Pistons 98, Wolves 89: Items to consider

Sorry for the late post on last nights game. A couple too many $6.50 Target Center adult beverages and an early morning = late post.

Because of that, we'll go with some quick hits here:

1. This game should be Exhibit A as to why the Wolves need to make an addition at point guard over the summer.

Why? With Bassy still dealing the bruised thigh he suffered Monday night at Milwaukee and getting in foul trouble from trying to guard Mr. Practice A.I., Randy Foye played point guard over the final 10:15. That, my friends, still isn't a good thing. It isn't a coincidence that Foye's numbers have gone up ever since he has been moved primarily to the 2.

Foye replaced Bassy with 10:15 to go in regulation and the game tied, 76-76. From that point, Foye missed both of his field goal attempts and scored one point. When was the last time he was that ineffective in the fourth quarter. Some of that credit goes to the Pistons, but it was a perfect example of why the Wolves need to do something at PG. 

I would like to see them draft a PG with their first pick or sign or trade for a starter and keep Bassy. I think Telfair really is better. While there are a couple of stupid turnovers or horrible shots a game, the does a lot of things well. He gets the game moving at a faster pace, he does a nice job penetrating and then pitching out to open shooters on the wing and he does a nice job feeding the post when the defense is off balance. In a perfect world, I'd like to see him split time next year with a new guy and at least play 15 minutes a night.

With Foye running the point, the Wolves looked sluggish and never really got into a flow. They only scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and only 13 after Foye moved to the point.

This truly was a winnable game for the Wolves, but it turned into an opportunity lost.

2. Did he really say that?

How about the quote after the game from Rasheed Wallace. "I think we needed it more than them," Wallace said. "They were pretty hot her in the month of January. I think we just wanted it a little more to get off of this damn slide we've been on."

Did you ever think that the Pistons would say that after a game with the Wolves? I could see 'Sheed saying that after beating, say, the Celtics or Cavs, but the Wolves? I guess it shows how far Minnesota has come in the past six weeks.

3. 'Sheed really can play

It's easy to simply call him a thug or a whiner, but Wallace really can still play. And he's a smart cat. How he attacked the Wolves on the offensive end was a perfect example of that. When Rhino or K-Love guarded him, Wallace immediately went inside and overpowered his defender on the block. But when Big Al tried to guard him, Wallace used his quickness to his advantage. He took the bigger Jefferson out to the perimeter and bounced it past him or shot three-pointers. 

That was the case down the stretch where 'Sheed scored seven in a row as Detroit finished the game on a 13-3 run.

4. Thoughts on A.I.

While the moody No. 1 is getting older and he doesn't totally attack the basket on every play, he still can motor at spurts. When he wants to, A.I. can blow by almost any guard in the league and get into the paint.

The other thing that is amazing when you sit close to the floor -- as was the case last night -- is that he really isn't very big. It's like he could be simply snapped in half by a big guy. 

While I can understand the people who don't really like him and think he's a total punk, I totally respect him. He plays hard all the time and he's totally fearless. Nothing wrong with any of that.

5. A view from the not-so-cheap seats

Sat in some corporate seats a few rows up from the Wolves bench for the first time since the coaching change. The difference was staggering. It was so much more peaceful.

It's been very clear that McHale has a much more laid back personality during games than Wittman. That is clear from some of the other seats I've sat in and from watching on TV. But sitting up close, it's amazing how quiet it is. McHale isn't calling out plays all the time, he doesn't stomp his feat. He gets on the officials a little bit and yells almost exclusively encouraging things at his team. He doesn't freak when they make a mistake. It's totally refreshing. 

That's it for now. Will post later on my thoughts about K-Love, Big Al and the All-Star Game.