Check back with Wolves Hoops Blog on Thursday for my SPM Sports Inc article on this game.
After defeating the Pistons in Detroit on January 15, I warned of a letdown. The Timberwolves followed up their great win with a loss at home to the Atlanta Hawks, followed by the temper-tantrum rematch with Detroit in which Ricky Davis refused to re-enter the game and Kevin Garnett ejected for fighting with Antonio McDyess. Minnesota’s troubles continued with four more losses on the road, a coaching change and questions again regarding Garnett’s future in the Twin Cities.
Now, coming off two straight wins against the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota needs to again be careful not to disappoint the fans and, more importantly, themselves. Although Sacramento, who holds a 17-26 record coming in, surely is a better team then Atlanta, this is a game that the Timberwolves should win.
The Kings are playing their final game of a four game road trip, losing the first three stops along the way. Proving they are just as schizophrenic as Minnesota, Sacramento has lost to the Hornets (without Chris Paul) and the Grizzlies on this trip. Yet, they played the Dallas Mavericks tough in Dallas, losing by only two points. Which Sacramento team will show up in Minneapolis Wednesday night is anyone’s guess.
Kevin Garnett and company need to take their cue from new head coach Randy Wittman, who said after the big Phoenix win, “As I told the guys afterwards, you know what? I believed in you. You guys believed you could do it and you did it. This should not be a surprise for us. They are in our building. We’ve got to develop more pride in this place,” Coach Wittman preached. “These are our fans. This is our community. There not here to watch Phoenix…they’re here to watch us. They were great tonight.”
Minnesota must take care of their home court before they themselves head out on the road for three games against New Orleans, Dallas and Houston. Although the record under coach Wittman is 2-2 entering the Sacramento game, the Wolves have played hard for four quarters in each game and giving their maximum effort. As Witt said, if they continue to do that, the wins will take care of themselves.
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4 comments:
Whelp, you were right. What a letdown...
What a massive, freakin, terribly dissapointing letdown.
Looks like we are still inconsistent. Don't get me wrong, Casey wasn't cut out for the job and had to go, but man... our team has some issues.
Funny that you mention the word inconsistent.
You should be interested in my SPM article when it is up...
Sounds good... I'll be on the lookout for it.
I finally thought this team would turn the corner after the Phoenix game and the coaching change, but yet again they break my heart. The outcome didn't suprise me because they've done it some many times, it's sad that it's getting to the point where a loss like this isn't a suprise.
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