Howlin' T-Wolf

In lieu of Friday’s Lakers recap and last nights against the Raptors let’s look at a few of the positives from the Wolves last two games.

• For the first time all season Jonny Flynn appears to be playing without the leash Rambis has kept so tight all season. He’s going to the hoop (8-10 from the line last night) and it’s effective. Only problem is now the Wolves’ offense is a three-headed monster which is trying to push the ball up court fast, and then either a) running some form of the triangle, b) iso posting Jefferson (or whoever happens to be posting up) and c) letting Jonny create. The problem with option c is that no one is used to playing this way. Love and Jefferson each missed a dime from Flynn off a drive, and Love missed an easy lay-up after a great pass from his as well. Not to mention no one seems to know which of the 3 to run. Flynn is good at creating but he still has his “rookie” moments taking a few bad shots or failing to get the ball to Jefferson when he’s been doing work.
• On that topic, getting the ball to Jefferson, it still baffles me that this team won’t at least get him a touch every time down the floor when he’s in the game (9-16 last night, 7-15 friday) and playing well. A lot of this lands on Flynn’s shoulders but not all. Numerous times Gomes or Brewer took the ball on the wing and went to Love at the high/pinch-post.
• Darko. For those of you that have watched the last two games, were you thinking the same thing I was thinking? Darko Millic if the Wolves can just convince him to stay on this side of the pond next year, is going to soon be the Wolves best all-time center. Yes that’s right, ALL-TIME. Go ahead try and pick one who was better. Don’t say Jefferson because we all know he’s a power forward. Yes Darko freaking Millic has the chance to be the Wolves best all-time center. What I still can’t figure out: why the heck wasn’t he playing in New York? Must have gotten off on the wrong foot with D’Antoni or something. All I know is I am happy he’s a Wolf. Blocking shots, making smart passes, hitting lefty hooks in the post, dropping 20 footers, and using his legit size to rebound the ball. I couldn’t expect more from a starting center.
• Wayne Ellington. Could we get this guy a start? Knocking down shots and playing solid defense. Ellington has shown that he works well at the 2 and I still would like to see him start next to Flynn with Brewer at the 3. Gomes is better at the 4 anyway.
• Did anyone see that the Wolves were tied in the Lakers game at 66 and also just before halftime with the Raptors at 45. Small, moral victories right?
• At the end of last night’s game we were once again shown that Rambis is not very good with the clipboard at drawing up plays for the team. I know it hasn’t been needed much but he better start working at it if we’re going to win close ones down the road.
• I should also note that Corey Brewer’s impressive 33 game streak of games with at least one 3-pointer ended on Friday in LA. For a guy who once had one of the worst NBA Hot Spot charts that I posted back in November and who I asked to just stop shooting, he’s come a heckva long way. Props to you Corey, keep shooting it.
• Anybody missing Ryan Hollins? Yea me neither.
• Kevin Love didn’t have a stellar game last night but he did on Friday in LA. It’s clear though with Darko playing well recently that even with a legit center the Jefferson-Love combo still isn’t solved. I will be shocked if one isn’t traded this summer. It just feels like neither of them can maximize their potential on the same team. What say you on this subject?
• Next up the Bobcats who play in Washington tonight and are coming off 2 losses to the Hawks and Heat. Could the Wolves steal a win? If not the good news is all signs point to us getting their 1st rounder this June. See there’s always a silver lining somewhere.