<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We interrupt the Allen Iverson rumors for this announcement: The Timberwolves are playing pretty good basketball. The Iverson speculation has dominated NBA talk since Friday, when news broke that the Philadelphia 76ers' all-star guard has asked to be traded. Along the way, the Wolves' improved play, capped by impressive victories over the Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls last weekend, has been overshadowed. Minnesota can match its longest winning streak since it won five in a row last December with a win Wednesday at San Antonio. The Wolves' past two victories were over a team with the best record in the NBA (the Jazz) and a team that was on a seven-game win streak (the Bulls). Wolves coach Dwane Casey said Monday that his team is playing with the swagger he has been looking for all season. "We're pulling together and getting to know each other," he said. "I think that's been the key. We're running the same offensive philosophy, the same (plays), and guys are kind of getting in a rhythm. The defense has been consistent. Every time we walk on the floor, we've got to continue to get better. That's been our motto." Here's a closer look at what the Wolves are doing right: ? Mike James is scoring more, including a season-high 28 points Friday against Utah. He was signed last summer to give the Wolves more firepower, and he is providing that more consistently. "It's more Mike being comfortable and knowing where shots are coming from," Casey said. "He can get shots without disrupting somebody else's game, and that has been the key." ? Marko Jaric has been a key contributor in the fourth quarter. He had six points and five rebounds in the final 12 minutes Saturday at Chicago. Against Houston on Wednesday, his long arms and aggressive defense helped stifle Rockets star Tracy McGrady down the stretch. "With that second unit, he can come in and be aggressive and play his game," guard Trenton Hassell said. "He can give some relief defensively, and it's working out great for him right now." ? The ball movement has improved. The Wolves had 25 assists against the Bulls, two shy of the team's season high. At Philadelphia last week, the victory that started the current streak, the Wolves had 22 assists. "The ball is zipping," Casey said. "Guys are finding each other." ? The Wolves' defense continues to give them opportunities to win. Chicago had scored 100 or more points in eight of its previous nine games before the Wolves held the Bulls to 81, their second-lowest total this season. "That's been our focus," James said. "We're accepting the defensive responsibility. We're taking that challenge every game, and that's going to always allow us to stay in games." Said Casey: "I think our defensive focus has been good for the most part for the whole year."</div> Source
Yeah a nice little win streak but it really the same thing over again. Every team goes through cold and hot streaks and the Wolves continue to maintain an around .500 record. This only bolsters my opinion if the Wolves got Iverson they would be winning plenty more games. Case in point, Mike James (gaurd) is scoring more. Garnett's teams have enjoyed the most success when they have a constant contribution from the gaurd positions (ie Marbury, Cassell). Bringing in Iverson who is a consistant scorer and who would really not take anything away from Garnett's game could really help the team have another threat. Garnett produced MORE when he ideally had less chances with the ball when Cassell and Sprewell were on the team.
Totally agree with an idea, that every team has hot and cold streaks. Like 76'ers had 3-0 in the beginning but look at em' now. I think that Iverson's trade would boost them ALOT. IVERSON TO WOLVES!
That San Antonio game might help some think about adding A. I. but it's still a longshot because we don't have anything more than Foye.
Honestly, If you look at the team as a whole, when they're rolling, THEY ARE ROLLING. I believe the Spur game was a test because, A, we saw that they can score on anybody, and B, they need to get specific guys going early because they will disappear if they don't (James and Davis). The thing that separated us was we couldn't get any contributions for these guys after the Spurs added extra pressure. I may be crazy, but I believe this could be a good TEAM as they are now. Don't get me wrong, AI is awesome.........AWESOME....but how can you spend an off-season, practices, team functions together and just ship almost half of the roster on potential? You would have to look at what we'd have left after acquiring him.
