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AP Photo/Jim Prisching
Tonight, the Wolves start pushing the rock uphill against the Washington Wizards and speculation’s favorite “series of tubes” is flowing with pre-game conjecture, most of it injected with ample cynicism.
Some actually expect a win against the Wiz, which, if it happens, will feel something like this anomaly come March 28 as we look back at a seven-game stretch – with six on the road – against San Antonio, New Orleans, Houston, OK City, Atlanta, Philly and Cleveland.
Wanna kick my dog while you’re here?
On the injury front, Craig Smith is ready, and Kevin Ollie is alive but won’t hit hardwood for a fortnight. Your starting five:
PG – Telfair
SG – Foye
SF – Miller
PF – Gomes
C – Love
On the trade front, Rashad McCants, who was recently reduced by fellow NBAers, could get tossed to Sacramento in exchange for Quincy Douby and Mikki Moore. Before Shaddy departs, be it this week or this summer, please spend some time experiencing his poetry, unless you already have a tummy ache.
On the draft front, there’s optimism all of a sudden, but it’s tempered by nasty precedent. Nonetheless, the Thabeet chants will surely commence shortly.
As for the here and now, the story line of most interest for most people revolves around rookie Kevin Love, who, after the Rookie Game rebuke, was the recipient of high praise over the weekend from the basketball inteligencia. Here’s a sampling:
USA TODAY:
"'Kevin Love is going to be a monster,' Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers recently told news reporters. 'He's a pain...to keep off the glass.'"
"'I don't know what Kevin Love can't do, but I know what he can do,' Van Gundy says. 'That guy can rebound with anybody.'"
Glowing interview with David Thorpe in 3QC,spotted by Cainus Hoopus:
"I think he's going to be an All-Star, not because his numbers are going to be so exhorbidant, but the guy can be a 16/13 guy or 17/14 guy, crazy double-double numbers on a team that wins a bunch of games and the coaches that have to pick their rosters will have to game-plan for that guy."
Let's be pragmatic here. I love Love, and I'm excited to watch him develop, but barring a pituitary malfunction, he’s not and never will be an NBA center, the position he’ll man for rest of the season. So when you’re not salivating over his offensive rebounding prowess and court awareness, watch him defend. It will be a struggle.
The more pressing issue is Randy Foye. This may be his second-to-last, if not last, shot with the Wolves. My consigliere asks: “What is he? Is he just a really good combo guard off the bench? He’s proven he’s not a PG, and he’s sure as Shakopee not a stud SG worthy of 35 minutes per game.”
Keep an eye on his FG% and assists/turnovers during the second half. It’ll be tough for him to create without Al drawing double teams down low, so he’ll have to be a more consistent shooter, and be more considerate with the ball.
Hanneman awaits, so I’ll leave you with one question: Other than Love, do we have one player that’s a legit NBA starter, or are they all glorified sixth/seventh men?
Also, if you didn't click the first link, here is it:
Comments
This is really great sportswriting.
It is a fabulous combination of "old School"(circa Howard Cosell clever) and new school attitude. Refreshing and worth reading twice. Thanks
Sammy: Thanks for the props, and thanks for reading!
great article, keep up the good work. while rashad's poetry is riveting, some of the comments are even better. one of my favorites:
"This was great. That opening line was outstanding. I had to close my eyes and take that line into my senses. A lot of imagery and twist and turns. "I walk on ice and sleep in snow. " That's a cold line...no pun intended!"
and i agree on randy foye. everyone jumped on his bandwagon when he had a few good games in a row after moving to SG following the whitman firing. but since then look at his shooting percentage. awful.
Adam: Here's my favorite line of Shaddy poetry:
"As I stop and think, my eyes just blink. No thought or sound.
Just words profound."
Marinate on that for like zero minutes.
Thanks for reading and sending love, more on the way...
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