Wolves: Season Opening Win
By Stephen Litel
October 29th, 2008
3 Comments
The Minnesota Timberwolves began their 20th season with a bang Wednesday night. New uniforms, new and updated logos, a new floor inside the Target Center and a 98-96 win over the Sacramento Kings start the season off on the right foot. In celebration of the 20-year milestone, the Wolves updated their look while pausing to reflect on their history with a video prior to tip off, giving reminders of past faces such Pooh Richardson, Tom Gugliotta and, of course, Kevin Garnett.
Yet, the newest form of the Timberwolves took to the court with expectations higher than last year’s bottom-dwelling season and uncertainty over how high those expectations should climb. Although starting the season with a win is certainly a positive, the uncertainty remains and will for quite awhile.
The game began in a familiar fashion to those who followed the team last year, namely little defense by the hometown squad and Al Jefferson holding the team together. This was predictable with a young team antsy to play the games that count, in front of their hometown fans. After a first quarter in which neither team played defense--both teams shot 60% from the floor in the first stanza--the Timberwolves calmed down and settled in, holding Sacramento to 7 of 20 shooting in the second quarter.
One thing that should give hope for this squad is they were able to do so with Jefferson sitting on the bench. Called with his second foul with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter and Minnesota trailing 21-25, Jefferson made his way to his seat and it could be expected the Kings would take advantage of his absence. However, that did not occur. When he returned at the 8:24 mark of the second quarter when Craig Smith committed his third foul of the game, Minnesota trailed 37-38.
Of course, to put the small accomplishment of cutting into a lead with their key component on the bench, we need to remember they were playing the measly Sacramento Kings. Reggie Theus’ crew is nothing of note, as most outside the state of Minnesota believe of the Timberwolves, but, as stated in my last post, acknowledging progress, no matter how small is important. Hopefully, Coach Wittman does the same for his players.
In an effort to mix the good with the questionable regarding this game, the conversation should shift to Randy Foye and Rashad McCants. Both players finished in double digit scoring, but in watching closely one is beginning the season right and the other is not.
Foye finished with 12 points, three assists, three steals and four turnovers. He shot 5-12 from the field and did not play much defense. Coach Wittman can claim matchups made the decision for him, rather than production all he wants, but in a close fourth quarter, he gave a not so subtle lesson to his starting “point guard.” Kevin Ollie, a career-long backup, was running the show when it counted most, as Foye watched from the sidelines. As a whole, Foye’s game was average, but his defense was unacceptable. So much so, his coach needed to take him out. Going forward, it will be interesting to see if Wittman will do so with his entire roster and how Foye will respond.
McCants, on the other hand, had a wonderful game when putting it into perspective. The first half was not a good time for Shaddy, as he finished with six points on 3 of 9 shooting. During most of his time on the court in the half, McCants was looked upon to score, especially while Jefferson sat down. A majority of the shots taken by McCants were good, aggressive shots, either coming in the flow of the offense or by driving to the hoop, but the problem was the shots were not falling.
In the second half, McCants found himself on the floor with Foye, Miller, Gomes and Jefferson. Gomes found a rhythm scoring the ball in the early portions of the second half, Miller is always a threat, Foye is streaky and Jefferson is option number one. McCants didn’t force his agenda, but showed he’s capable of playing within a team concept. In both halves, McCants was well aware of the personnel on the court and his place within it and on this one night, he should be commended for accepting his changing role.
The question now becomes which McCants will show up Saturday against Dallas, the remainder of this season and for the remainder of his NBA career?
Oh, one more thing. There was a certain player named Kevin Love, a rookie, who was a single rebound short of a double-double in his NBA debut. Acknowledging again his debut came against a bad team from Sacramento, Love found ways to contribute and, in glimpses, dominate the game by doing all the “little things.” As a rookie, he will certainly have ups and downs, so let’s give him time to find his way in the NBA.
It would be silly to say after a fine debut that Love is going to be MVP someday or to label him as a bust prior to the regular season begins. Maybe we should just let him be what he is right now and make wild claims about his future after we have some evidence to back up those thoughts.
All in all, the Wolves began the season with a win and that’s all that matters in sports. Questions will continue to surround individual players and the team as a whole, but enjoy the good vibes of the win for a few days. Saturday brings the Dallas Mavericks and, although they aren’t championship contenders themselves, they are, without question, an upgrade over the Sacramento Kings. Playing the same way they did Wednesday night, the Timberwolves will not walk away with a victory Saturday, especially if they continue to shoot free throws at a 0.500 clip.
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The first half of the final quarter was the most important part of the game in my mind, and it was a great decision on Wittman's part to go with Ollie. He was a steady hand and kept us on top when it mattered.
What happend at the 2:12 mark when he inserted Foye back in? A little Chaos. Two posessions in a row we threw up a FGA as the shot clock expired, luckliy Gomes knocked one down. I dont blame this enirely on Foye, I think he is capeable of running the offense and should be our starting point guard, but Wednesday night, Randy Wittman sent a strong message to his team: those who play defense and exel in their role will see the court.
