10/21/2009 - 17:03
Starting With Challenges
by
Matt Martino
As Al Jefferson prepares for the coming season, he's making sure to pay close attention to his body, and doing everything he can to learn a whole new offense.
Big Al sat out Monday's practice to Achilles tendonitis, and as head coach Kurt Rambis explained, the team will be keeping a watchful eye on No. 25 to make sure he's healthy.
"We are just going to have to calm it down as much as possible. It all depends on how the treatments, medication, whatever they are doing for him, it all depends on how quickly it effects it."
THE TRIANGLE
Over the past few years, Minnesota’s offense has been pretty straightforward: Hit Al in the post and let him operate. Rambis is transplanting and implementing the triangle offense from his days as an assistant coach to Phil Jackson’s Lakers.
"It's a change that's going to demand everybody to think the game," veteran forward Brian Cardinal said. "There's a huge difference in people who play the game and who think the game. It's a matter of understanding where shots are going to come from. It's easier to come down, set one screen and have somebody shoot the ball."
The triangle, however, is much more complicated and puts a premium on passing, jump shots, moving into the high post and not necessarily exploiting someone like Al’s dominance in the low-block.
In response, No. 25 has continued to hone his workshot and his physique, losing 31 pounds this offseason.
While Steve Kerr, who was formerly coached by Jackson, stated that the triangle takes two years to master, the new Wolves management has taken a long-term approach to building a successful franchise -- something J.E. Skeets of Ball Don’t Lie admires:
"That this isn't just a mad dash to the middle of the pack. That this team is rolling the dice on potential game-changers, like Rubio (even if he can't score to save his life, wouldn't a pass-first guy be perfect on this team full of bigs who need the ball?), and offensive sets that teams will have a hard time matching once the roster is in place and the ball is moving."
"This isn't a one- or two-year plan, and I like that. A proper rebuilding with two fantastic talents down low and cap space to come."
In fact, Rambis and Al have four-years left on their contracts with the Timberwolves.
Steve Ashburner believes Rambis’ triangle offense could benefit the Big Man over the long haul:
In theory, the triangle should pull away from Jefferson the multiple defenders he usually draws. Also, Rambis might be challenging his best player to extend his comfort zone, to finally force from him some of the things previous coaches have talked about.
"We know that he can be an impactful player offensively on the post," Rambis said. "But we need him to stretch his game for the good of the team ... to step up his individual defense and his rebounding. He's still figuring out in this offense where he's going to get his shots from. As he learns, he'll settle down and feel more comfortable. I'm asking him to do things he's never been asked to do in his career."
RELATED STORIES
Wolves, Jefferson facing new challenge: the triangle (nba.com, October 20, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/steve_aschburner/10/20/wolves/
BDL's 2009-10 NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (Yahoo! Sports, October 20, 2009)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/BDL-s-2009-10-NBA-Pr...
Monday Practice Report (nba.com, October 19, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/Monday_Practice_Report_2009_10_19.html
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