Pups Putting In Work

[Klomp]

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wo ... 80820.html

Training camp is a few weeks away for the Timberwolves, but the majority of the team has been at Target Center for a few days mixing it up in the practice facility. After Tuesday's workout, I caught up with Sebastian Telfair to get an idea of how things were going.

Here are a few points from the conversation with Bassy:

Though not an actual practice, Telfair said the guys went through many of the same drills the team runs during the regular season, including some full court 5-on-5 action.

The two things Telfair focused most on in the offseason - his shooting and his finishing at the rim - apparently felt much improved. Telfair finished one tough drive to the rim with Jefferson contesting that was enough to draw the praise of Mr. 20 and 10. Obviously, Al was implying that is was a shot Telfair might have missed last season. Of course, Bassy will have to do it in the regular season for us to completely buy in, but it's nice to hear nonetheless.

Rashad McCants and Al Jefferson came out on top in some 2-on-2 action. No shocker there - that's the twosome Telfair and I agreed would be the most formidable on the roster. Sure, in any given setting another pair (Kevin Love and Randy Foye; Telfair and Ryan Gomes, etc.) could win a game off Big Al and Rashad, but definitely not consistently. As we saw last season, there's no way to guard Jefferson down low, and he can play defense when he's focused on it. As for McCants, he has such a slew of offensive skills, he can get whatever shot he wants at whatever time in a 2-on-2 setting. Trust that.

Telfair did team up with Gomes, and said they made it a game but couldn't pull out a victory in the end. If Gomes has his jumper going, that's a really tough twosome because Telfair can just dart around everywhere and draw both defenders before dumping off for an open look from the former Providence star.

Rodney Carney has been in, and has already impressed everyone with his athletic ability. Speculation says he's over the hamstring strain he was feeling during Summer League in Las Vegas.

I asked our friend from Coney Island whom I'd need on my team to beat him and Gomes ... he said Shaq (in his prime). Basically, we'd just play zone defense where I stood near the free throw line and let Telfair shoot, with Shaq standing in the middle of the lane, and hope that they missed jumpers. Then offensively, I'd simply throw high lob passes to Shaq underneath from the point, and make sure not to really dribble anywhere so as not to get picked by Telfair. How does that sound? Come on Diesel, pick me up!

An unconfirmed list of who has been downstairs, according to Bassy: Gomes, Jefferson, McCants, Foye, Carney, Corey Brewer, Chris Richard, Mike Miller.

Kevin Love is currently going through some of the rookie symposiums and such, but should be reporting to Minnesota immediately following.

[Dewey]

McCants & Jefferson: Did Al get any touches?

Good to hear they are working out some.
A little suprised to hear Miller is around already.
Love can't be far away.
Anyone teamed with Jefferson is likely winning.
I really hope Carney can mature and get some game to go with all that athleticism.
If Telfair cleans up some of the little things in his game, he'll be a bargain at backup PG.

Still hoping we can get some legit depth inside.

[Mcfale313]

Anyone teamed with Jefferson is likely winning.

not if MadDog team up with Jefferson.....then its a tough choice for a Love/Miler pair~~

it'd be awesome if they teamup MadDog with Booth to boost every other pairs' confidence tho...

[Calinks]

McCants can ball man. I eally hope things come together for him this year. Man should be averaging 20 PPG.

[Devilzsidewalk]

McCants is big baller shot caller twenty inch crawler. I read that in Charley Walters' column.

[TheFranchise21]

I'm not surprised McCants is a good 2 on 2 player. Hell he'd be an excellent 1 on 1 guy, but the important thing is if he can be a good 5 on 5 player.

[Devilzsidewalk]

you could argue Kobe is the ultimate Rashad McCants. Therefore I say just try to get some defense out of Rashad and you have a good starting SG. I wouldn't try to turn him into Brandon Roy. I'd even be happy with the Michael Redd path, and thats not too unrealistic.

[deeney0]

Even if Shad were as good a defender as Kobe (never gonna happen), he's still 4 inches shorter.

[Devilzsidewalk]

If Kobe were in Rashad's body, he'd still be a kickass player I think so yes

[JR Rider]

McCants is hands down, one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

[Calinks]

McCants is hands down, one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

Ah hell, J.R. Rider! That's the last guy I want to see in Shad's corner.

[mayorhoiberg]

McCants is hands down, one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

[shrink]

McCants is hands down, one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

You are right. Yesterday on the trade board, Philly posters, who's team was last in 3-point shooting last year and just added Elton Brand, didn't want to trade Jason Smith with a torn ACL for McCants, but said they'd trade Royal Ivey.

[Devilzsidewalk]

cool with me because I don't want to trade McCants for Jason Smith aka power forward #7

[theGreatRC]

I expect big things from McCants.

He just needs to be committed to lessening he fouls and staying on the court; most of his fouls were dumb break away fouls or where his defender blew by him and McCants just grabbed him.

So I guess he also needs to work on staying in front of his man.

[Wingman]

He was born to be hated, of course he's underrated.

[4ho5ive]

I expect big things from McCants.

He just needs to be committed to lessening he fouls and staying on the court; most of his fouls were dumb break away fouls or where his defender blew by him and McCants just grabbed him.

So I guess he also needs to work on staying in front of his man.

AKA Defense

[JMillott]

I'm surprized you guys haven't all agreed to run Rashard McCants out of town yet, is he talented sure and he can score in bunches yes. He can't/doesn't play defense and he doesn't understand the concepts of playing team basketball at the NBA level.

Sound like a guy who just signed with the Clippers for 2.3 million dollars to anybody else?

[NYC232]

rashad has been putting in heavy work this summer guys, but what im excited to see is the new chemistry between mr. 20&10 and rashad, those to have been spending alot of time together and helping eachother on working on there weakness. i except to see alot out of those 2 this new upcoming season, as for rasahd and his defense the word is that he is focusing in on being a better player on the defensive side of the court also while out in vegas during workouts he was picking up full court against some very good point guards.

[theGreatRC]

Yeah, I guess Rashad has switched over from KG to Big Al. I think Shaddy has a thing for 20/10 guys.

I remember during Summer League, Shaddy was being interviewed and he said he was going to hang out with Big Al after the pups played their SL game.