Nothing but Net: Wiggins responds well in first game after coaching change
Andrew Wiggins certainly took to the Minnesota Timberwolves coaching change well. The enigmatic Thornhill native, has yet to develop the consistency that goes with his lofty status as a maximum-salary player. But he exploded for 40 points, 18 free throws attempted, 10 rebounds and four assists as Minnesota beat Oklahoma City in a tense, emotional first game under coach Ryan Saunders. It remains to be seen if Wiggins can maintain that level for even a 10- or 15-game stretch, but he seems to have a close relationship with the new coach that might perk him up.
“Been with me since my first season, you deserve this moment … Congratulations Coach” Wiggins tweeted after the game. TOUGH BLOW FOR BROOKS: Memphis forward Dillon Brooks, of Mississauga, had his second NBA season end early this week when it was announced he’ll have surgery to repair a ruptured ligament on his right big toe. It’s a tough break for the youngster, who plays with an intensity that fits well with Memphis’s style, and the 22-year-old was just getting back into full form after missing 21 games with a sprained knee ligament. While Brooks is expected to resume full basketball activities in the off-season, the latest injury might also call into question his availability for Canada’s national team at the World Cup in September.
WORTH NOTING: It comes up just about any time any coach gets fired in the NBA, but it is worth noting: when Tom Thibodeau was let go by the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, it marked the 247th coaching change in the league since San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich became Spurs coach in 1996. Popovich is an outlier in the coaching ranks, of course, but it’s also worth noting that Thibodeau’s departure marks the 122nd coaching change since Erik Spoelstra was elevated to the head job with the Miami Heat. Spoelstra is by far the longest-serving Eastern Conference coach.
REMARKABLE GAME: Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors had another one of those games for the ages this week, and it’s hard to decide which aspect of it was more impressive. Thompson had 43 points as the Warriors drubbed the New York Knicks, that in itself is not hugely out of the ordinary but — he got to 43 points without attempting a single free throw, which is pretty remarkable. And, in compiling 43 points on 29 shots in 34 minutes, Thompson dribbled the ball only four times. Four! That catch-and-shoot efficiency is off the charts. TOTAL FREE FALL: The Cleveland Cavaliers were always going to take a step back once LeBron James left last summer for Los Angeles, but the depths to which they’ve sunk are astonishing. Going into Thursday night’s play, the Cavaliers have lost 11 straight games, sunk to an NBA-worst 8-34 on the season and, judging by their roster, there is little relief in sight. Kevin Love said this week he’s weeks away from returning from an injury, which could make it impossible for any team to trade for him before the Feb. 7 deadline. And the worst part of the losing streak? Cleveland went through a stretch where they lost five straight games at home by more than 20 points.
Information from other publications, wire services and websites was used in the compilation of this report.