McHale said after the game that he was disappointed in his team’s mental breakdowns and some players’ tendencies to let missed shots affect their play on the defensive end.
“We’ve got guys that a couple bad things happen and it causes them to be like in a funk for two or three minutes,” he said. “They’ve got to learn to play themselves through that.”
Looking at the schedule, McHale said his first goal on taking over the team was to get the players to play with energy and effort and worry about execution later.
From Brian Stensaas/Star Tribune:
As the team’s heart and soul, forward Al Jefferson knows it’s part of his job to lead in all facets of the game. But he too was caught letting frustration get the best of him Friday.
He has vowed to make that a thing of the past.
“We’re thinking of plays that happened three plays ago, and we have to put that behind us,” he said. “It’s about being mature about the game. A lot of guys out here feel like if they don’t make shots or do something right, they’re going to get snatched right out of the game. It’s going to take some time to realize that the game of basketball is full of mistakes, and you have to learn from them.”
One thing that is evident, even from just watching players cool down: someone needs to buy Kevin Love a big shiny balloon or a puppy or something to cheer him up. Maybe getting back to L.A. today will do it; get back to his college roots and churn up some competitive fire. In any case, this kid is down right now. I almost felt bad asking him about the team’s struggles, because I didn’t want to add to his glum nature. But, alas, a reporter’s gotta do what a reporter’s gotta do 🙂 And to Love’s credit, he didn’t dodge any question. He’s very open and honest about how much he’s reeling right now.
From Marc Stein/ESPN:
Yet as McHale noted in his coaching news conference, he’ll always have Taylor’s ear … and probably will long after he’s gone from the day-to-day operations. The Wolves make a lot of their decisions by committee anyway and I presume McHale is always going to be the most persuasive guy in the room. I know it’s been suggested that general manager Jim Stack is now the point man of the Wolves’ front office, with assistant Freddy Hoiberg widely expected to take charge in the near future dating back to KG’s last days as a Wolf, but numerous teams have pointed out to me that Stack was already Minnesota’s point man for most of the calls coming in, mainly because McHale never liked dealing with agents or doing the GM grunt work.
We could go on and on here but my stance hasn’t changed in the year-plus since Garnett left ‘Sota: I’m convinced that nothing substantial will change with the Wolves until Taylor brings in someone from the outside or sells the team. Sorry.
The Bleacher Bums talk to Stephen Litel to get his take on the state of the team.
After beginning the year with a new found discretion in his shot selection and team centric attitude, Shaddy’s clashes with Wittman resurfaced a careless and petulant demeanor that stifled his undeniable talent. And on a team with few-if any-swingmen besides him, this has come at their detriment. With Corey Brewer gone for the season and Mike Miller hampered by an injured ankle, McCants was given a new coach and the starting spot he’s coveted for so long. He didn’t do much with it. In his last three games, McCants shot a combined 8-36 from the floor. I’d honestly be surprised if he rung in 2009 as a Timberwolf.
“I saw every game Kevin played and the thing about him is he’s just a very smart, a very skilled player,” Adelman said. “I’d love to have him with Yao, the way he can pass and shoot. He’s got the ability, a lot like Vlade, to see the play happening and make the right decision. He doesn’t react to it. He knows what’s coming. He anticipates.”
Adelman knows Love — measured at 6-7 and change at last summer’s NBA draft, a bit over 6-9 in his sneakers — is undersized for the NBA game. He knows his athleticism has been questioned. He admits Love and Wolves forward Al Jefferson will struggle together defensively, something Wolves fans already have figured out.
From Mark Murphy/Boston Herald, Danny Ainge on Kevin McHale’s return to the bench.
“If this is something he wants to do, than I think he can do a good job,” said Ainge, who as of late last week hadn’t talked to his former Celtics [team stats] teammate. “But I know Kevin is the kind of guy who isn’t going to be forced into something he doesn’t want to do.
“I thought he did a good job the last time. He really wanted it to work out with Randy – I can tell you that. But he obviously feels that this is what has to be done.”
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