Wolves Week: 2 out of 3? Nice. | Timberwolves Talk's Blog

The Timberwolves have shown signs of life lately, sandwiching satisfying wins over Philadelphia and Detroit around a spanking at the hands of the Celtics.

The Wolves followed their season's script to a T for the first three quarters of the Sixers game: knock down shots, take advantage of an ice-cold opponent, and pass the ball well. I watched, knowing that it would all come crashing down in the fourth for the millionth time in a row. Then, it started happening. Telfair travelled a couple times (he's got a really bad habit of doing that in big situations, I've noticed), Craig Smith missed a couple inside shots, Andre Iguodala started getting to the basket, and just like that it was a one point game with a few minutes left. I don't even feel emotion when this happens anymore. Utter collapse is what I've come to expect from the Wolves. Then, something funny happened: Al Jefferson demanded the ball down low, and scored on identical base-line spin moves three times in a row. He fired up the team, the few fans in attendance, and himself enough that Minnesota responded to every 76ers surge, and shockingly held them off for a win. (Mike Miller's huge-nuts three pointer with 30 seconds left helped, too.)

Earlier this season, I criticized Al Jefferson for his statistically-oriented approach to the game, comparing him to Zach Randolph (I know, I know.. A pretty low blow). I think I may have been wrong. He's not even remotely similar to Randolph. He takes losses too personally, is too adamant about getting the ball in the clutch. Consider this an apology, Big Al. You're looking more like a true franchise player than I thought you would.

Then came the Celtics game, which only needs one sentence of explanation: 35-10 third quarter. Ouch. (Side note about KG's first time playing as an opponent in Target Center: I know he doesn't have to be a statesmen, I know it's not his job to give shout-outs to 'Sota, and I know he's focused on his new team. But, when a reporter asks you if the Wolves have a future, how hard is it to say "Yeah, they've got young talent, and Al Jefferson's pretty good"? "Next question" is all you could say? Really? We had your back for too long here, KG.)

Against the Pistons, everything came together for Randy Foye for the first time this year. He knocked down jumpers, stole passes, led the fast break, and ran a ridiculously smooth offense. For one game at least, he looked like an elite point guard.

Kevin Love, on the other hand, continued to struggle mightily. He hasn't reached double figures in scoring or rebounding in eight games, and he's shooting somewhere below 30 percent recently. He gets good position under the basket, or grabs a tough offensive rebound, but then misses a shot that I could make. I can only hope this is just a slump, because Love is not a valuable player when he's shooting like this.

As for the rest of the Wolves, let's hope these flashes of competitiveness are here to stay.