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We're a month into the new NBA season, and things look pretty much like they did last year in Minnesota. A 4-11 start that is 40 percent disappointing, but 60 percent expected, has dampened any Timberwolves enthusiasm that may have been floating around the state or country. Timberwolves Talk is here to pass judgement on each player in the Wolves' rotation in the first Monthly Report Cards of the Season.

Point Guards

Randy Foye: C+ For the most part, the Fourth-Quarter Foye of 2006 has been AWOL this year, replaced by Reasonably-Effective-for-Three-Quarters Foye. In the season's first few weeks, Foye looked like a high school player who'd wandered onto an NBA court. He settled for way too many jumpers, seemingly afraid to take the ball hard to the basket. He didn't have a lot of success running the offense, either. After coach Randy Wittman sent him to the bench for a few games, however, Foye started to come around. He's looked more aggressive and confident lately, culminating in his 23 point, 14 assist outburst that paced the Wolves to their blowout of Detroit. Foye's mini-resurgence is encouraging, but it isn't exactly the best sign when the local media is thrilled that Wittman shaved his playbook from 75 plays to 15 in order to suit Foye's mental capabilities. (P.S.: Foye: 12.1 pts, 5.9 assts; Brandon Roy: 21 pts, 5.4 assts. Ouch.)

Sebastian Telfair: C Suspended for the first three games for illegal gun possession (Which, by the way, is hilarious: Imagine little Sebastian running from the cops, packing heat. It's too much). Telfair returned to the Wolves lineup after a week, and his speed and willingness to push the ball up court briefly energized the team. As a result, Bassy was thrown into the starting lineup for a few games. (Sebastian Telfair: Starting NBA point guard. Not exactly a nice ring to it.) Telfair's impact has faded a little, however, and he's back on the bench.

Shooting Guards

Mike Miller: B-      I've been slightly disappointed by Miller; he's hit some big shots (game-winner against OKC, and sealed the win over Philly with a 3), but after we traded for him, I pencilled him in for 16 or 17 points a game. He's averaging 11.5. Granted, his rebounding and assists are better than I thought they'd be. But Mike: If you catch the ball on the three-point arc and you're reasonably open, I realize that Ryan Gomes has an even-more-open jumper across the court. But you're Mike Miller, and he's Ryan Gomes. Shoot the ball.

 Rashad McCants: D+     Take Vince Carter's attitude, but lower him to Rashad McCants' talent level, and what do you get? Ladies and Gentlemen, Rashad McCants!

Small Forwards

Corey Brewer: C     I feel bad dissing Brewer, because he obviously gives it his all, and he's a really good hustle player. I've seen him come up with some truly impressive offensive boards, steals, and loose balls. But when he has the ball, he's like a two-year-old dog who just grew a bunch, and can't seem to run around without tripping over himself. As of right now, he's too big an offensive liability to be a rotation player for a playoff team.

Ryan Gomes: C+    Gomes is a fairly underrated asset. He's got a reliable jumpshot, and he's a pretty good rebounder. But he's not athletic enough to be a real SF, but not big enough to be a real PF. That said, he's picked up where he left off last year, maximizing his talent and being a steady rotation guy.

Power Forwards

Kevin Love: C+   If you watch closely, Love has been every bit deserving of a high draft choice, and maybe even a Love-O.J. Mayo swap. He gets great position, sets good picks, makes smart passes, and most of all, keeps loose balls and rebounds alive by tipping them up into the air. That is, until he shoots the ball. I can only hope it's a rookie slump. It's almost comical to watch him rim out layups that seem impossible to miss. I feel bad for the guy. Keep shooting, Kevin! You've got at least one believer here.

Craig Smith: B-   The Rhino (one of the dumbest nicknames ever, by the way. Who came up with it?) has been way better than I thought he'd be. He hasn't been consistent, but it's hard to be consistent when you aren't getting consistent minutes. When Wittman leaves him in for longer stretches, he's put together some really nice games. He's tough, strong, and thick. Sometimes impossible to stop inside.

Centers

Jason Collins: C- He's big. Not much else. Good thing he doesn't play much. Wait.... He starts? Oh.

Al Jefferson: A- I'm convinced that Al is one of the best 15 players in the league. He hasn't taken a night off yet this season. He's an absolute lock to score in the post if he's single covered, and he's coming along rapidly as a passer and shot-blocker. His one weakness is that he's not (yet?) quick enough laterally to help on defense that well (as seen when Kevin Durant dunked on his head with 3 seconds left to tie it up). But after some early skepticism, it's clear that Big Al's head and heart are in the right place. The Wolves are undeniably rebuilding, but it's alot easier to do that when you've got a building block in place like Jefferson.