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<< Previous Next >> -------------------- March 11, 2005 The Minny crush
Having been Western Conference finalists, the Minnesota Timberwolves surely had high hopes for this season. Yet Somehow between game 6 of that series and the beginning of this season the whole team just forgot how much work it had taken to get so far. Perhaps they just felt they had gotten so good that even a half hearted effort would do on most nights. Maybe they were watching tapes of Michael Jordan during his last 3 seasons as a chicago Bull boasting about how he sometimes won on his "C" game. Maybe not at all, but they're still bottom dwellers. From the 3rd quarter on I didn't feel Minnesota's chances of winning last night's game against the Heat in Miami were good. Their offense was very shaky, and it seemed players were scared to shoot. So many passes just resulted in forced shots. Things just felt choppy on their end. Miami won 107-90, Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 19 rebounds, Shaq had 33 points, 13 rebounds and had 18 free-throw attempts, and made 13 of them. Garnett went to the line three times. Miami had this game all along. I doubt Minnesota will have any significant improvements under team president Kevin McHale who took over head coach duties from Flip Saunders. Right now what needs to happen is that Kevin Garnett has to change his attitude. I mean, really, even though he's a power forward and league MVP who in the league fears this player? He gave up the ball so many times in the clutch. We think it's about time Kevin McHale start teaching KG championship Boston Celtic trade secrets. Those characteristics that tells the opposing players you mean business. Michael Jordan certainly got a good dollop of that from the Pistons. Kobe country Speaking of trade secrets Kobe Bryant is one player who has them all down pat. He's a character to be reckoned with. Consider this: He went through a power struggle with the league's most dominant player - and won! Though that might cost him quite a few playoff games. Simply put, Kobe Bryant is a force in the NBA. Last night in Dallas was evidence. He did everything. He basically willed the team to victory. The Lakers could have been put away so many times, but he made so much happen, either by setting up teammates or making a play himself. He can be selfish? I say anyone with his abilities will definitely be tempted to test their limits. At this stage in his career you really can't question his success either. In the aftermath of this game the lakers keep their playoff hopes strong by winning, 100-95. Kobe Bryant scored 36, and Nowitzki 25 for Dallas. Do you C Webb? It was anticipated that Chris Webber's arrival in Philadelphia would give the team a boost. Webber and Iverson everyone thought, might be close to matching the fire power of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade. So far the Philly experiment is a bust. Chris Webber still can't believe he's traded, after all he put Sacramento on the radar, all that cheering from the fans, the cow bells, the sold out games, it began with him. It was because of him that the team started winning and eventually beat out Utah as the loudest NBA arena. sure the Maloof brothers' deep pockets helped, but it was Webber's inspired play that helped them make up their minds to splurge on the team and see how far it can really go. Sadly for Chris though, being good and being the best are two completely separate things. He never grasped the concept of the latter, though he was as primed for it as any athlete could ever be. The Sacramento folks felt he gave them everything he had to offer. They certainly aren't wrong. In Philly it looks like Webber is running on empty. He looks lost in the offense, and disinterested. Maybe coach O'Brien could smooth out things by giving him more minutes, and setting up plays for him. But no such luck. A player of Webber's caliber should not need any help to get established, but considering his situation, Allen Iverson and coach O'Brien will need to to more (ball sharing, vote of confidence from the coach, minutes, working on plays, etc), than just reciting praises at press conferences to make Webber feel welcomed and boost his production for a playoff run. -------------------- << Previous Next >> Back to 2004-05 archive © 2001-2005 H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m, All rights reserved Terms of service Privacy policy Contact |
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