Two horrible defenses: Minnesota Timberwolves versus Sacramento Kings

Game 1: Minnesota versus Sacramento – Outcome: Minnesota wins 98-96

There’s nothing really to say about the second home preseason game versus the Bucks. Offense was better, defense was mediocre, Wolves emerged with a win in front of 73 fans. We sat in the sixth row. I heard Chris Richard yell, “Iso! Iso!” on multiple occasions, and heard every single superlative imaginable come out of Mark Madsen’s mouth. That man is a human high five. But the best part of the game was the announcement made last Saturday from the higher-ups at 600 1st Ave:

"Visit any participating metro Target Store on Saturday, October 25th for a FREE pair of tickets to the Timberwolves home opener on Wednesday, October 29th. The first 40 fans to visit guest services at any Target Store in the metro area will receive a free pair of tickets."

There are 50 some Target stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and each store had 80 tickets to give away. No stipulation, no Target purchase necessary. Walk in, grab your tickets, leave. 50 stores, 80 tickets per store. That’s 4,000 free tickets!

The level of desperation coming from the Target Center offices never ceases to amaze me. From the ridiculous FASHION SHOW to Kevin Love serving coffee the day before the game to this unbelievable offer, this franchise is so desperate for attention that it will literally do anything to garner any kind of fan fare.

And it worked. The lower level tonight was almost full, and the upper level had at least 1,000 people. We could only get down to the 12th row tonight.

Pathetic.

That said, let’s get to the game. Toward the end, after the Wolves had squandered an eight point lead with a minute and a half to play, my Mom said to me, "I've never seen a team in any sport lose a lead like this team." Couldn't have said it better myself.

In a game that pitted two of the league’s worst defenses, this game didn’t disappoint. The game had 65 first quarter points, and the interior defense was as soft as Oliver Miller’s belly circa 1993.

Random thoughts for the game:

1)    Spencer Hawes will be a good, good player in this league. He was my favorite big man in the 2007 draft, and tonight he showed why. He’s got good range on his jump shot, and is extremely active on the defensive end. He’s got quick feet, and a nice little baby hook that will be very tough for opposing 5’s to defend. I think he averages a double-double, or close to it, this year, and is absolutely the center of the future in Sacramento.
2)    Bobby Jackson still wears knee-high socks, and I love him for it. The former Golden Gopher continues to play like he did when he dominated the Big Ten, and I still maintain that his departure is the biggest free agent loss in Timberwolves history.
3)    Who the hell is Jason Thompson? The Wolves’ porous defense couldn’t stop this guy all night.
4)    Beno Udrih was once a Timberwolf. But then we decided Marko was our point guard of the future. Udrih was solid again tonight, with 10 points, five boards and five assists. We didn’t need him.
5)    Corey Brewer is an elite NBA defender. With tremendously quick hands and good instincts, Brewer will guard the opposition’s best player all year. For better of worse, defensive specialists don’t earn the first or second team all-defense award. But if Brewer can shoot 40% from the floor, there is no reason why he won’t be recognized for his skills on the defensive side of the ball.
6)    Kevin Love had a nice game, but it looks like he’s working so much harder than anyone else. The game just doesn’t come as naturally to him. Maybe it’s the rookie syndrome; maybe it’s the Pac-10 syndrome; maybe it’s the high school plus experience. Most of the time, Love looks utterly confused. At one point running down the court, he actually tripped on his left foot and fell to his knees. If it weren’t so sad, I would’ve laughed. But I couldn’t. He’s trying so hard. I feel for the guy. Then, not four minutes later, he tried going up for a defensive rebound, but was so close to the basket that he literally dunked the ball in his own basket. There wasn’t a King within six feet of him. All that said, 12/9 is nothing to sneeze at in his first game. Good effort.
7)    If Al Jefferson plays even mediocre defense this season, he will be an all-star.
8)    When you walk into the Target Center, there is a huge banner that reads, “Come see the WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS play the Timberwolves on 11/21. Is Kevin McHale trying to piss the fans off? Does he enjoy rubbing salt on that wound? We’re not over it, Kevin. We’ll never be over it. We’ll never forget. Keep that in mind as you delusionally think you’ve established a winning team here.                                              

1-0. The squad’s on pace to go 82-0. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Next: Predictions for the 2008-2009 season.