The Wolves went through the usual motions today, allowing the media in to see a little bit of scrimmaging and then some after-practice individual work.
– Brian Cardinal and Mark Madsen did a good bit of running.
– Kevin Love worked on perimeter shooting.
– Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes and Randy Foye did some quick pass, quick shoot work.
– Rashad McCants lifted weights.
– Kevin Love worked on perimeter shooting.
– Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes and Randy Foye did some quick pass, quick shoot work.
– Rashad McCants lifted weights.
Click here for the forum’s thread for tonight’s game against the Sixers.
Previews of the game:
The Wolves changed up their starting lineup at Denver, with center Jason Collins and forward Ryan Gomes opening in place of Kevin Love and Corey Brewer, but coach Randy Wittman wouldn’t say if that same group would start again Wednesday against Philadelphia.
“We’ll see,” he said. “We’ve got to see how everything keeps going. If we roll off eight in a row here, we’ll stick with it.”
NBA.com has Al Jefferson in its “Fave 5” for the week of Nov 10-17.
The Wolves are struggling, but Jefferson is shining … and steaming. The losses have gotten to Minnesota’s young star, causing him to voice his displeasure at his team’s poor play. “We have to find a way for everybody to get on the same page and close out games,” Jefferson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. In other words, more Wolves need to start playing as well as Jefferson.
Miller is shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from the three-point line, and as Wittman noted, “That’s best by far from a perimeter standpoint of anybody we’ve got.”
The problem is Miller has put up just 87 shots, which ranks fourth on the team behind not only center Al Jefferson (165) but also guards Randy Foye (113) and Rashad McCants (95).
Considering that six of the Wolves’ eight losses have come by six or fewer points, two or three extra shots per night by Miller could make all the difference, but he said he’s not going to change his style.
“I’m not going to force any shots,” he said…
“We have to get Mike more than four shots, there’s no question about that,” coach Randy Wittman said. “And Mike’s got to work to get more than four shots. Sometimes you get into turning down shots to make the extra pass. Mike does all the right things. [But] at times, he has to be a little selfish, too.”
Even in watching replays of himself turning down shots, Miller says he believes if his options are limited it means other players are getting good shots instead.
That’s commendable and all, but Miller was brought to Minnesota for his shooting touch, not his passing ability.
Most teams do not have the luxury of featuring a player that averages 22 points and 10 rebounds a game. Al Jefferson is an extremely talented big man that rarely receives the type of national recognition he deserves. The center averages more points than Dwight Howard, Carlos Boozer, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Jefferson also hauls down more rebounds per game than perennial all-stars: Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, and Amare Stoudemire. On his way to a career season, Jefferson shoots 51 percent from the field and just under 80 percent from the free throw line.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
