The Timberwolves just concluded their morning shootaround for tonight's season-opener against Oklahoma City and judging from who wore the white jersey, Rick Adelman is going with that lineup from last season that he used in the preseason:
Luke Ridnour and Wes Johnson at guard, Kevin Love and Michael Beasley at forwards, Darko! at center.
When asked how the Wolves will try to defend two-time NBA scoring champ Kevin Durant, assistant coach Terry Porter said they'll throw everything at him: Beasley, Derrick Williams, Wes and probably then some.
Rookie Ricky Rubio will make his NBA debut coming off the bench.
If preseason gave us an accurate preview, look for Adelman to pair Rubio with J.J. Barea most of the time. They'll probably be the first players off the bench tonight.
"It's going to be amazing," Rubio said. "After long, long two years waiting to play here, I'm finally here. It's going to be hard because we have a lot of games in a short season. I think today we'll play good. We have to think about enjoy it and try to win."
He missed the preseason finale at Milwaukee and a few days of practice because of a sprained ankle, but this morning declared himself, "Much, much better. I don't feel pain. I feel much better."
About coming off the bench, he said, "Derrick Williams and all the rookies, it's hard to start from the beginning. There's a lot of experience here like KLove and Luke Ridnour. All those players who know better than us, they have to teach us how to handle that pressure and all that stuff."
