Seven days to Friday

Posted on October 26th, 2007 – 10:47 PM
By 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.

Comments are closed.