Wolves Web Report

A Shift In The Northwest Division
Wolves fans watched the new-look Denver Nuggets top Minnesota on Sunday night 90-84 behind a 26-point performance from Chauncey Billups. The trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons for Billups has instantly paid dividends for Denver with a 5-1 record after the deal. Billups gives the Nuggets more stability from the point guard spot, which has allowed Carmelo Anthony to become the focal point on offense. Denver is 6-4 in its last ten along with Utah and Portland. The Jazz lead the division and Oklahoma City sits in the basement at 1-10 on the year. Minnesota is struggling at 1-8 but only five games out of first place.

Good Ol' Al
Most teams do not have the luxury of featuring a player that averages 22 points and 10 rebounds a game. Al Jefferson is an extremely talented big man that rarely receives the type of national recognition he deserves. The center averages more points than Dwight Howard, Carlos Boozer, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Jefferson also hauls down more rebounds per game than perennial all-stars: Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, and Amare Stoudemire. On his way to a career season, Jefferson shoots 51 percent from the field and just under 80 percent from the free throw line. True basketball fans recognize the talent Jefferson possesses but until the Wolves start to compile wins, No. 25 will fly under the national radar.

Gaining Confidence
Randy Foye fits the mold of a strong point guard that each NBA team covets. Foye believes his offense is improving, especially the mid-range game. On Sunday, he scored 18 points and now leads the wolves in assists at five per game. Foye is hitting his stride and ranks seventh in the Western Conference in assists. Head coach Randy Wittman continues to bring Foye off the bench, which seems to be a more comfortable spot for the third-year man out of Villanova.

Sharing The Basketball
The 1-8 record does not display the type of effort and close games for the Wolves this year. For the most part, the offense is effective as the team ranks fourth in the entire league in assists at 23.9 per game. In the Western Conference, Minnesota is only one spot behind the top assist team, the Utah Jazz, a squad that is recognized each year for great ball movement.