Wolves Updates 10-30

Written by SG

Thursday, 30 October 2008 03:30

Love's final basket was a jump hook from inside the lane that pushed the Wolves' lead to 89-84. The veteran of veterans in the auxiliary press box turned and screamed at a portly colleague a few rows away:

"What do you think of Love now?"

What do I think of Love now?

I can only think how lucky we are not to be stuck with Mayo, who debuted with a 5-for-20 (including 0-for-7 on threes) and 10 points in the Grizzlies' 82-71 loss at Houston.

This gets tiring, but once again it's time to bow to the personnel genius of McHale, not to mention the coaching wizardry of Wittman.

From Britt Robson/On The Ball:

Okay, cavaets duly noted. It's opening night and there are some definite causes for concern about the Wolves needing a horrid shooting performance from the normally accurate Kevin Martin to eke out a home win against the least talented team in the NBA. But the play of Kevin Love is a silver lining, a warm spot, a legit reason to smile. Yeah, the competition was sub-mediocre, especially with Kings' mucker Brad Miller serving a suspension. But Love still had to maintain his poise and fit in with his teammates in his first-ever NBA game.

From Brian Stensaas/Star Tribune:

Making his pro debut with six family members in attendance was a dream come true for Love. So, too, were those first points, and of course that first victory.

Love, though, is a realist.

"It was nice having that crowd on my side," Love said. "Hopefully they stay on my side, too. Nobody's ever perfect. If it was easy, everyone would play. There's going to be some growing pains, be times when I'm down. Hopefully people still got my back."

From Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press:

Depending on the opponent, the Wolves are expected to use a number of different starting combinations this season, so Gomes knows his days as a starter could be numbered.

He also said he's been impressed by what he's seen of Love, especially considering he's just 20 years old, but that there is a learning curve for any rookie

From Charley Walters/Pioneer Press:

Among spectators at the Timberwolves' season opener against Sacramento on Wednesday evening was Beach Boys lead singer Mike Love, who flew in from his Lake Tahoe, Nev., home to watch nephew Kevin Love's NBA debut with the Wolves. Love said he's proud of Kevin, who had 12 points and nine rebounds.

"It's a huge leap from collegiate to the NBA level, but I know he's got the right stuff for it," Mike said...

Lynn McHale, wife of Timberwolves VP of basketball Kevin McHale, on Kevin before Wednesday's season opener against Sacramento: "I haven't seen my husband this upbeat in years."

From Tom Powers/Pioneer Press:

Love said he wasn't so nervous about his debut, even though his family, including Beach Boy uncle Mike, were, on hand. What had him sweating was addressing the fans before the tipoff.

"I had more butterflies saying two sentences before the game," he said.

Love came in and almost immediately scored on an offensive rebound.

"That's the way to start your career, I guess," he said.