But I keep thinking back to last Feb. 8. That was the night that Al Jefferson went down in a heap near the end of a loss to the Hornets. You know the rest of the story: Torn ACL, out for the season, Wolves go into a total tailspin.
The Wolves had just gone 13-9 over the previous 22 games, but would go a brutal 7-25 the rest of the way.
Even now, I don't think Al is fully healthy. He's played, but hasn't looked like himself. He's been great at times and then vansished at other times. It might be another month until he's fully the Al we once knew.
But what happens if Al isn't on the floor in the final 30 seconds at New Orleans Arena? How many more games do they win? Another five? Another 10? What does that do to the team's draft position?
Do they make the move with the Wizards? Do they end up with Rubio and Flynn? Do they end up with someone like Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings?
Back to Love. I am interested to see how much he plays tonight and, as a result, how much he plays tomorrow night at Target Center against the Jazz.
As Phil Miller wrote in the Star Tribune this morning, the Wolves should be able to take advantage of Love's ability to outlet the ball quickly and play faster. There is reason to believe that one of the slowest offenses in the NBA will speed up and get more easy baskets.
I don't think this is going to be an immediate fix for the Wolves. Love needs to get in a little better game shape -- working out is not the same as playing in a NBA game. But I do think the Wolves are going to get better.
How much better is a question. Just as it is interesting to think about what could have happened if Big Al had had a better last trip to New Orleans.
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