March 2009 Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Jackson: Bynum Misses Kurt Rambis

Dec 31, 2009 4:11 PM

Lakers coach Phil Jackson believes that some of center Andrew Bynum's struggles are because of the absence of Kurt Rambis.

Rambis, a former assistant in Los Angeles, is now the head coach of the Timberwolves.

"I think maybe Kurt [Rambis] being in Minnesota might have an effect because Kurt was working with him a lot more than Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] the last year," Jackson said. "I think Kareem had a big impact on Andrew two years ago, three years ago, but Kurt was working with him more hand in hand than Kareem this last year. Kareem hasn't been here in maybe three weeks. I don't know if they're that close in their communications."

Bynum hasn't had a double-double in the last 20 games.

Los Angeles Times

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Wolves, Suns Swap Hart, Tucker

Dec 30, 2009 7:53 AM

The Timberwolves traded guard Jason Hart to the Suns on Tuesday in exchange for Alando Tucker, a second-round pick and cash.

Minnesota was in talks with New Orleans about acquiring Devin Brown, but talks fell through even though general manager David Kahn had gone as far as to prepare a statement regarding the trade.

"Jason has been the consummate professional during his time with us, but it was a rare opportunity to add a proven player with 3-point shooting capabilities that will help our offense," Kahn said in the prepared statement, which mistakenly found its way onto the internet. "Devin should be a nice addition to our team defensively, as well. He has a reputation as a tough kid and hard-nosed defender."

The Suns, who also are looking to save money, waived Hart.

ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, NBA

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Hornets, Wolves Deal For Brown Hits Snag

Dec 29, 2009 4:38 PM

The Hornets and Timberwolves were thought to be close to a trade involving Devin Brown early Tuesday, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the deal has hit a snag.

"Despite discussions, one league source close to talks says deal "probably not" happening between Hornets and Wolves for Devin Brown," Wojnarowski wrote on his Twitter page.

Brown is averaging 10 points on 39.8% shooting this season.

Twitter (Adrian Wojnarowski)

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

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Jefferson Warms To Minnesota's Triangle O

Dec 29, 2009 7:37 AM

Timberwolves center Al Jefferson had some serious doubts about the triangle offense early in the season, but he's starting to appreciate the system.

First-year Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis brought the offense with him from Los Angeles and it appears to finally be paying dividends.

The Timberwolves have won four of their last seven games.

"Oh, there have been times," Jefferson said. "I'm not going to lie. There have been times in October and November when I was like, 'Why the hell are we running this offense?' But Coach said something to us that made a lot of sense. Coach said people doubted Phil Jackson with the triangle [offense] and they won three championships in a row [two separate times in Chicago] with it.

"There have been times I was like, 'This is not going to work.' But now, I'm eating my words because it is working for us."

Minnesota lost 15 consecutive games earlier in the season and was just 3-21 two weeks ago.

"I don't think we have no choice but to trust in the offense because Coach for an hour in practice has us just doing dummy 'O,' " Jefferson said. "It's hard to run our offense in practice because we all know what we're going to run. In games, it becomes a lot easier if we're doing the right things. Sometimes, being a young team, we stop trusting it.

"I think the whole month of December -- not just the last seven games -- we've been trusting the offense a lot better. I think the last seven games we've been running the offense a lot better."

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Rambis Likes Using Jefferson, Love Together

Dec 24, 2009 9:27 AM

Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis likes using forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love together even though neither has the size of a typical big man.

"They'll get better together as time goes by," Rambis said, "but when you compete against some of the elite teams, basically they're both power forwards. And you could argue they're on the small side of power forwards. They don't have the height or the length or athleticism that a lot of power forwards have in this league."

In order to make up for that, Rambis says that Minnesota has to pass the ball and stick to their offense.

"That's when we're at our best and lack of size doesn't seem to hurt us," he said. "It shows, and becomes glaring, when longer teams can reach right over the top of us to secure defensive rebounds. They don't even really have to jump. They just can get their hands on the ball. That's something our team will have to learn, how to block out."

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Kahn Says Wolves Expect To Stand Pat

Dec 23, 2009 4:27 PM

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn wants a full season to evaluate the team's current roster.

Despite Minnesota's 5-23 record, Kahn says he believes the Feb. 18 trade deadline will pass without the Timberwolves making a move.

"I haven't made one trade call since we started the regular season," Kahn said. "I really feel the players we have deserve to be evaluated on a season-long basis. I would be content if we don't make a move."

Kahn made five moves this past offseason after he was hired on May 22.

Pioneer Press

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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Gomes Could Miss Weeks With Sprain

Dec 16, 2009 7:27 AM

Timberwolves forward Ryan Gomes will miss Wednesday's game against the Clippers with a high ankle sprain.

The Star Tribune writes that Gomes could miss two weeks or more, but could return in just a couple of days depending on how the ankle responds to treatment.

"They say it's how I can tolerate the pain," Gomes said. "Right now, when I did a lot of lateral movement today, it gave me a lot of pain. I've got to give it a little bit of time. We'll give it two to three days and see how it feels."

Gomes injured his ankle and knee in Saturday's loss at Sacramento.

"The way I landed, the way I twisted it, I was concerned that it could have been something bad," he said of his ankle. "I heard a pop, so I was nervous."

Gomes is averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.

Star Tribune

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

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RealGM Recaps For Monday, 12/14

Dec 15, 2009 7:52 AM

All but one of the seven games on the schedule Monday night were decided by 10 points or less.

- Orlando 106, Indiana 98

Team FIC Differential: Magic +7.8, Pacers -7.8

The Orlando Magic (18-6) outscored the Indiana Pacers (8-14) by ten in the fourth quarter to record a comeback win at home. Vince Carter had 28 points and seven rebounds, Dwight Howard posted 21 points and 23 boards and J.J. Redick added 13 points and five assists off the bench. Orlando shot just 41%, but attempted 25 more free throws than Indiana. Mike Dunleavy scored 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting, Troy Murphy tallied 14 points and six rebounds and T.J. Ford contributed 13 points, seven assists and six boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Dwight Howard, Orlando ? 25.8

Vince Carter, Orlando ? 17.8

T.J. Ford, Indiana ? 14.5

Mike Dunleavy, Indiana ? 12.4

- Philadelphia 117, Golden State 101

Team FIC Differential:

The Philadelphia 76ers (6-18) snapped their 12-game losing streak with a win over the Golden State Warriors (7-17) at the Wachovia Center. Thaddeus Young starred with 26 points and 14 rebounds, Samuel Dalembert tallied 12 points and 13 boards and Allen Iverson scored 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Philadelphia shot 49% and outrebounded Golden State by 33. Corey Maggette had a team-high 24 points, Anthony Randolph posted 15 points and five rebounds and Stephen Curry put up 14 points, four boards and four assists.

Game FIC Scores








- Boston 110, Memphis 105

Team FIC Differential: Celtics +13.5, Grizzlies -13.5

The Boston Celtics (20-4) edged past the pesky Memphis Grizzlies (10-14) on Monday night. Paul Pierce had 19 points and six assists, Kevin Garnett posted 13 points and eight rebounds and Rajon Rondo totaled 18 points and nine dimes. Boston shot 52% and held Memphis to 1-for-13 shooting from three-point land. Rudy Gay led with 23 points and seven rebounds, Zach Randolph tallied 20 points and five boards and O.J. Mayo scored 21 points on 10-for-17 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Rudy Gay, Memphis ? 15.9

Paul Pierce, Boston ? 15.5

Rajon Rondo, Boston ? 15.4

Ray Allen, Boston ? 15.0

- Dallas 94, New Orleans 90

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +0.3, Hornets -0.3

The Dallas Mavericks (18-7) outlasted the New Orleans Hornets (10-13) despite an off night for Dirk Nowitzki. Jose Juan Barea had a game-high 23 points, Josh Howard tallied 14 points and eight rebounds and Jason Kidd stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 13 assists and five boards. Dallas hit 55% of their shots and turned the ball over 23 times. Chris Paul starred with 20 points and 16 assists, David West posted 14 points and four rebounds and James Posey chipped in 10 points and five boards off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Paul, New Orleans ? 25.5

Jason Kidd, Dallas ? 19.8

Jose Juan Barea, Dallas ? 12.5

James Posey, New Orleans ? 10.9

- Denver 102, Oklahoma City 93

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +7.1, Thunder -7.1

The Denver Nuggets (18-7) used a strong second quarter to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-11) at the Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony starred with 31 points and five rebounds, Chris Andersen posted 15 points and 11 boards and Chauncey Billups added 12 points and seven assists. Denver hit just 40% of their shots, but attempted 40 foul shots. Kevin Durant led with 32 points and 10 rebounds, Nick Collison tallied 14 points and five boards and Russell Westbrook contributed 14 points, six rebounds and six assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Andersen, Denver ? 21.0

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City ? 18.9

Nene, Denver ? 13.4

Carmelo Anthony ? Denver ? 12.5

- Minnesota 110, Utah 108

Team FIC Differential: Timberwolves +1.4, Jazz -1.4

Jonny Flynn?s driving layup gave the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-21) a rare win over the Utah Jazz (14-10) on Monday night. Flynn led with 28 points and five assists, Al Jefferson tallied 23 points and 12 rebounds and Kevin Love chipped in 11 points and 14 boards. Utah shot 50%, but Minnesota won the rebounding battle by 12. Deron Williams exploded for 38 points and 13 assists, Carlos Boozer posted 14 points and 14 rebounds and Paul Millsap scored 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Deron Williams, Utah ? 31.0

Al Jefferson, Minnesota ? 16.0

Corey Brewer, Minnesota ? 15.0

Carlo Boozer, Utah ? 10.6

- L.A. Clippers 97, Washington 95

Team FIC Differential: Clippers +12.9, Wizards -12.9

The Los Angeles Clippers (10-13) held off the Washington Wizards (7-15) for a dramatic victory. Eric Gordon had 29 points, Chris Kaman posted 23 points and 11 rebounds and Marcus Camby stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, 15 boards, five assists and two blocked shots. Washington shot just 38% and Los Angeles turned the ball over 20 times. Antawn Jamison led with 32 points and 11 rebounds, Gilbert Arenas tallied 16 points and nine assists and Caron Butler chipped in 20 points, seven boards and five dimes.

Game FIC Scores

Chris Kaman, Los Angeles ? 21.3

Antawn Jamison, Washington ? 19.5

Marcus Camby, Los Angeles ? 18.3

Eric Gordon, Los Angeles ? 17.6

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA

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Gomes Has Consecutive Games Streak Snapped

Dec 15, 2009 7:18 AM

Timberwolves forward Ryan Gomes had played in 203 consecutive games before sitting out Monday's contest.

Gomes suffered an ankle injury on Saturday night against the Kings, which forced him to sit out against the Jazz.

He is scheduled to have an MRI on Tuesday.

The streak was the seventh-longest active one in the NBA.

Star Tribune

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Kahn: Ability To Trade Free Agents Means Nothing

Dec 15, 2009 7:15 AM

Beginning Tuesday, NBA teams can trade players that they signed as free agents this past summer.

Last week, ESPN.com listed Timberwolves point guard Ramon Sessions fifth on a list of recently signed free agents most likely to be dealt.

"I didn't know about that," Sessions said Monday. "I didn't even know that was a rule."

Sessions, who signed a four-year, $16 million deal, is playing varied minutes behind rookie Jonny Flynn.

Asked if Dec. 15 is a significant date, Kahn said, "No, not for us it isn't. Tomorrow is Tuesday. We're going home tomorrow. That's the only significance."

Star Tribune

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Love: Wittman Wouldn't Let Me Shoot 3s

Star Tribune

Flynn Heaps Praise On Fellow Rookie Evans

Star Tribune

Kobe Breaks Finger On Shooting Hand, Lakers Win 11th Straight

ESPN

Calderon Sits Against Minnesota

TSN

Love Is Fine With Sixth Man Role

Pioneer Press

Wolves Holding Onto Blount's Contract For Possible Trade

ESPN

Kahn: Wolves Have No Intention Of Trading Rubio

HoopsWorld

Love Could Make Season Debut Friday

Star Tribune

Love Cleared To Play, Return Now Up To Him

Star Telegram

Love Likely To Make Debut Within Week

Twitter (Jerry Zgoda)