Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images Eastern Conference Finals, Game #4: Boston 75, Detroit 94 Series record: Tied 2-2 1. The "Little 3" I’m not the first one to unimaginatively pervert the "Big 3" sobriquet for tonight’s no-show troika of Celtic stars, and the way they are playing, I certainly won’t be the … Read more
Celtics-Cavs Update: Squared series after 88-77 Cavs win last night. It is always so easy to blame the coach, but I don’t see how Rivers avoids castigation here. He has decided that veterans new to the team are more reliable than the guys who got him 66 wins. Last night PJ Brown had a … Read more
Note: I know I said I’d have a Wolves recap for you Monday, but with all the playoff ball consuming my time (not to mention other writing projects–my editors know what they are) I now realize I’m never going to get this done unless I break it into parts. So, here’s Part 1, which deals … Read more
AP Photo/The Plain Dealer, Joshua Gunter The obvious pundit’s take on yesterday’s playoff games was that the big guys stepped up, especially LeBron, Duncan, and CP3. Here are some of the dominant impressions I came away with after plastering myself to the rocking chair and catching all of two games and the majority of two … Read more
AP Photo by Carlos Osorio Game #81, Road Game #41: Minnesota 103, Detroit 115 Season Record: 21-60 1. One More Smallball Razzing Since this will probably be my last Wolves three-pointer of the year (I’ll either do a season evaluation and/or cover the team’s press conference later this week after tomorrow’s Milwaukee tilt), it’s appropriate … Read more
AP Photo by Nikki Boertman Game #79, Road Game #39: Minnesota 102, Orlando 101 Game #80, Road Game #40, Minnesota 114, Memphis 105 Season Record: 21-59 1. Wanting It More It does not significantly diminish the two wins posted this weekend by the Timberwolves by pointing out that neither Orlando nor Memphis bothered to be … Read more
Game #78, Home Game #40: New Orleans 122, Minnesota 90 Season Record: 19-59 1. Trying to Trade Baskets The Minnesota Timberwolves shot 73.3% in the third quarter last night, 11-15 FG, including 3-4 from beyond the 3pt arc. The worst shooting performances were Ryan Gomes and Chris Smith at 1-2 FG; Al Jeffeson was 2-3 … Read more
Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) Game #77, Road Game #38: Minnesota 119, Charlotte 121 Season Record: 19-58 1. Plenty of Blame To Go Around Coach Randy Wittman thought the Minnesota Timberwolves came to play without passion or commitment tonight on the road against Charlotte, and he was spot-on. I wasn’t … Read more
Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) Game #75, Road Game #37: Minnesota 88, Phoenix 117 Game #76, Home Game #39: Memphis 113, Minnesota 101 Season Record: 19-57 1. Jefferson Finally Cracks The Timberwolves offered themselves and their fans a choice of embarrassing performances over the weekend: Which do you prefer, an … Read more
Game #74, Road Game #36: Minnesota 100, Utah 117 Season Record: 19-55 1. One-Way Jefferson Those who check the box score will surmise that Al Jefferson had one of his worst games of the season tonight as the Wolves were routed by Utah, who turned a close and enjoyably contested first half into a blowout … Read more