Minnesota Timberwolves: 10 Things to Take from Opening Night

If there is any such thing as a good loss, last night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was one of them. 

On an opening night, with a sellout crowd eagerly anticipating their new looked Wolves, Rick Adelman’s team delivered.  After last night’s 104-100 loss, there is still plenty of reason to be optimistic for this 2011-12 Minnesota team.  Here are 10 things that I took away from last night’s game.

1. Michael Beasley Is Out to Slience His Critics

We’ve all been hard on B-Easy since his recent offseason troubles. 

Following the drafting of Derrick Williams, I thought for sure they’d deal Michael.  But last night, Beasley gave it his best effort going up against the leagues two-time leading scorer Kevin Durant. 

Beasley was remarkable, scoring 24 points in the loss keeping the Wolves in the game, especially when Minnesota was down 13 in the third quarter.

I wasn’t thrilled with his shot selection in the final two minutes of the game, but Beasley was the only steady offensive player for the Wolves and deservedly took the last two shots of the game. 

2. How About Ricky Rubio?!?!

The reaction from the fans said it all after each one of Rubio’s flashy, pinpoint passes. 

Although I wasn’t thrilled that Rubio did not get the start on opening night, Adelman made sure his young star played the closing minutes.  I couldn’t help but smile after each one of his no-look passes or his 30 foot, one bounce assist in transition. 

What was most impressive were his six assists to go along with zero turnovers in his first NBA game. Everything that was advertised of young Ricky came true last night. 

3. J.J. Barea Was a Great Signing

How quickly we all forget. 

Last year, everyone’s tiny giant who helped the Mav’s win their first title was a house hold name.  But following his four year $19 million contract with the Wolves, people around the league laughed at the signing. 

Last night, the 5’10” guard out of Northeastern, made everyone believe again. 

His stat line aside, Barea frustrated and agitated the hell out of Russell Westbrook when the two were matched up, drawing two fouls from Westbrook’s cheap elbow push. He proved to be a viable backcourt mate with Rubio, playing off the ball for most of the night. 

4. Luke Ridnour Is the Odd Man Out

His relationship with the other four starters carries over from last year, so I understand why he got the start, especially with the team having only two weeks of training camp. 

Ridnour was one the Wolves more productive players last season, but it only amounted to 17 wins. 

Rubio and Barea had solid games, while Ridnour’s highlight of the night was getting his ankles broken by Russell Westbrook in a half court set.  I’m sure GM David Kahn will be on the phone sooner than later to gauge the league's interest in Luke’s services.  

5. This Is Not the Same Darko Milicic of Years Past

In the first five minutes of the game, the bully of the Thunder (Kendrick Perkins) tussled with Darko following a made free throw.  On OKC’s next position down, Darko took the liberty of body checking big Perk, knock him to the ground and staring with a look of fearlessness. 

That moment said it all. 

The underachieving, former No. 2 overall pick in 2003 has finally had enough of being pushed around and ridiculed.  I truly think he has bought into this new look Timberwolves team and his play last night proved it, scoring 12 points on four-of-six shooting. 

I could not believe I actually asked myself “where’s Darko…” in the game down the stretch. 

6. Derrick Williams Is a Long Way from Making a Serious Impact

Don’t let the stat line fool you.  Williams’ opening night performance was shaky to say the least. 

His main issue is his defense.  At one point when Williams was in the front court with Love and Tolliver, Adelman choose to put Williams on Nick Collison, while Tolliver stuck Durant. It was an obvious sign that his one-on-one defense is suspect to say the least. 

His shot selection was iffy as well, shooting zero-for-three from behind the arc and barreling through the lane drawing multiple charges against him. 

I’m sure he had some butterflies in his first big league game which can attest to his subpar performance, but it’s obvious he is still a work in progress. 

7. Anthony Tolliver Is Playing Way Too Much

Tolliver was the first guy off the bench for Adelman and did pretty much nothing in his 20 minutes of play. 

The highlight of his night was a late game block on Serge Ibaka that kept Minnesota within two in the fourth quarter.

I don’t really understand why Tolliver plays in the rotation so much.  He’s a mediocre rebounder (4.5 rebounds per game last season), undersized forward/center (6’8”) and shoots way too many threes (shot 115 last season, zero-for-three last night).

I’m hoping that the veteran Brad Miller takes up some of his minutes when he returns from injury or Anthony Randolph gets some more opportunities off the pine. 

8. Where Is Anthony Randolph?

Center is obviously a thin position on Minnesota’s roster. With the addition of Rubio and the up-tempo style of play the Wolves ran with him last night, I was surprised Randolph wasn’t given more of an opportunity to play. 

Randolph was one of the few Minnesota players that came on very strong late last season, averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.  But for reasons I can’t explain, Adelman choose to play Tolliver over Randolph. 

It will be interesting to monitor this situation as the season progresses. 

9. There's Alot of Work Needed on the Defensive End

Granted they played three outstanding one-on-one players last night in Durant, Westbrook and Harden, but as a whole the defense looked putrid for most of the night. 

Wes Johnson and Michael Beasley could simply not get through screens quick enough, nor could they play tight enough to contest the Thunder wings in one-on-one situations. In addition, the help defense was extremely weak, allowing 31 free throw attempts. 

Minnesota is going to have to address this issue via trade or start scheming different defensive sets if they want to get by some of the better teams out west. 

10. Despite All the New Pieces, Minnesota Played Well as a Team

Adelman played 10 players last night, and some great cohesion was seen from his young group. 

As a team, Minnesota finished with 22 assists to only 12 turnovers.  They did an excellent job of pushing the ball in transition, leading to some easy buckets on offense and getting guys involved.In the half court, they looked to Beasley early and often and made sure Love got a touch on nearly every position. 

Despite their individual and team woes on defense, they still managed to hold the Thunder to 45 percent shooting for the night and 31 percent from behind the arc. 

Against an OKC team that many have picked to represent the West in the Finals, Minnesota made a statement last night that they can hang with the best this year.