Memo to the Timberwolves: make a note to acquire Joel Przybilla in the off-season. The former Monticello High School and Gopher star is potentially a nice fit for the Wolves who are in need of a center who specializes in rebounding and blocking shots.
Those skills are highlighted on Przybilla’s resume and the Wolves know it. They saw him twice last week in the Portland Trailblazers’ two wins against the Wolves. In the game in Minneapolis he helped lead a fourth quarter rally, effectively defending Wolves’ star Al Jefferson. Although he missed part of the game because of a foot injury, Przybilla had 10 rebounds and a timely fourth quarter blocked shot. In a game in Portland, Przybilla had 13 rebounds and two blocks in an 11 point Blazer win after his team had won by seven in Minneapolis.
The 7-foot-1 Przybilla is an exemplary teammate with the Blazers and figures to be the same here. He unselfishly accepts a role of setting high post screens and seldom receiving the ball near the basket where he could shoot. His offensive skills are good enough to average more than his current 4.7 points per game if he had more opportunities to score.
The 28-year-old Przybilla, now in his eighth NBA season, willingly offers advice to teammates, including to Greg Oden, the guy who will have his job next season. Oden, the No. 1 overall NBA pick last season, is sitting out the season because of microfracture surgery on his right knee. The Blazers will not only start Oden next season, they will give him more opportunities to score than Przybilla even though both have similar and limited low post offensive skills.
The Wolves could help themselves and give Przybilla more playing time by bringing him here. Jefferson has the marvelous scoring ability of a low post center but he needs another big body (Przybilla is about 255 pounds) to help the team’s interior defense. Acquiring Przybilla would allow Jefferson to move from center to his more natural position of power forward. Immediately the Wolves become better defensively and rebounding at both ends of the floor. Those are improvements the Wolves, 17-50, should have at the top of their off-season shopping list.
Although his average minutes per game are about 23, Przybilla ranks in the NBA’s top 32 in rebounding (averages 7.9) and blocked shots (1.2).
Memo to the Timberwolves: make a note to acquire Joel Przybilla in the off-season. The former Monticello High School and Gopher star is potentially a nice fit for the Wolves who are in need of a center who specializes in rebounding and blocking shots.
Those skills are highlighted on Przybilla’s resume and the Wolves know it. They saw him twice last week in the Portland Trailblazers’ two wins against the Wolves. In the game in Minneapolis he helped lead a fourth quarter rally, effectively defending Wolves’ star Al Jefferson. Although he missed part of the game because of a foot injury, Przybilla had 10 rebounds and a timely fourth quarter blocked shot. In a game in Portland, Przybilla had 13 rebounds and two blocks in an 11 point Blazer win after his team had won by seven in Minneapolis.
The 7-foot-1 Przybilla is an exemplary teammate with the Blazers and figures to be the same here. He unselfishly accepts a role of setting high post screens and seldom receiving the ball near the basket where he could shoot. His offensive skills are good enough to average more than his current 4.7 points per game if he had more opportunities to score.
The 28-year-old Przybilla, now in his eighth NBA season, willingly offers advice to teammates, including to Greg Oden, the guy who will have his job next season. Oden, the No. 1 overall NBA pick last season, is sitting out the season because of microfracture surgery on his right knee. The Blazers will not only start Oden next season, they will give him more opportunities to score than Przybilla even though both have similar and limited low post offensive skills.
The Wolves could help themselves and give Przybilla more playing time by bringing him here. Jefferson has the marvelous scoring ability of a low post center but he needs another big body (Przybilla is about 255 pounds) to help the team’s interior defense. Acquiring Przybilla would allow Jefferson to move from center to his more natural position of power forward. Immediately the Wolves become better defensively and rebounding at both ends of the floor. Those are improvements the Wolves, 17-50, should have at the top of their off-season shopping list.
Although his average minutes per game are about 23, Przybilla ranks in the NBA’s top 32 in rebounding (averages 7.9) and blocked shots (1.2).