Change what for Wolves? And when?

Minnesota's coach wouldn't reveal his lineup for tonight's rematch with the Nuggets in Denver, saying, "There are some things I've been thinking about. But I haven't made up my mind."

By PHIL MILLER, Star Tribune

Last update: November 29, 2009 - 12:32 AM

Print this story

More from Timberwolves

The Timberwolves' starting lineup has been remarkably stable this season. Unfortunately, so have their results, which is why Kurt Rambis keeps hinting that changes may be coming.

Minnesota's coach wouldn't reveal his lineup for tonight's rematch with the Nuggets in Denver, saying, "There are some things I've been thinking about. But I haven't made up my mind."

Jonny Flynn, Ryan Gomes and Corey Brewer have started every game, and only a two-game absence when his grandmother died has kept Al Jefferson from being a fourth constant. All coaches like to stick with what works -- but so far, this hasn't. Minnesota, which will try to avoid tying a franchise record with its 16th consecutive defeat tonight, has been outscored in the first quarter 11 times.

"There's some things I can play with," Rambis said. "When things aren't going well, you start to consider: Are we starting the right people? Are we bringing the right people off the bench? Are there better combinations that will make us play better? Those are things that I'm looking at."

Hanging in there

Despite their 1-15 record, the Timberwolves have drawn an average of 15,443 fans to Target Center, better than nine other teams. Even more remarkable than their numbers, though, has been the behavior of those crowds.

For the most part, Wolves fans haven't booed the home team.

"The fans, they've been great. They've been real patient with us," said guard Ramon Sessions, a former Buck. "In Milwaukee last year, we got booed a lot -- and we won 34 games."

The support shows that fans accept the Wolves' stated plan, of short-term pain with an inexperienced roster in order to work toward long-term success, Rambis said.

"They understand where we're at. They understand [that for team President] David Kahn and I, this is our starting point," the first-year coach said. "I hope they understand why we're going through this and trust us that it's necessary."

Fans will accept losses if they believe the team is giving an honest effort, Sessions added. But, he warned, "We have to go down hard, not these 20- or 30-point losses we've had this week, to keep the fans on our side."

Love on the mend

Kevin Love participated in almost a complete practice on Saturday, taking part in the drills and running through the Wolves' offensive and defensive playbook. "The only limiting factor right now is contact -- that's the only thing I can't do," said Love, out since training camp after having surgery on his left hand. "I'm just waiting for another X-ray before they tell me I'm good to go." His next exam should take place next Friday, Love said, "and if it's OK, I'll need a week or a half-week of practice to get ready."

Recent Timberwolves stories

Deron Williams has 13 points, 13 assists, Jazz beat Blazers 118-105 - November 29, 2009

Deron Williams has 13 points, 13 assists, Jazz beat Blazers 118-105 - Deron Williams had 13 points and 13 assists, and rookie Wesley Matthews had 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting to help the Utah Jazz win their seventh straight game, 118-105 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. More