Wins on the Horizon

OUCH:
No doubt about it. I now know what Wolves fans want from the Jolly ‘Ol fella coming this weekend. They want some love. Not Kevin Love. He’s already in place. No, they want the kind of love that translates into wins. Love that is an indicator that this Timberwolves team is finally turning the corner.

Many people keep saying (me especially) that this Wolves team is close to turning around their fortunes. They proved it just a few days before Christmas. The Wolves, as they have so often been, were the better team for, perhaps 44-minutes of the game.

They needed 48 minutes and didn’t get it so to call it a collapse against Utah would be fair. The players know it too. It was an emotional night and a game they desperately wanted to win. They were animated on the court, from Michael Beasley bearing down in the final few minutes to Coach Rambis slamming the scorers table because of a missed opportunity on the Utah end of the floor. Clearly, this seven game losing streak is taking its toll on fans and most importantly, a young team ready to bust out.

Let’s use this fresh seven game skid as proof. After beating the Pistons two weeks ago, the Wolves hit the road and were blown out in Chicago. They played well enough to win at Golden State and Phoenix, two more got away against Portland then the next night in Denver. I blame fatigue on the loss that wrapped the road trip in L.A. against the Clippers.

Anyway you stack this one; the Jazz loss is going to gnaw at these guys through the holiday. It should. The Wolves had their way with one of the NBA’s best teams. They just didn’t finish. But it’s correctable. Even though the Wolves lost, I enjoyed being in the house for this one because it was a good game against a very good team.

When Minnesota busted out by 15 in the first half, they moved the ball, scrapped in the Utah end and limited their mistakes. The third quarter became shaky and, to no ones surprise, the Jazz mounted a comeback. Everything that was good became suspect and then non-existent.

Listen, even though most watchers will agree with me that you just k n o w Wolves improvement is coming; it’s troubling to see 41-fourth quarter Utah points. It truly calls for better ball management (20 turnovers resulted in 27 Jazz points). And it mandates that these players watch this game tape over and over again.

Fans were chatting’ it up during the game and on their way out of the Target Center. I heard one fan bellowing, “They had this one. Dang, last year we would have lost by 20”. I nodded in agreement. Another of the faithful 15-thousand nudged me with an elbow and smiled, saying, “In a month or so, they WIN these games”.

I keep referring to the process as playing through “growing pains”. The Wolves not only want to turn those L’s into W’s and now, but they also don’t want teams winning in their house. I’ll give the Jazz credit where credit is due.  They are another strong Jerry Sloan team (by the way, congrats Coach on becoming the third all time winningest coach in NBA history with 1,211 wins) and they never showed panic nor did they appear impatient. And when needed to step up, former Wolves standout Al Jefferson did just that. He was 10 of 17, 23 points and 9 rebounds. Big Al was quietly passing greetings and making eye contact with all his former mates last night…including Coach Rambis in the third period. It was cool to see.

Make no mistake, Minnesota had Utah’s game in check. The Wolves were on Big Al early and spoiled his return big time, at least in the early stages. Even though Deron Williams was getting his points and playing well, the Wolves were tough against Paul Millsap, Raja Bell and Andrei Kirilenko. Credit the craftiness of K-Love (25 pts/19 reb), the late work of Beasley, sweet shooting of Wes Johnson and Martell Webster as highlights for the home team.  

6 wins and 24 losses heading into Christmas and I’m rewriting my list for Santa. A few more wins (not being greedy) and I wanted those sprinkled with those on court intangibles that will put the pedal to the metal for the Wolves rebuilding effort. And thanks to those fans who’ve jotted an e-mail or said hello while I’ve been out with the Christmas list. In fact, a smattering of those questions quickly in my SimonsSays mailbag:

>Ian in Lexington asked me, “I’m RIGHT with you on this team’s improvement. What one area concerns the Coaching staff as the Timberwolves try to turn losses into wins. Thanks and keep up the good work, I read you every week”.
Ian, thank you and it was great to run into you while you were working at Ridgedale Mall! We were both charged up talking about the positives regarding Wolves basketball but after watching that road trip and then Wednesday against the Jazz, the Wolves defense is clearly public enemy number one for Coach Rambis. He and his fine team of assistant coaches will continue to work and teach these guys and get it shored up.

>Brent in S. Minneapolis wrote me, “I read where Big Al has been talking about going from a loser to a winner. The Jazz won more games in November than the Wolves won all of last year. You see the players up close, how does that affect them? It has to.”

Brent, a great question and yes it does weigh heavily on the players. Remember, these players were all the best of the best at their last level before entering the NBA and all the losing is heavy. NO question about it. They are some of the best ballplayers in the world and they are not programmed to lose like this. Big Al is proof positive. He goes into a system already rolling, full steam ahead, and he’s clicked in and doing well.

Oh my goodness, Wolves players will the emotional toll was harder to handle after the Utah loss.  Luke Ridnour walked off the court with his head held high, facing the sky (seemingly telling himself “this is gonna’ be ok…gonna’ be ok”), several players wiping their faces with both hands in frustration.  

There are some who will always take the negative road. Kick the team when it’s down sort of stuff. I refuse. I see their commitment in practice. I watch game after game and, with the benefit of experience in my back pocket, know that the pieces are in place for this team to grow and continue to improve.  And quickly if they do it correctly. Minnesota has a terrific opportunity to learn from these games and kick start their new year with a flurry. The only game of their holiday weekend ahead is very winnable in Cleveland. Then it’s home cooking against New Orleans, Denver and New Jersey by the New Year. In fact, January is a good month for the Wolves in that 9 of their 14 games are played at Target Center.

IT’S WHALEN TIME:
Great to have a few moments to catch up with Minnesota’s own Lindsay Whalen at the Jazz-Wolves game. The Lynx and former Gophers star is in town for a holiday break from playing pro ball overseas. She was honored for her USA Gold medal as a leader on the team that won FIBA Championship gold for the Americans last summer.
Whalen told me that playing for team USA was “the dream of a lifetime…something a kid grows up hoping to do”. I was surprised when she told me that “making the team” was something she wasn’t sure she’d be able to do. WOW! She not only made the team but played a huge role as the American women powered their way to that Gold. Our extended 1 on 1 conversation will be featured on GameON! powered by Courtside Bar and Grill/Anoka on January 2 (10:30A on FOX9).

Whalen’s visit was timed nicely as her talented Lynx know their job assignments later in the New Year. The WNBA released team schedules for the 2011 season. The Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks will tip-off the WNBA's 15th season on Friday, June 3 in Los Angeles at 9:30 p.m. The same two teams will meet two nights later on Sunday, June 5 at 2:30 p.m. as the Lynx open their 13th season of basketball at Target Center. The 2011 WNBA campaign consists of 34 regular-season contests (17 home/17 away) from June 3 through September 11.

The Lynx will play Western Conference teams Los Angeles (three times at home, two on the road) and Phoenix (three times on the road, two at home) five times each, and San Antonio, Seattle and Tulsa four times apiece, twice at home and twice on the road. Minnesota will play each Eastern Conference team (Atlanta, Chicago, Connecticut, Indiana, New York and Washington) twice, once at home and on the road. Minnesota's 2011 schedule features a national television appearance on Tuesday, August 2 vs. Phoenix.
 
Minnesota's 17-game home schedule features 10 weekend dates (4 - Friday, 3 - Saturday, 3 - Sunday) as well as four Tuesday games, one Wednesday matchup and two Thursday evening contests. For the ninth straight year, Minnesota will host one weekday afternoon game, a noon tipoff against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, July 13.
 
Highlights of the home portion of Minnesota's schedule also includes: 2010 Regular Season and Finals MVP Lauren Jackson and the 2010 WNBA Champion Seattle Storm will make two visits to Target Center (Saturday, July 16 and Friday, July 29); Candace Parker's Los Angeles Sparks will travel to Target Center Sunday, June 5, Tuesday, July 26 and Saturday, August 20; Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury will make two appearances in Minneapolis (Wednesday, July 13 and Tuesday, August 2); Janel McCarville's New York Liberty take on the Lynx at Target Center on Friday, September 2.

And this:
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!