Be sure to check back tomorrow for Checking In With Coach Ociepka-Portland for his thoughts/analysis on tonight's game.
If the remainder of the season is anything like tonight’s game against Portland, Timberwolves fans have a lot to be excited about. There, of course, is still work to be done, but by the hustle and heart this team showed tonight, fans can tell that the Wolves are giving them all they have.
In the first half the ball movement was beautiful. At times, all five men on the floor were offensive threats, making the defense sit back on their heels. Although the five man attack sputtered, the ball movement did not, more often then not ending up in the hands of Kevin Garnett for two points.
Many fans continue to question why Mark Madsen is seeing the amount of minutes he has lately, but Mad Dog contributes so much that does not show up in a stat sheet. He plays great pick and roll defense, whether or not he hauls in the rebound, he keeps the ball alive and, on this night, disrupted Zach Randolph in the second half. Madsen’s play, although not the sole reason, allowed for Garnett to sit early in the third quarter in order to be rested in the fourth.
Mike James played a lot of minutes in the second half, which was surprising. Yet, hopefully, this was Coach Wittman telling Mike James “I have faith in you.” Garnett and Davis have a surplus of confidence, but it is believed that James needed a nudge from his coach like this. Hopefully, this can help to build James confidence, allowing him to get his game back on track.
This team took a punch in the mouth from the Blazers in the fourth quarter. However, they absorbed the blow and fought until the very end. That is in no small part to Garnett’s opportunity to be fresh in crunch time. This really felt like a game that brings a team together, willing to fight to the end with and for each other…and for their new head coach.
Although the game did end in another Timberwolves loss, that motto "Grind It Out" comes to mind.
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