Yes, there is a lot that is new this season for the Timberwolves. They altered their secondary symbol by making it look like their original logo. They have new jerseys that are form fit. They have a brand new floor at Target Center that has distinctive features with dark hardwood between the three-point lines and light wood inside them. They have a few new faces with Kevin Love, Mike Miller and Rodney Carney. And they have a new outlook.
In an exciting down to the wire finish, the Timberwolves held on to win the season opener against the Sacramento Kings 98-96.
Al Jefferson led the wolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Big Al was quoted in today's Star Tribune as saying "Last year was the first time I've been in that kind of a leadership role, I did a lot of growing up last year. This year will be a lot different." As a lifelong Wolves watcher, I hope this year is different. After seeing KG get his ring, and the Wolves win just 25 games, I'm ready for us to lose in the first round of the playoffs again.
For Minnesota to avoid another 57 loss season, the Wolves had to take care of some very important needs during the off-season:
Need No. 1 -- Outside shooting to complement Al Jefferson.
-- Mike Miller will open things up, not only for Jefferson, but for the point guards.
Need No. 2 -- Post presence opposite Al Jefferson.
-- Trading for Kevin Love will help Jefferson see more one-on-one defense.
Need No. 3 -- Comfort and Confidence.
-- Randy Wittman was getting comfortable on the job last season, along with nearly half of the roster who came from Boston in the KG trade. These guys are starting to get familiar with each other and looked like they were meshing well during the first game of the season.
It all starts with Big Al Jefferson . This 23 year old (he's a month older than I am) may actually be the real Greg Oden . He put up numbers comparable to any of the NBA's best players last season with 221. ppg, 11.1 rpg, 50 FG%, 1.5 bpg. Jefferson had 21 and 12 in the season opener.
Kevin Love had a great rookie debut scoring 12 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Mayo for Love/Miller trade may turn out to be Kevin McHale's first decent move in his history as GM. In his debut, Love looked like he had been playing in the NBA for years, grabbing rebounds out of the hands of veterans, putting put tough lay-ups in traffic, all while playing with passion. If Love can put up Al Horford type rookie numbers, he should have a good chance for ROY.
Corey Brewer has his headband back and he played like it was the key to his college success. Randy Wittman's doesn't allow rookies to wear headband, in his second season Brewer has his old friend back. Brewer had 8 points, seven rebounds and four assists tonight against the Kings. I go back to off-season need No. 3, comfort and confidence -- Brewer acquired both this off-season. Corey has to find a role, whether that be explosive offense or the lead of the fast break, he needs find a way to fit in. Brewer is very talented, but I'm still not sure if he can dribble.
Mike Miller , like Brewer, is another former Florida National champ on the Wolves roster. His outside shooting keeps defenders honest which allows him to penetrate easier and also leaves the post less congested for Al or Kevin to go to work. Miller shot just one three in his Wolves debut, but he did make a FT with 26.3 seconds left to help lift the Wolves to victory.
Randy Foye is on a lot of experts pre-season awards short lists for the NBA's most improved player honor. After missing nearly the entire season last year, Foye is motivated to be a big part of the Timberwolves turnaround. With Foye in the line-up on a nightly basis, the Timberwolves ball movement should improve.
Rashad McCants will try the 6th man role this season which could turn out to be the best thing that has every happened to him. He will get a chance to provide instant offense off the bench. In seven pre-season games, coming off the bench in all but one, McCants was second on the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game. He had 15 points tonight.
Craig Smith , who is known as the Rhino, is huge. He will provide the bang when Jefferson is taking a breather. Quoted in the Star Tribune today, Smith said, "I've kind of molded into a banger, but I'll do what's needed of me. One day it's rebounding, another it's scoring. In size, I can match up with just about anybody, so I try and keep myself in the best shape possible."
Even though he didn't play tonight, Sebastian Telfair is apparently better by leaps and strides than he was a year ago. Ryan Gomes has the type of game that can mold to either forward position and he can even play shooting guard if needed. Rodney Carney , the former Memphis star, could be a sweet steal, he has already contributed in his first game for the Wolves in 12 minutes of action. Jason Collins and Calvin Booth provide some extra size and veteran guard Kevin Ollie will help back up Foye and Telfair.
By no means am I unrealistic with expectations. I ranked the Wolves 25th out of 30 teams in my NBA Pre-Season post .
With the supporting that has slowly been assembled around Al Jefferson, maybe there is hope that Kevin McHale got it right this time around. We'll shall see.
No comments:
Post a Comment