Wolves lose 118-112 to Suns, what will Monday bring?
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 – 2:40 AMBy Jerry Zgoda
The Wolves now are 1-2 after tonight’s loss to a Suns team that is 3-0.
A couple of significant points about tonight and then a mention about tomorrow:
* Al Jefferson shows more than a glimpses of the player he was before that torn ACL last February. He started 5-for-8 for 11 points in the first quarter and then faced in efficiency but not activity. He finished with totals — 21 points on 9 for 23 shooting, 8 rebounds — closer to the guy who averaged 23 and 11 before he was hurt last season than the fella you saw in the team’s first two games.
* Kurt Rambis said he was encouraged because that triangle offense operated more efficiently tonight, and it do so after he flip-flopped playing time with point guards Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions. Sessions played 31 minutes off the bench, Flynn fewer than 19 after he had played nearly 2/3rds of the minutes in the first two games.
Afterward Rambis said Sessions was “exceptional” at organizing the offense, which means he delivered the ball from the right spots at the right time as the Wolves flowed into that triangle offense.
* Rambis juggled the starting lineup and moved Ryan Gomes back to his natural small forward spot, and Gomes responded by playing the part of Kevin Love and getting 15 rebounds (and 23 points), although he did play a good bit at power forward as well.
* Monday is the day David Kahn must decide whether to extend the contracts of Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and Oleksiy Pecherov for the 2010-11 season.
Love, of course, is a given. Kahn said during training camp that he “couldn’t fathom” not extending Brewer’s contract.
You’d think Pecherov certainly is a no, and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Brewer’s wasn’t picked up, either. If you include Love’s extension, the Wolves are committed to six players and about only $27 million in 2010-11. That would leave, provided you can woo free agents without having to grossly overpay them, gobs of money to pay potentially multiple free agents, including one perhaps at a maximum deal.
Kahn thinks big and likes to do things boldly. Renewing only Love would maximum his options — and be a gamble, although he’d still be in the game to re-sign Brewer and Pecherov (who’d both be unrestricted free agents) next summer, quite possible at a cheaper price than if they guarantee them that 2010-11 season by Monday.
For some reason, my hunch is he only picks up Love’s contract.
That’s it for tonight from Phoenix. Onto L.A. for a game Monday night against the Clippers, the league’s only 0-4 team. Of course, Blake Griffin won’t play at Staples Center, but former Wolves Craig Smith and Sebastian Telfair will.
41 Responses to "Wolves lose 118-112 to Suns, what will Monday bring?"
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I think it’s more likely he picks up Corey’s option and moves Gomes or has an expiring thrown into a future trade to make up the difference. If we don’t, I’m positive now that there will be teams willing to pay him what that option is worth to sign him away from us. Maybe $3mil is a big deal to us when we’re in the free agent “hunt”, but that’s pocket change to a team like the Spurs, Magic or Celtics who are looking for nothing but complimentary pieces with the MLE.
I’m a little worried about Al. As Canis Hoops pointed out, he’s being graded on an injury curve right now, but eventually that goes away, and there were things that he missed that had nothing to do with his injury. Brewer cut right in front of his face several times and he had wide open Wayne Ellington almost every minute Wayne was on the floor.
And of course, still a little worried about the lack of playmaking from the guards. I realize that the point guard is a different role in the triangle, but given that we don’t have the facilitating wing player to really run it the way it’s supposed to be, I would think it wouldn’t be too much to ask for one of our point guards to put up at least 6 assists. Especially against a team that can barely play any defense.
But 4 players did get us 4 assists tonight, including Jefferson. So at least the ball is moving.
Really, when you equalize all the positives and negatives, it’s pretty easy to see why we lost though. The Suns hit 14 three. We hit 5.
Pecherov obviously did not help against Frye. Half of those threes he made were completely uncontested. I like the idea of getting a 7 footer out there and keeping Gomes at the 3, but I think we’d be better off starting Hollins.
I will say this though. If Al and Love were both healthy, I think we would have won this game, and fairly easily at that. If Al shot 13-23 instead of 9-23, we go to overtime. The Al from a year ago would have decimated the Suns inside (which would have made all the talk about him stalling the offense sound a little hollow…)
I would like to see us extend Brewer. I think it is worth the risk.
I thought the deadline extension was only for the 2006 class, but so much the better now.
Is the midnight deadline EST? If we can wait until midnight CST, I bet Kahn waits until after tomorrow’s game and faxes in the paperwork at like, 11:30.
Corey Brewer is the only defender on a virtually defenseless team. He is also contributing on the offensive end and runs the triangle better than anyone else thus far. The team needs to pick up his option.
Given the complexity of the new offense, I can’t imagine any serious reevaluation on players, other than Pech, until the All-Star break.
It would have to help Brewer’s confidence, which seems to be an issue, to pick up the option, and he’s showing enough to be worth the money. I can sure see Jerry’s point, though.
Saw the game on FREE NBA with the Pho Suns commentators. All is not ready for more than 18 minutes.
Flynn, Sessions, Ellington & Gomes ran forever. Even the Suns commentators were impressed. They called Flynn the “fastest guy on the floor.”
I have come to the conclusion that Jefferson has got to go. Complete lack of defensive hustle and ball stopping isolation on offense. When Love returns asta-la-viesta baby.
I like what Jefferson can bring. he brings that low-post presence every team needs. the problem is, he lacks that vision and desire to pass as much as he should. in addition, the nteam needs an athletic big who can score from anywhere. that, Al and Love would make a tough front-court.
Pauly - Thats a bit silly assessment. Dude is coming off surgery and a sore achilles. He and coaching staff both admit he isn’t in game shape yet either. Wait til his lungs return.
I think it would be a mistake not to pick up Brewer.
Marty I agree with your take 100%
I think if they had interchanged Pech and Hollins minutes (hollins at 18, pech at 9 instead), they may have had a better shot. as Bryan was saying, frye was virtually uncontested but I haev a feeling hollins could have gotten out on the perimeter more with his freakish athleticism. pech is geting more burn probably cuz they are evaluating him still
Hollins has 8 rebounds in 60 minutes this year, that is why he’s not playing. He is allergic to the paint. Isn’t the rim in the paint? He’s never in the paint so how can he be a rim protector? 3 major concerns with this team defense, defense & defense. There was no D at all last night on a Suns team that may not make the playoffs. No team concepts on D yet seen, a guy gets beat….. no help what so ever. That has to be priority number ONE.
Analysis of the Wolves’ loss to the Suns, Big Al’s struggles, and more:
http://mnhowl.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/quick-little-wolves-big-slow-al-a-mismatch/
I’m for keeping Brewer around, but it’s hard for me to evaluate whether they really could sign him at a lower price next fall. If they could, they should do that. Brewer’s going to play hard and excell no matter what.
I like Brewer on this team going regardless of when they sign him.
I agree it’s too soon to pull the trigger on Al until he reaches full health. Maybe he’ll fit in better with the running game once he’s got his lungs back.
But as far as the triangle part of the offense, I have to say it’s very noticeable when Al’s in the game. Feels like something’s got to give, either in Al’s game or the triangle, and I think the triangle will win that battle.
Pauly… you are on the money.
You are a prophet.
I predict Big Al will be gone at the Trade deadline! Hopefully packaged with some of our other assets for one of the top free agents.
Brewer has been a top 3 player on the court for the wolves all year and if that for a 23 year old is not worth 3-4 million we have even further to go than I thought. He’s the best defender, a good rebounder, very quick, has an improving shot and is built for the offensive we plan to run. How could you think about not keeping him for slightly more than madsen got. And be honest there is no chance that the wolves will get an expensive FA next year anyway. At least not one that would need all the cap space we already have plus the 3 million for brewer. Besides what does hoping to sign him for less do. It could hurt his feelings make him not want to sign. Even if he does there is no way he would sign for less than 2 million so you save 1-2 million which is unlikely to matter.
Let it be known, pauly and haugenma have spoken! Al Jefferson’s return is a bust. He’ll never be able to play in the triangle.
Seriously?!
Three games into a return from major knee surgery - not to mention missing the other half of the expected starting front court - and it’s time to drop the axe?
Anybody remember Shaq’s first few YEARS under Phil Jackson and the triangle offense? As dominant as Shaq can be, it took a while for everything to click in the triangle with a big man who was used to having the offense always start and end with him.
Al is not Shaq in many ways, but he can learn just like Shaq did, to trust his teamates and pass the ball. Get a few more shooters, or ‘makers’ in Rambis-speak, on the roster and the Wolves will look a lot better.
Oh, and keep Corey.
As far as picking up the options, if Kahn’s plan is for this to be a team that developes players, it’s a no brainer he picks up all three options, because all three players should be worth more at the end of this season, if he doesn’t pick them up they have no value cause they can just walkaway to another team.
JC
have you even SEEN Pech play? he’s not worth 2.4 mill, even he would say that. he doesn’t play defense, so then looking at his offense he’s a 7 footer with no inside game and his shot is above-average at best. i wouldn’t mind him back but he’d be signed for less than that.
Al is all about habits. the guy has the ability to be better, but he’s always getting into old habits of his - ie blackhole instead of passing, not playing defense even though he can, etc. the triangel is no exception - it will take him even longer since he’s a veteran on a team of youngsters.
Pech’s option will not be picked up period. Brew’s and Love’s will be picked up period. Once brewer is able to sign his first contract i have no doubt it will be a good contract, he won’t ask for outrageous money. Its worth it to possibly–in some eyes to overypay slightly now–and then save in the future. ie. i see a 3-4yr deal at 3-4M/yr for his next contract. Based on what i heard Brewer likes it here, wants to be here. That doesn’t happen often w/the team we currently have and our location.
Some of the Hollins bad rebounding numbers can be attributed to guarding shooting bigs so he’s not in the paint as often as other 7ftrs. He also seems to have a nice/decent 10ft shot and thus could be that shooting big we need in the triangle.
AJ will be fine people geez. 3 games in from knee surgery and people are calling for him to get traded? seriously?
Ha, I was just looking at box scores for the first time this season and it looks like my in game assessment of Gomes from game 2 (”Even though he just made a shot, Gomes has been the worst player on the floor”) was dead on ! I was accused of being drunk after that by someone !
Game 1: Team leading -15 +/-
Game 2: 2nd on team -22 +/-
Ha ! Vindication ! Never play him at PF again.
yes, Gomes is finally where he should be. the PF experiment was a bust. he is very solid at the 3 and can play a little at the 4 when the teams go small. his j-shot seems to be on its way, so hopefully he can keep it going. i’d like to see him back - his contract isp retty reasonable.
Sessions is a bad fit for triangle. He was straight mid screen roll guy last year for Bucks. He looks lost… Bermuda triangle for him. Didn’t Kahn know Kurt would run the Triangle? Why a non shooter pt guard who needs the ball in his hands? Triangle is predicated on body/ball movement and shooting. Non Basketball Guys (Kahn) make strange moves.
“Afterward Rambis said Sessions was “exceptional” at organizing the offense, which means he delivered the ball from the right spots at the right time as the Wolves flowed into that triangle offense.”
“Sessions is a bad fit for triangle. He was straight mid screen roll guy last year for Bucks. He looks lost… Bermuda triangle for him.”
Some disagreement here. Exeptional… Bermuda triangle…. I wonder whos right and who isnt?
Where are the updates on the options ?!
Stupid west coast games…why they gotta start at 9:30 central ?!
Brewer will not be picked up because he flat out stinks. You don’t build teams around players who don’t know the fundamentals of the game like Brewer. Only idiots would advocate resigning him. Sheer stupidity.
The decision about Brewer is not just a decision about Brewer. It’s a choice between Brewer and other options with the same money. I don’t think Kahn is going to sleepwalk into next offseason without noticing that the option is *considerably* more than Corey’s market value.
When you look at the roster right now, the Wolves have already added redundant Brewer types over the summer. Damien Wilkins and Sasha Pavlovic are both decent perimeter defensive players whose offensive contributions are basically marginal. The difference between them and Corey is simply that Corey’s deal is a lot more expensive than theirs. You can get guys like this without compromising your future, easily.
For those people talking about trading Al Jefferson, I was wondering if anyone has heard anything on that? The last two days I have been on espn.go.com/nba and there have been two headlines about Big Al, one yesterday that said something about Big Al on the move? and now today it says “Latest on Big Al Jefferson’s future” the only problem is that you have to be an insider to read more. I couldnt find anything else online talking about it, but i was wondering if anyone read that or heard anything about it?
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Fake Clown Arenal - Then half the roster would be gone because barely any of them understand the fundementals of defense. Let alone as well as Brewer.
Defensive and rebounding wins rings.
Swan- What was Jefferson’s excuse for not hustling and playing defense before the injury problems? I dare anyone to find two worse players on the roster than Gomes and Jefferson. Something happened to both of them in that cesspool in Boston. Paul Pierce had the same problem until KG got ahold of him. Jefferson is not going to do what he supposed to do until it is completely evident that he isn’t the most talented player on the team. Then I still don’t think he will ever be a capable rebounder.
The other night Hubie Brown commented on players not hustling, he said your warn them once and the next time you sit them.
defense*
Pauly - He was beaten down mentally having to cover for the perimeter defense of All Defensive 1st Team players: Randy Foye, Sebastian Telfair, Mike Miller, Ryan Gomes.
Last night he was to lazy to raise his arms when guarding the lane. I forget the score, but there was a point when they got within 4 points in the 4th qtr and the next three trips he was responsible for 10 PHX pts.
According to John Hollinger:
“This [Sessions] was Kahn’s best move, hands down — the free-agent steal of the summer. Sessions is the most underrated player in the league, a smooth point guard who plays solid defense and can function as a 2 in small backcourts, and Minnesota was able to poach him from Milwaukee for a bargain price when the Bucks opted not to match. It’s going to create a bit of a logjam in the backcourt if and when Rubio decides to come over from Spain, but at that point the T-Wolves could make a trade of one of their three point guards to fill other weaknesses.”
His best move hands down was flushing the Mchale regime.
Has Hollinger seen him play this year? who is he anyway? Joe Blow says he can’t play who cares. I’m going by what I see and have seen.
Hollinger sucks for anything other than statistical analysis.
Rambis’s coaching so far has impressed the heck out of me. Prior to him getting here, I kinda saw him as a cult figure / Jack Carlson type guy.
