11/10/2009 - 19:02
A Tough Beginning
by
Matt Martino
Al Jefferson is not pleased with the way his Minnesota Timberwolves have started the 2009-2010 season.
“It’s an embarrassment,” Al told the Star-Tribune after Monday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. “We just got embarrassed.”
The Timberwolves (1-7) lost their seventh consecutive game as the Warriors skated to a 146-105 victory at Oracle Arena.
Al had his most efficient game of the season, scoring 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting in only 20 minutes of play due to the severity of the blowout.
Al goes for a jam against Golden State -- one of the Wolves' few highlights in the game (Getty Images). |
The Wolves opened a five-point lead after No. 25 sank a four-foot jump hook shot four minutes into the first quarter. Golden State (2-4), however, outscored Minnesota 23-14 over the final eight minutes of the first, shooting 63.8 percent in the opening quarter, to seize a 33-29 advantage entering the second.
“This is not something that’s not going to turn around in the first 10 games,” Wolves coach Kurt Rambis told the Star-Tribune.
“We still don’t know who we are as a ballgame until Al Jefferson is back 100 percent, until Kevin Love is back, until we have an idea of a nice starting unit and a set rotation where guys can feel comfortable. Until then, we’ll probably continue to play up and down and be inconsistent.”
MAKE AL AN ALL-STAR
Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love and guard Ramon Sessions are listed on ballots for the NBA’s 59th annual All-Star Game, which is scheduled for Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
All three Wolves players are vying for their first All-Star Game appearance. Balloting for the game begins Wednesday at NBA arenas around the country. Fans also can submit votes at NBA.com.
To vote for Al, click here.
NEXT UP
The Wolves hope to stall their losing streak on Wednesday night when they travel to Portland to take on the Trailblazers (4-3).
Minnesota hosted Portland over the weekend, but the T-Wolves were unable to win despite Al tallying his first double-double of the season, 12 points and 10 rebounds.
RELATED STORIES
Wolves lose to Warriors in record-setting fashion (Minnesota Star-Tribune, November 10, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/69619547.html?page=1&c=y
Timberwolves match history with 41-point loss to Warriors (St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_13752007?source=rss
Timberwolves’ Al Jefferson on All-Star Game ballot (St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_13754992
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