Post by Apollo on Jan 5, 2009 18:05:30 GMT -5
High Hopes[/u][/size]
Minneapolis City Pages
Minneapolis (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves franchise has been through some growing pains the past few years; however, things have been looking up lately. After a few down seasons, the Timberwolves had become the ever-popular "Timberpups". The team was very young, led by star PG Austin Rivers. After a series of high draft picks, the Timberwolves welcomed PF Jack Creamer and SF Josh Ely to their young ranks; however, last season the GM felt the fans had suffered enough losing through the years. The Timberwolves made a large, one-year offer to veteran C/PF, Al Horford, which he soon accepted. Horford, though productive, was a very underrated commodity who really shined last season averaging 20.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1 SPG, and 3.5 BPG.
Horford finally got a chance to shine alongside of Austin Rivers.
Though the Timberwolves technically had a losing season, they made the playoffs in, what many consider, a very weak Western Conference. The Timberwolves would be bumped out in the First Round against the eventual Conference Champs; however, the atmosphere in Minnesota changed dramatically. Expectations were up, as were the fans' spirits, and the players were buying into the "winning mentality."
"We're all real excited for the upcoming season," veteran C/PF Al Horford told reporters, "I plan on re-signing with the Wolves and helping them get further in the postseason, and hopefully bring a Championship to Minnesota."
However, the Timberwolves GM wasn't content with sitting on his young core. In a controversial move, the Timberwolves traded young stud Jack Creamer and declining veteran Carmelo Anthony to the Miami Heat for superstar Nenad Krstic and multiple draft picks. Nenad Krstic, though 33 years of age, averaged 28.4 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.2 BPG, and he shows no sign of decline. The Timberwolves front office are excited to add another superstar alongside of Austin Rivers.
Nenad Krstic hopes to anchor the paint alongside Al Horford and lead the Timberwolves to victory.
Though the Timberwolves have their C, PF, and PG positions locked, there have been questions around the SF position. Many have questioned if sophomore player, 20 year-old Josh Ely is ready to step up and handle the starting job permanently. Last season, Ely started for about half of the season, unimpressively, before being replaced with veteran forward Carmelo Anthony. Ely still played crucial reserve minutes, but was discouraged and disappointed after being relegated to the bench. However, reports from Minnesota indicate that Josh Ely went the extra mile all summer and in Training Camp to better prepare himself for this season. Assistant Coach, Ryan Isaac, was very pleased with his progress.
"Josh has worked very hard this offseason. We feel he's ready to contribute this season, and feel his role will only increase as the season go on," Isaac recently commented in an interview.
Another question mark has been starting SG, Cenk Akyol, who only last season earned the starting job. However, Akyol has been very impressive defensively, averaging around 2 SPG all season. He's proven to be a very consistent starter and a good role-player. Akyol looks to be the starter heading into the new season.
Cenk Akyol brings great perimeter defense and plays crucial minutes on the team.
The Turkish guard hopes that he can be exactly what Minnesota needs as a non-option, but also hopes to bring toughness on the defensive end in the backcourt. Paired with Rivers, who is also strong defensively, the two look to disrupt opposing backcourt combos while effectively contributing on the offensive end.
No overview of the Timberwolves can be complete without discussing star PG, Austin Rivers. Rivers has been great during his short time in the BBS, but it was only last year where he took that step from great to outstanding. Rivers averaged a staggering 22.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 10.2 APG, and 2.9 SPG while making the All-Star Game and receiving All-League Second Team and All-Defensive First Team honors.
Austin Rivers has his sights on bigger things in BBS, mainly the Championship.
Rivers, at the age of 23, is already one of the best PGs in the league and looks to lead his Minnesota Timberwolves to a winning record and a strong playoff showing. Assistant Coach, Ryan Isaac, hopes that Rivers can cut down on turnovers and elevate to elite status, if he isn't already there. Rivers spent much of the offseason improving Offensively and Defensively and is planning on having an even better season that last, but more importantly, Rivers is planning on leading the Timberwolves past the first round of the Playoffs, and hopefully to the Finals.
"I just go out there and do what I need to do to help our team, man," Rivers explained to reporters outside of Training Camp, "Whatever my team needs, I'll do. We're ready this season. We're goin' to be bringing it nightly."
And that's exactly what fans in Minnesota want to see. They are ready for their Timberwolves to take that next step and rise to the next level. Whether or not that will happen this year remains to be seen, but the Timberwolves have definitely made the strides to go further. It's high hopes for Minnesota. Let's see if they can reach their goals.
Minneapolis City Pages
Minneapolis (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves franchise has been through some growing pains the past few years; however, things have been looking up lately. After a few down seasons, the Timberwolves had become the ever-popular "Timberpups". The team was very young, led by star PG Austin Rivers. After a series of high draft picks, the Timberwolves welcomed PF Jack Creamer and SF Josh Ely to their young ranks; however, last season the GM felt the fans had suffered enough losing through the years. The Timberwolves made a large, one-year offer to veteran C/PF, Al Horford, which he soon accepted. Horford, though productive, was a very underrated commodity who really shined last season averaging 20.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1 SPG, and 3.5 BPG.
Horford finally got a chance to shine alongside of Austin Rivers.
Though the Timberwolves technically had a losing season, they made the playoffs in, what many consider, a very weak Western Conference. The Timberwolves would be bumped out in the First Round against the eventual Conference Champs; however, the atmosphere in Minnesota changed dramatically. Expectations were up, as were the fans' spirits, and the players were buying into the "winning mentality."
"We're all real excited for the upcoming season," veteran C/PF Al Horford told reporters, "I plan on re-signing with the Wolves and helping them get further in the postseason, and hopefully bring a Championship to Minnesota."
However, the Timberwolves GM wasn't content with sitting on his young core. In a controversial move, the Timberwolves traded young stud Jack Creamer and declining veteran Carmelo Anthony to the Miami Heat for superstar Nenad Krstic and multiple draft picks. Nenad Krstic, though 33 years of age, averaged 28.4 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.2 BPG, and he shows no sign of decline. The Timberwolves front office are excited to add another superstar alongside of Austin Rivers.
Nenad Krstic hopes to anchor the paint alongside Al Horford and lead the Timberwolves to victory.
Though the Timberwolves have their C, PF, and PG positions locked, there have been questions around the SF position. Many have questioned if sophomore player, 20 year-old Josh Ely is ready to step up and handle the starting job permanently. Last season, Ely started for about half of the season, unimpressively, before being replaced with veteran forward Carmelo Anthony. Ely still played crucial reserve minutes, but was discouraged and disappointed after being relegated to the bench. However, reports from Minnesota indicate that Josh Ely went the extra mile all summer and in Training Camp to better prepare himself for this season. Assistant Coach, Ryan Isaac, was very pleased with his progress.
"Josh has worked very hard this offseason. We feel he's ready to contribute this season, and feel his role will only increase as the season go on," Isaac recently commented in an interview.
Another question mark has been starting SG, Cenk Akyol, who only last season earned the starting job. However, Akyol has been very impressive defensively, averaging around 2 SPG all season. He's proven to be a very consistent starter and a good role-player. Akyol looks to be the starter heading into the new season.
Cenk Akyol brings great perimeter defense and plays crucial minutes on the team.
The Turkish guard hopes that he can be exactly what Minnesota needs as a non-option, but also hopes to bring toughness on the defensive end in the backcourt. Paired with Rivers, who is also strong defensively, the two look to disrupt opposing backcourt combos while effectively contributing on the offensive end.
No overview of the Timberwolves can be complete without discussing star PG, Austin Rivers. Rivers has been great during his short time in the BBS, but it was only last year where he took that step from great to outstanding. Rivers averaged a staggering 22.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 10.2 APG, and 2.9 SPG while making the All-Star Game and receiving All-League Second Team and All-Defensive First Team honors.
Austin Rivers has his sights on bigger things in BBS, mainly the Championship.
Rivers, at the age of 23, is already one of the best PGs in the league and looks to lead his Minnesota Timberwolves to a winning record and a strong playoff showing. Assistant Coach, Ryan Isaac, hopes that Rivers can cut down on turnovers and elevate to elite status, if he isn't already there. Rivers spent much of the offseason improving Offensively and Defensively and is planning on having an even better season that last, but more importantly, Rivers is planning on leading the Timberwolves past the first round of the Playoffs, and hopefully to the Finals.
"I just go out there and do what I need to do to help our team, man," Rivers explained to reporters outside of Training Camp, "Whatever my team needs, I'll do. We're ready this season. We're goin' to be bringing it nightly."
And that's exactly what fans in Minnesota want to see. They are ready for their Timberwolves to take that next step and rise to the next level. Whether or not that will happen this year remains to be seen, but the Timberwolves have definitely made the strides to go further. It's high hopes for Minnesota. Let's see if they can reach their goals.
