Timberwolves 2011-2012

[Scott K]

Great win for the Wolves. Our strong bench is absent recently. They better be looking to find him some help until Luke, and JJ gets back. He just cant play 44 mpg for to long.

[Flaco651]

They got the job done with 9 healthy guys. It helped that big Dirk was absent too.

[Scott M]

Pek is learning to battle a little bit from Love, he doesn't have the body control but he's a decent sub. That's what you want from a 2nd round pick.

Wayne is likely going to stay in that 2 spot. He has good games then bad games. Nice effort tonight.

Love really filled it out from downtown. Another 30 point game. I think his deal was perfect. Flexibility for the franchise and the Wolves are on the hook to get better so they can extend him when he finishes year 3 and can opt out. And they still have their designated player option open. I still think they need a polished 2 guard and a defensive center. Imagine if they drafted Kendrick Perkins instead of Ebi. Or Steph Curry instead of Johnny Flynn. Wow.

I want to see this club be more consistent and beat bad teams. That's going to be hard in the next couple games, but it should be achievable over the course of the season. Then we could be talking about an 8 seed.

[Scott K]

We need to get healthy. Or we will wear out our starters. It is kinda hard to start a game with 8-9 players. I agree, this teams biggest weakness right now is the #2 position. We need a consistent starter at SG that can give us 15+ppg, and play a little defense as well. I like Ellington, but I like him off the bench more. A true center would be great, and I think the Bucks may be looking to get rid of Bogut, in the right package. We have some role players, and will more then likely have a mid-late 1st round pick we could toss them as well. But is he getting to be to injury prone?

[Flaco651]

You can forget about Bogut. A fractured left ankle is gonna keep him out indefinitely...

[Scott K]

lol, ya I seen that right after I posted it. Figures

We have some tough games ahead of us for the next week, hopefully we can win half of them. It may be a little hard with our bench being short right now.

[Scott K]

Looks like we got back some players for tonight. Webster, Luke, and Miller should be playing tonight. Beasely is a game time decision. This is huge! I hope we can step up and knock down the Spurs tonight. I really think we have a chance. Then the Lakers on Sunday.

[Scott M]

Wolves had "the look" tonight, like they can beat anyone. If they keep getting better and healthier, I think they won't be dropping games to Atlanta and Milwaukee. Great all around effort. Lots of confidence now.

[First Ice-Mike]

Good game tonight - Like Beasly coming off the bench. Things are lookin' up!

FI

[Scott K]

It was nice to see Pek active, and play hard. Some good in the paint dancing. He must have amazed the refs so much with that foot work, they didnt call a travel. Rubio is playing like he has been playing for years in the NBA. The team was playing some good defense. Love was as good as always. But Beasely needs to stop with shooting, stop trying to be the man, he isnt. I wouldnt mind him in slop time, but during crunch time he needs to be sitting at the end of the bench, and only to come off to cheer on his team mates from the sidelines.

[Scott M]

Funny no one mentioned Beasley's contract extension deadline passed on Wednesday night. So did Randolph's. Both will be RFAs this summer. I don't think the Wolves will match other offers for either. After 2012-2013, Beas will be done with the Wolves unless he's traded first. He's too talented to be out of the league, but he's running out of chances because he has no D and can't do other things than score with a ton of shots. Randolph gets lost because Adelman likes to play the hot hand. He's a guy worth keeping around when you have a guy like Rubio passing the ball.

[fishersofmen]

Yea its too bad with Beasley. When he first came in the game and you see him just burn someone with his ability and talent its nice to see. He is the most "talented" offensive player on the team. But then he will just keep on shooting like he constantly has to prove himself amd then ends up taking bad shots. You could tell Peterson was getting upset he kept calling him a ball stopper. If the guy can figure it out he would be a great player. Ricky was outstanding.

[Scott K]

15 minutes off the bench is all I can take of Beasely.

[SledNeck]

Rubio is the real deal

[CrappiesNCats]

haven't contributed to the thread for awhile, but a few things:

1. Ricky Rubio would be the starter at PG for the all time Wolves team. As much as I'm wrong about a lot of things, I nailed this one. When all the media wonks were labeling him a bust before playing in the NBA, you could see in his game that he was being used wrong, and that he'd fair MUCH better in the NBA. He has. Kevin Love is the best player we have, but Ricky is selling tickets. He'll become the most popular athlete in MN in a few years.

2. Pek-Smash should start. his footwork is great and his defense is better than advertised. he's also not afraid to pass out if the shot isn't there. No center wants to play against him based on his brute strength. He should start every night. I like guys that do the dirty work and go unnoticed. He's quickly becoming my personal favorite (non-rubio) player.

3. Michael Beasley tried to lose the game by being....Michael Beasley. He has no idea what we are running out there. Can't pass and quite frankly can't shoot.

4. If Webster can stay healthy, Wes can relax a little. leading us to a lineup of:

Rubio/Ridnour

Webster/Johnson/Lee

Williams/Beasley

Love/Tolliver/Randolph

Pek-Smash/Dorko

all of a sudden our starters and bench become formidable this year. upgrade SG next year and we're back.

5. I'm struggling deciding between Pek-smash and Peksquatch. the bulldozer one they use on FSN doesn't really do anything for me

6. Statement game Sunday: lakers play tonight and are 1-6 on the road. Beat the lakers to get to .500? Target center will go nuts.

[Scott K]

I would love to shut up the Laker fans.

[BartmanMN]

Quote:

3. Michael Beasley tried to lose the game by being....Michael Beasley. He has no idea what we are running out there. Can't pass and quite frankly can't shoot.

.

I agree with everything you wrote, especially #3. What is he doing out there?

[fishersofmen]

I would love to shut up the Laker fans.

Indeed! Another horrible streak that needs to end tonight.

[dfv87]

haven't contributed to the thread for awhile, but a few things:

4. If Webster can stay healthy, Wes can relax a little. leading us to a lineup of:

Rubio/Ridnour

Webster/Johnson/Lee

Williams/Beasley

Love/Tolliver/Randolph

Pek-Smash/Dorko

all of a sudden our starters and bench become formidable this year. upgrade SG next year and we're back.

5

Where do you have Ellington in this mix? he needs to be in that mix also IMO.

Also what about JJ?

[Scott M]

IMO Pek is a solid backup center. I've seen way too many missed bunnies and bonehead plays. He still fouls at too high of a rate. I can still remember last year when he stopped mid-play to tie his shoe and gave up a fast break. You could argue he was a rookie last year, but he was 25 years old!

If you could put Pek's footwork in Darko's body, you'd have something, although they both hack too much. Wolves need a good "protect the rim" defensive center. But I think a good 2 guard is a bigger need.

It's fun to dream again, like the ticket and steph days.

[CrappiesNCats]

Quote:

Where do you have Ellington in this mix? he needs to be in that mix also IMO.

Also what about JJ?

you'll have to forgive me, I don't get to sleep from Fri morning until Sat night. Ridnour can be either great or awful, in a perfect world he's moved with Beasley and or utah/mem 1sts. I'd insert Barea as Ricky's backup (not really a fan of them on the court at the same time for defensive purposes. If beasley is moved I'd have Ellington be the primary backup to Webster and let Johnson try out the 3 as a backup.

but its all subjective, its just fun to be able to watch games again

[Scott M]

Tough loss, but the Wolves battled hard. Rubio's gotta hit some shots, 2 for 13 ain't cutting it. Webster didn't shoot too hot either. Bynum gave Pek some props at the end of the game, nice game for him in his first start.

Revenge game in Houston. Gotta have a nice little winning streak if they want to sneak into the playoffs. Short season will end soon!

[cjac]

We almost left at 73-55 or whatever it was at that point, they looked totally lost. I actually joked and said it looked like I was on the floor with them, but with Webster and Miller not practicing much, it's not that far from the truth really with new people in the mix.

Glad I didn't bail but point being this continual fall behind rut and battle back is gonna wear guys out. It's not just Rubio's 2-13, it's the 5 or 6 looks a game from 15-17 he should drain (Ridnour does well) that he doesn't even shoot that hurt just as much. He needs to keep a defense honest. I really like his game but the shooting is a big opportunity, as many shots are not even close.

Beasley: First seven touches on offense, straight to the shot. No pass.

Williams needs to step up. Big time.

[ted4887]

I know Beasley is having a good night, but I can't hardly take it. Something about the guy just irks me. Does the guy know that he needs to play both offense and defense? NOT a big fan.

ESPN insider had a good article on the Twolves today too. It's all about how they are building a contender much the same way that OK City did. Lots and lots of young talent, with a solid coaching staff.

[fishersofmen]

Beasley is on fire tonight give him some credit. If the coaches can keep him playing like this every night we won't need a trade. We need a guy who can create his own shot like this whenever he wants to. Nice game for Ricky and Kevin too.