Bad News In Minny

by Steve Weinman on Dec 2, 2008 12:29 AM EST in NBA Comment 5 comments

In case a 4-12 start wasn't enough for the Minnesota Ex-Celtics Timberwolves to be frustrated about, injury arrived to complement insult on Monday: Corey Brewer is done for the year.

The Pioneer Press' Don Seeholzer reported yesterday that Brewer tore his right ACL Saturday night against Denver, but the extent of the injury was discovered courtesy of a Monday morning MRI.

The Wolves certainly don't need any more disadvantages, and it's particularly tough to see the continuation of the rough infancy of Brewer's NBA tenure.

The transition to the pros hasn't been the easiest for the swingman from Florida. After playing a key role on a back-to-back national championship team in college, Brewer has toiled for a terrible basketball team for his first season and change, and he has already done his share of struggling.

Known for his defense and athleticism at Florida, Brewer has been good in that area for the Wolves, but he has had a lot of trouble on the offensive end. The swingman shot just 37.4 percent from the field as a rookie and put up a true shooting mark of 42.9 percent that season, which he had upped to 47.3 percent in 15 games this year. His suspect jump shot has been a problem for him thus far, and he'll need to assert himself more overall offensively when he returns.

Brewer is a hard-working, team-oriented player, and he has the length and speed to change a game with his defense and get to the rim when he is confident at the offensive end. Sorry to see him experience an injury that is virtually sure to stunt his growth as a player.

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My thoughts posted on another message board earlier today...

Sad new for the Wolves. Corey Brewer was one of their few (maybe only) guards that played within himself on offense and busted his butt on defense and everywhere else.

Bigger loss that people will realize.

Waste of a draft pick… another by McHale. Should have taken Thad Young - another poster

There is definitely some merit to that… I feel that Brewer could be an absolutely vital role player on a championship caliber team. He just seems like he will be that great of a perimeter defender and do-it-all guy. In my opinion, if the shot improves (which I think it will) we could be an even better ultimate role player than Bruce Bowen or James Posey…. BUT.

Two things:

1) A player like that has absolutely no purpose on a team as bad as the Wolves. (okay… he still helps… but they need some actual playmakers before the role players are that important).

2) You don’t draft role players that early when possible cornerstones are available.

by Big Ticket on Dec 2, 2008 1:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

There’s a big downside here for Minnesota’s planning. Similar to what happened with McCants, the Wolves just don’t know how good Brewer can be/become and how large of a role to pencil him in for the future. It adds a tough complication to whatever plans they come up with this summer.

Great opportunity for Rodney Carney to step up. He’s the only above average perimeter defender on their roster now.

by Who on Dec 2, 2008 2:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs