NBA Draft captivated me. During last year’s draft, I found myself screaming at the television with joy as each team continued to pass on the basketball prodigy, Ricky Rubio, until he fell into our hands; and now it seemed the Wolves had their franchise player.

This would become the era of Kahn and the dying days of Kevin McHale’s regime in Minnesota. David Kahn then followed up his 5th overall selection with a puzzling decision…Jonny Flynn. Oh no! Did we happen to hire Kevin McHale the II? I was in shock! How could we of passed up on the possible tandem of Stephen Curry and Ricky Rubio? I didn't understand; but Kahn did, and he was ridiculed by the "Nay-Sayers." People questioned whether or not this media-made-man knew how to run a basketball team. Puzzling as it may have been; it seemingly does make sense. There didn’t seem to be much of an indicator that Rubio would have been able to come play in Minnesota, even if we didn’t have Flynn; so taking him seemed to be more of a matter of insurance than anything, and David Kahn absolutely loves Jonny Flynn (he does seem like a class act – very charismatic). Flynn has now proven that he can play and should only improve as he gets use to the triangle offense and being a true point guard. David Kahn had erased almost everything that McHale had done. Kahn brought in Kurt Rambis as the head coach of the new age Twolves, and names like Bill Lambieer and Reggie Theus to back him up – all big names who could bring some more intrigue to Minnesota.

With the off-season drawing closer and closer, Minnesota will have all the right ingredients for another exciting summer. Minnesota can attempt to trade Rubio if the right offer comes around – or they can just sit and wait while they hope his value continues to flourish in Europe (Rubio winning the upcoming star award, and a championship, has already increased his value). I believe in Kahn and can only hope he’s right about Rubio being worth the wait. It seems evident that Rubio won’t join us this season, so they should stick with Flynn until Rubio comes to Minnesota. Rubio isn’t the only player of value on Minnesota. It’s rumored and very possible that Jefferson or Kevin Love will be traded by draft night. David Kahn believes that Evan Turner has the potential to be a franchise player – he is often compared to Brandon Roy – and Kahn does not want Minnesota fans to miss out on another Brandon Roy. Kahn he is more than likely willing to part with Jefferson or Love to move up and nab him; also worth mentioning is the fact that Minnesota has three first round picks, and Kahn himself has big doubts that they will keep all of those draft picks.

Minnesota will have plenty of options and a lot of cap space; they need to continue to build attention so they can hopefully get someone out of the upcoming free agency. That attention and buzz is one essential aspect that Kahn has brought to Minnesota. Kahn needs to worry about selling tickets and gathering more intrigue around the Wolves – something that has been non-existent for quite some time in T-wolf territory. Minnesota fans must remain hopeful and positive and just believe that Kahn has the right blueprint to rebuild this franchise and get back to the playoffs – one step at a time. Once again, I cannot wait for this year’s draft.

Update: Ricky Rubio

noreply@blogger.com (TwolvesOfTomorrow) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:51:00 +0000

The news from Rubio-land is neither good or bad.

Check it out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5252905

One thing is for sure though; Kahn better work some magic this summer.
Minnesota doesn't want to give Rubio any reason not to come over.

Recent Update:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/95665764.html

Minnesota is highly interested in PF/SF A. Randolph

noreply@blogger.com (TwolvesOfTomorrow) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:27:00 +0000

The Timberwolves are in discussions for Golden State's Anthony Randolph.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5248951&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

I'm all for this - of course it depends who/what we are giving up for him - but he has a lot of upside and could be a star someday (high hopes of course).

The most common rumor from forums I've heard is our 4th for their 6th and Randolph.

noreply@blogger.com (topofstep) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:58:00 +0000

LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA...

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Thoughts by: Matthew Deery
www.disputedknowledge.com

Minnesota Timberwolves first round draft pick of 2009 Ricky Rubio will not be playing for the Wolves this year, or even next for that matter. The Wolves drafted the coveted Spanish 18 year old star with pick #5 this past June, but contract obligations and other drama will prevent the point guard from gearing up in NBA apparel for at least two more seasons.

The first obstacle was the buy out of his contract from his Spanish team DKV Joventut. The buyout clause was set at the ridiculous amount of $8.1 million dollars. This buyout wouldn't mean the Timberwolves signed him to a contract, it just means that they paid $8.1 million to get him out of his old deal. That is a larger problem than just money and Wolves president David Kahn tried to negotiate that price down but that was next to impossible seeing as the NBA prohibits it's teams from contributing more that 500k for a buyout. Hmmm....the difference between $8.1 million and 500k...I wonder how close that negotiation came. I bet they were as close as Frank the Tank convincing his wife and a car full of her friends that he was the leader of a pack of streaking college students. (Do you think KFC is still open?)
Despite the Wolves effort to sign Ricky (Kahn flew to Spain 3 times) the 18 year old superstar ended the standoff by simply backing out of the deal, and his decision to play in the NBA. Rubio said that he wanted to stay in Spain developing his game more while finishing out the last two years on his contract with DKV (no buyout clause for us equals good).

Reports now state that Ricky didn't just screw one crappy NBA team (the Wolves, duh) but also his Spanish team DKV Joventut. DKV reluctantly agreed to trade Rubio after he requested a trade to their rival Regal FC Barcelona for a European League record buyout price of $5.3 million dollars. The kid is 18 and he has already given 2 professional teams the run around. Sounds similar to another star diva player going from the Packers to his rival.

(click to enlarge)

Rubio will play out the last two years on his now Barcelona contract, then he plans to make a crash landing to the NBA. The Timberwolves by rule have the rights to Rubio for a one year period after his 2 year Spanish deal is up. So technically we still have him, and if what Rubio says is true (doubt it) he still wants to play here. He said in a statement, "The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to be my first option and I wish to play with them in the near future."
Don't fret Wolves fans because our hometown team drafted another potentially game changing point guard in the likes of Jonny Flynn from Syracuse. Flynn was dynamite in college, and has impressed in the Vegas summer leagues. President Kahn went on to say, "I explained to [Rubio] that I can't predict the future. I did specifically mention that Jonny would be two years ahead of him. He understood that."

So the despite the seeming loss of a young player some have called the most exciting point guard to enter the draft in years the Wolves could still come out very much on top with this draft. Best case scenario is Flynn turns out to be the point guard we needed and fills that hole in our lineup making Rubio not even needed in 2 years. What does that hold for the Wolves in exchange? Trades for players or draft picks. And if Rubio continues to impress in Spain his value can go no where but up.

This years roster will feature a lot of new faces and the absence of others. Notable players gone from last years roster are : Mike Miller, Randy Foye, and Sebastian Telfair.

New faces include two of our three first round draft picks Flynn and Wayne Ellington. Others include: Ryan Hollis, Darius Songalia, Chucky Atkins, and Bobby Brown.

I found this little nugget of information about a very short tenured Timberwolves player very amusing.

Source: ESPN.com

Quentin Richardson spent the last four seasons with the New York Knicks and now has been traded four times in less than two months: to Memphis on draft night, then to the Los Angeles Clippers, then to Minnesota and now to Miami.

The un-amusing part about the above article is the fact the Wolves gained the services of Mark Blount for Richardson. Blount has played for the Wolves in the past having limited success when playing down low. Granted the team we that surrounded Blount sucked to boot; it was hard to watch that lanky big man play sometimes. Especially after watching Kevin for so long. Is Blount worth the trouble? We will wait and see.
Another thought is Al Jefferson and his hopefully surgically repaired knee being ready to dominate again. Big Al is obviously a player any team would built its future around. Al isn't really a guy who needs superior athleticism to dominate the block. He has his own unconventional but very fundamental game that should not be hampered even by a recovering knee. 100% out of Big Al and Kevin Love gives fans something to at least look forward to.

No, probably not victories. I'm talking about domination in the post, rebounds, blocks, and dunks! Love should come through nicely with a year of experience and bulking up. Big Al plus Love equals entertainment.

No Ricky this year, but I can see a very distinct nucleus forming in the Timberwolves front line. Maybe Flynn and Ellington fill out and the Wolves could be a team similar to an upstart Trailblazers a couple seasons back. Not to mention on the horizon is a player like Rubio or the prospect of a lucrative trade gaining the Wolves more firepower.

Not to mention a coach not named McHale. Kurt Rambis was the understudy of the greatest basketball coach of all time.

The new regime of the Wolves begins this year.

*

CRAP!

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:32:00 +0000

Thoughts by Matthew Deery

Al Jefferson out for the season...just when we were starting to gel. I hope he can recover from this. Sad day for Wolves fans, the small amount of us left....

AL JEFFERSON IS A SUPER HERO!!

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Thoughts by: Matthew Deery

I just watched the Minnesota Timberwolves out last the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night. The Wolves started off as terrible as they possibly could. They missed their first 11 shots from the field, and were down by as much as 16 points during the game. But the persistence of Kevin Love and Al Jefferson down low was too much for the Bulls front court. Love rebounded the ball on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, not to mention scoring tough buckets with the Wolves climbing back in. Most of all was Big Al. With Randy Foye having and off night, only 9 points, Jefferson stepped up big time. Big Al finished with a season high 39 points and 9 rebounds. About the only thing Al didn't do right was get one more rebound to have a double double. Jefferson scored over and over when the Wolves needed a basket late in the game. Little jump hooks, beautiful post moves, and great rebounds the entire game. He has emerged as the team leader, and a force to be reckoned with around the hoop. The Wolves could be a spoiler team in the Western Conference down the stretch of the season. Please watch this team...its the best basketball this state has had in 2 years.

THE 2009 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOVLES??

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:55:00 +0000

Thoughts by: Matthew Deery

Who is this team?? I have not seen the Minnesota Timberwolves play this well in years...YEARS! The 2009 Timberwolves are undefeated and have looked pretty mighty against some bad competition. They put a beating on the leagues worst team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Randy Foye started the game out red hot, and the team never faltered from there. Foye has been playing as well as anybody in the league in the new year. Two nights ago he hit a big shot to put the Wolves on top of the Grizzlies in the 4th quarter. He also made a stellar block on O.J. Mayo as Mayo drove to the hoop to tie the score in the final moments of the game. Against the Thunder Foye tied his career high with 32 points, while only playing 3 quarters. That's how bad the Wolves demolished the Thunder. Al Jefferson is looking more and more like KG everyday. Not at all the same player, but the double-doubles are flowing the same. Big Al had 21 points and 13 boards to help keep the Thunder from creeping back into the contest. The Wolves seem to have new confidence, and the looks of a leading scorer with that killer mentality. Someone to take the big shots. Randy Foye has looked like a bust compared to who the Wolves traded for him, Brandon Roy. Maybe he just need a little time to develop. The Wolves have a good young core that could make for an interesting story next year. I said from the beginning of this season that the only players that really matter are Jefferson, Love, and Foye. They can be our nucelus for success, with supporting characters like Mike Miller and Ryan Gomes stepping up. Let's hope this team can jell and climb no where but up. Watch now Wolves fans to see into our future.

T-WOLVES AT IT AGAIN!!

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:41:00 +0000

Thoughts by: Matthew Deery

Wolves just won their 2nd game in a row, and 4th of 6. Randy Foye and Big Al Jefferson led the charge against the mediocre Bulls. Kevin Love also has been looking much more impressive when he sees minutes. This young roster could be dangerous in the years to come...but we need to eliminate McHale!

My website: www.matthewdeery.blogspot.com

T-WOLVES BLOW 29 POINT LEAD....

noreply@blogger.com (matthewdeery) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Thoughts from Matthew Deery

Yes you heard me. T-W-E-N-T-Y N-I-N-E. Wolves fall asleep for the second half(minus big AL) and the Dallas Mavericks took advantage. Baaaaaad defense, specially against the pick and roll. Kevin Mchale still has a job??