It has been several years since the Minnesota Timberwolves have put a respectable product out on the court. With top draft pick after top draft pick it seemed as if the T-wolves would never get out of the abyss created by the loss of Kevin Garnett.
With a history of letting solid NBA players leave and acquiring sub-par players like Marko Jaric and Joe Smith.
Kevin Love had played like the super-star that he is, and now the team has a solid supporter. His name is Ricky Rubio, and he is unlike anyone else. He is easily one of the best rookies in the NBA. Love and Rubio along with rookie forward Derrick Williams look to provide a promising future for the T-wovles.
Ricky Rubio - point guard. Although he looks like a scrub with his nappy beard, this kid has a flossy ability to play the game makes him electric on the court. In addition he puts fans in the stands. Experts noted that much like Green Bay’s quarterback (the who shall not be named) he is able to throw his teammates open. This takes incredible court vision and a solid understanding of the game.
Luke Ridnour – point guard and shooting guard. While he is a short term option, currently he is the T-wolves best option we have at the two-spot this season. He is a lights-out shooter, shooting 46% in his last three seasons as a guard and was a solid pickup.
Wes Johnson - small forward. Wes Johnson has consistently under-performed for the extent of his short career. A widely touted player out of Syracuse, Johnson was thought to be a knockdown shooter, but has yet to show any promise for being a lottery pick.
Kevin Love – power forward and super-star. This year he is averaging 25.0 points and 13.7 rebounds per game while playing 40 minutes a night. This season alone, he has had the most 30-point-10-rebound games in the NBA, and is second only to Dwight Howard in rebounds per game. He is the face of this franchise and was locked up for four more years, giving Love $62 million and an option in the fourth year.
Nikola Pekovic – center. Darko Milici’s inability to be consistent and his health have left questions about him within the organization. Since he has been hurt, Nikola Pekovic has taken over and has filled in supremely during his time on the court. However, the team must decide which of the two will start.
The Wolves’ first round draft pick Derrick Williams (Arizona) has played the way one would expect a highly-thought-of rookie to play – flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistency. J.J. Barea, recently brought over from the world champion Dallas Mavericks, has spent more time teaching Rubio english than seeing action on the court.
Other Wolves impact players include Michael Beasley, offensive rebounding stud Anthony Randolph, solid defender Wayne and three point shooter Anthony Tolliver.
As I watch the 12-12 Wolves take on the Memphis Grizzlies, I can smile to myself knowing that professional basketball, at least for a little while longer, has meaning in the state of Minnesota.
(This is the opinion of Jamieson Russek, an SJU Senior.)