Damien Delivers
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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We all know the tortuous feeling of searching through countless stores for the perfect gift during the holiday season. Imagine a long winding line of 30 NBA teams in pursuit of one essential piece of a championship puzzle. While bumping into owners Mark Cuban, James Dolan, and Jerry Buss on the way to finding an elusive player attribute, a quick realization becomes evident. This quality that is in high demand like the latest version of the iPod is nowhere to be found.
Leadership.
Glancing back at the illustrious history of the league, every title team featured a bevy of talent but was also surrounded by leaders on and off the floor. Of course, star players such as Jordan, Magic, and Bird are remembered as the top commanders since Dr. James Naismith created the peach basket. However, role players on rebuilding teams play a crucial part in the maturation process for a young squad.
After the Wolves shocked the Jazz in Utah, the team lacked effort in the disappointing performance against the Clippers. Head coach Kurt Rambis searched for answers throughout the postgame press conference, "I wish I knew [why they didn't play hard tonight]. I thought they were going to bring it tonight; one of the things that I talked to them about at the end of the ballgame was that each game has to be treated for its own entity."
A seminal moment occurred at the practice facility following the perplexing 120-95 loss to Los Angeles on December 16. Facing a 4-22 record, Minnesota's new cast of youthful players hit the floor, which provided a golden opportunity for Damien Wilkins.
"You get a sense that the guys wanted someone to say it. Sometimes when you talk to guys, you can see in their eyes that 'man I was waiting for someone to say something,' maybe 'I wanted to say that' but they didn't know how to say it. You can tell. You see guys shaking their heads, I'm assuming they're comprehending, and when it's all said and done and we break the huddle, a couple guys come up to me and say 'man, we needed that. We needed to hear that." What exactly was said? Wilkins forced the team to put their lives in perspective and to take a step back to focus on their objectives.
"I told our guys to just keep our heads up, have fun, and just enjoy this journey. It just doesn't seem like we're having fun on the floor. There's no smiling, there's no getting up and down the floor throwing lobs, getting the crowd involved, and that type of fun."
Speaking to a group full of NBA players with varying personalities can be a dicey situation. Wilkins received the desired reaction from his teammates on a day where the Wolves became a pack. The next night, Minnesota responded by defeating the upstart Sacramento Kings 112-96 behind Wilkins' 16 points in 33 minutes. The small forward also contributed on the defensive side of the floor, handcuffing the rookie standout Tyreke Evans to just 10 points.
Through two months of the season, Wilkins impact is visible on and off the court. He was a key summer acquisition for the Wolves despite limited playing time last year. With Oklahoma City, Wilkins averaged 5.3 points per game in 15.5 minutes while only suiting up in 41 games. The NBA experience, upside, and versatility opened the door for Wilkins to take a gigantic leap forward in his career.
Minnesota's roster of young pups is an average 25.5 years old, including star center Al Jefferson at 24 years of age. The 29-year old Wilkins surprisingly stepped into a situation where he is one of the most experienced players on the team. Glancing at his teammates on the practice floor, Wilkins laughed, "I've been here six years and I'm one of the oldest guys on this team, and I'm like, 'wow, when did I become the older guy on the team?' I've never been that, and now all of a sudden I am, and I'm only in my sixth year."
Wilkins has spent time with the rookies to clearly explain the mental strength that is necessary in the midst of an 82-game grind. The Minnesota front office made a declaration to develop young talent regardless of their accolades in college or the NBA. Wilkins is the instructor without the suit, teaching a cerebral approach to basketball.
"They're learning on the job. This is one of the few teams in the league where our young guys are really getting in it. Jonny's starting point guard and Wayne plays about 15 minutes a game, so those guys are getting minutes and getting experience. And that's the best teaching, if you ask me. They're learning, and we're going to bring them along as best as we can and we're all going to learn from each other at the end of the day."
The teacher was once a student. Wilkins -- the name instantly generates memories of the "Human Highlight Film," former NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins. Damien's uncle was a superstar for the Atlanta Hawks and one of the greatest dunkers of all-time, right next to a guy named Jordan. Damien's father is Gerald, a one-time member of the New York Knicks during the late 1980s and 14-year veteran of the league before retiring in 1999.
With Damien slipping on the Wolves uniform at the Target Center to face the Hawks on December 22, Dominique called the action from the sidelines. Dominique serves as the vice president of basketball operations for Atlanta along with providing color analysis on the Hawks' television broadcast.
Before Atlanta and Minnesota squared off at the Target Center, Dominique proudly spoke about his nephew's leadership skills, "I think he's in a situation right now where they trust him, and he can become one of the leaders and build a relationship here in the city and with the team and the coaches, because you need veteran players like that as you're building your team."
Wilkins was prepared this year and the hard work is directly influencing the surrounding players on Minnesota's roster. In every single victory for the Wolves this year, Wilkins was in the starting lineup at the small forward position, defending prolific scorers and supplying timely shots as seen in the home opener against New Jersey where he dramatically nailed the game-winner . His unwavering sense of confidence and work ethic will be a consistent theme throughout the 2009-10 season.
"I enjoy working; I just enjoy coming in here and working hard and practicing. I enjoy the basketball part of it. I wouldn't be doing anything else. I enjoy the struggle, I enjoy the journey, I enjoy the highs, I enjoy the lows. You learn something from everything. These guys, they want to learn, they want to get better, and it's just a matter of figuring how we can do that together."
This is the exact mindset president of basketball operations David Kahn and Rambis are trying to establish on a team that is pursuing a postseason appearance in the near future.
Not found in stores and not easily found in the locker room, the Wolves are lucky to have the consummate leader, Damien Wilkins.
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