Timberwolves 2012-2013

[pikestabber]

Well, our slide started before he came back, but since he is back I noticed our average possession is about half of what it was...very few passes compared to the first half dozen games. What was our strength (closing out 4th quarters) has become our weakness (blowing leads late in the game). Love seems to force too many shots, and while he makes many of them, he misses plenty, too, and our O rhythm seems to take a hit and it seems like we are always running back on defense...I think these guys are getting plum wore out by game's end. I won't say Love is the problem...that is a silly statement...but there is a different chemistry here and we are going to need to adjust to start winning games. Sounds like Rubio will be back soon (may begin practice late this week) but that will be another adjustment, too). Because Rubio is so selfless, I think his return will be more positive than Love's was...he tends to pass first and that helps establish rhythm. Love's forceful hand is rubbing off on Pek, too (at least in the last game)it seems... He is throwing up shots willy-nilly versus getting inside and bullying his way to the hoop. Adjustments need to be made soon. We went from flying high to last place in the span of a few days.

[Scott K]

Great review stabber! I figured we would be trying to force the ball to Love, and to force him into the game. I know they were sliding before I left, but I figured that was become of all the injuries, and the lack of depth. Lets hope they can get back into synch soon.

[schmitty3]

I agree with that assessment. I feel like Love is trying to do too much. He thinks he has to be the whole offense, and that isn't the case. He is a beast inside on the offensive boards, and needs to get off that 3 point line. We need to get the good ball movement back, and create some more open looks for everyone. I think they'll get it figured out pretty soon.

[pikestabber]

As far as pure, raw talent I think this team rivals any we have put together in franchise history. It may not look like it based on the past few games, but we have some amazing pieces (namely Love, Rubio, AK47, and Pek) and some great secondary players, too. If we can find a way to get all these guys to gel, we are going to win a lot of games and surprise some people. I think we all have said something similar to "if we can stay around .500 until Love and Rubio are back, we have a good shot at making a run." Well, we did that, and now it's time to get some W's. I think if anyone can make this team cohesive, it's Adelman. He has been very, very good at getting the most from his players and once they get the starting five healthy and in rhythm, look out!

[Scott M]

Nothing like playing Sacramento to cure what ails ya. K Love with 20-20

[Scott K]

The Wolves need to figure a way to win tonight. But with AK out, and no one to play any D in the back court, I am thinking it will be a tough game.

[schmitty3]

Domination from start to finish.

[Scott M]

Nice win, that's a deep Sixers squad.

*********************

Who's buying a New Orleans Pelicans jersey next year?

[Scott K]

Schved has been having some nice games lately. I think once Ricky returns, he can camp out and make some more shots, and not have to have so much ball control, and turning the ball over as much. I think he will fill in the 2 position pretty well, which has been a big weakness as of the past couple years.

Hoping to get Ricky back on the court sometime next week it sounds like.

The Pelicans sound like an intimidating team

[pikestabber]

It sure was nice to have a "relaxing" view of the game for once instead of nail-biting and screaming at the TV down the stretch. What a performance from the bench! Back to .500.

[Scott K]

I bet they cant do it two nights in a row!

[Scott M]

You are correct!

[Scott K]

We are really missing Rubio, Budinger, and AK right now. The players we have now are to one dimensional. Either they are ok at scoring, and suck at defense, or visa-verse. Love just needs to shut his yap, get back and play defense, and quit being such a whiner after every play. Coach also needs to spend some of this next break, doing fundamentals, 1000 free throws each per day. I keep thinking Pek is going to break out for a 30-15 game, but he keeps missing so many shots. We need to take advantage of the strong front court, and stop trying to live and die from the back court.

I would like to see Williams get showcased more, to increase his trade value, then we can package together a Ridnour/Williams package, and try to pick up a starting SG.

The media has us back in about a possible Gasol trade with the Lakers, I hope none of this turns into anything. I think Gasol, is on the decline, and trading Pek, Williams, and another player, to get a declining player, isnt in the teams best interest right now.

[pikestabber]

Man, I hope they don't trade Pek for any reason, especially not for Gasol. At least get to full strength again and see what we have as an entire unit.

Unrelated to that, can anyone tell me how we are shooting sub .500 from the free throw line of late? That is absurd, and it is costing us games.

New drinking game. Every time Dave Benz say "chance" in the next broadcast, take a drink. If you make it past halftime you are a better man than I.

[Scott K]

It sounds like Rubio wants to play tonight, but the FO said no, maybe next weekend. AK is a game time decision. If we can get healthy here, and make a run, and get a handful of games above 500 it would be nice before the Allstar games.

[Scott K]

Assuming the Wolves win tonight, that would put them back to 500. Rubio coming back next week more then likely. So, making it through the big injuries, and still being 500, couldnt have asked for much more.

[Scott K]

As expected the Wolves won it rather easily. Williams got snubbed from the game, and I think it was basically a message from the Wolves, that if you are going to have your agent talking trade talks, expect not much respect from the coach. Once Rubio is back, you can almost count on a Williams and a Ridnour/JJ trade for a SG, or some starting impact player.

[Scott M]

Caught the win on TV last night, great job closing it out by the Woofies. They gotta get hot. I hope they don't acquire Gasol; 19 million a year is going to be impossible to take on in the new CBA so I don't see it happening. Would like to see a piece that fits better than D Will, but who knows if that will happen. I hope Rubio is ready to play and play well.

[schmitty3]

K Love unhappy with the Wolves...

http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/2012/12/...ith-the-wolves/

[IceHawk]

Just saw that it will be interesting to see what develops out of this.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Here are a few snippets from Adrian Wojnarowski’s

After reading this, you could pretty much close the link. He does nothing but make up lies, and try to cause trouble with the Wolves. He bashes Kahn, and Taylor as much as he can. If you read the article, none of the negative quotes came from Love, they are the writers added opinions. Most of the quotes all came from during the summer, prior to, and during the Olympics. Dont read much into this at all.

[schmitty3]

Can the Wolves catch a break? Rubio said to come back tomorrow night, just as Love leaves with less than a minute left, and it does not look good. Dislocated or broken thumb? Then add Josh Howard with the hyper extended knee along with Malcolm Lee. It is getting a little ridiculous.

[schmitty3]

Just a sprain, listed as day to day. That's a relief.

[Scott K]

Love needed a couple days off to get his mind back into the game anyhow. I think he comes back next week, and kicks some butt.

[mrklean]

Yea he needs a rest 4-18 last night game before just as bad