T-Wolves Midseason Report

We are approaching the All Star break so I think it is time to review and preview.

Midseason Awards

Player of the Year: Despite playing in only 27 of the first 47 games due to injury Kevin Love is my Player of the Year. He is averaging a double double, shooting a high percentage from the foul line, grabbing nearly 5 offensive rebounds per game, and all of this will continuing to improve his shooting. Runner up: “Big” Al Jefferson.

Rookie of the Year: Almost by default the winner is Jonny Flynn. He is averaging 8 points per game more than Wayne Ellington, shooting a better percentage in everyway possible, and averaging 10 more minutes than Ellington. Runner up: Wayne Ellington

Most Improved Player: Clearly this award goes to Corey Brewer. Corey had absolutely no competition for the award. He has improved in every aspect of the game this season. In fact Brew has been on an absolute tear recently averaging 15.4 points per game since December 9th. Runner up: Also Corey Brewer

Sixth Man of the Year: I eliminated Gomes since he has started more games than he has come off the bench. Instead the winner is Ramon Sessions. Sessions has been a steady hand on a very young team. He has averaged 7.7 points in 21 minutes per contest while dishing out 2.9 assists a game. Runner up: Ryan Hollins

Newcomer of the Year: Jonny Flynn is the lone newcomer to start as well as score in double digits per game. He has provided hope for the future as a spark plug off the bench or a possible Jameer Nelson-esque starter. Runner up: Ramon Sessions

Surprise Player of the Year: Ryan Hollins has been a welcomed addition. He has improved pratically all of his stats this season while playing more minutes. He has added length and athleticism to a team that lacks it. He has a very respectable 52 FG% and 5.5 PPG in 16 MPG. Runner up: Corey Brewer

Biggest Bust: Big Al has seen a drastic decline in a year he came into camp in great shape and playing in a system both Shaq and Andrew Bynum seen success in.

2nd Half Preview

Point Guard: I think Jonny Flynn is going to be the ideal spark plug off the bench. In a couple season whether it is Ricky Rubio or John Wall running the point Flynn will be the backup. As of right now he is starting and turns the ball over at a pretty high rate. The most likely cause for this is two things: 1) The triangle is tough for any rookie PG to run. This is the reason veterans like Derek Fisher, BJ Armstrong, Ron Harper, and John Paxson were all better than say Jordan Farmar. 2) Jonny Flynn is not a natural pass first PG. He likes to score and I think would flourish off the bench with less responsibility. I say all of this with the hope Kurt Rambis starts Ramon Sessions in the 2nd part of the season. Maybe if both Sessions and Flynn are moved to more comfortable roles their numbers will improve.

Big Al and Kevin Love: Something needs to happen. Neither one is very athletic and are struggling on D. All of Big Al’s numbers are down. Some of it has to do with playing next to Love, some of it has to do with him just not playing as well, and of course most has to do with his knee. Whether they decide to trade Jefferson or bring Love off the bench and starting Hollins or Gomes something has to happen. Personally I would not mind seeing Hollins get a shot. He’d bring length and athleticism to the starting lineup. At the same time I would not mind seeing Big Al traded for a more athletic 4.

Alando Tucker and Wayne Ellington: Obviously the Wolves are out of the playoff hunt. The season is clearly over. Now don’t misconstrue what I am saying; I do not want them to throw the season. However I do think you need to see what these young guys have. We know who Damien Wilkins is. We don’t know who Alando tucker and Wayne Ellington are. Give them more PT!

David Kahn: Do not take on any bad contracts. That is all I ask, thank you!

Kurt Rambis: Enough with the rotation. Play your best players and your younger players more. No way you need to pull out your best players too early when you are hanging with a team you shouldn’t be hanging with.