From Mike Max/WCCO:
What did Minnesota Wild players Mikko Koivu and James Sheppard learn watching the Boston Celtics beat up on the Timberwolves?
“They always talk and they’re always emotion with basketball. There’s not a lot of space to work with so it’s kind of cool to see the plays that they have but how they’re always moving and always talking,” Sheppard said.
From a chat with Coach Mike Moreau at Hoopsworld:
On his early impressions of Kevin Love:
Getting 8 and 6 in half a game is pretty good for what he brings. I think he is one of those guys who, down the road, will be a valuable, role playing piece to a good team in their run toward a championship. Can’t win titles without guys like that.
On whether Al Jefferson will make the All-Star team this season:
He gets my vote! I think he may be the best pure low post player in the NBA. It may be tough for him to make it on such a bad team. But, I think the rest of the league knows just how good he is. The next time the T’wolves play, don’t watch the game. Just watch Al Jefferson to truly appreciate what he does.
On what’s wrong with the team this season:
They have me stumped, too. They just don’t seem to be making progress. That coaching/talent/chemistry combo is a tough trio to master. They haven’t yet.
Wolves coach Randy Wittman has been deliberately vague about how much the offense was pared down for Sunday night’s game at Detroit, but his players agreed it played a big part in the team’s surprising 106-80 win.
“Just taking what the defense gave us,” rookie forward Kevin Love said after today’s practice. “I think for most of us out here, we were worrying more about what the play was instead of just playing.”
Amare Stoudemire on facing the 1-13 Thunder tonight, the 3-9 Timberwolves on Wednesday: “You can’t underestimate any team but these are definitely two games we definitely should win.”
Marty Burns/SI.com has the Wolves at #28 in his weekly power rankings.
T’wolves owner Glen Taylor recently declared coach Randy Wittman’s job safe ?- and that was before Sunday’s shocking 26-point victory at Detroit. With two victories in three games (Minnesota also defeated the Sixers last week), Wittman might be due for a contract extension.
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