In a Game SOMEBODY Had To Win…

(AP Photo/Phil McCarten)

The Wolves took care of the Los Angeles Clippers 94-86 on Monday afternoon. Being the “JV” game before the Lakers would take the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers later Monday night, it would have taken some energy and pizazz to get the laid back LA crowd into this one. Unfortunately, the Clippers were missing just about all their veteran talent (Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby), and somehow, incredibly, Ricky Davis couldn’t blend well enough with rookies Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan—as well as second year three point specialist Steve Novak--so it quickly degraded into a game only hard core fans could love. A video recap of the game can be found here.

Our broadcasting crew started the game by telling us what a great practice the club had on Sunday, since the coaching staff was concerned about this young team getting caught up in the summer-like LA weather. For the first half of the first quarter, it seemed like the comment was accurate, with Craig Smith helping the Wolves to a sixteen point lead. The Wolves stopped attacking the rim and began jump shooting, which led to the Clips making a run in the last part of the quarter and keeping the game relatively close the rest of the way.

It was a mixed day for Jim Petersen, color commentator, who offered some on-target observations, and a couple of whoppers as well. The correct observation was that the Wolves were playing down to their competition. Given the thrilling victory over the Suns last Friday and the depleted Clippers roster, this game should have been easier. But after the first quarter run, the Wolves continually let the Clippers back into the game, primarily on the back of rookie Eric Gordon, and the shooting of Steve Novak. Mixed in was the interior play of rookie center DeAndre Jordan, an unpolished player from Texas A&M.

One of Petersen’s off-target comments was that Al Jefferson was going to dominate Jordan, a player who stock had seriously dropped in last year’s draft. That didn’t happen. With 8 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, Jordan wasn’t spectacular, but he was good. Eric Gordon was the consistent, solid player for LA; no one on the Wolves club could really stop him.

The other whopper was Petersen’s contention during the first quarter of the game that concerns about defense in the NBA are overblown. This flies in the face of just about every team that are considered contenders in the league; they become contenders by the type of balanced scoring we are now starting to see from Jefferson and Foye, but also by being able to make stops at least when necessary. Prime examples of this were on display in the fourth quarter of the Clippers game, as Mike Miller blocked Al Thornton’s shot with around two minutes left and Foye’s steal from Gordon with under a minute left to play. Foye is by no means a great defender, but during this streak of improved play from the Wolves he’s been able to make key defensive stops which has contributed greatly to Minnesota wins. Points are obviously important, but what separates NBA quality play from the D-League or Euro ball is the ability to play defense.

The Wolves have another opportunity to show their true improvement tonight against the Jazz. They have every excuse to lose; a back to back game on the road against a quality team, after all, so a win or competitive loss will be another sign of positive change for this team. Almost like an inauguration happening today…