JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)


Beasley put up his best numbers as a Wolf.

Nov 12^th, 2010. The Wolves back at home for one game before returning to the road hosted the New York Knicks and their two superstars in Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony. Early in the game the Wolves were inspired by Michael Beasley who had his best quarter in a Wolves jersey, dropping 12 points on Anthony and helping the Wolves to a 31 to 26 lead at the first break.


The second period did not start well for New York with Amare breaking his wrist in a seemingly innocuous incident. The Knicks had to shuffle their line up a little, and with Stoudemire out Carmelo was called upon to step up. The Knicks went on a run in the second and erased the deficit as the Wolves sixth man Martell Webster struggled to find his range, despite several open looks. Isaiah Rider tried to keep the Wolves within striking distance as they entered the half 7 points behind.


The Knicks broke strong at the start of the second half and looked like they were going to completely break the game open, if not for the heroics of Isaiah Rider who really came through hard in the third, dropping 14 points on the Knicks to get the Wolves within two points going into the final change.


With Anthony and Billups leading the charge for New York they once again forced their way out to a double figure lead. Rider, Beasley and eventually Webster worked hard at breaking down the lead, eventually taking the lead on a Rider dunk. Things didn't get better from there though for the Wolves, with Billups sinking a three to take the momentum back for the Knicks who held on gallantly to win the game 119 to 114. The Knicks improve to 7 - 3, the same record the Wolves now hold.

Nov 12, 2010 - NYK at MIN
TEAM	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
New York Knicks (6-3)	26	37	23	33	119
Minnesota Timberwolves (7-2)	31	25	28	30	114

Minnesota Timberwolves
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jonny Flynn	29	4-13	1-6	0-0	2	15	2	0	4	9
Isaiah Rider	27	14-23	3-4	3-4	4	4	2	0	0	34
Michael Beasley	29	11-14	2-3	1-2	3	2	0	2	1	25
Kevin Love	27	4-5	1-1	3-3	5	0	1	0	1	12
Anthony Randolph	24	2-3	0-0	0-0	3	1	2	2	1	4
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Deandre Jordan	22	2-2	0-0	0-0	4	3	0	2	0	4
Martell Webster	14	7-15	3-10	0-0	0	4	1	0	1	17
Wesley Johnson	12	1-2	1-2	0-0	2	0	0	0	0	3
Eric Bledsoe	11	1-2	0-1	0-0	1	8	1	0	3	2
Sebastian Telfair	1	0-0	0-0	2-2	0	0	0	0	0	2
Joey Dorsey	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Nikola Pekovic	6	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		47-80	11-27	9-11	26	38	9	6	11	114

Video Highlights to be uploaded to blog when available.

Season Record: 7-3.

It's been a busy day for me, playing three games so far, and getting highlight videos ready to upload to youtube while I am sleeping. I have also been adjusting sliders, I think I finally found the sliders that will see me have to work hard for every win against good teams, and be a lil more comfortable over lesser teams, and have real tight contests against those at my level (The Wolves are kind of stacked at this point given my ability to use them plus the addition of 81 OVR Rider at SG).

Considering trading Telfair, but really don't know... he expires end of the year, I am just worried his whinging may pick up cause I have cut his minutes due to wanting to put more time on the court for Bledsoe and Flynn. I would have to bring in a player who would be happy as a bench warmer with very sporadic playing time.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Need feedback from those that are following. What aspects do you like the most? The little bit of a story, the box scores? the pictures? The match recap videos? Because while I am enjoying doing all this, it's time consuming and I was thinking of limiting stats to the three best Wolves and three best opposition players from now, while changing up the way I do the videos... have a weekly recap instead (plus a weekly Rider highlight video, since this association is about him anyways and leaves it open for me to follow him to a new franchise down the track should it become stale being the Wolves) and a few more screenshots (taken from the 2k game reel). Mostly I just want to have more time to play the game... so I am leaning more towards weekly recaps. Thoughts?

Will cross post this in my blog also.

[joneboy2000]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

I was thinking of limiting stats to the three best Wolves and three best opposition players from now , have a weekly recap instead

Those are fine, no need for full box scores

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Those are fine, no need for full box scores

Thanks for the feedback Just had an awesome 20 point come back 2 point win over the Clippers. I'll recap that when I play the final game in the week against the Lakers....

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Wolves win 4 in a row (update in blog)



In other news:

Western Conference top 8 at Nov 20.


San Antonio 10 – 2
Minnesota 11 – 3
Golden State 8 – 4
Denver 8 – 5
Phoenix 8 – 5
Dallas 7 – 5
LA Clippers 8 – 6
Utah 8 – 6


Eastern Conference top 8 at Nov 20.


Boston 9 – 3
Miami 9 – 4
Atlanta 8 – 5
New York 9 – 6
Orlando 7 – 6
Charlotte 6 – 7
Chicago 5 – 6
Indiana 5 – 6


LeBron James has all 4 player of the week awards for the East, Dirk Nowitzki has two for the West, Kobe Bryant and Monta Ellis one each.


Power Ranking top 5:
1. Spurs (1)
2. Celtics (3)
3. Timberwolves (7)
4. Heat (12)
5. Warriors (10)

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Recent game updates before this one posted in my blog... sharing this one, because it means big moves.


Johnson top scores with 27.

At half time in the game between Minnesota and Dallas rookie Wesley Johnson is showing his potential with 16 points, as Rambis again runs with his bench for extended periods, due to his starters dominance (with the exception of Love who just can’t seem to find the net shooting 2 of 8 so far). Kidd has 5 points and 5 assists for Dallas while Caron Butler leads his team with 12 points.


In the first minute of the second half Kurt Rambis would come to regret putting Kevin Love back in the game to work on his game, because Love was fouled hard by Nowitzki and broke his wrist and is expected to miss up to eight weeks through injury. The Wolves injury worries worsened with 30 seconds to go in the game, that was well and truly over, with sixth man Martell Webster getting knocked over by Terry after hitting a shot and landing awkwardly, suspected lower back strain could be out two weeks. A massive win 125 to 85, has turned ugly for the Wolves.


Wesley Johnson will look to fill the void left by Webster, after scoring 27 points and grabbing 8 boards without missing a single shot. Might just be the rookie’s chance to earn more playing time. Rider scored 25 for the visiting team and the injured Webster scored 21. For Dallas Butler and Terry both scored 21, while Kidd reached a double-double with 10 assists and 15 points.


File Photo: Love to miss 8 weeks with broken wrist.

Season record 13 - 4. Up next, San Antonio... good luck Wolves, going to need it.

Just not sure what I am going to do with my starting lineup and my roster... could move Beasley to PF, start Wesley Johnson and sign another guard to play a few minutes if necessary... or start Deandre Jordan and move Randolph to PF and make Wesley 6th man... may just mix and match.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Results:
November 22^nd, 2010 Minnesota 137 @ Oklahoma City 96
November 24^th, 2010 San Antonio 105 @ Minnesota 103
November 27^th, 2010 Golden State 125 @ Minnesota 129



December 1^st Minnesota 125 @ Dallas 85
December 3^rd Minnesota 97 @ San Antonio 89
December 4^th Cleveland 94 @ Minnesota 103




December 6^th Minnesota 105 @ New York 84
December 8^th OKC 97 @ Minnesota 106
December 10^th Detroit 86 @ Minnesota 106
December 11^th Minnesota 106 @ Chicago 123


I've set up my own house rules of calling plays pretty much every time up and down the court (about 75% plus) to get more realistic scores, makes games close for a bit but sometimes in the fourth I just kill the opposition... still trying to find good sliders.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Week six write up and images now up in my blog.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

December 18th, 2010. The Wolves went into the fifth game of their road trip hoping that soon some minor injury woes would be over, with Martell Webster responding better to treatment for his back ailment, although Deandre Jordan still appeared to be a week or two away.

It was a tight contest through the first half with the Wolves leading by five points at the break with Beasley dominating on the boards and on the scorecard. Coming off the bench Eric Bledsoe was scoring well, 14 points in 7 minutes action, until he had to leave the game with a twisted ankle. This threw the Timberwolves rotations into mayhem, coming into the game with only 10 players really capable of making a contribution and having that cut down to nine was disastrous for the young pups.


Denver led by Wilson Chandler (27 points, 5 Rebounds) and Nene (16 points and 9 rebounds) started picking the reeling Wolves apart, taking advantage of their tiring legs and unfamiliar rotations. The Wolves looked to be headed to a double digits defeat as the Nuggets held on to a 12 point advantage with two and a half minutes to go. Coach Kurt Rambis used the final time out at this stage to give his team a breather, not realising how much this would come back to haunt him.


From the 2:03 moment in the fourth Isaiah Rider went on a tear, nailing 5 trey's and an and one to bring the Wolves within two as Lawson missed one of two free throws in the last 3 seconds on the intentional foul. Unfortunately for the Wolves having no time out meant they could not advance the ball and set up for an inbounds play. Flynn passed the ball to Rider, but he could not get his shot off on time and the Nuggets would be victorious on the night, 101 to 99.


Rider scored 20 of his 28 points for the night, in the final quarter, including 18 in the last 2 minutes. Beasley backed him up with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Bledsoe's 14 in 7 minutes was the next best for the Wolves. Jonny Flynn scored 9 points and had 15 assists, but his turnover rate continues to be a problem, he had six on the night.


The Wolves only have two games in week eight as they wrap up their road trip against the Clippers before returning home to face Utah. The Wolves are now 22 and 6 on the season.



File Photo: Rider scored 18 in the last 2 minutes to almost win it for Wolves

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

Week 7 highlights.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)


Devin Harris helped lead the Jazz past the Wolves

December 22nd, 2010. In a somewhat surprising turn of events the Timberwolves returned home from their road trip to host the Jazz, only to slump to their third straight defeat. Devin Harris was the best for the Jazz as he scored 25 points while dishing 7 assists to lead his team in both categories.

CJ Miles added 19 for the Jazz, who were in complete control of the game except for the third quarter, when the Wolves fought back from a 22 point half time deficit to level scores seconds before the final break, only to watch as Devin Harris drilled his only three of the game over two defenders to give the Jazz a three point lead going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter was simply the worst basketball seen from a Wolves team all season, conceding 42 points to 23, to slump to a 95 to 117 defeat. Rider top scored for the home team with 32 points, while also adding four rebounds and assists. The next highest scorer was Wes Johnson with 15, followed by Beasley on 14 and Eric Bledsoe, who returned to the lineup with 13. Anthony Randolph recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards, while Flynn dished his usual number of high assists (15) while only conceding four turnovers.


Johnson scored 15 for the Wolves

The coaches of Minnesota have recognized that since returning from injury Martell Webster has been a little slow to catch up with the pace of the game and have indicated a preference to allocate more minutes to Eric Bledsoe, who continues to maintain a level of consistency, even when returning from injury. It's not yet known when the change will be made, nor how Webster will react to losing his 6th man status. We've just heard to expect changes soon from the Timberwolves camp, as they look to halt their losing streak as they head into week nine of the season.

Season Record: 22 - 8.

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

NBA Standings - Updated: Jan 1, 2011
ATLANTIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Boston Celtics	25	6	--	7-1	20-4
New York Knicks	18	15	8.0	6-1	13-8
Toronto Raptors	13	19	12.5	2-6	8-12
Philadelphia 76ers	13	20	13.00	2-5	8-14
New Jersey Nets	10	24	16.5	1-5	8-13
CENTRAL	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Chicago Bulls	19	13	--	4-2	9-7
Milwaukee Bucks	16	15	2.5	4-1	9-5
Cleveland Cavaliers	14	19	5.5	4-3	10-14
Indiana Pacers	11	20	7.5	2-4	8-11
Detroit Pistons	7	26	12.5	0-4	4-14
SOUTHEAST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Miami Heat	24	11	--	4-2	15-5
Orlando Magic	18	16	5.5	4-4	13-10
Atlanta Hawks	16	19	8.0	5-2	12-12
Washington Wizards	12	20	10.5	2-6	7-15
Charlotte Bobcats	11	20	11.0	2-3	10-10
EAST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Boston Celtics	25	6	0
Miami Heat	24	11	3
Chicago Bulls	19	13	6.5
New York Knicks	18	15	8
Orlando Magic	18	16	8.5
Milwaukee Bucks	16	15	9
Atlanta Hawks	16	19	11
Cleveland Cavaliers	14	19	12
Toronto Raptors	13	19	12.5
Philadelphia 76ers	13	20	13
Washington Wizards	12	20	13.5
Charlotte Bobcats	11	20	14
Indiana Pacers	11	20	14
New Jersey Nets	10	24	16.5
Detroit Pistons	7	26	19
NORTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Minnesota Timberwolves	25	9	--	3-3	14-7
Denver Nuggets	19	13	5.0	4-2	13-7
Utah Jazz	18	16	7.0	5-2	12-10
Portland Trail Blazers	17	16	7.5	4-4	10-12
Oklahoma City Thunder	15	20	10.5	1-6	6-14
PACIFIC	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Los Angeles Lakers	20	13	--	4-3	11-7
Los Angeles Clippers	17	16	3.0	4-3	13-12
Golden State Warriors	17	16	3.0	3-2	9-12
Phoenix Suns	14	17	5.0	3-3	8-13
Sacramento Kings	10	20	8.5	2-5	6-13
SOUTHWEST	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
San Antonio Spurs	22	11	--	5-2	14-9
Houston Rockets	19	13	2.5	2-3	11-8
Dallas Mavericks	18	14	3.5	2-5	9-10
New Orleans Hornets	18	16	4.5	3-3	10-9
Memphis Grizzlies	15	18	7.0	3-2	9-12
WEST PLAYOFF RACE	W	L	GB	DIV	CONF
Minnesota Timberwolves	25	9	0
San Antonio Spurs	22	11	2.5
Los Angeles Lakers	20	13	4.5
Denver Nuggets	19	13	5
Houston Rockets	19	13	5
Dallas Mavericks	18	14	6
New Orleans Hornets	18	16	7
Utah Jazz	18	16	7
Los Angeles Clippers	17	16	7.5
Portland Trail Blazers	17	16	7.5
Golden State Warriors	17	16	7.5
Phoenix Suns	14	17	9.5
Memphis Grizzlies	15	18	9.5
Oklahoma City Thunder	15	30	10.5
Sacramento Kings	10	20	13

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)

[wolvesjr34]

Re: JR Rider returns to the Wolves (Association)


Randolph scored 20 points and nabbed his second consecutive player of the game award.

January 3rd, 2011. The Minnesota Timberwolves travelled to Boston to take on the top seed in the East, the Celtics. Going into the night the Wolves sat 25 and 9 while the Celtics were 25 and 6, each leading their respective conferences. Only one team would come out victorious in what some called a potential NBA Finals preview (although I'm sure the Bulls, Heat and Spurs would have something to say about that).

The game started much like a finals contest with both teams amping up the defensive pressure. The Celtics would create 9 steals on the night while adding 7 blocks, the Timberwolves only managed 3 steals, but the return of Deandre Jordan strengthened the inside with the Wolves amassing 11 blocks. Jordan only had the one block himself, but his presence made it easier for Wesley Johnson to come flying out of nowhere on several occasions on his way to a game high three blocks in the contest.

The Wolves turned the ball over 10 times on the evening, to the Celtics four occasions, but many of the Wolves blocks created a change of possession. The defensive pressure led to a low scoring opening term, which saw the visitors in front 19 to 14.

For the Celtics, Ray Allen struggle greatly in the first half only hitting on 1 of 7 field goal attempts. While Rider's production was also limited, as the Wolves looked to Anthony Randolph to carry them on his back. Unfortunately for the Wolves Randolph struggled with foul trouble and had to sit a lot in the first half, but was effective for the time he was on the court.

Fortunately for the Wolves the absence of Love and Jordan in previous weeks had allowed the Wolves to give solid court time to Nikola Pekovic who had seized his opportunities and shown much promise. While Pekovic only scored two points on the night in 16 minutes, he did grab 7 rebounds including two on the offensive glass. Jordan grabbed 9 rebounds on his return and 8 points, but let himself down with poor free throw shooting.

The Wolves broke the game open in the second on the back of contributions from everybody with a 32 to 24 point quarter. From that point the Wolves pretty much cruised until the last four minutes when the Celtics mounted a come back and pulled within four points, but forced to go to the foul line the Timberwolves held their nerve and drilled their free throws. The final score 98 to 91, Timberwolves victorious.

Rider finished with 15 points and 5 assists, while Eric Bledsoe scored 14 points in 18 minutes while also sharing 5 dimes. Randolph had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks and no turnovers in an excellent all round performance. With Kevin Love due back within the next two to three weeks the Wolves have a plethora of talented young big men at their disposal.

Ray Allen overcame his first half shooting woes to pace the Celtics with 18 while Garnett toiled workmanlike for his 17 and 7 rebounds. Rondo fell one point shy of a double-double with 9 points and 11 assists, but only shot 30% from the field.

The Wolves return home to face the Bobcats on Wednesday, 5th of January.

Season Record: 26-9.