After five games, including four on the road, the Timberwolves have made several impressions. The usual starting lineup of guards Mike James, Trenton Hassell and Ricky Davis, forward Kevin Garnett, and center Mark Blount, will by season’s end leave the Timberwolves on the outside looking in at the NBA playoffs for a third consecutive season.
Why is the unproductive Hassell in the lineup? Hassell’s reputation is that of a defensive specialist but his performance on defense hasn’t been noticeable and his offense is worse (6.2 per game average on 39% shooting). Davis has the skills and athleticism but his play frequently lacks passion and focus. Blount is playing with more consistency than last season and at times blocks shots and always can uphold his profile as one of the league’s better shooting big men. James has been inconsistent but has shown the competitiveness and shooting range that excited the Wolves when they signed him as a free agent last summer. Garnett remains one of the league’s top 10 players, a superstar not without faults but a superb all around player (seventh in the league in rebounding at 11.2, also averaging 22.4 points per game).
Among the Wolves’ faults so far (last season, too) is playing without passion and urgency. A malaise resulting in fewer rebounds and loose balls, and not attacking the basket for lay-ups and close in shots. When the Wolves scrambled back from a 20 point deficit in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s game against the Lakers they finally had players on the floor with a promising blend of talent and attitude. Rookies Randy Foye and Craig Smith, with James, Garnett and Marko Jaric produced a rally that had the Lakers working to game’s end before winning, 95-88.
Foye and Smith have to play major minutes in future games, at least 30 minutes or more. Foye needs to play point guard, a position providing the comfort of having the basketball more than any of his teammates. He’s accustomed to having the ball and once he has it he will create plays for himself and teammates, providing the Wolves the penetrating point guard they have sought for some time.
Smith is Mr. High Energy and Mr. Production so far. Coming off the bench and playing about 16 minutes per game, he is making 62% of his shots and averaging 10.2 points per game. He has superb court sense allowing him to find loose balls and rebounds. Combined with his strong, stocky frame and soft shooting touch, the second round draft choice looks like the steal of the 2006 NBA draft. He has provided the Wolves not only with badly needed rebounds but equally needed inside scoring (hello, wannabe long range bomber Eddie Griffin, the Wolves 6-10 back up forward/center).
Here’s one man’s revised lineup: Foye, James and Davis at guard, Garnett at forward, with Blount at center. Then Smith as the first player off the bench, a sixth man commanding major minutes coming in for Davis or Blount. And here’s another opinion: playoff team that’s lots of fun to watch.