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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves' second overall draft pick this season: Derrick Williams, although a tremendous talent is struggling to find minutes under head coach Rick Adelman. The biggest reason being? Adelman has plenty of options at the forward positions. Beyond Williams, he's got Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver & Anthony Randolph. Following the Wolves' win over the Rockets on Saturday Williams took to Twitter and wrote: "Anybody ever feel like a caged lion?" D-Will spoke to local media on Monday and ultimately said that he wants more playing time and it'll come down to him earning Adelman's trust. "I just want to get out there and play a little more...everybody does, but I can't do anything about it. My whole career I've been more involved in the flow of the offense. People say I'm playing more hesitant than I did in college (at Arizona). It's a different role, but everybody has to adjust. I have to earn coach's trust." It also doesn't help that Williams is strictly stuck to playing power forward--because he's struggled early to defend small forwards. That leaves Williams playing behind Kevin Love who's averaging close to 40mpg! Of course, these next two games Derrick could get his chance, now that Love has been suspended for that 'stomp' on Rocket Luis Scola's face. It's possible Williams could start at power forward, however it's even more likely the Wolves will be starting Michael Beasley. Either way--Williams is in for a bump in minutes. If he can turn some heads--particularily his coach the lion may be free to roam! **Follow us on Twitter @HOWL_MnTWolves for all your TWolves updates**
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The NBA has suspended Wolves forward Kevin Love for two games after he blatantly stepped on the face of Rockets forward Luis Scola. The NBA said it suspended Love without pay for "driving his foot" into Scola's upper body and face. They also upgraded it to a flagrant foul type two. Love released this statement after discovering he'd be suspended for two games: "I want to publicly apologize Luis Scola and the Houston Rockets. My intention is never to hurt another player on the basketball court. I've always had the utmost respect for the game of basketball and all of my opponents. I also apologize to my coaches, teammates and our fans for the consequences of my actions. According to @SportsTaxMan on Twitter: K.Love's 2011 salary=$4,609,701 which equals $56,216 a game. NBA players salary reduction of 19.5% in 2011-12 because of the lockout. This two game suspension will cost Love $112,432! Just as the Timberwolves are putting things together and have gone 8-4 in the past 12 games--they'll be without their star for two games. Love will miss Tuesday's game vs. Sacramento & Wednesday's game vs. Memphis. In Love's absence expect Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Anthony Tolliver & Anthony Randolph to see a bump in minutes. I'd expect the Wolves to start either Beasley or Williams at power forward. That's all for now, we'll have a gameday preview of tomorrow's game vs. the Kings up soon--stay tuned for that! Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! Here's a link to the video of the stomping...if for some reason you haven't seen it already: http://mnwolves.weebly.com/4/post/2012/02/kevin-love-steps-on-luis-scolas-face-2412.html **Follow us on Twitter @HOWL_MnTWolves for all your TWolves news & updates**
It's no secret the Minnesota Timberwolves have struggled--starting games this season. There've been far too many games that in the first quarter or half--that the Wolves get down by double digits, forcing them to make a big comeback in the second half--something they've sometimes been able to do--other times...not. The obvious thing that could be changed to fix this? Adjusting the starting lineup. If you read HOWL regularly (anyone....anyone....) you may have read the story I did on Wesley Johnson this season. He's the first-and-foremost candidate to be moved to the bench. Wes is currently the team's starting small forward. The biggest thing right now--is they finally have a variety of options at that spot. Michael Beasley & Martell Webster are finally healthy and either would be a big upgrade at that starting three spot! If I was Adelman, I think I'd start Martell Webster at small forward. I like Michael Beasley coming off the bench. If Martell started--your second unit could be: J.J. Barea, Wesley Johnson, Michael Beasley, Anthony Tolliver/Randolph & Darko Milicic. That, of course brings us into the next position that could use a change: CENTER! Darko Milicic returned to the lineup after missing three games with an illness--Wednesday vs. the Pacers. He played 18 minutes, had 4pts, 3rebs, 1stl & 1blk. During those three games Darko was out--Nikola Pekovic started at center. In Pek's last four games, he's averaging 25.5mpg, 11.3ppg, 9.5rpg and shooting 55%. The totals of those stats? 102 minutes, 45 points, 38 rebounds & shot 21-38 from the field. Pekovic may be a downgrade as a defensive center, BUT he's a 100% upgrade as an offensive center! Nikola is simply a BEAST in the low-post. Proof of that? In that game vs. the Lakers, Pekovic was pushing around the 7-foot 290lb. Andrew Bynum. In the final quarter, the Wolves had Pek on the bench and had Randolph playing center. Bynum said, following the game--Thank God, they took Pek out when they did (I am paraphrasing a bit). When a top-two center says something like that--it shows that this 26-year-old Pekovic, could be something special. Now, Adelman has to give him the starting center job. Because--let's face it, he's earned it! So let's take a look at what the depth chart would look like with these changes...
That's an awesome starting unit--a great backup unit and even the third string looks formidable. This team isn't lacking depth and I think with these changes--it will help the starting five--while still maintaining an effective second unit! Do I think, Adelman will make these changes before Friday's game vs. the Nets? I don't know--but I do know it's got to be in the back of his mind! He's well-aware that his current starters--simply aren't getting the job done. Wait and see...I suppose!
Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Timberwolves are getting healthier and as such the roster is changing.
Tonight vs. the Indiana Pacers the Wolves have 14 healthy players! Which means one player will have to be inactive for the game and Rick Adelman has chosen athletic big man Anthony Randolph. These past few games the Wolves have seen the returns of Martell Webster & Brad Miller. Tonight--Darko Milicic & J.J. Barea also return. With Malcolm Lee still out with a knee injury that means at least one more person must sit with him. The League changed from 12 players to 13 this past season--which will allow the Wolves the 13 dressed players tonight. Tipoff is just 15 minutes away. Enjoy! Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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