How 'bout those TWolves?

[Reality]

Just thought we should note the passing of what should have been the start of the season.  It seems like the reaction has been rather muted among fans and reporters.   On the one hand, that's understandable because everyone has known a lockout was likely.

On the other hand, I still think it's a very bad sign for the league that people seem to care so little.  I don't foresee a huge outpouring of excitement once the games start again.

jn while i agree with you 100%.....
how bout those TWolves!?

Just punked the Mavericks 99-82,
Even in their losses they are bringin some game.  Last minute vs the Heat they pushed them to the brink.  And the refs, talk about "letting them play" in that final minute vs the Heat.  Wows.
Rubio looks good for a rookie.

Has that sportscaster guy seen a Wolves game yet?

[jn]

Sorry for the delayed response.  I was steering clear for a while with all the adds, then spaced.

But the signing of Love seems like a good time to comment.   There hasn't been this much excitement over the Wolves since the 2004.  Not even close, actually.

Love is dialed in from 3 and his weight loss is allowing him to get to the rim better.   He is putting up ridiculous numbers lately.

Rubio has shocked me.   WOW is he fun to watch.   He has an extraordinary ability to pass to the player the defense least expects to get the ball.  It's absolutely fascinating to watch.  In addition he is much better on D than I anticipated, especially getting in passing lanes and taking charges.

Like most teams this year, health will be an issue.   Barrea has been a fine pickup but he can't get healthy.  Beasley's abscence has also made the team a little too dependent on Love for offense.     

Derrick Williams is looking good, Wes Johnson is not.   Wes seems like he doesn't have the killer instict to really make it in the NBA.  The center position is also shaky with Darko and Nicolo Petrovic. 

And props to Ridnour who has dealt with the arrival of Rubio quite well.  Luke is no all-star but he has been as good as I could hope for.   

Finally, I can't tell you how glad I am to have Adelman on the bench.   

[Wolverine]

A few thoughts ...

A) Getting Adelman was huge. You go from one of the worst coaches in the league (Rambis) to one of the best. Fantastic pick-up.

B) Many probably assumed Love had reached another level last year - and was done. Wrong. He's upped his game again, to where I think he could now be the franchise player on a title-contending team (he still needs more help, but they're closer).

C) Totally agree on Rubio, jn. He's amazing to watch. Just like a young Steve Nash, except without the shooting ability (although he does get a crapload more steals than Nash, because he's so darn quick).

D) This group is still at least two players away from being a good playoff team. They need a scoring wing (preferably a two-guard who can shoot) and an actual, legitimate center (sorry Darko, you suck). The latter is really hurting them.

But suffice to say the future is brighter than it has been since the days of Garnett. With Love as the cornerstone, and Rubio as one of the best young point guards in the league, the Wolves are set-up nicely.

[Reality]

13-12!  Have the Wolves been above .500 this "late" in any recent season?

What led to Loves stomping Scola.  Not justifying in any way shape or form, just asking what was the lead up?

[jn]

Reality, the only thing I am aware of is that in a game a couple weeks before this incident Scola was going out of bounds and threw the ball off Love to save the posession.  Normally not a huge deal except in this case Scola threw it right into his family jewels and put Love on the ground for a couple minutes.   

Wolvie I agree.  The Wolves 2/3 situation is a problem.  Wayne Ellington plays hard and has improved but at best he is a guy who comes off the bench as 3pt specialist.  Martell Webster is someone I had some hopes for but I'm now wondering if his back problems may result in a short career.  As I mentioned, Wes Johnson is a major disappointment.

[Reality]

jn and Wolfie pinch yourselves?  Did you watch/read this?
80-80 tied with 9 minutes left in the 4th and they go on to blast the Clippers 109-97.  With Love only doing 10/7.
 

Williams and Beasley contributed mightily to the Wolves' reserves scoring 72 points -- best in the NBA this season and two points off the franchise record. 

[jn]

Interesting road trip for the Wolves.   Nice win versus the Clips,  a brutal, Loveless loss to the Lakers, an unsurprising 3rd game in 3 days loss to Phoenix, then a surprise win over the Blazers.   All things considered I'm quite happy about a 2-2 record against some solid opposition.

I hope Williams can turn the corner confidence-wise and become more consistent.   I don't expect him to explode, just play with confidence. 

[Reality]

Rubio torn ACL.
Brutal.  Condolences TWolves.

[jn]

Total gut punch.   The only silver lining is that he's only 21.