Team Check - Minnesota Timberwolves (Kosta Koufos)

(Kosta Koufos - Wolves Media Day)

Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
League: National Basketball Association
Country: United States
Buckeye: Kosta Koufos (C/PF)
Timberwolves Roster

The early fall is where you can find a universal optimism for a championship run in pretty much every locker room in the world. Only the best squads can sustain that hunger throughout the season, and while it is certainly safe to say the Minnesota Timberwolves will probabl ynot be one of those teams, it does not mean they can not rebound in a big way following last year's dreadful season.

Minnesota could only manage to win 12 games last year..they were not competing. Only four players return from that team, center pieces Kevin Love and Johnny Flynn, SG Wayne Ellington, and Darko Milicic who only played about 14 games last season. Timberwolves' brass believes some of their new additions will help them compete at a higher level. Guys of note include Michael Beasley formerly of the Heat, Nikola Pekovic (one of the top centers in Europe the last few years), and Wesley Johnson (a top 5 pick in the last NBA draft)

Former Ohio State Buckeye Kosta Koufos (Pictured up to the left with Darko & Pekovic) was acquired by Minnesota in the Al Jefferson deal this past summer. Early reports indicated that Kosta would probably not be in Minnesota's plans, but as of late September it seems as if Koufos will be a viable option for the Wolves. The club had an early Media Day session on the 24th before starting a mini week of training in preparation for an upcoming trip to Europe (they leave today). Kosta's all-around game was reportedly one of the surprises throughout camp in Mankato. The four day practice camp culminated in an intra-squad scrimmage where the Canton big man opened more eyes.

• Star Tribune - St. Paul -9.28.2010 So Far, Koufos is looking like much more than Salary dump
• Minnesota Bleacher Report - 9.30.2010 - Open Scrimmage Notes & Observations
• Star Tribune - 9.30.2010 - Rambis Likes what he sees in scrimmage
• Wolves Den - 9.30.2010 - Intra-squad Scrimmage Recap

Now granted, on paper it is still hard to see Kosta playing significant minutes unless there is injury attrition or he just really shows out over Pekovic and Darko (and it is still to be determined if he is indeed in Minny's long term plans). But we have to say that the earlier notion of Koufos being an afterthought, in Minnesota of all places, was borderline absurd. The talented young big has some things going for him, most notably versatility. He can hold his own inside as well as face you up and shoot or drive (something you won't see from Pek or Darko who are both more true centers). There is room for Koufos' contribution on a young team looking to find their way (one of the few Timberwolves with recent playoff experience)..it's just all about finding that individual role to fit the team chemistry.

-Notes

• The T-Wolves have already departed from Minnesota for a European Preseason tour in London & Paris. They will kick off the 2010 NBA Preseason against Kobe & the Lakers on October 4th in London, England's O2 Arena. The second game is in Paris vs the New York Knicks. And you already know we will be watching see how Kosta does in his first couple games as a T-Wolv.
  
• Minnesota will be without starting PG Johnny Flynn until probably November (hip surgery) The slated starter will most likely be veteran Luke Ridinour with Sebastian Telfair behind.
• It will be interesting to see who they start at SG. They have two young & smooth shooters with Wayne Ellington and Rookie Wes Johnson.
• This team wants to get out and run, they have nice athleticism at the wing with Corey Brewer, Martell Webster
• Beasley can be an X-factor for this team as the best natural scorer.