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Wolves Updates 11-1

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Written by SG | 01 November 2008

Al Jefferson has been a mentor to me, and he's been great. Everyone on the team has been great as well. It feels good to have those guys be able to speak to me because they've been rookies as well. They've said rookie year is the hardest because you have your rookie duties and you have so much stuff thrown at you. Sometimes, people feel obligated to get down on the rookie to make an example out of them, but these guys say, "Keep you head high and soak it all in and take it to the chin if anyone comes at you hard." We have a good set of guys who have been helpful to me.


Before the opening of another sure-to-be unfulfilling Timberwolves season, Al Jefferson took the entire Timberwolves staff, of over 100 people, out to dinner at JD Hoyt's Steak house in Minneapolis. A nice gesture, probably intended to thank the staff before they have to clean up the perpetual mess that will be the T-Wolves season (we kid because we love). In all seriousness, this is a first-class gesture for a kid who realizes that he is now The Man in Minnesota. KG is in Boston and now has the championship that he should have won in Minnesota. Jefferson is the most valuable part of that trade, a man whom our own Bill Simmons called a "potential franchise player."

Only in his fourth year, straight out of high school, Jefferson clearly recognizes that his image transcends the game of basketball...


Research on 82games.com has shown that teams which have a strong preseason record after a sub-30 win season tend to improve significantly. You can look it up. The T-Wolves went 6-2 in October. Look out.


Jason Collins is practicing fully after missing the opener and the entire exhibition season while recovering from elbow surgery, but Wittman said the center is going to need time to get into game shape..

Guard Mike Miller will donate $100 for every three-point shot he makes in Wolves home games to Sanford Health children's hospital in his native South Dakota.


Brewer is up for it, but he alone can't hope to contain any team for a full 48 minutes.

Defense has also become the forte of Timberwolves reserve Rodney Carney. In 13 minutes Wednesday, he was the only Minnesota player who got into the game but did not score a point. However, he had one of the Timberwolves' 10 steals, which ultimately contributed to 21 points off Kings turnovers.


The Minnesota Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation's Operation Minnesota Heroes Month, presented by POPP.com, tips off this Saturday, Nov. 1, as the Wolves host Military Night during their game vs. Dallas.
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Wolves Updates 10/31

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Written by SG | 31 October 2008

The Star Tribune has a video tour of Al Jefferson's home, the former home of Johan Santana.


David Thorpe/ESPN currently has Kevin Love listed at #1 in his rookie rankings


To beat the Mavericks, the Wolves will have to play better in a number of areas, starting with free-throw shooting.

Coming off an 11-for-22 night against Sacramento, they spent extra time shooting free throws after Thursday's practice. But coach Randy Wittman said he doesn't see it as a long-term problem.

"I don't think that's us," he said. "We've got good shooters. We've just got to get our focus a little bit."

Wittman said his team did a lot of good things in its opening victory, settling down defensively after the first quarter and making the Kings hit some tough shots.


The Wolves picked up contract option years for Foye and Corey Brewer, but don't expect them to do so for Rodney Carney by tonight's deadline to do so. They are expected to allow Carney to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and then will have the option to try to re-sign him at a salary less than the $2.5 million they would have to guarantee him if they exercise their option...

Love is the national spokesman for St. Jude Children Research Hospital's "Rookie Relief" fundraising effort. The hospital will auction off more than 50 autographed NBA players' jerseys -- including those belonging to Love and Al Jefferson -- on eBay Nov. 10-20. On Thursday, a 14-year-old Andove boy attended practice and had his photo taken with Love to promote the auction. Dylan Witschen is receiving care at St. Jude after having a brain tumor removed.


Defensively, there is still a long way for this team to go. John Salmons had his way on the perimeter and Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson got open shots and rebounds underneath all night long.

Those downfalls may prevent the Wolves from taking a quantum leap forward this year in the win column, but like the high-scoring and frequent-losing Denver Nuggets of the 1980s, they should be a delight to watch, especially in comparison to the doldrums that have driven fans away from the Target Center in droves over the last four years.


At some really key moments (the last two minutes of both the third fourth quarters, for instance) the Wolves lost leads by reverting to some troubling bad habits on offense. They took quick, contested jumpers. They held the ball. They passed without authority or a sense of purpose. These stagnant periods reflected moments of particularly poor play from Randy Foye. Foye shot only 5-12 and collected just three assists in his 31 minutes (he was also -10 for the game, second worst on the team); he forced shots and often seemed tentative in initiating the offense and reading the defense.


New Timberwolf Mike Miller plans to invest substantially and start an AAU summer basketball program in the Twin Cities. Miller did the same in Memphis, Tenn.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, on his young, rebuilt team's 98-96 season opening victory over Sacramento on Wednesday: "Last year in these close games, we just couldn't pull them out."
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Wolves Updates 10-30 Part 2

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Written by SG | 30 October 2008

Tas and Skeets at the Basketball Jones talk briefly about the team's new court in the second episode of their video podcast.


Minnesota had 25 assists on Wednesday night, and it wasn’t hard to imagine this team averaging 100 points a game. Mike Miller stretches the defense with his shooting and gets to the basket as well as anyone else. Kevin Love does ignite a break with his outlet passing, McCants can work well as a cutter or slashing with the ball and Al Jefferson is still a beast. For such a low level team, the Wolves are particularly deep. Six players had double digit scoring and Corey Brewer just missed the mark with eight. If a balance can be struck between Jefferson’s post game and the teams open court finishers, enough firepower may be gathered to compensate for their lack of defense.


Wolves rookie forward Kevin Love took part in a photo shoot after today’s practice in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s “Rookie Relief” fundraising effort.

Love is serving as national spokesman for the campaign, which was conceived at the NBA summer league in Las Vegas and features nearly all of this season’s top rookies.


Love played fewer than 19 minutes in his NBA debut, yet he was instrumental in two game-changing runs in the seocnd and fourth quarters. He scored 12 points and had nine rebounds — one rebound shy of becoming the third Wolf ever to get a double-double in his team debut (Al Jefferson and Tom Gugliotta are the only two to do so — but most telling what that plus-minus number.

Plus-20. That was seven better than the next Wolf, Kevin Ollie’s plus-13.

At the other end of the spectrum, Ryan Gomes, Wednesday night’s starting power forward, was minus-19 and Randy Foye was minus-10.

Now, you can argue what plus-minus really means in basketball, but it sure said something Wednesday.


Tom Ziller/Fanhouse on last night's game:
The two rookies who saw burn played extremely well. The style of Minnesota's Kevin Love -- skilled but bruising -- definitely translated against a soft Sacramento interior. Love hammered the boards relentlessly (nine rebounds in 18 minutes) and scooped in some crafty buckets (12 points). Concerns with his athleticism were only relevant on a few plays; in one of those, an opposing forward soared over Love to tip in an offensive rebound.


Minnesota debuted, new jersey's, a new floor and a new look team, all of which Gomes really liked and was excited about.

"Liked it, liked it a lot. I told somebody the other day, we got new jerseys, we got a new court, some new players, and we got a win! Everything is working out."

Minnesota will try to keep things going on Saturday when the host the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have not played a regular season game yet; they open tonight against the Houston Rockets at home.

Gomes said he and his teammates plan on watching the nationally televised game tonight to get a better read on this Mavs team that comes in with a new head coach in Rick Carlisle.


Wolves coach Randy Wittman was pleased with the overall play of his defense in Wednesday night's season-opening 98-96 win over Sacramento and especially by forward Corey Brewer, who harassed Kings guard Kevin Martin into a 5-for-19 shooting performance.

“Defensively, he was everywhere,” Wittman said. “People can say Martin went 5-for-19; he had an off night. I think there was a reason why he had an off night.”
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Wolves Updates 10-30

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Written by SG | 30 October 2008

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.


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.


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."


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


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."


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.
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Team exercises options on Foye and Brewer

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Written by SG | 29 October 2008

The Timberwolves took care of a little business before tonight’s season opener against Sacramento, announcing that they had exercised their third-year option on forward Corey Brewer and a fourth-year option on guard Randy Foye.


Update:
They have until Friday to also pick up the option year on Rodney Carney, but are not expected to guarantee the third-year forward $2.5 million for the 2009-2010 and instead will leave themselves the option of trying to sign him as an unrestricted free agent for less than that next summer, much like they did with Sebastian Telfair last summer.

Foye will earn $3.57 million next season, Brewer $2.9 million.

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Season opener: Wolves 98, Kings 96

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Written by SG | 30 October 2008


Wolves record: 1-0


"Celebrities" at the Target Center for the season opener:
The Beach Boys' Mike Love (Kevin Love's uncle)
Khloe Kardashian (for reference, click here)


Minnesota rookie Kevin Love made an impressive debut with 12 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes and Al Jefferson had 21 points and 10 rebounds to help the Timberwolves to a 98-96 victory over the rebuilding Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.


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.


PG Randy Foye, SG Mike Miller, C Al Jefferson, SF Corey Brewer and PF Ryan Gomes.


Not a single moment from Wednesday's game likely will end up in a future anniversary celebration, unless it's footage of rookie Kevin Love's 181/2-minute pro debut on a night when the Wolves led by eight points or more eight times and couldn't close the deal until John Salmons' putback basket missed just before the buzzer.

Still, the victory thrust the Wolves someplace they never approached last season: above .500.

"Honest, this is the first time in my career I think I've won the first game," said Wolves star Al Jefferson, who spent his first three seasons with Boston.

The Wolves would have made their night easier if they hadn't missed as many free throws --11 -- as they made.


Wittman was equally happy with the play of Love, who didn't start but finished one rebound short of a double-double in his NBA regular-season debut.

The former UCLA center played a little more than 18 1/2 minutes, making 5 of 8 shots and getting his hands on countless balls.

"That's who Kevin is," Wittman said. "Kevin does a little bit of everything. I thought he rebounded excellent tonight."

Excellent also describes Jefferson, who scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half.


From the Star Tribune:
Kevin Love 12 pts., 9 reb, 2 assts
Rookie came within one rebound of becoming the third Timberwolf to get a double-double in his team debut. Al Jefferson and Tom Gugliotta are the other two.


From the Star Tribune:
MVP    Corey Brewer, Wolves
Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Rashad McCants all are worthy, but Brewer and Rodney Carney supplied the defense that limited Kevin Martin to a 5-for-19 shooting night after Martin torched them all last season.


Click here for a list of the leading scorers in each of the Timberwolves opening games.
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Wolves Updates 10-29 Part 3

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Written by SG | 29 October 2008

NBA standout and new Minnesota Timberwolves team member Mike Miller announced today a generous philanthropic campaign this season to help cure juvenile diabetes. Miller unveiled the Mike Miller Shoot for the Cure. For every successful three-point field goal scored during home games this regular season, the Mike Miller Foundation will donate $100 to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. Proceeds will be directed to the Sanford Project.


Wittman will wait until shortly before tip-off to announce his starting lineup, but all indications are that Ryan Gomes will open at power forward ahead of rookie Kevin Love.

“Right now, I would assume we’re going to start Ryan Gomes,” Love said.

Except for senior night at UCLA, Love said he couldn’t remember not starting a game before but that he’s ready to come off the bench and work his way into the lineup.


Britt Robson/On The Ball posted his team season preview.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will miss the playoffs for the fifth year in a row this season and will probably finish in the range of 20 games below .500. If you're a fair weather fan, check back next year. But if you love pro hoops, and are interested in being present for the early stages of a planful rebuilding, that avoids quick fixes in favor trying to create something solid and satisfying, well, that might be happening at the Target Center in 2008-09...


The Wolves string of 12 straight home opener wins came to and end last season with a loss to Denver at the Target Center.

Minnesota went 2-1 vs. the Kings last season. Ron Artest only played in one of those games...a Wolves win.

Brad Miller and Sebastian Telfair will both miss tonight's game due to suspension. Neither is allowed in the building to watch the game.


Kevin Love was at the City Center Starbucks in downtown Minneapolis Tuesday morning serving coffee and other drinks to customers. Most of the patrons received a nice surprise when Love gave them two tickets to Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Although he said it may be an option for a second job, Kevin said he likes his current career a little better.
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Wolves Updates 10/29 Part 2

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Written by SG | 29 October 2008


Nuggets blog Pickaxe and Roll gathered some Northwest Division bloggers to get their predictions on the team and the players in the division.


RandBall predicts the team will win a minimum of 38 games this season.
*Another year of Al. Jefferson was terrific last year. There’s no reason to think he won’t be even better on an improving team, even if his numbers don’t move because there are more scorers.

*Love’s intangibles. There’s just something about the kid we like.


Winning 30 vs. 35 vs. 29 means next to nothing. For teams like the Wolves, what matters is the arrow — is it up, down or sideways? For now, it is up, as much because of the basement in which they dwelled a year ago as to any genius moves or breakthrough individual years.


Luckily, the Wolves also managed to land Mike Miller in the deal. Miller has hippie tattoos and wears one of those Europeanly masculine, shoelace-ish headbands, but he may also be the league’s best pure shooter; he is undoubtedly the T-Wolves’ best three-point shooter in years. The presence of Miller on the outside, stretching defenses and creating space, provides a perfect complement to Al Jefferson’s sublime low-post skills. The relationship between the two should create a flowing offense, the ball moving naturally from the inside out.


SLAM Online picks Kevin Love as the rookie most likely to average 10 rebounds.
“I could list his 23 double-doubles last season at UCLA (oops—looks like I just did), but I don’t need digits to justify this pick. Just know that few players understand how to rebound as well as Love does. Watch. You’ll see.”—Ryan Jones


Not only does Jefferson feel more comfortable and confident in the players around him this season, he also feels more comfortable in a Wolves uniform.

"(Last year) Was kinda like a dry zone because you don't know what you're gonna get from the teammates, the fans. Being traded for a guy like Kevin Garnett, I didn't know how people were gonna treat me," he said. "But here it is, walking into my second year and things are a lot better."


On Friday the Minnesota Timberwolves Fastbreak Foundation, players Corey Brewer and Craig Smith, along with Rebuilding Together dedicated and officially opened the newly renovated Reading and Learning Center at the City Inc. in Minneapolis.


Representatives from the team handed out free breakfast outside Target Center Wednesday morning. Donuts, danish and coffee were available during rush hour.

A ticket to the season opener is also good for a free ride on a Metro transit bus or Light Rail starting two hours before and lasting two hours after the Wednesday's game.


Skyforce coach Nate Tibbetts on the relationship between the D-League team and the Wolves.
A. From a coaching standpoint and on the business side, they really opened up the doors for us. I don't know how much it's going to affect how many guys we get (assigned) this year due to the fact that the only two guys (eligible) are Kevin Love and Corey Brewer and they're going to play a lot for (the Wolves). But it's definitely going to help in the future, I know that. I think they have definitely gained trust in what we're doing down here.
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Predictions for the 2008-2009 Timberwolves season

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Written by SG | 29 October 2008

We asked our favorite Wolves bloggers, writers, and fans for their outlook on the season. Everyone predicted an improved performance of at least 30 wins. Read on to see what they had to say.

A.K. Agikamik/KFAN Rube Chat

Prediction: 36-46

I predict that absent any serious injuries, the Timberwolves will finish the regular season 36-46, 10th place in the Western Conference.

Last season, it seemed Ryan Gomes was the only player who delivered season-long solid performances to complement Al Jefferson.  Off-season moves and a healthy Foye gives the team the potential for Gomes, Foye, Miller and others to contribute all season long with Big Al.  The team's surprise 6-2 preseason record gives me hope that the team will make significant strides in '08-'09.  Go Wolves!

 

Alec Schimke/Timberwolves Press

Prediction: 36-46

The Timberwolves are a completely different team this season and that's a good thing. They have gotten rid of some characters in Marko Jaric and Antoine Walker and have added two solid players in Kevin Love and Mike Miller to take some of the pressure off of Big Al. Unfortunately they play in the Western Conference where competition is fierce. The Timberwolves should be in the mid 30's in the win category but don't be surprised if this team wins 40-42 games as they do have the offensive firepower to win some games. Ultimately the success of this season depends on the growth of its young core, specifically Foye, Brewer, and McCants.

 

Britt Robson/The Rake- On The Ball

Prediction: 30-52

That is probably a lowball estimate, but I worry about the Wolves playing smallball again with Jefferson at center and Gomes at power forward; about Corey Brewer being given enough rope on offense to hang himself; and about the ability of management to be as patient with top pick Kevin Love as they have been with McCants, Foye and Brewer before him. Jefferson, Miller and Gomes is a nice, reliable core. The biggest X factor is Foye's ability to play the point in a manner that maximizes the virtues of both himself and the team. If Randy Wittman is serious about defense being the priority, we'll see Jason Collins and perhaps even Mark Madsen a lot more than most expect this season. Time to demand offensive consistency from McCants--and ignore the psychological gyrations required for him to produce it--and cut Love some slack. Finally my pet fantasy for this year's Wolves is a go-go second unit of Telfair, McCants, Love, Brewer, and either Rhino or Mad Dog backing up a large, slow and steady starting five of Jefferson, Collins, Gomes, Miller and Foye.



Darren "Doogie" Wolfson/KFAN

Prediction: 33-49

33 wins, which is a significant jump from a year ago, but not close to what Kevin McHale expects. McHale thinks this team can win 40-43 games which makes him more delusional than the Republican base who think they can win this election. Rumor is, McHale would like to coach again, so the pressure is on Randy Wittman, who hasn't shown us any evidence that he can win games on a regular basis.

They still don't have a point guard which will hurt, plus the Western Conference is stacked again. I do like the fact that they finally have a plan in place. They'll have cap room in 2 summers, but it'll take work to convince a meaningful free agent to come here, but at least they'll have that room, plus a handful of #1 choices next June.



Derek Hanson/Twolves Blog

Prediction: 33-49

This record would represent a 50% increase in wins over last season, which would be a pretty significant improvement for the Wolves. However, if you break down last year into two parts, you'll notice that the Wolves started the first half of last season 7-34, and finished up the back end at 15-26. When you double up that second half run, the team is already at 30-52 before you factor in Miller, Love, and general player improvement into the equation. With that in mind, this sizable increase in wins might actually be too low of a prediction, but I'm certainly not ready to drink Kevin McHale's 42-40 Kool-Aid.



Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press

Prediction: 35-47

The Wolves are probably a year or two away from making the playoffs, but they should be an improved team this season. Al Jefferson is poised for an all-star year and he should face fewer double- and triple-teams, with Mike Miller joining 3-point threats Randy Foye and Rashad McCants. Add in rookie forward Kevin Love and the Wolves will have plenty of scoring options, but improvement on the defensive end is the real key to their season.



Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune

Prediction: 36-46

My best guess: 36-46. Here's why: This team wasn't a 22-victory team last season. Remember they won five times in their first 39 games, 17 in their last 43. Add Mike Miller and Kevin Love and give them a full season with a healthy Randy Foye and the range is anywhere from 33 to 38 victories, so I'll play it safe and go pretty much smack in the middle.



Jon Krawczynski/Associated Press

Prediction: 35-47

With the way the Timberwolves finished last season, coupled with the additions of Kevin Love and Mike Miller should make the team much-improved this season. Miller's presence on the perimeter and a healthy Randy Foye from the start will give the Timberwolves one of the more entertaining offenses in the league. Just how much they improve this season will be determined by how Jefferson, Love and the rest of the crew handle the defensive end.



Jon Marthaler/Twolves Blog and TNABACG

Prediction: 32-50

Last year was a tough year for the Timberwolves, we all know that.  But here's the thing: if you look down that roster, if you glance at who's going to be playing big minutes for the Wolves this season - the team really hasn't changed that much from the guys who went 22-60 last year.  Seven of the top eight guys are back from that team; basically, the Wolves have replaced Marko Jaric with Mike Miller and Kirk Snyder with Kevin Love.  While there's no doubt that both of those moves are upgrades, how many wins are they really worth?  Two?  Three?


Over the second half of last season, Minnesota was 15-26.  I think they're a good bet to put together two halves like that this season, and I'll throw in a couple of wins for Miller and Love and predict a 32-50 year.



Kate Doan/MNSportsFans.com

Prediction: 30-35 wins

Last Spring Kevin McHale predicted the Wolves might improve by 20 games this year compared to last year because of the growth of the young squad.  I am not nearly that optimistic for the Wolves.  I think they will win between 30-35 games this year, as they still learn to play together.  Until the best players on the team begin to show that they can play defense as a unit, this team cannot take the next step and make it into the play-offs.  I think from the start the team will be much more fun to watch this season.



Myles Brown/SLAM Online

Prediction: 33-49

Why?: The opening two months of the schedule are particularly cruel, since more than half of their opponents during that span made the playoffs last year. And it doesn't let up.  Aside from a brief break in January, every other month of the season has far more playoff teams than patsies on the calendar.  Such are the growing pains of a rebuilding team in the Western Conference.  Sure, they'll surprise a few talented teams and make quick work of lesser squads, but in the end it'll only add up to another lottery ticket.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Right Kevin?



Rick Kamla/NBA.com

Prediction: 30-52

I would love to be more optimistic with my Wolves, but 30 wins would mark a steep improvement over last season considering the billowing strength of the western conference. The additions of Mike Miller and Kevin Love legitimize the team upfront and outside. Love could give the team two double-double guys (with Big Al) and Miller won Gold in 2007 because of his world class stroke. It'll be fun to watch the Wolves improve this year but they still have a long way to go...

 

Prediction: 30-52

I believe the Wolves will finish with around 30 wins this year, but with the way the Western Conference is stacked up, its going to be tough to get there.  I really like the Mike Miller acquisition, and I'm willing to play the wait-and-see game on Kevin Love because he was an outstanding college player at seems to really care about winning and giving an all-out individual effort.  Randy Foye, Rashad McCants, and Sebastian Telfair, to an extent, have something to prove in what could be make or break years for them.  We're still at the beginning stages of the rebuilding process, but those are all reasons to be enthusiastic about this season.

 

Stephen Litel/Downtown Journal

Prediction: 35-47

Only two years removed from Garnett, the team could wind up winning more games than they did his last season in town. Certainly, more progress needs to happen, as another year will pass without a playoff berth. Yet, this season will give glimpses of hope for the future.



Steve Aschburner/SportsIllustrated.com and MinnPost

Prediction: 33-49

An improvement of 11 victories is no small accomplishment in the NBA, especially when the team hasn't traded for or drafted a franchise player (and no one suggests Kevin Love is ready to assume such a role). Usually, you need to add a David Robinson or a Jason Kidd for any leap in the standings beyond that. Remember, too, that every extra Wolves victory has to come at some other team's expense -- and the Western Conference, particularly, is still a killer. But I do buy some of the strategic thinking about better spacing around Al Jefferson with Mike Miller's outside shooting, Jefferson's potential to work in tandem with Love and what seems like Randy Foye's inevitable improvement as a playmaker as long as he stays healthy.



Steve Marsh/Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine

Prediction: 40-42

Look at our conference--the balance of power is changing, with Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio all getting older fast while potentially corrosive free agent drama looms in Utah and Los Angeles. The Wolves are young, but by adding Mike Miller and Kevin Love to a roster that includes an improving Mike McCants and Randy Foye, we have four potential 40% three-point shooters this year--a great chance to improve on our woeful recent perimeter play. That touch is going to give Al Jefferson the room down low to make the All-Star team this season. I realize we have some major issues, chiefly defense (Jefferson must be improved) and how exactly to use Love in our system (it's going to take the first couple months, but with his hand strength and positioning, he just might develop into a Luis Scola with serious range by the end of the year). So everything has to go right for this team to win 40 games, but I suspect the Wolves might surprise people and challenge for one of the last play-off spots in a suddenly weakened Western Conference.



Wyn Douglas/Canis Hoopus

Prediction: 34-48

Coming off the worst season since 94/95, Kevin McHale said he saw no reason why the Wolves couldn't improve by 20 wins to 42. That would put them above .500. It's a nice goal, but with Utah, Portland and Denver in the Division (not to mention the Lakers, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix and New Orleans in the same conference) it's going to be tough for Big Al and Co. the break the .500 mark. But on the plus side, the core (albeit a somewhat shaky one) has had some time to gel and the team is coming off a strong finish from last season. Upping the win total by 10-15 games is far more likely than the 20 game swing McHale's hoping for.


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Season opener: Kings at Wolves 10.29.08

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Written by SG | 29 October 2008


Minnesota will open the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 29 against the Sacramento Kings at Target Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT. The game will be telecast on FSN North with Tom Hanneman and Jim Petersen calling the action and can be heard on KFAN AM 1130 with Alan Horton and Kevin Lynch.


Click here for the forum's game thread


Kevin Love’s got six family members — mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt and uncle (yes, Uncle Mike from Beach Boys fame) — coming in for his NBA debut.


Wittman still hasn't named his starting lineup for tonight's game, but based on this week's practices it's likely to be the same five that started the final exhibition game against Milwaukee.

That would be Foye and Mike Miller at guard, Al Jefferson at center and Corey Brewer and Ryan Gomes at forward.

Guard Sebastian Telfair (suspended) and center Jason Collins (elbow) will be two of the three inactive players, with forward Brian Cardinal a likely candidate for third.


The man who won the Timberwolves' competition for their third point-guard position becomes No. 2 tonight against Sacramento, and for two games beyond that, because of Sebastian Telfair's season-opening, three-game suspension.

Veteran Kevin Ollie, playing for his 11th team in 11 NBA seasons, backs up starter Randy Foye against the Kings and will also do so Saturday against Dallas and Sunday at Oklahoma City.


The Timberwolves' 20th season begins with the hope that it starts better than the 19th, when the team lost its first five games on its way to a 5-34 start. The first victory of last season came at home against Sacramento, and the Wolves wound up going 2-1 against the Kings last season, one of only two teams -- the Clippers are the other -- they had a winning record against in 2007-08.


The Timberwolves, who won 22 games last season, report new season-ticket sales of 880 and full-season equivalents of about 6,000. As of late Tuesday, the Wolves were about 1,200 tickets short of a 19,356 sellout for tonight's season opener against Sacramento at Target Center.


Santosh Venkataraman/STATS previews the game.
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