2010-11 NBA Season: Former Minnesota Timberwolves Reserve Point Guard: Sundiata Gaines

The Minnesota Timberwolves currently own the #2 pick in the NBA Draft next month.  There have been a number of reports & rumors as to what the TWolves will do with the pick.  

One report had the Wolves trading Beasley, Rubio & the #2 pick to the Pacers for Danny Granger.

Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated added that one source has the TWolves trading down in the Draft to select Turkish big man Enes Kanter.

One scenario (that I’ve come up with) is the Wolves trading with the Jazz (who currently own the #3 pick (via NJN)) for that #3 pick and veteran shooting guard: Raja Bell (who they’ve had their eye on for some time now).  They could also look to deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers (who own the #1 & #4 picks)

Enes Kanter would complement Love in the frontcourt.  A physical young big man, who can rebound, score and defend.  Definitely a solid center with some great potential in the League.  I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this as the Draft draws near(er) (June 23rd).

That’s all for now, remember to stay tuned all summer for all your up-to-date Twolves news and information all offseason long.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

Minnesota-native Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets is a free agent this offseason and he was recently asked in an interview if he would consider signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Humphries had this to say, ” Minnesota’s always close to me, but I don’t think now’s the time.  We got something going in New Jersey, a move to Brooklyn in a new building the year after next season that’s supposed to be the premier arena in the League, and I want to be a part of that.  I hear the courtside seats already are sold out.”

I wouldn’t expect the Wolves to make any offers to the young power forward.  They’ve already got quite a bit of depth at the power forward position: Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph & Anthony Tolliver.

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ starting frontcourt are likely done for the season.  Kevin Love is still currently nursing a groin injury that has kept him out of 7 of the Wolves’ past 9 games.  Darko Milicic has missed 3 of the Wolves’ past 4 games, though he did return for 10 minutes in the game vs. the Suns before re-injuring his ankle.

The Timberwolves have tried a number of different lineups in an attempt to fill the void: Anthony Tolliver, Anthony Randolph and Michael Beasley have all started at some point for the Wolves in Love’s absence and Nikola Pekovic has absorbed the majority of the starting minutes in Darko’s absence.

According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, neither of the Wolves starting frontcourt players will play Monday vs. the Suns and therefore, there would be no point in them returning for the Wednesday night finale vs. the Rockets back at the Target Center.

Minnesota has got some better contributions from Michael Beasley as well as from their reserves in Love’s absence.  In all 9 of their past games, Michael Beasley has scored in double-figures every night and has scored 20+ points in 5 of those 9 games.  In the past 5 games reserve Martell Webster has scored in double-figures in each game, playing between 20-35 minutes in those games.  Reserve forward Anthony Randolph got two starts, but in those 9 games he’s scored in double-digits 6 of those games.  As well as a new career-high 31 points, in his first start of the season vs. Dallas.  Reserve forward Anthony Tolliver has also seen a bump in minutes and he got two starts at the 4-spot and in the 9 games he’s scored in double-figures in all but 3 of them.

The biggest thing that’s been missing in Kevin Love’s absence has been the team’s rebounding.  Without the All-Star pulling in 10-25 a night, the Wolves have certainly struggled.  They aren’t the same team as the stats say: 1st overall in the NBA with 44.4rpg.  In fact in the seven games without Kevin Love the Wolves stats look like this: vs. DAL: 38-43DAL, vs. OKC 40-40, vs. BOS 42-49MIN, vs. MEM 34-44MEM, vs. NJN 46-37MIN, vs. PHO 44-38PHO, vs. DEN 38-49DEN.  In 4 of those games they’ve been out-rebounded and the Wolves have reached their 44.4rpg average or more just twice!

Overall, this may be good/bad news.  The Timberwolves are currently tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the worst record in the NBA: 17-63, which gives them a 22.5% chance of securing the top pick in June’s draft.  If they end with the worst record they’ll have a 25% chance and if they do better than the Cavs they’ll have a 19.9% chance of the top pick.  Obviously without their starting frontcourt, they have a decreased chance of losing games (pretty pathetic when you have to word it like that!).

The Timberwolves play Monday night versus the Phoenix Suns.  You can expect Darko and Love watching from the sidelines.  Tipoff is set for 9pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found in the previous post on this site; a full gameday recap can be found here, following the final horn.  Thanks for reading, enjoy the game and GO WOLVES!

Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph reserve forwards for the Minnesota Timberwolves have made the most of Kevin Love’s absence.  With Kevin Love out for 6 of the Wolves last 8 games, reserve forwards Anthony Randolph and Tolliver have stepped up to fill the void left on the boards and on the offensive end.

Anthony Randolph has started 3 of those 6 games Kevin Love has missed.  The first against the Dallas Mavericks, the next against the Dallas Mavericks and the last against the Boston Celtics.  In those first two games Randolph shined bright.  Against Dallas he dumped in 31 points (a new career-high) and added 11 rebounds.  Against Oklahoma City he contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds.  Then came the Boston game and with it some intense defensive prowess by that group of talented veterans.  They knew what Randolph did in the previous two games and they made it a point to stop him at every opportunity.  The Celts held Randolph to just 17 minutes as he got into foul trouble and he had just 3 points and 4 boards on the night.  Since then, he’s returned to the bench as a sixth man and the past two games, he’s been a big contributor.  Randolph went off for 20 points and 10 boards in 30 minutes in a narrow loss to the Nets.  Then the next night (yesterday) against Phoenix he scored 19 off the bench in 28 minutes.

Anthony Tolliver hasn’t let this opportunity go by the wayside either.  In those 6 games Love has recently missed the past few weeks.  Tolliver has stepped up, mostly in a reserve role for the T’Wolves.  He really stepped up in that game against the Celtics when Randolph had to sit with foul trouble.  Against Boston, Tolliver played 36 minutes and contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds.  The next night against Chicago Tolliver was once again a big contributor off the bench.  In 24 minutes he added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting.  Against the Grizzlies he added 12 points and the following game against New Jersey he played 30 minutes and had 14 points and 5 boards.  Then came last night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, which marked Anthony Tolliver’s first start of the season for the Timberwolves and his 30th start of his career (last year he started 29 of 44 games he played for the Warriors).  In 39 minutes against Phoenix he had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists.  Kurt Rambis said he needed someone to match up with Channing Frye and someone with a lot of mobility: Tolliver.

Both of these Anthony’s are somewhat of NBA journeymen in their short NBA careers.  Tolliver is only 25 years old and the Timberwolves mark his 4th NBA team in 3 years.  From ‘08-‘09 he played a small role for the Spurs (just 19 games) in ‘09-‘10 he played 44 games for the Warriors and 2 for the Portland Trailblazers, as well as spending some time in the NBA D-League.  Randolph is just 21 years old and is playing for his third NBA team since being selected 14th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.  After two seasons and 96 games with the Golden State Warriors, Randolph was traded this summer to the New York Knicks along with Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf for forward David Lee.  He quickly fell out of favor with Mike D’Antoni and was “banished” to the bench, playing minimally and in just 17 games.  Then, he came to the Timberwolves along with Eddy Curry (later waived and is currently in talks with the Heat to sign for the playoffs) in that blockbuster Carmelo Anthony deal, that sent reserve center Kosta Koufos to the Nuggets and Corey Brewer to the Knicks (later waived and signed by Dallas).  Since then he’s played in 20 games, starting 3.  Most people think, he’s got great potential and could/should be the Wolves starting center next season (in place of Darko Milicic).  A small sidenote, both of these players (Randolph & Tolliver) know each and have played with each other: last year with the Golden State Warriors!

Needless to say, both of these talented and young individuals have proven themselves to be valuable assets to the Wolves and should only get better!

With Love, who they say will most likely be held out the last 3 games (whether it’s for lottery sakes or not), I’d expect Tolliver and Randolph continue to split minutes and make the most of the opportunity.

The T’Wolves are back in action Saturday night versus the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, tipoff is set for 8:30pmCT and you can expect a full-gameday preview to be found on this site before then.  Until then, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

UPDATE: Wolves Radio reports via Twitter that Kurt Rambis has decided to start Anthony Tolliver at power forward for tonight’s game.  Citing the fact that they’ll need some mobility to guard Channing Frye (UPDATE: Wed., April 6th, 2011 6:13p.m.)

UPDATE: Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune has said via Twitter that Darko is back.  Darko Milicic will be back tonight versus the Suns at the Target Center and he’s expected to start.  (UPDATE: Wed., April 6th 2011 5:56p.m.)

Tonight the Minnesota Timberwolves come into this game against the Phoenix Suns riding an 11-game losing streak (the longest losing-streak of the season for the Wolves).  There most recent loss coming last night on a 107-105 loss to the New Jersey Nets, so has been the case all season long for the young Wolves, their record sitting at a disappointing 17-61.

They’ll be facing Steve Nash and Co. at the Target Center as they look to snap the streak.  The Phoenix Suns are out of the playoffs, but they’ll be doing anything but rolling over and dying, especially against the Wolves.  

Neither of these teams are known for their defensive prowess, so the Wolves are going to need to match the Suns high-powered, high-octane offense.  

As reported in a previous post, both Darko Milicic and Kevin Love are currently nursing injuries.  Love is listed as doubtful for the game with a groin injury, whereas Darko Milicic is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain.  If they can’t go, I’d expect the Wolves to put out a similar lineup as they have the past two games vs. Memphis and New Jersey: G: Ridnour, Ellington F: Johnson, Beasley C: Pekovic.  The Suns will counter, most likely, with: G: Nash, Hill F: Dudley, Frye C: Gortat.

The Timberwolves will need a big game out of Michael Beasley if they want to compete.  Beasley had an ultra-impressive game against the New Jersey Nets last night, starting at the power forward, scoring 20 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists, almost obtaining that triple-double.  Wesley Johnson also needs to step up and produce for the Wolves as he continues to struggle on the offensive end.  If the Wolves’ bench can continue to produce, they’ll be in good shape to compete, last night against the Nets, Randolph, Webster and Tolliver combined for 50 points off the pine!

The Suns will be lead by their incredibly talented point guard Steve Nash.  They’ll need to slow him down and close down passing lanes to try and stop him, but at times it will seem futile.  Gortat is also a big boost down in the low post.  Against either Milicic or Pekovic, the Wolves’ centers will have their work cut out for them against the “Polish Hammer”!

Tipoff is set for 7pmCT from the Target Center in Minneapolis MN.  A full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves played the New Jersey Nets last night without their starting frontcourt: Kevin Love & Darko Milcic.  As of right now, it looks as though they’ll be doing the same tonight.

All-Star Kevin Love is currently listed as doubtful for tonight’s game vs. Phoenix.  He’s been in and out of the lineup the past few weeks and it seems as though he may have to shut it down for the remainder of the season.  A sprained left groin will most likely keep him out tonight, but there’s an outside chance he could return Sunday vs. the Nuggets.  He’s missed 5 of the Timberwolves’ last 7 games.

Darko Milicic is currently listed as questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Phoenix Suns.  He’s missed the last two games with a sprained ankle, which happened in that Friday night game vs. the Miami Heat.  Chances are good he’ll return this season, if not tonight, then almost definitely Sunday vs. the Denver Nuggets.

That’s all for now, the Timberwolves play the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Target Center, tipoff is set for 7pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found on this site soon.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

A tie-breaking jumper with 1.7 seconds to go by Deron Williams finished off the Wolves late as they dropped their 61st of the season and are still on a, now, 11-game losing streak.  Beasley missed a three at the buzzer after Williams’ shot and the Wolves lost 105-107 at the Prudential Center.

The Wolves were down by 13 with 8:30 to play, but a 10-2 run got them right back into the game and tied it up on a goaltending call by Outlaw on a Beasley shot.  

Both teams were without their starting power forwards.  New Jersey’s Kris Humphries was sidelined with an ankle injury.  Kevin Love was out once again with a lingering groin injury.  Darko Milicic was also out for the Wolves with an injury.  

Without Love and Darko in the frontcourt, the Wolves went small, with G: Ridnour, Ellington F: Johnson, Beasley C: Pekovic and the Nets countered with G: Williams, West F: Vujacic, Outlaw C: Lopez.

The Timberwolves were led by Michael Beasley, who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.  Ridnour added 11 points and 9 assists.  The Wolves got a big lift from their bench as Randolph dumped in 20 points, 10 boards and 2 blocks.  Martell Webster added 16 points and 5 rebounds and Tolliver had 14 points and 5 boards.

The Nets were led by their big man Brook Lopez who went off for 30 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.  Deron Williams added 18 points and dished out a career-tying high 21 assists.  Sasha Vujacic added 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

The Timberwolves will be back in action tonight at the Target Center vs. the Phoenix Suns.  Tipoff is set for 7pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found on this site soon.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

In a recent report, All-Star forward Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves talked briefly about his future as well as Coach Rambis and how he’ll effect his decision.

Apparently, Kevin Love can see himself staying in Minnesota long-term.  Love told the Star Tribune: “If it all works and and it’s all right, I think I definitely could.  I enjoy the city, I like the people here, I like the organization.  I like a lot of things about it besides the cold winter…I could definitely see myself here.”

Love is eligible to sign an extension between July 1-Oct. 31 if there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the owners and players.  Otherwise he could become a restricted free agent in 2012, where the T’Wolves could match any offer from another team.  Love insists he’ll keep his options open.

There is a possibility Love could sign a one-year contract in 2012, after which he’d become an unrestricted free agent in 2013, when he could sign with whoever he’d want.

Then of course there’s the coaching element.  Every T’Wolves fan knows there has been plenty of friction since Kevin McHale was fired and Kurt Rambis was hired to take the helm.  McHale and Love were very close, Rambis and Love; certainly not as much.  Love agreed in an earlier report with reserve Wolves forward Anthony Tolliver, when he said that not all of the players seem to buy into Rambis’ system.  You’ve got to think if it comes down to Love or Rambis, the Wolves organization would make the obvious choice.  

That being said, I don’t think this is like the Deron Williams-Jerry Sloan “debacle”.  I feel that Rambis and Love get along well enough to work together, but time will tell.

Another obvious factor will be the talent Minnesota brings in to complement Love & Beasley.  One big name is quite obviously Ricky Rubio.  As noted in a previous post “Ricky Rubio taking his talents to Minny” the word is currently, that Rubio intends to join Minnesota for next season-as long as there is a season.  The T’Wolves also have a high lottery pick once again this summer, so if they can get some talented youngsters and possibly a big veteran presence, they could be in good shape going forward, which will hopefully be enough to hold on to K-Love, otherwise Minnesota may get spurned as Cleveland did this offseason.  Obviously LBJ is a more-talented player, but you get the idea.

The fact is simple, unless the Wolves make some big improvements as a team, you can expect Love to move on sooner rather than later!

More details to follow.  The Wolves play the New Jersey Nets tonight at Prudential Center.  Tipoff is set for 6pmCT.  A full-gameday preview can be found on the previous post on this site and a full-gameday recap can be found here, following the final horn.  As usual: Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

Tomorrow night the Minnesota Timberwolves will be at the Prudential Center to face the New Jersey Nets.  This will be their second and last meeting of the season.  The first/other was a 103-88 Timberwolves victory at the Target Center (before of course Deron Williams became a Net).

After tomorrow night’s game the Timberwolves have just 4 more games as their season winds down and they head for a high lottery pick.  The Nets, will finish out their season, without a playoff berth and they won’t have a high lottery pick, since they traded it to Utah along with Devin Harris and Derrick Favors for Deron Williams at the Trade Deadline.

The T’Wolves will again be without All-Star forward Kevin Love and starting center Darko Milicic for tomorrow’s game, as both didn’t travel because of groin (Love) and knee (Darko) injuries. Against the Memphis Grizzlies the Wolves went with a smaller more athletic lineup featuring G: Ridnour, Ellington F: Johnson, Beasley C: Pekovic, that was a “rough” game and I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Rambis changed the starting lineup again for the game.  Either way; Tolliver, Randolph, Pekovic & Beasley will pick up the minutes in Love/Darko’s absence.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will need a big performance/output from forward Michael Beasley if they’re going to have a chance of winning against this Nets team.  Furthermore, if Johnson can jump out of his offensive slump and put some points on the board, the Wolves would have a good chance of competing with these Nets.

The Nets will be led by All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who is currently nursing an injured wrist, but will most likely give it a go tomorrow night.  Brook Lopez will also be a big contributor against a weak(ened) Wolves frontcourt and should have a good game.

The Nets will be without Kris Humphries who is currently listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.  Quinton Ross (a former reserve guard for the Nets) was waived last week after it was reported that his injured back would keep him out for the season.  He wasn’t going to be resigned at the end of the year as his contract expired this season, so the Nets waived him.

Tipoff is set for 6pmCT tomorrow night at the Prudential Center.  A full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  As per usual, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!