As my wife often reminds me, there are a lot of games in an NBA season and truly, this was one of them. I mean, listen: they can’t all be State of the Union-level referendums on the soul of the team. So here’s the game wrap, shorter edition: The Wolves outrebounded the Clippers 52-35 and took 9 more free throws, but shot 27% from the arc, had 10 fewer assists, and let the Clippers score 22 fast break points. Even with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in foul trouble down the stretch and players like Matt Barnes and Ronny Turiaf getting technical fouls, Minnesota couldn’t take control. I guess you could say at least this wasn’t like the games of the 5-game losing streak where they would jump out to a lead only to see it disappear in the third quarter. Although they almost established a double-digit lead in the second, they felt shaky the whole game and that it was even close towards the end is more an indication of the Clippers’ own difficulties than anything else. Continue Reading…
Archives For Chris Paul
I was shocked to hear that Bonzi Wells has been invited to the Wolves’ training camp and even more shocked to hear that he is only 35 years old. Considering that Bonzi played serious minutes on a team that included Scottie Pippen, Arvydas Sabonis and Detlef Schrempf, I had him pegged for at least 50. But I was wrong and right now he’s a Wolf. Come to think of it, the Wolves could use an upgrade at center; I wonder if Sabonis is still in playing shape?
Even more surprising: the Wolves are also pursuing NBA Finals hero and bona fide Small Person J.J. Barea. Anyone else thinking what I’m thinking? a three-guard lineup featuring Rubio, Ridnour, Barea? Am I right? But for real: is another primary ball handler really what the Wolves need?
Speaking of perimeter players: now that the Chris-Paul-to-the-Lakers deal is in ashes (beautifully played everybody), I’m curious whether Kevin Martin remains available. He makes a chunk of change ($11.5 million this year and $12.4 million next year), he never passes the ball and the Wolves rotten perimeter D wouldn’t be made any less rotten, but Martin is the most efficient high volume perimeter scorer in the league–and the Wolves could definitely use a little of that.
And by the way, isn’t it delicious to see the Wolves’ unprotected 1st round pick bandied about in Chris Paul trade rumors? Oh Kevin McHale, will your gifts ever stop giving?
If there’s an NBA schedule that must mean there will be a season right? right? You can check out the entire thing right here. Some notable dates:
Season Opener, Monday December 26th, vs. OKC: Hm, Derrick Williams playing the three, eh? Does that mean we’ll get to see him try to guard Kevin Durant? Or maybe Mike Beasley will get a crack at it. Shudder
Friday, December 30th-Monday, January 2nd; vs. Miami, Dallas and San Antonio: Three games in four nights in the season’s first week against some serious heavies. Could be a little ugly.
Sunday, January 10th-Tuesday, January 12th; @ Washington, @ Toronto, vs. Chicago: Three games, three nights, three flights. The first of three triple-headers for the Wolves.
Monday, March 5th; vs. LA Clippers: Will we get to see one (or many, many) Chris Paul to Blake Griffin alley-oops? Just writing that made my computer shut down.
Friday, March 30th; vs. Boston: Our boy returns, again.