The preseason is full of optimism for every team in the NBA because the games that count have not started. Each team believes this is their year for a championship or the year they take the next step in their development, but, of course, there are always teams that crash and burn. The Timberwolves have had hopes each year, only to fall into the crash-and-burn category, but there truly is a different feel around this team. They are not going to win the championship in the 2010-11 season, but this very well may end up being the season that they provide a small glimpse of hope for the future.
“I just feel like ever since we had our first meeting in training camp that we’re all on the same page,” said Kevin Love. “Nobody on this team has agendas. If people’s have their egos, it’s set aside. Everything is going to be made through a team atmosphere and team play. We feel good with the wins that we’ve had, but we’re going to suffer through a few losses and we have to see how we’re going to respond to that. That’s really going to be telling, maybe ten or fifteen games in.”
At the very least, the Timberwolves are starting the 2010-11 campaign off the right way. In the preseason, they lead the NBA in points per game (113.0) and three-point percentage (53%). They are second in both blocked shots (7.3) and assists (23.7). They are also ranked fourth in the league in forcing turnovers at the rate of 22.3 per game.
“For us, that’s really important because with as young as we are now and all the new pieces we got, it’s important for us to start playing together as soon as possible,” said Milicic. “The season is just around the corner and every game is going to be important for us because every game is going to be tough. There are a lot of good teams in the West. We’re a good team, but a young team, so for us it’s going to take 48 minutes every game to have a chance to win.”
There remain many areas in which the team can progress and they have their plan in place. With two weeks before the regular season begins, the Timberwolves are going to continue to push each other to accomplish their goals.
“We’re all on the same page,” said Tolliver. “From the beginning of camp we talked about what we wanted to do and we want to win a lot of games. I think everybody here has a lot to prove individually, but everybody knows that in order to prove things individually we’re going to have to do it as a team and win games. If we win games, that will get us the notoriety that we need. That’s definitely something that we’re striving for.”
Adds Kevin Love: “We have some rookies and some guys who are new to this team and even guys who have been on this team will make mistakes, but we just need to continue to get better every day at practice. I feel like we have guys who are hungry and, collectively, that’s great.”
The chemistry is good, the preseason play has been somewhat surprising and the Timberwolves do have a little hype around them this year. Make no mistake though…they are not content.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Beasley.
http://www.downtownjournal.com/index.ph ... 4&blog=828
