Howlin' Wolves | Minnesota Timberwolves MyLeague | NBA FINALS vs Philadelphia 76ers
Howlin' Wolves | Minnesota Timberwolves MyLeague
Last edited by Fapplatte on 02 Jul 2020, 21:13, edited 1 time in total.
Howlin' Wolves | Minnesota Timberwolves MyLeague
2019/20 Regular Season :: October/November report
November featured some surprises, such as the New York Knicks going winless in their first 12 games and the Minnesota Timberwolves climbing to the top of the Western Conference. The 2020 All-Star voting contest is underway.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embidd and Dallas Maverick’s Luka Doncic today were named as their respective Conference Players of the Month, for games played during November. The 76ers currently have the best record in the NBA (10-2), while the Dallas Mavericks are struggling with a 6-0 record.
Embid leads the league in scoring (33.6 ppg) while also excelling on defense with 15.8 rebounds per game, 11.8 of them come on the defensive side of the court. Embid has been on a tear recently, scoring 42 points and 18 rebounds in their 133-130 victory over the Orlando Magic. In his last four games, he has averaged 39.2 points and 18.2 rebounds per game. The 76ers have gone 2-2 during this stretch with losses against the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat and wins against Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.
Doncic is 4th in the league in scoring (30.0 ppg) and has recorded 10.7 rebounds per game while also featuring heavily in the playmaking role, averaging 9.0 assists per game. The Dallas Mavericks haven’t faired well this season and currently have a losing record. However, the Mavericks have improved of late going 3-1 in a stretch which Doncic averaged 34.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. This selection for Western Conference Player of the Month does raise eyebrows and causes controversy. D’Angelo Russell of the Minnesota Timberwolves has flown under the radar with his performances which has given the Minnesota Timberwolves the top seed in the Conference. Another memorable mention would be Karl Anthony Towns, who has upped his game to another level this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson and Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant today were named as their respective Rookie Conference Players of the Month, for games played during November. Power Forward Zion Williamson leads all rookies in scoring with 20.8 points per game, while Ja Maront is second with 20.0 points per game.
Williamson has been a productive starter for the Pelicans, scoring 20 points a game, while also recording 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Williamson has also been fantastic at converting his field goals, converting .631% of his shots. His free throws sits at .821%.
Morant has been a pleasant surprise for the Grizzlies, as he averages 20 points per game and dishes out 5.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His field goal percentage is .489%. He converts .345% of his three point attempts and converts .773% of his free throws.
Howlin' Wolves | Minnesota Timberwolves MyLeague
With road wins in Golden State and Philly, these Timberwolves are starting to be taken seriously
nba.com/timberwolves/morningcoffee | December 13th, 2019
It's winter now, cold as hell in Minneapolis. I walked in the city's main park before the huge win over Philadelphia and I noticed the Mississippi River has iced up. The Frozen Tundra. But let's not further digress and get to the point. The Minnesota Timberwolves are having their best season in franchise history. Their 2003/04 campaign yielded a winning percentage of .707% after winning 58 and conceding 24 games. Since the NBA lightened the load with fewer games on the schedule, let's do some quick maths. The Timberwolves are currently 11-3, which gives them a winning percentage of .785%. Divide the wins by games played and then multiply that by an 82 game schedule, the Minnesota Timberwolves are on pace to finish with 64 wins and 18 losses. That's just five games behind the illustrious 1996/97 Chicago Bulls. What a weird time we live in, that the Minnesota Timberwolves are atop of an incredibly competitive Western Conference. We all knew this could have likely happened but in the future... and not so fast.
Let's take a look at some of the main headline surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sixth man and veteran James Johnson went down with an injury in the first quarter of their win over the 76ers. Team doctors have released the report. Unfortunately, the 11-year veteran went down and has suffered right elbow tendinitis - which will rule him out for 6-8 weeks. See you in late February/early March James! What's interesting is Johnson released to Minnesota next season. Can you blame him? The Timberwolves are playing winning basketball. What's more to like than being a veteran, playing limited time but winning and picking up a million dollar contract in the process. This injury could devastate his chances of returning though. The T-Wolves have to consider his 33-year old age and whether you want that guy coming off an injury to be your sixth man next season. The Wolves have younger, fresher and probably better options next season.
The All-Star voting is a joke this season. The T-Wolves, who lead the Western Conference, have just one of their five starters included. Karl Anthony-Towns is currently the 6th most voted player on the frontcourt for the Western Conference. I quickly pan to the backcourt and see no sight of D'Angelo Russell, which is a joke. Russell is averaging 24.1 points per game, which is fifth most amongst point guards. His 6.6 assists per game rank him 10th at his position. He's ninth in rebounding with 4.7 per game. Defensively, he still needs work. Yes, I concede that. He is 42nd in steals per game (0.6) at his position. His field goal percentage (.492%) us 9th among point guards and he has the best three point conversion percentage at his position, with an incredible .485%. His free throws are a lot left to be desired too, being ranked 36th with a .712% rate. He spends a lot of time on the court too, averaging 32.4 minutes per game - 7th most at his position. Still, no recognition. Does the LA Times have a personal vendetta against their former jettisoned point guard? Ok, so Damian Lillard averages .5 more points per game but let's get real here. DLo has changed how the Minnesota Timberwolves operate and right now they're on their way to the number one seed in the Western Conference. If Russell isn't in the All-Star game, I won't be watching. #notmyallstar
Sometimes you hear about the trade rumour, sometimes there is truth and sometimes it is just false. However, no smoke without fire... as they say. The Wolves have been patient with second-year Josh Okogie. He has improved on his rookie season, although his shooting has taken a hit. Still, he performs better on the road than at home - if you discount his horrible free throwing rate. The Timberwolves are starting to play Ben McLemore more at the small forward position. The team doesn't want McLemore as a starter, they see him as the impact player off the bench. The Timberwolves are still very much interested in Phoenix's Kelly Oubre. If they do opt to trade for the Instagram star, expect that trade to be made before or after Christmas, I don't see the Wolves waiting till the trade deadline to finalise their roster. They're in a winning position. While Okogie has been fine on defense, he's been awful on offense. The addition of Oubre in the starting five would solidify the Timberwolves chances of a deep postseason run.
Two starters have announced their intention to test free agency next summer, with one already unwilling to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Juan Hernangomez has informed the team he had discussions with his agent with his future. It won't be in Minnesota. He's already at peace his time in Minnesota is coming to an end. Should the Timberwolves move him before the traded deadline? He's a candidate for that to happen. Gain something before you lose everything with free agent hitting the open market. However, Malik Beasley has taken the softer approach and wants to see his worth on the open market, which includes returning to Minnesota. Ah, if the price is right. The Timberwolves won't break the bank for him, but he's having a breakout season with the Timberwolves and they're atop of the Western Conference. Someone is going to buy into the hype and offer this three point sharpshooter a large contract the Timberwolves may not have the capacity to match.
Last edited by Fapplatte on 03 Jul 2020, 20:34, edited 1 time in total.
Howlin' Wolves | Minnesota Timberwolves MyLeague
Since the Miami Heat game, I have been playing 3 games then siming 3 games. I will do this for the rest of the season. I will play around 60% of the games having played the first 12 or so.
