Well Wolves fans, it seems like the time has finally come. After starting out the season very lackluster, and falling to below a .500 record for a certain point, things almost looked out of reach. I know it is nothing big, but the last seven games have been outstanding. We have now won four in a row, and six out of the last seven. It is not just the wins that make me think this, but it is how we have been playing. Kevin Garnett is just being himself. He comes up huge when we need him every night. Latrell Sprewell has been there on and off, but yet still there. He is scoring at will when he wants too, and he energizes everyone. The "return" of Wally Szczerbiak has certainly been amazing. He has been going off every night, scoring 25+ points almost every game. I think we all forgot just about how good this guy is. Assuming he keeps coming off the bench, he has to be the Sixth Man of the Year right now. Eddie Griffin, has been a monster. He has saved us a game with his defense, and brings it hard every night. When you have seven blocks in one game, you are bound to see some more playing time. And finally, we never get sick of seeing Hassell kill everyone he is guarding. His defense keeps all the other teams big scoring threat in check, and Mark Madsen calls him "The best defender in the League right now." And of course, we now see the return of Sam Cassell. With him back, I only see us getting bigger and bigger. Go Wolves!
awoooooooooooooooooo(wolf call i think ) we look great!!! spree really can do what he wants when he wants to, he should want it more often wally is wonderfull! hassel-dame he hassels every freaking gurd star of the other team-so glad we have him. KG-i think is making a pass to the other players he is so unselfish it's unbelievable! and yet he his himself! EG- like ones sig. quote garnett said "he is a gift from god" he really his! cassel-made his comeback tonight with 4 pt. 8 asists hope he will get stronger carter-i love him! gotta sign him to a contruct! thomas-fights hard i like it, he has to learn some things... i like the fact ollowakndi is out he is purely a damage on court... our bench is playing so good for us hudson and hoiebrg i like our team as it looks right now just keep it up !!! we've got a game friday against the jazz who beat the sonics tonight...we should come as angry every night to win every quarter like wolves! sacramento gonna be a hugh game-i tell you if we manage to do 6 in a row i will honestly can say we are back! GO WOLVES!
I'm not saying anything to jinx it, but I will say that we are playing some good basketball. I get a little frusterated with Spree, still. Not only because of him complaining about his contract a while ago, but his inconsistent play is frusterating me. One night he will play around 30 minutes and half four points, and other he will get tons of minutes and scoring 25+. I wish he could keep his consistency level up. One thing that has been amazing is the production off of the bench. Hudson, Hoiberg, Griffin, and Wally have been awsome off of the bench in the past week or two. Now, more options off of the bench develop as Anthony Carter remains starter and Cassell comes off of the bench, increasing his minutes very slowly. Of course, after Cassell heals, we all know he will not stay on the bench. But I can't wait till we get Cassell at full health. Then our scoring will be even better.
They are back I believe, but they are still on the verge and they could dip back to sub.500 basketball again. But with 11 of 13 games at home or whatever, I think the Wolves can get the momentum and rythmn they need to return to Championship form. I always thought they still had as good a chance at the championship as anyone, and if they keep up the play of late then I think that belief will be as vindicated as possible for the regular season. Besides, if it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger.
You have to put things in perspective. The Wolves had won 4 in a row. That's great. We beat 2 1/2 playoff teams. But previously, we lost 9 out of 10. We seem to make a conscious effort on the defensive end, and that's the way to go. But to think that we are back is a mistake. The team we had last season made it to the Western Conference Finals. Does the team that we've been seeing look like a team that could make it that far (RIGHT NOW). I say no, but we are going in the right direction. Some of our "Sharp Shooters" need to hit the OPEN SHOT. It's good to be able to hit the contested shot since that's what you will mainly receive in the playoffs. But with our unselfishness, the open shot will become more available than with most other teams, and it needs to go down. I'm proud of this team but know there's still a way to go. Alot of guys get stuck on who's starting, but players would rather be on the floor in crunch time when it really matters or fulfill their roles in the best way possible to be successful. Wally is really blossoming coming off the bench, as is Griffen. The guard rotation seems to be working well due to the defense minded presence of Carter and Hassell starting. I like E. J. on the floor (even though he gets called for alot of garbage fouls) because he seems to be aggressive on the glass. Good Mix Right Now
I am still not fully convinced that the Wolves are back. They are on the right path but they still need to win more games. They were 31-12 last year at this point. I still believe that they need to make a move. This team still isn't good enough to make a strong run to the championships. But from all this, I have found more respect for Wally for giving up his role in th starting lineup when things weren't going well. Because of that, we are starting to get back in form.
I got to listen to Patrick Reusse, Star-Tribune columinst, who does a radio call-in show with Joe Soucheray on AM1500 the other day. I listened to it on AM1500.com. He said the team was not on track and they got long ways to go. I agree with him. The Timberwolves playing well is good, but they need to sustain that for a course of time. I like to see the Wolves keep this play up for a month and then you got an answer. It's good to see them winning at least. It sure beats ripping them after a loss. I hate it since I love this team. And yes, Wally should be commended for coming off the bench. He took the intitiative and embraced it even if he views himself as a starter. I have a lot of respect for what he did and it makes him and the team better for it. Maybe guys like Troy and Latrell can learn a thing about unselfishness on him.
