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Minnesota’s star point guard paid a visit to the EA Sports studios, met with some people in cubicles…
… and kicked a ten year old’s ass at H-O-R-S-E. Oh, and it was filmed.
@BreakTheHuddle
Rubio’s a star, and part of being a star is being paid to make awkward appearances at random companies. In this case, it’s EA Sports.
Thanks to the internet savvy of my de facto brother-in-law, I’ve learned that I can, in fact, embed YouTube videos on my website… which means my blog can, in fact, join the 21st century. To celebrate my newfound freedom and technical savvy, I’m going to break down the following two minutes and thirty seconds of sheer splendor.Feel free to watch it once, straight through.
On your second viewing, keep my running commentary on stand-by, so I can tell you how to feel about the awesomeness I’ve brought to your attention today.
BREAKDOWN:
0:02 – Just look at this kid. Look at him. Of COURSE his name is ‘London.’ Of course it is.
0:07 – Graphic on the screen, with three blurbs describing Ricky Rubio:
Turned pro in Spain at the age of 14
2012 NBA All-Rookie
Played for Spain in the 2008 Olympics
0:07 – Alternate blurbs for Rubio (in other words, what I would’ve used if I produced this video)
Probably a unicorn
Alexey Shved’s life coach
The best passer in the NBA
0:12 – The game begins, and Rubio starts things off with an “easy one,” and it’s a three-pointer. The kid airballs it. “Yes,” Ricky says, “you got the ‘H’.” Thus begins the smack talk.
0:21 – For his second shot, Ricky goes with the ol’ behind-the-backboard routine. One of the most common, and most effective, shots in the H-O-R-S-E pantheon. The kid doesn’t come close. An ‘O’ for the kid.
0:27 – Shooting backwards, facing away from the basket in the middle of the lane. Another staple of the game – and the kid misses again. That’s an ‘R’ for him. He’s hopeless, and Ricky is starting to sense it.
0:29 – Kid: “Do you have a tip you can show me?” Ricky: “Yeah, but I don’t know if you can do it.” Naturally, Ricky shows him a dribbling move instead of a shot – he’s not going to help the opponent in the middle of a game. Ricky’s in the most polite “eff you” mode in basketball history.
0:40 – Ricky makes a layup with his eyes closed, and as the kid tries to do the same, he peeks. Ricky calls him on his nonsense – “Hey, hey! You are a tricky!” – and ends up standing under the hoop with him, egging him on to ‘shoot, already,’ and of course – it’s an ‘S’.
0:56 – It’s a left-handed jumper for Rubio, and the kid is down to his final shot. Just as little London is about to release the ball, he blurts out “I can shoot it right-(handed)!”, in defiance of proper H-O-R-S-E etiquette. As it’s in the air, Ricky, perplexed, exclaims “What? What? Hey! What?” The basketball gods chortle, and the ball rattles out. “You’re a horse,” Ricky concludes.
1:00 – We now enter the goodwill portion of the video. Rubio lifts the kid up so he can dunk the ball, and the pipsqueak can barely execute it. They must’ve done 30 takes to get it right.
1:08 – A poorly executed half-court shot – because there’s no chance in hell it actually went in. But they edited it in such a way to make it appear as though he had. And Ricky, because he’s a good sport, plays along, pretending to be happy for the little turd when his “shot” actually “goes in.” Turns out, he’s also a much better actor than the kid. Surprised? I’m not.
1:20 – Kid: “Thank you, I beat you on the court…” Ricky: “Hey, hey, hey, that’s not true. I beat you in H-O-R-S-E, five-zero, and now I’m gonna beat you at FIFA, too.” Awkward silence.
1:30 (Off-camera) – London is sitting in the corner of the court, crying. The producer of the segment threatens to revoke Ricky’s endorsement paycheck if he doesn’t lighten up and let the kid have some fun. Reluctantly, Rubio agrees.
1:31 – 2:05 – Ricky lets the kid beat him at FIFA soccer, 2-0. There are sporadic reminders from Rubio about “how bad I beat you at H-O-R-S-E”, and feeble attempts at smack talk from the kid. Rubio’s blood must be boiling at this point.
2:20 – The kid is beginning to wrap up the segment, and starts his conclusion by saying, “I beat you at FIFA, and you showed me some things on the court…” “Hey,” Ricky interrupts, “I let you win FIFA, because I beat you in H-O-R-S-E, easy.” Subconsciously or not, Rubio made it impossible for whoever was going to edit the piece to refrain from including two facts: a) Rubio won at H-O-R-S-E, and b) he let the kid beat him at FIFA.
2:25 – One last time… “I – I let you win, in the FIFA.”
2:30 – Awkward silence. “Back to you in the studio…” Aaaaaaaaaaaand…. scene.
SCOREBOARD:
H-O-R-S-E: Ricky 5 (or, zero letters), Snot-Nosed Kid 0 (or, all of the letters).
FIFA: London (American, named after an English city, used Brazil in the game) 2, Ricky (loyal Spaniard) 0.
Instances of Rubio smack talk: 7
Reminders from Ricky that he let the little brat beat him at FIFA: 3
Total views at time of publishing (5/16/13): 8,443
Number of times I have viewed the video: approximately 27
THE WINNER:
Ricky, of course.
William Bohl primarily covers the Minnesota Timberwolves. Follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle, e-mail him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com, or leave a comment below!
Take a break from the NBA playoffs and bask in random statistics
@BreakTheHuddle
The semifinals in each conference are now underway, and all four matchups are plenty enticing. The Pacers and Bulls, tough, defensive-minded Midwest teams, traveled to glamorous big market cities and swiped Game One from the Knicks and Heat (respectively). In the West, Game One between the Grizzlies and Thunder came down to the wire, and the Spurs beat the Warriors in a series opener for the ages.
As wonderful as this time of the year is, it rings a little hollow for Wolves fans. Sure, you catch as much of the playoff action as you possibly can, even though you’re slapped in the face (repeatedly) by watching players who could’ve played here (Paul George, Joakim Noah, Stephen Curry) come up big for other teams when it matters most. It’s also been a little unnerving watching the Bulls overcome their injuries to have postseason success; don’t get me wrong, I’m pulling for the feisty underdogs, but with every victory they inch towards invalidating the Wolves’ stock excuse for 2012-13 miseries: “with all the injuries, how could we compete?” Kevin Love played only 18 games, Derrick Rose played none. The Wolves won 31 games, the Bulls won 45, their first round playoff series against the Nets (without Luol Deng in Games 6 and 7) and stole Game One in South Beach (still without Deng).
Let me get this straight – the Bulls made it to the postseason without their best player, then won Games 6 and 7 of their first series without their second-best player? The Wolves looked completely disheveled without Kevin Love this season, and when Nikola Pekovic missed time their fortunes were even worse. Are we sure the Wolves are really just a few healthy players away from playoff contention, as we’ve all been lead to believe?
Times like this can lead many a Wolves fan to overthink, or to drink, or both. Instead, I like to look at statistics to sooth my soul. Why? I don’t know. I’m weird. But the stuff I found could interest you. Some of it’s strange, all of it’s true, and I’ve got the sources to prove it. So sit back, relax, and let’s reflect on the 2012-13 NBA season, in all its quirky statistical glory.
“Plus/Minus”? More like, “Just Minus”, am I right?
4. I can’t blame Orlando for trying to stay away from the free throw line: the previous edition of the Magic were the worst free throw shooting team in the NBA since the 1976 merger (making them at a paltry 66% clip).
7. Someone should write a book about how the three-pointer has been used in offenses since its inception, and the various effects the evolution of its importance has had on the overall game. (Thinking.) Hey, I should write a book about how the three-pointer has been used in offenses since its inception, and the various effects the evolution of its importance has had on the overall game!
8. A brief snippet of the evidence, just to give you an idea of the changes the NBA has gone through in the last three decades… a full examination of the evidence would fill… a book.
The past 30 years of three point attempts, in five year intervals:
19. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry became the 12th player in league history to attempt 7.5 threes per game. Of the 12, his 2012-13 season ranks first in three-point percentage (45.3%).
21. Top three lineups in the NBA, according to plus/minus (minimum of 400 minutes):
Westbrook, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins (OKC) at +288
Hill, Stephenson, George, West, Hibbert (IND) at +284
Chalmers, Wade, James, Haslem, Bosh (MIA) at +157
22. Bottom three lineups in the NBA, according to plus/minus (minimum of 400 minutes):
Thomas, Evans, Salmons, Thompson, Cousins (SAC) at -94
Tinsley, Foye, Williams, Millsap, Jefferson (UTA) at -63
Irving, Waiters, Gee, Thompson, Zeller (CLE) at -62.
23. Broke even, bargain version:
Lin, Harden, Parsons, Patterson, Asik (HOU) at 0 (zero) even in 566 minutes.
Total 2012-13 cost: $18.8 million.
24. Broke even, expensive version:
Williams, Johnson, Wallace, Humprhies, Lopez (BKN) at 0 (zero) even in 190 minutes.
Total 2012-13 cost: $72.3 million.
SANDERS!
Crunch Time
25. Best plus/minus in crunch time (according to 82games.com): All of the Heat’s starters (Chalmers +49, Battier +48, Wade +38, James +37, Bosh +35) plus one of their bench players (Ray Allen, +29). Honorable mention to LARRY SANDERS! who was also +29.
26. Worst plus/minus in crunch time (according to 82games.com): Bargnani (TOR) -41, Lopez (NOP) -37, Price (WAS) -36. (Note: There are five Hornets Pelicans in the bottom 10 and seven Hornets Pelicans in the bottom 18 overall.
Final tally: 110/153, or 71.9% shooting from the floor, in over 800 minutes of action.
28. Only two players in the history of the NBA have played at least 800 minutes and shot 70% or better: Wilt Chamberlain and Chris Wilcox.
29. That previous sentence is an exercise in Churchill’s cynical quote about statistics: if you torture the numbers long enough, they’ll tell you what you want to hear.
Speaking of “800 Minutes” and “Torture”
30. From 1951-52 until 1968-69, there were 74 individual seasons in which players tallied at least 800 minutes and shot below 33.3% from the field.
31. Then, remarkably, it didn’t occur a single time between 1969-70 and 1988-89. Not once.
32. In 1989-90, Manute Bol and Sidney Lowe broke down the barrier, posting shooting percentages of 33.1% and 31.9%, respectively. The past decade has seen just about one new member of this ignominious club every year – this year’s inductees were Draymond Green (32.7% shooting in 1061 minutes) and Earl Watson (30.8% shooting in 829 minutes).
33. In all, there are 91 such seasons in NBA history.
34. There are nine players in NBA history who have had multiple seasons of at least 800 minutes and worse than 33.3% shooting.
35. Of the nine, only DeShawn Stevenson was active after the 1960s. This season, he was actually passable (by his standards) on the offensive end – but 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2011-12…
Durant
50/40/90
36. Qualified players who have shot 50% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the line, full season:
39. However, Lebron’s feat was much more impressive; he took 562 more shots from the field, 52 more threes, and got to the free throw line 322 more times than Mullin did in ’96-’97. And his percentages were STILL that good.
40. If Lebron had suited up for the six games he missed, and gone 0-for-348 from the floor, he would’ve finished with the same shooting percentage as Carmelo Anthony (44.9%).
41. Some idiot, who gets paid to cover basketball for a living, still voted for Carmelo over Lebron for MVP.
Arbitrary Barriers (Arbitrariers?) to be broken in 2013-14
49. Who could do it? The Heat would have a tough time since much of their offense is predicated upon kicking out for open threes – it’d be hard to shoot that high a percentage for a full game. The night the Blazers shot 69.7%, they took one three pointer – ONE! If any team in today’s NBA would do that, it’d be Memphis. I’ll put my money on Memphis.
William Bohl primarily covers the Minnesota Timberwolves. Follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle, e-mail him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com, or leave a comment below!
Tattoos, dunks, and milestones: all the important moments from your 2012-13 Timberwolves in one place
@BreakTheHuddle
Wednesday night, the Timberwolves capped their long, strange, injury-plagued 2012-13 campaign with a 108-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. At 31-51, Minnesota finished with the ninth-worst record in the NBA, leaving their odds for the number 1 overall pick in June’s draft at 1.7%. Given the franchise’s history with bad luck, striking gold in the lottery is extremely unlikely. Either way, a top-10 selection in a draft (perhaps) devoid of sure-fire All-Stars, but brimming with depth, should be a valuable asset.
Enough about the future, though. There’s plenty of time to speculate about that during the NBA Playoffs, which the Wolves will watch on television for the ninth straight season, the longest-such drought in league history. There were moments to relish and remember from this past season, and moments to forget; new tattoos and highlight-reel dunks (thank you, Derrick Williams) and passes (gracias, Senor Rubio); games that made us believe Minnesota is en route to building a winner, and games that set basketball back fifty years; there were surprises, disappointments, milestones and lowlights. Anytime a team ends up in the lottery, plenty went wrong, and this year’s Wolves are no exception. But there were bright spots as well, and it’d be foolish not to remember all of it, if we want a clear picture of the 82 games we just watched.
With that, here are the best and worst of the 2012-13 Timberwolves – awards, disgraces, and changing faces.
Team MVP
Pek
Nikola Pekovic – center
The Wolves’ most consistent player from start to finish, the 27 year old Montenegrin averaged 16 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist per game on 52% shooting from the floor (and 74% from the free throw line) for the season. He came on especially strong at the end, averaging 21/7/1 on 55% shooting in six April games before tanking mode officially set in he was held out due to a left quad injury the last four games of the year. His burly frame belies the finer aspects of his game, as he possesses sure hands and intricate low post moves. He’s one of the best statistical offensive rebounders in the league, and is excellent at denying opposing big men favorable position on the defensive end.
Pekovic is a restricted free agent after the NBA Finals and will likely command an offer sheet north of $12 million annually, as I demonstrate here. Keeping him in Minneapolis will be tricky, but again, this post is about the season that just ended, not the myriad questions that face the team going forward. The Wolves were 26-36 when he played, and just 5-15 when he did not. In a season (largely) without Kevin Love, and without a healthy Ricky Rubio from start to finish, Nikola Pekovic was the team’s best player.
Pleasant Surprise
Dante Cunningham, aka ‘DC, aka ‘Ham’.
Dante Cunningham, forward
Acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies last summer (in exchange for Wayne Ellington), the fourth-year man out of Villanova was an exceptional role player for the Timberwolves. For certain stretches of the season, when the team was particularly ravaged with injuries (Pekovic, Kirilenko, and Budinger all missed significant time), Cunningham’s jumper was the Wolves’ best bet for an open look on the offensive end. Though he shouldn’t be the lynchpin of an NBA offense – even Grantland’s Zach Lowe commented on his (necessary) overuse – Dante should be credited for playing “within his lane”, so to speak, a very valuable quality for a guy coming off the bench.
Because of his high basketball IQ, particularly on the defensive end, the coaching staff trusted him to be on the floor at the most important times – the 4th quarter of games. In all 80 of his appearances, Cunningham played in the fourth quarter – and not only that, 765 of his 2,010 minutes came in the final quarters of games. By comparison, Derrick Williams never got off the bench during the fourth quarter of 29 of his 78 games. Long story short – when the game was on the line, Adelman wanted Cunningham on the floor, instead of a former 2nd overall pick. Not too bad for someone drafted outside the first round.
Disappointment
If the basketball thing doesn’t work out, Alexey could head back to Russia and start a Radiohead cover band.
Alexey Shved, guard
Much of the disappointment in Shved comes from his demeanor. Early in the season, Ricky Rubio jokingly tweeted a picture of a sleeping Shved and called him a young Toni Kukoc, but in my eyes, he’s more of a Russian, basketball-playing Thom Yorke: a brooding, sensitive soul who is easily discouraged by his surroundings. Shved’s body language on the court left a poor taste in my mouth, often complaining to officials rather than hustling back to the defensive end.
In defense of Alexey Shved: one of the side effects to all the injuries the Wolves suffered this season, particularly among wing players (Kirilenko, Roy),was the young Russian playing way out of position.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.
There were times he was asked to be the team’s primary three-point shooter, and nothing in his Euroleague or Olympic track record suggested he was anything but mediocre from behind the arc. (Shved finished the year under 30% from three.) There were other times when Shved lined up at small forward, despite the fact that his 6’6, 190 pound frame is far too wiry for the position.
He still shows promise as a backup point guard; unfortunately, the team’s got three other good point guards (Rubio, Ridnour, Barea). Time will tell if he can develop into a steady pick-and-roll ballhandler off the bench. Hopefully, a summer of rest and relaxation will do him good (he looked exhausted for the last third of the season).
Games of the Year
In order, numbers 5 through 1:
5: March 26th, Wolves 105, Pistons 82
A complete whupping on the road, highlighted by 21 points off the bench for J.J. Barea, as well as a +28 for Nikola Pekovic (18 points, 11 boards in 29 minutes) and a -28 for his counterpart, Greg Monroe.
4: November 9th, Wolves 96, Pacers 94
After the Pacers’ George Hill made a beautiful move to nail a step-back three and tie the game at 94, the Wolves inbounded the ball with 3.8 seconds to go. Kirilenko caught the pass at the elbow, and Budinger, noticing his defender had fallen asleep, cut to the rim from near half-court and was open for a game-winning layup. Minnesota improved to 4-1. (Sigh…)
3: March 29th, Wolves 101, Thunder 93
A confession: I had very good seats for this game, which skews my judgment, but this is my website, and I’ll do what I want. Minnesota took the lead early in the second quarter, and Oklahoma City battled back to tie the game six different times the rest of the way – but the Wolves never relinquished control. This game also featured a Barea “London Bridges” attempt on Hasheem Thabeet, which is always worth another look.
2: January 3rd, Wolves 101, Nuggets 97
On the second night of a Utah-Denver back-to-back (perhaps the two toughest places to visit in the NBA), the Wolves lost star forward Kevin Love to a broken hand. Things looked bleak: the night before, they had looked lifeless in a loss to the Jazz, and they trailed the Nuggets by as many as 8 late in the third quarter. Then, unexplicably, Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea took the game over and the Wolves emerged victorious, one of only three visiting teams to leave the Pepsi Center with a win this season.
1: April 6th, Wolves 107, Pistons 101
It seems as though I’m just picking on the Pistons, but this was Rick Adelman’s 1,000th career victory. With the clock stopped, and the game more or less wrapped up, the camera cut to Adelman on the bench, whispering something to an assistant coach. A few moments later, the camera showed his spouse of over four decades, Mary Kay, making her way down to the court. After the game, the coach said she “had to be here to share it with him”, and that he “couldn’t have done it without her” – a touching scene in a season of disappointment.
Duds of the Year
9 – 5: January 9th through January 17th
During this five game losing streak, the Wolves were outscored by 22, 12, 18, 15 and 13 points, for an average of 16 points per game (mathematics!). Rubio was at the tail end of his minutes limit, and was finally inserted into the starting lineup on the 17th versus the Clippers, but it didn’t help. A forgettable stretch of basketball.
Through 48 minutes, it was the most unwatchable basketball game I’ve ever witnessed. So, naturally, it went into overtime, and as a public service to you, the reader, I will not tell you any more details about it, other than the fact that the Wolves lost, and all tape of the game should be burned.
Again, I was at this one, so my personal experience is clouding my judgment, but as I stated above, this is my website. After playing in Utah the night before, the Wolves had to deal with poor weather on the trip home, got to Minneapolis in the wee hours of the morning, lost an hour of sleep due to Daylight Savings Time, and came out and played like zombies in front of their home crowd (including ME, damn it, ME!). First time I’ve ever left a basketball game early. Hopefully, the only time I ever will.
Backup center Chris Johnson. Every time he entered a game, the lanky, athletic hustle machine caused a stir among all the important people who comprise the Wolves Twittersphere, and he’d always reward us with an alley-oop dunk, a goofily mistimed block attempt (he led the league in goaltending violations per 48 minutes*), or an awkward-looking jump shot that always seemed to fall.
*I made that up.
The Three Best Derrick Williams Dunks of the Year
This one, this one, and this one. There are others worth considering. But like I said, I’m trying to move quickly, now.
Best New Tattoo
Honorable mention: Ricky Rubio, seen here:
It’s on the back of his neck. It’s subtle. I have no idea what the hell it stands for.
Winner (as if there’s any other choice): Nikola Pekovic, seen here:
It’s the bottom one, featuring a grizzly bear and an eagle. It is the opposite of subtle. I think it stands for general bad-ass-ery. But that’s just a guess.
Gamer of the Year
Luke Ridnour, guard
As I’ve detailed before, he constantly played out of position (at shooting guard) and was asked to defend much larger, more physical players on a nightly basis. Not only did he never complain, he never even missed a game due to injury: for the third time in his career, Luke Ridnour played all 82 of his team’s contests. Whatever happens to him over the summer (he’s entering the final season of a four year, $16 million deal), he should be remembered by Wolves fans as a tough, undersized guard who maximized his ability.
The “Get Under the Opposition’s Skin” Award
Tie: Greg Stiemsma and J.J. Barea
Barea gets under the skin of opponents by flopping, complaining to officials at EVERY SINGLE POSSIBLE MOMENT, and by calling Ray Allen a “f***ing p***y.”
Stiemsma gets under the skin of opponents by flopping, setting borderline illegal screens on the offensive end, and getting punched in the throat by Matt Barnes.
Chances are, if you remember seeing any shoving matches in 2012-13, one of these two was at the center of it.
And now, finally…
The Moment of the Year
“Alexey! Change – change this face. Be happy! Enjoy it!”
Could it have been anything else? Watch it again right here.
Watch it repeatedly throughout the summer if you’re feeling lonesome, missing Timberwolves basketball.
Watch it if you need career advice, or relationship advice, or if you’ve just seen a sad movie and you need a smile.
Play it pejoratively for your crappy friend who whines too much.
And remember to internalize it, because Ricky Rubio’s going to be a Timberwolf for at least the next two seasons, and maybe longer, and no matter how soul-crushing this season was, brighter things are on the horizon.
So, change your face.
Be happy.
And enjoy it.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
The specter of The Greatest Timberwolf still prowls the grounds at 600 First Avenue North
@BreakTheHuddle
The Timberwolves’ fortunes before and after KG are nearly as frightening as the shirt Kevin McHale is wearing in this photograph.
On Saturday, April 6th, Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman achieved a personal milestone by winning his 1,000th career game, a victory at home over the Detroit Pistons. It was a moment of levity for a moribund franchise at the end of a season lost to injuries – the old coach, accompanied by his wife of over four decades, standing at center court, overcome with happiness at a tremendous professional achievement. It was the Wolves’ 29th victory of the season, a 107-101 nail-biter that was far closer than the score would indicate.
On Saturday, April 13th, following a week of losing on a three game west coast road trip, the Minnesota Timberwolves achieved another milestone by beating the Phoenix Suns 105-93. Point guard Ricky Rubio led the way with 24 points, 10 assists and five steals, breaking out of his ice-cold shooting spell, even cracking a smile as his final three-pointer put the Wolves up 13 with just under two minutes to play. Two Saturdays in a row, the home crowd at the Target Center walked away happy, though this occasion sparked a more cynical observance.
For the first time in franchise history, the Wolves achieved 30 or more victories without Kevin Garnett on the payroll.
***
Kevin Garnett, “The Kid”, “The Big Ticket”, or simply “KG”, became a Timberwolf on June 28th, 1995 when GM Kevin McHale selected him with the 5th overall pick of the draft. Forgotten by younger folks is how groundbreaking the selection was: Garnett was the first player to make the jump from high school to the NBA in two decades, and just the fourth to ever do it, joining Moses Malone (a Hall of Famer), Daryl Dawkins (a very good player), and Bill Willoughby (who washed out of the league at 26). McHale believed he was Moses, critics wondered if he was Willoughby. The selection raised eyebrows and stimulated conversation – the first six incarnations of Wolves teams hadn’t won 30 games, and now they were passing over a proven college big man (Bryant Reeves) in favor of a skinny South Carolina high schooler.
“Big Country” Reeves went one selection later, to the Grizzlies, and like Bill Willoughby, he was out of the league in his mid-20s. Garnett, on the other hand, will one day join Moses in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In his 12 seasons in Minneapolis, the Wolves finished .500 or better 10 times, reached the playoffs eight seasons in a row, and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. He’s the only player in history to reach career totals of at least 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 steals and 1,500 blocks and the only one to average 20/10/5 for six consecutive seasons. He won an MVP, an All-Star Game MVP and an Olympic Gold Medal. Garnett missed 25 games – total – in his 12 years playing in the Twin Cities.
The late 90′s… What a time it was…
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. Garnett’s 6 year, $126 million contract was the tipping point many pundits pointed to when assigning blame for the owners’ 1998 lockout of the players. The mega money left Stephon Marbury, his enigmatic point guard, jealous and wounded, leading to ‘Starbury’ asking for (and receiving) a trade to the New Jersey Nets, just two and a half seasons into what should’ve been a long marriage. His teams were bounced in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs seven years in a row. When a contender was finally built, frugality on the part of the Wolves’ leadership broke it up. The trio of Garnett, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, led the team to the brink of the NBA Finals, but was split up after just two seasons. It was the end of competitive basketball in Minnesota.
We just didn’t know it, yet.
***
On July 31st, 2007, the Timberwolves dealt Garnett, at his request, to the Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and two 2009 first-round draft picks. A month earlier, Boston had acquired guard Ray Allen from the Sonics for Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and a second-round pick. Combined with Paul Pierce, the three stars had aligned, and their first season together resulted in the title that had eluded the individual players in their first decade in the league. The trio managed to stay together through the end of last season, when Allen bolted for the rival Miami Heat. They won at least one playoff series every year they wore the same uniform, made it to another Finals in 2010 (and lost in 7 games to the Lakers), and nearly sent the vaunted Heat home early last summer.
This season, with Allen gone, and Rajon Rondo hurt, and their ages climbing north of 35, Garnett and Pierce are likely making their last stand. They’re in the postseason as the 7th seed, and will face the New York Knicks in the first round. If this really is Garnett’s final go-round, he’ll end at the epicenter of the second major paradigm shift he was involved in. The first altered the course of two franchises, Boston and Minnesota and it occurred the day he was traded. The second affects the league as a whole – the end of the “Big Three” era. As a result of the 2011 lockout, harsh luxury tax penalties will make it prohibitive for any franchise to load up with three or more max-level deals at the same time. We’ll probably never see anything quite like what we saw in Boston again.
The Big Three
The financial landscape of the NBA is very different in 2013 than it was in 1995, when Garnett first came into the league. High schoolers can no longer make the direct jump, and are forced to attend college for a year or toil away overseas. Rookie wage scales, with parameters in place keeping young players under team control for four seasons, have changed when the big paydays for young stars occur. Restricted free agency, and the option for parent teams to match offer sheets, make it financially wise to remain with the organization that drafted you until you’re at least part of the way into your second NBA contract. None of that is Garnett’s fault, of course, but he’s part of the conversation. He was a larger-than-life player at landmark occasions in basketball history.
***
Two weeks ago, on April 1st, with a playoff appearance more or less assured due to the dismal nature of the Eastern Conference, Garnett didn’t make an appearance in the Celtics visit to Minneapolis, citing inflammation in his left ankle. Questions swirl about Garnett’s future plans – if he retires, this was Minnesota’s chance for a proper farewell. But instead, he was absent.
A ghost.
How you view the following chart depends on your disposition, I suppose. It’s either sad or darkly funny. It shows how the Minnesota Timberwolves fared before, during, and after the Garnett era. (The final row is hypothetical. I’m chalking up Wednesday night’s visit to San Antonio as a loss, even if the Spurs have nothing left to play for, as their grip on the West’s second seed is set in stone.)
Timeframe
Record
Winning %
Seasons
Pre –KG (1989-90 through 1994-95)
126-366
.256
6
With KG (1995-96 through 2006-07)
501-451
.526
12
Post-KG (2007-08 through present)
134-342
.281
6
“The Kid” still casts a full-grown shadow on this franchise. Minnesota’s a provincial place, proud, concerned with whether or not our stars and athletes are really “one of us.” When he forced his way out of town, people were predictably upset with him. As the years have passed, more fans have realized that he deserved a chance to win a championship, and that this wasn’t going to happen in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The People Who Make Important Decisions at 600 1st Avenue North have been terrible at it since the late 90s. Everything that happened in the early years, the upheaval, the short coaching tenures, were birth pangs familiar to expansion franchises. What’s occurred since Garnett left for Boston has to do with incompetence, whether it was the latter half of Kevin McHale’s reign or the four-plus years David Kahn’s been in charge. The most glaring example of this, other than butchered under-the-table deals with free agents or hilariously poor draft choices, is the return the Wolves got for Kevin Garnett in the first place, and what became of those players.
And while it isn’t fair to look at these things in a linear fashion, as none of these trades and roster decisions were made in a vacuum, it’s very entertaining (and depressing, and overwhelming) to look at the series of events that transpired after Garnett was dealt away.
In chronological order:
7/31/2007
Boston receives: Kevin Garnett
Minnesota receives: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, and two 1st-round draft picks
A deal for Garnett had long been rumored, but on the same day as baseball’s trade deadline, Wolves GM Kevin McHale and his former teammate Danny Ainge put the finishing touches on the above blockbuster.
Green shot 33% from the floor in 29 games with the Wolves before they gave up on him, shipping him to the Rockets for a guy who bolted for China after the season ended and never came back to the States (Snyder). The pick was used on Paulao Prestes, a Brazilian who is unlikely to ever come to the NBA.
2/29/2008
Minnesota waives: Theo Ratliff
Despite the fact that he had an expiring contract, and those were valuable as trade facilitators, the Wolves couldn’t work him into any deals, so they paid him $8 million and told him to scram.
6/25/2009
With the 6th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select: Jonny Flynn.
The most soul-crushing part of this: Minnesota dealt this pick to Boston way back in 2006 as part of the Ricky Davis deal, but re-acquired it in the Garnett trade. Since their 2008-09 season was so abysmal (24-58) it wound up being a lottery pick. What luck! What fortune! And the day before, new VP of Basketball Operations David Kahn swindled the Wizards out of the fifth pick in the draft for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. What skill! What brains! He then used that selection on Ricky Rubio, a mysterious, Spanish sensation who could run the point. The Wolves had just traded their best two three-point shooters, and everything set up perfectly for them to select Stephen Curry with the sixth pick. Finally, the Wolves would have a dynamic backcourt! The KG trade might be a success!
With the 28th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select: Wayne Ellington.
Last summer, after three solid (if unspectacular) seasons with the Wolves, Ellington was dealt to the Grizzlies in exchange for Dante Cunningham.
7/20/2009
L.A. Clippers receive: Sebastian Telfair, Mark Madsen, Craig Smith
Minnesota receives: Quentin Richardson
The Wolves then flipped Richardson to the Heat for Mark Blount, with whom they already had an agreement that he wouldn’t join the team, in what amounted to an elaborate salary dump. Problem is, the Wolves gave away a young point guard who was a better asset than Kahn sold him off for (Telfair) and a starting NBA forward (Smith) in order to do it.
6/24/2010
Portland receives: Ryan Gomes, Luke Babbit
Minnesota receives: Martell Webster
After two injury-plagued seasons, Webster was allowed to leave via free agency last August. If you’re keeping track at home, the only person we haven’t covered from the original deal was Al Jefferson. Buckle up, kids, this next one’s going to be a doozy…
After half a season in a Wolves uniform, Koufos was an ancillary part of the deal that brought Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks; he wound up in Denver, where he now moonlights as the starting center for a 50-win, playoff bound team. The Wolves’ return in that same deal was Anthony Randolph, who was later allowed to leave via free agency (and, coincidentally, landed in Denver) and Eddy Curry (insert joke here), who was later bought out. The two draft picks were used to acquire Chase Budinger from the Houston Rockets.
In summary:
The best player in franchise history, Kevin Garnett, was traded (primarily) for Al Jefferson, who was dealt away for a young center the Wolves immediately gave up on (Koufos) and a guy who can leave without compensation in two months (Chase Budinger). Other than that, the only connection left from the deal is another role player, Dante Cunningham. There is no guarantee either of them will return in 2013-14.
See what I mean about ghosts?
***
In 1995, Kevin McHale made one great decision (drafting Kevin Garnett), and parlayed that into 13 additional years of employment. In 2009, David Kahn made one great decision (drafting Ricky Rubio); in a week or so, we’ll find out if he’ll be around for a 5th season. What binds the two is Kevin Garnett, embodied in his service to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the players he brought back when it was time to be traded away. McHale had to make the deal, but didn’t do other things well enough to keep his job; Kahn’s failed to do much of anything right.
But for me, it all comes back to KG. In the coming weeks, he could play his final basketball game. Hopefully, the Wolves will begin moving toward a brighter future, the one we all expected when the season began. I hope whoever calls the shots at 600 1st Avenue North this summer knows what he’s doing. The specter of Kevin Garnett still lingers, and what could put it away once and for all is a return to winning basketball. Then, and only then, will we stop looking at The Kid as a symbol of our current despair, and instead, remember him as he ought to be remembered:
The source of many happy memories.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
Deciphering where Nikola Pekovic’s inevitable (and enormous) offer sheet will come from.
@BreakTheHuddle
I’ve searched the world over, navigating the treacherous jungle of salary cap rules and player salaries, trying to find where Pekovic’s next home may be.
As a second-round draft pick, Nikola Pekovic signed a three year, $11.8 million deal which began before the 2010-11 season. His first year in the NBA was a difficult one; in 887 minutes of game action, he committed 181 fouls, for an absurd rate of 7.3 fouls per 36 minutes. He also turned the ball over at an alarming clip (3.7 per 36 minutes) for a quality NBA big man. His above average rebounding acumen and solid free-throw shooting aside, Big Pek was a foul machine who couldn’t stay on the floor.
The past two seasons, however, have been a different story. Pekovic, earning $4.5 million last year and $4.8 million this season, has been one of the best bargains in the NBA. From February 1st through the end of last season, he averaged 16 points and 9 rebounds on 55% shooting while hitting nearly three-quarters of his free throws. This season, when he’s been healthy, the offense has run through him – he’s taking three more shots per game than he did last year. His field goal percentage is down (51%) but he’s still hitting his free throws and getting his 16-and-9. He’s cut down on his fouls (2.5 per 36 minutes) and trimmed his turnovers nearly in half (less than 2 per game).
While Pekovic has an efficient offensive game, he doesn’t have a very diverse skill set with the ball in his hands. He’s a traditional five, a “true center”, living on post-ups, hook/push shots, up-and-unders, and getting to the free throw line. Pekovic has no face-up moves to speak of, and doesn’t get to the basket off the dribble. Opponents key on denying him the ball, especially during important possessions late in the game, limiting his effectiveness.
Defensively, he uses his muscular frame to rebound and deny opponents favorable position in the post. However, Pekovic’s subpar foot speed leaves him vulnerable to centers with effective midrange games, as he’s unable to close out quickly and deny the shot. The Chris Kaman’s , Al Jefferson’s and Kevin Garnett’s of the world give him quite a bit of trouble. His lack of blocked shots is superficially disturbing, but not necessarily the best indicator of a poor defensive center. More concerning is the team’s lack of success defending the nine feet closest to the rim, the space Pekovic most often occupies on that end of the floor:
Year
OPP FG%,
at rim
NBA
Rank
OPP FG%,
3-9 Feet
NBA
Rank
2011-12
63.2%
19th
40.0%
28th
2012-13
69.4%
29th
42.0%
25th
It’s not entirely Pekovic’s fault – it takes five guys to play solid NBA defense – but this much is certain: Nikola Pekovic is not anything close to an “elite” post defender. He’s got plenty of useful traits, but is not devoid of shortcomings.
Despite this fact, he’ll fetch between $12-15 million (depending who you read, and what you believe) in restricted free agency this offseason. Just in case you don’t believe Pekovic will actually have that kind of money thrown his way, here’s a helpful chart of what some other NBA centers who’ve recently signed new deals are earning:
Player
Team
Contract Terms
Tyson Chandler
NYK
4 years, $55.4 million
Marc Gasol
MEM
4 years, $57.5 million
Roy Hibbert
IND
4 years, $58.3 million
Al Horford
ATL
5 years, $60 million
DeAndre Jordan
LAC
4 years, $43 million
Brook Lopez
BKN
4 years, $60.8 million
Javale McGee
DEN
4 years, $44 million
Joakim Noah
CHI
5 years, $60 million
Defensive-minded centers who offer little to nothing on the offensive end (Noah, Jordan) earn north of $10.75 million per season. McGee got $11 million from the Nuggets for being tall and athletic, and little more. Centers come at a premium price in the NBA, for better or worse, because of positional scarcity. The best centers on this list, Chandler and Gasol, earn approximately $14 million per season. I’m not saying Pekovic is as good as either of them, but all it takes is one team to feel desperate enough to make the offer.
Which team will it be? There are 16 teams (more than half the league) who could possibly have enough room under the ominous new luxury tax threshold to squeeze in Pekovic’s deal (for this exercise, let’s assume he gets an offer worth $14 million, annually). The list below is in ascending order of likelihood, broken into three categories: ‘Not Unless Something Crazy Happens’, ‘Probably Not (But Still Possible)’, and ‘The Prime Sus-Pek-ts’. (Get it? Sus-Pek-ts? Hilarious, right? Okay, I’ll get on with it.)
Not Unless Something Crazy Happens
16. Los Angeles Clippers
Approximate luxury tax room: $25 million
The Clippers have an important player to re-sign with all that money: Chris Paul. Ever heard of him? He’s good. They’re also set in the front court, with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan locked into long-term extensions. Barring a trade of Jordan (who is probably overpaid, given how little he produces on the offensive end), the Clippers won’t pursue Pekovic.
15. Indiana Pacers
Approximate luxury tax room: $16 million
Roy Hibbert is currently employed by the Pacers, a “true” center who wouldn’t be a compatible front-court mate for Pekovic. Indiana will also have decisions to make on David West, Lance Stephenson and Tyler Hansbrough, likely keeping them out of the conversation.
A bearded Popovich and a bearded Pekovic on the same sideline would be kind of epic, though.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Approximate luxury tax room: $20 million
Why won’t the Spurs make an offer to Pekovic? I’ll try to come up with something more scientific than “It just doesn’t seem like something they’d do.” Boris Diaw and Patty Mills can exercise player options that will eat up more than a quarter of their financial flexibility. Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph and Gary Neal are all up for qualifying offers (and restricted free agency) themselves. Oh, and did I mention Manu Ginobli? Yeah, he’ll be a free agent, too. With all of that going on, an offer sheet for Pekovic is highly unlikely.
I’m going to keep the next couple short and sweet, if that’s alright.
13. Detroit Pistons
Approximate luxury tax room: $35 million
Andre Drummond. Greg Monroe. Two quality young bigs on cheap contracts. Not likely to add an expensive third one.
12. New Orleans Hornets Pelicans
Approximate luxury tax room: $27 million
Anthony Davis. Ryan Anderson. No spot for The Big Montenegrin in a Pelicans uniform.
11. Utah Jazz
Approximate luxury tax room: $43 million
The starting front court, Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, may depart, but Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter wait in the wings to take over, at the low price of $10.7 million combined. Why add a third center for $14 million?
Hedo’s season, in review: 3/3/2 in 17 mins/gm, and a 20 game suspension for PEDs. Hilarious!
10. Orlando Magic
Approximate luxury tax room: $13 million*
*Unless the team can somehow coerce Hedo Tukoglu to decline his $12 million player option for 2013-14, in which case, the Magic would have $25 million to play with. It would be pretty cool to see Nikola Pekovic pair with Nikola Vucevic, giving us a pair of Nikola’s (and a pair of Montenegrins) in the Orlando front court. However, the Magic seem to think of Vucevic as a center, and he’s produced nicely this season in an expanded role. Plus, a team with this many bad contracts (Big Baby Davis, Al Harrington, Jameer Nelson) can’t really afford to throw money around.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
Approximate luxury tax room: $28 million
Cleveland will be tied to many free agents this coming offseason, because a) they have a ton of salary cap/ luxury tax space and b) they need to start surrounding Kyrie Irving with better players, in the hope that he’ll sign a lucrative extension after next year. The problem: Anderson Verejao (though injured) and Tristan Thompson (who’s taken major steps forward in his second season) occupy Cleveland’s front line. Their needs are at the wing positions. Not a great fit.
Probably Not (But Still Possible)
8. Phoenix Suns
Approximate luxury tax room: $21 million
Any interest the Suns would have in signing Pekovic would be predicated on them trading away Marcin Gortat ($7.7 million expiring) for other assets. Otherwise, the front court spots are occupied (with Luis Scola at power forward) through the end of 2013-14. If, however, Phoenix is able to deal Gortat, they could have interest in going after Pekovic. After all, the Suns are practically Minnesota West as it is (Wes Johnson, Michael Beasley), so adding one more Wolf is conceivable, if not likely.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Approximate luxury tax room: $24 million
This is a tricky one. The Bucks have one unrestricted free agent to contemplate re-signing (J.J. Redick), one restricted free agent who may get an offer sheet that causes him to be vastly overpaid, but may match it anyway (Brandon Jennings) and one gunner with a player option (Monta Ellis, at $11 million) who may opt out to hit the open market. It’s possible, but unlikely, that all three come back; it’s also possible all three are playing elsewhere next season. Plus, this is the final year of starting center Samuel Dalembert’s contract. Despite the presence of LARRY SANDERS!, a young, developing big who probably deserves more playing time, the Bucks may have the cash on hand, and the need, for a proven NBA center like Pekovic.
MULLENS!
6. Charlotte Bobcats
Approximate luxury tax room: $22 million
Why would the Bobcats sign Pekovic to a huge offer sheet? Why the hell not? Know which Charlotte center has the highest PER this season? Byron Mullens. Byron Mullens! Know what his PER is? 12.3. 12.3! The ‘Cats need a center… and you know, Kemba Walker’s improving, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a high ceiling (and the right attitude)… you know what, I was starting a train of thought that was going to end with the sentence, “the Bobcats might be a franchise center away from being half-decent.” Whew. The Bobcats? Half-decent? Could it be?
5. Houston Rockets
Approximate luxury tax room: $25 million
The Rockets are a tricky bunch; led by “Dork Elvis“, aka Daryl Morey, the team’s unconventional methods and intelligent maneuvering recently landed them a franchise centerpiece (James Harden), a recent Top-5 pick (Thomas Robinson) and two restricted free agents who are probably worth more than they earn, for various reasons (Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin). Oh, and they still have money left over to add more pieces this offseason. Houston’s been floated by many as a potential landing spot for Dwight Howard, but his price might be a little high for them. Plus, the Rockets have to worry about 2014-15, when the identical contracts they gave to Lin and Asik spike to $14.9 million apiece (and they’ll no longer be anything close to “bargains”). I wouldn’t put anything past Morey and the Houston front office, but Pekovic ending up in Houston would be a bit of a stretch.
The Prime Sus-Pek-ts
4. Dallas Mavericks
Approximate luxury tax room: $22 million
The Mavericks will have a decision to make about re-signing O.J. Mayo, who will almost certainly opt-out of the second year of his deal (at $4.2 million) to hit the open market. Their primary objective will be landing a bigger free agent fish than Pekovic; a run at Dwight Howard seems inevitable, and some pundits believe Dallas will make a big offer to Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings. If nothing else goes their way, the Mavericks could make a run at Nikola Pekovic as a Plan B.
3. Atlanta Hawks
Approximate luxury tax room: $43 million
Like Utah, Atlanta has a TON of financial flexibility coming their way. The Hawks have three players (Al Horford, Lou Williams, and John Jenkins) with deals in place for next season, for a total of $18.4 million. They can exercise team options on DeShawn Stevenson and Mike Scott for another $3 million combined. Finally, they’ll have qualifying offers to make to Jeff Teague ($3.4 million) and Ivan Johnson ($1.2 million) for a grand total of around $26 million. If free-agent-to-be Josh Smith decides to take his services elsewhere, the Hawks could be in the running for a front court mate for Al Horford, who can play power forward or center. Again, Dwight Howard factors into the equation; he’s from Georgia, so it’s possible the Hawks could make a run at him, employing the “homecoming” angle. But if Dwight stays put, Pekovic could be their consolation prize.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Approximate luxury tax room: $24 million
Last offseason, the Sixers flipped the game’s best perimeter defender (Andre Iguodala), an up-and-coming center (Nikola Vucevic), the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft (Maurice Harkless) and a future 1st round pick for three years and $18.6 million worth of a washed-up Jason Richardson and Andrew Bynum, a free-agent-to-be who hasn’t played a single game for them this season. To call it a disaster does a disservice to actual disasters. All Philly can do now is try to pick up the pieces – which could involved shelling out some bucks for the anti-Bynum: the hard working, accountable Nikola Pekovic.
Here is Pekovic, adorning a shirt with the Blazers’ color scheme. Is he trying to send a message? Also, there’s Zach Galifianakis. Or, a midget who looks a lot like Zach Galifianakis. Hard to tell.
1. Portland Trail Blazers
Approximate luxury tax room: $21 million
The recent history between the Wolves and Blazers is… shall we say… contentious. First of all, David Kahn was a Portland employee when he was hired as the president of basketball operations in Minnesota. Then, he traded for Blazers forward Martell Webster, whose chronic back issues were no secret to the Portland training staff, but not disclosed in the medical reports attached to the deal. Last July, the Wolves attempted to acquire another Rip City forward, Nicolas Batum, by signing him to a massive offer sheet (4 years, $45 million) which the Blazers ultimately matched. Things between the two teams have been a bit snippy throughout the whole saga.
It’s no secret that the Blazers covet a franchise center; last July, they handed out an offer sheet of their own, to Roy Hibbert, for 4 years, $58.3 million. The Pacers matched, keeping the big man out of the Pacific Northwest. Portland took a center with the 11th overall pick in last year’s draft (Meyers Leonard) but are still the most likely source of a big offer sheet for Nikola Pekovic. Signing Pekovic would give the Blazers a starting lineup of Damian Lillard, Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Lamarcus Aldridge and Big Pek, for the combined 2013-14 price of $49 million. You could do a hell of a lot worse than that.
Portland would still have depth issues, but at least they’d have a terrific starting five, which is worlds better than the inverse scenario. When their recent behavior (the Hibbert offer sheet), their salary flexibility ($21 million) and their roster needs are considered, Portland is the odds-on favorite to sign Nikola Pekovic to a lucrative offer sheet. That would put the Wolves in an uncomfortable spot . Matching would hinder their own financial flexibility, and refusing to match would (possibly) give a division rival the missing piece they need to contend.
The Portland-Minnesota off-the-court wars continue.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
Unraveling this tangled web of power is tricky. Superficially, the situation with the Wolves’ management seems sloppy; it must be awkward to have the terms of an agreement with someone’s replacement while the position is technically still full. Taylor stated in a mid-April interview that Kahn was busy working on draft preparations and offseason plans. Is he still doing so? Does he show up to the offices at 600 1st Avenue North every morning, with coffee in hand and film to watch, waiting for Glen Taylor to walk in with a security guard, a box, and a directive for Kahn to collect his things?
Don’t mistake my curious ramblings for sympathy. Kahn has got to go. It’s been hashed over, repeatedly, by various outlets, but Kahn’s tenure as the Wolves’ chief decision-maker was puzzling, at best, and breathtakingly stupid, at worst. A short list of his questionable, baffling or franchise-killing moves during his time as President of Basketball Operations:
6-25-09: Drafted Jonny Flynn over Stephen Curry, 6th pick, 2009 draft.
6-25-09: Drafted Ty Lawson, the Wolves’ third point guard of the draft. (Read this.)
8-9-09: Hired Kurt Rambis as head coach (32-132 in two seasons).
6-24-10: Drafted Wes Johnson over DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon Hayward and Paul George.
7-12-10: Signed Darko Milicic to a 4 year, $20 million contract extension.
7-13-10: Traded Al Jefferson for Kosta Koufos and two non-lottery picks.
6-23-11: Drafted Derrick Williams over Klay Thompson. (Yeah, this is nitpicky. Sue me.)
6-23-11: Acquired Chandler Parsons (good!), sold him back to Rockets for cash (bad!)
It’s also clear that Kahn doesn’t get along with Kevin Love, the best player to wear a Timberwolves uniform since Kevin Garnett was traded away. At the heart of the discord is Kahn’s refusal to offer Love a max-level contract, preferring instead to save it for Ricky Rubio. Because of this feud, and Kahn’s stubborn approach, Love can walk away from the Wolves after the 2014-15 season, a colossal blunder on the part of management.
No one questions whether it’s time for Kahn to be jettisoned – in a time where every decision is debated in public forums, by fans and sportswriters, and a consensus is harder to reach than ever before – no one believes Kahn should stick around, except for the meerkat himself.
By the end of his tenure in Washington, Flip was burned out. Is he ready for a new challenge in the Wolves’ front office? Or did dealing with JaVale McGee leave him shell-shocked and world-weary? (I wouldn’t blame him if it did.)
Thanks to his role in the Wolves’ glory days, and thanks in part to the dreary reign of Kahn, Flip Saunders will be greeted as a hero upon his return. He was 411-326 with 8 postseason appearances during his time in Minnesota; the franchise is 351-832 with 0 playoff appearances in all other seasons. His name is synonymous with any success the Timberwolves have had, however small they were. The former University of Minnesota star, whose dalliance with his alma mater over their head coaching vacancy was the talk of the Twin Cities a month ago, led the Pistons to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances after he left the Wolves, and most recently spent two and a quarter lamentable seasons coaching the hapless Washington Wizards. For his career, he’s 638-526 with four trips to the Conference Finals.
He’s been a successful NBA coach, and a front-office job should be seen as something of a promotion. But is he qualified? At all of Flip’s previous stops, a dominant personality has made the important decisions: Kevin McHale in Minnesota, Joe Dumars in Detroit, Ernie Grunfeld in Washington. He was undoubtedly afforded input, but is he really ready to be the chief personnel and salary cap guru of an NBA team?
Of course, he wouldn’t hold all the power while Rick Adelman is still around; indications are strong (from Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press, especially) that Adelman is leaning strongly toward a 2013-14 return to the Wolves’ bench. To complicate matters further, 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson reported that one scenario being discussed was Adelman’s ascension to Kahn’s duties and hiring his own replacement at head coach. At any rate, if the Saunders news is true, it got Adelman’s seal of approval, and for the duration of Adelman’s tenure, the two would work in tandem on personnel decisions.
If Flip is hired, he and Adelman could co-exist perfectly for the two remaining years on the aging coach’s contract. They could harmoniously evaluate talent, make important roster decisions together, and (hopefully) lead the Wolves back to the postseason for the first time since the spring of 2004. But after Adelman retires, either at the end of the 2014-15 season or sometime before, due to his wife’s medical issues, what then? Would the Wolves be wise to operate under a man who’s never been in charge of an NBA front office?
It seems as though owner Glen Taylor is making it up as he goes along.
If Flip is hired as President of Basketball Operations, it’ll be due to cronyism rather than merit. In a league with a high turnover rate, Taylor has been very loyal to those closest to him (McHale lasted 14 years, Saunders 10). Despite Kahn’s many flaws, even he’s managed to stick around for four years.
When Glen Taylor is unsure of what to do, he falls back on the people he knows best and puts them in positions of power. His hires outside the organization have either been disasters (Kahn, Rambis) or prematurely fired in favor of another crony (the Casey v. Wittman case of 2007). The blame for the haphazard nature of the franchise starts with its leadership; it starts at the top. The constant shuffling and the ambiguous power structure may result in a playoff appearance (or two) in the coming seasons, but without a proper plan in place, and the right people in charge, long-term, the Wolves may never find sustained success.
As it stands, Timberwolves fans are starved for any success, sustained or not.
William Bohl primarily covers the Minnesota Timberwolves. Follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle, e-mail him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com, or leave a comment below!
One of the Timberwolves’ offseason questions looms larger than the rest
@BreakTheHuddle
Some of the offseason questions facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, in no particular order:
Will owner Glen Taylor sell his majority stake in the team, bringing about a new face of leadership to the organization?
Will David Kahn return as President of Basketball Operations?
Will the team be able to match whatever offer sheet comes Nikola Pekovic’s way?
Is Chase Budinger going to be back?
Will Andrei Kirilenko exercise his $10 million option? Or will he decline it, with the intent of signing a longer-term deal (say, 3 years and $27 million), in order to help the Wolves’ 2013-14 salary cap situation?
What’s Kevin Love’s status, both mentally and physically? Is he going to be ready for the start of training camp in October?
Is it time to pull the plug on Derrick Williams? Or did the team see enough development from him (especially late in the season) to warrant another go-round?
Who will the Wolves target/ draft with their (likely) top-ten overall pick?
And, of course, the big one: will Rick Adelman return for a third season at the Target Center?
Upheaval on the scale that the Timberwolves face in the summer of 2013 is the kind usually seen in franchises that are bottoming out, or at the end of a prolonged run of success when it’s time for everyone to go their separate ways. In Minnesota’s case, neither condition holds true. Their woes on the court were due primarily to a rash of terrible injury luck, but when healthy, the roster shows promise. But since they’ve missed the playoffs nine straight seasons, the Wolves aren’t exactly breaking up the Yardbirds because stellar solo projects await the primary band members, either. Still, it’s possible that the Wolves could open the 2013-14 season with a new owner, a new chief decision-maker, and a new head coach, and all under semi-independent circumstances. It’s the kind of monumental change rarely seen in the NBA.
Rubio, who’s played professionally since he was 14 years old, said Adelman is “the best coach I’ve ever had.” Andrei Kirilenko said at the end of the season that “he’s the reason I’m here.” High praise from two intelligent, thoughtful players.
As important as the owner is (he is, after all, the Man Who Signs the Checks), the primary order of business this offseason concerns Rick Adelman. Without knowing his status for next season, few other puzzle pieces can fall into place. Since Adelman’s been here, he’s had the final say on personnel matters, minimizing (mitigating?) David Kahn’s influence. Instead of filling out the roster with risky athletic specimens (Anthony Randolph, anyone?), last summer veteran free agents were keen to come play in the frigid northwoods; Andrei Kirilenko doesn’t bother returning calls from the 651 area code unless Rick Adelman’s doing the dialing.
For fans, it’s been a relief having a coach who we can trust implicitly. Rick Adelman knows what he’s doing, both with his rotations and his awareness of when to call timeouts; if any Timberwolves’ fan takes these attributes for granted, watch the Clippers (Vinny Del Negro), Grizzlies (Lionel Hollins) or Lakers (Mike D’Antoni) sometime with Twitter up-and-running. Consider the fact that Randy Wittman (Wizards) and Keith Smart (Kings), re-treads with no measurable success at the professional level, are gainfully employed by NBA teams – that could be OUR problem. Heck, consider the saga of Doug Collins, an older coach who wears out his welcome at every stop and more-or-less engendered apathy out of his Sixers team the last three months of the 2012-13 season. But we’ve got Rick Adelman – a guy who’s handled himself professionally at every stop, who players (certainly seem to) love to play for, and who’s found a way to last 23 years in a business where coaches have shockingly short tenures.
No one would blame Adelman for stepping away; his wife’s medical issues still haven’t been precisely diagnosed, and there’s no guarantee they ever will. Perhaps it’ll come down to symptom management and medication, and that will allow him to continue being away from home 60 days a year. Perhaps he’ll decide enough is enough, and that he’s had a full career, and it’s time to retire to be with his family full-time. It’s likely the organization will give him plenty of time to consider his decision carefully, but in reality, Rick Adelman is the lynchpin of the Timberwolves’ future. The NBA’s offseason clock doesn’t wait for anyone.
It’s possible that Adelman could (rightfully) view his 1000th victory as a career capstone and take the opportunity to walk away.
Long-term, it’s more important that Kevin Love is healthy, Nikola Pekovic says in a Wolves’ uniform, and Ricky Rubio’s jump shot improves. But if the old coach isn’t there to run the show, things could get sloppy. Veterans might be less inclined to come join the party. David Kahn might get to run another draft independent of Adelman’s guidance (may God have mercy on our souls). As soon as Rick Adelman came to town, there was an air of respect and professionalism that had been lacking since… well, the inception of the franchise. To think it could be over in just two seasons, without the chance to see Adelman’s full, healthy vision take shape, is unfortunate.
What we must hope for, on a human level, is for Mrs. Adelman’s health. Obviously, that’s bigger than basketball, bigger than anything that involves this silly game we love, watching tall men put a ball through a hoop. It would be nice if there were a breakthrough, a resolution, something to put their minds at ease. But if it isn’t in the cards, there’s nothing to be done. So, until it’s time for Adelman to decide (and no timetable’s been announced), we wait.
Either way, it’s been a joy having Rick Adelman in Minnesota, and we should all be grateful, no matter what happens next.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
Thirty minutes of fight, Rubio struggles, good Barea/ bad Barea, and a new shot from Nikola Pekovic – all the odds and ends from the first two games of a West Coast road trip.
@BreakTheHuddle
The last time the Wolves and Clippers got together, there was a gentlemanly disagreement between Matt Barnes and Greg Stiemsma (resulting in this Caron Butler retribution). Unfortunately, this time around, there would be no such fireworks.
This late in the season, it’s not reasonable to expect a lottery-bound bunch like the Timberwolves to win two games, on the road, on back-to-back nights, against playoff teams. Why? Well, for all the familiar reasons that NBA critics love to complain about. One team has motivation to lose some games (the Wolves), the opponents (the Warriors and Clippers) are battling for postseason seeding, it’s a long flight to the West Coast, the second night of a road back-to-back is tough on the legs, et cetera, et cetera.
As a fan, one simply hopes the boys don’t embarrass themselves, and that no one gets hurt. If there are stretches of entertaining basketball, or even a close game in the fourth quarter, it’s a bonus. Unfortunately, neither game (Tuesday night in Oakland, nor Wednesday night in Los Angeles) was tight in the fourth quarter. Both the Clippers and Warriors led by at least 18 in the final frame. Dante Cunningham was injured the first night (hamstring pull) and didn’t dress for the second. The most entertaining elements of either game came from opponents – Klay Thompson’s pretty shooting stroke, and a visit to Lob City.
There were a few things to learn about the Wolves, however. There was plenty of fight to begin both games, Ricky Rubio’s struggling mightily, J.J. Barea was both terrific and terrible in one microcosmic quarter, and Nikola Pekovic unveiled a brand new shot in the season’s 78th game. Expounding on the little things is all us humble scribes have left to do this time of year (unless you want me to pretend to be a draft expert), so humor me awhile as I break down two blowout losses.
Thirty minutes of fight
To their credit, the Timberwolves didn’t completely roll over either night, not even Klay Thompson was unconscious in Tuesday’s first half, hitting 5 of 6 three pointers and scoring 25 points on 8 of 11 shooting overall. Despite this, Minnesota trailed by just one at the half against Golden State. The Clippers opened Wednesday’s game with an 8-0 run featuring lobs to DeAndre Jordan, blocks from DeAndre Jordan, an Andrei Kirilenko airball and general Blake Griffin-ness. Minnesota trailed by 12 at the break, but nearly trimmed it to a one possessession game later on.
In fact, Rick Adelman’s bunch was competitive into the third quarter both nights. Unfortunately, the tide turned on technical fouls in each game. Tuesday it was Luke Ridnour bumping and jawing with his defensive assignment, Klay Thompson, with 6:58 to go in the third. Wednesday, Derrick Williams was whistled for a technical for making a passing negative comment to an official at the start of a timeout four minutes into the second half. The before and after scoring splits may be coincidental, but are intriguing nonetheless:
Opponent
Golden State
Los Angeles Clippers
Who?
Luke Ridnour
Derrick Williams
When?
6:58, 3rd quarter
8:12, 3rd quarter
Score at time of technical:
Warriors 63, Wolves 60 (-3)
Clippers 65, Wolves 61 (-4)
Score after technical:
Warriors 42, Wolves 29 (-13)
Clippers 46, Wolves 34 (-12)
Final score:
Warriors 105, Wolves 89
Clippers 111, Wolves 95
In both cases, Wolves’ opponents made the technical free throw and hit a shot on the ensuing possession – a multi-point swing that ignited rallies. Until that point in each game, though, the Wolves were hanging tough. (This probably sounds like rosy-colored optimism. Well… yeah. It is. Sue me.)
Rubio struggles
The Spanish Unicorn went 0-for-1o from the floor in Tuesday night’s loss and followed it up with a 2-for-8 performance against the Clippers on Wednesday. Over his past four games, he’s 6-of-41 (14.6%) from the field overall and 1-of-9 from behind the three point line. His only saving grace, at least in the scoring department, has been his ability to get to the line (25 attempts in his last four games) and cash in once he does (21 makes). His assist numbers are fine, and only against the Clippers did he look disjointed. It seems as though the negative energy from a long, losing season might be taking its toll on him.
Here are his shots, with descriptions, over the past two nights:
Time, Quarter
Opponent
Distance
Description
10:19, 1st
GS
27’ (3 pointer)
Short
9:13, 1st
GS
14’
Short
8:20, 1st
GS
19’
Short
2:14, 2nd
GS
19’
Left
1:35, 2nd
GS
5’
Blocked by Stephen Curry
10:18, 3rd
GS
17’
Attempted bank; ricochet did not touch rim
8:36, 3rd
GS
27’ (3 pointer)
Long (wide open)
5:59, 3rd
GS
11’
Blocked by Andrew Bogut
4:28, 3rd
GS
26’ (3 pointer)
Long (wide open)
3:49, 3rd
GS
13’
Short and left (arc did not get above rim)
11:27, 1st
LAC
9’
Blocked by DeAndre Jordan
8:46, 1st
LAC
20’
Long
6:17, 1st
LAC
18’
Long
11:43, 3rd
LAC
3’
Good – assist by Kirilenko
10:12, 3rd
LAC
3’
Good – steal and uncontested layup
8:25, 3rd
LAC
13’
Blocked by DeAndre Jordan
7:02, 3rd
LAC
5’
Out of control on drive, scoop shot misses
1:28, 3rd
LAC
26’ (3 pointer)
Long (wide open)
The Clippers were playing well off Ricky to start the game, and he couldn’t make them pay. Rubio’s prone to poor shooting performances, but most nights he brings enough other things to the table to keep the Wolves semi-competitive (hustle, defense, and obviously, his passing acumen). The last two games his shooting struggles affected his all-around game so much that didn’t see a minute of action in the fourth quarter of either contest. The games might be “meaningless” this late in the season, but still – it’s tough watching a key member of your team’s future shoot the ball so poorly for such a long stretch.
Good Barea / Bad Barea
Most nights, Jose Juan (J.J.) Barea is either the good Dr. Jekyll or the out-of-control moster, Mr. Hyde. Either Barea is over-dribbling, attacking the hoop unwisely, wildly attempting to draw fouls on minimal contact and complaining to referees… or he’s splitting defenders, finishing at the rim, expertly distributing the ball to open teammates and knocking down three-pointers. As with any “irrational confidence” player (to borrow a phrase from The Sports Guy), you know pretty quickly which of the two shows up on a game-to-game basis.
Wednesday, both the benevolent doctor and the monster made appearances – in the same quarter, nonetheless. Early in the second period, Barea attacked Lamar Odom for an easy two in the lane. He knocked down an open jumper, drilled a pair of threes (the second brought the Wolves to within two, at 42-40) and caused issues for the Clippers defense by effectively running the pick and roll. Barea was so good that Adelman stuck with the hot hand (over the struggling Rubio) much longer than he usually does.
But with 3:15 to go until halftime, J.J. drove, was stripped by Blake Griffin after some contact, and as the Clippers ran out in transition, stood straight up and complained to the official. The dunk sparked the crowd, and the home town team finished the half on a 16-to-4 run. It’s unlikely the 6’0 Barea would’ve stopped the dunk single-handedly, but the lack of hustle and transition defense, five feet away from the Wolves’ bench, was disheartening.
Breaking: Nikola Pekovic Successfully Shoots Jumpers (Plural)
Closing on a happy note is important – we’ve seen Wolves center Nikola Pekovic shoot jumpers before. It’s rare, but it happens. His offensive game primarily consists of hook shots, up-and-unders, pick and roll finishes at the rim, put-backs on offensive rebounds and sinking a high percentage of his free throws. Last night against the Clippers, he surprised everyone (including the announcers) by sinking three (THREE!) jumpers, all turning over his right shoulder and fading away (ever so slightly). It’s a new move from a big man who already possesses a diverse set of low-post skills; if he’s still working on new things this late in the season, maybe it’s time for the Wolves to ignore my stupid apprehensions and just pay the man, already.
It’s refreshing to see a player of his caliber add new wrinkles to his game at this juncture. Hopefully he maintains that work ethic after he puts his name on a contract promising him $50 million over four seasons… and hopefully, he does it in a Wolves uniform.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
A lost season for Kevin Love is a lost season for all of us… but there’s still hope for the future.
@BreakTheHuddle
The Wolves’ official alternate uniform this season has been the suit and tie, inspiring this hilarious tribute to them.
The story broke on Monday night, its timing (perhaps) shrewdly coinciding with the Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship, in the hopes that ‘One Shining Moment’ would relegate some disappointing news to the shadows: Wolves forward Kevin Love will have surgery to remove a buildup of scar tissue in his left knee. He won’t be coming back this season, not even for three to five games, just so Rick Adelman can see what the puzzle pieces look like when they’re all assembled. It would’ve been a nice gift to the veteran coach, who just earned his 1,000th career victory, a bright moment in a season full of short benches, patiently answering health-related questions, and squandering fourth quarter leads.
Instead, Love will fly to New York for the operation, take four to six weeks to recover, and try to make himself ready for training camp next fall. It’s an unceremonious end to a lost season for Love, a 2012 All-Star who was expected to propel the Timberwolves to their first playoff berth since 2003-04. We’ve been waiting for some time to hear a definitive declaration that he wasn’t returning, and when the pessimists among us were rewarded with the news, it didn’t matter that the specific reason was a bit of a surprise. It simply isn’t prudent for a lottery-bound team to rush a franchise centerpiece like Love back from injury to play a half dozen meaningless games at the end of a (likely) 50 loss campaign – especially if more than one body part is injured.
Far be it for me to say any surgery is “minor”, because I’ve never gone under the knife, but every available description of the procedure that will be performed on Love makes it sound as though it’s “maintenance” work, the type of which is not uncommon among professional athletes. The fact that he’s having knee surgery shouldn’t be cause for (too much) concern. As long as there are no infections and he avoids doing any knuckle pushups next summer, Kevin Love should be in a Wolves uniform on opening night in November, 2013.
Shooting woes, especially from beyond the arc, dominated Love’s 2012-13 season (on the court).
It’s incredible to think about the dramatic downturn in public perception of Kevin Love during the past 14 months. In February of 2012, in one of my first ever blog posts (which I won’t link to, because it’s stunningly bad), I argued that Love, and not the hometown golden boy, Joe Mauer, ought to be Minnesota’s Sports Hero. That was before Love missed the last seven games of 2011-12 and the first nine games of 2012-13. It was before the infamous Wojnarowski article blasting David Kahn and the Wolves’ organization. It was before he went 3-for-17 from the field in the first game after the Woj bomb, and 4-for-18 in the second. It was before he shot just 22% on three pointers and 35% from the field overall in the 18 games he suited up in. And it was before another broken hand, described as having a “8 to 10 week” recovery time, would keep him out for 15.
There was near-universal bewilderment when the Wolves withheld their max deal from Kevin Love, pocketing it instead for use in the future (read also: Ricard Rubio I Vives); now, some laud that decision as one showing exemplary foresight by David Kahn. The percentages of sports talk radio hosts, columnists and fans willing to question Love’s heart, commitment and toughness are at all-time highs. Some are even ready to ship him out of town for 50 cents on the dollar.
Does all that ancillary stuff really matter? Not necessarily. It depends on the type of person Love is, what makes him tick. It’s an overplayed storyline, but the cliche exists for a reason – getting “no respect” or being “doubted” can drive a person to bigger and better things. Before last season, he was playing for a contract, and Love arrived to camp trim, fit and ready to rip. It’s all speculative, but it’s only natural to wonder if getting his new deal relaxed him a bit, and he approached the 2012-13 season with a more lax attitude. Perhaps David Kahn’s departure would ease Love’s mind and calm the in-house tension inside 600 1st Ave N. Maybe he’ll end up enjoying this short venture into the realm of being a ‘heel’ (to borrow a wrasslin’ phrase). Who knows?
I love this old sourpuss, but Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse is wrong to assert that the Wolves should deal Love.
I know this: trading Love would be a colossal mistake. Nothing went right for him in 2012-13, on the court, off the court, on the side of the court, nothing. He broke his hand under questionable circumstances, rushed back into the lineup, played ineffectively while he was there, (unwittingly) hurt the feelings of the good people of Minnesota (we’re oversensitive, but still), and disappeared again. Despite his faults, it’s important to remain patient with Love. He’s the key to making this otherwise talented roster of role players into a possible playoff contender. There was a reason fans were excited when Andrei Kirilenko signed with the Wolves, Chase Budinger was brought in via trade, and Ricky Rubio’s rehab stayed on schedule. On paper, there’s a lot to like about how the Wolves are constructed.
Kevin Love may never completely regain the trust of the average Minnesota sports fan. Questions about whether or not he really wants to be here will linger until the end of the 2014-15 season, when he can opt out of his deal and hit the open market. Entertaining play, and winning ballgames, and going back to being the rebounding, three-point shooting machine he can be could go a long way toward repairing his image. Barring anything truly stupid happening this offseason – a DUI, a trade demand out of the blue, or sitting down with Woj again – he should (mostly) have a clean slate when training camp starts in the fall.
The tired baseball phrase “wait til next year” sadly applies to the Wolves. It’s been apparent for the past three months that waiting is all Wolves fans can do. Hopefully, our patience will be rewarded – we aren’t asking for much. A healthy superstar and a playoff appearance – ye basketball gods, it’s a humble plea.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
The Wolves’ recent success can be (partially) explained by new-found third quarter effectiveness.
@BreakTheHuddle
A healthy Kirilenko means a world of difference to the Timberwolves.
An 82 game season, comprised of (no fewer than) 3,936 minutes, divided over five and a half months and played by a roster of (approximately) 15 individuals, will occasionally spit out statistical oddities. Some of them must be kept in perspective, no matter how much everyone loves the player involved – for example, backup center Chris Johnson and his sparkling statistics (64% shooting from the floor, accumulated primarily in garbage time). Some of them are cause for concern, like Alexey Shved’s inability to make non-corner threes. Others, like Will Conroy’s hilarious -15.2 PER in 20 minutes of game action, exist solely for comedic purposes.
The most useful statistics either challenge or aid in explaining what observers witness on a game-to-game basis. In 2012-13, the Wolves have had an odd propensity to struggle mightily in the 3rd quarters of games. In fact, they’re the 4th-worst 3rd quarter team in the NBA, if measured by Net Rating (-8.1 points per 100 possessions, ahead of only Charlotte, Detroit and Cleveland.) The following chart illustrates Minnesota’s precipitous drop in effectiveness, quarter by quarter:
Quarter
Average Points Scored (Rank)
Average Points Allowed (Rank)
1
13th
3rd
2
16th
18th
3
27th
21st
4
18th
25th
“I hate voodoo.” – Nikola Pekovic
The Timberwolves begin games as a top three defense, then slowly get worse as the game goes along. Offensively, they’re a middle-of-the-pack team in the 1st, 2nd and 4th periods – but something goes completely haywire in the 3rd. Either opposing coaches make terrific adjustments at halftime that the Wolves (due to their thin roster) have had no answers for, or their opponents have been utilizing some kind of voodoo hex on the basket at the Wolves’ end of the floor. Unfortunately, I don’t have the solution. I can’t figure out why, other than to blame injuries, which is what every Wolves writer blames for every malady this season. A convenient catch-all scapegoat.
What I can tell you – since March 22nd in Phoenix, when the Wolves eviscerated the Suns on the road, on the second night of a back-to-back – Minnesota’s flipped the script on their 3rd quarter woes. Coincidentally, they’re 5-3 over that stretch, which might not sound very impressive, but to beleaguered fans it’s been a much-needed stretch of (albeit modest) success. The Wolves have taken their past two, one on the road against the Bucks (fighting for playoff seeding) and at home against the shell of the Boston Celtics. Prior to that, they fell to Memphis, beat the Thunder at home, lost a tough one to the Lakers, clobbered the Pistons in Detroit, fell to the Bulls and performed the aforementioned evisceration of the hapless Suns in Arizona.
Here’s the breakdown of their improvement:
Wolves Scoring,
by Quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Full season
24.8
24.5
22.5
23.6
3/22 – now
25.4
26.5
28.4
24.8
Differential
+0.6
+2.0
+5.9
+1.2
The third quarter resurgence just about perfectly coincided with the return of Chase Budinger, though he’s not the guy to thank. He barely plays in that period (fewer than 3 minutes per game) and has struggled when he has been on the court (he’s 3 for this last 17 from the field, overall). That’s not to say it isn’t nice having him back in the lineup – he just isn’t the one sparking the improvement.
Oddly enough, the player leading the way in the third quarter is the otherwise underwhelming Derrick Williams, who’s posting 6 points and 2 boards on 52% shooting (including 44% from three) during The Eight Game Mini-Run of Rediscovered Optimism. (Brevity was never my strong suit.) Williams isn’t alone, though – Kirilenko, Rubio and Pekovic are all scoring 5 points per game in the 3rd over this stretch. A balanced Wolves offense comes out of the locker room and gives opposing defenses fits for the 8-to-1o minutes the starters are back on the floor together, until the subs arrive.
Splits since 3/22
Unit
ORtg
DRtg
FTM/FTA
Minutes
Rubio, Ridnour, AK47, Williams, Pek
Starters
113.1
110.1
51/61
116
Barea, Shved, Budinger, Cunningham, Stiemer
Bench
98.1
103.7
4/7
55
We’re finally seeing what a truly healthy Ricky Rubio means to this Wolves team, and preseason observations are coming true. The Wolves surrender points at a high clip, but they can also fill it up, which equals entertaining basketball. Rubio, for his part, is averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals on 45%/64%/83% shooting splits since that shellacking in Phoenix. He’s attacking passing lanes, pestering opposing point guards their entire trip up the floor, swooping in on unsuspecting bigs being careless with the ball, bringing constant energy to the floor, and (dare I say it?) his jump shot appears to be rounding into shape. (He hit his first five three-point attempts against the Bucks on Wednesday night, and I nearly lost my mind.)
The whole team has followed Rubio’s lead, and are better for the entire game, not just the third quarter:
Statistic
League Rank (Season)
Rank since 3/22
Effective FG%
28th
6th
3 Point %
30th
7th
Offensive Rating
15th
7th
Defensive Rating
24th
9th
It’s awfully hard not to get excited all over again, imagining a healthy Kevin Love in place of Derrick Williams, and what those offensive numbers might look like.
As for now, everyone on the roster can’t continue to shoot above their career marks from outside ad infinitum. At some point, the Wolves will come back to earth. Rubio’s shots are falling, but his jumper is by no means fixed. There’s still plenty of work for him to do in the offseason. There are a million questions about what lies ahead for the Timberwolves, on and off the court. Any optimism should be tempered with small doses of healthy realism. But this Eight Game Mini-Run of Rediscovered Optimism is a nice reminder that Wolves fans can still dream about having nice things.
Specifically, a healthy, competitive team that’s entertaining as hell and occasionally makes three-point shots.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
Processing Wednesday night’s frustrating defeat with a tribute to Tim O’Brien’s classic novel.
@BreakTheHuddle
Did you have to read this book in high school? No? Well, surely it was required reading your freshman year of college, in English 101, or something. NO?!? Demand a refund. Return to your alma mater, make an appointment to see the registrar, and politely ask for your money back. (Let me know how it turns out.)
Didn’t go to college? Doesn’t matter. If you haven’t read this book, fix this problem. Not only are you missing out on one of the greatest pieces of literature in the past 25 years, you also won’t understand what the hell this Timberwolves drivel I’m about to spill is based on. So, now, I have to explain it to you, just in case. See what your ignorance is making me do?
“In the Lake of the Woods” is set in northern Minnesota. Following a difficult and disappointing political campaign, former Senate hopeful John Wade and his wife decide to vacation on the vast chain of lakes that form the boundary between the U.S. and Canada. At some point, Mrs. Wade disappears, and a mystery is born. The novel is about the background of the couple in question, what might have led to her predicament, and whether the man could have killed his beloved bride. There’s all the ambiguity, politics, sex, history, despair and post-modern linguistic bliss you could ever hope for from a talented writer’s magnum opus.
The structure of the book is unique. It’s broken into chapters, like a standard novel, 29 in all. Most of the novel is written in omnipotent, third person narration – but some of the chapters are titled “Evidence.” Those contain quotes, some real, some manufactured, to better provide context for the general plot, spelled out like a series of depositions.
What does this have to do with the Timberwolves?
Wednesday night, there was a “crime” committed by Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba fouled Ricky Rubio as the clock expired, and as he was releasing a desperation three that could have tied the game. (Video here, GIF here.) At the very least, Minnesota’s Spanish sensation should’ve been at the free throw line, shooting three, a tie ballgame hinging on the outcome. Instead, a referee, standing five feet from the play, swallowed his whistle. The buzzer sounded. The home team lost.
Ricky, looking for an answer that would never come.
I’d like to construct a post in similar style to the book – a series of quotations (though mine are 100% real) to provide clues about the “crime”, followed by some short analysis on why it happened and what it means, if anything. (Though my riff on “In the Lake of the Woods” will contain plenty of politics, history and despair, there won’t be any sex. Or “post-modern linguistic bliss. Sorry to disappoint you.) At any rate, here it is – my shameless attempt at catharsis, via scamming my one of my favorite writers.
—————————————————
Evidence
Question: “Did the referee give you any explanation, when you talked to him at the end, there?”
Ricky Rubio: “No.”
- Postgame interview, 3/27/13
“God hates Minnesota sports. That’s all I’ve got.”
- Joan Niesen, Wolves beat writer, via Twitter, 3/27/13
“A defender may not be in contact with an extended forearm to an offensive player with the ball at any time above the free throw line extended… At no time may the forearm be used to dislodge, reroute or impede the offensive player.”
- NBA Website, “Misunderstood Rules”
“I’m not going to say there was a conspiracy. I just think something wasn’t right. It was unfair. We didn’t have a chance to win that game.”
- Scot Pollard, member of the 2002 Sacramento Kings, regarding Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals
“When I asked Adelman if it made a difference to refs who was doing the contesting: “You’re not going to goad me into that.”"
- Jerry Zgoda, Wolves beat writer, via Twitter, 3/27/13
“You can’t spell ‘Zgoda’ without ‘goad.’ That’s all I know.”
- John Krawczynski, AP writer, via Twitter, 3/27/13
“They’re not going to call that s***.”
- Kobe Bryant, postgame interview, 3/27/13
“We welcome scrutiny here. This is something that should be scrutinized.”
- David Stern, regarding the state of NBA officiating, 7/24/07
“The objective of a referee is not to get mentioned. I tell a lot of young referees that not being mentioned is king. If you can achieve that, that then it has been a pretty good game.”
- Alan Lewis, legendary Irish cricket player, referee and commentator
Question: “Did you get fouled?”
Ricky Rubio: “Referees didn’t call it. That’s not a foul.”
- Postgame interview, 3/27/13
“If the foul is committed on or by a player in the act of shooting, and the shooter released the ball prior to the expiration of time on the game clock, then the foul should be administered in the same manner as with any similar play during the course of the game.”
- NBA, “Official Rules, 2012-13”
Jerry Zgoda: “You think Ricky makes all three free throws?”
Jim Peterson, Wolves broadcaster: “Would like to have found out… Too bad (referee) Jason Phillips sucks at his job.”
- Correspondence via Twitter, 3/27/13
Question: “What if the officials blew their whistle?”
Kobe Bryant: “We would’ve gone to overtime and won the game anyway. Simple as that.”
- Postgame interview, 3/27/13
Question: “Is this one of the tougher losses that you’ve had to deal with?”
Ricky Rubio: “Yeah. We fight all the way through, it was a back-to-back. We felt our legs, but we were fighting. We’re not going to quit. And I don’t care if we’re fighting for the playoffs or not, we want to win as many games as possible.”
- Postgame interview, 3/27/13
“I feel sorry for our team, because they did everything they could to win the game. It’s a shame, a real shame. … Our big guys get 20 fouls, and Shaq gets four. You tell me. Obviously, they got the game called the way they wanted to get it called.”
- Rick Adelman, after Game 6, Western Conference Finals, 2002
“What pisses me off is the self assured arrogance [Referee Jason] Phillips gave Rubio after screwing him.”
- Jim Peterson, Wolves broadcaster, via Twitter, 3/27/13
“By and large, they get it right most of the time. They get it wrong sometimes. Sometimes they perhaps carry themselves in a way that is not as modest as we would prefer, but they do their darnedest to get the result right.”
- David Stern, 7/24/07
“I’m not charging conspiracy. I’m charging incompetence. I’m charging out-of-control egos. The refs view themselves as stars. I’m blaming HD TVs. Seriously. You think the Kardashians are the only people in love with fame? Most of America wants to be a reality-TV star, and you think these old men don’t love their celebrity?”
- Jason Whitlock, FoxSports columnist, 6/8/12
”Video review by the league office confirmed that Kobe Bryant fouled Rubio while Rubio was in his shooting motion. Rubio should have been awarded three free throws.”
- NBA’s official website, 3/28/13
“I don’t like to lose. I hate it. And sometimes, it’s tough, when you give everything, and something like that happens…”
- Ricky Rubio, postgame interview, 3/27/13
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Those uninitiated (or unsympathetic) to the realities of the NBA point to debacles such as the one that occurred at the Target Center on Wednesday night and laugh at us fools who still choose to love it. “Stars get all the calls,” they say, “NBA outcomes are rigged.” It’s as if they don’t realize that all professional sports, in the era of instant replay, are tinged by the unforgiving realities of immediate video review. The NFL (replacement officials or not) has games decided by referee blunders. Baseball isn’t immune to the issue, constantly tinkering to find the suitable amount of replays in their sport. The first weekend of March Madness was marred by several questionable calls/ non-calls.
All that leads down a path towards a much bigger discussion, a debate between technology, human fallibility, and the utopian state of “ideal” harmony between the two. That conversation is much too long, and droll, for my liking. It is what it is. Ever officiated a game? Any sport, at any level? It’s awful. As a referee, or an umpire, all you want is to be invisible, to conduct the game in a timely manner and let the players decide the outcome. Referees have pure intentions… I think. But Jason Phillips makes me wonder.
In Phillips’ defense: despite the NBA’s acknowledgement, and my own participation in the chorus of whining on Twitter in the hours (and days) since Phillips swallowed his whistle, I must admit: seeing it live, I couldn’t tell if there was a foul. Slow-motion replays clearly reveal one. On the other hand, Phillips was five feet away from the play in question, unimpeded, with one job to do: watch Ricky shoot.
The worst part of the entire story, to me, goes deeper than one play on a Wednesday night in March. The officials bailed Kobe out. The Black Mamba went 1-for-2 from the line with 15 seconds to go in the game. With 3 seconds left, he missed the second of a pair of free throws, then compounded the mistake by standing like a statue, arm extended, incredulous at his miss. By the time he gathered himself, Ricky had the rebound and was sprinting for the other end of the court, with Kobe trailing, desperate to atone. Kobe never should have gotten as close as he did; he made a rookie mistake. And he wasn’t punished for it. The legend of the “clutch” Kobe Bryant is intact.
Did the non-call happen because Kobe was involved? I have no idea. I know this much: it sure as hell seems worse because Kobe was involved. And this ambiguous ending frustrates me, frustrates most sports fans – we love games because they’re objective. The winner and the loser is evident when the final buzzer sounds. But when a game ends like that – what to make of it?
“Hence, eternal doubt, which both frustrates and fascinates. It’s a standoff. The human desire for certainty collides with our love of enigma. And so I lose sleep over mute facts and frayed ends…”
- Tim O’Brien, “In the Lake of the Woods,” page 266.
BreakTheHuddle primarily covers the MASH-unit otherwise known as the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leave a comment below, follow him on Twitter @BreakTheHuddle or email him at BreakTheHuddle@gmail.com.
