2011/12 1st TRIMESTER UPDATE (PART ONE)After racing out to a surprising 6-3 start to the season, the injury bug (Rubio, Flynn, Love, Hill and Przybilla) hit the Minnesota Timberwolves as they dropped their next 11 games to fall to 6-14. With all but Przybilla now healthy, the Timberwolves were able to close the trimester by winning 8 out of their last 11 games to finish 14-17 (0.452). This puts them just outside the playoff picture out West and if they continue with their current winning percentage, they are projected to finish with 37 wins this season, an increase of 14 wins over last season. New coach Jay Triano has to be happy with this start, with most predicting another 20 win season in Minneapolis.
Performance-wise, power forward Kevin Love is the team's leader and is finally becoming what a lot of scouts thought he was capable of, a 20-10 threat every night. He also makes his teammates better with his intangibles and his ability to hit the long ball. Newly resigned swingman Corey Brewer has finally shown that he has a place in this league, with his strong play at both ends of the court impressing. Outside of those two, the rest of the players have been inconsistent. Beasley is a great volume scorer at times but will disappears for whole quarters or halves. The same can be said for Jonny Flynn, who is also in his final year of his contract. He has shown an improved jumpshot but still isn't where management would like him to be. Finally, the rookies have been up and down as you would expect from rookies. Rubio was instrumental in the team's recent overtime win in Philadelphia, finishing with 20 points and 12 assists and a lot of clutch moments. That followed games of 6 and 4, 6 and 3 and 7 and 1. That being said, he has been a lot more consistent than Floyd Bradley. Bradley posted a terrific 19 point, 4 rebound, 16 assist and 2 steal effort in a loss to Atlanta, but that has been followed by poor shot selection and turnover prone play. Finally, Johan Svensson has been sublime at times on defense but his offensive game was lacking.
As we enter the second trimester, coach Jay Triano will look at keeping the Timberwolves in the playoff race. In the front office, GM David Kahn has his work cutting out for him. With many players in their final years of their contracts, some might be moved prior to the February trade deadline. Then there is the fact they're carrying four quality point guards, with one already sent to the D-League (Marcel Moore).
PLAYER STATSF- Kevin Love: 22.0ppg, 10.6rpg, 53.8% FG, 51.7% 3Pt (PER: 23.18)
F- Michael Beasley: 15.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.1spg, 41.8% FG, 39.3% 3Pt (PER: 13.44)
F/G- Corey Brewer: 14.6ppg, 1.4spg, 54.6% FG, 42.9% 3Pt (PER: 17.77)
G- Jonny Flynn: 13.2ppg, 5.5apg, 48.0% FG, 50.0% 3Pt (PER: 17.21)
G- Ricky Rubio: 9.1ppg, 5.8apg, 1.0spg, 44.4% FG, 17.6% 3Pt (PER: 19.01)
G- Floyd Bradley: 7.4ppg, 4.1apg, 1.4spg, 35.1% FG, 5.3% 3Pt (PER: 7.38)
F- Johan Svensson: 6.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.0bpg, 42.6% FG (PER: 11.25)
G- Wayne Ellington: 5.9ppg, 51.1% FG, 50.0% 3Pt (PER: 13.71)
F/G- Martell Webster: 5.3ppg, 40.8% FG, 41.7% 3Pt (PER: 6.11)
C- Nikola Pekovic: 5.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 47.2% FG (PER: 14.38)
F/C- Jordan Hill: 4.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3bpg, 35.3% FG (PER: 9.65)
C- Joel Przybilla: 2.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.0bpg, 55.6% FG, 29.4% 3Pt (PER: 7.06)
G- Malcolm Hoffman: 2.2ppg, 25.0% FG, 33.3% 3Pt (PER: 16.38)
F- Benjamin Branch: 0.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.0bpg, 0.0% FG, 0.0% 3Pt (PER: 8.83)
G- Marcel Moore: D-League
G- Marc Scott: D-League
PLAYER PICS
One of the nastiest facial dunks you will ever see, courtesy of Mr. Webster.
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