Seven days to Friday
Posted on October 26th, 2007 – 10:47 PMBy Jerry Zgoda
The Wolves committed 30 turnovers — sloppy even by their preseason standards — in Friday’s preseason finale at Target Center.
And still beat Milwaukee by 21 points, 106-85.
How’d they do that?
“That’s a good question because Coach asked us the same thing,” point guard Randy Foye said. “Tonight was just one of those nights, but you can’t always win like that.”
The Wolves got their first real look at this completely remade team because both Foye and Sebastian Telfair, their top two point guards, finally returned to the lineup for the first time since playing in London in what seems like ages ago (actually,only a little more than two weeks). The two of them only made three of the 30 turnovers and their presence showed how easy the game is when you’re running and making layups and dunks, as the Wolves’ opening run to leads of 13-4, 23-9 and 41-21.
Some other impressions:
Al Jefferson, if he stays healthy and the Wolves can sign him to a long-term contract extension by Wednesday or next summer, will make the Kevin Garnett deal look lopsided within five years. He proved during the preseason — with a 17.9 point, 13.4 rebound, 31 minute average — that he’s the foundation of the team’s rebuilding.
Juwan Howard was a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision) for the fourth time in eight preseason games and even though the fans chanted for his appearance in the game’s closing minutes, judging by the way he was hugging teammates in the locker room afterward, it looks, with Monday’s roster deadline approaching, he has suited up for his last game as a Wolf. If so, Juwan, we hardly knew ye.
Telfair gave the game a completely different tempo with his defense and his speed in a 27-minute, 7-point, 6-assist, 2-turnover, 1-steal performance.
The Wolves open the regular season in seven days, against Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Denver at Target Center. The 15-man roster must be finalized by 5 p.m. Monday.
The Wolves averaged 22.2 turnovers in eight preseason games (3-5 record that includes a victory over the Efes Pilsen Turkish pro team). “The one thing we have to continue to is have more respect for the ball,” Wolves coach Randy Wittman said.
Newly acquired Antoine Walker and Michael Doleac both reported to the team on Friday. Neither played. What’s the Vegas odds on whether one or both won’t be on Monday’s final roster?
The Wolves have a free open scrimmage today at 5 p.m. at Target Center, part of their See What They Can Do marketing campaign that leads to Friday’s season opener.
9 Responses to "Seven days to Friday"
Hello Jerry,
Russo’s Rants are a regular for me and I have been waiting for a Twolves blog for a long time.
What do you think the chances extend Jefferson by Wednesday? I don’t see how they can possibly let this hang over the entire season
I think it would be smart to wait and sign some free agents first. Once he’s signed they are going to be up against the cap again.
How do y’all like McHale now? Big Al is impressive. It’s looking like Garnett for Big Al one-for-one would look lopsided five years from now. . .
Al Jefferson is a good player but he is not nearly as rounded as KG was. Al has averaged around 1 assist per game over his career. He also is not the defender that KG is. He will probably put up close to 20 and 12 numbers but he won’t contribute in some of the other categories. I am not saying that the trade was a bad move, it needed to be done. All I am saying is please don’t put so much pressure on Big Al right away.
John
Are you crazy? You have to sign Jefferson long term and the sooner the better. You are suggesting that they go and sign some free agents first? With that philosophy they wouldn’t have any money to even sign Jefferson. Wouldn’t signing free agents put their backs up against the wall in their efforts to sign Jefferson? I sure am glad you’re not the GM, you would be worse than McHale.
The Wolves have “Bird rights” with Jefferson and they can go as far over the cap as they want when they sign him. That’s why they’d be smart to sign some supporting players before they give him the big contract. If I’m not mistaken the only thing that would count against the cap when signing free agents is his current salary until he signs a new contract with any team. Smart GM’s use it as a loophole all the time.
Anyone know if they’re planning on keeping Simien?
Al Jefferson will go back to being lazy when he gets his money. Count on it and he will be the next best center in the WNBA.
Al Jefferson’s numbers are inflated because he’s by far the best player on a lousy team. Think Mike James in Toronto or Tony Campbell in the Wolves’ inaugural season.
