Sonia
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Written by SG
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Saturday, 22 March 2008 |
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Wittman downplayed how tired he must have felt
Friday after taking a red-eye flight from Southern California. Wittman
watched his son Ryan play for Cornell Thursday in the NCAA tournament.
After Cornell's loss to Stanford, Randy Wittman had dinner with his son
and then left on a late flight that connected through Detroit. He
checked into the team hotel in Indianapolis at 8:15 Friday morning.
Center Michael Doleac's wife, Shannon, gave birth to a son Wednesday.
His name is Taylor. Doleac did not make the trip to Indianapolis. It
was the couple's first child.
In the NBA, the average player can jump between 28-32 inches high. On
the Minnesota Timberwolves, Randy Foye has been measured at a 38 inch
vertical leap. Vince Carter's 43" jump is one of the best in the NBA
today. Michael Jordan flew through the sky at that same height in his
heyday. But 5-foot-7 Spud Webb got even higher, jumping at least 46
inches, nearly four feet in the air.
Previews of tonight's game against the Knicks:
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Saturday, 22 March 2008 |
Rashad
McCants had 22 points, Foye scored 16 and Kirk Snyder 15 for the
Timberwolves (17-51), who were trying to win three straight games for
the first time this season.
"It was a tough loss," McCants said. "Coming in, we thought we had a chance to win, but we had a lot of problems defensively."
Trailing
by 20 points late in the third quarter, Minnesota cut the deficit to
96-88 following Craig Smith's two free throws with 10 minutes left in
the game. Indiana answered with the next seven points, including
Granger's 3-pointer, to open a 103-88 lead.
Wolves record: 17-51
-- The Pacers' 124 points were the most by a Wolves
opponent this season and the most in regulation against Minnesota since
Phoenix scored 131 last January.
-- Indiana set a franchise record by making 16
three-pointers and fell one three-pointer short of matching the most
ever given up by the Wolves. Golden State made 17 at Target Center in
April 1995.
Al Jefferson really didn't seem himself tonight or at least the player
I've seen in the past. He finished with 11 points and nine rebounds,
but he wasn't assertive on offense, and more than once Murphy or Foster
hustled through or around him to keep rebounds alive that normally Al
would secure.
"They were hot tonight," said Al Jefferson, who was limited by foul
trouble to 29 minutes and 11 points. "They were just hot. We had a
couple defensive breakdowns, but many of the shots they took were
contested."
Jefferson was one of the few Wolves who came out playing tough defense
early. He took a charge and had four blocked shots in the first half,
but the Pacers still took a 66-49 halftime lead.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
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The T-Wolves "utterly dominated," said Malkmus...
Let the record show that Randy Foye and Rashad McCants were a combined 11-31 FG last night, and that it doesn't even come close to revealing how well they played, individually and together. The standing cavaet here is that this was the Memphis Grizzlies, not quite as pathetic as the Clippers without Kamen the other night, but certainly earning their new status as one of the three worst teams in the NBA (the Wolves are now 4th, crushing ping pong balled dreams throughout the frozen tundra).
Since that draft, Portland is 6-2 in head-to-head meetings, including a 4-0 sweep this season. Roy, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, made it to New Orleans last month as a member of the Western Conference All-Star squad. He has led the Blazers in scoring 34 times this season and in assists 37 times, and has scored at least 25 points in 20 games. He scored 22 or more in all four meetings with the team that drafted him.
Who knows, if the league's best newcomer had clicked instantly with Kevin Garnett in Minnesota a year ago, the entire look of the NBA might be different right now.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
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The Wolves late-season winning ways (Wednesday’s comeback over Memphis
was their fifth win in seven games) might again lead to no lottery luck
and it wouldn’t surprise me if they have to make a tough call on a guy
like Mayo when it comes to their pick this June. They need talent — at
least two more supremely talented players they can put next to Al
Jefferson — at any position they can find it.
Click here for a parody "Where Amazing Happens" commercial featuring the Wolves.
His six offensive rebounds in a comeback victory over Memphis at Target Center gives him 273 this season. That's one more than ... not Kevin Garnett, but Felton Spencer, whose 272 rebounds in his rookie season of 1990-91 stood as the franchise's best for 17 seasons.
Taylor's harpoon was brilliant and came at just the
right time. I don't know if Kevin tanked or not. Who cares? The point
is that the owner has thrust his team back onto the front pages and to the top of the sportscasts.
A series of follow-up stories has Taylor declaring
that Wittman has to do better next season and that the team needs to
win as many games as possible down the stretch. Glen Taylor has become
our very own version of George Steinbrenner: instant headlines.
Former Villanova star Randy Foye has been inserted as the Minnesota Timberwolves point guard, and says, "I'm used to directing people out there."
So Taylor should keep his irrational musings to himself. Like his team, they're embarrassing.
The classy way in which KG responded to Taylor's nonsense only makes the Wolves' boss look even more foolish and childish.
Previews of tonight's game at Indiana:
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Friday, 21 March 2008 |
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Taylor received a phone call Thursday from the league office. The nature of the discussion: Taylor's remark that Garnett "tanked it" late last season. The league told Taylor that his comments were inappropriate, a league official said. But Taylor was not fined.
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
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The following is a letter from the Wolves organization attempting to clarify the comments owner Glen Taylor made earlier this week on Garnett and tanking:
Thank you for your note. While I appreciate your passion and feelings around Mr. Taylor, KG and our team, I feel some further explanation is needed. Mr. Taylor's remarks were never meant to be a commentary on KG's entire 12-year experience as a Timberwolf. KG is, and always will be, a celebrated part of this franchise's history and his contributions to the team and the community cannot be emphasized enough.
This entire conversation took place in the context of reporters asking Mr. Taylor why this year's team isn't tanking the remaining games of the season to ensure a better lottery pick. Mr. Taylor responded that he felt it was important to win games to build the confidence of our young players, to make final evaluations of which players we wanted to build around and finally he said it was important to show fans that we have a plan and are committed to it. To the degree that we have disappointed our fans and ourselves in the past, it has been because we deviated from our plan and began chasing short-term solutions.
Mr. Taylor was then confronted with a direct question from a member of the media as to whether the team had tanked the last few games of last season. At that point, Mr. Taylor expressed his personal opinion that he believed that KG could have played reduced minutes in those last five games and if he had, the outcome of those games may have been different. He used the word "tank" in his response because that was how the question was poised to him by the media. Unfortunately, in a world where the media looks for controversy, this statement was splashed across the headlines and given far more emphasis than what was conveyed in the short interview.
Mr. Taylor never intended this to a "cheap shot" or to call into question KG's overall effort, competitiveness, etc. He did however, want to make clear that the decision for KG to not play the last five games of the season, and the subsequent accusations in the media that the team was tanking it, were a result of KG deciding not to play the final five games. He wanted to remind the reporters that the team had actually wanted KG to continue to play (as was reported extensively in the media last spring) but it was KG who chose not to finish the season. At that point, it becomes a hard argument to make that the team was trying to tank the remaining games when they no longer had their star player on the roster.
I know this explanation may not be completely to your satisfaction but hopefully it provides greater context to the story. Please let us know if you'd like to discuss further or if we can help in any other way.
Regards,
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
Taylor never said he thought Garnett wasn't playing with maximum
effort during games. What the Wolves' owner said was that Garnett
tanked it by not playing the last five games of the season. I certainly
don't want to put words in Taylor's mouth. And I'm not defending what
he said. His comment speaks for itself. But it's important that people
understand things in the appropriate context. People are entitled to
their emotions and opinions. Hopefully those will be based on what
Taylor really said.
Wolves VP of basketball operations Kevin McHale said this about his
owner's comments regarding Kevin Garnett on Tuesday: "Kevin Garnett
always played hard for us, always. You never had to worry about that.
And in 12 years with both of them, I never heard Glen say anything
negative about K.G., ever." That why McHale said he was "astounded" to
read comments Taylor made to three reporters before the team's annual
photo shoot Tuesday and by the national flap those comments made.
Taylor's remarks were a big surprise to me because they were out of
character for him. But when I talked to him Wednesday, Taylor did not
back down from his statements, but did not want to further comment on
the matter.
I could ask him why he feels a need to hang on like this. I could
point out that McHale made the best trade possible in this instance -
picking up cap relief and a 23 year-old stud who is already averaging
21 and 11 per game. I could point out that the KG trade was the best
possible move for both sides; it didn't net the Wolves Tyson Chandler,
Luol Deng, and a chance at Brandon Roy, but considering the context of
the summer of 2007, it was a blockbuster for the Timberwolves, too.
I could wonder about the sort of underlying and unspoken
feelings that tend to result in an inappropriate, unsolicited, and downright
stupid slam at the best thing that has ever happened to Glen Taylor's
franchise.
Saunders' response to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor 's comment that
Kevin Garnett "tanked" games in his last year in Minnesota. "Anyone who
has played with or coached Kevin knows that's the farthest thing from
the truth. Everyone who has ever gotten out of there, there's always
something said about them (by Taylor).
"So I guess they should be happy with where they are at (16-50). All their problems are gone."
If Taylor believed a year ago that Garnett tanked it and said nothing, then he collaborated in a lie and in duping Wolves fans.
And then just like that, KG was traded on July 31, and his new team was
first-class and the organization that had paid him an average stipend
of $15.5 million per season for 12 seasons was dirt under his sneakers.
Does this give us a hint as to why Taylor has been carrying around some resentment for 7 1/2 months and it came out Tuesday?
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
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Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site recaps the 2008 Taste of the Timberwolves event which included a game of Timberwolves Family Feud.
Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman understands owner
Glen Taylor's expectations of him are higher for next season. He
embraces that.
Also from Alonzo:
Wittman said he hopes Wolves point guard Sebastian
Telfair (sprained left ankle) might start practicing next week. Telfair
is out for at least the next two games.
"I've been working on everything: my decision-making, passing, rebounding, where I can take my shots through the offense. That's getting a whole lot better. Really, I'm just playing my game, just staying in shape, making sure my shot is on point and just doing everything I can to get minutes. I've just got to be ready."
The Timberwolves may lead the
league in the number of NCAA basketball champions with two on the coaching
staff and four on the current roster.
They include Corey Brewer and Chris Richard from last year, Rashad
McCants at North Carolina and Antoine Walker
at Kentucky. The coaches are Randy Wittman at Indiana and Ed Pinckney
at Villanova.
This season, the Wolves have had
four home sellouts, and their generously reported average attendance of
14,124 is the lowest in their 19 years of existence.
The Wolves are horrible (16-50),
but this is far worse than merely being lousy: They’ve become almost
totally irrelevant. And once the public’s interest is gone, it’s
hellaciously difficult to get it back.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
Down 14 at halftime, that's what his Timberwolves - and make no
mistake, these are Jefferson's Timberwolves now - needed. And "Big Al''
delivered with 22 of his 29 points in the second half of a 98-94
victory over lowly Memphis on Tuesday night.
If the Grizzlies were playing any defense in the second half, Jefferson certainly didn't see it.
"Tonight was one of them nights where I just didn't see no defense,''
Jefferson said. "I was in that type of zone. Nobody could get in front
of me.''
Wolves record: 17-50
At halftime, Jefferson had nine points and six boards. He finished with
29 and 13, and set the Wolves franchise mark for offensive rebounds
(273) thanks to five off the offensive window in the second half.
Meanwhile, Randy Foye contributed his first double-double (12 points,
10 boards) of the season and Ryan Gomes overcame a tough shooting night
(2-of-12) with a huge shot with 52 seconds left in the contest to help
secure Minnesota's fifth win in seven games.
The Timberwolves were 7-31 when they scored under 100 points. They have now won two sub-100 point games in a row.
Trailing 52-38 at halftime, the Wolves used a 12-0
run to get back in the game in the third quarter. The Grizzlies led
54-40 but then Minnesota seized the momentum. Al Jefferson scored on a
nifty spin move down low and then Randy Foye hit a three-pointer,
cutting the gap to 54-52 with 7:48 remaining.
They stayed close to the Grizzlies in the third —
even tying the score at 57-57 with about 4 minutes remaining — but
couldn't take the lead. Jefferson did much of the work, scoring 12
points in the quarter while grabbing five rebounds.
With their 17th victory of the season and their fifth in the last seven
games, the Wolves moved past the Grizzlies and Seattle in the NBA
standings, and for the moment own an 11.9 percent chance at the No. 1
overall pick in this summer's draft.
They trailed by 16 points twice in the first half's final 70 seconds,
but reversed course with a 14-2 burst that started the third quarter
and produced their biggest comeback from a halftime deficit (14 points)
since they trailed the Lakers by 15 in Los Angeles on Dec. 2, 2005.
273 The new franchise record for offensive rebounds in a season, reached Wednesday by big Al Jefferson.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )
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Written by SG
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
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Because of Garnett's sterling reputation and the frozen geography of
the Timberwolves' locale, Taylor's calling out of his loyal superstar
pretty much ensures that no prominent free agent will want to come to
Minnesota in the near future. Remember what happened to the Bulls and
Jerry Krause when he got into a power struggle with Phil Jackson,
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen? A similar dynamic now seems likely
here.
When the Celtics reported to Boston 30 days before the start of
training camp for informal workouts, the team needed all of one hour,
Rivers said, to realize the depth of Garnett’s intensity.
“After the workouts, he stayed on the court for another hour and a half
working, then he went and lifted, then he came back that night,” Rivers
said. “You see that before the season and if you’re anybody else then
you almost have to (do the same). How can you not?”
That’s what made Taylor’s comments so ridiculous. Garnett was so
frustratingly loyal to the Timberwolves that even when the team failed
time and again to put an adequate supporting cast around him, he
refused to demand a trade. His only goal was to bring an NBA
championship to Minnesota, to become a dunking Kirby Puckett.
There are countless other storylines to chase with this 16-50 team and continuing to bring up Garnett only annoys fans, reminding them of past mistakes instead of looking towards the future. After all, Mr. Taylor, the fans are the ones who buy the tickets, concessions and merchandise. Your objective is to keep them coming back, not continue to annoy them away.
Now, there are tons of ways to refute Taylor's claims. The noble way Garnett
killed himself with MVP-worthy performances on wretched teams year
after year in Minnesota. The undying respect he garners with Minnesota
fans which has eerie similarities to an abused wife who repeatedly
sleeps with her ex just because they had a few good years before he ran
off with her TV. The constant praise from owners, players, coaches, and
teammates like Paul Pierce. But the point is that it's at least worth
considering whether Kevin Garnett tanked last year. And it's worth considering why he doesn't receive more criticism for the failures he faced in Minnesota...
Glen Taylor should just shut the hell up and not draw attention to
Tankapalooza 2007 (BTW - that along with the ref scandal were two huge
reasons why the 2006-07 season was one of the worst in NBA history).
Anyway, this is the same guy who was caught trying to broker an
under-the-table deal for Joe Smith ultimately costing the T-Wolves
several first round draft picks as penalty. And this is the same guy
who kept Kevin McHale as GM, killing the franchise along the way.
The point is, Taylor said something that didn't help do anything but make himself look ungrateful, and silly. It didn't hurt Garnett. It didn't much help the Wolves, on their own little roll here at the tail end of the year. It was indeed one of those remarks that might have induced Taylor to try and grab the words out of the air and stuff them back down his gaping, undisciplined maw.
But players will remember what he said about Garnett, who remained
loyal to that team for much longer than most players would. There was
no reason to say that. Just deny that the team tanked at the end of
last season. Why pull KG into the conversation? And even if he doesn't
have money to spend this season, he doesn't want to give the impression
that the team wouldn't look to possibly trade Walker for a big name or
is looking long term to add only a "lower-priced guy.'' That
combination -- along with the decisions not to keep Sprewell and
Cassell after a successful playoff run -- could make it very difficult
for Minnesota to lure free agents to help the team get better because
players might wonder exactly what the owner is willing to do to build a
winner...
The few words Garnett muttered on the topic gave a clear message
though: Move on because there isn't a story here anymore. He was also
challenging Glen Taylor and the Timberwolves organization to do the
same.
If you've watched KG play to any degree, even if it's one minute, you know that he is all about effort and has a non-stop motor. What Taylor is talking about, I have no idea! But, it's over. Garnett is playing with the Boston Celtics, the owners of the Association's best record (hmm... interesting). Now get over it!
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 )
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Columnists
Sonia Grover started her Wolves site, "I Heart KG", in 2006. In the wake of the big trade, she moved over to TWolvesBlog and brought her column,
"Wolves Daily News"Email:
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Derek Hanson, the founder of TWolvesBlog, delivers his optimistic and often inspiring take on the Wolves in his column,
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Dave Kelsey, life-long Wolves fan, season ticket holder, and forum post champion gives his humorous take on the Wolves and life in general in
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As one of the 78 owners of Troy Hudson's "Undrafted", its clear that Anthony Hall isn't afraid to go against the grain. He offers up his one-of-a-kind take on the Timberwolves in his column,
"In the Paint"
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Jeremy Knutson packed up his stuff from the Old Wolves Logo, drove over to the TWolvesBlog, unloaded the car, and now invites you to come along for a ride through the NBA in his
"Hoop De Ville"
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Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks