Blergh

So I guess I was wrong to tamper enthusiasm about Al Jefferson. Because he's back in a big way. The shots he's been missing have started to drop, and he's stepped up in the defensive end as well, accruing three steals and a block in this game. The Wolves were great defensively, with very few noticeable break downs. The Clippers only shot 42.7% overall, 22.2% from the arc, both of which are below their season averages. They did not block many shots, but applied good pressure on the ball, leading to some bad decisions by L.A. Light, which meant ten steals for the Wolves. Corey Brewer continued his energetic play on the defensive end. Unfortunately, he continued his terrible shooting on the offensive end as well.

For all of the talk about his improved jump shot (at least the FSN announcers spoke of it), there's just not a lot of actual improvement in his results. It wouldn't be such a big deal, except that he led the Wolves in shot attempts. It wouldn't be such a big deal, except the other Wolves wing players did not shoot much better. It's not just a matter of shooting talent. I can't believe in a world where a team's actual shooting ability is below forty percent. The problem is shot selection. Brewer took tons of contested, long-range jumpers. The Clippers might drain a three every five attempts, but the Wolves would do the same every five long-two attempts. The long-two is the worst non-desperation shot in basketball. Difficult to make, and no extra incentive to take except for laziness. Jonny Flynn isn't one of the Wolves' leading scorers because he's a great shooter, it's because he works hard to get close to the basket, is a natural finisher, and on occasions he can't finish, he'll get some free throws out of the contact he generates.

The Wolves were at their best when they generated turnovers, which led to easy baskets at the other end. Unfortunately, they ran out of time, and were left in a situation that required a three point shot. Naturally they were unable to make one, and they lost. Yet we can't take away how hard they kept playing, and the leadership of Al Jefferson to will his team to a near-victory. Kevin Love will return, and with him some better shooting and much better rebounding, which hurt the Wolves on the Clippers' last few possessions. Maybe he'd make that last-second three as well. Either way, I've felt compelled to watch every game this season (Sunday's excluded), and I've finished all my viewing attempts. That's infinitely better than my finish-percentage during the Kevin McHale era. Becoming watchable is the first step. Winning will come later.