11/3/06 - Wolves 112, Nuggets 109

Timberwolves.com wrap-up

Video Highlights

Some pros from the game.....

-4th quarter execution: This is the type of game that last year, the Wolves would've lost by 10 because Denver would've pulled away without much of a fuss by the Wolves. KG was the one that carried them, but it was great to see guys like Mike James, Ricky Davis, and (especially in the final 30 seconds) Mark Blount contribute down the stretch.

-Shooting: The Wolves shot at nearly a 52% clip, and were in the high 50s throughout much of the first half. The great shooting was in large part due to a decent number of assists (22 assists on 42 made baskets) and great inside play by KG and Craig Smith especially (50 points in the paint, great for a predominately jump shooting team).

-Craig Smith: I know we're only 2 games in, but this guy, from all accounts, is for real. 20 points in 16 minutes? 10-15 from the floor? SO encouraging for the rest of the season. Without him carrying the offensive load in the second quarter, the Wolves lose this one easily. His attitude and intensity is another positive. Can someone give McHale some much-deserved props for this 2nd round steal?

Some negatives from the game....

-Turnovers: I feel like I've said this before, but turnovers were, again, the main thorn in the Wolves side. The Wolves gave up 21 points off 19 turnovers (not that bad of a percentage, actually), which is way too much if you want to compete with the elite teams in the West.

-Defensive breakdowns: You know Denver is going to run. You've been told they're going to run. And yet, there were still too many times where you saw guys just jogging up the floor after missed shots and made baskets alike. Some of the best teams in the NBA rely on running (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas kinda), and all of them CAN run when they need to, so it'd be nice to see that defensive intensity.

-Eddie Griffin: After a solid first game, Eddie looked lost out there today in much faster paced atmosphere. His stat line speaks for himself: 13 minutes, 0-2 from the field, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1 point. Craig Smith softened the blow from Eddie's lack of production, but they need Eddie to go in there and be intense.

General thoughts....

A very important win, even if it's only the 2nd game of the season. To go into our biggest rivals' arena and steal one from them, predominately in the 4th quarter, no less, is huge for this team's confidence. Seeing KG running off the floor after the win, smiling and pumping his fist (see here.....for some reason, blogspot isn't letting me put this photo up)....it made me feel like we're in for a great season. The defensive rebounding problem that arose in the opener seemed to be solved (or at least improved), with the Wolves outrebounding the Nuggets 41 to 36. Mark Blount should also be applauded, not only for his huge bucket at the end of the 4th, but also for holding an extremely dangerous Marcus Camby to only 4 points and 7 boards in 30 minutes. You can tell he realizes he needs to be much more physical, and you can see it on the court.

Other NBA thoughts....

-The Jazz beat Phoenix, at Phoenix. Uh oh.

-Artest and Ben Wallace finally face each other since the Malace at the Palace....they made up, apparently. Bah.

-Seeing LeBron go right at Tim Duncan, and not only draw the foul, but be strong enough to finish, makes me think he'll be the best player on the planet within a few months, if he isn't already.

-You obviously hear a lot about how the Wolves should do KG a favor by trading him to a winning team; perhaps those same critics should look to Seattle to see a (seemingly) similar situation with Ray Allen. Seeing him drain jumper after jumper and keep his team in it makes me feel bad for him.

-Hubie Brown, aside from Hanneman and Jim-Pete, is the best color (ironic he'd be a color commentary guy, considering how pale he is) guy in the business. Put him with anyone, and it suddenly feels like you know exactly what each team is doing because of Hubie's basketball knowledge.

-The Lakers have started 3-0, and it's because of Lamar Odom. If he keeps up this pace, look for him to take Most Improved honors.

Wolves' Overall Record: 2-0
Division Rank: 1st

Wolves' next game:

Saturday, November 4th
@ Portland
9 PM on KSTC 45

Game Preview (a new part to this blog!)

If the Wolves are to be a playoff team, these are the games that they need to win. Portland is a sorry, sorry team, but they still have some weapons that have hurt the Wolves in the past. Darius Miles always seems to step up when he plays against his hero KG, and Brandon Roy has had a strong start to his rookie season. If the Wolves can pressure Zach Randolph and force the Blazers to beat them over the top, they'll have an easy win.

I LOVE THIS GAME!