Post by Minnesota on Nov 28, 2015 3:03:35 GMT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Timberwolves thought this season was going to be a good one. The first half of the season started off strong and then injury struck. All-Star Center Patrick Ewing was out for 2 months and the Wolves were tied for the division lead. Expectations were lowered and a playoff appearance was considered a positive outcome for a team who had the 2nd fewest wins last season.
Since Patrick went down with a broken foot the Wolves have opened up a 7.0 game lead over the San Francisco Warriors. Not only have the Warriors and the Grizzlies slipped a bit in the standing but the Timberwolves have a better winning percentage without Ewing than with him this season.
Surely that stat speaks more to the improvement of the depth chart and the other individual players.
"Andrew [Wiggins] has been staying late, he's the last guy in the gym. You can see the results. He's shooting better and hustling more on defense," said Assistant Coach John Kundla. "Last year, he was finding his way. He's starting to feel more comfortable. You can just tell."
Wiggins' numbers are actually down from last season when it was just he and Kevin Garnett. He was averaging over 21.3 a game and so far 17.4 this year. He is playing more within the offense. His season started slow but has picked up over the last 6 weeks.
First year Point Guard Guy Rodgers hasn't been showing up on many highlight reels but his play has been solid. He is 2nd among rookies in assists per36 behind Rookie of the Year frontrunner Chris Paul who is having an eye-opening season for the Boston Celtics.
Rodgers will never be a knockdown shooter but he is disruptive on defense averaging almost a steal a game (in about 20 minutes) and in his down time he has been working on his jumper and getting to the rim. He knows he needs to be a threat on offense to keep people honest.
"Rodgers has had a tough go. He's a rookie but we had him starting, then we moved him to the bench when we acquired [Belov], and now with Patrick down we've been needing him to step up and not play like a rookie. We're really happy with the effort he's given us," said Assistant Coach John Chaney. “He’s earned the respect of his teammates and a lot of other teams across the league. He’ll have a long career in the league.”
The improved play from the younger players with hopefully pay dividends as the team gets ready for the playoffs. While the veterans have some postseason experience this will literally be the first chance for most of the team have a chance to see what its all about.
For the Wolves getting their All-Star Center back can't come soon enough. The team is playing well and will hopefully be able to seemlessly transition Patrick back into the line-up in time to make a deep playoff run.
Since Patrick went down with a broken foot the Wolves have opened up a 7.0 game lead over the San Francisco Warriors. Not only have the Warriors and the Grizzlies slipped a bit in the standing but the Timberwolves have a better winning percentage without Ewing than with him this season.
Surely that stat speaks more to the improvement of the depth chart and the other individual players.
"Andrew [Wiggins] has been staying late, he's the last guy in the gym. You can see the results. He's shooting better and hustling more on defense," said Assistant Coach John Kundla. "Last year, he was finding his way. He's starting to feel more comfortable. You can just tell."
Wiggins' numbers are actually down from last season when it was just he and Kevin Garnett. He was averaging over 21.3 a game and so far 17.4 this year. He is playing more within the offense. His season started slow but has picked up over the last 6 weeks.
First year Point Guard Guy Rodgers hasn't been showing up on many highlight reels but his play has been solid. He is 2nd among rookies in assists per36 behind Rookie of the Year frontrunner Chris Paul who is having an eye-opening season for the Boston Celtics.
Rodgers will never be a knockdown shooter but he is disruptive on defense averaging almost a steal a game (in about 20 minutes) and in his down time he has been working on his jumper and getting to the rim. He knows he needs to be a threat on offense to keep people honest.
"Rodgers has had a tough go. He's a rookie but we had him starting, then we moved him to the bench when we acquired [Belov], and now with Patrick down we've been needing him to step up and not play like a rookie. We're really happy with the effort he's given us," said Assistant Coach John Chaney. “He’s earned the respect of his teammates and a lot of other teams across the league. He’ll have a long career in the league.”
The improved play from the younger players with hopefully pay dividends as the team gets ready for the playoffs. While the veterans have some postseason experience this will literally be the first chance for most of the team have a chance to see what its all about.
For the Wolves getting their All-Star Center back can't come soon enough. The team is playing well and will hopefully be able to seemlessly transition Patrick back into the line-up in time to make a deep playoff run.
