December 2009

If anyone out there wants you to believe that Timberwolves Press is somehow going to curl up and go away, they are sorely mistaken. A poor record by this team isn’t nearly enough for me, Paladino Joey Awaijane: your host of “Timberwolves Explosion” and Timberwolves Press writer, to simply abandon this site.

Many a fan, have given up on this team since Kevin Garnett was traded, and quite honestly, I’m miffed by that type of thought process. Kevin Garnett is not the Timberwolves, he’s Kevin Garnett, a person, not a team, or a franchise. You could also argue that Garnett’s best interests often were NOT in the best interests of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Note: Garnett pining for management to sign his “Dogs” Troy Hudson and Trenton Hassell to long-term contracts on an already salary cap strained club.

The current regime of this club, at very least has a plan: that plan is to develop the proper lineup for the triangle offense, and the fast break. Many can argue that this current roster does not fit that type of scheme, but I personally believe that at least some can, while others can adjust in time.

The roster of this team features at least four players that are, at a bare minimum worth watching: Two of those four players, absolutely have a long-term future with this team: Jonny Flynn and Kevin Love. We’ll start with Love: Love fits the triangle offense perfectly with his inside game, outside game, and of course his incredible passing skills, also from the inside and out. That is of course without mentioning Mr. Love’s fast break starting outlet passes. Love provides the amount of energy to a team that few can, plus if you’ve been paying attention, he just might be the best rebounder in the game today. When you talk about energy and passion, none have more on this team then Flynn: You can argue that at times, Flynn’s current makeup doesn’t always fit the triangle offense. However, the tireless passion and desire that Flynn possesses, along with his smile and charisma, harkens back as far to someone like Kirby Puckett. Aside of all the sentimental value, the guy has an abundance of talent, and is easily the best one on one player on the team. Even better, Flynn the past month, has become more of what we like to call a true point guard. When you have a guy that has the ability to penetrate to the basket, draw defenders his way, and is able to make the dish to an open cutter: this is something the Wolves have lacked since Stephon Marbury played here.

Negatives fill this team, I’m not going to sit here and deny that, if you’ve listened to my shows, I sure have pointed many of those out. Corey Brewer still can’t shoot, but at least he’s finally starting to know his limits and is cutting to the basket more! Al Jefferson at times relies too much on that same baby hook shot that can drive this veteran analyst nuts. However, Jefferson appears to be at or near 100% finally, and is a lot faster up and down the court then he’s been in the past, which is encouraging at least. Will “Big Al” be here in the long-term future? Very hard to say, but for the time being, I think Al’s at very least worth watching, which unfortunately so many have felt otherwise. Few other players on this team have a future here, with possible exceptions of Ramon Sessions and Wayne Ellington. Ellington can fit the triangle nicely with his timely passes, and potential outside shooting. Unfortunately, the latter of the two aspects of Ellington, still needs some significant work. Sessions fits the triangle in one aspect but not in the other: Sessions can’t shoot a lick from the outside, but his ability to catch and release a pass with such efficiency to an open man, definitely deserves notice.

In the end, to say this team is flat out not worth even turning the TV on, to me is a little harsh. The Timberwolves finally have a true point guard who is very dynamic, in Jonny Flynn. Kevin Love is the perfect triangle offense big man. If all goes well, I can see Love and Rambis working together for many years. I want to ask readers this simple question: What’s more entertaining to watch, an up and down team with Flynn, Love and others, or a boring half court team without a true point guard, and an injury prone shooting guard who can’t cut his hair? When you have the answer for me, let me know.