Road Game #4: Minnesota 93, Denver 99
Season Record 1-9
1. Time To Get Angry
Okay, that's about enough patience, enough leeway for a basketball team that is playing with stupidity as well as incompetence, and showing very little character in the process. During the off-season, Kevin McHale remarked that any team that really plays hard and within themselves can win nearly forty games a season just by picking up a dozen or more victories left lying around by opponents that for one reason or another don't bother to show up. Well, Denver didn't show up tonight. The Nuggets knew they had allowed themselves to get down by double digits in the Wolves' season opener in Minnesota and still managed to tuck the game away in the second half. And so they played without respecting the Wolves; jacking up a lot of dumb shots from the perimeter, not defending with vigor, and generally lazing around until there was 2:45 left and the Wolves were up by 3. Then, after plopping himself on the bench like a somnambulant toad for the entire game, Nuggets coach George Karl called a timeout and presumably told his squad that it was time to expend the requisite energy to put this sorry Minnesota squad where it belongs, cluelessly flying back home with a .100 winning percentage.
It was all Fox Sports analyst Mike McCollow could do not to blatantly rip the Wolves; the disgusted look on his face and his accurate statement that Denver "laid an egg tonight," said it all. And if it didn't, the postgame interview with Denver's Eduardo Najera--who has more grit than any three Timberwolves combined--sealed it. "We came out flat; I don't know what it was," Najera said with a grin and a shake of his head. "Maybe we ate too much for the holiday." He was apologizing for the six-point triumph.
Let's start calling people out. Rashad McCants played like a punk, like a kid who, despite all evidence, refuses to believe he's not the best thing on the playground. McCants shot 1-15 from the field, a stat uglier in reality than it is on paper. His only make was a waltzing, uncontested layup after a teammate made a steal and delivered him the ball while Denver conceded the hoop. Of the 14 misses, maybe 3 or 4 were in the paint, and at least one of those was a stumbling toss-up prayer after McCants drove expecting a foul that never came. That leaves about ten jumpers, the sort of chemistry-corroding shots that would have had his teammates irked at Wittman for not sitting him if McCants hadn't benched himself with a series of fouls. He got to the line just three times; once after a technical foul on Denver, and once on the next possession after Wittman explicitly instructed his squad during a timeout that they needed to take it to the hoop. Otherwise, nada.
Since his 33-point breakout against Sacramento, Shaddy has converted 15 shots (in 57 attempts) and committed 16 turnovers. Over the last three games, he has mounted a 8-41 brickfest--less than 20% shooting. His defense tonight was actually good in spots, but his offense game was so ugly, so selfish, that it is hard to give him credit for that positive contribution.
Al Jefferson is an easy player to love for his precocious footwork, realistic self-assessments of his foibles, and strong work ethic. But aside from his low-post offense, Jefferson remains woefully inconsistent. He can be a bulldog on the boards for two possessions and a negligent terrier the next. He can flash hard on the pick and roll two out five times, and bollocks it up the other three. He can spot open teammates out of the looming double team two or three times per period, but might as well be wearing blinders 60-70 percent of the time. On top of all that the recent injury to Theo Ratliff has further exposed him as being a converted power forward instead of a center when he's forced to play the pivot. Despite all the good things he does and the admirable way he acts, there is a reason why he was a game-worst minus -14 tonight and the Nugs' center Marcus Camby was a game-best plus +16.
Neither Sebastian Telfair nor Marko Jaric can be a starting point guard on a successful team--it just won't happen. There is a point guard gene missing--a different one in each player. Telfair can provide pace and a probing spirit with his passes; Jaric has marvelous hands and good anticipation on defense, and was one of the precious few Timberwolves that heeded Wittman's admonition to penetrate into the paint. But past failures have fed the demons in both of their psyches, and there are glaring flaws in each of their games that inevitably buzz kill their most painstaking efforts at kindling some personal momentum. Put it this way: You don't want either one of them bringing the ball up against a zone trap, and you don't want either one of them with the ball in their hands in the closing seconds of a game with their team down a deuce. And that, folks, are precisely the two situations when point guard play is most crucial. The Nuggets deployed a full court press that coughed the ball from Telfair twice late in the first half, likely robbing the Wolves of a double-digit lead at intermission. Jaric, as I say, actually played one of his better games, but he's been in the league long enough to know what you've got and it's not enough to fortify this callow squad. There are roles for both Jaric and Telfair, but all the opportunities that Randy Foye's injury have provided dramatize that those roles should be smaller than the ones they currently occupy.
2. The Better Gomes
Ryan Gomes also belongs on the "disappointing enough to be pissed at him" list thus far this season, but it took one of his vintage games tonight to remind us of how far he'd out of our consciousness. Before the season started, I expected Gomes to be the Wolves' second-best player behind Jefferson. He fulfilled that promise for the first time in more than two weeks by toting up 18 points in less than 25 minutes simply by flowing in the course of the offense--moving without the ball, and seeking out seams in the opposing defense in a way that Flip Saunders would salivate over and utilize to the tune of 20 points per game if he had him. Or maybe not, because Gomes has clanked way too many wide open jumpers this year. Tonight he made 7-13 FG, including 4-5 from beyond the arc. His defense on Melo Anthony game but only partially effective--Melo's 31 points on 22 shots were boosted by a hot hand early (6-7 FG on mostly contested jumpers in the first period) and trips to the line late (11-11 FTs for the game).
Which Gomes will we see over the next few games? The Wolves desperately need it to be the Good Gomes, because the the schedule ahead is road-wearying and folks who "play the game right" are at a premium.
3. A Plus and a Minus
For about the fifth or sixth time in this brief season, Antoine Walker demonstrated more competitive spunk and both blatant and subtle court savvy than anyone else in a Wolves uni. One might even think the dude is playing to earn himself a ticket to a contender later in the first few months of 2008. It is probably poetic justice that 'Toine must endure McCants's pig-headedness, having had his own bouts on many occasions early in his career. Even tonight, his 15 point first half bore an interesting stat within the stat--1-5 from outside the arc, 5-5 shooting two-pointers. It should also be noted that Walker is getting a lot of his points and rebounds using his half-court quickness against opposing power forwards, an advantage that is quickly reversed when the big boys take him into the paint at the other end of the court. Kenyon Martin more than doubled his 7.9 ppg average with 18 tonight.
See the theme? Walker at the 4 and Jefferson at the 5 are both overmatched on defense, but Walker is one of very few Wolves who can not only get his own shot, but create one for a teammate in the half court, especially because he understands how opponents will concentrate on Big Al and space himself accordingly.
Yes, it is true that Minnesota really misses Foye and Ratliff, and the failure of players to fill those voids is valuable, if depressing, information for the future. But it must also be said that this squad is *not"--repeat *not* making progress, a fact dramatized by the opening night opponent playing demonstrably worse in their Game 10 rematch and winning just as handily. Almost any NBA player can jump up and have a good game, or two or three good games over a 10 game span. But the glimmers of consistency, the slow but steady signs of progress, are what this 2007-08 must be all about.
And where are they? Did Corey Brewer get a mere 2:04 tonight because Gomes were going well, because he's now missed four free throws in a row, because that late to practice stunt still has him in Witt's doghouse, or because the past two opponents have been LeBron and Melo? Why is Mark Madsen a better bet to start versus Camby than Michael Doleac, who is larger and has more range on his jumper (which is to say he can shoot one)? Has anybody yo-yo'd in minutes and productivity like Craig Smith, who led the Wolves with a plus +8 tonight and had 5 rebounds to go with his 7 points (3-6 FG) but only got 15:52 (likely another victim of the Walker-Jefferson tandem)? Is McCants going through a rough patch or going down for the third time? What do we really know about this team other than they have won once in their first ten games and let an indifferent opponent that had contempt for their ability loiter through the motions and then, after the coach finally sounded the alarm, tromp down the throttle and outscore them 15-4 in the final 2:45?
It's not cute anymore.
So whose life are the Wolves going to ruin with that #1 pick next summer?
Like, you mean, Cleveland ruined Labrons?
or, Seattle ruined Durants?
Portland's Oden?
I'd sure love the luxury of having my life ruined thus.
Or are you referring to the fans? as in, we will all be so disappointed that we will consider our lives ruined? No where to go but up, I say.
I am not going to fault Jefferson for having to play out of position, especially when he's up against one of the NBA's best centers. For the season, the team is 52 points better when Jefferson is at PF. Defensive performance is also much improved. Opposing PFs shoot 46 percent and have a 9.8/48 minutes rebound rate when he's at PF, while centers shoot 72 percent and rebound at a 16.2/48 minutes when Jefferson is at C. Jefferson's rebound rate is 16.5 at PF and 11.4 at C (per 48 minutes). He out rebounds opposing PFs by 6.7 rebounds/48 minutes, and get's out rebounded by centers. It doesn't take a genius to figure out Jefferson should be playing most of his minutes at PF, yet over half have been at center.
I understand the argument that Wittman is in a bind and needs to play Jefferson at C when Ratliff is out because Doleac and Madsen are not capable centers. My response is I'd rather have the advantage at one position than handicapped at two, which is what happens when Jefferson moves to C and Walker or Gomes play PF.
Well said krush.
I would argue, BTW, that Doleac hasn't been given an adequate chance to fail. I believe that Witt is trading Walker's acumen and BB IQ on offense for the mismatch both Toine and Jeff offer up on defense when put at the 4 and 5. I think it's a bad gamble. Doleac is a veteran banger who won't be disgraced on D and, unlike Madsen, can make opponents pay for double teaming Jefferson with two bigs by flashing out to the elbow for jumpers. I don't know why this hasn't been tried.
Good stats. From 82games.com or elsewhere?
Britt,
I agree that Doleac should get a chance at center. Maybe even Chris Richard.
BTW, much of what I said about Jefferson also applies to Gomes as a SF vs PF.
The stats are from 82 games. Click on the player and then go to "by position."
Brit and krush
One thing about a 1-10 club is that everyone gets a chance to audition. I'm convinced Doleac will get his opportunity (provided he doesn't over sleep) to show what he got. He looked confused with his earlier appearance.
Yes, interesting stats on Al Jefferson, wish I had this last week when a C fan tried to convince me that the Al Jefferson experience as center for the Celtics last year was a raving success (compared to what?).
I found amusing Witt's comment re. Shoddy should be taking more shots!
This is not what I was hoping to hear after missing the Wolves last 3 games. If I recall correctly, Melo torched Brewer during our last matchup, so it would have been nice to see if the rook could play him better after a game of experience. Anyone care to chime in on last night's 4Q, where we were outscored 30-12? The final "team" box scores were very similar, and Mr. Popcorn Machine is on vacation. Very very disappointing, though I believe that Hawks team is pretty underrated.
Also, any thoughts on the Heat making the playoffs? I'm really pulling for them to get that #8 seed despite Ricky and Mark (read: for our draft purposes)...I'd much rather have a #17 pick this year than a #11 next - we're desperate. This draft seems fairly deep, and I can't talk about drafting any of the "Big 3" yet - wasn't Memphis or Boston counting on getting Oden or Durant last year?
Yea same here, also routing for the heat this year. It doesn't look very good right now but the direction is getting more positive so it's hard to tell I think.
I would love they select Rose, for once someone that has the qualities required for a certain position.. If you look at Boston, why are they so good? Because the team is so much more than the sum of their talents, they all have a role. We need more players that have a definite role instead of lots of players that can play a bit of both (having some is fine, but not everyone..).
Here is my complaint:
They played Brewer a whole TWO MINUTES AND FOUR SECONDS!?!? Something is very very wrong right there man.
Does the Wolves management/coaching staff hate it's rookies this much? They had Shaddy and Foye get inconsistant minutes off and on when they were rookies too. The only way Brewer can truly prove himself is if you play him at least 20-25 mins at the very least. Throw him in there for even 30-35 mins every other night just to see how he performs and handles the pressure. I mean the guy came from a 2 time championship team in college and won mvp in the finals I think, not to mention 7th pick, and this is how they treat him?
I wouldn't be suprised if Durant was getting the same amount of playing time. I really wouldn't. That's how stupid Witt and company are.
God, I tell ya, If the Wolves end up with a top 3 pick with either Rose or Mayo, they'd be pulling the same bs too. I can see it now:
Twolves select O.J. Mayo at the 1st or 2nd pick, and he ends up playing behind Foye, averaging a whole 10-15 mins. He shows glimpses of doing very well, as well as his moments of struggling like many rookies(this makes it so his minutes deminish if he makes a turnover or a missed shot in wonderful Witt's system), leaves the team eventually, realizes the Wolves franchise is a joke, goes to another team only to go on to stardom and ends up being an all star and etc.
Such bitterness by Mr Anonymous (he/she's posting quite a bit), and this even before tonight's game.
Unless the wolves started out tanking (and I'm not cynical enough for that) I think we can start to making judgements on both Wittman's coaching abilities and McHales collection of solid character players.
Come to think of it, I think I am cynical. Maybe Taylor already figures that Seattle will run into a snag in their move so he can set up the woofies for sale to OK city. How many people, besides those on this blog, would complain?
I do agree that I got the feeling rookies aren't really getting enough consistant minutes.
If you look at how Foye played behind James and then you see how he plays when he gets his chance (granted, in the end of the season with not so much value games) you kind of get the feeling .. why did he not get that chance earlier in the season.
I once read a comment by McHale saying something like, "you can't put too much responsability on a rookie's shoulders" .. my opinion is not only that you can but you should! How is a rookie gonna learn to handle responsability and pressure if you never give him the chance, you're gonna have to give it sooner or later .. Besides if you think about Foye's buzzer beating teardrop over the Bulls last year (aah good memories) and other 4th foye-shows they should have figured the kid was ready for some responsibility.
I've been posting a lot lately and don't want to burn another one, but thought I'd indulge in one of my favorite activities, NBA box score watching (it beats crosswords). For example, in last night's loss to Phoenix, Sam Cassell put up 16 shots with zero assists and 3 turnovers. His counterpart, Steve Nash, had 9 FGA and a game-high 10 assists. Is anyone surprised the Suns won by 19?
It gives me great satisfaction to note that the Celtics won again, spanking the Lakers by 13. Boston's front line of Pierce/Garnett/Perkins had a combined line of 62 points, 26 rebounds and 13 assists. The Lakers front line--Turiaf/Odom/Bynum--toted a combined 12 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists in admittedly fewer minutes. The supposedly subpar role players in the starting lineup weren't too shabby: Perkins was 21 and 9 and Rondo's assist to turnover ratio was 10/1. Oh, and for all those predicting the physical demise of those three "aging" stars, they're fine thus far, eh? But many other Eastern Conference contenders--Detroit (Wallace), Washington (Arenas), Miami (Wade), New Jersey (Carter)--have had their stars go down. Just maybe this season will be *less* taxing on Pierce, KG and Ray Allen because they have more help than ever before, and are having much much more fun. And how anyone could begrudge these long-suffering class acts this redemption from dolor bewilders me.
Meanwhile, the biggest surprises for me thus far are the rousing play of the Clips (Maggette has been great and Kamen is bouncing back nicely from last year's turd), the Pacers (Danny Granger blossoming, Jim O'Brien coaching well) and the Magic (apologies to Rashard Lewis, who has helped, and what's rejuvenated Hedo Turkolu), and the pratfall of the Bulls. I watched the first quarter of today's Bulls-Knicks game and had to shut it off. Too much bad hoops has passed before my eyes over the past 24 hours.
Finally, I am baffled by, and apologize for, the weird rendering of comments that has been taking place for the past few days. All I can say is I have no clue.
I saw the 1st half of the Suns-Clippers game, and I have to say that, while I am surprised that Cassell had no assists, this strikes me as one of those instances in which numbers don't tell the whole story. The Clippers were actually up by one or two at the half, and it was mostly due to Cassell. He was at his finest: taking mid-range jumpers, or pump-faking people into fouls (had a bunch of free throws in the 1st half). I'm not saying he's as good as Nash, but one of the things I love about Cassell is how he'll simply take whatever you give him - those mid-range jumpers, penetration, or good passing (I think he's underrated as a passer). If the Clippers lost, I think it was in spite of Cassell rather than because of him - it probably had a lot to do with the fact that Stoudamire, Marion, Hill and Barbosa are better than almost anyone who plays for the Clippers.
As with most NBA fans, I admire the Celtics legacy if not necessary the current roster. But one thing about Celtics fans, you can always rely on them to put their expectations way ahead reality. Why after the Big 3.2 crew were acquired, the only question C fans had was: Is it a ring or just Eastern finals?
I don't recall hearing anyone speak of an instant demise of aging or ailing Big3.2 members. Fact is, all there are at or near their apex in performance. Unless they have perfected a miracle regenerating youth pill, players can only go one direction off the hill, savvy? So, the C's paid the price for the now and leveraged the future as the Big 3.2 stars' luster begins to fade (but remain under big dollar contracts).
Speaking of the now, no doubt the C's are a "3" on the top list of Eastern clubs. Probably an "8" on the top 10 list of NBA teams. Sure the club barely beat a Wade-less Heat and largely under .500 teams, but after mid-December, they begin playing top tier clubs.
Perks number can be largely attributed to KG. The Big 3.2 have been trying to feed the little 2 as they draw double teams. That doesn't work against more established front lines (i.e., Orlando). The Lakers front line can hardly be considered as established. Kobe has a realistic take on things with the front line.
I heard Tommy Points make the statement that he thought the Big 3.2 found it less taxing given that each individually was not the "go to" person anymore. It was a ridiculous statement then and now. What can be said is that so far the 3 have not had to face much competition (except for Miami and Orlando last weekend).
Keep in mind that these 3 know how high expectations are right now in the Celtics community and, against the upper tier, all three will be considered "go to" people. They have more pressure on them now do to fan expectations. The Sonics and T-wolves fans' hope was to reach the playoffs. In C country, expectations are way higher than that.
This was the ugliest game I have seen in recent memory.
Wittman is faced with bad or worse choices for this squad. He says he plans to stick with Shoddy and help him work his way out of his funk. On a better team, Shoddy would be riding buses in D-league.
Unlike Shoddy, Al Jefferson deserves patience. His nonchalance attempt at a rebound (without boxing out) ending up being a Marcus Camby put-back highlight reel for sports channels.
Shaq must have taught Mad Dog his technique in shooting free throws. He was effective on defense, however. Nice to see Dog exhibit the lost art of a box-out. And who on the present team can match Dog's aggressiveness and energy?
While this season is an audition for next year, the team can't get caught up in the "potential" game. At harvest time, the future potential of the likes of Gerald Green, McCants, Telfair, etc. is immaterial. Simply flush.
Again I preface these comments by saying that I was only able to see the 4th quarter - managed to pick up an internet feed from the Denver network. The commentators were basically apologizing for the victory, not unlike Nájera.
One thing I'm wondering, from people who saw the whole game - did the disparity in free throws make sense? Were the Nuggets that much more aggressive than the Twolves? I noticed the gap was already large before the Wolves started fouling at the end.
I have to say that, for the 4th quarter at least, Jaric was to my mind the best player on the court for the Wolves - probably, as Britt said, not a good sign, especially when he's playing PG. Interesting that so many of the good things he did - penetrating, making smart passes - would have made for better basketball had they occurred after 2 or 3 passes in a half-court set: i.e., had Jaric been playing SG or SF and getting the ball after a few passes, rather than starting with it at PG. As it was, his lack of quickness - and need to be cautious around the smaller quicker guys guarding him (speaking of which, former Wolf Carter was fantastic - I think the Nuggets lose without him - only guy playing with energy most of the game) - meant the Wolves had to start their offense way out near half court. For the quarter, I counted only a few "mistakes," and they weren't really his fault: the missed layup that seemed more like a freak miss than his fault (the Denver commentators were shocked, they had already counted it as a basket), the foul for the moving screen which was quite simply a bad call (said commentators immediately admitted as much), and the Iverson steal and layup, where Jaric probably should have been coming back to the ball rather than sprinting away from it.
In the end, a PG would clearly have helped...but it just seemed like the Nuggets had way too much talent - guys who could make shots while the Wolves couldn't. (Though that doesn't explain Camby dunking that offensive rebound after Jefferson simply failed to block him out - how do you not block out Camby when you're guarding him? - or McCants jacking up those terrible jumpers...)
Yeah McCants is looking more and more like an Alfredrick Hughes-type 1st round pick - maybe his athletic ability will save him from a career in Greece or Turkey, but seems unlikely at this point.
Oh I forgot, I also think Witt should be blamed for not pulling Shaddy out and giving other players some more minutes this game. 6for8 GG for instance? I can see in the box score he was 0 for 3 but already got 2 assists in the 12 minutes he was on the court, only 1 less than mccants in 25mins so I don't get why GG wasn't getting a better chance, let alone brewer.
I hope witt gets it together soon enough and let's hope they don't fire the coach the moment he gets it together like they did with the coach last year...
Sorry Wim, but the Gerald Green bandwagon had a flat tire last night. He appeared to be lost for most of his 12 minutes of court time and even though he *only* took three shots, they were of the "too-early-in-the-shot-clock" or "completely-covered-by-a-defender" variety.
On a previous comment I said "Let's hope McCants keeps his head together"... seems he won't, that sucks.
It also seems we're going to be playing Rose/Mayo and Foye at the point next year; with either bassy or jaric as backups for injuries or when foye needs more minutes at the 2.
I also don't really get why Brewer didn't get more minutes. When witman sees McCants jack up shots. He said about the last game that a particular unit was throwing back punches in the fourth, well brewer was in that unit. He might be playing like a rookie .. but the fact is that he IS a rookie, unlike shaddy who also plays like one but isn't one. I think brewer is always nice to have on the floor because I think he already better understands the whole being a cog in the bigger whole thing...
The glaring hole at center is defenitly getting more and more obvious, when Ratliff is gone we'll defenitly will have trouble there. So either we're going to have to fill that by draft (Miama's pick?) or by a trade. But who's gonna want anything from this team?
Maybe free agency? I'm not really up to date with the cap situation so don't really know.
Wim,
I think the hole in the center is going to be a problem for a while. It's going to be two years before the Wolves can offer anything above the mid-level exemption. Besides retreads and journeymen like Calvin Booth, Rasho Nesterovic, Jeff Foster, and Lorenzen Wright. In this grouping I would say Jarron Collins and DeSanga Diop are the best choices (Diop after this season, Collins after next), as they are both solid interior defenders. If you want a young player, their are three (really two) options available. The first and most unlikely is that the Lakers commit to a Kobe team and trade off guys like Andrew Bynum for veterans. This will almost certainly not happen as Bynum has had an excellent start and the Lakers' management is quite taken with him, but if the team melts down they might start a fire sale. The second option would be Robert Swift, but he's been completely dreadful in limited minutes this year. The third option is Patrick O'Bryant. He's had a good season so far and is only 21. The problems are that this is the only year he's been good, and that the Wolves have nothing beyond the mid-level to offer in free agency. Personally, I think the Wolves should try to trade Gerald Green for O'Bryant (allowable with the Miami exemption), as Nelson seems to love athletic tweeners.