Was it Telfair's absence that caused our collapse in DET?
nba.com wrote:Sebastian Telfair's increasing importance to the Minnesota Timberwolves never was more evident than in their loss to Detroit on Wednesday night.
With their point guard and catalyst on the bench with a bruised thigh, the Wolves let an 11-point third-quarter lead slip away in a 98-89 loss to the Pistons that snapped a three-game winning streak.
nba.com wrote: Throughout this much-improved month, the Timberwolves have thrived on playing in transition. Telfair has been the one most responsible for setting that pace, and it simply wasn't there while he watched most of the second half from the bench.
"He keeps us up-tempo. He keeps us moving," forward Kevin Love said. "Yesterday even on the defensive end we were slow getting up the court."
The Timberwolves managed just four fast-break points for the game and only created seven turnovers.
With Kevin Ollie still sidelined by an elbow injury, Telfair is the only healthy true point guard on the roster. Randy Foye slid over from his shooting guard spot to run the show, which had an adverse effect on his game. Foye finished with a modest 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
"Bassy gets a lot of guys involved and he can score too," forward Al Jefferson said. "He gets Randy shots and when Randy's at the point, it's kind of difficult for Randy to get his own shot off because he's trying to get everyone else involved. That's why I like the idea of Bassy at the (point) and Randy at the (shooting guard)."
I've noticed Telfair's improved play this month, but I hadn't thought about him as crucial before. I don't know if I agree with the article, but it gave me a different perspective. What do you X-and-O guys think?
Or at least a Teague or Maynor type prospect.
