2007-08 Game 44: Minnesota Timberwolves @ Chicago Bulls
Posted by GreekHouse on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
GH and I had worked up a mid-season conversation on the Wolves, which I intended to post after game 41. As it started at the beginning of the 8 game death march, it was basically a bunch of man they suck stuff. A funny thing happened on the way to game 41. The Wolves started playing basketball instead of that slop we were subjected to for 35 or so games. So, I've shelved that conversation and we'll have to work up a new one.
The Wolves have a home-and-home against the Bulls over the next two games. I was thinking two losses here at the beginning of the month, but I'll be very disappointed if the Wolves don't get at least one against what is a very disappointing Bulls club. The line tonight reflects the improved Wolves play. It's Chicago -4 and the O/U is 188. I like the Wolves to win tonight. I'm taking them and the points.
<GreekHouse>It's been quite the stretch for the Wolves. A couple weeks ago it looked the team might not get to a dozen wins, now it seems quite possible (even likely) that they'll make it to 20. Jefferson has turned into an absolute monster on the offensive end and put in one of the best single player offensive performances in Wolves history in the team's spirited comeback against the Nets.
After the game, I saw an interview with McCants and he said that the team "had a 5-game win streak in their minds". This shows that the team is in a much better frame of mind than they used to be. This year's success isn't so much about actually wins and losses and the two losses in the last 5 games could have easily been wins if some calls had gone the other way. I have no problems with the Wolves treating every game in which they play well as a win in their minds regardless of the actual outcome of the game.
Tonight's game against the Bulls might be tough as we're on the road, but the way the Wolves have been playing, they can pretty much beat any NBA team on any given night. </GreekHouse>
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Randy Foye said that he's going to play tonight.
No Ben Gordon or Luol Deng for the Bulls tonight and probably not tomorrow night.
How bad are the Heat? Boston (without KG and Ray Allen) up 31-14 after one.
In other kind-of-nice Wolves news today, John Hollinger lists Ryan Gomes and Shaddy as players to watch in the 2nd half.
It will be interesting to see how much Big Ben plays in these 2 games. He's been riding the pine in the 4th lately in favor of Noah and I suspect that the trade-me rumblings should reach Jason Kidd levels here in a week or so. Since the Wolves could be a player in moving any big-name contract, here's an idea for Kidd to the Lakers:
To the Nets:
To the Wolves:
To the Lakers:
Jason Kidd
The Lakers get a huge 2 year window where they'd be tough to top, the Nets get rid of a terrible contract while clearing a boat load of money (over $30 mil). The T-Wolves take on 2 big man with no years left on their contracts and a draft pick. Krstic was a budding big man before he got hurt last year. There....a mega-deal Monday on a Tuesday.
That would be a pretty good trade for the Wolves -- they could turn around and deal those guys, too, if they wanted to, I believe (but not package them). Plus the first rounder, although that's not going to be a great pick.
That would be a stupid trade for the Lakers. Odom is a valuable piece of their puzzle: he's versatile and unselfish. (Plus, with Bynum down for another 6-8 weeks, it would be foolish to part with him and Brown, especially without 'a big' involved in return.) Add to the fact, Kidd has more miles on him than an NYC Yellow Cab and arguably less tread on his tires.
I also think the Lakers would need at least one more 'big' back in that trade, unless you change it so they keep Odom or Brown and give up something else.
OK, send Nenad to the Lakers...the money still works. Odom's unselfish versatility would be replaced by Kidd's superior unselfish versatility. Nenad can be a patch until Mimm gets back and that should work until Bynum. Kidd, Bryant, Bynum in the playoffs is problematic. Plus, this year's 1st rounder, Brown and Odom are a small price to pay for a solid 2 year window.
I also think it's about as good as the Nets are going to get in return. The Wolves are in a great position because crappy teams don't want to take on salaries as big as Kidd, Bibby, or Wallace's and those players don't want to go to crappy teams. What crappy teams have an expiring contract to be a solid 3rd party? Go Wolves!!! Plus, I don't want Theo setting foot on the court. He's not in the future of this club and I don't want him helping us win any more than we should.
So, Vince, Odom and Jefferson fight it out for the ball on the wings?
One of those two gets moved in the off season. It was hard to watch Vince earlier this week. He's completely lost it.
Are you kidding me? The Cs have 64 at the break. Man, if the Heat win 15 games this year, it's going to be a miracle.
Foye in the game.
I'm not watching except via computer, but it appears that Foye is in the game!
Look here for a live feed:
Foye!
I'm heading home. Catch you in the second half.
Wolves 1/14 from 3 point range so far.
McCants 0/5
Bassy 0/4
Just chunk it up there dawg!
Stupid Bassy. They've finally decided to kick it back down to Big Al after getting down by double digits in the 4th. I have no idea what McCants is up to.
17 turnovers and too many long jumpers. The team basically gave this game away. They didn't even seem to notice BAJ was on the court for the first 3 quarters.
It was 1-on-1 ball for 3 quarters against an equally crappy team.
Poor coaching for sure. This is def a game where Witt should have stepped in and reminded them that playing like that is exactly how they got such a crappy record. Instead, he just let it go for most of the game and when they finally stopped doing it, they were down by almost 20.
What a disappointing effort tonight.