Al Jefferson

Over the course of many years now, no team has driven the Minnesota Timberwolves more crazy then the Golden State Warriors. About nine years ago, when I was a proud season ticket holder, there was a game that I will remember forever, because it scarred me for life. How can one game scar someone for life you might ask, oh there are ways, trust me.

The visiting Warriors were a far inferior team to the playoff contending Timberwolves, and quickly fell behind by double digits. As the first half neared its end, our “red hot” Wolves took a 20 point lead, the Warriors were then able to tack on a few buckets at the end of the half, big deal right? Wrong. The second half would make history, as the Warriors would score with absolutely no resistance what-so-ever. To make matters worse, the Wolves couldn’t buy a bucket, and the lead would quickly dissipate. Larry Hughes and Co. would force turnover after unforced turnover and make layup after dunk, when all was said and done, the Wolves would lose by 28 points. Ladies and gentleman, when you do the math, you have yourself a 48 point turnaround. You might as well say the home team lost by 50 on that horrible night.

A mere few weeks later, the Wolves had a 20 point lead going into the final five minutes of the game, and that lead would completely evaporate. This time however, the Wolves would luck out and win by two points, as they attempted to save whatever pride they may have had left.

As the years would go by, many a time the Wolves would expect a victory going into Oracle Arena to face the lowly Warriors, only to lose by 20 plus points. Even during the great 58 win 2003-2004 season, the local club would lose by exactly 22 points twice in Golden State.

Leaving out many others for the sake of cyber space, we add one more to the list of “Golden Horrors.” Who can forget the 41 point drubbing the Wolves faced at the hands of the Warriors back on November 9^th 2009? What was priceless was the convenient short term memory of Wolves TV announcers Tom Hanneman and Jim Peterson. Tom and Jim both stated numerous times before the game, that this was a “Golden” opportunity for the Wolves to score some points and get a win in Golden State. Did they totally forget history, or were they just in denial of the inevitable? We may never know, but what happened that night, summed up the history of these two clubs, especially in that arena.

Now that I’m through with the history lesson, those same Warriors were in town tonight. The Wolves got off to a nice early start, but like clockwork, the Warriors went on to take a double digit lead. With the Wolves already trailing 37-22 early in the second quarter, Al Jefferson got what looked to be an and one, but the basket would not count, as traveling was called. Just a few minutes later, Ramon Sessions air balled a layup; I kid you not, and was also called for traveling.

As the turnovers would rack up, the Warriors would score at will on the other end, with minimal effort from the Wolves on the defensive end. Jonny Flynn looked lost, turning the ball over four times, and missing a dunk at the buzzer. At the end of the half, the team in the home white jerseys would have 14 turnovers, to Golden State’s mere two. The Warriors would coast to the locker room, leading 61-44 with little effort necessary; you’d think they came from a few hundred miles south in California, not Oakland.

The start of the second half would bring little encouragement, as the Warriors continued right where they left off, scoring on what looked like practice shots. The Wolves would finally show some energy, and get within nine points, but the great Sasha Pavlovic managed to travel on a three point attempt.

Jefferson, Corey Brewer and Kevin Love were the main forces leading the local boys back in the game. That hope would be short lived, because Corey Maggette and Monta Ellis quickly brought the Warriors lead back to double digits. Every time the Wolves managed to score, Golden State would answer, not to mention some embarrassing blocks by Turiaf and Biedrins.

A run by the Wolves would bring them within four, at 91-87 with a little over four minutes to go in the game, as the teams would see saw the next few possessions.

Everyone in the building held their breath when Corey Maggette’s knee collided with Kevin Love’s lower knee, and Love was carried off the court. We went through Al Jefferson last year, were we in for yet another devastating injury to one of the two best players on the team? Luckily the answer to that question is no, as Love would return, so now everyone can relax, and not cancel any tickets they had left this year.

Unfortunately the damage was done, as Ellis hit a clutch shot, and the Wolves could not rebound, after forcing Turiaf into a difficult shot. The curse of the Golden State Warriors runs strong, even on a night when Al Jefferson was 12-18 from the floor. Apparently keeping within 10 points against a team that was 9-24 is yet another moral victory according to some with the club.

The line of the night was by Tom Hanneman, “The way the Warriors are playing, it makes you wonder why they only have nine wins!” Once again, the short term memory of the “Golden Horrors” has kicked in, or is it denial? You be the judge.