Timberwolves vs. Kings Game Preview
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Tonight the Minnesota Timberwolves open their 20th season as they host the Sacramento Kings.
Both teams are coming off tough seasons a year ago; the Wolves went just 22-60 while the Kings went 38-44.
The big difference between the two teams came in the off season, when Minnesota swung a draft night deal with Memphis to get rookie Kevin Love and veteran Mike Miller, while the Kings traded away former All-Star Ron Artest.
The trade of Artest to Houston leaves Sacramento with a lineup of guys hungry to prove themselves according to guard Kevin Martin.
"We have a lot of room for opportunity as you can tell. I think guys like Beno (Udrih), John Salmons they are gonna take a bigger role this year. Then veterans like Bobby Jackson and Brad (Miller) they are very knowledgeable of the game and can help the younger guys make that transition."
Much of the offense will flow through Martin again this year. Last season he averaged just over 23 points per game, and went off against the Timberwolves in their three meetings, averaging over 33 points a game.
Slowing down Martin is something Coach Randy Wittman wants his team to focus on.
"He's a scorer, and when his shot isn't falling he gets to the free throw line. We gotta be able to defend on the perimeter without fouling."
Tonight marks the debut of Kevin Love, the only rookie on the Wolves roster. Not only will plenty of Wolves fans be waiting to see how Love plays, but so will his family.
Love's Mom, Dad, brother and Uncle will be on hand, and he said his father Stan, a former NBA player, offered some advice, "Don't get exposed...that's the best advice he could give me," Love said with a smile. "He's looking forward to watching me play, same with my mom. They've only seen games over the internet or seen games on feeds wherever they were, so seeing me play my first game in an NBA uniform, I'm sure its gonna be pretty emotional for them."
Love's Dad is not the only person he solicited advice from before the opener. Love said he's talked to many of the veterans on this team as well.
"Common question I keep asking them is; if you had to do your rookie season over again what would you do? They said they'd prepare a lot more, watch a lot more film and do some of the intangible stuff different. So I'm trying to learn from them. There's gonna be aches and pains, there's gonna be growing pains, but you live and you learn. Its kinda like trial and error."
Don't expect to see Love in the starting lineup tonight; he said he feels the coaching staff is going to work him into the game plan over the course of tonight's game and the season.
Notes-
The Wolves string of 12 straight home opener wins came to and end last season with a loss to Denver at the Target Center.
Minnesota went 2-1 vs. the Kings last season. Ron Artest only played in one of those games...a Wolves win.
Brad Miller and Sebastian Telfair will both miss tonight's game due to suspension. Neither is allowed in the building to watch the game.
Both teams are coming off tough seasons a year ago; the Wolves went just 22-60 while the Kings went 38-44.
The big difference between the two teams came in the off season, when Minnesota swung a draft night deal with Memphis to get rookie Kevin Love and veteran Mike Miller, while the Kings traded away former All-Star Ron Artest.
The trade of Artest to Houston leaves Sacramento with a lineup of guys hungry to prove themselves according to guard Kevin Martin.
"We have a lot of room for opportunity as you can tell. I think guys like Beno (Udrih), John Salmons they are gonna take a bigger role this year. Then veterans like Bobby Jackson and Brad (Miller) they are very knowledgeable of the game and can help the younger guys make that transition."
Much of the offense will flow through Martin again this year. Last season he averaged just over 23 points per game, and went off against the Timberwolves in their three meetings, averaging over 33 points a game.
Slowing down Martin is something Coach Randy Wittman wants his team to focus on.
"He's a scorer, and when his shot isn't falling he gets to the free throw line. We gotta be able to defend on the perimeter without fouling."
Tonight marks the debut of Kevin Love, the only rookie on the Wolves roster. Not only will plenty of Wolves fans be waiting to see how Love plays, but so will his family.
Love's Mom, Dad, brother and Uncle will be on hand, and he said his father Stan, a former NBA player, offered some advice, "Don't get exposed...that's the best advice he could give me," Love said with a smile. "He's looking forward to watching me play, same with my mom. They've only seen games over the internet or seen games on feeds wherever they were, so seeing me play my first game in an NBA uniform, I'm sure its gonna be pretty emotional for them."
Love's Dad is not the only person he solicited advice from before the opener. Love said he's talked to many of the veterans on this team as well.
"Common question I keep asking them is; if you had to do your rookie season over again what would you do? They said they'd prepare a lot more, watch a lot more film and do some of the intangible stuff different. So I'm trying to learn from them. There's gonna be aches and pains, there's gonna be growing pains, but you live and you learn. Its kinda like trial and error."
Don't expect to see Love in the starting lineup tonight; he said he feels the coaching staff is going to work him into the game plan over the course of tonight's game and the season.
Notes-
The Wolves string of 12 straight home opener wins came to and end last season with a loss to Denver at the Target Center.
Minnesota went 2-1 vs. the Kings last season. Ron Artest only played in one of those games...a Wolves win.
Brad Miller and Sebastian Telfair will both miss tonight's game due to suspension. Neither is allowed in the building to watch the game.
