(Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)(Useless Press Incorporated - Monday, November 24, 2008)
Minnesota showed superior footwork in pasting the Pistons 106-80, at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI Sunday. While actual statements can't be verified, it was rumored by many in the locker room that some in the Wolves brain trust thought they hadn't seen such footwork since the Magic Johnson led Lakers of the 80's. Johnson, in Los Angeles, preparing for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight, could not be reached for comment.
That the Wolves--identified as perennial league doormats--could pick up their first road win against quality opposition, wasn't lost on the Detroit fans. "First no government bailout, then this", commented Beretta Axhandle, long time Pistons season ticket holder. "Maybe we should get Flip back", he continued, remembering former coach Flip Saunders, fired by the Pistons in the offseason. "Of course, the real problem are Sunday games. I see these guys partying all the time down in the bars Saturday night. They've been losing on Sundays a lot lately, and AI isn't much of a team leader yet."
Back in the Minnesota locker room, comparisons ran amok between the coaching staff and players celebrating their victory. The Wolves' Randy Foye, a much maligned, still developing point guard, broke out for 23 points and 14 assists, going a gaudy + 25 for the night. He immediately was compared to recent departed guard Chauncey Billups (Mr. Big Shot), now playing for Denver. Ryan Gomes--who scored 20 points with seven rebounds, a +16 for the night--was compared to Satch Sanders, the former Boston Celtic, a real "glue guy". Al Jefferson, (18 points, 8 rebounds, +25) who has already been compared to Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone in recent days by Wolves announcer (and Lynx assistant coach) Jim Petersen, was heard attempting to add Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed and Walt Bellamy to his resemblance list. One unnamed Timberwolf official put it this way: "until these guys actually turn the corner, we'd compare them to minor deities if we can sell tickets. Yeah, they stunk against Boston, but just like Senator McCain said in the last days before the election, we've got teams just where we want them. 3 and 9...hell no, we're STREAKING, having won 2 out of the last 3. In these poor economic times, any sign of hope is marketable. We've trying to lower the bar enough to make mediocrity palatable."
In a weekend where OKC Thunder head coach PJ Carlisemo was fired, and increased rumors about Reggie Theus' job in Sacremento are surfacing, the Detroit win gives Coach Randy Wittman a little breathing room. "Yeah, I know Dwayne Casey got fired for inconsistency. And honestly, between our terrible home game against Boston and our win tonight, what could be more inconsistent? But, I've been around here a long time, and folks know me here. Dwayne didn't have the benefit of being on the inside, so while he might have been the victim of a double standard, he DID have KG around. Of course, I did too and I couldn't do anything with him either. I think a few wins a month represents real progress. What's KG doing with his ring this year anyway, beside torching us and picking on the opposition's smaller players? Not much. People in the state know I have the REAL challenge ahead of me. I'll be fine."
The Wolves continue their streak against Phoenix on Wednesday at home, 7pm.
Minnesota showed superior footwork in pasting the Pistons 106-80, at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI Sunday. While actual statements can't be verified, it was rumored by many in the locker room that some in the Wolves brain trust thought they hadn't seen such footwork since the Magic Johnson led Lakers of the 80's. Johnson, in Los Angeles, preparing for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight, could not be reached for comment.
That the Wolves--identified as perennial league doormats--could pick up their first road win against quality opposition, wasn't lost on the Detroit fans. "First no government bailout, then this", commented Beretta Axhandle, long time Pistons season ticket holder. "Maybe we should get Flip back", he continued, remembering former coach Flip Saunders, fired by the Pistons in the offseason. "Of course, the real problem are Sunday games. I see these guys partying all the time down in the bars Saturday night. They've been losing on Sundays a lot lately, and AI isn't much of a team leader yet."
Back in the Minnesota locker room, comparisons ran amok between the coaching staff and players celebrating their victory. The Wolves' Randy Foye, a much maligned, still developing point guard, broke out for 23 points and 14 assists, going a gaudy + 25 for the night. He immediately was compared to recent departed guard Chauncey Billups (Mr. Big Shot), now playing for Denver. Ryan Gomes--who scored 20 points with seven rebounds, a +16 for the night--was compared to Satch Sanders, the former Boston Celtic, a real "glue guy". Al Jefferson, (18 points, 8 rebounds, +25) who has already been compared to Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone in recent days by Wolves announcer (and Lynx assistant coach) Jim Petersen, was heard attempting to add Nate Thurmond, Willis Reed and Walt Bellamy to his resemblance list. One unnamed Timberwolf official put it this way: "until these guys actually turn the corner, we'd compare them to minor deities if we can sell tickets. Yeah, they stunk against Boston, but just like Senator McCain said in the last days before the election, we've got teams just where we want them. 3 and 9...hell no, we're STREAKING, having won 2 out of the last 3. In these poor economic times, any sign of hope is marketable. We've trying to lower the bar enough to make mediocrity palatable."
In a weekend where OKC Thunder head coach PJ Carlisemo was fired, and increased rumors about Reggie Theus' job in Sacremento are surfacing, the Detroit win gives Coach Randy Wittman a little breathing room. "Yeah, I know Dwayne Casey got fired for inconsistency. And honestly, between our terrible home game against Boston and our win tonight, what could be more inconsistent? But, I've been around here a long time, and folks know me here. Dwayne didn't have the benefit of being on the inside, so while he might have been the victim of a double standard, he DID have KG around. Of course, I did too and I couldn't do anything with him either. I think a few wins a month represents real progress. What's KG doing with his ring this year anyway, beside torching us and picking on the opposition's smaller players? Not much. People in the state know I have the REAL challenge ahead of me. I'll be fine."
The Wolves continue their streak against Phoenix on Wednesday at home, 7pm.
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