Adding Firepower

Since this Timberwolves team began being assembled earlier this year through trades and draft choices, free agent signings and other deals, since it took the court for training camp and began it’s season, we’ve seen a lot.

Last week, I heard from a number of you via Timberwolves.com who agreed that it’s a team playing through “growing pains”. In Wolves terms, that’s the point in which your team gets close to wins but isn’t quite there. When those games where they are in control and look like a win is within reach and then the opponent roars back, takes control and steals it back.

It continues as the team embarks on its long Western road trip and they still have a little less than a week away. You know that the Wolves left Phoenix convinced they gave one back, that is, that was a win that got away. The Suns are a not the same team of a few years ago. Now, yes, they still have plenty of firepower but they miss that big cog in the middle (Amare).

You had to enjoy a number of elements from the Suns-Wolves. Namely, Darko Milicic and his effortless offensive work in the paint. Darko is making his mark defensively with blocked shots and a strong rebounding compliment to Kevin Love. When we have the ball, I love the sweeping hooks he can throw at ‘em on both sides, right or lefty. Wayne Ellington told me earlier this season that having a BIG guy in the middle means a ton for a team, especially the Wolves. “They can change the game, force the other team out of its comfort zone”, he told me. #19 is right. And how about Corey Brewer stepping up and being an offensive force in the second half. The return from injury of Jonny Flynn and Martell Webster is the headline grabber for this business trip though.

Webster brings fresh minutes and, even as young as he is, a veteran presence on the floor for the Wolves. He is confident and skilled on both ends of the court. He’s a Seattle kid and very excited to return to the Pacific Northwest tomorrow for their game at the Rose Garden against his old team, the Trail Blazers (who are off a loss at Dallas). Since he hasn’t played much because of injury, fans are going to love his game. Webster will excite fans here and he clearly is another piece to the David Kahn/Kurt Rambis game plan for Wolves turnaround.

Flynn will energize this team too.  He’s fired up to be back, you can see it. Flynn adds depth to a team in desperate need of roster strength. To be back from a serious hip injury, this quickly, is impressive.  In fact, the Wolves dynamic and talented production team has created a video story on Flynn’s rehab. It’s available to watch at Timberwolves.com and in the next week, we’ll feature the story on GameON! Sunday’s @ 10:30am on FOX9.

Now, in the spirit of the season, time to open the SimonsSays mailbag for a few questions:
>Larry in Plymouth asked me, “You keep talking about improvement but what about that awful game in Chicago a few weeks ago. C’mon!”  Larry, thanks for the note. Not making excuses but let’s lay it on the table. It was the second of back-to-backs for the young Wolves after they handled the Detroit Pistons here at home the night before. But the game was played against a Bulls team who, the night before, beat the World Champion Lakers in that same United Center on national TV. EVERY one, including you and me, has off days. I don’t get too worked up about games like that. They’ll learn from it and be better for it. ONE other thing. The Wolves have fared well in back-to-backs this season. In fact, after losing to the Lakers in LA (in a very good game), they came back the next night in Sacramento and won 98-89.  Then a month later, after losing to the Spurs in San Antonio, they return home to club the Cavaliers 129-95. Those are nights when the fellas are dog tired, legs are shot and getting it done isn’t easy to do. So, give ‘em a bit of a break.

>Chris in Woodbury writes: “Do you think the team benefits from so many road games this early in the season?”  SO glad you brought this up.  11 of the next 16 games will be in the friendly confines of Target Center so this might bring some holiday cheer to fans. Good teams coming in too, Orlando, big Al and the Jazz are here next week, the talented Trail Blazers, the Spurs and in January, #1 pick John Wall and his Washington Wizards (with a familiar former head coach) come to town. My answer is YES!

>Tim in Wayzata asks, “I like your perspective on the team and thanks for the coverage on TV. But do you really see this team turning a corner? Or is that the “company line” Keep up the good work”.  Tim, thanks for the nice words (we all like to hear stuff like that) and yes, I do see vast improvement.  Listen, it starts in practice for these guys and you can see the foundation getting stronger. Coach Rambis tells us he’s impressed by the building confidence, the on-court improvement, how his team is “jelling”, the growth of key players and Rambis has to be delighted to get two more vital players back on the bench. I gotta’ tell you, more wins compared to the same time last year is big to me. And I don’t know of any “company line”. This organizations calls it like it is. They know the task at hand and are working to rebuild this team for the long haul. They don’t tell me to “write something nice” nor “can you not talk about the road losing streak”. Quite the contrary, actually.

Hey, don’t forget. We’re in the final few days of the Kevin Love coat drive.  This is a great effort and if you have the ability to help, here’s the link to more information.

And kudos to the Wolves players who give back during the holidays with shopping and sharing with those less fortunate.  We have SO much for which to be grateful and these Wolves get it. When they appear with those kids, they not only put a smile on their faces during this holiday season but they create a memory that will last forever. I’ll never forget meeting my first pro basketball player and I know it won’t for those little ones.

Happy Holidays to you all and enjoy the season! I’d love to have you out to one of our live GameON! Tapings this next Tuesday at Courtside Bar and Grill in Anoka on Jackson Street. More details and guest listings on our show website!