Minnesota Timberwolves Blog Posts

How Can the Washington Wizards Improve to Contender Status

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:30:52 EDT

Last night I was listening to an interview with former NBA head coach P.J. Carlesimo on 106.7 The Fan. He was commenting on the opening days of the NBA regular season, specifically about the Eastern Conference and his thoughts on who were the better teams. Not surprisingly he named the top three teams as the “factors,” those being Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando. He said that there are not any teams even close to those three but on the outside looking in is the Washington Wizards. The Wizards were the only team he mentioned as the fourth best team and he said this about three times. These comments got me thinking about what the Wizards need to do this regular season to take the next step and breach that label, in what areas can they improve to develop into the fourth Eastern Conference power?

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5 Predictions for the 2009-10 Washington Wizards

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:48:26 EDT

1. Gilbert Arenas will average over 8 assists per game – It is quite obvious that with all the new offensive weapons and a healthy roster, Gilbert Arenas’ scoring average is going to go down. He isn’t going to be able to keep up a 29.3 ppg season like he did in 2005-06. My guess is that his numbers will drop down to around his career average of 22 ppg. Maybe even a little bit lower as there are going to be plenty of guys begging for the rock. Scoring averages aside, with Gilbert Arenas back in the line-up everyone will benefit. Gil still gets respect for his scoring capabilities, as evidenced in the two games last year in which he tallied 20 assists and no turnovers. He has the ability to draw the double team and help defense, much like Kobe, Dwyane, and Lebron, giving him opportunities to pass the ball off to the open man. In the two games he played last year, you could see that Gilbert still has a quick first step but is more cautious with it. That hesitancy makes opponents play on their heels which allows Gilbert to blow by them on a drive and get the basket or draw the foul. What is going to happen is Gilbert will come out this season as a type of player we aren’t used to seeing wear number “0.” His essentially two years away from the game have undoubtedly changed his perspective as a floor general. What will emerge is a Gilbert Arenas that involves his teammates while still showcasing the killer instinct that makes him the great scorer he is. Gilbert’s career assist average is 5.5 apg, a great figure for a small forward but not up to par with the best point guards in the league. Here are his assist averages over a few seasons:

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Thunder continue to make small moves in the right direction

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:59:47 EDT

The Thunder traded away Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins for Etan Thomas and two second round picks. The move was an even swap money wise. Wilkins and Atkins make nearly 7mil together and that is what Thomas will make this year. The Thunder are well under the cap and Thomas' contract expires this year. So, not only will they have freed up money next year, they will also have 5 draft picks. 2 in the first round and 3 in the second round.

So, financially and on paper it makes a lot of sense. Also, the Thunder were heavily loaded with guards. Sefaloosha and newly drafted James Harden have the 2 guard covered. And Russell Westbrook is the starting point guard. Shaun Livingston has played well enough this summer to be the back up. Second year player Kyle Weaver can play both and is ever improving. So, there just wasn't any room for those other 2 guys.

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Richardson traded again This time to Minnesota

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:01:01 EDT

Quentin Richardson has traveled from New York to Memphis to Los Angelos, and now to Minnesota. He takes with him $9mil for one year. Last season he earned 3 wins for the New York Knicks (a Howard Sports statistic). In return, the Clippers get Sebastian Telfair (3 wins), Craig Smith (2 wins), and Mark Madsen (0 wins). So, it was a good trade for the Clippers. They gained a backup to Baron Davis. Minnesota meanwhile gets to unload a huge salary after this season. Richardson also fills a void that was created when Foye was traded to Washington. Also, Ricky Rubio doesn't appear to coming soon. After the terrific play of Flynn this summer in Las Vegas, Telfair became expendable.

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Minnesota summer league a success

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:04:15 EDT

Minnesota has a long way to go, but they made progress this summer in Vegas.

Johnny Flynn is the real deal and should be the starting point guard from day one. He averaged 15 points and 7 assists. And, shot lights out! Over 50% from 3-point and 91% from the line. He had over 5 turnovers, but that is to be expected. Scoring and dishing at that level in summer league shows that he is going to be a good player.

Wayne Ellington also showed that he can play. He averaged 14 points and 3 rebounds while also shooting lights out.

Corey Brewer was the 3rd leading scorer at 12 ppg and played solid. He isn't the player that I thought he was going to be, but he can still contribute.

Oleksiy Pecherov was acquired this summer from Washintong. He 9pts and 7 rebounds and shot well below 40%. He will be a bench player at best, but is still developing.

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Minnesota Timberwolves

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:56:18 EDT

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a world of hurt, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. Ryan Gomes, Al Jefferson, and Sebastian Telfair each earned 3 wins last year, while the rest of the returning roster earned 8. That is a total of 17 returning wins. When they traded away Foye and Miller, they unloaded 6 wins to acquire the 5th pick. That pick usually earns 4 wins. So, they traded away wins form something they hope pays off in the future. With Ricky Rubio, Johnny Flynn, and Wayne Ellington as rookies, statistically, they should acquire 9 wins. That would be a dismal 26. That number could even be lower if Rubio decides to bolt. Also, 2 wins, Ollie and Carney are free agents. This could be another, long hard year for the Timberwolves

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New York and Rubio

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:33:32 EDT

New York, I don't care what you need to do, get Ricky Rubio. He has a chance to be special. There is no player on your team now that can be special. He wants to play where his name will be known and New York is it. He would be great in that style of play. Also, being on the east coast would make him seen more. I think they could work something out. Especially if there is a chance that he could play in Europe and not for Minnesota.

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National Champs send four in NBA Draft

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:01:41 EDT

The people who saw the 2009 NBA Draft on Thursday were in for a special treat when they saw Blake Griffin go No. 1.

Very predictable however.

Then, Hasheem Thabeet went No. 2, which was also predictable. Then things got a bit interesting.

The early shocker was Stephen Curry going number seven to the Golden State Warriors. But what was really neat was that all of the North Carolina players that declared were drafted.

The first Tar Heel chosen was Tyler Hansbrough, who went at number 13 to the Indiana Pacers. This was a good pick, for the Pacers and here is why. Indiana is not known to carry much toughness, especially in the frontcourt.

If you had the treat to see this guy in college then you would know that he’s the real deal for toughness. I think he will start the season on the bench, but he will emerge into that starting position around December.

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OH-HUM THE 2009 NBA DRAFT

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:15:06 EDT

1 Clippers Blake Griffin PF
2. Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet C
3. Thunder James Harden SG
4. Kings Tyreke Evans SG
5. Timberwolves Ricky Rubio PG
6. Timberwolves Jonny Flynn PG
7. Warriors Stephen Curry PG
8. Knicks Jordan Hill PF
9. Raptors DeMar DeRozan SG
10. Bucks Brandon Jennings PG
11. Nets Terrence Williams SG
12. Bobcats Gerald Henderson SG
13. Pacers Tyler Hansbrough PF
14. Suns Earl Clark SF

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Minnesota Timberwolves now own the draft

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:19:09 EDT

First the Tiberwolves get rid of Kevin McHale. Then, they go crazy. Minnesota traded away Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Washington Wizards for Oleksiy Pecherov, Etan Thomas and Daruis Songalia, and the 5th overall pick. Minnesota now has the 5th, 6th, 18th, and 28th overall picks in this week's draft. They are looking to ship the 5th pick with the 18th to move up to number 2. Doing that would allow them to draft either Ricky Rubio or Hakeem Thabeet. As of right now, the roster has huge holes in it and some overload as well.

pg--Sebastion Telfair, Kevin Ollie, Bobby Brown--Telfair has had his moments, but not enough of them. Ollie is a free agent.

sg--none--Foye and Miller accounted for 26 points a game.

sf--Ryan Gomes, Rodney Carney, Corey Brewer---Brewer only play 15 games last year. Carney is a free agent.

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