Well I will take a stab of doing a game thread. Tonight is a battle of two underacheiving teams. Both teams had high expectations, but they have not met expectations. The Nuggets players already got their coach fired for underacheiving and right now, Michael Cooper is not doing any better than his predecessor, Jeff Bzdelik. The Timberwolves were expected to not only contend for the championship, but to have the best record in the NBA. Instead, they are 17-17 and a loss tonight could make them below. 500. They are fighting for the last playoff spot as of January 14, 2005. This is not what the team and their fans had in mind. You can bet that there will be lot of emotions in this game. Both teams hate each other going back to the playoffs last year in the first round. The competitive juices between both teams will be flowing for sure. This matchup could be the tonic for both teams to get it going for at least one night. Nuggets should be amped with their home crowd behind them. The Wolves are hated down in the Rocky Mountains thanks to Latrell Spreewell spewing profanity to the Nuggets fans at the Pepsi Center last year in Game 4 of the playoffs in which the Wolves won that game. This should be a darn good game. Anytime teams meet in the playoffs from a previous year, there are always bad blood so you can expect both teams to be fired up just by their presence.
Nice to see Sprewell contribute, with a season high. Good win for Minnesota, hopefully they can build off it.
TIMBERWOLVE Big win tonight in a hostile environment in the Pepsi Center. What a win. It's nice to see the good guys win tonight. I was so excited when the Wolves won this game.
<font color="Black"><font size="7">TIMBERWOLVES ACTUALLY WON! OMG!</font></font> WOW! How about the Wolves pulling this one out in a hostile environment? Didn't think they had it in them especially when you have seen games in the last few weeks where they have lost their composure. They made the big 4th quarter shots tonight which they have not done lately. They showed their veteran saviness tonight. What a game for Latrell. Why can't he do this every night? Tonight, he was very motivated to play and you can see that when he finds energy, he is effective that way. Latrell is hated in Denver as fans just boo him. Latrell was feeding up from that and you can see how he got it done tonight. He was clearly fueled by the boos. I guess the Wolves have to play in Denver a lot for Latrell to play every night. He made big shots in the fourth quarter. I thought he was the big reason why the Wolves won tonight. Troy played a great game too. He was feeling it down the strech. Anthony Carter played a solid game. Ervin did a good job when Michael got suspended. Speaking of Michael, what a freaking idiot. Why in the world did he threw the first punch at Nene? Why? Michael bumped into Nene and Nene bumped into Michael. That should have been the end of it. Why in the hell did Michael punched him after Nene bumped him? What was that? How idiotic was that? Bad enough he wake up the crowd and wake up the sleeping giant in the Nuggets. Now he is going to be suspended for several games and rightfully so. This is just selfishness on his part. I don't know what Michael was thinking. I know he is not the smartest tool in the shed, but geez. I was very disgusted when I saw that. Oh and I wasn't suprised when both teams got into a fight. You knew that was coming. It happened in the first game of the year and it happened tonight. I did not think much of Latrell talking smak with Camby since they are great friends from their Knicks days, but Latrell could have inflame the whole situation with the fans that way. Fortunately, he was escorted out of the Nuggets bench. ESPN's Mark Jackson and Mike Breen was talking about the great defense by both teams in the first half. What great defense? I looked at it as both teams shooting lousy and making poor selections. The poor selections by both teams is why both teams are in this predicament record-wise. I love the atmosphere at the Pepsi Center. It's one of my favorite arenas in basketball. These fans are so loud and so into the games. Pepsi Center is what you call a hostile environment. This was a great win tonight. It was likely the biggest win of the year when you look at the situation. A loss would have meant below .500. Wolves gotta bottle this game tonight and do the same things every game which is making big shots in the fourth quarter. I like to see an effort like that tommorow night against Portland.
I wrote down everything during the game, that's why it might sound weird. Well, this game was on ESPN, so I felt I had too watch it. Also, Flip Saunders finally made some lineup changes, so I sat down on the recliner and watched some ball. We sent out Anthony Carter, Latrell Sprewell, Trenton Hassell, Kevin Garnett, and John Thomas. I loved how right off the bat Sprewell was being very aggressive. His shots were falling, and even if they weren't, he kept taking them. I think everytime Sprewell got a "boo" from the crowd, he went out and made a play. It was pretty nice to have Wally Szczerbiak, Troy Hudson, Michael Olowokandi, and Eddie Griffin all come off the bench. We came out in the second quarter with some good energy. We really got the bench (Szczerbiak, Hudson, Griffin) to contribute well early in the second. Hudson was on fire then, and it was fun too watch. Eddie Griffin had an absolutely sick block on Kenyon Martin. Martin blew by Ervin Johnson and was going for the huge slam. Well, Griffin made a fool out of him, and stuffed it right back in his face. Then, just minutes later Griffin went backdoor and threw down a nasty reverse jam. He just plain out had a lot of intensity in the second quarter. He was getting some quality minutes, and he used them wisely. Winding down to halftime, the game was starting to get physical. You could expect this, because you know these guys have beef from the past. Anthony Carter showed me again why I really like him. He was showing great defensive hustle, and he is very effecient offensively. Coming out in the third, Garnett got involved right away offensively. Hassell kept menacing Carmelo Anthony, I really think he should be "The Carmelo Crusher." He was making him take terrible shots, throw inerrant passes, and make dumb fouls; it was beautiful. And then, Carter started hitting his open jumpers! Garnett kept drawing the double team, and then kicking, and Carter was playing that sweet string music. He hit four open shots in a row. Then, Sprewell got back into and drilled a three, which caused Michael Cooper to use a timeout. At the end of the third, there was some controversy. Olowokandi and Nene were talking all game, and at one point they were getting into it but Garnett stopped them. But that next time it couldn't be contained. Olowokandi threw a half punch, half headbutt, then Nene lost it. He was fighting like a freaking sissy, he was trying to punch and it looked like a moose trying to hump a doorknob. Nene, Kenyon Martin, and Francisco Elson can all go home to their mommie's and have them get some milk and cookies. Martin did a good job of containing Nene, but you don't go and pump up the crowd. I liked the fire and passion, but after the Detroit-Indiana thing, you would think players would have some sense. Suspensions will be handed out, whats done is done, onto the game. At the beginning of the fourth, it was Hudson once again who was feeling it. He was shooting the three, and ran the pick-and-roll great with Sprewell. He had seven points in two minutes. Now it was time for Sprewell to take over. After the endless taunting and joking around with good friend Marcus Camby, Sprewell lit it up. Tonight he just had that swagger, that no one know how could stop him. If he can keep playing like this, and we get Cassell back, I think the Wolves will be alright. Griffin provided yet another amazing block. He got blocked by Martin, but he had the presence of mind to run back down court, and he just destroyed Greg Buckner's fastbreak layup. He really showed some great defense tonight. Ervin Johnson also showed that he is very "devoted" to this team. Assistant coach Sidney Lowe said someone has to show some passion, and Johnson did that. A ball was heading out of bounds, and the oldest guy on our team threw his 37 year old body into the stands to try to get it, that was nice. And now, Sprewell just ended it. He kept sticking the dagger deeper in deeper in, and then he stuck it through. Back to back threes, and a kiss off the glass by Garnett, and it was sealed. You may have noticed that I have not talked much about Garnett. Well, he didn't have a great night stat-wise, but he really did contribute. Also, he hurt his knee, so he did get quite a bit of rest. Overall this was a great game for the Wolves. The focal point? We played all four quarters! Not three, not three and a half, but we finished the game. Pure's MVP- Latrell Sprewell, 29 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.
finally, a win in a hostile away game. now the wolves are hopefully back on track. i only watched the last quarter of the game as i fell alseep on the couch due to a long day of basketball practice, but i really appreciate Flip switching the lineup. Carter was solid and made smart decisions, Hassell was absolute fantastic on D, i was really loving the way he was getting under Carmelo's skin and making Melo throw up bad shots and errant passes. Garnett didnt have a great night (he had only 4 points at the half) but cmon, the dude been giving it 100% the last few games. Spree was a beauty to watch, he had the cockiness and the game going and he was actually putting up shots and making them. if Spree can motivate himself like last night and play good ball, we would be able to storm back. the second unit was solid too, and it was nice to see Earvin Johnson come into the game and play his heart out. i had always relished the thought of owning Denver at Pepsi Center ever since last season not-so-friendly playoffs, and this win was great. hope the Wolves can pick up slack after this
Garnett really didn't need to get involved offensively. He only hit a few shots, but other than that he was hitting Sprewell and Carter for easy shots. Like Marc Jackson said, "You don't have to score to take over a game."
Boy oh boy, we win one for a change. And we actually won in double figures. I think I like the idea of Hudson and Wally off of the bench. It bring more energy out their when needed. When the starting 5 of the other team get tired near the end of the 1st quarter, Flip can then bring in Hudson and Wally off of the bench. I'm very happy that Sprewell came out and hit shots early. Maybe the talks of him being traded put a little fire in him to prove that he shouldn't be traded. I still think he should be, he's a bad karma for this team. It was one game, one game can't prove anything. But, if he can keep it up, then I will be convinced. Anthony Carter also took over in either the 3rd or 4th quarter, can't remember which one exactly. He hit shot after shot which was nice. The lead was cut down from 10 to 3. Hudson hit's a 3 pointer and then we build the lead back to 10 to win the game. Just imagine if KG was more of an offensive threat. I feel then we could have won in convincing fashion. I think Kandi getting in a fight gives us more of a reason to ship his but out of here. He's basically worthless. He battles with NENE downlow every minute he played and then when KG get's fouled. he starts something. I really would love to ship Kandi out of here, but we do need a center. Madsen is now hurt with a thumb injury. EJ can't give alot of minutes. So now we have this Thomas, and Kandi. I think it was a very good move by Flip to change up the lineup. A lineup change was definitely needed. I thought it was very nice to see Carter get the start since Hudson didn't do much at all as a starter.
Great breakdown on the game, Pure, CUSA Fan, and flamehead. Pure: I notice you watched the game on ESPN than on Ch. 45. Is Tom Hanneman that bad as a announcer to watch the game on ESPN? I admit I would have done the same thing. Hanneman bores me like crazy. Thank God for Jim Petersen because at least Jim adds insights and he makes Hanny better. Breen and Jackson called a great game last night on ESPN. I thought the lineup worked for one night, but then again, the Wolves were going to feed off that hatred fuel from the fans as you saw with Spree being motivated last night. As great as Trenton played D on Melo last night, Melo has not had a great year and he is throwing stupid shots from the games I watch. Melo needs to establish a presence in the paint. He has the body and the arms to do that. I love your line on Nene, Elson, and Kenyon. That was funny. CUSAFan: My guess is that Latrell was fired up by being in Denver. He is hated by the fans in Denver so he was fueled by those fans to perform a good show.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Timberwolf:</div><div class="quote_post">Pure: I notice you watched the game on ESPN than on Ch. 45. Is Tom Hanneman that bad as a announcer to watch the game on ESPN? I admit I would have done the same thing. Hanneman bores me like crazy. Thank God for Jim Petersen because at least Jim adds insights and he makes Hanny better. Breen and Jackson called a great game last night on ESPN.</div> Well, there are a couple of reasons. 1. I don't even get Channel 45 I have already missed more games this year than I did all last year. I can only watch if it is on ESPN, TNT, or FSNN. 2. I like to hear what the announcers have to say from an unbiased standpoint. Jim Petersen and Tom Hanneman are Wolves fans, so they will support them no matter what. I like to hear what unbiased people think about us.
Pure: I guess Ch. 45 is only in the Twin Cities then. I know people in Mankato don't even have 45. That stinks especially for Wild fans since the Wild will be on 45 next year. At least, the Twins will be on FOX9 during the baseball season in 2005 so you will get to see the Twins. You can always listen on KFAN too.
By the way, guys, NENE and Olowakandi were suspended 4 games for their on court interaction and Marcus Camby and Francisco Elson were suspended 1 game each for leaving the bench when the fight broke out. Camby and Elson should have known, leaving the bench will automatically give you a one game suspension.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure:</div><div class="quote_post">I love watching my Twins, but, who watches the Wild </div> Isn't Minnesota the state of hockey as the Wild want us to believe? God I can't get into hockey. I used to like it in high school, but I can't get into it. I was telling this waitress at the Olive Garden tonight about how boring the game has become where coaches go for ties and everything. Who the hell wants to waste his or her time watching a hockey game that is a tie in the regular season? Who wants to pay exorbitant prices for this crap? It's only great in the regular season, Wild are okay to watch and they had a good playoff run in their third year, but if you are going to tell me what I will watch between Wolves and Wild on the same night and time, it's the Timberwolves. The NHL is dying anyway. It's lockedout and no fan in the United States care. I think Canadians are starting to become indifferent.
