Wittman Presser

Wolves head coach Randy Wittman addressed the media subsequent to Monday morning's shootaround. Wittman won his first game as the Wolves head man by defeating the L.A. Clippers 101-87 on Saturday night.

Q: How do you feel after three tight games on the road?
A: That's what we want and ask of this team, (that) every game we've got a chance to win. They've done that. Our effort level for three games has been good. It's been at the level that it has to stay at. We don't have to do anything different from those three games. If we stay with a consistent effort and level of execution then we are going to have a chance to win every game. And that was proven with the three games we finished off the trip with; one that could have easily been three wins instead just the lone Clipper win. But that's all we have to do tonight. We don't have to do anything different.

Q: How has your life changed over the last week?
A: Call my wife. You've got so many things running through your mind that you are trying to instill in these guys. I have to be careful not to flood their minds, so they aren't thinking about where they are supposed to be and what (they are) supposed to do instead of going out and playing and reacting, which this game is. A lot of different things that you want to show these guys that we need to do, but there is a fine line of not giving them too much.

Q: How big was the Clipper win?
A: We need to win, period. We had a streak of six (losses) in a row. It was good to get that win and come into this game with a bit of confidence. I was a little worried going into the Clipper game after the two tough losses that we controlled our own destiny, and that our guys would be down a little mentally. But, they proved me wrong, which was good to see.

Q: Was it almost easier to be on road during the coaching change, and ease your way into it?
A: West Coast trips are always hard no matter what team or who's coaching. We just have to play the games that are on the schedule when they come up.

Q: Is there something different in your coaching style that we are going to see right away?
A: I'm going to do this the way I want it done, number one. Nobody is telling me how to do it. Our emphasis right now is closing up the paint. We're giving up way too many points in the paint, which is a combination of everything. A lot of times people think the bigs are killing you, but really it's the guards' penetration into the paint, the drop off passes for easy baskets. We've got to close down the paint. If they are going to beat us, they need to beat us over the top. Now it's a tough situation tonight because this a perimeter based team. But I still think if you take away their lay-ups, transition and (Steve) Nash penetrating into the paint and dropping passes off to (Amare) Stoudemire and (Shawn) Marion for dunks. We take those away and make them beat us with the jump shot, we are going to win the game.

Q: Is this a litmus test for what the team can be?
A: I think this is a great opportunity. I told (the players) I'm excited. I've got great belief we're going to come out tonight and win this game, and that's how (we) have to believe. This type of game is what you look forward to and cherish as a player. I know I did. How often in your career are you going to go up against a team that's won 17 games in a row? Not very often. I never did as a player. This is why you put the uniform on and play.