Your browser does not support iframes.
"My body has always healed quickly through all of the injuries I've ever had," Tolliver stated. "So, it doesn't surprise me at all that I'm back to where I was less than five weeks, I'm back playing at a level where I think I can help this team again."
Tolliver was a pleasant surprise through the first 19 games of the season. Serving as the one true power forward backup for Kevin Love, the big man quickly became one of the top defenders on the squad while also finding range along the perimeter for deep jumpers. As the Wolves begin to near full strength after Jonny Flynn and Martell Webster's return, Tolliver will fill a defensive need for a team in search of continued improvement on that side of the floor.
"I think that is my strong point, that is what they brought me here for -- my defensive presence and my team defense. Obviously, I can do other things but that is what I'm known for, my energy, my effort on the defensive end. So, the fact that the team is making strides without me, the fact that whenever I come back, we can really take that next step on the defensive end. I really believe that," Tolliver declared. B-Easy Against Elmer Fudd?
Michael Beasley was both candid and amusing on Tuesday afternoon. He honestly assessed the foul trouble that kept him sidelined for a majority of the second and third quarters.
"Stop being dumb. I get stupid fouls, late reaching and passing up jump shots. I just have to be smarter," Beasley explained.
One has to respect Beasley's ability to accept responsibility for his faults but also maintain an unwavering sense of confidence. This killer instinct was on full display in Monday night's highly contested game in Boston. Beasley was near unstoppable during the late stages of the game with several deep shots over All-Star small forward Paul Pierce. The matchup against one of the premier players in the league did not necessarily serve as motivation for a player that believes he can light up any NBA standout.
I treat everybody the same, whether it's Paul Pierce or Elmer Fudd. If you're on the floor, my only goal is to kill. I feel like I can close games, if we give ourselves a chance to win it at the end of the game, I feel like I can get us over the hump, night in and night out," Beasley reassured.
The Wolves have an opportunity to snatch a win against a shorthanded Bobcats team that is reeling with only three wins in their last 10 games. Check back to timberwolves.com tomorrow morning at 10 AM for a complete scouting report.
For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jonah on Twitter. Visit the Wolves official Facebook Page here.